Packaging
Superfos in major research project
Thursday 16. April 2009 - Norwegian Norner Innovation has established a three million euro R&D project for the development of plastics based on CO2 as a raw material. Superfos takes part in the important project.
Norner Innovation, a leading technology partner for plastic and material industries, has been allocated three million euro for e new research project involving Superfos and other stakeholders in the plastic manufacturing supply chain. The aim of the project is to improve the environmental footprint of plastic by substituting a certain amount of virgin plastic with CO2.
Morten Lundquist, Business Area Manager at Norner Innovation, says:
“This is a unique possibility to utilise CO2 as a raw material in polymer production and thereby handle the problematic CO2 and environmental issues. Up to 40% of the polymer in plastic production might be CO2. We look forward to this interesting challenge and will work hard to realise this opportunity to establish new and sustainable plastic materials.”
CO2 as an option – not a problem
Today, CO2 is one of the major challenges for the environment and sustainability in the world. The approach of the project is an alternative view on CO2 – that is as a raw material and not as a problem. CO2 is in fact a valuable, low energy raw material in this context.
For Superfos there are several advantages of being part of this project:
“Reduce, re-use, re-think and recycle. These four focus points play a big part of SuperfosÂ’ steps towards a smaller carbon footprint. Therefore we are always open for how we can think and act differently in our production. So far, the use of polymer in the production of plastic packaging has only been explored to a minor extent. That is the main reason why we participate in this important project,” says Product Design Manager Torben Noer from Superfos.
The property profile of these new materials will be investigated as they probably will be different from some of the typical commodity plastics. A main challenge and project target is to explore these properties, develop them further and identify appropriate end-use applications.