Circular economy is a model of production and consumption, where materials are used continuously and nature is regenerated. So the cycle of life materials never ends. In this economy products and materials are being recycled and reused as long as possible. Its based on 5 R’s refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and then recycle. Example of company using this kind of model is small company in Friuli Venezia-Giulia called Inocram.
Inocram srl is young company presenting with great wealth of skills and knowledge on treatment of composite materials and ecology. They focused on making WPC (Wood-plastic composite) GAR_deck which is environmental friendly and ecological material. WPC is inventive material characterised by is natural look of wood and durability of plastic. The thing that makes the GAR_deck special, is that both plastic and wood part are 100% recycled.
THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
The material is produced out of 48% precent of wood flour, 48% plastic reins and 4% of compatibilizers and dyes. All of ingredients are subjected to high temperatures and pressure that makes them melt into one solid piece. Then it goes through specific matrix that will give it wanted shape. After being cold down by water it become one solid mass. At the end of production material is impregnated with oil which close its pores, thanks to this WPC is resistant to many kinds of liquids. Due to ureic glue free formula that does not contains formaldehyde it wont produce toxic pollution over time. There is no problem for it to be painted, countered, milled. It can go throught various processes just like wood. Unlike like wooden products things made out of GAR_deck have variety of characteristics that stay unchanged over time. They don’t need to be repainted every few years. They are waterproof and resistant to sudden changes to temperatures and sunlight.
Inocram offers their customers change of products colour by scrubbing it and melting them again, then adding dye. This process can be redone countless times without material losing its characteristics, making it infinite recycle material.
CLUSTER LEGNO ARRENDO CASA FVG
Inocram belong to Cluster Legno arrendo casa FVG, with is “consortium that works for the development of the reference sector by offering services and projects for businesses and institutions”. They worked on recycling many products like:
Natural pigments and wine wood dyeing.
“Millefiori” panels made out of textile waste from both post and pre-consumption.
Thermomoulded and 100% recycled polyester.
Polyurethane mold flexible foam using the the biomass balance approach.