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THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIFE_PHIPP PROJECT HAS COME TO AN END
On 30 June 2023, Balticfloc Ltd concluded the LIFE_PHIPP project Alternative Processing of Waste Paper and Hemp Fibre into Innovative Thermal Insulation Materials with Improved Thermal Conductivity implemented by the European Commission LIFE Programme.
In the course of the project, a pilot production line ‘BF Technology’ was set up at Balticfloc production site in Cēsis to produce the innovative product BFlex. The new thermal sheet insulation material BFlex is produced from low-grade waste paper and hemp fibre. During the project, it was patented and the most suitable formulation was identified to maximise its performance and compete on the market.
Balticfloc LIFE_PHIPP project is one of the few LIFE Programme projects in Latvia that is implemented in-house and promotes the circular economy in the Latvian industrial sector.
The main environmental contribution of the LIFE_PHIPP project is the recycling of waste paper into new products, thus not landfilling or burning it for energy, but encapsulating CO2 emissions in new products for another 50 years.
We invite you to consult the project LIFE_PHIPP layman report
LAYMAN REPORT OF THE LIFE_PHIPP PROJECT
“BFLEX” THERMAL INSULATION MATERIAL OBTAINS CE MARKING
Product quality is playing an increasingly important role in international trade, and certificates of conformity issued by independent bodies are becoming more and more demanded. On the one hand, they provide objective and reliable evidence of compliance with legislation and standards, and on the other, they promote fairer competition on the market between similar products.
One of the most important tools for accessing international markets is product certification, which provides proof of the product’s conformity with the requirements of a given market, which, in the case of products such as construction materials, is a necessary prerequisite for marketing the product.
Construction products on the EU market are subject to CE marking requirements. This indicates that the manufacturer has assessed the product and that it has been found to comply with EU safety, health, and environmental requirements. The CE marking proves that the consumer will receive a quality and safe product. The CE marking is harmonised in all EU countries.
Balticfloc has successfully completed the certification process for “BFlex”, which included product testing and certification in accordance with the European Assessment Document, resulting in the CE certification of BFlex thermal insulation material, thus opening up more opportunities in the building materials market in all of the project’s target market countries – the Baltic States, Germany, and Finland.
In addition, certification for the UK market has been carried out, where the product’s conformity is recognised by the UKCA mark, which has been the UK’s quality mark since 2020, when the UK withdrew from EU membership. The application for two certifications was not originally foreseen within the project, as the UK was an EU Member State at the start of the LIFE_PHIPP project. “Brexit” was one of the unforeseen developments during the project that had to be accepted and the best solution had to be found.
The certification process requires the transfer of product samples to an independent EU accredited laboratory for product testing, the results of which are then validated by an independent certification body. The certificate issued by the certification body confirms that the product meets the requirements. The BFlex thermal insulation material was tested by The Technical and Test Institute for Construction Prague (TZUS), an accredited laboratory in the Czech Republic, which carried out 12 different measurements. These included: fire reaction class, thermal conductivity, density, thickness, size, sound attenuation, water vapour transmission, compressive force, compressive strength, dimensional stability, deformation at a given compressive load and temperature, and air flow resistance.
Insulation materia “BFlex” technical date results
It took about 6 months to carry out all the measurements and obtain the results.
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION OF (BUILDING) MATERIALS
On 14 June this year, the CMB Engineering Competence Centre in Riga hosted an expert experience exchange event ‘Sustainable Transformations of (Building) Materials. Stories of Sustainable Construction Experience’ organised by the Latvian Builders’ Association. During the event, manufacturers were introduced to the possibilities of using recycled and recovered materials for the manufacturing of new products.
The Construction Association also presented the challenges of implementing circularity in building and construction waste management, and the ongoing issues in the construction sector to industry professionals and participants.
Some of the attending companies shared their experience in manufacturing building products from reusable raw materials or recycling construction waste, such as Knauf, demonstrating the possibilities in the production of plasterboard, CleanR in the recycling of plastics, Balticfloc in the production of thermal insulation material, Druplat in the recycling of wood, and Schwenk Latvija in the production of concrete building products.
The event concluded with a discussion on how to create a supportive environment for the transition to a circular economy in Latvia. The discussion will be attended by leading experts from the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Development, the State Construction Control Bureau, and the State Environmental Service.
Seminar programme
- Opening, Welcoming speeches
- Presentation | Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Ministry of Economics
- Presentation | LBA section of the LIFE Environment Programme integrated project From Waste to Resources
- Experience Story, Schwenk | Ready-mixed concrete
- Experience Story, Knauf | Plasterboard Production
- COFFEE BREAK | Sample inspection
- Experience Story, Druplat | Wooden material
- Experience Story, Balticfloc | Thermal insulation materials from waste paper
- DISCUSSION, Q&A
Short video of the seminar: Sustainable Transformations of (Building) Materials
BALTICFLOC PRESENTS LIFE_PHIPP PROJECTS AT THE “BIOBASED MARKET”
This year, the RRB Conference 2023 (International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries) was held in Riga, Latvia and organised by the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. The conference took place from 31 May– 2 June at the National Library of Latvia.
The aim of the conference was to provide an overview of the scientific, technical, economic, environmental, and social issues of renewable resources and biorefineries, to give a boost to the bioeconomy, and to present new developments in this field.
Based on past attendance statistics, the RRB Conference is attended annually by around 300 guests from 30 different countries.
Delegates from universities, industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations and venture capital providers presented their views on industrial biotechnology, sustainable (green) chemistry, and agricultural policies related to the use of renewable raw materials for non-food applications and energy supply.
The conference is a forum for leading political, corporate, academic and financial actors to discuss the latest developments and build collaborations.
EXHIBITION “BIOBASED MARKET”
The conference also included a Biobased Market networking event for local Latvian entrepreneurs and producers and conference visitors. It brought together companies promoting the circular economy and sustainability principles through environmentally friendly products. The companies had the opportunity to present themselves and their products to the RRB visitors.
Among the invited companies was Balticfloc Ltd., which was invited to talk about products made from recycled waste paper and to present the new “BFlex” thermal insulation material, which is being developed with financial support from the LIFE Programme.
The participants included companies such as Fat Cat Leaves, Spirulina Nord, Cup for Life, Kurbads Eco, and Dr. Tereško Tējas
Balticfloc mostly presents its products at construction exhibitions for construction professionals. This time the audience consisted of people representing the university, scientific, and environmental sectors. This type of audience was an interesting and positive experience for the company, as the products and their manufacture were discussed from an environmental and scientific point of view. New contacts were established and experiences and knowledge were shared.
Learn more about RRB CONFERENCE
Learn more about LATVIJAS KOKA ĶĪMIJAS INSTĪTŪTS
