Installing full electric IM equipment

Argo has introduced the full electric injection moulding machines in its production. In January 2010, we acquired our first machine of this type – an EX series model of Krauss Maffei. Meanwhile, two more machines have been installed. These machines are considerably more expensive than the conventional hydraulic ones, but they have the following advantages:

• lower energy consumption, as the hydraulic units have higher energy losses and they also need more energy to cool the hydraulic oil
• lower noise levels when they are in use

Furthermore, they are even more environmentally friendly as they operate without hydraulic oil, which has to be changed regularly. 

Heat recovery system

In 2010 Argo completed the replacement of all air compressors in the Greek plant of Koropi in cooperation with Atlas Copco.

The new compressors provide the same quantity of air, consuming less electric power.

They are also fitted with heat recovery system. The heat (a by-product of air compression) which was emitted to the air is now used to heat the offices of the plant (area 600 sqm) substituting diesel. The investment was self funded and will result to a 235,2tn cut of CO2 emissions per year that are equivalent with a passenger car driving 1.414.000 km.

Cooling system based on absorption principle

In cooperation with the Japanese company YAZAKI and its Greek representative Enimex, we installed at Greek plant a new cooling system based on the absorption principle. This is connected with the heat recovery system (see above). The heat (a by-product of air compression) is used to warm-up a diluted water solution of lithium bromide. Water is the refrigerant and lithium bromide, a non toxic salt, is the absorbent. Refrigerant, liberated by heat from the solution, produces a refrigerating effect in the evaporator when cooling water is circulated through the condenser and absorber. This self funded system is now used to cool the offices (600sqm) and results to an annual decrease of CO2 emissions at the level of 165 tn, which equals with a passenger car driving ca. 993.000 km .

Installing photovoltaic panels

Argo is in the final stage of commencing the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of its plant in Koropi (ca. 7.000 sm). The estimated electric power will be 650 kW and the delivered electric energy equals 850.000 kWh. This corresponds to an annual decrease of CO2 emissions of ca. 935 t, which equals a middle class passenger car driving ca. 5.630.000 km. The investment is estimated to 1 million Euro and will be self-funded.

Producing PET bottles with recycled PET

Argo has already experience in the processing of recycled materials for the production of bottles. Besides HDPE, we started producing PET bottles out of recycled PET. Personal care brands like Apivita are already in the market with bottles made of PCR-PET, while others are in evaluation stage.

Reducing product weight

Best material use is always an important issue in our development activity.

New products are carefully designed to work efficiently at the lowest possible weight. Furthermore new light weight product versions are replacing older ones. This is achieved either

• by re-designing (8 such cases : 4 bottles for cosmetics and chemicals, 3 canisters for chemicals, 1 cream applicator)
• or by employing other processing technologies in production (6 such cases : bottles for healthcare products).