Boards made from marine litter
Creation and manufacture of boards or panels using recycled polypropylene plastic and fishing nets recovered by fishermen from the coast of Spain.
This project is developed in collaboration with Vertidos Cero Association and AIMPLAS.
User Location: Gandia, Spain
Steps
Step 1: Mares Circulares
Mares Circulares is a network project initiated in 2018 with a threefold aim: to clean the coasts, protected areas, and seabed of Spain and Portugal.
Approximately 5,200 kilograms (11,464 pounds) of debris, retrieved by volunteer fishermen, were processed by the Instituto Tecnológico de Plástico (AIMPLAS), where technology transformed non-PET plastic into usable material through various methods.
Step 2: Preparation of material
The processed marine litter and fishing nets arrive in our workshop clean and crushed, ready for use in the heat press.
We mix it with the base material, polypropylene, ensuring the desired proportions and quantities. This depends on the texture, color, or thickness required.
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 is ready for the sheet press.
Our sheet press is a result of our work, utilizing a modified carpentry press to incorporate a complete heating and automation system.
This sheet press allows for the production of boards measuring 220 cm (86.61 inches) by 90 cm (35.43 inches), with thicknesses ranging from 1 cm (0.39 inches) to 3 cm (1.18 inches).
The machine reaches an average temperature of 180° Celsius (356° Fahrenheit) to melt the plastic.
Step 4: Final details
When completing any plastic processing, excess material on the edges must be removed.
After removing the board from the sheet press, ensure ample storage space to prevent deformation or bending.
These boards offer the opportunity to create a variety of products, including decorative items and furniture.
Resources
Tools
- Industrial dryer for moisture removal
- Edge trimming tools for excess material
- Storage space for board preservation
- Mixing equipment for material proportions
- Heat-resistant handling gear
Hardware
- Custom sheet press (modified carpentry press) 1
- Heating system with automation (180°C capability)
- Crushing machinery for plastic preparation
- Mold templates (220 cm × 90 cm)
- Thickness gauges (1-3 cm range)
Software
- Press automation control system (unspecified brand)
- Temperature regulation interface
- Process monitoring sensors
References
Articles
- AIMPLAS colabora con Mares Circulares en la fabricación de 15 bancos a partir de basuras marinas
- 35 puertos españoles transforman basura marina en materiales reciclados gracias al programa Pleamar
- Polygood® Recycled Plastic Surface Design Material
- The Gravity Wave | Plastic made from ghost fishing nets
- Plastic Lumber Yard - Eco Friendly Lumber
YouTube
OpenSource Designs
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Modified from standard carpentry press with integrated heating/automation. ↩︎