RIMIR, S.A. de C.V.

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Injection Molding

Industry: Plastics

Wastes Reduced: Plastic

Equipment: Drum Pumps

Location: Matamoros MEXICO

No. of employees: 850

Contact: D. Williams

Description:

RIMIR produces bumpers for several models of GM automobiles. The bumpers are formed in Reaction Injection Molding equipment where isocyanate and polyol are combined to form polyurethane. The chemicals were withdrawn into volumetric containers and taken in the injection molding machines. This practice resulted in waste due to cling on the containers and spills and drips from the transfer process. To eliminate the waste generated from this system, RIMIR purchased flow pumps (lobe flow pumps to handle the viscous material purchased from MGI Pumps, Inc. Kenosha, WI) to continuously pump the chemicals directly to the equipment as needed. This eliminated the transfer step into the volumetric containers, greatly reducing the amount of handling involved with the old process. Together with improved preventive maintenance procedures to eliminate leaks on piping for all machines and systems, significant waste reductions were achieved.

Environmental Benefits:

The resulting pollution reduction is the elimination of 346 drums of hazardous and nonhazardous waste for 1994. In addition, since there is less handling of chemicals, there is less exposure of workers to toxic chemicals and a reduced risk of accidents.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The estimated cost savings from reduced purchase of raw materials and reduced disposal of waste was $235,000 for 1994.

Source: TCEQ