30%
Recycling is not something you do on your own. ARN participates actively in the car recycling chain to catalyse the reuse of recycled raw materials. We and our partners invest a lot of energy in the development of useful new applications, such as dam walls made from the recycled plastic of end-of-life vehicles.
The ‘circular soil-retaining structure’ is a concept that has been coined by water authorities. It involves soil-retaining materials, such as sheet piling and planks, prefabricated bulkheads, beams and dam walls. Products made entirely using plastics from end-of-life vehicles that meet the specifications set by water authorities are strong, since the material consists of long plastic fibres. They are also rigid, due to the correct mixture of recycled plastics.
Sustainable and circular
The product is 100 per cent sustainable and circular. It requires an investment that is up to 50 per cent lower over the working life of the product. It is supplied with a two-year materials warranty and an expected working life of at least fifty maintenance-free years. It was given the name “Circore” and has become popular in recent years.
The product is made by Duvano, a company based in Oss. It developed the product in-house using plastic and plastic fibre pellets from the final link of ARN’s car recycling chain, ARN’s so-called PST plant. PST stands for Post Shredder Technology and the plant is situated in Tiel.
Circore is a great example of ARN’s approach and how we want to boost innovation. Our specialists are always actively looking for new applications for reclaimed raw materials. The organisation provides guidance to innovation-oriented firms such as Duvano on their path from idea development to product launch.
Sustainable Development Goals
For the second year, ARN has submitted itself to the yardstick of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the motto ‘lean and green’ in mind. The colored SDGs shown opposite apply specifically to the content of this page.
Applications for needs
Developments never stand still, and it is an art to precisely develop the right applications for needs in the market. For instance, the production of railway sleepers using plastic from end-of-life vehicles may also be an attractive new application. Owner of Duvano, Robbe Koopmans: “We provide the required functionality and product characteristics that are fed by information picked up by ARN employees in the rail infrastructure market. The benefits of reusing raw materials are also obvious for railway sector. At the moment, I can’t see any end to the applications that we will be able to create with ARN.”
Sustainable and circular support
An important element of support for the development of products made from reclaimed raw materials is that the market sees that they are actually bringing sustainability and the circular economy closer together. Water authorities and other organisations are extremely receptive to opportunities that allow them to make their activities significantly greener.