With the support of the European Union through the “EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia” project, two companies near Belgrade are recycling automotive and construction textile waste and turning it into new products.
In doing so, they contribute to the transition from a linear to a circular business model, which promotes the efficient use of resources and energy, reduces waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and helps protect the environment.
“These are just two of many examples of how the EU supports Serbian entrepreneurs, giving their creativity and ingenuity the opportunity to help the country become greener, which in turn fosters economic growth. The environment and the economy must go hand in hand. Sustainable businesses are vital elements of a greener future. We all benefit from greener companies,” said Emmanuele Giaufret, the EU ambassador to Serbia.
Thanks to co-financing from the EU, the company “Steel Impex” in Krnješevci, in addition to equipment that allows it to recycle 80-90% of a vehicle, also acquired an accompanying air filtration system. By separating different metal fractions from automotive waste, the company will produce high-purity metal granules, which domestic foundries can use. This will reduce the amount of automotive waste in the country by over 165,000 tonnes in the next 20 years.
The EU ambassador and the permanent UNDP representative also visited “ArTech Engineering” in Dobanovci, which develops a new material called “reteks” from textile scraps from the production of tents, awnings, and tarps. This material is suitable for use in construction, as insulation, and in interior design.
So far, within the “EU for the Green Agenda” project, 66 “green” innovations worth a total of USD 25 million have received financial support from the EU, Switzerland, and the Serbian government for implementation.
Photo: europa.rs