1. Assessment and Adapting of Waste
We carry out expert sampling of industrial wastage and non-hazardous
post-consumption waste from all sources, and determine their composition
in families of materials (metals, plastics, glass...) and elements (heavy
metals, halogens...). We also adapt waste, mainly waste which includes
plastics, and determine both processing needs (milling, grinding, washing,
drying...) and texturisation needs (compacting, pressing...); moreover,
we measure mechanical and physical properties and carry out machine
processing tests (extrusion, injection...).
2. Physical Separation of Materials
At GAIKER we apply and develop operations for the concentration of waste
materials in fractions, mainly recyclable plastics and metals, in currents
generated during the treatment of electrical cables, packaging, WEEE,
ELV, CDW, agricultural plastics and emerging waste (flat screens, consumables,
CD and DVD discs…), by way of the use of equipment such as hydrocyclones,
densimetric tables, sifting machines and electrostatic separators. We
also develop separation prototypes based on properties such as density,
electrical conductivity or chemical affinity for metals and plastics.
3. Identification and Automatic Separation of Materials
At GAIKER we apply atomic absorption or infrared spectroscopic techniques
for the automatic identification and classification of polymers, additives
and elements in plastics from packaging waste (bottles), electrical
and electronic devices (WEEE) and End of Life Vehicles (ELV) for subsequent
recycling. We adapt, develop and automate systems based on sensors and
on artificial vision for the elimination of impurities in fractions
of metal materials or recycled plastics.
4. Chemical Recycling and Energetic Exploitation
Our experience allows us to develop solvolysis processes applied to
the recovery of post-consumption PET waste packaging, including waste
which is degraded, dirty or heavily coloured, in order to obtain the
precursors of the polymer. Moreover, we develop thermal pyrolysis processes
for the transformation of mixed plastic waste from ELV and WEEE treatment
into synthesis gas, hydrocarbon mixes, etc, applicable as primary products
or fuels. Within this same line, we carry out texturising and conditioning
operations for the development of fuels deriving from waste applicable
in cement furnaces.
5. Disassembly and Unsoldering
At GAIKER we are working on studying the manual disassembly of complex
devices (mobile telephones, games consoles...) which have reached the
end of their useful life, for the characterisation of joints, pieces
and parts for reuse and for the design of alternative joining systems
which will allow the separation of elements with minimal labour. Another
line of work is the unsoldering of defective electronic components in
new cards, thus allowing their exploitation, and of valuable electronic
components in obsolete cards, thus allowing their reuse and the development
of manipulator prototypes.
6. Technical and Environmental Diagnosis and Assessment
At GAIKER we carry out diagnoses and assessments based on advanced knowledge:
(a) state-of-the-art studies and specific prospective environmental
problems; (b) current and future legal environmental requirements; (c)
technological benchmarking with regards to environmental aspects, assessing
the current and foreseeable situation on the market; and (d) support
in product identification and the obtaining of environmental certificates.
We also assess processes and/or products based on established work methodologies
(LCA, LCC…). These studies include: technical and environmental
audits and analysis of environmental and economic impacts throughout
the life cycle of processes/products/services.
7. Improved Sustainability Strategies
At GAIKER we are working on the identification of improvement options
to reduce the environmental impact of specific processes, based on the
aforementioned advanced assessment. These tasks include: carrying out
of minimisation studies for companies and support in the design and
implementation of Integrated Waste Management Systems. We are also working
on eco-design, supporting the identification of new design alternatives
to reduce the environmental impact of products throughout their life
cycle. Finally, we have built up experience in the design and sustainable
planning of industrial areas (eco-parks), applying industrial ecology
concepts (symbiosis and joint actions) which allow us to optimise the
consumption of resources and the environmental effects associated to
business hubs, whilst obtaining technical, financial and social benefits
for the parties involved.
environment