Excellent properties make polymers, such as plastics and plastic materials popular, versatile and widely used in nearly all spheres of human activity. Today, synthetic polymers artificially produced from fossil and petrochemical resources such as oil, natural gas or coal are most widespread, while those made from renewables are less used. Production of polymers requires extensive use of materials and energy, which is a major challenge, but not the only one. Decades-long mass production and consumption of plastics over decades have made plastics one of the largest contributors to pollution and plastic pollution a major environmental issue. Now, we need production systems that ensure that energy and raw materials are rationally and sustainably used and at the same time limit waste generation through waste minimization processes and practices while promoting waste reuse or recycling. Plastika Skaza, has shown its commitment to environment-friendly processes and products in the scope of a project Development of a new technological procedure for production of complex products from transparent polycarbonates with at least a 50% share of secondary raw material applied in furniture and electronics and electrotechnical industry. The project received support under the call for proposals Strengthening competences and innovation potential of enterprises.
The aim of the project was to support the reuse of polymers (plastics) and to develop and deploy production systems that ensure rational use of energy and raw materials and minimize waste. At the same time such systems boost waste reuse or recycling. Thus, an efficient sorting system which sorts secondary raw materials on the basis of AI-enabled machine vision able to distinguish between transparent polycarbonate plastic granulates and removing the material inappropriate for recycling or reuse has been developed. At the same time, solutions defining the share of recycled material and the structure and share of additives to achieve the desired mechanic, thermal or visual properties of a quality product, were developed and tested.
Plastika Skaza prides itself on the results of hard work and the strong partnerships created with project partners. “We continued to build our partnership even after the project finished, and managed to create great stories. Besides excellent business results we are proud of taking our human resources development activities to the next level – some of our employees partly work in our company and also do research work at faculties”, said the company’s representative.
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Beneficiary: Plastika Skaza d. o.o. |
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Programme: Operational Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy in the Period 2014-2020 |
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Fund: European Regional Development Fund |
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Total project funding: EUR 569,613.48 |
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EU contribution: EUR 199,364.72 |
Photo: Skaza