INTERNATIONAL CLEANER PRODUCTION INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE

Case Study # 65    
1.   Headline:  Internal recycling built into a production       
process enables reuse of plastics at an automobile       
component factory.   
2.   Background:  See below.    
3.   Cleaner Production Application:  product design, internal       
recycling    
4.   Description of Cleaner Production Application:  This case       
study exemplifies the design and application of a plastics       
manufacturing process.  The internally reclaimed product       
produced is called "REFAX."  The products are used by the       
automobile industry.  In addition to being recyclable       
polyolefins, the original raw material, are more       
environmentally friendly than others.         
Process and Waste Information:  The project was aimed at       
the designing a manufacturing process, which uses a single       
polyfin with low environmental impact, which yields a       
series of complex products.  Together with the development       
of traditional products, the company has expanded to       
manufacture specific products like synthetic leather,       
foamed polyolefins, etc.  To support the recycling of       
products, a specific treatment, decontamination and       
compounding plant was build.  A mobile crushing unit with       
an operative volume of 60 m3 (16t) and a processing       
capacity of 1,000 k/h was also associated with the plant.         
Scale of operation:  A prototype plant with an operating       
volume of 60 m3 (16 t) and a processing capacity of 1000       
of k/h is at present in operation.    
5.   Economics:  No information provided.    
6.   Advantages:  There are long term environmental benefits       
due to the initial design:         
-The amount of recyclable plastics used will increase       
significantly in the near future with consequent savings       
in raw materials, and produced solid waste.         
-The simplified process will reduce energy consumption.    
7.   Constraints:  No information provided.    
8.   Contacts         
Himont Italia Srl      
Via Rosselini, 19      
I 20124 Milano      
Italy      
TEL:39 2 69968070      
FAX: 39 2 69964548         
Mr M. Loprieno       
Foro Bonaparte, 31       
I - 20121 Milano       
Italy       
TEL: 39 2 6270 5512       
FAX: 39-2 6270 5045         
Mr G Bardone       
ENEA CRE Casaccia       
Dip Ambiente       
Via Anguillarese 301       
00060 - S Maria di Galeria       
ROME Italy       
TEL: 396 3048 6662       
fax: 396 3048 3220    
9.   Keywords:  Italy, automobile, automobile parts,       
petrochemical, product design, recycling, REFAX, olefin,       
plastics    
10.  Reviewer's comments: This case study was submitted to UNEP       
IE in 1994 by Italy's ENEA. It was reviewed and edited by       
UNEP IE in July 1995. It has not undergone a formal       
technical review.