Europe’s recycling and waste management landscape is changing rapidly. Under the EU Waste Framework Directive, member states must significantly increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of residual waste sent to landfill by 2030. This shift means that larger volumes of separated waste streams — such as RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) and SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel) — will continue to grow. These materials are increasingly used as alternative energy sources in waste-to-energy facilities.
For recycling and waste-processing companies, this creates a growing need for reliable, safe and future-proof solutions to process and bale these materials efficiently.
With EcoWire, Metalwire introduces a plastic baling wire specially designed for automatic horizontal balers — a sustainable alternative to traditional steel wire, developed to make waste processing simpler, safer, and cleaner.
Why choose plastic baling wire?
In many recycling and waste facilities, bales are still tied with steel wire. While strong and familiar, steel also comes with disadvantages. In most plants, bales are fed into the incinerator or final recycling stage with the wire still attached. The steel wire must then be removed, as it cannot go into the final processing stage. This takes time, requires additional handling, and slows down operations.
EcoWire offers a practical and sustainable alternative. This plastic wire can simply be processed together with the bales, as it melts completely at high temperatures — leaving no metal residue behind. This saves time and reduces the costs associated with removing steel after combustion.
How EcoWire works
EcoWire is designed for automatic horizontal balers processing alternative fuels such as RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel), SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel), biomass or (plastic) waste. The wire features a square 4×4 mm section, is made from polyester plastic, and offers a tensile strength of 350 MPa with an elongation of about 20 %. This makes it strong enough to withstand the high compression forces inside the baler while remaining flexible enough for reliable knotting.
Its consistent structure prevents slippage in hooks and ensures stable, uniform bindings — contributing to smooth baler operation and consistent bale quality.
EcoWire is supplied on reusable iron reels containing approximately 12,500 meters of wire per reel, weighing 250–280 kg each.
Key benefits
No metal residues or post-processing required
Bales can go directly into the furnace with the wire attached
Lower costs due to reduced after-treatment
Easier to handle than steel wire
Less wear on equipment thanks to lower friction
Suitable for RDF, SRF, biomass and (plastic) waste applications
Available in two variants:
EcoWire (made from virgin plastic)
R-EcoWire (~100 % recycled plastic)
Switching requires coordination
Switching from steel to plastic wire is not a one-to-one replacement. Balers are designed for specific wire types, and processing plastic wire may require technical adjustments to the machine or knotting system.
At Metalwire, we believe it’s important to communicate this clearly.
When switching to plastic baling wire, coordination with your baler manufacturer is essential. Our team can advise on the technical considerations — ensuring that a sustainable choice also remains a reliable one.
Part of a more sustainable value chain
The introduction of EcoWire reflects a broader shift in the industry — from volume to value. Recycling and waste-management companies are looking not only for fast delivery but also for solutions that contribute to their sustainability goals and supply-chain transparency.
With EcoWire, Metalwire offers a product that fits perfectly within that vision: a plastic wire that helps reduce emissions, manual handling and residual waste — without compromising on quality or efficiency. It’s a step toward smarter, cleaner and safer recycling processes across Europe.
Learn more
Would you like to know whether EcoWire is suitable for your installation or process? Contact us for more information or to schedule a meeting. Our team will be happy to discuss the technical options and the right setup for your application.
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