The supplier of solutions and services to aquaculture, AKVA group has announced it is testing the use of recycled plastic from used plastic pens. Together with Oceanize and Plasto, the company's goal is to develop the world's first recycled plastic pen. In addition, they want to demonstrate that recycled plastic from a used pen can meet all quality requirements.
In today's announcement, the company states that due to material quality requirements regulated by a technical standard (NS 9415 (2009)), virgin plastic is mainly used in load-bearing structures in the pen. It adds that the joint project between AKVA, Oceanize and Plasto "will challenge this standard, not by changing the requirements, but by proving that recycled plastic from a used pen has the qualities to meet the requirements".
An ambitious project, but also well backed. "We are pioneering a better future", said Dag Ove Antonsen, head of the project in AKVA group. "Nova Sea contributes with important raw materials to the project, and the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund supports the project, which aims to increase the use of recycled plastic resources", he added.
Last week, Norwegian fish farmer Nova Sea landed used plastic pens at Aldersundet in Lurøy, Norway. There, Oceanize will be responsible for cutting and transporting them to its granulation plant in Rørvik in the province of Trøndelag, where the plastic pens will be pelletized. They will then be sent to Plasto and Mo i Rana's AKVA group for the production of parts for a new pen.
The aquaculture industry in Norway generates up to 12,000 tons of plastic waste annually, most of which is reused or collected and recycled. The potential climate savings from the Scandinavian country's national plastic waste management are up to 50 million kilograms of CO2 by avoiding, among other things, combustion and resource export.
This is not the first time AKVA group uses recycled plastic in the walkways on the pen, but this project will make it possible to produce the entire pen based on recycled plastic from used pens. As mentioned, they want to demonstrate that recycled plastic can be used for the entire installation, not just some parts.
"Pens are not currently a major littering problem, but there is great potential in using plastic in new pens. Here we will achieve short, national value chains as the project participants are all established in Norway. In this respect, it is optimal to have access to used pens that we can use in the project", said Dag Ove Antonsen.
With more than 45 years of history, AKVA group is the global leader in delivering technology and services to the aquaculture industry. Its solutions and services work together to provide better fish performance and to improve its customers' profitability and sustainability. The company is present in all markets with offices in Norway, Denmark, Scotland, Lithuania, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Chile, Canada, China, and Australia. With this new project, AKVA group increases its commitment to sustainability and circular economy.
