Largest sorting plant for plastic waste for chemical recycling in Europe - construction started!
Largest waste sorting plant of plastics for chemical recycling in Europe - construction started!
On 20 November 2023, just 20 days after announcing the formation of the collaboration, OMV, an integrated energy, fuels and raw materials, chemicals and materials company based in Vienna, and Interzero, Europe's leading provider of closed-loop solutions, today celebrated the laying of the foundation stone for an innovative plastic waste sorting plant for chemical recycling in Walldürn, Baden-Württemberg.
Invited guests included personalities from both the national and regional policy spheres, as well as partners involved in the project. All event participants emphasised the positive effects of the project, both for the local community and for Europe. The initiative has created 120 new jobs, the development of modern recycling technology and an investment from OMV of more than €170 million. Chemical recycling is a key technology of the future that, alongside traditional mechanical recycling, can significantly increase the reuse rate of plastics while protecting valuable raw materials from incineration.
"This project marks the beginning of a new era in plastics recycling. In cooperation with our partner OMV, we are using an innovative recycling process we have developed to give a second life to plastics that are currently incinerated through chemical recycling. I am convinced that with chemical recycling, the recycling rate in Germany will be able to increase significantly in the future. This brings us another big step closer to our vision of a world without waste.", said Axel Schewitzer, President and Owner of Interzero.
This Innovative, state-of-the-art waste sorting plant developed by Interzero and OMV will be capable of processing 260,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste per year.
The entire press release can be read HERE
Interzero and PIOIRO on the joint road to implementing the bail system in Poland
Interzero and PIOIRO on the joint road to implementing the bail system in Poland
At the beginning of 2025, Poland plans to implement a deposit system. Are Polish companies prepared for the changes in packaging waste management? The Polish Chamber of Packaging Recovery and Recycling (PIOIRO), in cooperation with Interzero, a leader in the field of the circular economy, aims to ensure a smooth and effective implementation of the new regulations for producers of packaged products.
The Polish deposit solution will differ from most European systems, which are usually based on a single operator. More operators will be possible in Poland, and all shops with a surface area of 200 square metres or more will be obliged to accept returnable packaging (smaller shops will be able to join the system voluntarily).
The Polish Chamber of Packaging Recovery and Recycling (PIOIRO) and Interzero, with their experience in providing environmental services and commitment to promoting a closed loop economy, will play a key role in implementing and managing the deposit system in Poland. Their cooperation will contribute to the development of automated collection systems using bottle meters and the bag system.
Within the system, PIOiRO and Interzero will be responsible for, among other things:
- achieving the required collection rates for packaging waste and packaging covered by the deposit system,
- delivery and installation of the chosen bottle machine
- the organisation of a bagging system (for distributors who choose not to install bottle dispensers),
- the provision of an operating system to enable the ongoing monitoring of the amount of packaging in the deposit system and the funds derived from the deposit,
- preparation of reports,
- ensuring the transport of waste from distributors and redistribution centres, as required by waste legislation,
- processing of waste and ensuring the availability of recyclate,
- achievement of the statutory recycling levels through Interzero Organizacja Odzysku Opakowań S.A. or PIOIRO, as appropriate for the type of material,
Both organisations are ready for the challenges that the deposit system brings, ensuring that the management of packaging waste in Poland is carried out effectively and in the spirit of sustainable development.
You can read more about our role HERE
Black Week 2023 | Save 60% on environmental training at Interzero Academy!
Black Week 2023 | Save 60% on environmental training at Interzero Academy!
To celebrate the upcoming Black Week, we have prepared an amazing promotion for you on Interzero Academy - Up to -60% for all environmental training!
Waste management, BDO, extended producer responsibility, air emissions, the bail-in system, SUP, PPWR, water and wastewater management - these are all topics you can delve into on our Interzero Academy learning platform. Plus now at a favourable price.
Why take advantage of our courses?
Expertise: Our courses are created by experienced environmental experts. You will receive the most up-to-date and reliable knowledge.
Accessibility: the courses are available online, which means you can study from anywhere and at any time. So it's flexibility to suit your lifestyle!
Diversity of topics: Whether you are simply interested in green business practices or specific information from the most up-to-date environmental regulations, we have the course for you.
How to take advantage of the promotion?
- If you do not have an account on our platform, please create one. Instructions for logging in can be found HERE. If you already have an account, skip this step.
- Go to our website: https://academy.interzero.pl/
- Then select the environmental course you are interested in.
- Then add the course to your basket and complete the transaction.
- That's it! You will find your purchased courses in My Account.
Please note that the promotion is valid from 9:00 a.m. on 21.11.2023 until 11:59 p.m. on 27.11.2023 and does not combine with other promotions.
Start your green journey today!
Be with us at the Zero Waste Fair in Warsaw!
Be with us at the Zero Waste Fair in Warsaw!
The Zero Waste Fair will take place on 2 December at 25 Bracka Street in Warsaw (Dom towarowy Bracia Jabłkowscy). This will be the 10th edition of this event!
Our eco-education stand will also be there, where we will show the youngest visitors how to incorporate eco-friendly attitudes into their everyday lives. In addition, there will be all kinds of surprises!
Check out the schedule of events at our stand:
- Collection of electro-waste. For every electrical appliance you bring, you will receive a plant. Join the event on Facebook: HERE (hours: 10:00 - 18:00).
- Family flow workshop, Where we will be saving the lives of lonely socks! You can bring your own individual socks or get one from us on site to create, for example, a monster mascot or a gnome (hours: 10:00 - 18:00).
- Exchange of items at the Unwanted Gifts rack - you can leave unwanted gifts on the rack or exchange yours for another (hours: 10:00 - 18:00).
- The bookish part of the stand, where the items relating to climate, environment or social issues will be available for purchase - thanks to the cooperation with DoDiela (hours: 10:00 - 18:00).
- (For records) family workshop for carers with children aged 8+ on making jewellery from electro-waste. Applications to: edukacja@interzero.pl (Time: 14:00).
- Reading for the youngest about the extraordinary adventures of socks (the reading will take place in the bookshop area) (time: 16:00).
A video summary of the 2022 fair, as well as a preview of this year's edition, can be found under the link HERE.
Zero Waste Fair attract enthusiasts of ecology and sustainable living. It is a unique and one-of-a-kind event where we can meet truly committed creators, participate in workshops, and take part in the collection of objects that can find a new life in the hands of others. Don't miss out!
See you at the Zero Waste Fair!
Follow us on our social media:
Participate in the training course New requirements for batteries and waste batteries in light of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Participate in the training course New requirements for batteries and waste batteries in light of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council
You are cordially invited to a webinar entitled. "New requirements for batteries and waste batteries in light of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council ", which will already take place on 23 November 2023 (Thursday).
The online training will be led by: Przemysław Kuna, Managing Director at Interzero.
Scope of the webinar:
- Sustainability and safety requirements
- Labelling and marking requirements
- The role of introducers, importers and distributors
- Implementation of due diligence systems
- Battery waste management including extended producer responsibility
You can find the detailed scope of topics and the registration page under the link HERE
Registration for the webinar is open until: 23 November 2023 at 8:00 am.
You are welcome!
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Visit the Interzero stand at the Retail Show 2023
Visit the Interzero stand at the Retail Show 2023
We would like to invite you to the Interzero stand no. B20 during the Retail Show 2023 at the EXPO XXI in Warsaw.
On 22 and 23 November 2023, Interzero will be exhibiting at the 11th Retail Equipment Show at the Warsaw EXPO XXI. This event is primarily aimed at the retail industry, companies from Poland and around the world specialising in the provision of IT systems for trade, shop equipment, furniture, products, security and protection systems, advisory, legal and consulting services or FMCG goods.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about modern technologies that foster a sustainable approach to waste management. Among other things, we will be showcasing the innovative Sielaff branded bottle machines, which enable efficient collection of packaging waste covered by the deposit system as early as 2025, and the Oklin compact composting device. There will also be the opportunity to meet Interzero experts at our stand, ready to provide information and share their knowledge on the latest industry solutions.
More details of the event available HERE.
Eco-friendly packaging for your product - Made for Recycling and Bambiboo nappies
Eco-friendly packaging for your product - Made for Recycling and Bambiboo nappies
Ecological packaging, using biodegradable and recyclable materials, reduces the negative impact on the environment. By choosing eco-friendly packaging, you support sustainability and care for the future of our planet. Find out more about how you can receive Made for Recycling certification from Interseroh+ to validate your eco-friendly solutions!
Eco-friendly packaging is often designed to minimise the amount of waste generated during production, distribution and use. This reduces the amount of waste going to landfill and into the environment. Packaging that can be easily recycled encourages consumers to dispose of waste properly and reuse it.
Our customer knows this Bambiboowhich received as many as 18 points under the packaging evaluation method Made for Recycling carried out by Interseroh+. This classification is based on a scientific evaluation method developed by Interseroh+ in conjunction with the bifa Environmental Institute and validated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV. Packaging receiving 18-20 points on the test scale is rewarded with a certificate and the Made for Recycling label.
Bambiboo proves the good recyclability of its packaging by displaying the 'Made for Recycling' label. In this way, the company provides its customers with a genuine aid to sustainable consumption. After all, recycling valuable materials makes an important contribution to climate and resource protection!
If you would like to test your product for packaging sustainability - contact us!
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Can waste be the subject of photography? MUFO x Interzero collaboration
photo. Mateusz Woźniak, MuFo
Can waste be the subject of photography? MUFO x Interzero collaboration
We avoid them because we are not fond of seeing them. At the same time, we produce a lot of it every day. Even if we bury it very deep down, waste makes itself felt. Can waste be the subject of photography? How can we tell the story of dealing with waste in a clever, responsible and interesting way?
Interzero joins forces with the Museum of Photography in Krakow, to talk about the idea of the circular economy and its challenges. On this occasion, we will take photographs to test the potential of photography as a visual way of talking about contemporary world problems and raising awareness of environmental issues.
The recipients of our project will be invited to workshop and interpret, and the results of all meetings will be presented in a publication that can also be used as a tool by educators.
The publication will be available with the beginning of 2024 on the websites:
Homepage - Museum of Photography in Krakow (mufo.krakow.pl)
Homepage - Eko Bez Kantów (ekobezkantow.pl)
Meetings and workshops will be led by:
Krzysztof Story - Reporter for 'Tygodnik Powszechny'. He writes about social issues and man's relationship with nature. Together with Wojciech Jagielski, he hosts the Jagielski Story podcast about international events. He prefers the beauty of nature to any other. He climbs, travels and collects photos of inscriptions on walls. Author of the book "From Here. 150 doors at one address". He also publishes photos and texts on www.krzysztofstory.pl
Dr. Rafał Siderski - Visual artist working mainly with photography. He completed his doctoral studies at the Institute of Creative Photography in Opava. He is part of the Albom.pl initiative dealing with digitisation and work on photographic archives. In 2019, he published the book "Leave Stay" which was awarded in the competition for Photographic Publication of the Year 2019. In September 2021, together with Małgorzata Lebda, he had a literary-visual-poetic adventure "Reading Water: The Vistula', from which material was published on an ongoing basis in Pismo Magazine. In August 2022, the material collected then was used to create the exhibition 'Flow(s)', which is a visual and literary interpretation of the relationship with the river during that adventure. In his spare time he is 'going somewhere' or being 'somewhere'. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Poland (e.g. Białystok, Rybnik, Poznań, Warsaw, Gliwice) and abroad (e.g. Germany, Czech Republic, Belarus, Italy, Lithuania and Japan). His work has received a number of awards and prizes, and he has received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (Culture on the Web). Since 2023, assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Photography and Visual Communication Creation at the Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa.
Monika Krysztofińska - Cultural studies scholar, project manager with experience in the implementation of alternative education. Creator of educational programmes, workshops, lectures, exhibitions for children and adults. Initiator of projects focused on sustainable development in cultural institutions and private companies. Information collector on technology, digital ecology, psychology, communication, art.Member of the Environmental Education Team at Interzero. She works at the intersection of sectors.
We invite you to follow our collaboration and learn more about the details of the project:
Museum of Photography in Krakow - events (mufo.krakow.pl)
photo. Mirosław Żak, MuFo
Interzero winner of the German Sustainability Award 2024
Interzero winner of the German Sustainability Award 2024
Closed-loop economy leader recognised for its commitment to building a world without waste: Interzero wins the German Sustainability Award 2024.
In recognition of its comprehensive commitment and pioneering 'zero waste' solutions, Interzero will receive the German Sustainability Award 2024 in the category 'Waste Management and Recycling Industry'. It honours outstanding sustainability achievements in business, municipalities and research. The award has been presented annually since 2008 by the German Sustainability Award Foundation in cooperation with the German government, the German Sustainability Council, leading municipal associations, business associations, civil society organisations and research institutions.
"We are very proud of this award," - said Dr. Axel Schweitzer, CEO and owner of Interzero - "It encourages us to continue our circular transformation efforts with great determination and passion (...). Together with our customers and partners, we want to achieve a truly sustainable circular economy in order to more effectively counteract the excessive burden on our planet. Many thanks to our customers, partners and also to our team."
The award ceremony will take place on 23 November 2023 in Düsseldorf.
Read more HERE.
Transforming waste into valuable raw materials - OMV and Interzero will build Europe's largest chemical recycling sorting plant!
Transforming waste into valuable raw materials - OMV and Interzero will build Europe's largest chemical recycling sorting plant!
OMV, the Vienna-based energy, fuels and raw materials, chemicals and materials company, has announced an investment decision to build an innovative sorting plant developed by the Interzero* to produce raw materials for chemical recycling.
In total, OMV will invest a sum of more than €170 million in the construction of this state-of-the-art facility in Walldürn in southern Germany. OMV will own 89.9 per cent of the joint venture and Interzero will own 10.1 per cent.
Production at the new plant is expected to start in 2026, with around 120 new jobs created. A groundbreaking ceremony is already scheduled for 20 November 2023, with guests from the world of politics expected to attend.
The sorting plant will be the first of its kind to produce raw materials for OMV's chemical recycling on a large industrial scale. The ReOil® technology, developed and patented by OMV, is a chemical recycling innovation that converts plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled into ash oil - a valuable raw material. The input to the sorting plant essentially comprises a mix of plastics that were previously not recyclable, especially those collected separately from the yellow bag and yellow bin recycling system in Germany.
Interzero operates five light packaging sorting plants in Germany and sorts around a third of Germany's light packaging waste in the form of more than 800,000 tonnes per year. This means that the company currently has the largest sorting capacity in Europe and is a technology leader.
The collaboration between OMV and Interzero will ensure the supply of sustainable and high-quality raw materials for OMV's chemical recycling, helping to close the plastics cycle. The innovative, state-of-the-art sorting plant developed by Interzero will be capable of processing 260,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste per year, providing the raw material for the production of virgin polyolefins. This innovative sorting process will enable the polyolefin-rich fraction to be recovered from the waste stream that currently goes to thermal recycling. In terms of the waste hierarchy, the focus is on plastic waste that is not mechanically recyclable. This will ensure that chemical recycling does not compete with mechanical recycling.
*Acting as ALBA Recycling at the sorting plant site
Read the press release in English HERE