Recycling innovators win $30,000 from DaimlerChrysler

Molectra Technologies, a Queensland research company, has scooped the DaimlerChrysler Environmental Research award for 2007.

For those who came in late, the Banksia Environmental Foundation announces a number of awards each year, going to individuals or corporations that have made some contribution to the environment in one way or another.

DaimlerChrysler's sponsorship of the eponymous award on the program this year comprised a $30,000 cash prize for the winner, Molectra.

The award was handed over to John Dobozy Junior from Molectra Technologies (left of picture) and his father John Dobozy (right) by David McCarthy, Senior Manager Corporate Communications, DaimlerChrysler.

Molectra has developed a process to separate the individual materials that form a tyre's construction, for recycling. Where the process deserves to be feted lies in the use of hydrocarbon-based products recovered from the tyres to power the entire recovery process. This is done without residue or emissions and what remains of the tyre can be sold to fund the whole operation.

Presenting the award, David McCarthy said "Having developed a process that reclaims all of the components that make up a tyre cleanly and efficiently, and one that is realistic and commercially viable, Molectra is a worthy winner of this environmental award and DaimlerChrysler are proud to recognise their outstanding work."

According to Molectra Technologies, around 18 million tyres are discarded in Australia each year. Of those 57 per cent go to landfill and 13 per cent are dumped illegally.

DaimlerChrysler's local environmental credentials include a 115 per cent carbon offset program which features tree planting as one element.

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