Climate change and decarbonization
AIMPLAS carries out R&D projects to investigate new methods of carbon capture and use, and new materials for energy storage systems, among others. The goal is to develop efficient capture and separation systems to subsequently use the recovered carbon dioxide as a resource in the production of new plastics. In the area of energy, the aim is to store and use carbon dioxide efficiently.
In order to reduce energy consumption, innovative projects are carried out to increase the efficiency of buildings, vehicles and transformation processes.
Another important area of activity is the development of sustainable materials based on renewable sources.
Circular economy
Plastic materials are a key part of the circular economy model because of their ability to be recovered and used as resources. Given the current situation in which the world is advancing at a dizzying pace in all directions with the population continuously on the rise and ever-increasing demand for products and resources, plastic is more relevant than ever.
To make sustainable growth possible, it is necessary to make the shift to a development model that reduces the amount of resources used to manufacture new products and is able to find uses for the waste it generates.
This environmentally friendly production model is gaining ground in all areas of the Organization’s activity, including R&D projects, technological services and training.
Biodiversity
AIMPLAS carries out its R&D activities in line with protection of biodiversity. Of note are its research lines to reduce the impact of plastics on agriculture and the aquatic environment through the development of bio-based composites for use in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and livestock ranches, and improvements in the properties of plastic materials for use in these areas.
Research into new natural repellents and insecticides, active ingredients and natural extracts, many of them from agro-industrial byproducts, for incorporation into these plastic products in order to increase their functionality as new controlled release products for pest control and application in soil fertilization.
Environmental footprint, energy consumption and waste management
AIMPLAS’ commitment to the environment has led it to include its environmental policy within the framework of its Integrated Management System and to obtain ISO 14001 certification. This commitment involves minimizing the impact of its activity on the environment in terms of the consumption of resources, and emissions and waste.
In 2019, AIMPLAS began calculating its corporate carbon footprint to assess the effectiveness of the measures adopted to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by its activity.
Since then, it has calculated its carbon footprint and obtained the CALCULO label from the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, and the CALCULO and REDUZCO label for 2022.
AIMPLAS’ carbon footprint is currently 53 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which is 83% less than in 2019.
AIMPLAS also has an installed capacity of 200 kW of photovoltaic solar energy, which helps decarbonize its activity. Besides the fact that AIMPLAS consumes exclusively renewable energy with a guarantee of origin, the total consumption of renewable energy in 2022 amounted to 1,782.78 mWh.
Management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste generated is carried out by authorized waste management companies.