Czech Oil-Recycling Technology Used in China

5 Feb. 2014 | CzechInvest | Hydal technology developed by scientists in Brno.

Ladislav Mareš (Nafigate Corporation a.s.) – photo 1

A technology mission to China organised in autumn last year by CzechInvest, the Czech Embassy in Beijing and other partners has helped to enhance cooperation between the Chinese firm Suzhou Cleanet and the Czech company Nafigate Corporation a.s. The resulting agreement will enable Suzhou Cleanet to use ecological technology that recycles used frying oil.

“We are very pleased that CzechInvest could be a part of the preparations that preceded the signing of this joint agreement signalling the inception of very interesting cooperation,” says Marian Piecha, CEO of CzechInvest.

The Czech Hydal technology, which was developed by a team of scientist led by Professor Ivana Márová of Brno University of Technology, makes it possible to convert used frying oil into a biopolymer, which can then be used in the production of bioplastic packaging that degrades over time and thus will not pose a significant threat to the environment. Hydal’s advantage over competing technologies is that, other than used oil, it does not consume other raw materials, such as corn or sugar.

“The Chinese side is very interested in biotechnology, as we offer a solution to one of China’s major problems. The Chinese market has an enormous surplus of used cooking oil, which is a waste product, so significantly economical operation of the Hydal technology can be achieved,” explains Ladislav Mareš, chairman NAFIGATE Corporation’s board of directors. A pilot line is already being prepared in China and the first plant will be built concurrently with it.

During the technology mission of CzechInvest and its partners to China in autumn last year, the Czech and Chinese parties clarified their technological capabilities and ambitions in the sector. At the same time, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and the Chinese governmental organisation SIPAC (Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee) signed a memorandum of understanding that will serve as the basis for financing Czech-Chinese cooperation.

Nafigate Corporation brings together experts in the field of science and is building a global centre of excellence whose objective is transfer of high-tech products and innovative technologies. Besides biotechnology, the company is bringing to the Chinese market projects focused on development of a new energy-saving generation of nanofibre membranes for use in water-treatment technologies, the textile industry and batteries. The company also operates the NanoFibres Gateway, the world’s first internet portal focused on nanofibres, at www.nafigate.com.