Washed PolyAl
The same polyethylene-aluminium material after washing and drying: clean, homogeneous flakes ready for compounding or for extrusion with process adjustment.
What it is
After the unwashed fraction leaves the paper mill, it goes through a washing and drying stage that removes product residue, most of the remaining paperboard fibre and the surface contamination that comes with post-consumer packaging.
The result is a light silver-grey flake with a visible aluminium sheen, far more homogeneous than the unwashed grade and with much lower moisture. It is stable enough to be stored, transported and fed into a compounding line.
It has not been extruded or pelletised, so bulk density is lower than the pellet and the melt flow index has not been homogenised. Buyers typically compound it with their own additives, fillers or virgin resin.
Indicative characteristics
| Characteristic | Indicative value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Polyethylene matrix with aluminium from the carton barrier |
| Aluminium content | ≈10% by mass |
| Form | Washed and dried flakes |
| Moisture | Substantially reduced vs unwashed |
| Product residue | Removed |
| Appearance | Homogeneous silver-grey flake |
| Standard | Pre-pellet grade — UNE 53925:2026 applies to the pellet |
Indicative values for the intermediate grades. Every shipment is confirmed by batch analysis before dispatch.
Who it is for
- Compounders that formulate their own recycled grades
- Extruders able to handle flake feedstock with process adjustment
- Manufacturers who want control over additives and blend ratios
- R&D teams evaluating carton-derived recyclate before scaling
Supply and logistics
- Sold in full homogeneous batches
- Big bag, palletised
- Quoted per RFQ: volume, incoterms and destination
- Batch analysis provided before dispatch
Important
Washed flakes are a pre-pellet grade. The melt flow index has not been homogenised by extrusion, so results in injection moulding depend on your own compounding step. For a pellet ready to blend on your line, choose the PolyAl pellet.
Prefer an ISCC PLUS certified pellet ready to blend?
The PolyAl pellet is the same material extruded and homogenised, produced following UNE 53925:2026 with a stable MFI of 2-4 g/10 min.
Frequently asked questions
Can washed PolyAl flakes be extruded directly?
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In many lines yes, with process adjustment: flake feedstock has a lower bulk density than pellets and the melt flow index has not been homogenised. Most buyers compound it first to get consistent results.
What is removed during washing?
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Product residue from the original beverage, most of the remaining paperboard fibre, surface contamination and a large part of the moisture. The aluminium is not removed — it is the functional reinforcement of the material.
Why is washed PolyAl not produced under UNE 53925:2026?
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UNE 53925:2026 specifies properties such as melt flow index and density that are only stable after extrusion and pelletising. Flakes cannot meet a homogenised specification, so the standard applies to the pellet.
Can I compare a sample against the pellet?
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Yes. Tell us your process and target volume and we will quote both grades so you can compare processing cost and performance on your own line.