[pageLogInLogOut]

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Efficient recycling of textile PET

VacuFil® Visco+ testing plant in BB Engineering‘s tech-nical centre © 2026 BBE
At the upcoming Plastics Recycling Show Europe in Amsterdam on May 5–6, BB Engineering will present its portfolio of PET recycling technologies. The German machinery manufacturer will once again focus on textile recycling and melt filtration.

Versatile portfolio with a focus on textiles

BB Engineering’s product portfolio includes components and systems for the production of films and synthetic fibers, as well as for PET recycling. With extruders, various filters, and com-plete spinning and recycling plants, the company possesses ex-tensive expertise in plastics processing and can offer compre-hensive PET recycling solutions from a single source. Based on its experience in the synthetic fiber industry, BB Engineering places a special focus on textile recycling (PET). BB Engineer-ing will highlight its VacuFil® and COBRA® systems at PRSE.

VacuFil® Visco+ - PET LSP recycling at the highest standard

The VacuFil® PET recycling plant combines gentle large-area fil-tration with precise IV adjustment, thereby ensuring consistent-ly outstanding rPET melt quality.

From bottle-to-bottle to 100% fiber-to-fiber: Thanks to its modu-lar design, VacuFil® can be exactly tailored to individual re-quirements. A wide variety of PET feedstocks — such as flakes, textile waste, fiber waste, or start-up lumps — are processed re-liably, while the IV is specifically adjusted to the desired end product.

At the heart of the system is the patented Visco+ component. Using liquid-state polycondensation, it reliably removes volatile contaminants and delivers an exceptionally homogeneous melt with a viscosity of ±0.01 dl/g — up to 50% faster than compara-ble LSP systems. Depending on the throughput, a viscosity in-crease of up to 30% can be achieved.

Continuous process monitoring via an online viscometer en-sures a stable and reproducible output. VacuFil® has a capacity of 150 to 4,000 kg/h.

COBRA® sets new standards in melt filtration

With the development of its latest melt filter COBRA® BB Engi-neering has created a clear solution to the growing demands of the recycling industry. The goal: to reliably handle even high lev-els of contamination, simplify filter changes and cleaning, and at the same time significantly reduce operating costs.

The result is a high-performance system that combines contin-uous large-area filtration with automated, chemical-free inter-mediate cleaning. Two filter cartridges with automatic switch-ing ensure stable, safe, and uninterrupted operation — even at high contamination levels where conventional candle filters or screen changers reach their limits.

A key advantage lies in the integrated cleaning system: it signif-icantly extends the service life of the filter media while simul-taneously reducing operational effort, melt losses, and energy consumption — all without the use of chemicals. This not only enhances process reliability but also sustainably lowers operat-ing costs.

Thanks to its high flexibility, COBRA® is suitable for both coarse and fine filtration. In addition to its use in PET recycling, the system also offers great potential for increasing efficiency in other applications, such as plastic spinning, and can be easily retrofitted there.

COBRA® filter © 2026 BBE
COBRA® filter © 2026 BBE





More News from BB Engineering

#Spinning

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

#ITM 2026

BB Engineering unveils new, patented “ValuePack” spin pack at ITM

At the upcoming ITM in Istanbul, taking place June 9–13 at the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center in Hall 7, Booth 702B, BB Engineering will once again be represented at a joint booth with its parent company, Barmag, and its representative, Tekstil Servis. The German machine manufacturer will show-case its expertise in man-made fiber and recycling technology, presenting its entire product portfolio, which includes compo-nents such as extruders and filters, as well as complete sys-tems for spinning synthetic fibers, air-texturing, and PET recy-cling.

#Spinning

Development of bio-based polyethylene fibers for textile applications – BB Engineering partici-pates in the bioPEtex research project

In the German research project bioPEtex, BB Engineering (BBE) is working with other partners to develop textiles made from 100% bio-based polyethylene (PE). The aim is to make use of this poly-mer, which has hardly been used in the chemical fiber industry to date. BBE is contributing its spinning and texturizing expertise and developing the texturing process on an industrial scale. The first promising results are already available – opening up new opportu-nities for sustainable and economically attractive applications in the textile industry.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Efficient filtration in PET recycling – How the new COBRA filter is setting new standards

A conversation with Matthias Schmitz, Head of Engineering Recycling Technology at BB Engineering Rapidly rising recycling rates, fluctuating input qualities and high demands on product purity pose major challenges for recyclers – especially in filtration.

More News on Recycling / Circular Economy

#Recycling / Circular Economy

NEUMÜHLE launches mono-material hoodie designed for textile recycling

With the Circular Mono Hoodie, Zurich-based label NEUMÜHLE introduces a new essential designed around a single-material principle. The textile construction is cotton throughout, right down to the sewing thread. Entirely free from elastane, the hoodie launches as a Limited Drop for CHF 139. Take-back, collection and existing recycling partnerships complement its circular design.

#Recycled Fibers

Carbios and Fiber-to-Fiber Consortium validate recycled polyester production from complex waste

Carbios has announced the successful production of high-quality recycled polyester T-shirts made from complex textile and plastic waste on European industrial manufacturing lines, in collaboration with Fiber-to-Fiber Consortium members Patagonia, PUMA and Salomon.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

New Look, M&S, Sainsbury's and Oxfam join forces to boost the UK’s circular textile economy

New Look, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Oxfam and Circle-8 today announce The Circuit, a new collaborative model bringing together retailers, textile recovery partners, automated sorting, recyclers, digital innovators and manufacturers to help build new circular textile value chains and transform UK generated post-consumer textiles into future circular raw materials. The first phase of the initiative will focus on testing, learning and developing the operational frameworks needed to support future scale-up.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

nova-Institute launches groundbreaking Advanced Recycling Database for strategic market insight

The new Advanced Recycling Database reduces complexity by providing industry stakeholders with up-to-date expert-reviewed intelligence on companies, technologies, plants, capacities, locations, products and partnerships across the global advanced recycling landscape.

Latest News

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

YKK subsidiary Golden Hill Tower Limited marks 25 years of operations in Myanmar

Golden Hill Tower Limited, a subsidiary of YKK Corporation, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a ceremony in Myanmar on September 21, 2026. The event brought together approximately 230 guests, including senior executives from the YKK Group, to commemorate the company's development since the launch of its serviced apartment business in November 2000.

#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase digital product creation at Apparel Sourcing Week

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Apparel Sourcing Week 2026 in Bengaluru, India next month. The exhibition provides a platform for the entire apparel value chain, bringing together manufacturers, brands, suppliers and solution providers in one location.

#Digital Printing

SNA GZ accelerates its on-demand production strategy with Kornit Digital

SNA GZ is leveraging the Kornit Atlas MAX PLUS to expand its music merchandise production, streamline e-commerce order fulfillment, and grow its print-on-demand business across Europe. This investment increases SNA GZ's textile production capacity by 150% (2.5×), enabling the company to meet growing demand and support its continued expansion.

#Raw Materials

New Cotton Review examines competitiveness, market risk, and opportunities

From moving record volumes of Brazilian cotton to market, to managing price volatility, unlocking Ethiopia’s production potential, and strengthening African textile trade, the latest edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation examines some of the most consequential opportunities and challenges facing the global cotton industry.

TOP