Focus on technologies for the recovery and recycling of production waste. At Simac 2022 the new challenge of the Elachem Epaflex Group, according to environmental safeguard
The cutting-edge technology of the Elachem Epaflex Group is still at the service of the footwear industry, and beyond, developing new generations of polyurethane systems for a lower impact on the environment. The market asks for it. For every footwear and component manufacturing company, as well as for those who work in the world of fashion or safety, sustainability is today a strategic priority and an investment for the future of the economy and of the ecosystem. Aware of the indispensability of a sustainable approach, the Lombard industrial group has been investing for years in a line of green products ranging from bio-based thermoplastic polyurethanes, made with materials of renewable origin, to recycled polyurethanes. Marco Valieri – Commercial Key Account Manager for PU systems and TPU for footwear – shows us at Simac the new frontiers of a leading company in the sector, 100% Italian owned.
Marco Valieri, what are the news you displayed at Simac?
“Through technological development, we have pushed the research for the recovery of polyurethane waste to the top, to allow our customers an environmental validation of their business and a green positioning strategy for their products.
The issue of waste is the sore point of polyurethane. Greater attention has been spread to ensure that processing residues are not thrown into landfills, but enhanced through recovery and recycling. Unlike thermoplastic materials and TPU in particular, polyurethane is not easily recyclable, but requires much more complex transformation and logistics processes.
As a matter of fact, the supply chain of thermoplastic materials requires that the customer purchases only the virgin raw material from us, as they are usually able to reuse the scraps independently within their own manufacturing process. In the case of polyurethane, however, the waste produced by the customer, in order to be recovered, must undergo a chemically complicated transformation process that requires external intervention. Based on solutions shared with the client, we recover what has not been used profitably and return a ‘recycled’ product which in turn will be used in variable percentages in the creation of a footwear item with a reduced environmental impact. It is a typical example of a circular economy, where waste takes on new life and new usefulness and is re-inserted into the production cycle, generating economic opportunities and benefits for the environment.”
Does the process of reusing polyurethane require new investments in machinery and technologies?
“From our point of view, yes, obviously not from that of the customer. Let me explain: the material we offer is the result of our commitment to research and technological development, but it can be used on existing machinery, it does not require new investments that would certainly impact the accounts of the footwear company.”
What does the recycled polyurethane guarantee from a performance point of view?
“We are trying to maintain a level of performance similar to that of the standard product. There are technical limitations, but we have come up with an excellent compromise. From an aesthetic point of view, however, the differences are practically nil or, if there are, they are considered a plus to be emphasized.”
There’s also demand for bio materials: how is the research going?
“Bio thermoplastic polyurethanes were the protagonists of the 2021 edition of Simac. I’m talking, for example, about the Epamet® TPU line, whose content of bio- based material can reach up to 60% of the entire formulation, while keeping the same performance as fossil-based TPUs. Although they cost more than standard products, several customers have already approved them and purchase them regularly. As far of now, those who above all pay attention to the ecological issues and can afford to make a 100% increase in the cost of raw materials be added on the final market price are the global brands. This is why we keep on investing in research, aiming at developing more affordable organic formulations. After all, we can no longer ignore the need to significantly reduce both the use of fossil-based products and landfill disposal.”
From the left, Gianni Tiozzo, Marco Valieri, Fabrizio Badolato at the Elachem stand at the Simac fair, September 2022
