Green Pipes from recycled plastic
Published on 05 February 2018
Sweden
Mellersta Norrland
Project manager
About this good practice
An examle of resource efficiency and Industrial Symbiosis has been identified in the region of Kronoberg, Sweden.
Green Pipe is a company situated in Växjö Sweden that produce conduit systems and similar products from 100% recirculated plastic. Main application is protecting electrical cables placed under ground and in water.
The raw material used are mainly car bumpers since they are made of good quality plastics and available in large amounts. Using waste material from one operation as raw material in another company is an example of Industrial symbiosis.
The concept contributes to decrease the use of fossil oil since virgin plastic are made of oil. The company is successful, specifcally in countries were recycled material are appreciated and supported. One example is Holland.
Plastic industry faces a hugh challenge reducing use of fossil oil and this is a good example of doing this.
Green Pipe is a company situated in Växjö Sweden that produce conduit systems and similar products from 100% recirculated plastic. Main application is protecting electrical cables placed under ground and in water.
The raw material used are mainly car bumpers since they are made of good quality plastics and available in large amounts. Using waste material from one operation as raw material in another company is an example of Industrial symbiosis.
The concept contributes to decrease the use of fossil oil since virgin plastic are made of oil. The company is successful, specifcally in countries were recycled material are appreciated and supported. One example is Holland.
Plastic industry faces a hugh challenge reducing use of fossil oil and this is a good example of doing this.
Resources needed
The company has six employees. The investment needed for the production facility is not known, but extra cost assocciated with using recirculated plastic is low.
Evidence of success
According to the company´s website (2018-02-02) each pipe contributes to savings of 4,25 litres with oil. Other products contribute with similar amounts. In total using recycled plastic has saved 5 950 262 l w oil, corresponding to 8 470 267 kg Co2-equivalents.
According to a study made by the independent third party, Swerea IVF (Olsson 2015), our products made from 100% recycled plastic will decrease the environmental impact with up to 80% compared to a product produced from virgin plastic.
According to a study made by the independent third party, Swerea IVF (Olsson 2015), our products made from 100% recycled plastic will decrease the environmental impact with up to 80% compared to a product produced from virgin plastic.
Potential for learning or transfer
The practice can be transferred to a number of companies in Europe producing plastic components.
The challenge described above can be mitigated by introducing incentives in procurement processes for recycled material.
There is a need to educate public authorities in how to not hinder production through industrial symbiosis,
The challenge described above can be mitigated by introducing incentives in procurement processes for recycled material.
There is a need to educate public authorities in how to not hinder production through industrial symbiosis,
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Green Pipe Sweden AB
Sweden
Mellersta Norrland
Contact
Project manager