Description
The project aims at increasing the competitiveness of EkoTeknika Ltd. through installation of a new pellets production plant, as well as appropriate storage facility on the site. The new production line will complement the first production line and almost triple the total production capacity of the plant. The implementation of the project will make the company greener and more competitive on the market. The output of the project will be improved quality and volume of the produced pelletes - about 30'000 tons per year. In addition to the investment, some new green jobs will be created and employees and local community will be involved in training/awareness raising activities. The project will be implemented in partnership with Norges Vel (The Royal Norwegian Society for Development) which will provide the necessary expertise and know-how.
Summary of project results
In the past few years, before the project start, the production of eco pellets and briquettes was realized by a technology for compression without any adhesive or other additives. All the material used for the production was wood that does not meet any technology needs – i.e. wood waste. Unlike most manufacturers EkoTeknika Ltd. used and still uses only wood waste. This reduces the environmental pollution and is an example for good waste management, that the company wanted to continue improving and developing. The purchase and implementation of а new production line for eco pellets main objective was the quality of the product to be dramatically improved and the volume of produced pellets to be increased to 30’000 tons per year (from 04.2016 to 31.12.2016, the production reached this goal for softwood pellets, but EkoTeknika Ltd. is still working on the production of pellets from hardwood to find the optimal ways of production). This new production line allowed a much higher quality and a corresponding increase in selling prices by at least 15% (for the past year it has been increased by more than 53% and workers’ salaries – by 15%) and also a significant revenue for the company. With this project EkoTeknika Ltd. aimed to strengthen the sustainable socially responsible policy of the company and to increase its capacity and competitiveness among other businesses in Bulgaria and abroad. With the introduction of the new equipment EkoTeknika’s Ltd. processes and business became more sustainable, greener and more competitive. Also by implementing these innovative technologies EkoTeknika Ltd., with the support of Norges Vel, developed a new, more efficient business model that helps and will help in the long term the company decrease their footprint and build better image in front of its partners, clients, employees and the society. The project outputs are as follows: - The project contributed to the society, the public and private sector by providing a more eco-friendly and fully correspondent to the priorities of EU and Bulgaria for increasing the share of energy-efficient and green products and services on the market alternative resource of heating – eco pellets. - The project helped raising the awareness among the public for the need of using alternative energy sources which are less environmentally harmful. - Around 50 employees were trained for working with the new technology and 5 new green jobs were created.
Summary of bilateral results
Through the established partnership between EkoTeknika Ltd. and Norges Vel (The Royal Norwegian Society for Development) the Project Promoter achieved the following good results: - Implemented innovative environmental friendly technology for pellets production. The Norwegian partner in the project shared knowledge and gave advice regarding the certification of the pellets and the improvement of the quality of the material (on test level); - Strengthened the sustainable socially responsible policy of the company and increased its capacity and competitiveness among other businesses in Bulgaria and abroad. Norges Vel drafted a strategy for social responsibility, in compliance with Eko Teknika’s needs and capacity that would help the company to grow and raise a more eco-friendly and sustainable image; - Influenced the local community to increase the consumption of pellets for heating their homes and public buildings. Norges Vel and Eko Teknika Ltd. participated in two press conferences that turned into discussions with media and representatives of stakeholders and the public, that helped raise awareness among the public and public and private institutions representatives.