Companies considering a switch to PET plastic baling wire such as EcoWire often ask the same question: “How does torsional strength apply to plastic wire binding?”
It’s a logical question. In steel wire, torsion — the resistance to twisting — has been a relevant metric for decades. But plastic binding wire behaves fundamentally differently, which means torsional strength is not a meaningful indicator of performance in automatic horizontal balers.
This article explains why torsion does not apply to PET plastic coated tie wire, which technical properties do determine reliability, and why EcoWire has become a proven alternative to steel in waste-to-energy environments.
What Torsional Strength Means — and Why It Only Matters for Steel
Torsional strength indicates how far a material can twist before it permanently deforms or breaks.
This is useful for steel wire, because steel is mechanically twisted during the knotting process, can build up internal stresses, and is sensitive to metallurgical cracking. Knot reliability depends heavily on this behaviour.
EcoWire — a PET plastic coated tie wire with a square 4×4 mm profile — does not behave that way.
PET is not twisted during tying. The knotting unit pulls the wire tight in a straight line.
There is no rotational force that needs to be measured.
The material responds through controlled elongation, not torsion.
Plastic wire binding works differently: elongation and tensile strength matter
EcoWire is engineered to manage load using elongation, not twisting.
The wire can extend by around 20% without losing stability, which keeps the knot secure even when pressure, temperature or moisture levels fluctuate.
Tensile strength also plays a crucial role.
At approx. 350 MPa, EcoWire has more than enough strength for RDF, SRF, biomass and plastic waste streams.
The combination of elongation + tensile strength determines whether a bale stays stable during handling, transport and furnace loading.
Because PET is never twisted and has no crack-sensitive grain structure like steel baling wire, torsional strength tells you nothing about the performance of plastic binding wire.
What sets EcoWire apart in recycling and waste-to-energy applications
EcoWire is designed for automatic horizontal balers processing high daily volumes.
The wire forms secure knots without slipping or breaking.
Its flat, regular profile ensures predictable performance inside the knotting unit and reduces the risk of stoppages.
A major advantage appears downstream in waste-to-energy processes:
PET burns cleanly and leaves no residue.
This means bales tied with plastic binding wire can enter the furnace without removing steel beforehand —
a manual step that normally costs €4–€6 per bale, plus extra movements around the baler and feed line.
EcoWire also lowers the CO₂ footprint.
No steel means no CBAM exposure and fewer upstream emissions.
When EcoWire is suitable — and when steel remains the better choice
EcoWire is not a universal replacement for steel wire.
Certain heavy-duty applications still require annealed steel wire — for example, extremely dense materials or balers that cannot process plastic wire binding.
But for most horizontal baler lines processing RDF, SRF, biomass and light plastic waste, EcoWire delivers clear operational advantages:
fewer manual steps, lower cost per bale, reduced downtime and a direct reduction in CO₂ emissions.
That’s why we always assess your material flow, baler settings and logistics together with you — to determine whether EcoWire is the right technical fit.
EcoWire: key technical specifications
EcoWire is produced within the European Accent network and engineered specifically for high-volume horizontal baling.
It is a stable PET-based alternative to steel in systems where bales must go directly to the incinerator without pre-treatment.
Because PET burns completely, binding wire plastic leaves no ash or metal residue.
In practice, this eliminates steel removal, saving €4–€6 per bale, plus time around the baler and furnace.
Key specifications
Profile: 4×4 mm square section, ±3% tolerance
Material: polyester resin with stabilising additives
Tensile strength: approx. 350 MPa
Elongation: approx. 20%
Packaging: returnable iron reels, ±12,500 metres, approx. 250–280 kg
Variants:
• EcoWire – virgin PET
• R-EcoWire – ~100% recycled PET
The combination of tensile strength, elongation and profile stability ensures predictable performance in automatic knotters, while reducing stoppages.
For waste-to-energy installations, EcoWire provides lower operational costs, fewer interruptions and direct CO₂ reduction by replacing steel with plastic baling wire.
Conclusion: torsional strength belongs to steel — not to PET baling wire
Torsion is relevant for steel because the material is twisted and prone to rotational cracking.
For PET plastic coated tie wire like EcoWire, torsion simply does not apply.
Performance is determined by tensile strength, elongation, profile consistency and knot reliability — and EcoWire is engineered precisely for those parameters.
EcoWire is a practical, future-ready alternative to steel in processes where speed, simplicity and CO₂ reduction matter — and where removing steel wire is a costly and time-consuming step.
Want to know whether EcoWire is a fit for your baler or waste-to-energy process?
We’re happy to review your baler setup and material stream and give you clear, technical advice.
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