Fences, gratings, traffic obstacles, embankment structures, sandboxes, tables, benches, flowerboxes … Secondary plastic bends into many shapes. It is also an environment-friendly alternative to impregnated wood or hardwood from the rain forests.

Muovix Oy, which specializes in processing recycled plastic, reclaims and processes industrial and commercial waste plastics at its production plant. The end product is a plastic raw material that meets industry's needs and plastic profile for the needs of construction and agriculture.

Plastic profile comes either in the form of ready-made products or as a building material. The material is at its best in objects that touch the ground or water or become dirty. It stands up to wear and tear, does not rot and is easy to maintain.

Sawn, nailed or screwed

"Plastic profile brings to mind a plank or pole that can be sawn, nailed or screwed like wood," says CEO Mika Surakka.

"In some cases we are an alternative to impregnated wood or the hardwood of the rain forests. Thanks to its diverse properties, plastic can be a substitute for metal or concrete."

The most important uses are at this moment horse stalls and agricultural products. Sweden is a big country for the export of horse accessories. There are also exports to Iceland, Russia and Germany.

All plastics suitable

Muovix saves the waste plastic it uses from having to be taken to a landfill site. All plastics are suitable as a raw material, including mixed and impure plastic. More than 4,000 tonnes of waste plastic are consumed annually - with consumption increasing 25 per cent per year.

Surakka believes that as landfill-site fees go up, recycling will become a more attractive alternative in terms of cost. With prices of plastic rising, interest in the secondary raw material will grow.

"However, it's not worth recycling for recycling's sake. It must be a sensible alternative in terms of cost for those who produce the waste. However, every recycling option is a significant act as far as the environment is concerned."

>> www.muovix.fi

Products made of recycled plastics in the building of parks last without rotting and retain their natural colour even in objects that are in contact with the ground or water.