nir-vana innovation network

Safe transportation and long term storage of hazardous materials and waste is a demanding issue, since large amounts are generated through industrial processes, incineration plants, building waste, mining and soil rehabilitation. Various treatments methods are used to neutralize these materials e.g. chemical, physical or thermal processes. But there is still a certain amount of untreatable environmentally harmful waste materials as well as residues from the treatment processes that need to be transported and stored safely. Up until now metal containers or barrels are used to store hazardous materials inside the cavities of abandoned mining sites. But these are no long-term stable and thus environmentally safe storage solutions for these materials. In order to solve this problem a German company has developed a new kind of special glass compound container that is characterized by exceptional durability, physical strength as well as high chemical and temperature resistance (up to 1000 C°). They are applicable to chemicals e.g. used solvents, lubricators, dioxins, old pesticides, laboratory chemicals etc., but also for filter residues, hospital waste, materials polluted with heavy metals, war ammunition, etc. With regard to the safe transportation and long-term storage of these hazardous substances the technical properties of the new containers have been proven and certified by the respective authorities. In addition the containers are fitted with an outer packaging according to the specific application. The glass compound containers are stackable, easy to handle and to be filled and they are adaptable in size and shape to the particular application (cube or cylinder).
The company seeks partners from the waste / recycling sector dealing with hazardous waste, but also companies in the respective industrial sectors using environmentally harmful substances or producing hazardous waste materials. This includes transport as well as short or long-term storage of the hazardous (waste) materials.
Based on commercial agreements with technical assistance the containers will be adapted in shape, size, wall thickness, extra outer layer, as bulk storage solutions etc. to the specific application needs, which includes preparatory consulting services as well as technical advice during and after implementation.

Advantages & innovations

• Compared to metal storage containers the new glass compound containers feature high chemical and corrosion resistance as well as much longer durability and higher physical strength • In addition they are very temperature resistant up to 1000 C° - a big advantage compared to plastic containers • Being stackable the new containers are very space-saving during transport and storage • Size and shape of the containers can be adapted to user demands (square, cylindrical) • An additional outer packaging provides further physical protection

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

The company seeks commercial agreements with technical assistance with partners from the waste / recycling sector dealing with hazardous waste, but also companies in the respective industrial sectors using environmentally harmful substances or producing hazardous waste materials. The envisaged cooperation partners should be in need of new or alternative transport and/or storage solutions and are expected to provide specific technical data such as amount and type of the hazardous material or waste as well as frequency and capacity of the transport or storage needs. Thus, the company will adapt them to the specific application needs. The offer includes preparatory consulting services as well as technical assistance during and after implementation.