The Environmental Technology Network sets important industrial benchmarks and within the scope of the “Upper Austrian Industrial Survey” the needs of technology users in the environmental technology field were established. The results were presented at the “Areas of Environmental Technology Potential in Industry” event held at the Upper Austrian Industrial Confederation and ongoing company discussions, and were then passed on to technology developers in a targeted manner. 

The aim is to provide environmental technology suppliers with an overview of concrete innovation possibilities, the solution of which provides direct economic advantages, as well as access to new markets and expansion in existing ones. Furthermore, the intention is to support the teamwork with R&D bodies, especially in the case of SMEs.

 

Facts & figures concerning the companies questioned

Overview of the companies questioned:

           

             

   

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Branch overview

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Employee numbers

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Company sales / year

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Survey content

• Overview of process phases with the environmental effects in companies 
• The current situation with regard to environmental technology systems and planned new investments  
• The economic effects in connection with environmental impact 
• Technology partners
• Definition of approaches for the Environmental Technology Network

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Structured results by environmental media 

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Results Waste

• Preparation for reuse (45%)
  Treatment of coolants, solvents and waste products for recycling, or as raw materials for other companies
• Recovery of raw materials from waste (25%)
  Separation of high-value metal chippings from grinding waste and their return to the production process. Return of metal trim to processing rather than disposal, scavenging of old machines and plant and the reuse of parts.
• Collection, sorting and disposal (15%)
  Improvements in waste logistics, central collecting points, trained persons (waste officers), suitable disposal according to classification (hazardous & and non-hazardous waste)
• Closing of cycles (15%)
  Closing of material flows in order to save resources

Focus: residue optimisation / resource management

Project approach: treatment of hazardous waste for its classification as non-hazardous

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Results Soil

• Site contamination (49%)
  Early identification, suitable choice of process for treatment
• Landfills (38%)
  Monitoring during ongoing operation, capture of landfill gas and utilisation, malodours, seepage water
  Renaturisation (13%)
• Disused landfills and gravel pits are reintegrated into the landscape (planting with the correct vegetation)

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Results Noise

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Results Air

• Heat recovery (30%)
  For savings of expensive fuels, preheating for individual process phases, use of low temperature flows <60°C
• Fine dust problem (25%)
  Current topic due to statutory changes
• Fuel-related emissions (20%)
  CO2/NOx/SO2 emissions are a growing problem (NEC guideline) and the question arises as to which technology can be implemented at a company and which is the most suitable
• Work safety (15%)
  MAK values in the workplace, suction system updating  
• Location factors (10%)
  Stricter mandatory requirements, image problem 

Focus: treatment of waste air flows

Project approaches:

• Low energy use
• Dry waste air cleaning with combined heat recovery

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Results Water/Wastewater

• Process wastewater treatment (42%)
  Use of cycles to reduce fresh water consumption, individual parameters for cutting discharges into recipients, use of well water where technically feasible
• Cooling water (26%)
  Closing of cycles, increased heat recovery in the < 60°C temperature range
• Company wastewater treatment plants (21%)
  Ongoing adjustments due to increased wastewater volumes and the intake of wastewater from external sources
• Fine material filtration (11%)
  Recovery of fine materials (ceramic splinters, metal chippings,…) from wastewater

Focus: operational wastewater management

Project approaches:

• Online measurement systems
• Low energy use