Description
Purchase of new Zn-Ni coating plant with water waste treatment plant, combining both innovative and environmental elements. The project will improve the environmental performance for the enterprise. Even if Zn is not the most hazardous heavy metal, reducing the discharges of this is important. The project delivers specific benefits to the identified target group (employees, company, community, clients, suppliers) which are consistent with analysis of problems or challenges of the target group within the context of automotive industry. Bilateral relations are strengthen through collaboration with a Norwegian research center with expertise in corrosion. Project outcomes: A greener services with innovative solution for Zn-Ni electroplating with longer life cycle and less environmental impact. Creating 12 green jobs that help reduce negative environmental impact ultimately leading to a sustainable development. Innovative initiatives to increase the efficiency in business operations by increasing labor productivity. Secondary objectives for the project are establishing an active Corporate Social Responsibility approach in the enterprise by reduction of energy consumption and waste water discharges.
Summary of project results
The automotive sector is a very dynamic sector with rapid changes in internal and external factors. Staying innovative and sustainable is a key to remain relevant on the market. Portfolio diversification and fundamental change in waste water treatment plant, increase in competitiveness and creating 12 green jobs with better working conditions were aimed as well as a knowledge/competence based bilateral cooperation. The result is sustainable production process, longer life-cycle of products, less waste liberated in the sewage system, better working conditions. The outputs are green innovative electroplating services with Zn-Ni alloy and green innovative waste water management. The beneficiaries of the project are employees, clients, community and suppliers. Employees have a better working environment that help reduce negative environmental impact. Clients receive products with longer life-cycle, up to 720h salt spray test. Community benefitS by less waste being released in the sewage system: 20% less kg/year Zn2+, 30% less kg/year Cr, 70% less m3/1sqm/ year water usage, reduced energy consumption MWh/sqm/year by 60%.
Summary of bilateral results
The role of the Project Partner was competence based. The main activity of the partner was to assist implementation of greener waste water system in the corrosion protection process of steel parts by electrowinning. The Partner has also provided technical coordination throughout the project implementation period, participating in all relevant areas of expertise. The project benefited to both companies: COMPA benefited from the input of valuable experts in the field of corrosion witch brought added value in implementing the project. The Partner on the other hand gained knowledge in applying their know how in the automotive industry, a sector that can be a source of finance and further development. The cooperation between the Norwegian part and COMPA is intended to go beyond project period.The results of bilateral collaboration can be further exploited by implementing the innovative electrowinning process in other galvanic processes if cost benefit ratio will be positive.