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ZHQuinorgan developing circular production
How this manufacturer of materials and components for the footwear industry has been developing a robust circular economy production model.
Quinorgan is a Spanish family-owned company founded in 1933. It is a manufacturer and distributor of components for all types of footwear. The company’s range includes adhesives, as well as materials for toe puffs, counters, insoles and reinforcements. For many years, a commitment to the environmental is said to have been the driving force behind the development of recycled and sustainable products, thus addressing the demands of both national and international markets.
Moving to a circular economy
In 2020, Quinorgan implemented a circular economy production model. This process promoted the optimisation of material resources by utilising production waste and reducing the consumption of raw materials. The expansion of product lines was then made possible with new recycled and sustainable options, and all the company’s extrusion ranges have gained certification under the ‘Global Recycled Standard’ (GRS).
The reuse of production waste helps to reduce the consumption of raw materials
Pellets made from waste material ready to be reintroduced into the production process
In order to better control the cycle, Quinorgan opened its own recycling plant in the town of Aspe (near Alicante), which is used to treat waste generated in the cutting of toe puffs and counters. Recycling these wastes reportedly allows the company to substitute between 15 and 22 per cent of virgin raw material with reprocessed material. In addition, its line of extrusion products contains between 20 and 75 per cent of recycled content.
The installation of solar panels has allowed the company to gradually increase its capacity for clean energy production for internal use. Additionally, all water used in the company’s production lines is reused after appropriate chemical treatment in its water treatment plant.
According to Quinorgan, use of this system has achieved a more sustainable production cycle by reintroducing this residue into the manufacturing process. As a result of this circular economy model, the company has significantly reduced its carbon footprint and aims to achieve the goal of ‘zero waste’. In addition to this environmental contribution and the previously-mentioned GRS accolade, Quinorgan holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
Publishing Data
This article was originally published on page 16 of the March 2024 issue of SATRA Bulletin.
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