{"id":14764,"date":"2024-12-03T07:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T07:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/sustainable-solutions-for-the-plastics-industry\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T17:51:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T17:51:03","slug":"sustainable-solutions-for-the-plastics-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/sustainable-solutions-for-the-plastics-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Solutions for the Plastics Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"14764\" class=\"elementor elementor-14764 elementor-14493\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3a875029 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default qodef-elementor-content-no\" data-id=\"3a875029\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-22ee66ef\" data-id=\"22ee66ef\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cba7d75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cba7d75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><main class=\"body-content js-body-content\"><\/main><\/p>\n<section class=\"page-section g\">\n<div class=\"page-section__generator page-section__generator--top g12-xs g11-md g10-lg g8-xl\">\n<div class=\"page-generator__text page-generator__text--top js-generator-text\">\n<div id=\"output\" class=\"page-generator__output js-generator-output\">\n<p>(English Below) \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"waldo-sticky-footer-wrapper\">\n<div id=\"waldo-sticky-footer-inner\">\n<p id=\"ember53\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>por Jos\u00e9 Quintino , Diretor Comercial na Ruy de Lacerda S.A. | Grupo<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember56\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A sustentabilidade \u00e9 essencial para o futuro da nossa sociedade. A crescente press\u00e3o para mitigar os impactos ambientais tem transformado a ind\u00fastria do pl\u00e1stico em Portugal e ao redor do mundo. A ind\u00fastria do pl\u00e1stico est\u00e1 em busca de solu\u00e7\u00f5es inovadoras que possam conciliar a produ\u00e7\u00e3o de pl\u00e1sticos com a sustentabilidade ambiental. Para as empresas que atuam neste setor, a ado\u00e7\u00e3o de pr\u00e1ticas e tecnologias mais ecol\u00f3gicas tornou-se no melhor caminho a seguir.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember57\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>Desafios Ambientais da Ind\u00fastria do Pl\u00e1stico<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember58\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">O pl\u00e1stico \u00e9 um material vers\u00e1til e amplamente utilizado em diversas ind\u00fastrias, desde a automotiva at\u00e9 a de embalagens, por ser leve, dur\u00e1vel e barato.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember59\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Este material \u00e9 essencial para o estilo de vida dos pa\u00edses modernos, sendo uma pedra basilar da conveni\u00eancia, facilidade e disponibilidade dos bens consumidos. O pl\u00e1stico permite o f\u00e1cil transporte, armazenamento e distribui\u00e7\u00e3o de uma grande diversidade de produtos, os quais n\u00e3o seriam de f\u00e1cil acesso, sem este material.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember60\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Para promover um futuro mais verde e limpo, as empresas e governos est\u00e3o cada vez mais conscientes da necessidade de solu\u00e7\u00f5es sustent\u00e1veis que garantam o estilo de vida moderno.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember61\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>Solu\u00e7\u00f5es Sustent\u00e1veis Emergentes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember62\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A procura por solu\u00e7\u00f5es sustent\u00e1veis neste setor envolve diferentes abordagens, desde a cria\u00e7\u00e3o de novos tipos de pl\u00e1sticos biodegrad\u00e1veis at\u00e9 a melhoria dos processos de reciclagem. Abaixo est\u00e3o algumas das principais solu\u00e7\u00f5es que est\u00e3o a mudar o futuro desta ind\u00fastria:<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember63\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>1. Pl\u00e1sticos Biodegrad\u00e1veis e Compost\u00e1veis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember64\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Uma das inova\u00e7\u00f5es mais promissoras s\u00e3o os pl\u00e1sticos biodegrad\u00e1veis, que podem se decompor mais rapidamente no ambiente sob condi\u00e7\u00f5es espec\u00edficas. Feitos a partir de mat\u00e9rias-primas renov\u00e1veis, como amido, celulose ou lignina, esses pl\u00e1sticos oferecem uma alternativa \u00e0s mat\u00e9rias-primas tradicionais derivadas de petr\u00f3leo.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember65\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Por outro lado, os pl\u00e1sticos compost\u00e1veis podem ser degradados em ambientes controlados, como em instala\u00e7\u00f5es de compostagem, sem deixar res\u00edduos t\u00f3xicos. Isso \u00e9 particularmente \u00fatil em setores como o de embalagens, onde o uso \u00fanico de pl\u00e1stico \u00e9 comum. No entanto \u00e9 importante ter em aten\u00e7\u00e3o que os pl\u00e1sticos compost\u00e1veis necessitam obrigatoriamente das condi\u00e7\u00f5es industriais apropriadas para a compostagem, n\u00e3o se decompondo como outros produtos compost\u00e1veis na natureza.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember66\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>2. Reciclagem Avan\u00e7ada<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember67\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A reciclagem \u00e9 uma das formas mais eficazes de reduzir o impacto ambiental do pl\u00e1stico, mas os m\u00e9todos tradicionais t\u00eam limita\u00e7\u00f5es. Novas tecnologias, como a reciclagem qu\u00edmica, est\u00e3o a ser desenvolvidas para melhorar a efici\u00eancia e a qualidade do pl\u00e1stico reciclado. Ao contr\u00e1rio da reciclagem mec\u00e2nica, que degrada o pl\u00e1stico ao longo do tempo, a reciclagem qu\u00edmica permite dividir os pol\u00edmeros nos seus componentes b\u00e1sicos, que podem ser reutilizados para criar novos pl\u00e1sticos de alta qualidade.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember68\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>3. Economia Circular no Setor do Pl\u00e1stico<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember69\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A transi\u00e7\u00e3o para uma economia circular \u00e9 outra abordagem sustent\u00e1vel. Na economia circular, o objetivo \u00e9 manter os materiais em uso pelo maior tempo poss\u00edvel, reduzindo a necessidade de extra\u00e7\u00e3o de novos recursos. Isso significa n\u00e3o apenas aumentar as taxas de reciclagem, mas tamb\u00e9m desenvolver pl\u00e1sticos que possam ser reutilizados e projetados com ciclos de vida mais longos.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember70\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">As empresas produtoras de equipamentos para a ind\u00fastria do pl\u00e1stico est\u00e3o cada vez mais a investir em equipamentos capazes de incorporar pl\u00e1sticos reciclados nas linhas de produ\u00e7\u00e3o, sem perder qualidade ou durabilidade.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember71\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>4. Inova\u00e7\u00f5es em Design e Materiais<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember72\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Outro aspecto fundamental \u00e9 o design de produtos que usam menos pl\u00e1stico ou que utilizam pl\u00e1sticos mais f\u00e1ceis de reciclar. Isso inclui desde a redu\u00e7\u00e3o da espessura das embalagens at\u00e9 a substitui\u00e7\u00e3o de materiais n\u00e3o recicl\u00e1veis por alternativas recicl\u00e1veis ou biodegrad\u00e1veis. A simplifica\u00e7\u00e3o dos designs tamb\u00e9m pode facilitar o processo de separa\u00e7\u00e3o e reciclagem no fim da vida \u00fatil do produto.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember73\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>Conclus\u00e3o<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember74\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">A ind\u00fastria do pl\u00e1stico enfrenta grandes desafios em termos de sustentabilidade, mas tamb\u00e9m tem uma enorme oportunidade de se reinventar. Ao adotar pl\u00e1sticos biodegrad\u00e1veis, melhorar os processos de reciclagem e avan\u00e7ar em dire\u00e7\u00e3o a uma economia circular, o setor pode minimizar os seus impactos ambientais e contribuir para um futuro mais verde.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember75\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Investir em equipamentos mais eficientes, com menor consumo de energia e capacidade de processar materiais reciclados, \u00e9 um dos caminhos para tornar a produ\u00e7\u00e3o de pl\u00e1sticos mais sustent\u00e1vel.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember76\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Na Ruy de Lacerda podemos apoiar a sua empresa neste processo de moderniza\u00e7\u00e3o e adapta\u00e7\u00e3o \u00e0s novas exig\u00eancias do mercado. Com os nossos 75 anos de atua\u00e7\u00e3o na ind\u00fastria em Portugal e uma extensa rede de contactos com as melhores empresas a n\u00edvel europeu e mundial, a Ruy de Lacerda continua sempre a impulsionar a evolu\u00e7\u00e3o da ind\u00fastria.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0acfde5 e-flex e-con-boxed qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0acfde5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f97308 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6f97308\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div 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1.8C28.06 0.8 28.83 0 29.78 0Z\" fill=\"#D39620\"><\/path><\/g><defs><clipPath id=\"clip0_16_2821\"><rect width=\"59.63\" height=\"67.54\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-662db0b elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default qodef-elementor-content-no\" data-id=\"662db0b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f4dd06\" data-id=\"7f4dd06\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a845236 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a845236\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember78\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__heading-2\"><strong>Sustainable Solutions for the Plastics Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember79\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>by Jos\u00e9 Quintino, Commercial Director at Ruy de Lacerda<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember80\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Sustainability is essential for the future of our society. The growing pressure to mitigate environmental impacts has transformed the plastics industry in Portugal and around the world. The plastics industry is looking for innovative solutions that can reconcile plastics production with environmental sustainability. For companies operating in this sector, adopting greener practices and technologies has become the best way forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember81\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>The Plastics Industry&#8217;s Environmental Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember82\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Plastic is a versatile material that is widely used in various industries, from automotive to packaging, because it is light, durable and cheap.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember83\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">This material is essential to the lifestyle of modern countries, being a cornerstone of the convenience, ease and availability of goods consumed. Plastic allows for the easy transport, storage and distribution of a wide variety of products, which would not be easily accessible without this material.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember84\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">In order to promote a greener and cleaner future, companies and governments are increasingly aware of the need for sustainable solutions that guarantee the modern lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember85\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>Emerging Sustainable Solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember86\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">The search for sustainable solutions in this sector involves different approaches, from creating new types of biodegradable plastics to improving recycling processes. Below are some of the main solutions that are changing the future of this industry:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember87\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>1. Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember88\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">One of the most promising innovations is biodegradable plastics, which can break down more quickly in the environment under specific conditions. Made from renewable raw materials such as starch, cellulose or lignin, these plastics offer an alternative to traditional petroleum-based raw materials.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember89\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">On the other hand, compostable plastics can be degraded in controlled environments, such as composting facilities, without leaving toxic residues. This is particularly useful in sectors such as packaging, where the single use of plastic is common. However, it is important to bear in mind that compostable plastics necessarily require the appropriate industrial conditions for composting and do not decompose like other compostable products in nature.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember90\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>2. Advanced recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember91\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Recycling is one of the most effective ways of reducing the environmental impact of plastic, but traditional methods have limitations. New technologies, such as chemical recycling, are being developed to improve the efficiency and quality of recycled plastic. Unlike mechanical recycling, which degrades plastic over time, chemical recycling allows polymers to be broken down into their basic components, which can then be reused to create new high-quality plastics.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember92\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>3. Circular Economy in the Plastics Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember93\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">The transition to a circular economy is another sustainable approach. In the circular economy, the aim is to keep materials in use for as long as possible, reducing the need to extract new resources. This means not only increasing recycling rates, but also developing plastics that can be reused and designed with longer life cycles.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember94\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Companies producing equipment for the plastics industry are increasingly investing in equipment capable of incorporating recycled plastics into production lines without losing quality or durability.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember95\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>4. Innovations in Design and Materials<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember96\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Another key aspect is the design of products that use less plastic or use plastics that are easier to recycle. This includes everything from reducing the thickness of packaging to replacing non-recyclable materials with recyclable or biodegradable alternatives. Simplifying designs can also facilitate the separation and recycling process at the end of the product&#8217;s useful life.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember97\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"ember98\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">The plastics industry faces major challenges in terms of sustainability, but it also has a huge opportunity to reinvent itself. By adopting biodegradable plastics, improving recycling processes and moving towards a circular economy, the sector can minimise its environmental impacts and contribute to a greener future.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember99\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">Investing in more efficient equipment, with lower energy consumption and the capacity to process recycled materials, is one of the ways to make plastics production more sustainable.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ember100\" class=\"ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph\">At Ruy de Lacerda we can support your company in this process of modernisation and adaptation to new market demands. With 75 years of experience in the industry in Portugal and an extensive network of contacts with the best companies in Europe and the world, Ruy de Lacerda continues to drive the evolution of the industry.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sustainability is essential for the future of our society. The growing pressure to mitigate environmental impacts has been transforming the plastics industry in Portugal and around the world. The plastics sector is actively seeking innovative solutions capable of reconciling plastic production with environmental sustainability\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14495,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plastic-and-rubber-industry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14764"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14765,"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14764\/revisions\/14765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ruydelacerda.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}