Engel supports the work of environmental organisation Plastic Bank in Indonesia. As part of this cooperation, the injection moulding machine manufacturer has financed the collection of at least 120 tons of plastic waste in order to reclaim the recycling materials while at the same time contributing to the fight against poverty.
"As a member of the plastics industry, we bear a great responsibility for establishing a circular economy for plastics. This is why we are strongly committed to this goal," emphasises Dr Stefan Engleder, CEO of the Engel Group, headquartered in Schwertberg, Austria, going on to clarify: "Both are essential, technologies and the commitment and cooperation of the market players at an international level. This is precisely why we support the work of organisations like Plastic Bank. The model impresses us. It is based on an incentive system that shows that business and climate protection can go hand in hand. This benefits the local population."
Recycling materials instead of waste. In cooperation with Plastic Bank, Engel is supporting the collection and processing of at least 120 tons of plastic waste in Indonesia.
Promoting the development of recycling capacities
Indonesia is one of the world's largest producers of plastic waste and is therefore a focus region for Plastic Bank. In the absence of a functioning waste management system, large quantities of waste are still disposed of at sea in many developing countries. In these regions, Plastic Bank, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, is establishing recycling chains for plastic waste. To this end, plastic waste is bought off private collectors, processed and resold to manufacturing companies in the form of pellets. This solution helps the organisation to tackle multiple challenges. Discharging of plastic waste into the sea is reduced, while promoting the establishment of recycling capacities and combatting poverty among the population. In addition to the local market price, the collectors receive payment and social benefits from Plastic Bank.
Broader use of processed plastic waste
Social commitment and technological innovative strength in equal measure make Engel one of the strong drivers of the circular economy. This topic has been a focus of Engel's research and development for many years. Among other things, the aim is to open up a broader range of uses for processed plastic waste, for example, by using smart assistance systems to compensate for fluctuations in the raw material by continuously adjusting process parameters. "Digitalisation is an important precursor to the circular economy", says Engleder.
