Cleanaway Österreich GmbHAPK-E channel balers ensure optimal compaction of single-use depost

Austropressen and Single‑Use Deposit – A Strong and Fast Synergy

The introduction of Austria’s single‑use deposit system for cans and PET bottles creates new demands on compaction technology in logistics centers and retail locations. In addition to bale quality, process reliability, defined technical standards, and high system availability are also critical. Austropressen provides efficient compaction solutions for single‑use deposit materials in the retail and logistics sector.

The central authority EWP Recycling Pfand Austria set the requirements: technical specifications, bale results, and handling. Based on these criteria, a total of 11 Austropressen APK systems with special features were implemented in Austrian retail—6 of them for long-term customer Cleanaway GmbH, in detail:

• 6 units of APK‑E55 with 550 kN pressing force,

• all equipped with 5‑fold vertical tying and

• special equipment for optimal PET handling, plus

• 1000 mm wide belt conveyors.

Within just a few weeks, six fully automatic Austropressen APK channel balers, including integrated conveyor systems, were successfully commissioned at various Cleanaway sites. Two of these baling systems are now in operation at the Maria Saal location.

Austrian waste management specialist Cleanaway GmbH places a strong emphasis on performance and reliability at its Maria Saal site in Carinthia.

At its central warehouse for a major Austrian grocery retailer in Maria Saal, Austrian waste management specialist Cleanaway GmbH ensures smooth waste logistics and the efficient compaction of single‑use deposit bottles and cans.

The task:

Top priority was “reliability without downtime,” because on‑site service quality and customer satisfaction are decisive.

Cleanaway Managing Director Manuel Praxmarer explains: “Our collaboration with Aus-tropressen has been built on trust, mutual respect, and consistently high-quality standards for decades. Austropressen systems have been in operation with us for around 30 years, across two generations. Currently, about 15 APK presses are in use. Even a machine from 1998 was in reliable operation until recently and was only replaced now with a new unit. This durability and operational reliability are crucial factors for us in daily logistics opera-tions.”

The solution:

Two Austropressen APK E55 channel balers with 45 kW motors were installed, complete with conveyor belts and special equipment optimized for handling PET and cans. The balers feature an automatic free pressing device to help reduce material jams, extended and shielded binding slots to prevent contamination during pressing, and clearance fingers at the binding system to avoid blockages. These design features, combined with wear resistant components such as HARDOX base and side plates, ensure trouble free operation, reduce maintenance requirements, and extend the overall service life.

The requirements from EWP Recycling Pfand Österreich:

The specified bale weight of 350 kg in a bale size of 1100×750x1200 mm for mixed cans and PET is easily achieved with Austropressen balers. Higher bale weights are not desired due to downstream processing requirements. A throughput of around 20 t per truck supports efficient truck utilisation and reduced CO₂ emissions. All of these targets can be reached without difficulty using Austropressen channel baling presses — in fact, the APK balers routinely deliver significantly higher performance.