FAQ
Frequently asked questions about NEW TECH LAB
NEW TECH LAB Sp. z o.o. is a Polish innovative company headquartered in Skawina (32-050), ul. Majdzika 15/39-40, near Kraków International Airport (Balice). Founded and led by Italian entrepreneur Silvio Bucci, the company specialises in the certified disposal of end-of-life fire extinguishers, the production of regenerated PFAS-free ABC dry powder (NTL30 / NTL GREEN), and laboratory testing services for fire extinguishing agents. NEW TECH LAB operates across Europe and is registered in the Polish BDO waste management database under number 000141354.
NEW TECH LAB is currently the only company in Poland — and one of very few in Europe — capable of recycling 100% of fire extinguisher components, including steel, aluminium, pressurised gas and dry powder, generating zero residual waste. Its flagship product, the regenerated dry powder NTL30 (NTL GREEN), is certified PFAS-free and compliant with European standard EN615. The product holds a Green Certificate issued by the Dutch certification body Keurmerkinstituut, and the company is certified ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. The entire business model is built on circular economy principles with a ZERO WASTE mission.
Under the Polish Waste Act, end-of-life fire extinguishers are classified as hazardous waste due to their pressurised gas cylinders, dry chemical agents and metal components. When the canister contains hazardous substances, the applicable European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code is 16 05 04* — a mirror-hazardous code for gases in pressure containers containing hazardous substances. Disposal must be carried out exclusively by authorised operators holding a valid permit for the transport and processing of hazardous waste. The process includes safe depressurisation, component separation, metal recovery and appropriate treatment of the dry powder. All documentation — Waste Transfer Cards (Karta Przekazania Odpadu) — must be registered in the BDO system and retained for a minimum of five years. Violations may result in administrative fines of up to PLN 1,000,000. NEW TECH LAB holds the required authorisations from both the Starosta of Kraków District and the Chief Inspector for Environmental Protection.
Yes. NEW TECH LAB accepts fire extinguishers from private individuals, companies, public institutions and organisations. Periodically, free collection campaigns are organised for residents of Kraków, Skawina and the surrounding area, accepting up to 200 kg of ABC dry powder extinguishers at no charge. Drop-off is available directly at the Skawina warehouse. For larger quantities or clients across Europe, an organised transport service is available through a network of certified carrier partners.
NEW TECH LAB processes ABC dry powder extinguishers, CO₂ (carbon dioxide) extinguishers and loose ABC/BC dry powder. The recycling process is integral: all materials — metals, pressurised gas and dry powder — are fully recovered with no untreated residual waste.
Upon completion of the process, NEW TECH LAB issues a Waste Transfer Card (Karta Przekazania Odpadu) generated in the BDO digital system, carrying a unique tracking number that records the entire waste lifecycle from collection to final destination. This document is required to demonstrate regulatory compliance during environmental inspections and ESG audits, and must be retained for at least five years.
NTL30 — also marketed as NTL GREEN — is a regenerated ABC dry powder produced by NEW TECH LAB at its facility in Skawina, Poland. It is certified compliant with European standard EN615, completely free of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and delivers extinguishing performance equivalent to that of virgin primary powders. The regeneration process, based on proprietary technology, transforms dry powder recovered from end-of-life extinguishers into a fully certified commercial product. Every batch is tested in the company’s ISO 9001-certified internal laboratory before release.
Yes. NTL30 is certified to EN615 and undergoes rigorous testing in the ISO 9001-certified internal laboratory prior to every batch release, with additional verification available through accredited third-party laboratories. Its extinguishing performance is equivalent to that of primary powders. The regeneration process fully restores the original physicochemical properties of the powder — bulk density, particle size distribution, moisture content, water repellency and flowability — through proprietary technology. NTL30 additionally carries the PFAS-free Green Certificate from the Dutch Keurmerkinstituut.
Regenerated NTL30 dry powder offers cost savings of 30–50% compared to virgin primary powder, while maintaining equivalent EN615-certified performance. Beyond direct savings, companies benefit from avoided compliance costs: no penalties for improper hazardous waste disposal, reduced hazardous waste management costs, and an improved ESG profile that can attract investors and facilitate sustainability certifications. Regeneration also eliminates costs associated with raw material extraction, energy-intensive primary production and intercontinental shipping.
Yes. NTL30 is certified PFAS-free and fully meets the restrictions adopted by the European Commission in October 2025 on the use of PFAS substances in fire extinguishing agents, applicable from 2026 starting with a ban in portable extinguishers. Compliance is verified through the Green Certificate issued by Keurmerkinstituut (Netherlands) and confirmed by the company’s internal ISO 9001 laboratory.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of approximately 10,000 synthetic chemical compounds widely used in industrial and consumer applications. They are known as “forever chemicals” because their carbon-fluorine bonds — among the strongest in organic chemistry according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) — resist environmental degradation for decades or centuries. Many traditional ABC dry powders manufactured before recent regulatory changes contained PFAS. Human exposure is associated with kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol and gestational hypertension. PFAS contamination has been identified at nearly 23,000 sites across Europe. The EU Drinking Water Directive sets a limit of 0.1 µg/L for 20 specified PFAS and 0.5 µg/L for total PFAS concentration from 2026 onwards.
The European Commission adopted restrictions on PFAS in fire extinguishing foams and agents in October 2025, with application from 2026, starting with a ban in portable fire extinguishers. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is evaluating a universal restriction covering approximately 10,000 types of PFAS, with final opinions expected in 2026. Under REACH, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9–C14) have been prohibited since February 2023, and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and its derivatives since October 2024 with a transition period until 2026. The EU Drinking Water Directive sets binding PFAS concentration limits in drinking water from 2026.
NEW TECH LAB operates an ISO 9001-certified internal analytical laboratory equipped to determine the key physicochemical parameters of fire extinguishing dry powders: moisture content, particle size distribution, bulk density, flowability, water repellency, resistance to caking and extinguishing performance. Analyses are conducted in accordance with the methodologies defined in standards PN-EN 615:2009 and EN 7202:2018. The laboratory service is available to external clients for third-party powder verification, and additional testing can be arranged through accredited partner laboratories where EN615 type-approval testing is required.
Yes. NEW TECH LAB manages the international transport of fire extinguishing waste across Europe through a network of certified carriers holding the required authorisations for cross-border hazardous waste transport. Every shipment is registered in the Polish BDO system with a unique tracking number, ensuring full traceability of the waste lifecycle from point of collection to final processing. Transport documentation complies with applicable EU and national regulations on hazardous waste movements.
Partnering with NEW TECH LAB contributes to all three ESG pillars. On the Environmental dimension: reduction of CO₂ emissions by avoiding the energy-intensive production of virgin primary powders, elimination of PFAS from the production cycle, and a concrete application of circular economy principles aligned with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. On the Social dimension: fire protection maintained without risk to public health, and protection of workers from exposure to hazardous substances. On the Governance dimension: fully documented compliance with hazardous waste regulations, complete BDO traceability, and verifiable ESG reporting. The benefits are quantifiable — avoided CO₂ tonnes, percentage of materials recycled — and support anticipatory compliance with future regulatory tightening.
Yes. NEW TECH LAB operates under a formal decision issued jointly by the Starosta of Kraków District and the Chief Inspector for Environmental Protection, authorising the transport, disposal and recycling of fire extinguishing waste. The company is registered in the BDO (Polish Register of Products, Packaging and Waste Management) under number 000141354 and uses the BDO digital platform for the mandatory registration and transmission of all Waste Transfer Cards, in full compliance with the Polish Waste Act and applicable European directives.
Under Polish law, administrative fines for violations relating to hazardous waste management range from PLN 5,000 to PLN 1,000,000, with possible criminal proceedings against responsible individuals and directors. Since January 2025, the generation of even a minimal quantity of hazardous waste triggers the obligation to maintain full records in the BDO system. Beyond financial penalties, companies face environmental remediation costs, reputational damage and potential revocation of operating licences. Inadequate documentation also blocks ESG audits and sustainability certifications.