German machinery manufacturer BB Engineering, specializing in textile and plastics recycling technologies, is preparing to showcase its solutions developed specifically for textile-based PET recycling at the Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) 2026 in Amsterdam. With its systems focused on high-quality rPET production, advanced melt filtration and energy efficiency, the company aims to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the recycling industry. At the exhibition, which will take place on May 5–6, BB Engineering will focus on the VacuFil® system, designed to transform textile waste back into high value-added raw materials, along with the new-generation COBRA® melt filtration technology.
Complete PET recycling solutions from a single source
In addition to film and synthetic fiber production technologies, BB Engineering develops PET recycling systems and attracts attention with a broad product portfolio ranging from extruders and filtration systems to complete spinning and recycling plants. By transferring its long-standing experience in the synthetic fiber industry into textile recycling processes, the company aims to strengthen its position in the sector. As the transformation of textile waste into reusable raw materials becomes increasingly central to sustainability policies within the global textile industry, the systems developed by BB Engineering are regarded as important examples demonstrating the industrial-scale feasibility of high-quality recycling.
High-quality rPET production with the VacuFil® system
One of the key systems BB Engineering will highlight at the exhibition is VacuFil®, which combines precise IV control with large-area filtration to ensure the continuous production of high-quality rPET melt. Particularly prominent in fiber-to-fiber recycling applications, the system offers a flexible structure capable of reliably processing different PET raw materials. Textile waste, fiber waste, PET flakes and start-up lumps can all be integrated into the system, while the viscosity value required for the final product can be adjusted with precision. At the core of the system is the patented Visco+ technology, which removes volatile contaminants through liquid-state polycondensation and creates an exceptionally homogeneous melt. According to BB Engineering, the system can operate up to 50 percent faster than comparable LSP solutions while achieving viscosity increases of up to 30 percent. Continuous process monitoring supported by an online viscometer ensures stable production quality, while the system’s capacity ranging from 150 to 4,000 kilograms per hour enables adaptation to facilities of different scales.
A new era in melt filtration with COBRA®
Another solution expected to attract attention at the exhibition is the new-generation COBRA® melt filter system. Developed to address the increasing contamination challenges faced by the recycling industry, the system is designed to improve process reliability while simultaneously reducing operating costs. Operating with a continuous large-area filtration principle, COBRA® provides significant advantages particularly in applications involving high contamination levels thanks to its automated intermediate cleaning system that requires no chemicals. With its dual filter cartridge structure featuring automatic switching, the system ensures uninterrupted operation even under contamination levels where conventional filtration technologies reach their limits. One of the system’s most notable features is its integrated cleaning technology. This structure extends the service life of the filter media while reducing melt losses, energy consumption and operational workload. Moreover, the entire process is carried out without the need for chemical usage. BB Engineering states that the COBRA® system can increase efficiency not only in PET recycling but also in various production processes, particularly plastic spinning applications. Its easy integration into existing facilities is also considered one of the system’s major advantages.
A new focus in textile recycling: quality and process efficiency
At a time when sustainability targets in the textile industry are becoming increasingly concrete, recycling processes are no longer evaluated solely by the reuse of waste materials; the quality of the recovered raw material, process stability and energy efficiency are also gaining critical importance. The solutions BB Engineering will showcase at PRSE 2026 reveal that the technological transformation aimed at converting textile-based PET waste back into high-quality production input is accelerating. The systems developed by the company demonstrate that recycling is becoming a strategic investment area not only in terms of environmental sustainability but also from the perspective of economic sustainability.
