Description
The main objective of the project is the implementation of a new, innovating, “greener” technology – Inline production of thermoformed cups,as well as carrying out together with Norwegian partner ,SINTEF Materials and Chemistry , testing and identification activities of new combinations of materials and polymers, new technologies, increasing the share of materials which are neutral from the point of view of environmental impact, in order to improve the quality of the products and also to improve the environmental performance of society. Specific project’s objectives: a) improve the environmental performance of the company through reducing the consumptions of energy and raw materials (polypropylene, polystyrene, other polymers) used in the production process, and through reducing the amount of waste products and a improvedand more efficently the waste management. b) To Increase the competitiveness and the efficiency of business operations through introducing into production of new combinations of materials.
Summary of project results
The increased competition on Romanian market generated a growing pressure for cost control and to improve productivity in order to maintain economic competitiveness of the company on the packaging market (domestic and foreign). The potential to improve the quality of existing products (especially regarding physical and chemical properties) with off-line technology and actual machines is extremely limited, and knowledge and infrastructure necessary for the development of this kind of products are poor. For these reason the project sought to answer these two major challenges : reduce manufacturing costs (with in-line technology) and development cups with special properties and better quality, also with the help of in-line technology. The main objective of the project was the implementation of a new, innovating, “greener” technology – inline technology (, in order to reduce consumption of raw materials and electricity, quality improvement, waste reduction), as well as caring out together with Norwegian partner SINTEF Materials and Chemistry of research activities in the field of testing and identifications of new combinations of materials and polymers, in order to improve the quality of the products and also to improve the environmental performance of society. In-line technology (in-line extruder, dosing line, compressor, dryer compressor, cutting mill) which had helped to reduce the consumption of energy and raw materials (polypropylene, polystyrene) used in the production process, and also help to reduced the waste generated. Improve the actual recipes and introduce new combinations of materials use for making cups with special properties (barrier and sealing).
Summary of bilateral results
SINTEF Materials and Chemistry role in the project was to provide the know-how and advice regarding the development and improvement of the quality of the products. The Norwegian partner proceeded to conducting research and testing on the: materials selections (assist on choice of barrier material and sealing material for welding of aluminium lids on cup ), oxygen barrier (the calculation of oxygen transmission rate on produced multilayer), adopting CaCO3 polymers for a midlayer (test effects of CaCo3 content on shear viscosity, test effects of CaCo3 content on elongation during thermoforming, test effects of CaCo3 filler on stiffness and estimation of top load), CO2 footprint. The partner had developed the methodology and the formula for calculating the CO2 footprint in order to identify the possible solutions that can be implement in order to reduce the CO2 emission step by step and build a yearly strategy to follow it. The partner expertise in the field, as well as the necessary infrastructure represents a significant advantage and gives SINTEF an important role for successful completion of the project. On the basis of tests performed by the partner, the company improve/developed current recipes and respectively new product recipes, with a lower impact on the environment.