20 September 2023
Achtergrondartikelen
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More than 8 million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans every year. In this, stray ropes and nets are the most deadly form of waste for marine life, according to figures from the Plastic Soup Foundation. This is just the tip of the iceberg when we talk about the plastic problem. This is where Healix wants to do something about it.
Marcel Alberts, founder and managing director of Healix: "We transform discarded ropes and nets from fishing and agriculture into 'circular polymers' of very high quality. In other words: plastic granules that customers can use to make new ropes and nets again. But not only that. Our customers also use our granules to make shampoo bottles or beer crates, for example."
"We prefer to work as close to the source of the waste as possible"
Maastricht and beyond
Maastricht and beyond
Marcel: "With help from LIOF, we can further improve our first factory in Maastricht. But, there is so much of this kind of waste and insane market demand for circular products. We therefore want to build other factories in Europe and beyond soon. We prefer to do that close to the source of the waste."
The goal is clear, so are the challenges
.A circular economy is essential to address current problems with climate, biodiversity and pollution. We all agree on that. But this is easier said than done. Healix is therefore facing challenges after an impressive start. Marcel: "Think of the poor economic climate, low prices for virgin plastic and delayed legislation for reuse of plastics." The majority of producers therefore still feel only a limited need to deploy recycled materials in larger volumes.
"Together we reduce our carbon footprint"
Moving full steam ahead
Moving full steam ahead
Marcel is therefore looking ahead with undiminished enthusiasm. "At the moment, we are busy filling the requested board. So that we can scale up our activities in Maastricht even further and strengthen our position beyond. With the goal: a positive change in the plastics chain. Because that is what we are doing it for."
Stop talking and just do it!
Marcel encourages other entrepreneurs to also undertake for a healthy and sustainable future: "Orient yourself well by talking a lot with other entrepreneurs and companies. But at some point you just have to start doing it. Things never turn out exactly as you planned. Then rely on your own creativity and perseverance - and that of your team, of course. That's how you get more done than you think!"