Moisture management to control particle size distribution in shredded waste materials

A method of generating paper and plastic fragments using moisture content to control fragment size distribution and mechanical properties of a product made therefrom, the method comprising:

• measuring, by a moisture sensor positioned immediately upstream of a disintegration system, a moisture content of a batch of paper and plastic material after a first drying operation, wherein the batch has a moisture content between about 10 percent and about 31 percent;
• drying, in a second drying operation, the batch of paper and plastic material in a dryer operated according to one or more parameters determined by a controller based on the measured moisture content, to achieve a target moisture content, wherein the target moisture content is a range less than 31 percent and greater than about 10 percent and is determined based at least in part on a desired fragment size distribution;
• and
• disintegrating the batch of paper and plastic material, after said second drying operation, to form a plurality of paper and plastic fragments having a predetermined fragment size distribution, wherein moisture content outside the range prior to disintegration produces a pulpy mass and reduced internal bond strength and modulus of rupture in boards produced therefrom.