Recycled industrial plasticine comprising hollow microspheres, method for producing the same, and starting product for producing the recycled industrial plasticine

Abstract

The invention relates to a recycled industrial plasticine comprising hollow microspheres, hollow microsphere fragments and other components. The other components include at least one filler material and at least one binding agent. The recycled industrial plasticine can be obtained by mixing industrial plasticine waste with hollow microspheres and with other industrial plasticine constituents, said other industrial plasticine constituents including at least one binding agent and at least one filler material. According to a first alternative, the recycled industrial plasticine contains the hollow microspheres and the hollow microsphere fragments, accounting for a proportion by weight of at least 24% in total. According to a second alternative, the recycled industrial plasticine contains the hollow microsphere fragments in a proportion by weight of at least 13% and contains the hollow microspheres in a proportion by weight which is at least sufficient to ensure that the recycled industrial plasticine has a density which is at least 10% lower than the density of the further components of the recycled industrial plasticine.

Description

[0001] STAEDTLER SE

[0002] Recycling industrial plasticine comprising microhollow spheres, a method for producing the same, and a starting material for the production of the recycling industrial plasticine.

[0003] TECHNICAL AREA

[0004] The invention relates to a method for producing industrial plasticine with microhollow spheres, wherein industrial plasticine with microhollow spheres is also referred to as light clay, and in particular a method in which waste generated during the processing of light clay can be processed in order to produce high-quality industrial plasticine with microhollow spheres, or in other words, recycled light clay.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Industrial plasticine is a modeling compound that can be shaped under defined conditions and is used in models of industrial products, for example in models of automobiles.

[0007] Industrial modeling clay differs from modeling clay used for non-industrial models, sometimes referred to simply as plasticine, in its composition, processing properties, and post-processing characteristics. Industrial modeling clay is formulated to be solid at room temperature (e.g., 20°C), characterized, for example, by the fact that its surface can be machined manually and / or by machine in the solid state (e.g., by milling), and soft at elevated temperatures (e.g., 50°C or 60°C), characterized, for example, by the fact that it is plastically deformable, and in particular, cannot be deformed without breaking.

[0008] For this purpose, industrial modeling clay typically contains at least one wax as a binder, usually including various waxes (e.g., microcrystalline wax and paraffin wax). The wax or waxes generally constitute the main component (i.e., more than 50%) of the binder in the industrial modeling clay.

[0009] For processing, the industrial plasticine is heated, bringing it into a soft state in which it is shaped, often by applying it to a pre-formed polymer base. The shaped industrial plasticine is then allowed to cool to solidify. In this solid state, the industrial plasticine is further processed, for example, by machining, milling, scraping, using a jointing tool, and / or a clay plane.

[0010] During the aforementioned processing, particularly during further processing in the solid state, a significant amount of waste is generated, e.g., in the form of shavings such as planing or milling chips. Experience shows that the mass of the waste amounts to approximately 20% of the shaped (e.g., applied to the substrate) industrial plasticine.

[0011] When this waste is disposed of, the underlying industrial plasticine is lost. Disposal is not only problematic in terms of sustainability, but it also generates effort and costs.

[0012] OVERVIEW

[0013] In view of the aforementioned problems, there is a need for better utilization of used (second) industrial plasticine or industrial plasticine waste. This problem is solved by recycled industrial plasticine according to claim 1 and claim 4, by a method for producing industrial plasticine according to claim 5 and claim 7, and by a starting material for the method according to claim 18.

[0014] In other words, a recycling process is provided that enables the production of recycled industrial plasticine (first plasticine) from used industrial plasticine (or second industrial plasticine, or industrial plasticine waste), with the properties of the recycled industrial plasticine being comparable to those of newly produced industrial plasticine. Furthermore, a starting material for the process and the recycled industrial plasticine produced with it are provided.

[0015] A first aspect concerns a recycled industrial plasticine comprising microhollow spheres, microhollow sphere fragments, and other components. These other components include at least one filler and at least one binder. The recycled industrial plasticine is obtained by blending industrial plasticine waste with microhollow spheres and with other industrial plasticine components, which include at least one binder and at least one filler. The recycled industrial plasticine contains microhollow sphere fragments by a certain weight percentage, and the recycled industrial plasticine contains microhollow spheres by a certain weight percentage, with the sum of the weight percentage of microhollow sphere fragments and the weight percentage of microhollow spheres in the recycled industrial plasticine being at least 24%.

[0016] The recycled industrial plasticine may contain the microhollow sphere fragments by weight of at least 0.5% or at least 9%, preferably at a weight of at least 13.5%; and the recycled industrial plasticine may contain the microhollow spheres by weight such that the recycled industrial plasticine has a density that is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components of the recycled industrial plasticine.

[0017] The density of the other components can, for example, refer to the average density of the other components.

[0018] A second aspect concerns recycled industrial plasticine containing microhollow spheres, microhollow sphere fragments, and other components. These other components include at least one filler and at least one binder. The recycled industrial plasticine is obtained by blending industrial plasticine waste with microhollow spheres and with other industrial plasticine components, which also include at least one binder and at least one filler. The recycled industrial plasticine contains microhollow sphere fragments at a weight fraction of at least 13%. The recycled industrial plasticine contains microhollow spheres at a weight fraction sufficient to ensure that the recycled industrial plasticine has a density at least 10% lower than the density of the other components of the recycled industrial plasticine.

[0019] An industrial plasticine conforming to one of the aforementioned aspects exhibits high quality, despite the high proportion of micro-hollow sphere fragments it contains, for example, with regard to brightness, color, and mechanical properties. This is surprising insofar as the prior art assumes a consistently reduced quality for corresponding, i.e., typically used, industrial plasticine.

[0020] A corresponding industrial plasticine can be produced as a recycled product using used industrial plasticine, thus providing a product with improved resource utilization or improved sustainability.

[0021] In some embodiments, the recycled industrial plasticine contains the microhollow spheres at a weight fraction of at least 4.5% or at least 5%, preferably at a weight fraction of at least 11% or at least 12%, according to one of the preceding aspects. In some embodiments, the at least one filler is included in the recycled industrial plasticine at a filler weight fraction according to one of the preceding aspects, and a ratio is at most 20 or at most 17 or at most 14, preferably at most 2.7; namely, the ratio of the filler weight fraction to the weight fraction of the microhollow sphere fragments in the recycled industrial plasticine.

[0022] In some embodiments, the at least one filler is included in the recycled industrial plasticine in a filler weight fraction according to one of the above aspects, wherein a ratio of the sum of the weight fraction of the microhollow sphere fragments in the recycled industrial plasticine and the weight fraction of the microhollow spheres in the recycled industrial plasticine divided by the filler weight fraction in the recycled industrial plasticine is at least 0.15 or at least 0.18 or at least 0.21, and preferably at least 2 / 3.

[0023] A third aspect concerns a process for producing recycled industrial plasticine containing microhollow spheres, microhollow sphere fragments, and other components. The process involves providing industrial plasticine waste containing microhollow spheres by a first weight fraction and microhollow sphere fragments by a second weight fraction; and mixing the industrial plasticine waste with another industrial plasticine to obtain the recycled industrial plasticine. The second industrial plasticine contains microhollow spheres and other industrial plasticine components. The weight fraction of microhollow sphere fragments in the second industrial plasticine is less than the second weight fraction. The weight fraction of microhollow spheres in the recycled industrial plasticine exceeds the first weight fraction.

[0024] In some embodiments, the weight fraction of the microhollow spheres in the further industrial plasticine exceeds the first weight fraction, and preferably the weight fraction of the microhollow spheres in the further industrial plasticine exceeds the sum of the first weight fraction and the second weight fraction. Alternatively or additionally, the method can include adding microhollow spheres to the industrial plasticine waste and / or to the further industrial plasticine.

[0025] In some embodiments, the further industrial plasticine comprises or is a new industrial plasticine or a newly manufactured industrial plasticine, for example from a new manufacturing process as described in this disclosure.

[0026] In some embodiments, the industrial plasticine waste contains at least one filler by a certain weight, wherein said weight percentage corresponds to the weight percentage of all fillers contained in the industrial plasticine waste, wherein the further industrial plasticine contains at least one filler by a certain weight, wherein said weight percentage corresponds to the weight percentage of all fillers contained in the further industrial plasticine, and wherein the weight percentage of all fillers contained in the further industrial plasticine is less than the weight percentage of all fillers contained in the industrial plasticine waste.

[0027] In some embodiments, the recycled industrial plasticine is the recycled industrial plasticine according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0028] A fourth aspect concerns a method for producing a first industrial plasticine comprising micro-hollow spheres, micro-hollow sphere fragments, and other components. The method comprises providing a second industrial plasticine containing micro-hollow spheres by a first weight fraction and micro-hollow sphere fragments by a second weight fraction; and mixing the second industrial plasticine with micro-hollow spheres by a weight fraction of micro-hollow spheres and with other industrial plasticine components by a weight fraction of the other industrial plasticine components to obtain the first industrial plasticine. A third weight fraction corresponds to the proportion of the weight of micro-hollow spheres in the total mass derived from the weight of micro-hollow spheres and the weight of the other industrial plasticine components. The third weight fraction exceeds the sum of the first weight fraction and the second weight fraction.

[0029] In some embodiments, the weight fraction of micro-hollow sphere fragments in the total mass (comprising the weight of micro-hollow spheres and the weight of the other industrial plasticine ingredients) is less than the second weight fraction. Alternatively or additionally, the weight fraction of micro-hollow spheres in the recycled industrial plasticine can exceed the first weight fraction.

[0030] The inventors have determined that the described recycled industrial plasticine, or an industrial plasticine produced as described above (first or recycled), has comparable properties to an industrial plasticine made from microhollow spheres but not from microhollow sphere fragments.

[0031] In other words, the (first or recycled) industrial plasticine according to the present disclosure exhibits properties comparable to a newly manufactured industrial plasticine in the production of which microhollow spheres without microhollow sphere breakage are used as a starting material. It is clear to those skilled in the art that the term "without microhollow sphere breakage" is not to be understood mathematically in the sense that not a single broken microhollow sphere may be present among the starting materials. Rather, the term "without microhollow sphere breakage" is to be understood, within the scope of manufacturing tolerances, as encompassing the amount of microhollow sphere breakage that inevitably arises during the production and transport of the microhollow spheres contained among the starting materials.

[0032] The comparable properties may relate in particular to an essentially identical brightness value, an essentially identical color, and / or essentially identical results in hardness measurements at one (e.g., 20°C or 50°C) or several (e.g.,

[0033] (20°C and 50°C) temperatures. In other words, the quality of the above-mentioned recycled industrial plasticine, or of the (first or recycled) industrial plasticine produced according to the above-mentioned process, is essentially the same as that of a newly produced industrial plasticine.

[0034] This is surprising because one of the starting materials, namely the industrial plasticine waste (second industrial plasticine), is (or can be) waste from industrial plasticine processing. In the prior art, the quality of a product containing waste from industrial plasticine processing is significantly reduced compared to newly manufactured industrial plasticine, for example, with deviations in brightness, color, and / or hardness measurements.

[0035] For example, in comparative tests, waste in the form of shavings was heated to soften it, and then conventional processing (molding, cooling, and further processing) was carried out. This resulted in impaired processability and reduced quality of the resulting model. The inventors recognized that one reason for this was the inclusion of air, which negatively affected the properties. This problem is partially solved by mixing, which reduces air inclusions.

[0036] The inventors have also found that industrial plasticine containing micro-hollow spheres (also known as light clay) suffers particularly severe quality losses during conventional reuse, where the waste, e.g. in the form of shavings, is returned to its soft state and further processed without the addition of other components.

[0037] Light Clay offers the fundamental advantage of reduced weight for models made from it compared to models made from industrial plasticine that does not contain micro-hollow spheres. For example, a life-size model of a car made using industrial plasticine without micro-hollow spheres can contain up to 3 tons of industrial plasticine. By using the micro-hollow spheres in Light Clay, this weight is reduced, and the model becomes significantly more manageable, with reduced mechanical requirements (e.g., load-bearing capacity) for the base, which can therefore be designed more simply. The micro-hollow spheres contained in Light Clay can be, for example, spheres with an outer diameter of less than 1 mm, typically ranging from 5 to 400 pm, and which enclose a cavity.The cavity can reduce the density of the industrial plasticine by containing a filling with a lower density than other components of the plasticine (e.g., the binder). In some embodiments, the cavity is filled with a gas, but other fillings (e.g., vacuum or a liquid with a lower density than other components of the plasticine) are also possible. The wall material of the microhollow spheres can be, for example, glass.

[0038] Using light clay significantly reduces the density of industrial plasticine compared to industrial plasticine without microspheres, as well as the density of the resulting model. This allows for a substantial reduction in the model's mass, typically by more than 10% and up to 40%.

[0039] Within the scope of this disclosure, the term "microhollow spheres" refers to spheres that completely enclose the cavity described above (e.g., fluid-tight or gas-tight). Damaged spheres or sphere fragments that do not completely enclose the cavity described above (e.g., fluid-tight or gas-tight) are not referred to as microhollow spheres, but rather as microhollow sphere fractures.

[0040] In other words, microhollow sphere fracture can have a material composition similar to that of the microhollow sphere wall. However, according to one possible definition, the microhollow sphere fracture does not enclose a cavity that is similar to a cavity enclosed by a microhollow sphere, for example, in size and / or shape, or in a static, permanent manner.

[0041] The process is based on the understanding that one reason for the significantly reduced quality of conventionally manufactured products containing waste from the processing of light clay—that is, waste from industrial plasticine, which before processing contained a predefined proportion (e.g., a predefined mass fraction) of microhollow spheres—is a reduced proportion of microhollow spheres in the waste and, consequently, in the conventionally manufactured product. This reduced proportion of microhollow spheres results from mechanical processing (e.g., machining, milling, scraping, using a jointing tool, and / or a clay plane), during which some of the microhollow spheres present in the light clay are damaged, so that they no longer completely enclose a cavity (e.g., fluid-tight or gas-tight) or become fragmented microhollow spheres.By mixing in a disproportionately high proportion of microhollow spheres, the problem of the reduced proportion of microhollow spheres is solved, and the significant quality losses are avoided. Surprisingly, the process not only improves, i.e., reduces, the density, but also the brightness, color, and mechanical properties of the resulting recycled product, so that it exhibits comparable properties to newly produced light clay.

[0042] The inventors have also determined that the micro-hollow sphere fragments can fulfill the function of a filler in industrial plasticine without any significant loss of quality compared to industrial plasticine with conventional fillers. Thus, the quality of the (first- or recycled) industrial plasticine produced by the process is similar to that of newly manufactured industrial plasticine, since the micro-hollow sphere fragments are taken into account in the process for replacing conventional filler.

[0043] Within the scope of this disclosure, the term "filler" or "conventional filler" refers, according to one possible definition, to a substance in powder form, for example, with a particle size of less than 250 pm or less than 100 pm, for example, with respect to a mean particle size. Alternatively or additionally, it may be a substance with a density of at least 0.7 kJ / cm³. 3This means that a (conventional) filler can differ from the micro-hollow spheres used in light clay to reduce its density. In other words, micro-hollow spheres constitute a lightweight filler, as opposed to a (conventional) filler. Therefore, the term (conventional) filler does not include micro-hollow spheres.

[0044] Within the scope of this disclosure, the terms "filler" or "conventional filler" do not include micro-hollow sphere fragments. This is for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, micro-hollow sphere fragments are not conventionally classified as fillers; rather, the possibility that micro-hollow sphere fragments can serve as a filler is based on the inventors' findings.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the method for producing the first industrial plasticine comprises providing industrial plasticine waste that contains or is the second industrial plasticine, in particular in the form of chips, for example in the form of chips obtainable by milling an industrial plasticine.

[0046] The following optional features are described with reference to the process for producing the first industrial plasticine, and with regard to the second industrial plasticine and its mixing with micro-hollow spheres, with regard to the other industrial plasticine ingredients. However, the features are applicable by analogy to the process for producing recycled industrial plasticine, with regard to the industrial plasticine waste and its mixing with the further industrial plasticine containing micro-hollow spheres and other industrial plasticine ingredients. When applied accordingly to the latter process, the recycled industrial plasticine takes on the role of the first industrial plasticine, the industrial plasticine waste the role of the second industrial plasticine, and the further industrial plasticine containing micro-hollow spheres and other industrial plasticine ingredients the role of the micro-hollow spheres and the other industrial plasticine ingredients.

[0047] The other components and / or the other industrial plasticine ingredients may include at least one filler and at least one binder.

[0048] In some embodiments, the at least one binder comprises a wax, for example a micro-wax and / or a paraffin wax.

[0049] The at least one filler may include a metal soap.

[0050] The other components and / or the other industrial plastilin ingredients may include a colorant and optionally an additive, such as a surfactant.

[0051] The first industrial plasticine can be a recycled industrial plasticine, as described above. In some embodiments, when the second industrial plasticine is mixed with the micro-hollow spheres and with the other industrial plasticine ingredients, the other industrial plasticine ingredients comprise the at least one filler and the at least one binder according to a first weight ratio of the weight of the at least one filler to the weight of the at least one binder. In corresponding embodiments, the second industrial plasticine preferably comprises at least one filler and at least one binder according to a second weight ratio of the weight of the at least one filler of the second industrial plasticine to the weight of the at least one binder of the second industrial plasticine. More preferably, the first weight ratio is lower than the second weight ratio.

[0052] In other words, the filler can be added to the used industrial plasticine (i.e., the second industrial plasticine or industrial plasticine waste) in a less than proportionate amount (compared, for example, to newly produced industrial plasticine or the ratio in the used industrial plasticine) when manufacturing the recycled industrial plasticine (i.e., the first industrial plasticine). This approach is based on the inventors' insight, explained above, that the micro-hollow sphere fragments contained in the used industrial plasticine can function as a (conventional) filler, and the resulting recycled industrial plasticine (or first industrial plasticine) has properties comparable to newly produced industrial plasticine. The lower initial weight ratio takes this into account and leads to the production of a high-quality recycled industrial plasticine.After mixing, the first industrial plasticine may contain microhollow spheres comprising a weight fraction of at least 3%, 5%, or 6%. Alternatively or additionally, after mixing, the first industrial plasticine may have a first density that is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components, or at least 15% lower than the density of the other components; and / or the first density may be less than 0.9 g / cm³. 3 be.

[0053] Corresponding embodiments ensure a sufficiently low density of the manufactured recycled industrial plasticine (or the first industrial plasticine) to enable a significant weight reduction of the models produced therefrom.

[0054] The process may include determining the weight of microhollow spheres and / or the third weight fraction, such that after mixing the first industrial plasticine has the microhollow spheres to a weight fraction of at least 3% or at least 5% or at least 6% and / or such that after mixing the first industrial plasticine has the first density, wherein the first density is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components or at least 15% lower than the density of the other components.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first industrial plasticine consists of the microhollow spheres, the microhollow sphere fragments, and further components, wherein the composition of the further components includes no components other than those described above (i.e., at least one filler, at least one binder, colorant, and optionally an additive, such as a surfactant, each as described above). In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the weight of microhollow spheres and / or the third weight fraction based on the density of the second industrial plasticine. In particular, the method may include measuring the density of the second industrial plasticine.

[0056] The density of the used industrial plasticine (i.e., the second batch of industrial plasticine or industrial plasticine waste) can directly indicate the proportion of microspheres by weight. This allows the third fraction by weight, or the ratio of added microspheres to the other industrial plasticine ingredients, to be adjusted to compensate for a potentially low first fraction of microspheres by weight. Thus, depending on the condition of the used industrial plasticine, a potentially reduced first fraction of microspheres by weight can be specifically compensated for to consistently produce high-quality recycled industrial plasticine (i.e., tailored to the quality / first fraction by weight of the second batch).Density measurement provides a particularly simple, fast and cost-effective method for determining the first weight fraction, allowing for continuous and immediate adjustments to the third weight fraction in production.

[0057] In appropriate embodiments, the weight of microhollow spheres and / or the third weight fraction can be set higher the higher the density of the second industrial plasticine is.

[0058] The procedure may further include determining the first weight ratio based on the density of the second industrial plasticine, optionally making the first weight ratio lower the higher the density of the second industrial plasticine.

[0059] The weight of the at least one filler among the other industrial plastilin ingredients may refer to the total weight of all fillers included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients, and the weight of the at least one binder among the other industrial plastilin ingredients may refer to the total weight of all binders included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients.

[0060] Alternatively, the weight of the at least one filler among the other industrial plastilin ingredients may refer to the weight of an inorganic filler included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients, and the weight of the at least one binder among the other industrial plastilin ingredients may refer to the total weight of all binders included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients.

[0061] Mixing can be carried out by means of extrusion and / or using an extrusion device.

[0062] The process may further include shaping the first industrial plastilin, in particular into the form of a strand and / or by means of a device, for example an extrusion device, which is used when mixing the second industrial plastilin with the microhollow spheres and the other industrial plastilin ingredients.

[0063] Corresponding embodiments of the process lead to a further reduction of air inclusions in the manufactured recycled industrial plasticine, thus further improving its quality.

[0064] In some embodiments, during at least one period of mixing and / or the forming process described above, the temperature of a mixture comprising the second industrial plasticin, the other industrial plasticin ingredients, and the microhollow spheres and / or a resulting microhollow sphere fracture lies within a temperature range of 35°C to 50°C or within a temperature range of 40°C to 50°C.

[0065] A correspondingly higher temperature (e.g. compared to room temperature) leads to reduced shear forces within the mixture during mixing or shaping, which minimizes further breakage of the micro-hollow spheres contained in the mixture and thus improves the quality of the produced (first or recycled) industrial plasticine.

[0066] In some embodiments, the second weight fraction is at least 15% or at least 18% or at most 30% or at most 24%, or lies in a range of 15% to 24%.

[0067] In some embodiments, when the second industrial plasticine is mixed with the micro-hollow spheres and the other industrial plasticine ingredients, the second industrial plasticine is mixed according to a third weight. In corresponding embodiments, a recycled content is the proportion of the third weight to the total weight of the third weight, the weight of the micro-hollow spheres, and the weight of the other industrial plasticine ingredients; and the recycled content is at least 5% or at most 40% or at most 30%, or lies in a range of 5% to 40% or in a range of 5% to 35%.

[0068] In some embodiments, the second weight fraction is at least 1.5 times greater than the first weight fraction, or at least 2 times greater than the first weight fraction, or at least 3 times greater than the first weight fraction.

[0069] The process may further include mechanical processing of the second industrial plasticine to increase the second weight fraction and decrease the first weight fraction, for example, such that the second weight fraction after mechanical processing is at least a factor of 2 greater than the first weight fraction, or at least a factor of 3 greater than the first weight fraction, or at least a factor of 4 greater than the first weight fraction.

[0070] Corresponding embodiments result in an adjustable, consistently uniform proportion of micro-hollow sphere fragments in the used (i.e., second) industrial plasticine or in the industrial plasticine waste, so that the process produces recycled plasticine (i.e., first industrial plasticine) with even more consistent quality, for example, with regard to brightness and color. This is desirable because the recycled plasticine produced can then be used together with newly manufactured industrial plasticine for the same model without any inconsistencies in brightness or color. The mechanical processing is preferably carried out before mixing the second industrial plasticine with the micro-hollow spheres and with the other industrial plasticine ingredients.

[0071] Thus, different batches of used (i.e., second-hand) industrial modeling clay can be mechanically processed until they have the same proportion of micro-hollow sphere fragments and then fed into the process together. This increases the efficiency of the process, especially when processing a large number of small batches of used industrial modeling clay, while ensuring a consistent quality of the recycled modeling clay produced.

[0072] Another aspect concerns a starting material for the production of a first industrial plasticine comprising microhollow spheres. The starting material comprises microhollow spheres, microhollow sphere fragments, and other components. The starting material contains microhollow sphere fragments comprising a fifth by weight of at least 1.5%. The starting material contains microhollow spheres comprising a sixth by weight of at least 12%, preferably a sixth by weight of at least 25%.

[0073] The starting product can be a kit. In corresponding embodiments, the kit contains the second industrial plastilin described above, for example, as described in connection with the first, second, third, or fourth aspect. Furthermore, the kit contains the additional industrial plastilin described above in connection with the second or third aspect, or the micro-hollow spheres and additional industrial plastilin ingredients described above, in particular the industrial plastilin ingredients as they are before mixing according to the method described above. In other words, the starting product can have one or all of the features of the second industrial plastilin (or industrial plastilin waste) described above and / or the micro-hollow spheres and additional industrial plastilin ingredients (or additional industrial plastilin) ​​described above.

[0074] According to another aspect, a device is provided which is set up to carry out the method according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0075] According to one aspect, an apparatus is configured to carry out a method for producing a recycled industrial plasticine comprising microhollow spheres, microhollow sphere fragments, and other components. The method comprises providing industrial plasticine waste containing microhollow spheres to a first weight fraction and microhollow sphere fragments to a second weight fraction; and mixing the industrial plasticine waste with another industrial plasticine to obtain the recycled industrial plasticine. The other industrial plasticine comprises microhollow spheres and other industrial plasticine components. The weight fraction of microhollow sphere fragments in the other industrial plasticine is less than the weight fraction.A weight fraction of the microhollow spheres in the recycled industrial plasticine exceeds the first weight fraction. According to one aspect, an apparatus is configured to carry out a method for producing a first industrial plasticine comprising microhollow spheres, microhollow sphere fragments, and other components. The method comprises providing a second industrial plasticine containing microhollow spheres to a first weight fraction and microhollow sphere fragments to a second weight fraction; and mixing the second industrial plasticine with microhollow spheres according to a weight of microhollow spheres and with other industrial plasticine components according to a weight of the other industrial plasticine components to obtain the first industrial plasticine. A third weight fraction corresponds to the proportion of the weight of microhollow spheres in the total mass from the weight of microhollow spheres and the weight of the other industrial plasticine components.The third weight percentage exceeds the sum of the first weight percentage and the second weight percentage.

[0076] The apparatus for carrying out the process can include a mixing device configured to blend the second industrial plasticine (or the industrial plasticine waste) with the micro-hollow spheres of further industrial plasticine ingredients to obtain the recycled industrial plasticine. For example, this could be an extrusion device.

[0077] The apparatus for carrying out the method preferably includes a weighing device configured to determine the weights or weight fractions of the industrial plasticine waste and the remaining industrial plasticine or the microhollow spheres and the remaining industrial plasticine components. The weighing device may, for example, include a scale.

[0078] The device for carrying out the method preferably includes a density determination device which is configured to determine the first weight fraction of the microhollow spheres in the industrial plastillin waste and / or the second weight fraction of microhollow sphere fragments in the industrial plastillin waste, for example based on a determination of the density of the industrial plastillin waste carried out by the density determination device.

[0079] Optionally, the device for carrying out the method includes an electronic control unit which controls the other components of said device such that the device carries out the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0080] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The figures show, in schematic representation: Fig. 1 a method according to one embodiment;

[0081] Fig. 2 the third weight fraction 14 / 10 as the fraction of the weight 14 of microhollow spheres in the total mass 10 from the weight 14 of microhollow spheres and the weight 18 of the other industrial plasticin ingredients;

[0082] Fig. 3 shows a method according to a further embodiment;

[0083] Fig. 4 shows a starting product for a process according to one embodiment;

[0084] and

[0085] Fig. 5 shows an industrial plasticine or recycled industrial plasticine according to some embodiments.

[0086] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0087] First, for the sake of clarity, the production of a new industrial plastiline will be described.

[0088] In the first step of the manufacturing process, starting materials are prepared according to a predefined composition. Various predefined compositions are possible according to different implementation examples.

[0089] All the compositions have in common that they contain at least one binder and at least one filler, i.e., at least one conventional filler.

[0090] The at least one binder comprises a wax, such as microcrystalline wax or paraffin wax, a petrolatum or an oil, such as paraffin oil, or a mixture of these substances. Preferably, the at least one binder comprises a microcrystalline wax and a paraffin wax.

[0091] The weight fraction of the at least one binder in the total mass of the composition is 10-60 wt.%, typically 12-55 wt.% and preferably 15-50 wt.%.

[0092] The at least one filler comprises at least one inorganic and / or organic filler. Preferably, the at least one filler is an inorganic or organic metal salt, for example, a salt of calcium, zinc, tin, magnesium, or barium. Examples of metal salts are calcium carbonate, calcium stearate, zinc oxide, zinc oleate, tin oxide, magnesium carbonate, or barium sulfate.

[0093] The at least one filler optionally also contains cellulose particles, a native starch, talc, aluminum hydroxide, alumina, sulfur, diatomaceous earth and / or clay flour.

[0094] Typically, at least one filler has a particle size of less than 100 pm, for example, with respect to a medium particle size.

[0095] Optionally, the composition may contain a colorant, for example a dye or a powdered pigment.

[0096] Examples of colorants include iron oxide, iron hydroxide, carbon black, organic pigments and / or titanium dioxide.

[0097] Optionally, the composition may also contain an additive, such as a surfactant.

[0098] Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that have a hydrophobic and at least one hydrophilic region.

[0099] Examples of surfactants include non-ionic surfactants such as 1-hexadecanol, esters of myristic acid and myristyl alcohol, (C16-C18) fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, polyglycerol distearate and / or oxyethylated stearic acid polyglycerol esters.

[0100] To produce a light clay, that is, an industrial plasticine with microhollow spheres, the composition also contains the microhollow spheres. Within the scope of this disclosure, the microhollow spheres are also referred to as lightweight filler. The terms "lightweight filler" and "microhollow spheres" are used interchangeably.

[0101] Examples of micro hollow spheres are those described in DE 29720344 Ui and WO 2022 / 194336 Ai. The respective micro hollow spheres are suitable for use in the processes, starting materials, and industrial plastics described in this disclosure.

[0102] Examples of compositions for the production of industrial plasticine with microhollow spheres are the “Recipe according to the invention 1” and the “Recipe according to the invention 2” from DE 29720344 Ui and the “Recipe example 1” from WO 2022 / 194336 Ai. The corresponding compositions are each usable for the new production described here.

[0103] DE 29720344 Ui and WO 2022 / 194336 Ai are hereby incorporated by reference. For the new production, the following example is based on "Inventive Recipe 2" from DE 29720344 Ui. The recipe is summarized below:

[0104] Micro hollow spheres 13.75 kg

[0105] Fillers (zinc soap, fine kaolin, talc) 21 kg

[0106] Binder (Vaseline, microwax, paraffin, white oil) 23 kg

[0107] Colorant (iron oxide, brown) 0.8 kg

[0108] The microhollow spheres used according to this composition have a density of 0.25 g / cm³ in the starting product, i.e., during preparation and before carrying out a further processing step, such as mixing the substances of the composition. 3 .

[0109] The densities of the other substances in the composition are, in g / cm³ 3 : Fine kaolin: 2.5; Zinc soap: 1.03; Talc: 2.78; Iron oxide: 4.3; Vaseline: 0.87; Microwax: 0.93; Paraffin: 0.86; White oil: 0.86.

[0110] In further process steps of the new production, the starting materials are mixed into a mixture in an extrusion device, typically a screw extruder.

[0111] Furthermore, the mixture is formed into a strand using the same extrusion device. The strand is then divided into strand sections of predefined length, which are subsequently packaged.

[0112] The inventors realized that the average density of the mixture at the end of the mixing process, of the finished strand and of the strand sections, is 0.80 g / cm³. 3 is and is therefore significantly higher than the average density of the starting materials of 0.58 g / cm³ 3The inventors realized that the increased density is due to the fact that some of the microhollow spheres are damaged during mixing in the extrusion device to such an extent that the damaged microhollow spheres no longer form a fluid-tight seal around a cavity. Therefore, they are no longer microhollow spheres, but rather fragments of microhollow spheres.

[0113] The microhollow sphere fragment consists of the material from the walls of the original microhollow spheres. In the example shown, this material has a density of 2.28 g / cm³. 3 which is significantly higher than the density of 0.25 g / cm³ 3 the microhollow spheres.

[0114] The densities of all components of the starting material are known, as stated above, so the inventors were able to determine the proportion of micro-hollow sphere fragments and remaining micro-hollow spheres in the respective material from the density of the mixture at the end of the mixing process, the finished strand, and the strand sections. The proportion of micro-hollow sphere fragments, given here as a mass fraction, is approximately 55% based on the mass (13.75 kg in this example) of the micro-hollow spheres in the starting material. In other words, the newly produced industrial plasticine, i.e., the mixture at the end of the mixing process (and correspondingly in the finished strand and strand sections), contains 6.19 kg of micro-hollow spheres (density: 0.25 g / cm³) with the composition given above (total mass of the composition: 58.55 kg). 3 ) and 7.56 kg of microhollow sphere fragments (density: 2.28 g / cm³) 3 ) contain.

[0115] Regarding the aforementioned formulation example and the quantity of microhollow spheres or microhollow sphere fragments in the resulting, newly manufactured industrial plasticine, it should be noted that recent developments since the filing of DE 29720344 Ui in 1997 have focused on reducing the quantity (e.g., the mass fraction) of microhollow spheres in the formulation for the starting product and, accordingly, the mass fraction (especially the total mass fraction) of microhollow spheres and microhollow sphere fragments in the resulting, newly manufactured industrial plasticine. This can be achieved by using microhollow spheres with an improved, more stable wall, thus allowing for a comparable quantity of microhollow spheres and therefore a comparable reduction in density in the resulting, newly manufactured industrial plasticine, while providing for a lower mass fraction of microhollow spheres in the formulation for the starting product.A lower mass fraction of microhollow spheres in the formulation of the starting product reduces the product's cost and simplifies its production. In other words, according to prevailing scientific opinion, a reduced mass fraction of microhollow spheres in the formulation of the starting product is desirable.

[0116] The newly produced industrial plasticine is then processed conventionally in model making, i.e., softened, shaped, allowed to cool, and further processed in its cold state, for example, by machining such as milling, scraping, using a jointing tool, and / or a clay plane. This further processing in the cold state produces waste (second industrial plasticine) in the form of milling chips, which, based on experience, constitute approximately 20% by weight of the industrial plasticine used for a model.

[0117] If the waste is reused without further treatment—that is, softened again, shaped, cooled, and processed further in its cold state—processing becomes more difficult because the waste is mechanically harder than newly manufactured industrial plasticine. Furthermore, the brightness and color of the waste differ from those of newly manufactured industrial plasticine and deviate from the desired brightness and color values. Additionally, models made partly from the waste and partly from newly manufactured industrial plasticine have an undesirably mottled appearance due to the differing brightness and color values ​​of the waste.

[0118] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a method 30 according to a first embodiment for producing a recycled industrial plasticine (first industrial plasticine) using industrial plasticine waste (second industrial plasticine) 2. The recycled industrial plasticine (first industrial plasticine) comprises microhollow spheres 52, microhollow sphere fragments 54 and other components 56.

[0119] In step 32, a second industrial plastilin 2 (industrial plastilin waste 2) is provided, which contains 4 microhollow spheres by weight for a first fraction and 6 microhollow sphere fragments by weight for a second fraction.

[0120] In step 34, the second industrial plasticine 2 (industrial plasticine waste 2) is mixed with micro-hollow spheres weighing 14 micro-hollow spheres and further industrial plasticine ingredients weighing 18 of the further industrial plasticine ingredients to obtain the recycled industrial plasticine 50. Preferably, the micro-hollow spheres and the further industrial plasticine ingredients are contained in a further industrial plasticine (e.g., a new industrial plasticine or an industrial plasticine corresponding to the industrial plasticine described above in connection with the new production); in corresponding embodiments, the further industrial plasticine contains the micro-hollow spheres weighing 14 micro-hollow spheres and the industrial plasticine ingredients weighing 18 of the further industrial plasticine ingredients.

[0121] In process 30, a third weight fraction 14 / 10 corresponds to the proportion of the weight 14 of microhollow spheres to the total mass 10, derived from the weight 14 of microhollow spheres and the weight 18 of the other industrial plasticin ingredients. The third weight fraction 14 / 10 exceeds the sum of the first weight fraction 4 and the second weight fraction 6. This is further illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0122] The inventors have determined that the waste material 2 exhibits an increased density compared to the newly manufactured industrial plasticine, and that this increased density is a consequence of damage to some of the micro-hollow spheres during the processing of the industrial plasticine in model making, such that the micro-hollow spheres become micro-hollow sphere fragments. The damage and the micro-hollow sphere fragments are similar to those described above in connection with the new manufacturing process.

[0123] The inventors have recognized that the problems described above in the reuse of the waste are at least partly due to the reduced proportion (e.g., weight fraction) 4 of micro-hollow spheres in the waste 2 (compared to the newly produced industrial plasticine).

[0124] In the method shown in Fig. 1, according to some embodiments, the density of the waste 2 is first determined in order to determine the proportion 4 of microhollow spheres, for example in the form of a mass fraction 4. Measurements have shown that the waste 2 – after compacting the chips into a solid mass – has densities in the range of 0.83 g / cm³. 3 and 0.92 g / cm³ 3 have, depending on the degree of previous processing.

[0125] The composition of waste 2 by mass of the individual ingredients, resulting from the manufacturing process, i.e., the composition of the starting materials during manufacturing, is typically known for waste 2 and, in the example shown, corresponds to the composition of the starting materials after remanufacturing specified above in connection with the "Inventive Recipe 2" from DE 29720344 Ui. Furthermore, the densities of the substances in the composition are known from the prior art, as exemplified above for the representative composition.

[0126] Thus, the mass fraction 6 of microhollow sphere fragments in the waste can be determined based on the density of the waste 2, similar to the determination of the mass fraction of microhollow sphere fragments in the newly produced industrial plasticin described above.

[0127] The measured densities are in the range of 0.83 g / cm³ 3 and 0.92 g / cm³ 3correspond to a mass fraction 6 of the microhollow sphere fracture of 60% to 75% relative to the total mass 4, 6 from the mass 4 of the microhollow spheres and mass 6 of the microhollow sphere fracture.

[0128] In an alternative embodiment, which requires no knowledge of the composition of the waste 2, it is assumed for the following process steps that a mass fraction 6 of 75% of the waste consists of micro-hollow sphere fragments relative to the total mass 4, 6, comprising the mass 6 of the micro-hollow sphere fragments and the mass 4 of the micro-hollow spheres. This fraction was determined as a long-term average fraction based on measurement data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a weight fraction 4 of the micro-hollow spheres of 10% of the weight of the waste 2 is assumed.

[0129] In another alternative embodiment, where the composition of the waste 2 need not be known, the density of the waste 2 is first determined - after compacting the chips into a closed mass.

[0130] A sample, i.e., a portion of the waste 2, is then subjected to further mechanical processing and shearing until all the microhollow spheres within it have been reduced to microhollow sphere fragments, and the sample's density no longer changes. The density of this mechanically processed and sheared sample is then determined. From the density change (i.e., the difference in density before and after the further mechanical processing of the waste 2), it is possible to determine how many microhollow spheres are present in the waste 2, or in the sample before the further mechanical processing and shearing. Assuming a mass fraction 6 of 75% microhollow sphere fragments relative to the total mass 4, 6 (from the mass 6 of the microhollow sphere fragments and the mass 4 of the microhollow spheres in the waste 2, or in the sample before the further mechanical processing and shearing), the proportion of microhollow sphere fragments in the waste 2 can then be determined.

[0131] The waste material 2 is mixed with micro-hollow spheres and other components of an industrial plasticine.

[0132] The other components and their composition essentially correspond to those described above in connection with the new production process. However, the proportion or weight of microhollow spheres is increased compared to the composition in the new production process and compared to the composition of waste material 2.

[0133] This avoids the loss of quality that would otherwise occur when reusing waste 2 without further treatment.

[0134] The mixing process is carried out similarly to the mixing described above in connection with the new production process and is not described again here to avoid repetition. Forming the material into a strand and dividing the strand into strand sections of predefined length is also carried out similarly to the process described above in connection with the new production process.

[0135] Optionally, the temperature of the mixture is increased above room temperature during mixing or forming into a strand, typically to 45°C. This reduces damage to the microhollow spheres.

[0136] Typically, the proportion of waste 2, relative to the total mass 14, 16 consisting of waste 2, the added microhollow spheres and the other added components, is approximately 20%. A higher proportion is possible, especially if the waste 2 contains a small proportion 6 of microhollow sphere fragments (e.g., after gentle processing in model making).

[0137] In the described process, the proportion or mass 14 of microhollow spheres to be added is increased compared to the composition in the new production such that the resulting (first or recycled) industrial plasticine 50 has the same density as newly produced industrial plasticine. A person skilled in the art, applying their expertise, can readily determine or calculate the mass 14 of microhollow spheres to be added based on this specification, taking into account the mass fraction of 55% microhollow spheres described above, which are damaged during the production process and become microhollow sphere fragments. Alternatively, the mass (weight) 14 of microhollow spheres to be added can be determined experimentally based on this specification. In a modification of the process, a further, optional process step is carried out before mixing the waste 2 with the microhollow spheres and the other components.The waste material is further mechanically processed and sheared until a predetermined proportion of microhollow sphere fragments is present, for example, a mass fraction of 90% of the total mass of microhollow spheres and microhollow sphere fragments. The subsequent mechanical processing and shearing are carried out similarly to the process described above for the sample. To precisely control the proportion of microhollow sphere fragments, the density of the waste is measured repeatedly or continuously during the mechanical processing and shearing.

[0138] This modification has the advantage that all waste materials contain a similar or identical proportion of micro-hollow sphere fragments when mixed. This helps to ensure a consistent quality of the produced recycled industrial plasticine (first industrial plasticine) 50. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a method for producing a recycled industrial plasticine (first industrial plasticine) 50 from industrial plasticine waste (second industrial plasticine) 2 according to a further embodiment.

[0139] The method shown in Fig. 3 is similar to the method described in connection with Fig. 1.

[0140] However, in the embodiment according to Fig. 3, the proportion 18a of the at least one filler in the other components is reduced compared to the composition in the new production and compared to the proportion 8a in the composition of the waste 2.

[0141] This takes into account the fact, recognized by the inventors, that the micro-hollow sphere fracture can fulfill the function of a conventional filler.

[0142] In the illustrated embodiment, the reduced proportion 18a of the at least one filler refers to the mass fraction 18a of the at least one filler relative to the mass 18b of the at least one binder, preferably to the total mass 18b of the binders, among the added other components.

[0143] In an embodiment where fine kaolin is included as one of the at least one filler among the added components, the mass fraction 18a of fine kaolin in the total mass of the added components is reduced. Corresponding embodiments have led to trials for the production of recycled industrial plasticine with particularly desirable properties regarding the brightness value of the recycled industrial plasticine.

[0144] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a starting product 40 for the production of a first industrial plasticine comprising microhollow spheres.

[0145] The starting product 40 contains micro hollow spheres 42, micro hollow sphere fragments 44 and other components 46.

[0146] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an industrial plasticin 50 (recycling industrial plasticin 50) according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0147] The industrial plasticine 50 (recycled industrial plasticine 50) comprises micro hollow spheres 52, micro hollow sphere fragments 54, and other components 56. The other components 56 comprise at least one filler and at least one binder.

[0148] Preferably, the industrial plastilin 50 (recycled industrial plastilin 50) is obtainable by mixing 34 an industrial plastilin waste 2 with micro hollow spheres and with further industrial plastilin ingredients, the further industrial plastilin ingredients comprising at least one binder and at least one filler.

[0149] The industrial plasticin 50 (recycling industrial plasticin 50) contains the micro hollow sphere fracture 54 at a weight fraction of at least 13%.

[0150] The industrial plasticine 50 (recycled industrial plasticine 50) contains the microhollow spheres 52 in a weight proportion that is at least such that the recycled industrial plasticine 50 has a density that is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components 56 of the recycled industrial plasticine 50.

[0151] The exemplary embodiments presented above with reference to the figures serve solely to illustrate the teaching of the invention and are not intended to limit it. The scope of protection is instead defined by the following claims.

Claims

STAEDTLER SE Claims 1. Recycling industrial plasticin (50) comprising micro hollow spheres (52), micro hollow sphere fragments (54) and other components (56), the other components (56) comprising at least one filler and at least one binder; wherein the recycled industrial plasticin (50) is obtainable by mixing (34) an industrial plasticin waste (2) with micro hollow spheres and with further industrial plasticin ingredients, the further industrial plasticin ingredients comprising at least one binder and at least one filler; wherein the recycled industrial plasticine (50) contains the microhollow sphere fragments (54) to a weight fraction and the recycled industrial plasticine (50) contains the microhollow spheres (52) to a weight fraction, and wherein the sum of the weight fraction of the microhollow sphere fragments (54) in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) and the weight fraction of the microhollow spheres (52) in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) is at least 24%.

2. Recycled industrial plasticine (50) according to claim 1, wherein the recycled industrial plasticine (50) contains the microhollow sphere fragments (54) to a weight fraction of at least 0.5% or at least 9%, preferably to a weight fraction of at least 13.5%; and wherein the recycled industrial plasticine (50) contains the microhollow spheres (52) to a weight fraction that is at least such that the recycled industrial plasticine (50) has a density that is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components (56) of the recycled industrial plasticine (50).

3. Recycling industrial plasticin (50) comprising micro hollow spheres (52), micro hollow sphere fragments (54) and other components (56), the other components (56) comprising at least one filler and at least one binder; wherein the recycled industrial plasticin (50) is obtainable by mixing (34) an industrial plasticin waste (2) with micro hollow spheres and with further industrial plasticin ingredients, the further industrial plasticin ingredients comprising at least one binder and at least one filler; wherein the recycled industrial plasticin (50) contains the micro-hollow sphere fragment (54) at a weight fraction of at least 13.5%; and wherein the recycled industrial plasticine (50) contains the microhollow spheres (52) to a weight fraction which is at least such that the recycled industrial plasticine (50) has a density which is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components (56) of the recycled industrial plasticine (50).

4. Recycling industrial plasticine (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recycled industrial plasticin (50) contains the microhollow spheres (52) to a weight fraction of at least 4.5% or at least 5%, preferably to a weight fraction of at least 11% or at least 12%.

5. Recycling industrial plasticine (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filler is contained in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) to a filler weight fraction, and wherein the ratio of the filler weight fraction to the weight fraction of the micro hollow sphere fragment (54) in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) is at most 20 or at most 17 or at most 14, preferably at most 2.

7.

6. Recycling industrial plasticine (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filler is contained in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) in a filler weight fraction, and wherein the ratio of the sum of the weight fraction of the microhollow sphere fragments (54) in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) and the weight fraction of the microhollow spheres (52) in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) divided by the filler weight fraction in the recycled industrial plasticine (50) is at least 0.15 or at least 0.18 or at least 0.21, and preferably at least 2 / 3. 7- Method (30) for producing a recycled industrial plasticine (50) comprising microhollow spheres (52), microhollow sphere fragments (54) and further components (56), wherein the method (30) comprises: Providing (32) an industrial plasticin waste (2) containing, to a first weight fraction (4) microhollow spheres and, to a second weight fraction (6) microhollow sphere fragments; and Mixing (34) the industrial plasticine waste (2) with another industrial plasticine to obtain the recycled industrial plasticine (50) comprising further industrial plasticine micro-hollow spheres and further industrial plasticine ingredients; where the weight fraction of microhollow sphere fragments in the further industrial plasticine is less than the second weight fraction (6); and wherein a weight fraction of the microhollow spheres (52) in the recycled industrial plasticin (50) exceeds the first weight fraction (4).

8. Method (30) according to claim 7, wherein a weight fraction of the microhollow spheres in the further industrial plasticine exceeds the first weight fraction (4), and preferably exceeds the sum of the first weight fraction (4) and the second weight fraction (6).

9. Method (30) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the method (30) comprises adding micro hollow spheres to the industrial plasticine waste (2) and / or to the further industrial plasticine.

10. Method (30) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the industrial plasticine waste (2) contains at least one filler by a certain weight fraction, wherein said weight fraction corresponds to the weight fraction of all fillers contained in the industrial plasticine waste (2), wherein the further industrial plasticine contains at least one filler by a certain weight fraction, wherein said weight fraction corresponds to the weight fraction of all fillers contained in the further industrial plasticine, and wherein the weight fraction of all fillers contained in the further industrial plasticine is less than the weight fraction of all fillers contained in the industrial plasticine waste (2).

11. Method (30) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the recycled industrial plasticin (50) is the recycled industrial plasticin (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

12. Method (30) for producing a first industrial plasticine (50) comprising microhollow spheres (52), microhollow sphere fragments (54) and further components (56), wherein the method (30) comprises: Providing (32) a second industrial plasticine (2) containing (4) microhollow spheres by a first weight fraction and (6) microhollow sphere fragments by a second weight fraction; and Mixing (34) the second industrial plastilin (2) with microhollow spheres according to a weight (14) of microhollow spheres and with further industrial plastilin ingredients according to a weight (18) of the further industrial plastilin ingredients to obtain the first industrial plastilin (50); wherein a third weight fraction (14 / 10) corresponds to the proportion of the weight (14) of microhollow spheres to the total mass (10) from the weight (14) of microhollow spheres and the weight (18) of the other industrial plasticin ingredients; and where the third weight fraction (14 / 10) exceeds the sum of the first weight fraction (4) and the second weight fraction (6).

13. Method (30) according to claim 12, wherein the method (30) comprises providing (32) an industrial plasticine waste (2) which contains or is the second industrial plasticine (2), in particular in the form of chips, for example in the form of chips obtainable by milling an industrial plasticine.

14. Method (30) according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the further components (56) and / or the further industrial plastilin ingredients comprise at least one filler and at least one binder, wherein, optionally: the at least one binder comprises a wax, for example a microcrystalline wax and / or a paraffin wax; and / or which includes at least one filler, a metal soap; and / or the other components (56) and / or the other industrial plasticin ingredients include a colorant and optionally an additive, such as a surfactant; and / or wherein the first industrial plasticin (50) is a recycled industrial plasticin (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

15. Method (30) according to claim 14, wherein, when mixing (34) the second industrial plasticine (2) with the microhollow spheres and with the other industrial plasticine ingredients, the other industrial plasticine ingredients comprise the at least one filler and the at least one binder according to a first weight ratio of the weight (18a) of the at least one filler to the weight (18b) of the at least one binder; wherein the second industrial plasticine (2) comprises at least one filler and at least one binder, according to a second weight ratio of the weight (8a) of the at least one filler of the second industrial plasticine to the weight (8b) of the at least one binder of the second industrial plasticine; and where the first weight ratio is lower than the second weight ratio.

16. Method (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, after mixing (34), the first industrial plasticin (50) has the microhollow spheres (52) comprising a quarter by weight of at least 3% or at least 5% or at least 6%; and / or wherein, after mixing (34), the first industrial plasticine (50) has a first density, wherein the first density is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components (56) or at least 15% lower than the density of the other components (56) and / or wherein the first density is less than 0.9 g / cm³ 3 is; and / or wherein the method (30) comprises determining the weight of microhollow spheres and / or the third weight fraction (14 / 10) such that, after mixing (34), the first industrial plasticine (50) has the microhollow spheres comprising a fourth weight fraction of at least 3% or at least 5% or at least 6% and / or such that, after mixing (34), the first industrial plasticine (50) has the first density, wherein the first density is at least 10% lower than the density of the other components (56) or at least 15% lower than the density of the other components (56); and / or wherein the first industrial plasticin (50) consists of the microhollow spheres (52), microhollow sphere fragments (54) and the further components (56), wherein a composition of the further components (56) contains no other components than the further components (56) according to claim 14.

17. Method (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising: Determining the weight (14) of microhollow spheres and / or the third weight fraction (14 / 10) based on a density of the second industrial plasticine (2), in particular, wherein the method (30) comprises measuring the density of the second industrial plasticine (2); where optionally the weight (14) of microhollow spheres and / or the third weight fraction (14 / 10) is set higher the higher the density of the second industrial plasticine (2) is.

18. Method (30) according to claim 15, optionally with the features according to one or both of claims 16 and / or 17, wherein the method (30) further comprises determining the first weight ratio based on a density of the second industrial plasticine (2), wherein, optionally, the first weight ratio is set lower the higher the density of the second industrial plasticine (2); and / or wherein the weight (18a) of the at least one filler among the other industrial plastilin ingredients refers to the total weight of all fillers included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients and the weight (18b) of the at least one binder among the other industrial plastilin ingredients refers to the total weight of all binders included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients; or wherein the weight (18a) of the at least one filler among the other industrial plastilin ingredients refers to the weight of an inorganic filler included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients, and the weight (18b) of the at least one binder among the other industrial plastilin ingredients refers to the total weight of all the binders included in the other industrial plastilin ingredients.

19. Method (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the method (30) further comprises forming the first industrial plastilin (50), in particular into the form of a strand and / or by means of a device, for example an extrusion device, which is used in mixing (34) the second industrial plastilin (2) with the microhollow spheres and the further industrial plastilin ingredients; and / or wherein the mixing (34) is carried out by means of extrusion and / or using an extrusion device.

20. Method (30) according to one of claims 12 to 19, wherein during at least one period of the mixing (34) and / or during the forming according to claim 19, the temperature of a mixture comprising the second industrial plasticin (2), the further industrial plasticin ingredients, and the micro hollow spheres and / or a resulting micro hollow sphere fracture is in a temperature range of 35°C to 50°C or in a temperature range of 40°C to 50°C.

21. Method (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the second weight fraction (6) is at least 15% or at least 18% or at most 30% or at most 34% or is in a range of 15% to 34%; and / or wherein when mixing (34) the second industrial plasticine (2) with the microhollow spheres and with the other industrial plasticine ingredients, the second industrial plasticine (2) is mixed according to a third weight; wherein a recycling content is the proportion of the third weight to the total weight of the third weight, the weight (14) of microhollow spheres and the weight (18) of the other industrial plasticine ingredients; and wherein the recycling content is at least 5% or at most 40% or at most 30% or is in a range of 5% to 40% or is in a range of 5% to 35%; and / or wherein the second weight fraction (6) is at least 1.5 times greater than the first weight fraction (4) or at least 2 times greater than the first weight fraction (4) or at least 3 times greater than the first weight fraction (4).

22. Method (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the method (30) further comprises mechanically processing the second industrial plasticine (2) to increase the second weight fraction (6) and decrease the first weight fraction (4), for example such that the second weight fraction (6) after mechanical processing is at least a factor of 2 greater than the first weight fraction (4) or at least a factor of 3 greater than the first weight fraction (4) or at least a factor of 4 greater than the first weight fraction (4), wherein the mechanical processing is preferably carried out before mixing (34) the second industrial plasticine (2) with the microhollow spheres and with the other industrial plasticine ingredients.

23. Starting material (40) for the production of a first industrial plasticine (50) comprising microhollow spheres (52), wherein the starting product (40) comprises micro hollow spheres (42), micro hollow sphere fragments (44) and other components (46), wherein the starting product (40) has the microhollow sphere fraction (44) comprising a fifth by weight of at least 1.5%, and wherein the starting product (40) comprises the microhollow spheres (42) to a sixth weight fraction of at least 12%, preferably to a sixth weight fraction of at least 25%.

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