Aimplas seeks solutions to ensure that Spanish companies of the plastic to reduce its energy costs and environmental impact
The ENER-Plast project, which is currently in an intermediate stage and whose completion is scheduled at the end of 2010, is addressed to all points of the processing industry of polymers, including the entire supply chain. Its purpose is to guide companies since the design of a product, the selection of materials, the purchase of equipment, to production, controlling efficiency and energy consumption, which translates into a reduction of costs and carbon footprint.
"With ENER-Plast we want Spanish companies have at their disposal all the necessary information on the legislation in force and have the tools and resources, in order to improve its operations and, thus, to achieve high profitability, reducing their costs and environmental impact", says Eva Verdejo, responsible for the project in Aimplas.
Study of environmental legislation
So far has conducted a study of the knowledge, understanding and attitude of the companies in the sector of the plastic on the energy and environmental legislation of the European Union, which have involved a total of 131 companies from 8 countries - GermanyBelgium, Slovenia, Spain, France, Holland, Portugal, United Kingdom and Czech Republic - where it has determined their level of knowledge in the field of legislation.
Among the conclusions, it should be noted that only 58% of respondents are aware of the existing legislation in the field of energy, however this percentage decreases to 33% if refers to future legislation. On the other hand, almost all of the respondents, 95%, confirms the need to harmonize all current EU legislation, because if not, can give advantages or disadvantages between companies in different countries.
In terms of environmental policy, 77% of surveyed companies have an environmental and/or energy policy, but on the other hand, in the field of corporate social responsibility the offer only 44% of these. And, although only 40% of enterprises have a responsible energy issue, 62 per cent control energy consumption, but, above all, for economic reasons.
Guide to energy efficiency and sustainability
The current legislation on polymers is extensive and complex, so there a large number of companies who don't know as a whole, for this reason Aimplas, with ENER-Plast, has participated in the creation of the 'reference guide of the European legislation on energy and environment for the polymer industry'.
An electronic guide of support directed to all companies who want to improve their performance, sustainable, and energy efficiency that offers a concise on Spanish legislation and European orientation in the field of energy and environment, as well as the characteristics and obligations related to the same. It deals with features on design, eco-design, prototyping, reuse, recyclability and carbon footprint, among a long list of processes and operations of companies in the polymer industry.
Recyclability is also an important aspect to emphasize to improve the efficiency of enterprises. Currently, and according to the market Observatory, Aimplas, in Spain, there are more than 100 companies involved in the recycling of plastic waste with a volume of treated waste that is approaching the 500,000 tons. After your treatment, the recycled materials are primarily used in the manufacture of bags of garbage (14%), sheets and bags (19%), pipes (20%), parts industry (13%), bottles and cans (4%) and the remaining 30% is dedicated to the production of footwearfurniture or hangers, among other products.
