PLATIO Solar Pavement: Green Energy from Walkways
About this good practice
The European continent and other developed societies have adopted stringent climate policies to curb global warming. The European Council’s Green Pact has set a target for the EU Member States to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero is a major challenge for all: the corporate and public sectors, but most importantly for high-emitting industries.
PLATIO can therefore be the cornerstone of a carbon-neutral future, contributing as a green building material to the reduction of carbon emissions from buildings and the decarbonization of urban transport. Homes, businesses, and even municipalities can increase the share of green energy in their energy mix by incorporating a carbon-free, energy-generating building material.
PLATIO addresses the challenge of integrating renewable energy into urban spaces without compromising aesthetics or functionality. Using high-performance solar cells embedded in recycled plastic frames, these pavers offer a durable, slip-resistant, and visually appealing solution for generating green energy in areas unsuitable for traditional solar panels. Stakeholders include urban planners, environmentalists, and the general public, benefiting from an increase in renewable energy sources and a decrease in plastic waste.
Resources needed
Project Identifier: GINOP-2.1.7-15-2016-00864
Project Title: Development of Modular Flooring System
Total Project Cost (HUF): 80,109,158
Support Rate (%): 60
Duration of the support: 19.06.2017.– 23.03.2021.
Evidence of success
It is estimated that for every ton of cement produced, the process creates approximately a ton of carbon dioxide, all of which accounts for roughly 7 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. The PLATIO saves the environment from approximately 25 kg of greenhouse gas emissions per square meter. PLATIO pavers are made from plastic waste, that can no longer be recycled any more. Production of 1 square metre of PLATIO pavers recycles the equivalent of 400 PET bottles.
Potential for learning or transfer
Its innovative use of recycled materials and integration into urban landscapes makes it an exemplary model for cities worldwide aiming for sustainability and green energy solutions.
At PLATIO, we consider it essential to participate in the circular economy.This is the reason why they have developed their production process for the use of mixed plastics as building materials, which cannot be recycled by other methods. They apply the circular economy approach at all points of production:
• The product is designed to be 95% recyclable at the end of its life cycle.
• During the supply of raw materials, they use wooden containers which are suitable for storing the products throughout the production process and can also be used for the delivery of products to the customer.
• Finally, mounted on a board, the customer can return it to us, so that these wooden storage elements keep their function and do not create waste.