Following the conclusion of the tender procurement tender announced by SIA “Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators” (DIO), the Norwegian company Tomra Systems ASA (Tomra), which is a manufacturer of packaging collection and sorting equipment with almost 50 years of experience in the industry, has acquired the right to accept automated deposit packaging in Latvia.
After concluding the contract and specifying the location and locations of specific taromat models, the production process of the equipment will begin, in order to start the first deliveries of the equipment to the packaging acceptance points already in September. It is planned that the deposit system will start operating in Latvia on February 1, 2022.
The offer submitted by Tomra was recognized as the most technically advanced, reliable and well-thought-out offer with the lowest price offered. A tariff rental model was chosen for the cooperation, in which Tomra provides the deployment of all infrastructure and the establishment of the IT system, as well as the maintenance of equipment during operation, receiving a reward for each automatically accepted package when the system becomes operational.
The tariffs included in Tomra’s offer will also support the possibilities of expanding the deposit system in the future, which can be realized by supplementing the existing equipment with new modules and software.
All costs related to the rental and management of machines will be covered by the Deposit System Operator (DIO).
“We are really pleased that, thanks to fierce competition, the Latvian deposit system and the population have managed to provide the best available packaging acceptance technological solution, which has successfully proven itself in deposit system countries such as Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, etc. Establishment of deposit acceptance infrastructure is a very responsible task, as it goes hand in hand with the sustainability of the system and the overall experience and desire of the population to hand over empty beverage packaging. Given the short time available to implement the deposit system, the partner’s experience and available resources are very important. Tomra will help us to create a modern, safe and practically tested deposit system, which will allow us to fulfill the set goals in protecting the environment, ”says Miks Stūrītis, Chairman of the Board of SIA“ Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators ”.
Despite the result of the competition, DIO has a positive view of the potential of Latvian producers and wants to support local talents as well.
We want to implement a pilot program and give another participant in the competition – the domestic company SIA “WinGo Deposit” (WinGo) – to prove the efficiency of their technologies in practice. As the WinGo device has not yet been certified and tested in real operation, we will support and be ready to test the WinGo device so that it can obtain the necessary operator approval as a result of its successful operation. If the WinGo taromat has proven its effectiveness in practice and obtains the necessary certification, we will offer testing of the device in real conditions at several packaging acceptance points. We hope that this pilot program and cooperation will be a successful starting point for a domestic company, so that in the future it can also start in other similar procurements, ”adds M.Stūrītis.
The Latvian Retailers’ Association, which has joined the DIO with the aim of ensuring the representation of trading companies in the implementation and administration of a unified deposit system, also got acquainted with the submitted offers. “It is important for traders, who will be the most direct maintainers of taromats, that these devices provide excellent experience and convenience for customers, as well as convenient management staff. The Tomra brand is the first choice of retailers around the world. Taking into account the company’s previous experience and involvement in deposit systems in many countries, and Tomra’s offer for the Latvian market, we hope that the selected candidate will be able to deliver taromata to our country most efficiently, ”comments Laila Vārtukapteine, Chairman of the Board and ELVI Latvija Commercial Director.
“We are proud to have been selected as a partner of Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators SIA,” says Harald Henriksen, Head of Collection Solutions at Tomra Systems ASA. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to start cooperation to establish a world-class deposit system in Latvia, as well as to create about 30 long-term environmental jobs in our new structural unit in Latvia. Tomra welcomes Latvia’s initiative in promoting the circular economy and will try to make the involvement of industry, retailers and consumers in the deposit system as easy as possible, thus contributing to the sustainability of the planet. “
A total of 5 manufacturers and suppliers submitted bids in the tender for the procurement of taromats – Tomra Systems ASA, RVM Systems, WinGo Deposit Ltd. in cooperation with Pandipakendi Automatilise Käitlussüsteem OÜ (PAK OU) and UAB Taromatu Servisas, Envipco Holding NV ”In cooperation with SIA“ Hansab ”, as well as“ Innovative Ecological Platform ”(Ecoplatform).
The main criteria for selecting the winner of the tender were not only compliance with the minimum requirements set by the DIO and the tender regulations, but also important factors such as bid price, company’s professional experience in similar projects, project implementation plan details and planned human resources, financial stability and several technical aspects. market and production readiness, installation capacity and other relevant factors.
The results of the tender were evaluated and final approval was given by the Deposit Scheme Council, which includes DIO members.
It is planned that on February 1, 2022, a unified deposit system for beverage packaging will start operating in Latvia. The deposit system will be able to transfer packaging of glass, plastic (PET) and metal (cans) soft drinks, all types of beer and other alcoholic beverages (less than 6%). For each purchased deposit package, the resident will have to pay a deposit in the amount of 0.10 EUR, which can be returned after handing over the package, if the package to be handed over has a special identification mark and barcode, as well as the package is emptied.
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