Sustainability at Fortaps has always been a key pillar of our business strategy. For this reason, we have not only focused on using recycled materials but also on minimizing our ecological footprint throughout the entire supply chain, including our manufacturing process. Today, we will take a closer look at our recycling process.
Sustainability Must Go Beyond Recycling Processes
The first step in ensuring sustainability in Fortaps daily operations is the efficient use of energy. We continuously invest in improving our energy self-sufficiency by using low-consumption technologies, heat exchangers, and solar panels. Currently, we have a photovoltaic solar roof that allows us to self-generate more than 60% of our total energy consumption.
Beyond the manufacturing process, sustainability at Fortaps is reflected in different areas, such as fully digital document management, which has enabled us to completely eliminate paper usage. We have also opted for 100% electric vehicles for our staff, contributing to noise pollution reduction and the use of clean energy.
How Do We Carry Out the Recycling Process at Fortaps?
Fortaps commitment to sustainability begins with the selection of raw materials. We use polyethylene, a material free of toxic components and fully recyclable. For this reason, we have ruled out other materials such as PVC, opting for a 100% recycled raw material.
While polyethylene comes from the refining process of crude oil through petrochemical production, its continuous recyclability makes it a highly sustainable option. When properly managed, the use of polyethylene in the manufacturing processes of parts such as Fortaps embouts helps reduce environmental impact, minimize the need to produce new plastic, and consequently lower fossil fuel consumption and waste generation.
Plastic has been vilified in terms of sustainability, mainly because it is not biodegradable. However, by applying a sustainable recycling process like the one at Fortaps, we ensure that the material is continuously reused, thereby eliminating the disadvantages of its use.
The Fortaps Recycling Process Step by Step
Fortaps’ commitment to sustainability is based on the total reduction of waste generated in manufacturing processes. To achieve this, we have developed our own recycling process, allowing for the complete reuse of materials.
1. Step 1: Collection of Excess Material
The Fortaps recycling process begins with the collection of excess material, which is placed in a designated container for packaging waste.
2. Step 2: Transportation to the Recycling Plant
Once collected, the material is sent to a recycling plant, where it is shredded along with other materials of the same composition.
3. Step 3: Cleaning the Material
After shredding, the resulting material undergoes a cleaning process to remove any dirt or residue from other materials.
4. Step 4: Melting and Reuse
Once the material is completely clean, it is melted at high temperatures, creating new recycled material ready to be reused in the production of new products.
This recycling process allows for 100% material recovery, provided that proper separation and cleaning are performed. Unlike other materials, such as paper, which has a limited number of recycling cycles, the polyethylene used at Fortaps can be continuously recycled. Additionally, our process is highly efficient, requiring neither large amounts of water nor energy, making it even more sustainable.
Benefits of Polyethylene for Society
Polyethylene is a durable and highly resistant material, ideal for manufacturing our products. We have selected it because it withstands harsh conditions, such as high temperatures and humidity, allowing Fortaps embouts to be used outdoors and in products that require a long lifespan.
Furthermore, it is a cost-effective material in terms of production, making it accessible for various industries and applications. Thanks to its versatility, polyethylene can be molded into different shapes and densities, expanding its range of uses even further.
Benefits of Polyethylene for the Environment
As mentioned earlier, one of the most notable aspects of polyethylene is that it is 100% recyclable. This helps reduce plastic waste and enables the creation of new products from recycled materials. For this reason, it is a fundamental pillar in Fortaps sustainability strategy, promoting a clean circular economy.
Another key benefit is the reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Due to its lightweight nature, polyethylene requires less energy for transportation, thereby lowering the environmental impact associated with logistics and distribution.
Additionally, we have chosen polyethylene for manufacturing our embouts, caps, and plugs because it acts as a protective barrier against contamination and material degradation. This contributes to sustainability by helping to reduce waste and extend the lifespan of products.
Polyethylene in Today’s Society
In modern society, materials like polyethylene have become essential, as consumption and production systems rely on plastics. However, its recyclability, versatility, and affordability have enabled its adoption across a wide range of sectors and applications.
It is used in packaging to keep food fresh and in the manufacturing of products such as Fortaps embouts, caps, and plugs. Thanks to its lower environmental footprint, recyclable polyethylene represents a more sustainable alternative, combining the traditional benefits of plastic with a reduced environmental impact.
