The £250,000 plant in Irvine has been developed by electronics recycling firm Restructa and will allow it to clean cathode ray tubes removed from old televisions and computer monitors to be reused in cathode ray tube production abroad.
Minister Russell said: “It's good to hear good news stories especially in these difficult times for the economy but I believe there is always a place for good ideas and innovation and always a place in Scotland for entrepreneurs like Restructa's directors. In Scotland we need ambition and knowledge of how we are going to move forward.”
“What Restructa is doing is to help us adapt to a one planet lifestyle and that means taking the things we have and making sure they are reused. I've visited recycling centres throughout Scotland I've seen people bringing along their unwanted televisions and computer screens. These people want to know that something is going to happen to that equipment, that they are going to go back into the chain of use,” he added.
Washing
Bill Paterson, commercial director at Restructa, explained that the company's research had indicated a “strong market” for glass from cathode ray tunes beyond 2013.
He said: “We are negotiating with five manufacturers who are keen to purchase the glass which can be used to supplement up to 80% of the manufacture of a new CRT.”
“The new plant has come from Germany and is the best we could find in the world. As with everything else we do here at Restructa, quality and safety is at the forefront and we continue to lead the way for other recyclers in the UK,” he added.
The introduction of the glass washing facility follows £600,000 worth of investment at the Restructa's North Newmoor site, three miles from Ailsa Business Park. The North Newmoor site recovers copper, printed circuit boards, metals and plastics, with glass tubes split on specialist equipment and hazardous phosphor materials removed to make it safe.
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