The target of the project is to set up a pilot line, consisting of a press, forming and blending systems to produce pallets from 100% recycled wood. The plant designed for processing wood waste of varying origin and dimensions, will implement the screening, forming, pressing and quality control processes to produce pallets in three potential formats possessing the following technical characteristics:

Dimensions: 1200x800x144mm.
Estimated weight when empty: 10kg.
Max static capacity: 3000kg.
Max dynamic capacity: 1000kg.

Dimensions: 600x800x144mm.
Estimated weight when empty: 6kg.
Max static capacity: 1500kg.
Max dynamic capacity: 500kg.

Dimensions: 400x600x144mm.
Estimated weight when empty: 4kg.
Max static capacity: 1000kg.
Max dynamic capacity: 400kg.

 

The pallets will have a three dimensional concave shape so that they may be stacked by slotting them one into the other to optimize the space when empty and which may be forklifted once loaded by standard forklifts.

Another goal to be achieved for the project is the X-ray CdZnTe based sensor designed to control product density. These sensors, which are mainly used today in the aerospace industry, for security and for biomedical applications, could also be used by IMAL in the manufacturing industry in general as well, where on line controls are required (e.g. ceramics, mechanical industry and agricultural and food industries).

As the project progresses, specific know-how will be acquired on the wood waste recycling processes, for application in the manufacture of other products based on the value-added waste. These products represent a rapidly expanding market in which IMAL has a very keen interest, stimulated by the increasingly stringent environmental rules and regulations and by a growing awareness of the consumers who are demanding products that are more and more eco-sustainable