UpBoards improves production of its recycled boards

(CONNECT) UpBoards GmbH has announced the completion of two research projects that have led to a decisive improvement in the production process of its boards made from recycled materials. This news was presented at the Swiss Sustainable Polymer Conference of the Institute of Polymer Engineering (IKT) at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). The company was founded in 2018 and manufactures boards made from mixed plastic waste obtained via plastic collection bags used by Swiss households in Gretzenbach in the canton of Solothurn. According to information from the company, processing this waste is challenging as the plastic waste used differs in terms of properties and level of contamination.

As part of two projects supported by the Swiss innovation agency Innosuisse, UpBoards has now achieved decisive improvements in the manufacturing process by way of extrusion and foaming processes. Scientists Christian Rytka and Philipp Krzikalla from the IKT at FHNW served as research partners. According to UpBoards, the patented production process for these high-quality boards is unique in its hybrid combination of extrusion and injection molding.

According to the information, experts at the conference were impressed by the results, particularly with regard to the quality of workmanship and the resilience of the boards, as well as other features including lack of odor and non-slip surface with a ribbed texture. “The reactions from visitors to the booth clearly showed that the circular economy is a topic that is really becoming increasingly important”, as Martin Zajac, Head of Research and Development at UpBoards, comments, adding that: “With our innovative recycled boards and the patented, optimized production process, we are on the right track”.

The company’s sales model for these boards involves either selling them directly or putting in place a closed-loop system with companies. Their own plastic waste serves as the starting material for the company’s new products, which are then taken back and reintroduced to the system at the end of their life cycle. ce/yvh