Boards made from marine litter

Mares Circulares, initiated in 2018, aims to clean the coasts, protected areas, and seabed of Spain and Portugal and promote material reuse.

Approximately 5,200 kilograms (11,464 pounds) of debris, collected by volunteer fishermen, was processed. Non-PET plastic was sent to the Instituto Tecnológico de Plástico (AIMPLAS), where it was transformed into usable material.

The processed marine litter and fishing nets arrive in our workshop clean and crushed, ready for the heat press.

We mix them with the base material (polypropylene), carefully considering the desired proportions and quantities to achieve the specific texture, color, or thickness needed.

Before placing the plastic in the sheet press, we use an industrial dryer to remove moisture.

Once the material is dry and mixed, it can be taken to the sheet press.

We adapted a carpentry press to include heating and automation systems for board production.

Our sheet press can produce boards measuring 220cm x 90cm (86.6 inches x 35.4 inches) with thicknesses ranging from 1cm to 3cm (0.4 inches to 1.2 inches).

The machine operates at an average temperature of 180°C (356°F) to melt the plastic.

As with any plastic processing, excess material on the edges must be trimmed.

After removing the board from the sheet press, it is important to store it in a large space to prevent deformation or bending.

These boards can be used to create a variety of products, including decorative items and furniture.