CANDIDATE 1
Contact: Thierry [email protected]
Imerys Filtration & Performance Additives Europe Middle East and Africa, France
Entry: ImerCareTM P-Scrub
Category: InnovationCandidate 1Imerys Filtration & Performance Additives ImerCareTM P-Scrub
The ImerCare™ P-Scrub range has been developed in response to growing demand from the personal care industry and from consumers for a natural, eco-friendly alternative to plastic microbeads used in scrub applications. Too tiny to be removed, the oil-based pellets slip through water treatment systems. Scientists estimate that, in America alone, more than eight trillion of these microbeads—enough to coat 300 tennis courts—enter the water streams each day. Often mistaken for food, they are absorbed by marine life and are passed along the marine food chain. This poses a serious risk to the environment and public health.
The ImerCare™ P-Scrub microsphere range is derived from 100% natural perlite, a volcanic rock, and contains no harmful additives, and offers a mineral-based, eco-friendly alternative.
CANDIDATE 2
Imerys Industrial Minerals Greece
Milos Vineyard, an innovativereclamation project
Contact: Anna [email protected]
In 2014, IMERYS (then S&B Industrial Minerals S.A.) kicked off an initiative bridging innovation with public awareness and biodiversity through the “transformation” of the conventional reclamation practice into a new economic and environmentally friendly activity. The Vineyard project aims at helping to sustain the local community welfare when mining ceases. It also encourages Milos’ residents to start employing more environmentally friendly farming methods; educates on the use of industrial minerals – so abundant on the island of Milos - and notably their significant role in wine-production, and will attract “alternative” visitors to the island, since wine production is interwoven with the island’s culture, hospitality, and tradition. See also https://youtu.be/6E-t2MnrHt8
Category: InnovationCandidate 2Imerys Greece Milos Vineyard, an innovative reclamation project
CANDIDATE 3
Nordkalk Corporation, Finland
From Rock to Added Value Products
Contact: Mathias Snå[email protected]
Category: InnovationCandidate 3Nordkalk Corporation From Rock to value-added Products
Based on highly sophisticated product and process technology, the Nordkalk E-Series engineered products offer high performance in coatings, adhesives and paper, as well as in building material applications. The E-Series products, based on calcium carbonate, allow for replacing non-natural products such as titanium dioxide and binder, and reducing the carbon footprint of the end application, while enhancing product durability and strength, offering an economical and ecological mineral solution.
During the development stages, Nordkalk succeeded to enhance many properties of calcium carbonate which were traditionally thought to be lacking when using the mineral. They successfully broke the rule that calcium carbonate is only a filler.
CANDIDATE 4
Omya International
« Raise Mining » methodInnovation during extraction -
enhancing sustainability in mining
Contact: Matthias Siefert & Günter [email protected] [email protected]
Category: InnovationCandidate 4Omya International
“Raise Mining” method: Innovation during extraction; enhancing sustainability in mining
Omya GmbH operates several marble quarries within the Styrian mountains. The deposits are small and steep, and the marble layers and amount of waste rock from the foot and hanging wall limit the economical minable volumes. In addition, they are located in a highly sensitive ecological area. Between 2007 and 2010 Omya GmbH developed an underground mine parallel to the existing quarry at the marble deposit Lenhard /Petrasch. The main target of the new underground operation was to extend the raw material supply and ensure an optimal use of the high quality raw material resource.
After 6 years of operation, accident free, the underground mine Lenhard/Petrasch with the 'Raise Mining' method is a success in terms of economical, ecological and safety criteria.
CANDIDATE 5
SIVOMATIC B.V.
« We are CO2 Neutral … what about you? »
Contact: Peter [email protected]
Category: InnovationCandidate 5Sivomatic “We are CO2 Neutral … what about you?”
Sivomatic is an SME specialised in cat litter. With production sites in the Netherlands, Austria and Turkey, Sivomatic is one of the biggest suppliers in the European market. It is uniquely situated in the supply chain as a company with mining operations supplying directly onto the consumer market.
The production sites in Moerdijk and Austria are CO₂ neutral and certified by Climate Neutral Group. Since 1 January 2015, Sivomatic can deliver its hygienic white bentonite from its Turkish facilities as CO₂ neutral cat litter. Since the start of its CSR / sustainability strategy in 2013, Sivomatic also improved processing, carried out product life cycle analyses, initiated a solar panel project of 1300 pcs. 330.000 KWH, got ISO 14001 certified a.o.