Pressed leather from footwear industry waste is produced at the VSTU technopark

Scientists and representatives of Bellegprom enterprises discussed the problems of processing textile and light industry waste during a scientific and practical conference at VSTU.

Trimmings, shavings, textile residues, fibers, and even dust can bring profit to manufacturers with the right approach. But, unfortunately, many enterprises literally bury their money in the ground, as the main method of waste disposal today is landfilling.

Last year alone, 20.5 thousand tons of solid industrial waste (SIW) were generated at light industry enterprises, more than half of this volume – about 11 thousand tons – was sent to landfills, for which manufacturers had to pay more than 5 trillion rubles (before denomination) of environmental tax to the budget. Not a cheap pleasure, but scientists offer modern technologies, thanks to which a significant part of this "treasure" can be effectively processed for further use.

Opening the scientific and practical forum, First Deputy Chairman of the Bellegprom concern Vyacheslavirusin noted that for a number of industries, the issues of rational handling of solid industrial waste have been resolved through their utilization or sale to processing enterprises, but for some manufacturers, especially in the leather industry, which accounts for up to 95% of SIW volume, this topic remains relevant.

He also added that the concern and Vitebsk State Technological University have close cooperative ties, and the development of technologies for the utilization and secondary circulation of light and textile industry waste is among the most promising areas of cooperation. In particular, the university's technopark has equipment that allows for the recycling of certain types of waste.

by-products of production and to manufacture a range of products.

– Given the variety of waste, it is impossible to devise a single processing technology. In each specific case, it is necessary to research the composition and find a specific method. Industrial enterprises lack the technical capabilities, equipment, and specialists for this. University scientists can provide assistance; moreover, the VSTU technopark has an experimental production unit for processing light industry waste, which is included in a special register. We also have a license for the use of waste of hazard classes 1-3, – said **Konstantin Matveev, Director of the VSTU Science and Technology Park**.

Forum participants were able to practically assess the capabilities of the equipment set for the main processing stages: grinding using two types of crushers, extrusion of a profile product, and obtaining granules with subsequent forming on presses.

In addition, the university offers options for utilizing footwear industry waste. For example, by adding polymer material to trimming, shavings, and dust, one can obtain composite (so-called pressed) leather – a high-quality analogue of natural leather. From synthetic leather waste, it is possible to produce linoleum, film coatings, and by chemical restoration, obtain the initial components. Technologies for the production of composite leathers and textile materials, and geogrids used in garden design, road construction, and the manufacture of geotextiles have also been developed for this type of waste.

An example of a successful business based on the utilization of by-products is the Postavy "Belit" Plant. Director

Dmitry Chizhevsky, head of the enterprise, presented the results of his production at the forum.

– Currently, we are the largest processor not only in Belarus but also in Russia, and we are among the top ten leading European enterprises in a similar field. Per month, we utilize up to a thousand tons of textile industry waste. For comparison, our three main competitors in the Russian Federation together process only 700 tons during the same period. Three years ago, we started with small volumes, taking German companies, which have been in this business for over a hundred years, as an example. As a result, last year we generated half a million dollars in export revenue, and in 2016 – 1 million dollars. Waste recycling, if properly organized, is an extremely profitable business, – emphasized Dmitry Borisovich.

During the "round table" and discussions with specialists, conference participants also addressed issues of environmental legislation, possible ways of working with the volume and structure of generated waste, the economic feasibility of its recycling, specifics of marketing in recycling, and the implementation and selection of appropriate technologies.

Natalia Kamleva. Photo by Dmitry Osipov. "Vitebskiye vesti".