Caldara Plast: with over 60 years of experience in the recovery and regeneration of plastic materials, stands out for its commitment to sustainability
The core of Caldara Plast‘s activity is the recovery of industrial processing waste, mainly resulting from processes such as molding, thermoforming, extrusion and blowing of various types of plastics. These materials are grounded at the Erba (Como) plant, authorized for recovery, transport and storage. Caldara Plast manages the entire cycle, from waste collection, using its own fleet of vehicles and supplying tanks and presses to companies, to the storage and sale of the ground material, which can be sent to the Alzate Brianza (Como) site for extrusion and the production of customized thermoplastic granules. The reintroduction of processing waste into the production cycle makes it possible to overcome the poverty of raw materials that characterizes our country and to do good for the environment.
Compound Division: customization and innovation
In the Compound Division, the ground material is further processed to meet the specific needs of customers. It can be re-granulated as it is or enriched with additives (flame retardants, glass fibers, pigments, conductive additives, etc.) and then extruded. Caldara Plast has 15 extrusion lines that allow it to produce over 100 tons of material per day, for a total of approximately 22,000 tons per year, ensuring continuous and high-quality production.
Not just granules…
Companies specialized in the recycling of plastic materials are essential to realize the concept of circular economy. In recent years, Caldara Plast has undertaken several initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental impact, the latest of which is the installation of solar panels in the office building. All these efforts are expertly reported in a document necessary to constantly evaluate its environmental impact: the Life Cycle Perspective. As shown in the latest Sole 24 Ore report dedicated to sustainability, “SMEs that embrace sustainability are constantly looking for innovative solutions to improve their processes and products, recognize the need to adapt to environmental changes and adopt practices that reduce their impact on the planet.” And this is precisely the path that Caldara Plast takes every day to keep up with the times.
Certifications and commitment to transparency
Caldara Plast offers certified regenerated materials with its “Caldara2ndlife” brand, which includes products certified as Second Life Plastic or Global Recycle Standard. These certifications guarantee complete traceability of the materials used, coming from post-industrial or post-consumer cycles and offer customers the necessary guarantee that they are choosing sustainable and traceable products in order to consolidate their green vocation. Those who choose Caldara Plast products, at the same price as virgin materials, prefer regenerated compounds, thus contributing to greater environmental sustainability, in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
Research, innovation and customization to satisfy the customer
Thanks to the PSV and GRS certifications, the company guarantees the traceability of the entire supply chain: from the purchase of the virgin raw material to the end of life. It is the recently renovated plant in Erba that manages to grind industrial waste and then support the production of thermoplastic granules located in Alzate Brianza.
This enormous and important work is accompanied by research and development activities on new products/materials to satisfy the multiple needs of customers.
Caldara has in fact developed a range of products that go from the antistatic compound to the dissipative one (in the ATEX environment for example), up to the conductive compound, in various resins and colors.
In the food sector, the company has developed electro-magnetically detectable compounds on several resins.
As regards compounds with improved tribology (resistance to abrasion and wear), the company has also created ad hoc products with PTFE, silicone, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, kevlar, etc. for customers who have requested them, for a series of products, especially based on Polyamide and acetal resin (POM), but also on technopolymers such as PPS, PK, PEEK, etc. or amorphous resins such as ABS, PS, and PC.
In the meantime, the laboratory is developing new compounds to try to replace PTFE, which has recently been the subject of attention by various regulatory organizations.
Of course, where significant mechanical performance is required, products reinforced with carbon fibers or with high percentages of glass fibers cannot be missing.
Last but not least is Caldara Plast’s ability to design and share the development of new products with the customer, quickly and precisely.
The company has also implemented the laboratory equipment and will soon expand the existing laboratory to better serve and strengthen the activity planned in the new plant under construction, also in Alzate Brianza.
In short, despite the no longer young age of the company, Caldara Plast proves to be a dynamic and constantly evolving reality. For an increasingly greener future.
