Decoating is one of the key steps in can recycling. What is it? What are the main benefits?
What is decoating?
After being collected, separated and crushed, aluminium cans go through a process called decoating. Carried out in industrial furnaces of enormous dimensions, it consists of removing any solid surface layer (lacquer, paint, plastic…) by continuous thermal pyrolysis to obtain clean parts ready for melting, which improves metal efficiency.
Benefits of decoating
One of the main benefits of can decoating is that it improves metal recovery: more and better-quality aluminium is obtained. However, it also has a positive impact on the environment by ensuring a reduction in emissions and discharges, as well as better control of pollutants.