Zato, a manufacturer of equipment, machinery, and recycling plants, meets Matec, the largest Japanese company in the management of recycled materials. A simple story between a supplier and a customer that illustrates how high-value artisanal items can be created from recycled materials, thanks to creativity, determination, and a strong sustainability project.
It will be possible to discover this fantastic collaboration at Ecomondo 2023, the international trade fair of reference for technologies, services and industrial solutions in the green and circular economy sectors. The event will take place from the 7th to the 10th of November, in Rimini.
Matec is a deeply rooted company in the Hokkaido community, founded in 1935 and currently employing 520 people spread across 10 different production facilities in the Hokkaido region in northern Japan. The company is dedicated to a rigorous and meticulous approach throughout all stages of recycling its primary business sources: ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, plastics, paper, and end-of-life vehicles (ELV). In recent years, they’ve added to their activities the recovery and refining of precious metals.
Matec and the “third resource”
“Our main focus at Matec lies in harnessing the potential of natural resources, transforming processed products and considering the objects we generate as ‘secondary resources’ to maximize circularity in product life cycles. We view all recyclable materials and waste as a valuable ‘third resource’ and are committed to the ongoing endeavor of breathing new life into these materials that would otherwise be discarded.”
In a world dominated by consumerism and product abundance, Matec’s goal is to build a sustainable reality that optimizes our finite resources, resulting in the design and manufacture of innovative products that enhance people’s lives while always remaining environmentally conscious.
Matec and the revival of end-of-life cars
In Japan, approximately 3.5 million end-of-life vehicles are annually dismantled, resulting in the generation of not just metals, plastics, and other materials, but also around 40,000 tons of used laminated glass. The majority of this glass is typically crushed and either disposed of in landfills as crushed dust or repurposed in applications like insulation and other materials.
Matec showcases an accomplished example of what can be recovered from a discarded automobile:
- Usable parts are disassembled and sold as spare parts.
- Separable materials like glass, copper, rubber, eco-leather, and leather are carefully selected before crushing, separating, and cleaning the metal parts.
The process involves crushing and meticulous separation of metals and impurities, leaving all remaining materials available to be used in a second life.
For Matec, re-creating is true innovation
In an era where objects are overproduced, consumed, and discarded, Matec places resource recycling at the center of its focus. The mission is to regenerate, create, and breathe new life into collected and recycled raw materials.
Matec acts beyond mere recycling by crafting exceptionally beautiful objects using materials rooted in the artisanal tradition of working with glass, metals, leather, plastic, and paper. Among the products generated by this recycling process are metal tea pots, glasses and glass vases, as well as small leather goods such as original business card holders.
The “Matec product” project is a perfect example of how this innovative approach is driving the future.
Matec has enlisted the expertise of glassblowers and artisanal foundries as vital contributors to the project showcased at Ecomondo. This reflects the charisma and ingenuity of Hokkaido, where the Islands mission is to breathe new life into everyday items, crafting remarkable and meaningful products. At Ecomondo, you’ll find a modest yet exciting and evocative representation of their work on display.
Matec Recycling currently operates three Zato Blue Devil shredders in its scrap yards. Zato takes great pride in hosting this project and being an integral part of this innovative journey.
Matec and Zato cordially invite you to visit Ecomondo Hall A3, booth 76, on November 15th from 9 AM to explore the “Matec Product” project. We greatly appreciate your attendance and thank you in advance for your attention and support!
