Many people still do not know that there is an outstanding technique for recycling picture tubes (Cathode Ray Tube glass, CRT) from TVs and computer monitors. Today, at a rough estimate, every year 450,000 tons of cathode-ray tube glass end up in Europe's electronic waste. Approximately a third of the material is recycled and the remainder, about 300,000 tons is not recycled.
"The environmental advantages of recycling are significant, since a large proportion of the glass contains lead. Recycling means that this lead does not need to be replaced by new lead as a raw material. Recycling the glass saves large amounts of energy, compared to the production of new raw materials", says Staffan Johansson.
In five years, GRIAG Glasrecycling AG has multiplied production many times over and receives glass from customers in ten European countries. The CRT glass is refined to a high-quality raw material and it is supplied to picture tube manufacturers.
"We have capacity for further growth. Moreover, we are investing in several innovations and we will soon launch several new CRT glass products.
At GRIAG's facility, about 90-95 percent of the glass from the picture tubes is recycled in accordance with the applicable environmental legislation. With an outstanding technique, large quantities of mixed glass from display screens are separated and recycled. The glass is washed and ferrous oxide, aluminum oxide and the fluorescent layer are removed.
"There are many millions of screens with CRT glass in use across Europe. Moreover, every year about 60-80 million new monitors and TVs are manufactured with this type of glass. The reason is that the low consumer price attracts buyers, primarily in Asia and Africa," says Staffan Johansson.
"Electronic products with CRT glass will continue to be manufactured, used and scrapped for many years to come, despite the invasion of LCD displays."
GRIAG Glasrecycling AG is part of the Stena Metall Group, which is Europe's leading recycler of electronics.
"This makes it possible for us to guarantee financial security in our dealings with our customers. This is important in a world that is currently characterized by financial instability."