Extrusion International USA 5-2021

37 Extrusion International 5/2021 The Circular Economy is the one in which the available resources are maximized, both materials and en- ergy, so that they remain in the pro- ductive cycle for as long as possible, the aim of the circular economy is to reduce waste generation and to take the maximum advantage of those that could not be avoided. In addition, circular economy not only presents environmental bene fi ts related to correct management of waste. Soil protection, water, air, or climate provide economic and so- cial bene fi ts too. Another point to bear in mind is that not only the recovery of waste must be increased, but also, and this is key in this new model, it is necessary to introduce changes in the stages prior to the generation of waste, such as the conception, design, production, distribution, and consumption of products. Some of the measures proposed by the European Commission are for example: zero plastics in land fi lls or high recycling rates of materials, for which measures will have to be taken to promote recycling. An im- portant concept to be considered by plastic manufacturers is the con- cept of Extended Producer Respon- sibility, forwhichmeasureswill have to be de fi ned to be applied to pro- ducers that subsequently generate waste, to ensure their involvement in closing the loop; these measures will have to do with the eco-design of products to improve their dura- bility, energy ef fi ciency and low en- vironmental impact. Molecor products, TOM ® pipes, manufactured form DN90 mm to DN1000 mm in nominal pressures from 12.5 to 25 bar, and ecoFIT- TOM ® fi ttings, produced from DN110 mm to DN400 mm in PN16 bar, are one of the most environ- mentally friendly solution available in the market, because of their low- er energy consumption throughout their long life cycle, lower green- house gas emissions into the at- mosphere and, therefore, a lower Carbon Footprint than alternative materials, as well as a lower impact on climate change. Additionally, it has also been proven that the en- vironmental impact they show, not only in global warming, but also in other environmental impacts such as the destruction of the ozone lay- er, is also lower than other materi- als. For Molecor, the preservation of the environment is an issue of great importance, that is why it has obtained the Environmental Foot- print seal from the Sustainable Life Foundation by calculating the en- vironmental footprint of its TOM ® pipes and ecoFITTOM ® fi ttings in accordance with the new Recom- mendation 179/2013CE proposed by the European Commission for the calculation of environmental footprints. Environmental impact of Oriented PVC pipes and fi ttings PVC-O pipes and fi ttings are the most ecological solution due to theirbetter contributiontoacorrect sustainable development planet, as shown by different world studies, among which we can highlight: En- ergy consumption estimation and CO2 emissions associated to their production, use and fi nal disposal of PVC, PEHD, PP, Cast Iron and Concrete pipes (Polytechnic Univer- sity of Catalonia) and the Oriented PVC Environmental Product Decla- ration TEPPFA study. These are some environmental ad- vantages that Oriented PVC pipes and fi ttings present: Speaking about natural resource ef fi ciency, there are several examples. The fi rst one is about the quantity of petroleum is needed. Only 43% of the composition of PVC depends on it, therefore, ef fi ciency is ob- tained compared to polyole fi n pipes which derive 100% from the same. Oriented PVC pipes and fi t- tings (PVC-O) are manufactured by a conventional extrusion process and subsequent molecular orienta- tion, which improve themechanical properties of the product and all of this, with a smaller quantity of raw Surface. Geometry. All-In-One. www.pixargus.com Optical Inline Inspection of extruded products Small- budget solutions