Vestshell takes an important step
Precision cast part by Vestshell as seen by X-ray.
The Vestshell foundry, which produces precision castings for the medical, commercial, defense, nuclear and aerospace industries, has been working for several years to optimize its operations to improve its financial balance sheet and reduce its environmental impact. To this end, the Montréal-North company gave a mandate to the Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle (CTTÉI) to identify outlets for two foundry residues from its operations: a ceramic material from foundry moulds and an aluminum oxide.
Linking supply and demand
Based on the physicochemical properties of the two materials, the CTTÉI was able to identify half a dozen potential uses and contacted potential tenants to confirm their acceptability criteria. Thanks to its extensive network of contacts, CTTÉI was able to identify a partner of choice for the company, Gestion RLC, for whom the materials had a definite interest.
Considerable economic and environmental impact
Ceramic residue from Vestshell split moulds.
Vestshell estimates that 143 metric tonnes of material will now be diverted from landfill each year, representing a savings of $25,000. "Such a project would not have been possible without the help of the CTTEI," says Greg Laflamme, Vestshell's Director of Operations.
A summary analysis estimates the amount of greenhouse gases avoided at 60 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, the impact of 13 cars taken off the road.
This project was made possible through a Partnership Engagement Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
