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Description
Established in 2004 in Silistra, a city within Bulgaria''s North-Central Planning Region, Stearinos Ltd. operates as a medium-sized company. Its core activities center around the production of stearic candles and various air fresheners, such as water-based aromatic diffusers, room sprays, vacuum cleaner fresheners, fragrances for aroma lamps, air fresheners for offices, and scented sticks for cars. Notably, Stearinos Ltd. stands as one of Europe''s primary stearic candle manufacturers, with 99% of its production earmarked for export.
The cornerstone of this project is Ceram Scent®, an innovative product developed by Stearinos Ltd. This creation consists of a two-part system:
Non-residue scented liquid: Formulated to avoid clogging ceramic pores, this liquid evaporates entirely from the ceramic body, leaving no residue behind. It is stored in a glass ampoule that ensures complete recyclability.
Ceramic body/part: Designed to absorb and diffuse the scented liquid, the ceramic body is porous throughout, allowing rapid absorption of substantial liquid volumes. It is produced from natural materials, including fine wood dust, clay, and water, and can be tailored in various shapes and sizes to meet customer specifications. Importantly, the ceramic part can be reused up to 10,000 times, making the entire system, comprising the ceramic part and liquid, fully recyclable and reusable.
Stearinos has made essential equipment adjustments for Ceram Scent®''s development, with existing technology utilized solely for sample production. This project aims to acquire a production line for manufacturing the ceramic part of Ceram Scent®, enhancing production capacity and expanding the product range. Furthermore, the applicant has sought support for participation in two fairs to showcase the product, which is fully prepared for production and commercialization.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several critical challenges associated with conventional air fresheners, which had long been recognized for their potential health and environmental risks. Challenges the Project Aimed to Address:
Health Impacts of Traditional Air Fresheners:
Conventional air fresheners, such as sprays, aerosols, gels, and candles, were found to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor environments. These VOCs included harmful substances like xylene, aldehydes, esters, and terpenes, which were known to irritate the respiratory system, cause sensory irritation, and contribute to lung dysfunction.
Long-term exposure to these VOCs was linked to more severe health issues, including damage to the central nervous system, hormonal disruption, and adverse effects on both the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems.
Formation of Secondary Pollutants:
The VOCs emitted by traditional air fresheners were reactive with ozone, leading to the formation of secondary pollutants such as formaldehyde, secondary organic aerosols (SOA), oxidative products, and ultrafine particles. These secondary pollutants not only worsened the health risks but also caused additional damage to the lungs, cardiovascular systems, and other organs.
Environmental Impact:
The production and use of conventional air fresheners contributed significantly to environmental pollution. By releasing VOCs and other hazardous chemicals, these products degraded indoor air quality and emitted pollutants into the broader environment, further exacerbating environmental contamination.
The project sought to address these pressing issues by offering a safer, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional air fresheners, which had been linked to health concerns and environmental degradation.
The Ceram Scent® Project by Stearinos Ltd. focused on the development and production of an innovative, environmentally friendly air freshening system. The project aimed to address the negative environmental and health impacts of conventional air fresheners while creating a product that would be sustainable, non-toxic, and recyclable. Here is an elaboration on the activities and outputs involved in the project:
Development of Ceram Scent® System with two components:
- Non-residue Scented Liquid: The scented liquid is designed with a special formula that does not clog the ceramic body, ensuring it evaporates fully without leaving any residues behind. This liquid is stored in a glass ampoule, which is 100% recyclable.
- Ceramic Body: The ceramic body is made from natural materials, such as fine wood dust, clay, and water. It has a porous texture that allows it to absorb a large amount of liquid quickly. The ceramic part can absorb up to 40 ml of scented liquid in just a few seconds, and it can hold up to 80% of its volume in liquid. The ceramic body can be produced in various sizes and shapes, catering to customer needs.
The entire Ceram Scent® system is fully recyclable and reusable. The ceramic part can be used up to 10,000 times, and both the ceramic and scented liquid are made from non-toxic, natural components. The packaging, made from materials like aluminum, bamboo, and glass, is also recyclable. The system aims to reduce environmental impact by using recycled and waste materials, and the ceramic part can be reused multiple times, significantly decreasing waste.
Expansion of Product Range:
- Bio-plastic Air Diffusers: These diffusers, which do not require electricity or batteries, operate purely on kinetic force. They are designed to use Ceram Scent® blocks and are made from bio-plastics, further enhancing the product''s eco-friendliness.
- Scented Blocks for Vacuum Cleaners: The project also includes the development of scented blocks tailored for various vacuum cleaner models. These blocks can be designed and cast to fit different vacuum cleaner brands and provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional air fresheners.
- Scented Blocks for Portable Toilets: The project also proposes scented blocks designed specifically for use in portable toilets. These blocks can be used as refills for integrated diffusers in the toilets, and once used, they can be recycled.
Outputs of the Project:
- Development and patenting of the Ceram Scent® air freshener system.
- Creation of bio-plastic air diffusers and scented blocks for vacuum cleaners and portable toilets.
- Upgraded, environmentally friendly production processes, reducing energy waste and pollution.
- Expansion of the product line to include innovative, recyclable, and sustainable air freshening solutions.
Overall, the project not only created an eco-friendly product that addressed the health and environmental concerns of traditional air fresheners, but it also led to the development of new, sustainable technologies and products that aligned with the growing demand for environmentally conscious solutions.
The project achieved significant outcomes and impacts, benefiting both the environment and end-users of air freshening products. Key results include:
Environmental Benefits:
- Implementation of upgraded, environmentally friendly production processes reduced energy waste and pollution.
- New production equipment helped decrease volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
- Materials recycling was enhanced by repurposing wood dust (a byproduct of the wood industry) in the manufacturing process.
Innovative Technologies:
- Development of three innovative air freshening technologies and processes, including the patented Ceram Scent® air freshener system.
- Introduction of bio-plastic air diffusers and scented blocks tailored for vacuum cleaners and portable toilets.
Sustainability Impact:
- Expansion of the product line to feature recyclable and sustainable air freshening solutions, ensuring long-term environmental and economic value.
Beneficiaries:
- Consumers: Gained access to innovative, eco-friendly air freshening products.
- Industry Stakeholders: Benefited from reduced environmental impact and compliance with sustainability standards.
- Environment: Experienced decreased pollution and improved resource utilization through waste reuse and emission reduction measures.