With EU support Automotive and Construction Textile Waste Becomes New Product

With the support of the European Union within the project “EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia,” two companies in the vicinity of Belgrade recycle automotive and construction textile waste to create new products. This contributes to the transition from a linear to a circular business model, more efficient use of resources and energy, reduction of waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as to cleaner environmental.

“These are just two out of many examples how the EU supports Serbia entrepreneurs, we give an opportunity to their creativity and ingenuity to help the country to become greener while also helping the economic to grow. Environment and economy must go together. Sustainable businesses are vital elements of a greener future.  We all benefit from a greener company”, stated H.E. Ambassador Emanuele Giaufret, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.

Thanks to EU co-financing, the company “Steel Impex” has acquired an air filtration system along with equipment that enables them to recycle 80%-90% of a single vehicle in Krnješevci. By separating different metal fractions from automotive waste, the company will produce high-purity metal granules that can be used by local foundries. This will reduce the amount of automotive waste in the country by over 165,000 tons in the next 20 years.

Reusing and reducing waste is beneficial for the environment, people and their health, but also for the economy as it reduces the cost of business operations and increases the competitiveness of companies in the foreign markets. Together with the European Union and other partners, UNDP will continue to support innovators whose initiatives contribute to the green transition of Serbia’s economy and society”, stated Yakup Beris, UNDP Serbia Resident Representative.

The EU Ambassador and the UNDP Resident Representative also visited the company “ArTech Engineering” from Dobanovci. The company develops a new material called “Retex”, to be produced out of textile leftovers from the production of tents, awnings, and tarpaulins. This material is suitable for use in construction, as insulation, and in interior decoration.

Within the “EU for the Green Agenda” initiative, 66 “green” innovations with a total value of 25 million USD, have been implemented so far, thanks to financial support of the EU, Switzerland, and the Government of Serbia.

The presentation of innovations by the companies “Steel Impex” and “ArTech Engineering” was organized within the “EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia” initiative, implemented by UNDP with the technical and financial support by the European Union, in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional funding provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia