Boards made from marine litter
Creation and manufacture of boards or panels using recycled polypropylene plastic and fishing nets recovered by Spanish fishermen.
This project is developed in collaboration with Vertidos Cero Association and AIMPLAS.
User Location: Gandia, Spain
Steps
Step 1: Mares Circulares
Mares Circulares, initiated in 2018, aims to clean the coasts, protected areas, and seabed of Spain and Portugal and promote material reuse.
Approximately 5,200 kilograms (11,464 pounds) of debris, collected by volunteer fishermen, was processed. Non-PET plastic was sent to the Instituto Tecnológico de Plástico (AIMPLAS), where it was transformed into usable material.
Step 2: Preparation of material
The processed marine litter and fishing nets arrive in our workshop clean and crushed, ready for the heat press.
We mix them with the base material (polypropylene), carefully considering the desired proportions and quantities to achieve the specific texture, color, or thickness needed.
Before placing the plastic in the sheet press, we use an industrial dryer to remove moisture.
Step 3: Manufacture of boards
Once the material is dry and mixed, it can be taken to the sheet press.
We adapted a carpentry press to include heating and automation systems for board production.
Our sheet press can produce boards measuring 220cm x 90cm (86.6 inches x 35.4 inches) with thicknesses ranging from 1cm to 3cm (0.4 inches to 1.2 inches).
The machine operates at an average temperature of 180°C (356°F) to melt the plastic.
Step 4: Final details
As with any plastic processing, excess material on the edges must be trimmed.
After removing the board from the sheet press, it is important to store it in a large space to prevent deformation or bending.
These boards can be used to create a variety of products, including decorative items and furniture.
Resources
Tools & Hardware
- Industrial dryer (moisture removal)
- Adapted carpentry press with heating (180°C/356°F operation)
- Trimming tools (edge refinement)
- Sheet press (220cm x 90cm board production)
- Storage space (prevents board deformation)
Software & Automation
- Automated temperature control systems (press integration)
- Material proportion calculation tools (PP/fishing net ratios)
- Press automation hardware (adapted carpentry machinery)
- Heating regulation software (thermal management)
Material Handling
- Pre-processed marine plastic (cleaned/crushed by AIMPLAS)
- Recycled polypropylene (base material)
- Mixed plastic-nets composite (custom texture/color/thickness)
Safety & Compliance
- Heat-resistant PPE (high-temperature handling)
- Waste management protocols (recycling excess material)
Collaboration Partners
- Vertidos Cero (waste collection)
- AIMPLAS (material processing)
- Mares Circulares (supply chain coordination)
References
Articles
Coca-Cola Trials Recycled Marine Plastic for Beverage Packaging- NetPlus® Recycled Fishing Nets
- Solutions to Remove Plastics from the Sea
- KINGFA Opens Advanced Recycling Facility