國際環保博覽

The veteran green company has turned tyre waste into flooring and walls that will line the stables and a clinic at the Olympic equestrian venue in Hong Kong to protect the valuable horses taking part in the event.

The contract is a significant coup for Jets Technics, a leading manufacturer of recycled and recreational products that has been pioneeering green technology in Hong Kong for the past 27 years.

"There will be a good number of valuable horses coming for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Event," said John So Chi-chun, Assistant Director of Jets Technics. "To protect the horses' hooves from being hurt, special materials need to be used in the walls and floorings of stables and the equestrian hospital.

Anti-bacterial

"The material should be elastic and water proof, and convenient for easy cleaning. The walls and floorings need to be kept dry and clean, so bacteria is not allowed to breed. Jets Technics is the only recycling company that manufactures this material, and provides a full range service such as repairs, maintenance and user guidance."

More than 6,000 tyres collected from airlines and major bus franchises were used to make the 9,196 mats that will line the walls of four stables, a treatment centre and corridors that will be used by the horses. The mats, from 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm thick, are made of compressed-rubber.

Company director So Tat-wing said tyre waste was more flexible and cheaper than other materials, enabling his firm to win the key contract. He founded the company in 1980 when environmental awareness was much less topical than it is today.

"I observed heaps of deserted old tyres in the streets, then an idea came into my mind. Why not make the best use of it to make money?" he recalled. "After all, those old tyres could be obtained without any cost. That is a good business with a promising future."

Innovation triumphs

Mr So intended to turn the tyres into soft cushions, but there was no suitable equipment available. So the innovative mechanic decided to make the machinery himself. Through recycling technology, advanced design and construction skills, the company has since developed a series of unique products and brands, including JREX (fibre wood plastic), CHILDSPEC (for playground equipments) and PLAYCUSHION (a safety surface).

What started as a small local company with a few dozen employees has grown into a leading international recycled and recreational products manufacturer. The company listed on Singapore Stock Exchange in 2004 and now has some 300 people on the payroll. Jets operates a production base in Tai Po and another in the Chinese mainland.

Today, Jets Technics products are chosen in almost all the public parks and playgrounds in Hong Kong and are used as far afield as Spain and Japan, with potential business in Australia and Canada. Government departments account for 60 percent of the firm's total clients.

After winning a lease for 100,000 square feet of land in the first phase of the government's upcoming EcoPark, Jets expects to use up to 8,000 tonnes of waste tyres each year, out of 30,000 tonnes dumped in the city annually. "The implementation of EcoPark project is a powerful stimulant to boost the industry," said Mr So.

HK advantage

The firm believes Hong Kong is a great base for recycling industries. "Most of the cost of recycling is transportation. Hong Kong is a densely populated place with buildings highly concentrated. If the recycling system operates well it means a huge reduction in transportation cost and this is a competitive edge over many other countries." Hong Kong’s location as a transport hub also reduced export costs, he added.

"The recycling industry has been developed as a high value added business," said Mr So, who hopes other Hong Kong companies will follow suit. "Rubbish no longer simply means dumping something without any value. It hinges on how best you can make use of it. We have endowed it with new life and new value.

"Gone are the days of traditional economic mode of consumer society characterised by mass production, mass consumption and mass dumping. People should maximise the best possible economic and social benefits with the least consumption of resources and environmental costs - this paves the way for a sustainable future that sees the balance between economic growth and a healthy ecosystem."