Sustainability
Our world is our most significant asset. A building block of our overall strategy is investing in sustainability practices. Science must play a significant role in ensuring a flouring future for everyone. By default, at BFP, we are committed to this obligation. We exploit the power of our science in order to look beyond the current take-make-waste production model and accelerate the transition to a circular economy, focusing on positive social-economic benefits.
We work in alignment with the EU policies for sustainable development. Our products comply with the updated directives of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. We consider every aspect of the entire production chain by minimizing waste, keeping materials and products in use and regenerating compounds. We do more with less material. We make high use of eco-friendly raw materials and chemical substances which have been proven to pose none or low concerns to human health.
Downstream, we focus on the manufacturing of products that reduce the carbon footprint and protect the environment. For example, our surface treatment liquids are manufactured by reactions taking place in-situ, without the formation of waste products. In addition, our easy-to-clean coating series generates zero emissions to the environment and aid in significantly reducing the use of harmful cleansers and chemicals. Even more importantly, we are leveraging our knowledge and pursuing innovations to develop solutions which have a significant sustainability benefit over common alternatives. Below, three prominent examples of our devotion to innovation and science, as well as our orientation towards business sustainability are mentioned.
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Permanent antimicrobial coatings
Our patent pending process regarding permanent antifouling coatings that can offer 24/7 three-dimensional antimicrobial protection to hard surfaces is a typical example. These coatings provide microbe-static, bacteriostatic, fungistatic, and algistatic properties due to synergistic antimicrobial effects among their embedded components. Their efficacy against common bacteria exceeds 99,9999@ (6 log kill). More importantly, they do not promote the development of resistant superbugs and are not based on obsolete quaternary ammonium compound technologies, organosilane antimicrobials, silver, copper, triclosan or compounds that may leach into the environment.
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Development of antifouling coatings for ships
From 2017, our company takes part in the trilateral cooperation research program (RACkET) along with the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” and Stavros Niarchos Foundation for the development of a robust composite which will then be used in the formulation of highly effective and eco-friendly, antifouling coatings for ship’s hulls. The latter will possess a dual function, acting as antifoulants in static conditions and as both antifouling and foul-release coatings during ship’s movement. Aligned with the guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), these novel coatings have the potential of permanently replacing environmentally damaging coatings and paints. The research in this field continued further within the framework of the DRAstiC project, carried out in cooperation with NCSR-D and NTUA.
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Red mud waste treatment
Our international patent (WO2010079369A1) concerns the treatment of red mud waste produced by the aluminum industry. Besides reducing waste and producing high added-value specialty materials, this innovative process also allows for the recovery of the main proportion (more than 90%) of the alumina content found in red mud.
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Direct hydrogen production from sea water
One of our patents is about direct hydrogen production by heterogeneous catalytic electrolysis of sea water. This innovative and cost-effective magneto-electric process can be conducted at low temperatures with reasonable yields. Thus, the produced hydrogen can be sent to fuel cells to drive motors.
