UBC decoating machine removes the coating, ink, and lacquer layer from aluminum cans through pyrolysis, allowing aluminum to be recovered at higher purity and lower loss. The process runs in a sealed, low-oxygen furnace under precise temperature control, separating the coating from the aluminum substrate with minimal oxidation. For the aluminum recycling industry, this equipment has become a key solution in raising metal recycling yield while keeping emissions clean and within regulatory compliance.
Industry Challenges in UBC Decoating
The basic aluminum recycling process for used beverage cans (UBC) is: Collection → Crushing & Sorting → Decoating → Smelting & Casting.
Decoating is a critical pre-treatment step before smelting. It directly affects downstream smelting quality and metal recovery rate. However, much of the industry currently skips the decoating stage. Instead, it relies on direct high-temperature smelting or open-flame incineration. This exposes the following limitations:
Undecoated Aluminum Scrap
Lower Recycling Quality
Above aluminum’s melting point 660°C, undecoated residues mix in. Impurity contamination forces the recycled aluminum to be downgraded into low-end cast alloy.
Aluminum Dross From Oxidation Burn Loss
Severe Aluminum Loss
An open, oxygen-rich environment combined with high-temperature combustion readily triggers intense oxidation. This causes substantial burn loss of the finished metal.
Emissions From Aluminum Smelter
Emission Compliance Risk
Traditional incineration offers little control over furnace temperature and cooling rate. This creates conditions prone to re-synthesizing toxic substances such as dioxins.
UBC decoating machine operates in a sealed, low-oxygen environment. Precise temperature control (450°C–520°C) pyrolyzes the coating into syngas and carbon residue, separating it from the aluminum substrate. Pyrolysis-Based solution offers the following key advantages:
High Recycled Purity: Decoating stays below aluminum’s melting point. The metal remains solid, so coating residue does not mix into it.
Controlled Emissions: Pyrolysis syngas is burned and purified in an independent combustion chamber, avoiding the emission risks of incomplete combustion.
What Types of Cans Can Be Decoated?
✓ Suitable
Aluminum beverage cans (soda, beer, energy drinks, etc.)
Silver-gray surface, no large areas of residual coating;
No visible white oxide layer; oxide ≤5μm; residue ≤2% per piece;
Controlled smoke in smelting tests, no abnormal pungent odor.
Physical Properties
Intact substrate, no powdering, cracking, or sintering/clumping;
Strength retention ≥95% (3 × 180° bends, no breakage);
Intact particle/flake shape, easy to convey and feed.
Core Technical Advantages of Beston Group’s UBC Decoating Machine
UBC pyrolysis system for decoating is engineered around two core requirements: keeping the aluminum substrate isolated from oxygen throughout processing, and keeping emissions controlled from source to discharge. Our equipment is engineered around both:
Sealed Feeding: A dual-stage seal, combining an airlock valve and a screw seal feeder, blocks outside air from entering the furnace. This maintains a low-oxygen reaction environment inside.
Precise Pressure Control: Gradual heating prevents sudden pressure spikes from rapid coating off-gassing. The furnace holds a slight negative pressure (-10 to -30Pa), which keeps cold air from leaking back in.
Sealed Cooling: Water-jacket indirect heat exchange cools the material. The system stays fully sealed until discharge temperature drops below 50°C, preventing secondary oxidation from air exposure.
Source to Stack, Emissions in Compliance
Source Reduction: The coating pyrolyzes rather than burns in the sealed, low-oxygen environment. This cuts black smoke, dust, and harmful gas generation at the source.
Process Control: Pyrolysis gas is fully combusted in a sealed combustion chamber, with controlled temperature and residence time. This suppresses the formation of dioxins and other harmful substances.
End-of-Pipe Purification: Flue gas is rapidly quenched in a spray tower, minimizing time in the critical temperature window. Multi-stage purification then removes particulates, acid gases, and residual VOCs.
BST-50 UBC Decoating Machine with Advanced Design(Credit: Beston Group)
Model Specifications of UBC Decoating Machine
BST-50: Industrial-scale Model
Recycle 16,000 tonnes of UBC annually
7200 hours/year stable & safe operation
BST-06Quicker: Small-scale Model
8-hour rapid installation and deployment
Movable design allowing 8-hour disassembly and reassembly
Model
BST-50 Standard
BST-06 Quicker
Operating Mode
Continuous
Continuous
Application
Commercial-scale
Small-scale
Reactor Material
Staineless Steel 304
Staineless Steel 304
Feedstock Size
20-40mm
20-40mm
Feeding Capacity
1900KG-2800KG/H
160-240KG/H
Max. Pyrolysis Temperature (Combustion Chamber)
650℃
650℃
Residue Retention Time
15-20 minutes
15-20 minutes
Operating Pressure
-10 ～ -30 Pa
-10 ～ -30 Pa
Cooling Method
Water
Water
Exhasut Gas Treatment
Standard
Standard
Aluminum Temperature
50℃
50℃
Annual Operating Hours
＞7200hrs
＞8000hrs
Service Life
5-8 years
5-8 years
Land Space Required (L*W*H*m)
35*15*8
35*15*8
Power Consumption
121kw/h
25.1kw/h
Water Consumption
5-7m³/day
3-5m³/day
Fuel Consumption
220-260m³/h
30-50m³/day
Installation Period
60 days
7 days
How UBC Decoating Machine Achieves Efficient Decoating
The key to effective decoating is complete coating removal while the aluminum substrate stays solid and stays free of oxidation. UBC decoating machine achieves this through precise temperature control and a sealed, oxygen-isolated design:
UBC Pre-treatment
Crushing: UBCs are shredded to 2–4cm. This removes trapped air inside the can body and ensures even heating.
Magnetic Separation: Baling wire and iron fragments are removed. This prevents galvanic corrosion between iron and aluminum.
Sealed Feeding
Material is fed continuously into the reactor through an airlock valve and a screw seal feeder. This blocks air from entering the furnace along with the material.
Thermal Decoating
Material undergoes staged heating inside the furnace:
Preheating & Drying (120–200°C): Removes moisture and softens surface residue.
Pre-pyrolysis (200–320°C): Low-boiling-point volatiles are released, and some components begin to decompose.
Main Pyrolysis (450–520°C): The coating fully decomposes and detaches, separating from the aluminum substrate.
Water-Cooling Collection
The decoated aluminum is cooled to below 50°C through a sealed water-cooling system. It is then separated from solid residue via vibrating screens, yielding clean aluminum scrap.
Beston Group‘s UBC decoating equipment is certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and CE (EU Safety Compliance) , internationally recognized standards for quality, environmental, and safety performance.
Beston Group: R&D and Manufacturing Strength
Reliable UBC decoating equipment is built through a combination of continuous R&D, precision manufacturing, and strict quality control.We are committed to advancing every part of this process, pushing engineering standards higher, refining manufacturing precision, and never compromising on quality.
Engineering Strength, R&D Driven
Facilities: Beston Group operates a 200,000 m2 production center, supported by a 7,000 m2 pilot R&D test base and a 500 m2 laboratory & testing center.
Team & Patents: 50+ engineers, over 80% with 10+ years of industry experience; 17 patents covering core processes such as sealed feeding and precision temperature control.
Quality Manufacturing, Every Step Verified
Fabrication: National-standard steel welding, CNC precision machining for core components, and auxiliary parts from leading brands such as Delixi, Schneider, and Siemens.
Full-Process Quality Control: Multi-stage inspection from incoming raw material checks to final airtightness and safety performance testing, covering every step of production.
Downstream Markets & Applications for Decoated Aluminum
The main revenue source for a UBC thermal decoating project is the sale of decoated aluminum scrap to downstream recyclers and processors. In September 2026, the benchmark aluminum price averaged approximately USD 3,283 per tonne. The market value and potential applications of decoated aluminum depend on metal recovery, residual coatings, material quality, and regional demand. The following are potential buyers and application pathways for paint-stripped aluminum:
01 What Does Your UBC Decoating Machine Configuration Include?
Standard configuration includes core modules such as raw material pre-treatment equipment (crushing, magnetic separation), the thermal decoating unit, and an off-gas purification system. Configurations can be customized based on customer requirements.
02 What Types of Used Beverage Cans (UBC) Can Be Processed?
The equipment is designed primarily for aluminum UBCs. Raw material is typically supplied as baled, intact cans. Cans must be crushed to 2–4cm without other metals before entering the furnace. Feeding whole cans directly is strictly prohibited.
03 What Is the Aluminum Recovery Rate After Decoating?
The exact figure depends on factors such as raw material cleanliness, coating thickness, and can specifications. We offer material testing services to determine expected yield for your specific feedstock.
04 Does Decoating Produce Carbon Residue, and How Is It Handled if It Sticks to the Aluminum Surface?
A small amount of carbon residue may remain on the decoated aluminum. It is removed through vibrating screen separation before the material enters the smelting furnace.
05 Can the Pyrolysis Gas Generated by the Process Fully Power the System on Its Own?
No. The coating on UBC surfaces is thin, so the pyrolysis gas yield is limited. Therefore, its heat output is insufficient to sustain continuous operation on its own. An auxiliary heat source, such as natural gas, is required to support the system.
Get a Customized UBC Decoating Solution from Beston Group
UBC decoating machine is the key to turning used beverage cans into high-purity aluminum scrap. By pyrolyzing coatings in a sealed, low-oxygen environment, it cuts oxidation loss and keeps emissions controlled from source to stack. Beston Group offers material testing for your feedstock and can recommend the right model, from the industrial-scale BST-50 to the pilot-scale BST-06Quicker. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest aluminum recycling insights and project updates.