Overview
EREMA Group, headquartered in Ansfelden near Linz, Austria, is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of plastic recycling systems and components. Founded in 1983 by Achim Feil and Helmuth Weninger, EREMA has grown from a small Austrian engineering firm to one of the world’s most respected manufacturers of recycling equipment, with over 6,000 systems installed in more than 100 countries.
The company’s recycling technologies process more than 16 million tonnes of plastic waste annually worldwide, making EREMA one of the most significant contributors to global plastic recycling capacity. EREMA’s equipment processes a wide range of plastic materials, including conventional plastics like PET, PE, and PP, as well as bioplastics such as PLA and PBAT.
Core Technology: Counter-Current Extrusion
The EREMA System
ERMA’s patented counter-current extrusion system is the foundation of its recycling technology. The process involves:
- Feeding: Shredded plastic waste is fed into the extruder via a specially designed feeding section
- Plasticization: The material is melted and homogenized in the extruder
- Degassing: Volatile contaminants, moisture, and degradation products are removed through vacuum degassing
- Filtration: Melt filters remove solid contaminants and gels
- Pelletization: The cleaned melt is pelletized into high-quality recycled pellets
Key Innovations
- Counter-current material flow: Ensures thorough homogenization and efficient degassing
- AutoClean technology: Automatic filter cleaning for continuous operation
- IV stabilization: Maintains intrinsic viscosity for PET recycling
- Energy-efficient design: Optimized energy consumption per kilogram of processed material
Bioplastics Recycling
EREMA has developed specialized recycling solutions for bioplastics, recognizing the growing importance of these materials in the circular economy. The company’s equipment can process:
- PLA (Polylactic Acid): EREMA has developed specific screw configurations and processing parameters for PLA recycling
- PBAT: Processing solutions for compostable polyester recycling
- Bioplastic blends: Handling of mixed bioplastic waste streams
- Bio-based PE/PP: Recycling of drop-in bio-based polyolefins
EREMA’s PLA recycling technology enables the recovery of high-quality lactide monomer or PLA pellets from post-industrial and post-consumer PLA waste, supporting the circular economy for bioplastics.
Product Range
INTAREMA Systems
INTAREMA is EREMA’s flagship product line, offering complete recycling solutions for various plastic waste streams. The systems are available in different sizes and configurations to match specific throughput requirements and material types.
Vacurema Technology
Vacurema is EREMA’s specialized technology for PET recycling, particularly for food-contact applications. The system produces rPET that meets FDA and EFSA requirements for direct food contact, enabling bottle-to-bottle recycling.
Components and Aftermarket
In addition to complete recycling systems, EREMA manufactures and supplies:
- Extruder components and spare parts
- Melt filtration systems
- Pelletizing systems
- Process control and automation solutions
- Retrofit and upgrade packages for existing systems
Market Segments
- Packaging: Recycling of flexible and rigid packaging, including food-grade rPET
- Automotive: Processing of automotive plastic waste for closed-loop recycling
- Textiles: Recycling of polyester fibers and textile waste
- Medical: Processing of clean medical plastic waste
- Agriculture: Recycling of agricultural films and irrigation pipes
- Plastics Processing: In-house recycling of production waste at plastic converters
Global Presence
EREMA operates through a network of subsidiaries and sales partners worldwide:
- EREMA Group GmbH: Headquarters in Ansfelden, Austria
- EREMA North America: Sales and service in the US and Canada
- EREMA Asia: Regional presence in China, India, and Southeast Asia
- EREMA Engineering: R&D and engineering center in Austria
Sustainability Impact
EREMA’s recycling technologies contribute significantly to the circular economy:
- 16+ million tonnes of plastic processed annually by EREMA systems worldwide
- Energy savings: Recycling uses up to 80% less energy than virgin plastic production
- CO2 reduction: Significant greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to virgin production
- Resource conservation: Reduces dependence on fossil feedstocks
- Waste diversion: Keeps plastic waste out of landfills and the environment
Recent Developments
EREMA continues to invest in R&D for advanced recycling technologies, including chemical recycling integration, improved sorting and sensor technologies, and digitalization of recycling processes. The company is actively developing solutions for the recycling of complex multi-layer packaging and mixed plastic waste streams that are difficult to recycle mechanically.
Last updated: June 19, 2026 Information sourced from EREMA corporate website and industry databases