From glass jars to environmentally-sound sandblasting. Melgaard Greenline have developed a complete process that can convert recycled glass into a blasting agent. Fisker Skanderborg, meanwhile, designed, supplied and installed the system which packs the blasting agent into smaller bags as well as big bags.
Fisker was one of the first suppliers of complete packaging lines that department manager Jørn Holm from Melgaard Greenline had in mind when he was looking for a partner for the new packing line.
From glass jars to environmentally-sound sandblasting
For many years, Meldgaard Greenline has collected residual products from German heat and power plants for sale as blasting agents for sandblasting in Scandinavia. Examples of products currently being used include glass jars, jam jars and wine bottles, ensuring a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. Meldgaard sells the product, a very ‘pure’ surface treatment product, under the name ‘ReBlast’.
ReBlast is also an excellent alternative to quartz sand, which is often used for sandblasting in Denmark. Use of quartz sand as a blasting agent is, however, no longer permitted in much of Europe, on account of the risk of silicosis and cancer. This means that there is a real need for alternative quality products on the market. ReBlast does not contain any salt, which can (for instance) lead to corrosion if the blasting agent is applied to a metal surface. Unlike slag-based blasting agents, glass has low heavy-metal content. This is very important when the material is being used in conditions that make it difficult to collect the blasting agent after use.
For more information about how the whole process works
A future-proof, flexible and greener packaging line
Fisker took on the responsibility of developing, delivering and installing the packing system in line with Meldgaard Greenline’s exact requirements. The line links up with Meldgaard’s other production facilities, equalling full automation of operations.
The line includes an intake, scale, bagging machine, wrapping machine, robot palletising machine, and can pack small bags as well as big bags. “We have chosen a new type of packaging for the system that is better suited to it than conventional packaging,” Area Sales Manager Jesper Hedegaard explains. “Made exclusively from PE plastic, the product makes re-use possible, while also coming at a lower price.”
The blasting agent is primarily packed into 20 kg bags, due to the fact that it often needs to be manually handled, for example, on scaffolding. With 20 kg set to become the max. weight specified in guidelines, compared to the current 25 kg, Meldgaard Greenline will be ready for future requirements.
Strong dialogue throughout
“Our collaboration with Fisker worked really well throughout the process, from the design of the system, to installation and running-in,” Jørn Holm says. “We went out with Jesper Hedegaard to visit another of Fisker’s customers and see their system. From this we knew what we could expect from our new system.
We faced a few small challenges running in the many new machines, including adjusting content in the bagging to get the right density, but Fisker was on hand to deal with the challenges we faced just when we needed help. We have both a hotline and a service technician that we can call directly. We are very happy, both with the new line and with the collaboration.”