Research makes small industries more ' green '

The acronym P&D, research and development, is usually associated with large companies, which designed part of the billing. But small and medium-sized national industry prove that the practice is not restricted to the Giants and, in many cases, brings significant environmental gains.
Proof of this is the Bondmann chemistry, of Sao Paulo, which created the Fluid B90 aircraft, composed of biopolymer renewable source which, in contact with water, becomes a biolubrificante. This is a property before unthinkable in the industry, which uses the basic mineral or vegetable oil. The product has the same characteristics as lubricity and cooling, fundamental for the machining process.
Besides the ecological gain for being biodegradable and pollute 35% less than the semi-synthetic, Fluid B90 aircraft generates positive impact in other production-related issues. "Does not affect the health of the operator because it is not carcinogenic and toxic. And the company gets economic gain, since the point of refrigeration is bigger, less wearing the piece, "says founding partner William Bond.
For more than 20 years in the market, Bondmann invests 5% of annual sales in P&D so, won the title of first Brazilian company to develop a fluid free of oils, acquired the Green patent and entered with international patent application. From Fluid B90 aircraft, developed complete line free of oils for the metallurgical industry.
"They're marketed to 1,200 companies and the external market is a big lead," says Bond. According to him, the use of the products when machining improves in 30% to 40% the profitability of the operations and their customers had productivity gains of up to 300% on parts with only a tool.
Rice and rubber
Another industry that combines innovation and sustainability is the Rio Marina Rubbers. Founded 11 years ago, invests 8% of its turnover in P&D and found an ecological solution to reuse the rice husk ash, rich in silica. The Rio Grande do Sul accounts for 54% of the national production of the cereal. Hull waste emit methane gas and the disposal causes environmental problems.
"As a way to deal with the large volume of shell raised on State and solve environmental issues caused by his discard, the thermoelectric plants started to burn this raw material to use as energy source, obtaining at the end of the process the ash, which was not intended," says Diego Petkowicz, Marina P&D Rubbers.
After study, the manufacturer was able to apply this ash in composition of rubber, with 10% substitution of conventional raw materials, as the precipitated silica and carbon black.
"We made partnerships with the thermoelectric plants to be assured of this raw material and make a P&D area to work this material and make chemical and physical modifications necessary to validate the process," says the founder and Director of the company, Diana Fox.
Dietary fiber
With six years of existence, the company has managed to Limpgás support of the Federation de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Fapesp) to create a machine of reuse of organic waste, with the patent application. The process does not go through pyrolysis or gasification, conventional methods of composting. The project contemplates the machine milling steps, dehydration, sanitation and packaging.
With the method it will be possible to get the solid part of the fiber waste, which may be intended for animal nutrition. "We're in a test to see if it will be possible to achieve commercially this fiber, since it is not standardized," says partner Guilherme Gonçalves. The liquid material will be extracted and destined to another compartment of the machine will process for extraction of nutrients and the final destination will be reused water.