What Is PA Scrap?

PA scrap is used polyamide — commonly called nylon. The two dominant types are PA6 and PA66, produced through polycondensation or ring-opening polymerization. PA scrap comes from diverse sources: purge lumps from foil extrusion, textile filament offcuts, PA6 fishnet waste, nylon film trim, baled yarn, uncoated PA66 from airbag manufacturing, and carpet production filament scrap.

Despite being discarded, PA retains high recycled value. When properly processed, it re-enters the supply chain as fiber for textiles, film for packaging, or injection molding feedstock. The key is efficient size reduction — balers for transport, shredders for primary breakdown, granulators for fine sizing, and extruders for pelletizing.

The PA Scrap Recycling Process

Step 1 — Baling — Loose PA scrap is compressed into bales for economical transport to recycling facilities.

Step 2 — Shredding — Bales are opened and material feeds into a PA scrap shredder. Large lumps, film rolls, and bulky items are reduced to 50–100 mm fragments.

Step 3 — Granulating — Shredded fragments enter a granulator for secondary reduction to 5–20 mm chips. Some clean, uniform scrap may skip shredding and go directly to granulation.

Step 4 — Pelletizing — Sized chips are dried, melted, and extruded into pellets ready for fiber spinning, film extrusion, or injection molding.

Wanrooe PA Scrap Recycling Equipment

Single shaft shredder — Controlled output size with screen, ideal for uniform film and fiber scrap destined for consistent pelletizing.

Double shaft shredder — Higher torque for mixed, bulky loads including purge lumps, baled yarn, and contaminated production waste.

Granulators — Secondary reduction from chips to pelletizing-ready size. Available in capacities from laboratory scale to industrial throughput.

Contact us with your PA type (PA6, PA66, or mixed), scrap form (film, fiber, lump, or baled), and target capacity. We configure the shredding and grinding line to your specific material and output requirements.

FAQ: PA Scrap Recycling

Does PA scrap need drying before pelletizing?

Yes. Polyamide is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from air. Wet PA causes hydrolytic degradation during extrusion, reducing molecular weight and mechanical properties. Drying to below 0.1% moisture is mandatory before pelletizing. Some Wanrooe lines integrate inline drying between grinding and extrusion.

Can I recycle coated or dyed PA scrap?

Uncoated natural PA is easiest to recycle. Coatings, dyes, and finishes may require additional washing or separation steps. Dark dyed carpet fiber, for example, limits end-use to non-color-sensitive applications. Specify your scrap composition for process design.

What is the difference between PA6 and PA66 recycling?

PA6 has lower melting point (around 220 °C) and is more forgiving in reprocessing. PA66 melts higher (around 260 °C) and is more sensitive to thermal degradation. Equipment must be configured for the specific melting range and moisture sensitivity of your PA type.