Separation and recycling of materials from fishing trawl and nets (Denmark)
The project will develop a technology that makes it possible to recycle both plastic and steel from discarded fishing nets to new products.
The core of the project is an advanced technology that can break, crush and sort different plastic fractions from fishing nets and compress the material again for more clean plastic particles. The same is possible for the steel, which is also part of the networks. The processed plastic and steel can be sold again to new production.
Recycling plastic and steel from fishing nets avoids that the materials are lost when it would otherwise be landfilled or possibly dumped in the sea. Recycling the plastic rather than producing new plastic, additionally saves a significant amount of CO2 emissions.
The recycled plastic may be sold as pure plastics for example, plastic manufacturers, but also through further processing sold as customized plastic to selected major customers.
Facts
| Place / Location | Denmark |
|---|---|
| Commencement Date |
Project organisation from 01-11-2012 Project implementation from 01-07-2013 |
| Duration | >> 5 yr, unlimited |
| Theme | Prevention, Mitigation |
| Type of Initiative | Practice/ Activity/ Action, Innovation |
| Initiated by | PLASTIX with support of EuPR / EUPC |
| Involved Stakeholders |
Plastix Green Wave Plastics WasteFreeOceans Frandsen Industri Produktion ApS EFD Induction F.L. Teknik Green Wave Plastics Schnoor Plast Aalborg Universitet |
| Funding/Financial Support |
Fornyelsesfonden 8.769.100 kr. |
| Success Rate |
High There will be a considerable reduction of waste of fishing nets in the waste stream and less in the marine environment. After 5 years it is expected to employ 30 and to have an economic impact of 105 million kr. |
| Case Study prepared by |
Ryan Metcalfe, KIMO Denmark Bernard Merkx - EUPR/EUPC/WFO europeanwastefreeoceans@live.nl |
| Submitted by |
Ryan Metcalfe – KIMO Denmark |
Further information
What is at Stake?
Mechanical recycling of Fishing gear in Europe will be possible thanks to the innovatieve in house developed new technology. Shareholders are therefore confident that the start up could become self supporting in a foreseenable future.
What is the Scale of the Problem?
Ghost nets are recognised as harmfull to the marine environment in which they are lost and there is a growing need to take them out of the water. First of all however pro active collection schemes need to be developed to collect obsolete gears in the ports. Accidental löss will also happen in the future, but considerations are ongoing that fishermen need to report any löss to a central body including GPS data.
Additional Information on Finances:
Private shareholders have provided the majority of the funds, a start up support by the Danish investment fund has been granted.
How Transferable is the Project/ Activity to other European Countries/Seas?
Perfectly, provided that there is sufficient feedstock (raw materials) over a long period of time.