Plastic off-cuts from packaging manufacturing at Berry Superfos, which cannot be reused on site, are being turned into a variety of useful items including components that biologically purify water used in aquaculture.
As part of the manufacturing process at the company’s Randers facility in Denamrk, the majority of plastic off-cuts from production are collected and go back into production. Any material that is unsuitable for this is not disposed of but instead enters the recycling stream. These off-cuts are first treated at a nearby plastic recycling company and the reprocessed plastic is then purchased by industrial plastic producers who turn it into a number of valuable plastic products.
One such producer is Dania Plast, a Danish company which manufactures a range of injection moulded components in PP (polypropylene) for industrial use, including bio-media items sold under the brand name RK BioElements.
RK BioElements serve as biological filter media for water purification in aquaculture and water treatment, primarily sold to recirculated land based fish farms (RAS) all over the world. These apply the principle of recirculation by cultivating fish in closed water systems. The RK BioElements are strong and long lasting, and fish farms worldwide praise their quality and purifying effect.
‘The RK BioElements biologically clean the water for recirculation, so our products contribute to a better environment plus reduced water and energy consumption,’ explained Morten Primdal, CEO of Dania Plast. ‘In light of our products’ purpose, it makes absolute sense to use recycled plastic material in their manufacture so that we also support the circular economy.’
Hanne Bloch Andreasen, Berry Superfos Randers’ site manager, is equally pleased that this collaboration with a recycler and Dania Plast has ensured that off-cuts do not become waste.
‘It is satisfying to know that any plastic we cannot use can turn into something as smart and environmentally conscious as the RK BioElements,’ she commented. ‘We are always happy to contribute to a more circular economy, which is a critical part of Berry’s Impact 2025 sustainability strategy.’