AIMPLAS, Technological Institute of Plastic, participate in the project EcoFILLink, coordinated by the Ceramic Technology Institute (ITC) and financed by the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE) through the European ERDF Regional Development Funds. The objective of the project is to reduce the environmental impact generated by the packaging of inkjet inks used for digital decoration of ceramic tiles.
Currently, plastic packaging waste contaminated with inks inkjet reach 500t per year with a volume of 10.650 m3, being the recycling of these a problem due to the complexity and dirt that they give off when in contact with water, since 5% of inks remain attached to their internal walls, which translates into losses of 3,6 million euros per year .
The EcoFILLink project tries to implement strategies for ecodesign in packaging and in the management of its waste, aligned with the circular economy. To achieve this, various eco-design techniques will be implemented that allow packaging to be reusableAt least five times, for this, the container will be redesigned to improve the washing of its interior and internal functionalities will be incorporated to maximize its emptying from 5% to 2%. Likewise, the project foresees the recovery of inks and valuable materials present in the washing waters for their reincorporation in the ceramic materials, which represents a saving of two million euros in inks.
When the packaging can no longer be reused, the recycling treatment of plastics contaminated by CO will be optimized.2 Supercritical to reduce the impact of the recycling process and the waste generated.
These measures will be applied collaboratively and in conjunction with agents from the entire value chain. Specifically, the participating companies are: Pamesa Cerámica, SL; Cottocer, SL; Compacglass, SL; Keramex, SA; TAU Porcelánico, SL; Colorobbia España, SA; Ravi environmental initiatives, SLU; Rolplas SL; Acteco products and services, SL; Alcion Plásticos Solutions SL; Plastire SA
ITC-AICE and AIMPLAS are aware of the importance of redesigning a new plastic container for the storage and transport of inkjet inks, which minimizes the environmental impact through the implementation of various eco-design strategies in the containers and in the management of their aligned waste with the circular economy.
EcoFILLink aims to have a positive impact on the three axes of sustainable development: environmental, economic, and social and is aligned with the objectives established by the United Nations World Organization (UN) in the 2030 Agenda.
