Used plastic bags turned into 3,000 pallets with new Aker BioMarine deal
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Used plastic bags turned into 3,000 pallets with new Aker BioMarine deal
The agreement, which is the largest in AION’s history, will help Aker BioMarine reduce both emissions and costs. The new pallets (for use in freight) will be formed out of the large product bags left over from Aker BioMarine's offshore production.
A plastic pallet can be kept in circulation for approximately ten years before being melted down again to form new pallets. The pallets become part of a circular loop which means they are recycled and used in the production of new pallets at least 10 times. This results in significantly lower emissions than single-use wooden pallets.
THE CORE OF AION
AION was established in 2020 and formed out of Aker BioMarine's work on the circularity of its plastic waste and biological production residues. Since then, Aker BioMarine has now moved over to the customer side.
Generating resources out of plastic waste and creating closed, traceable loops are at the core of AION, and we are extremely pleased for the opportunity to deliver circular solutions including products to Aker BioMarine, Seljelid says.
Closed traceable loops mean that there is full control over the materials going into the pallets and products throughout the entire life cycle. When the products are returned for recycling, the loop is 'closed' by reusing it in the same product. With the help of the company's digital platform, AION LOOP, the materials recycling and production are tracked.
There is no one solution for creating a circular economy for plastic, so we need players like AKBM who dare to dig deep and develop their own closed loops to reduce their plastic footprint and take accountability for their role in a more resource-effective future,
says Dr. Susie Jahren, Chief Circular Product Officer at AION.
This agreement is the largest AION has entered thus far. It builds on the company’s previous experience, gained through pilot projects with Bremnes and Skretting, for example. Similar recycled pallets are currently being piloted and tested in freight between Houston and Montevideo.
From 75 tons of plastic waste to 3,000 circular plastic pallets: Circular solution with financial and environmental impact
- In 2023, AION orchestrated and developed new waste-to-value solutions for Aker BioMarine. From 75 tons of plastic waste to 3,000 circular plastic pallets.
- Saved 75 tons of Big Bag waste, and replaced 900 tons of virgin wood resources by creating 3,000 recycled plastic pallets.
- Return policies and systems ensuring –88% CO2 abatement over the lifetime, compared to wooden pallets.
- Aker BioMarine saved costs of 940K USD p.a. over the expected lifetime of 10 years of the pallets