How many plants are now in operation?
Vinyloop® is a new process, invented in 1998. The first plant in Ferrara, Italy, started production in February 2002. There are currently several feasibility studies going on in various countries (Spain, France, Germany, Benelux, the USA, Japan, etc.)
What Capital Investment and Return On Investment do you expect?
We are currently estimating the cost of a 10,000 metric tons/year facility to be US$12m, +/- 15% for a 'greenfield' type of facility. This cost can be much lower depending on what is available at the targeted site (existing utilities, offices, warehouses, etc.)
The Return on Investment depends largely on the market price of the recycled PVC compound. In most cases, it is expected to exceed 10%.
At what price do you expect to sell the regenerated PVC compound?
It is important to note that the recovered material is more than a just an ordinary recycled PVC compound. It is actually a precipitated PVC compound with properties comparable to prime compounds, except for the color which depends on the raw material. Considering its qualities, the regenerated PVC compound would be available at a price a few percent lower than the equivalent virgin PVC compound.
What level of staffing is needed for a Vinyloop® facility?
Our Italian plant has 14 employees, including the Plant manager, but excluding the maintenance staff who are sub-contracted. There are 2 workers per shift.
How much space is required for a Vinyloop® facility?
Building a 10 kt per year Vinyloop® plant, with its offices, warehouses and chemical facilities, requires an area of 100m by 50m.
