Unwashed PolyAl
The separated non-fibre fraction of post-consumer multilayer packaging, shredded into flakes and sold as it leaves the process — before washing, drying or pelletising.
What it is
When post-consumer multilayer packaging is recycled, the paper mill recovers the fibre and leaves behind a mixed fraction of polyethylene and aluminium — the PolyAl. Shredded into flakes, this is the earliest sellable form of the material.
Because it has not been through a washing stage, the flakes still contain paperboard fibre, traces of the original beverage and process water. The material is visually irregular, with a grey-silver tone and variable flake size.
It is the lowest-cost entry point into the PolyAl stream, and it is only worth buying if you have the equipment to wash, dry and homogenise it yourself.
Indicative characteristics
| Characteristic | Indicative value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Polyethylene matrix with aluminium from the carton barrier |
| Aluminium content | ≈10% by mass |
| Form | Irregular flakes |
| Moisture | High — washing and drying required |
| Fibre residue | Present |
| Odour | Noticeable, from product residue |
| Standard | None — the pellet follows UNE 53925:2026 |
Indicative values for the intermediate grades. Every shipment is confirmed by batch analysis before dispatch.
Who it is for
- Recyclers with their own washing and drying line
- Compounders that want to control every step of the treatment
- Operators evaluating carton-derived feedstock at the lowest cost per tonne
- Energy or material valorisation projects with tolerance for residue
Supply and logistics
- Sold in full homogeneous batches, not as partial lots
- Big bag or bulk depending on volume and destination
- Quoted per RFQ: volume, incoterms and destination
- Batch analysis provided before dispatch
Important
This grade is not produced under UNE 53925:2026 and is not suitable for direct injection moulding or extrusion. If you need a material ready to process, the PolyAl pellet is the right grade.
Need a material ready to process?
The ISCC PLUS certified PolyAl pellet is washed, dried and pelletised with a stable melt flow index, ready for injection and extrusion.
Frequently asked questions
Can unwashed PolyAl be injection moulded directly?
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No. The moisture and residue content would cause defects and degassing problems. It must be washed and dried, and normally pelletised, before injection moulding or extrusion.
How much aluminium does unwashed PolyAl contain?
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Typically ≈10% by mass, the same as the washed and pelletised grades, because the aluminium comes from the barrier layer of the original carton and is not removed during washing.
Why is there no full technical specification?
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Unwashed material varies with the incoming waste stream, so a fixed specification would be misleading. We publish indicative ranges and confirm the real values with a batch analysis for each shipment.
Is unwashed PolyAl cheaper than the pellet?
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Yes, because it has not been through washing, drying and pelletising. The trade-off is that you carry those processing costs and the yield risk yourself. Prices are quoted per RFQ.