[科技] RUCONBAR 再生橡膠隔音屏障

歐盟資助的Eco-innovation計劃成功研發出利用廢棄輪胎造成的再生橡膠隔音屏障(RUCONBAR, Rubberised Concrete Noise Barrier)，並且成功在市場推出，並應用歐洲各地的基建當中。根據片中所說，一段1米高X1公里長的RUCONBAR可以消耗65噸的廢輪胎，這數字十分可觀，大約等於1200條重型車胎或3000條私家車胎。

但同一計劃能否在香港實現呢？Tiga覺得難度很高，首先是要有先進技術的輪胎回收粉碎分離線 (如歐洲的GENAN)，方能製造出純度高的橡膠粉，其中所需的土地及技術，在香港如鳳毛鱗角；再者，就算設備技術周全，所製作出來的再生橡膠粉的價格有沒有市場競爭力？(更不用說現時的原料價格處於低位)

此外，根據RUCONBAR官網所提及，這計劃是由官方牽頭，結合一間製作膠粉及一間製作隔音屏障的中小企業(SME)作具體製作，方能令RUCONBAR成功投產。最重要是如何令這個產品令市場接受。

要令到一件環保產品量產化，必須投入很大的資源，而政府的直接參與是必須的。RUCONBAR的成功正是由於歐盟各國都積極投放資金於科研，並且願意使用新產品 (如RUCONBAR的首個顧客就是克羅地亞的動物園)。有市場價值的再生產品方可在市場生存，希望香港將來都可以走這一條路。

Reference:

RUCONBAR Official Website

http://www.ruconbar.com/

Recycling tyres: road to success - business planet

Eco-innovation is a real opportunity for entrepreneurs. Eco-businesses employ a total of 3.4 million people across Europe. This week, Business Planet takes a trip to Croatia for a closer look at a very specific kind of innovation: noise barriers. The noise barriers being built along the motorway near Zagreb are spearheading innovation. They are made up of 40 percent of recycled tyres and are among the most efficient on the market. They are the result of a project launched in 2009 as part of the European Eco-Innovation programme. One of the companies involved in their production is an SME which recycles tyres, turning them into a powder used to build the barriers. It's a great opportunity for innovation, says the company's chairman: "If we achieve the goals that were set, we're hoping to hire up to 30 people and double our production capacity," says Damir Kirić, the chairman of Gumiimpex. The powder is mixed with cement at another factory, where the noise barriers are moulded. Here, too, it's hoped the project will help hire an extra 60 people. "It's opened up new doors. We're hoping to increase turnover by 25 percent in Croatia, but also in neighbouring countries," says the Managing Director of Beton Lučko, Danica Jelenić. It's a serious investment. Danica Jelenić put in 355 000 euros. She is delighted with the result. "Taking part in this project has really strengthened our position. We're taken seriously by other players on the market," she says. The European Eco-Innovation programme gives access to subsidies to launch a project. To this day, it has benefited 200 projects throughout Europe. The noise barrier project was born at Zagreb University. It is the brainchild of professor Stjepan Lakušić. Half of the project was funded by the Eco-Innovation programme, which provided half a million euros. Now, the plan is to sell this innovative technology to neighbouring countries, where there is always a need for fresh ideas on how to recycle tyres. "You need 65 tonnes of recycled tyres to produce a kilometre-long barrier that's one metre high. That's 8,000 old tyres," says RUCONBAR Project Coordinator Stjepan Lakušić. This new technology has already attracted a number of potential buyers seduced by the low production cost. "Using recycled products brings down the cost by ten to eighteen percent compared to similar products on the market," says Stjepan Lakušić. The chairman of Gumiimpex, Damir Kirić, describes his recipe for success: