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Under InFOrMATIOn FACTS The SwedISh ePA PreSenTS FACTS AbOUT dIFFerenT ISSUeSinformation facts
beST PrACTICe eXAMPLeS IndUSTrIAL eCOLOGY LIP – LOCAL InVeSTMenT PrOGrAMMeS SePTeMber 2008
Photograph: Färdig betong
Concrete recycling reduces
transport and water consumption
The firm of Färdig betong is now recycling water and concrete residues from the cleaning of cars and equipment at its plant in Karlstad. As a result, transport has decreased by 2,900 km/year, water consumption by 3,000 m3/year and extraction of natural gravel by
977 tonnes/year.
The concrete company Färdig betong applied for grants from the local investment programme (LIP) in 1997 to carry out measures to reduce the consumption of water and recycle surplus material at its plant in Karlstad. The recycling of water surpassed expectations, and the company is now recycling concrete residues that were previously landfilled. The project is a good example of how a large company can reduce its environmental impact and save money at the same time.
PositiVE EnVironmEntaL anD Economic imPacts
• Transport has decreased by 2,900 km/year, signifying financial savings.
• Carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by 261 kg/year.
• Emissions of nitrogen oxides have decreased by 36 kg/year.
• Emissions of hydrocarbons have decreased by 5.7 kg/year.
• Water consumption has decreased by 93 percent to 230 m3/year.
• Use of natural gravel has decreased by 977 tonnes/year.
• The 3,000 m3 of water the company recycles means that it does not discharge
swedish EPa Se-106 48 Stockholm. Visiting address: Stockholm – Valhallavägen 195, Östersund – Forskarens väg 5 hus Ub, Kiruna – Kaserngatan 14.
Tel: +46 10 698 10 00, fax: +46 10 698 10 99, e-mail: registrator@swedishepa.se Internet: www.swedishepa.se orders Ordertel: +46 8 505 933 40,
orderfax: +46 8 505 933 99, e-mail: natur@cm.se Address: CM Gruppen, box 110 93, Se-161 11 bromma. Internet: www.swedishepa.se/publications information facts
beST PrACTICe eXAMPLeS IndUSTrIAL eCOLOGY LIP – LOCAL InVeSTMenT PrOGrAMMeS SePTeMber 2008 ISbn: 978-91-620-8534-6
imPLEmEntation
Färdig betong decided to install a separation plant to utilise gravel and stone and return them to the process while also reducing water consumption. The residues from concrete production are tipped into the plant.
This plant separates larger particles from water and small particles in the cement sludge using a screw of the same type as is used by sewage treatment plants. The water and the small particles are collected in a pond, while the larger constituents are sifted into fractions. The company re-uses the water, while the solid constituents are sold as filling materials.
The company has come to the conclusion that it ought to be possible to pro-duce a material very reminiscent of agricultural lime in the production process. It should be possible to sell this material as a soil improver for use in agriculture or forestry. The concrete industry is working with the Swedish University of Agri-cultural Sciences and others to develop such a material and identify interested customers.
PotEntiaL anD fUtUrE BEnEfit
Developing system solutions that result in a waste fraction being converted from a waste to a resource can yield both environmental and financial benefits. It also reduces the extraction of virgin raw materials and minimises waste production. Activities that create such industrial collaboration are of strategic importance. whY beST PrACTICe
The technology was adapted to Swedish circumstances during the project, partly to make access to the equipment easier. with the experience from the project, the company can influence suppliers to adapt their equipment to Swedish conditions, which benefits the whole concrete industry.
The company has continued to develop the recycling, both in Karlstad and elsewhere. The separated materials can now be used relatively close to the company, instead of being carried long distances to be landfilled, as used to happen. Consumption of water decreased substantially more than had been hoped.
The plant has proved to be very reliable, including during the relatively difficult winter months. FOr FUrTher InFOrMATIOn
Contact:
Göran Ambjörnson, Färdig betong, +46 (0)104-50 56 04.
Lena huldén, Municipality of Karlstad, +46 (0)54-29 51 41,
lena.hulden@karlstad.se Contractors/providers:
The recycling plant was supplied by Klärfix wasser-aufbereitungstechnik Gmbh&Co. Project planning and groundworks were performed by Skanska Ab.
The project on the Internet: www.fardigbetong.se www.karlstad.se For further information on best Practice: www.swedishepa.se/bestpractice www.naturvardsverket.se/mir FACTS
LIP Karlstad 1998 Action 4b
environmental investment: SeK 800,000 Grant: SeK 240,000
