ACHT R&C

ACHT R&C Badania, consulting, zrównoważony rozwój.

Microplastics – an increasingly important topic? No, it's been important since humans produced first polymers from crude...
27/11/2025

Microplastics – an increasingly important topic? No, it's been important since humans produced first polymers from crude oil!
Even back then, the problem was serious, because when producing a new material, they didn't even consider what to do with the substance once it was no longer needed!
No one claims that plastic is bad. Thanks to plastics, developments have occurred all areas of life, from food storage, through medicine, spaceflight, electronics, and even tires.

However, the problem is plastic recycling. We say that a given country has a 17% recycling rate (Malta), or over 60%, as in the case of Slovakia.

What does this mean, though? This means that, at best, 40% of new plastics still end up outside the recycling system and pollute the environment!

The problem is that even when recycling a specific material, we don't approach the process comprehensively. We don't analyze the composition; we simply "recover" the material for reprocessing in the cheapest and simplest way possible, assuming that this will solve the problem and make us, as a company/individual, environmentally neutral or even positive.

Honest materials are easier, while all composites require a comprehensive approach, examining what's inside and what happens to the material we're "not interested in."

Technology - how do we recycle? How many hazardous substances or their forms do we create during recycling?

An example - the simplest, found in every home in Europe, America, and Asia - is furniture board, a construction board for building houses.
Such a board is a composite of wood (+-90%) and glue (+-10%), as well as other substances necessary, for example, to reduce VOC emissions, increase water resistance, fire resistance, or resistance to mold and mildew.
What do we recover? ONLY wood (with residues of other substances, of course).
How do we recover? Mechanically, by shredding the composite. What's created: Most often, a mixture of wood fibers and particels, plus plastic, paper, veneer foil, and metal components. We mechanically recover the wood, and the rest goes to further recycling.

It would seem like a perfect system! Well, no. The entire process isn't airtight. At each stage, microplastics are created, which enter workers' lungs, the soil, water, and air, and then migrate into the environment.

Furniture board is just one example, but this applies to all mechanical shredding processes. By caring for the environment, we create another problem.

There are other ways to do it.

There are biopolymers that are as stable as plastics and can be subjected to natural or industrial biodegradation processes into individual, natural components, without polluting the environment.

What does a cow have to do with Roland Gaross?Weird question? Well, NO!It’s the weird and wonderful world of plant and a...
06/06/2025

What does a cow have to do with Roland Gaross?

Weird question? Well, NO!

It’s the weird and wonderful world of plant and animal byproducts, where industrious companies have devised clever ways to take inedible parts and turn them into desirable consumer products.

One such company collects cow intestines from slaughterhouses and turns them into the kind of natural gut strings favored by many of the world’s best tennis players.

It takes about four cow intestines to string the average racket.

Each string is made up of 15 individual strands that are twisted very tightly together to hold them together, then dried in a humid room to prevent them from cracking.

It’s a painstaking process that takes six weeks from start to finish, but it’s worth the wait.
The difference from omnipresent chemistry:

In the case of synthetic strings, once they are in the racket and hit by the ball, they stretch and remain stretched, but because the intestines have a natural memory, they always try to return to their original form, thus absorbing much more shock and reducing the risk of tennis elbow".

Surprise? Well, the search for the use of by-products from the main branches of the food industry is very common. Often, products prepared in this way have much better properties, but are almost always more expensive, so they are used where the awareness of the overall benefits wins over a cool calculation of costs.
The products we encounter on a daily basis are e.g. insulin, guitar and harp strings, cosmetic collagen, special collagen substances for cleaning beer from yeast, or bone china in the best quality dinner sets, and many, many others.

Follow our profiles, we also work with our clients on the non-obvious use of natural raw materials in everyday products. If only patent processes allow it, we will inform you about what they have achieved our clients thanks to effective cooperation with us.

Materials are only one side of the coin. The other, often much more grey, dark grey, than green, is the technology of th...
19/04/2025

Materials are only one side of the coin. The other, often much more grey, dark grey, than green, is the technology of their production.
Concrete production is responsible for 4 to even 8% of total CO2 emissions (!),
Mineral wool production requires very high temperatures to melt the raw material into "magma", which means high energy consumption.
The production of wood-based panels, such as chipboard, MDF board, OSB board, etc., uses raw materials based on ammonia - urea, melamine or formaldehyde, which are derived from crude oil or natural gas.
The commonly used urea is subject to hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of urea in the soil leads to the production of ammonia, which can be transformed into nitrogen oxides (NOx) - powerful greenhouse gases. NOx emissions contribute to global warming and air quality problems.
There are many more examples of such "ecological" products, the production processes of which or the components used in these processes are a very large burden on the environment and people, both at the production stage and during the later use of these products.

All this shows how social awareness is growing, which forces changes in the industry, changes in materials, changes in technology, but it also requires changes at the sociological level. Let's not kid ourselves, the industry is not interested in changes if they are not forced from above, i.e. by the regulator, or from below, i.e. by the end consumer. The industry will implement changes on its own only if they bring large financial benefits or if it is forced to do so.

All changes are very slow and difficult. Often this long process is not the result of complicated procedures necessary to implement sustainable technology. Most often, the long implementation time, problems, errors and sometimes the final failure of the process of implementing sustainable solutions are the result of the reluctance of people who participate in this process. These are the same people who, as consumers, shout that they want "healthy", harmless and preferably natural products, when it comes to the need to implement changes in their work environment, in the technology they support, they block these changes, sabotage, delay or often passively stand by, adopting a waiting attitude. They do not like changes and treat them as an incomprehensible imposition of additional duties on them. Duties that they did not agree to, which are to change their world, work and above all destroy the peace (read routine) that they have developed throughout all the years of their work.
This attitude does not apply to "people at the line", it applies to practically every level of the organization.
That is why we prefer a much broader approach to implementing innovations. We offer not only a technological approach, but to a large extent sociological support. A new sociological perspective inviting all members of the organization to look at our familiar environment in a fresh way. We explain to the organization that it should encourage us to look at the world that we have always considered obvious, with the willingness to re-examine our social environment with the same curiosity with which we might approach an exotic, foreign culture. Because innovation, sustainable development is precisely such a foreign culture. A culture that most people are not interested in, because it is foreign. A foreigner is bad, difficult, demanding, forcing to act.

Therefore, implementing change, and even more so innovation in the field of sustainable development, production, technology, is a process both technical and sociological - the process of taming the ALIEN.

Before you start changes, any changes in the environment in which people dependent on you live, prepare these people, explain to them the reason for the changes, give them a moment of your time to answer the most important questions. Help them understand the purpose of these changes and their role within these changes, and a large group of these people will become your assistant in these changes.

Nachhaltige Materialien sind Materialien, die während ihres gesamten Lebenszyklus – von der Rohstoffgewinnung über die P...
19/04/2025

Nachhaltige Materialien sind Materialien, die während ihres gesamten Lebenszyklus – von der Rohstoffgewinnung über die Produktion und Nutzung bis hin zur Entsorgung – nur minimale Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt haben. Sie zeichnen sich durch einen geringen CO2-Fußabdruck, Energieeffizienz, Langlebigkeit und Recyclingfähigkeit aus. Nachhaltige Materialien werden häufig aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen, recycelten Materialien oder auf eine Weise hergestellt, die den Verbrauch natürlicher Ressourcen und die Schadstoffemissionen minimiert.

Die beliebtesten umweltfreundlichen Materialien
Holz
Holz ist einer der ältesten und nachhaltigsten Baustoffe. Es ist erneuerbar, biologisch abbaubar und kann nachhaltig aus zertifizierten Wäldern gewonnen werden. Holz hat einen geringen CO2-Fußabdruck, da Bäume beim Wachsen Kohlendioxid absorbieren. Die Verwendung von Holz trägt zur Reduzierung des CO2-Ausstoßes bei.

Bambus
Bambus, auch „grüner Stahl“ genannt, ist ein äußerst haltbares und flexibles Material. Es wächst sehr schnell – einige Arten erreichen ihre volle Reife in nur 3–5 Jahren, was es zu einer erneuerbaren Ressource macht. Bambus ist leicht, weist aber eine hohe Zugfestigkeit auf, was ihn zu einem hervorragenden Baumaterial macht.

Recycelter Ziegel
Recycling-Ziegel werden aus Abfallmaterialien wie Bauschutt, Keramik, Glas und anderen Sekundärrohstoffen hergestellt. Der Herstellungsprozess von Recyclingziegeln erfordert weniger Energie als der von herkömmlichen Ziegeln. Dadurch werden der CO2-Ausstoß und der Verbrauch natürlicher Ressourcen reduziert. Diese Ziegel sind langlebig, robust und ästhetisch, was sie zu einer beliebten Wahl für nachhaltiges Bauen macht.

Ökologischer Beton
Ökologischer Beton, auch „Grüner Beton“ genannt, wird unter Zugabe von Sekundärmaterialien wie Flugasche, Hochofenschlacke, recyceltem Zuschlagstoff und anderen Industrieabfällen hergestellt. Es kann Beimischungen natürlicher Materialien enthalten, wie z. B. Durch die Verwendung dieser Materialien wird der Zementverbrauch reduziert, der eine der Hauptquellen für CO2-Emissionen in der Bauindustrie darstellt. Ökobeton behält seine mechanischen Eigenschaften und Festigkeit und ist gleichzeitig umweltfreundlicher.

Asphalt der Zukunft
Selbstheilender Asphalt ist eine bahnbrechende Lösung, die das Potenzial hat, den Straßenbau und die Straßeninstandhaltung zu revolutionieren. Dank der Verwendung von Mikrokapseln mit recycelten Ölen kann das Material schnell auf Schäden reagieren und so eine weitere Verschlechterung der Oberfläche verhindern

Nachhaltige Materialien sind ein Schlüsselelement für die Zukunft des ökologischen Bauens. Von Holz und Bambus bis hin zu recycelten Ziegeln und Ökobeton bieten diese Materialien zahlreiche ökologische, wirtschaftliche und soziale Vorteile. Trotz einiger Herausforderungen, die mit ihrer Verwendung verbunden sind, sorgen das wachsende Umweltbewusstsein und technologische Innovationen dafür, dass nachhaltige Materialien im Bauwesen weltweit immer häufiger verfügbar und verbreitet sind.

Industrial ecology is the implementation of sustainable production practices that reduce the negative impact on the envi...
17/04/2025

Industrial ecology is the implementation of sustainable production practices that reduce the negative impact on the environment. This includes reducing emissions, limiting the consumption of raw materials and energy, and promoting recycling.

Industrial ecology goals:
Minimizing negative impact on the environment, Reducing emissions, Limiting the consumption of raw materials and energy, Promoting recycling and a closed-loop economy, Reducing the carbon footprint.

Industrial ecology solutions:
- Using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal energy
- Implementing eco-innovations in technology
- Minimizing waste in the production process and/or recycling it
- Environmental management based on ISO 14001 or EMAS

Benefits of industrial ecology:
- Cost savings by reducing the consumption of raw materials and energy
- Building a positive image of the company
- Increasing the attractiveness of the company to customers and investors

Has anyone ever wondered what the difference is between natural and artificial building materials? How do these material...
31/03/2025

Has anyone ever wondered what the difference is between natural and artificial building materials? How do these materials behave over time? What examples of the use of such materials can we find in the past? Concrete that corrodes, steel reinforcements of bridge structures that require permanent maintenance, buildings that fall apart, road surfaces that are only suitable for complete renovation after 3-4 years of use. These are pure chemistry, construction chemicals, additives, hardeners, plasticizers, etc. However, a moment of reflection is enough to check how people dealt with similar things in the past? Suddenly we have self-healing asphalt, corrosion-resistant and self-healing concrete, natural agents that bind volatile emissions, flame-retardant (!) materials from annual plants, etc. Behind all this there are enthusiasts who want to do something for themselves and the world. Our task is to find them or their products and offer them to business. Unfortunately, many of these innovators perish in the depths of bureaucracy, misunderstanding or collisions with the interests of "adult industry". Supporting innovation is like democracy - you have to grow into it and have its culture in your blood.

Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) has become a standard test for the hygienic properties of some construction...
17/03/2025

Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) has become a standard test for the hygienic properties of some construction products. Studies indicate that some products, e.g. resin floors, floor coverings or furniture, may constitute a temporary source of organic vapour emission into the air of buildings.
In such a case, a seasoning period should be established (unfortunately, it is often not), after which the VOC concentration reaches a permissible level regulated by national regulations and only then should such a product/room be approved for use.

The development of construction product technology means that new, lesser-known compounds appear in the composition of products, the content and emission of which are unfortunately not regulated by requirements.

The fundamental question - do we have to use additional substances that multiply VOC emissions and may pose a threat to the health of living organisms? Maybe it is enough to use what Nature gives us?

Sustainable Development GoalsThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a plan of action for the transformation and tr...
17/03/2025

Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a plan of action for the transformation and transformation of the world, in which the needs of the current generation can be met in a sustainable manner, with respect for the environment and with consideration for the needs of future generations.

At the summit in New York, on September 25-27, 2015, the leaders of the UN member states, signing the document "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", made an ambitious commitment to take action to reduce poverty in all its forms, ensure access to education, food and clean water, take action for equal opportunities, support human rights, peace and stability in the world, protect the natural environment, mitigate climate change, and access to sustainable energy sources. The declaration was signed on behalf of Poland by President Andrzej Duda.

This document contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 actions related to them, which are to be achieved by all parties – governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the science and business sector, as well as citizens. They focus on 5 areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, partnership.

They constitute the basis of the new 2030 Agenda for the sustainable development of the world, taking into account the economic, social and environmental aspects. This plan indicates the most important challenges of our time. It presents a vision of building a better world for the benefit of the inhabitants of the planet and its repair.

17/03/2025

Welcome to our FB page!

If you have arrived here, it means that you are aware of how important it is to introduce solutions and products in line with the principles of sustainable development into our daily lives.

Today we will not receive it directly from Nature, today the path from Nature to our home leads through industry.

This is our path, our goal and our action to connect industry with Nature.

Welcome to our group! Write, read, start changing the industry with us!

We do this not for ourselves, but for all of us and we hope that the awareness of the need to act together with nature gives great opportunities.

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