Launching A Profitable Solid Waste Treatment Plant

Many people don’t realize how profitable it can be to invest in something like a solid waste treatment plant. If you’re trying to make a smart investment, you should try to find out more about these plants and the benefits that they offer. That way, you’ll be able to make sure your plant pays off for you.

Solid Waste Treatment Plant Design
Solid Waste Treatment Plant Design

There’s A Lot Of Demand For Treatment Plants

There’s a great deal of solid waste that needs to be properly treated. Because of this, the solid waste treatment plant is helpful. Whether you take over an existing plant or launch a new plant, it’s clear that this can be a profitable venture.

The demand for these kinds of plants is steadily increasing, and investors can earn a big profit if they are able to meet these demands. You should learn more about what it would cost to launch a solid waste treatment plant and decide how you would like to proceed.

There Are Affordable Options

Generally speaking, investing in a solid waste treatment plant like this is going to be costly. Because a municipal solid waste processing plant is always large and advanced. You can expect to pay much on a plant like this. With that said, there are a number of ways you could lower the cost of your investment. If you want to know more about the garbage recycling plant cost, check the page here: https://wasterecyclingplant.com/garbage-recycling-plant-cost/.

Garbage Sorting Plant in China
Garbage Sorting Plant in China

One of the best ways to save when buying a plant is to purchase your plant from a foreign country. If you buy a plant from a country like China, you’ll be able to spend less while still receiving everything that you need.

Be Prepared For Problems

You can’t assume that you won’t have any issues with your new solid waste treatment plant. As a matter of fact, there is a very high chance that you will run into problems for another.

If you’re ready for these obstacles, you’ll be able to make sure that they won’t cause a major issue for you. If you’re not prepared for these kinds of issues, they could cause your investment to fail before it ever gets off of the ground. So you can check some related blogs to get more information, for example, http://wasteenergymachine.webstarts.com/. Also, check some videos to know the plant better.

 

There are different models of solid waste treatment equipment for sale. The size of the machines will be dependent upon the facility you are at. If it is for a large city, you may have a large automatic waste segregation machine. If you can invest in one, you will be ready to start looking at your business in a different way. You will realize that it is definitely worth every penny that you have invested as you begin to sell off portions of this rubbish for a profit to different businesses.

If you plan ahead and follow the advice above, you should be able to make a lot of money by investing in a solid waste treatment plant. A plant like this can be an excellent investment, and it’s definitely something worth looking into. Try the tips above and learn more about these types of investments.

Benefits Of The Waste to Energy Plants

If you work in the trash and recycling business and need an effective way to sort the trash you need to invest in a MSW sorting machine. This plant is very effective at sorting trash and it can sort out all of the trash that you have with a 95 percent efficiency rate. There are a lot of different things you can do with this MSW sorting plant and it is a great addition when you are trying to take care of your needs. See the egg carton manufacturing process.

MSW Sorting Machine for Sale
MSW Sorting Machine for Sale

The plant uses screens and it also uses magnets to separate out the garbage into piles. Once the trash is separated you can easily sell it and make money with it. The sorting plant is affordable and it helps you do what you need it to do. There are lots of exciting things you can do with this machine and it can help you make so much money. If you need to make more money and you want a machine that separates out the trash you need to make sure that you choose this machine.  See the solid waste management plant design here. Get the pellet maker for sale to make pellet from biomass.

This plant can process tons of trash each hour and it provides you with a very affordable way to take care of a lot of your trash needs. The plant is very easy to use and it is going to help you take care of a lot of different types of trash. When you need to choose this plant make sure that you take your time when you are looking for the machine you want to use.

Reasonable Beston Solid Waste Sorting Plant Price
Reasonable Beston Solid Waste Sorting Plant Price

You can take care of so much trash when you use this machine and it helps you deal with all of your issues. The plant will automatically sort all of the trash and you won’t have to wait a long time to get all of the trash sorted out. There are so many options when you choose the machine. You might need to work with the manufacturer so you can find the option that is going to work best for your needs.

The sorting plant is affordable and it helps you separate out the trash fast. You can process so much trash with this machine and you can easily take care of your sorting needs with this machine. You should make sure that you work hard and get the right machine so you can do so much more. This machine is very easy to use and you should make sure that you take the time to look for the machine that is going to be the right fit for your business. Finally, see the tire pyrolysis equipment to pyrolyze tyre waste.

You have so many choices and you can quickly take care of all of your needs when you choose the machine that can separate out all of the garbage you need to separate. This machine can help you in so many ways and you can easily take care of all of your needs when you use it. This web offers solid waste sorting machines with different capacity. The right sorting plant is going to help you save a lot of money. This biomass charcoal machine is a great investment and it is what you need.

What Does A Waste Sorting Machine Do?

When you throw something away, you most likely don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what happens to it next. The items that you throw in the trash, however, usually go through a complex sorting process. This process is designed to remove recyclable materials, to reduce the volume of waste that makes its way into the landfill, and to prevent valuable or reusable materials from getting thrown away.

The sorting process is handled by special waste sorting machine. These machines can vary in terms of their size and complexity. Some machines are only designed to sort recyclable materials. Others sort municipal waste, separating out usable materials from true garbage.

The engineering that goes into making these machines is quite fascinating. As you probably can imagine, trying to sort so much garbage quickly is a complicated process. Sorting machines rely on a combination of low-tech methods and high-tech tools to separate different types of waste from one another.

Waste Sorting Plant
Waste Sorting Plant

For instance, most of these machines include special sorting screens that grab cardboard out of the mix so that it can be recycled. High-powered magnets are used to pull metallic items out of the waste stream, sending them off to a recycling facility so that they don’t simply get thrown away.

Special screens are also used to sort glass. Since glass is heavier than other items, it falls through the holes in these screens where it is then collected. The glass particles are usually ground down into fine sand. They are then sent off to recycling facilities that specialize in dealing with glass. Click here to know more: https://bestonpyrolysisplant.com/.

The process of separating plastic out of the waste stream is a little bit more complex. This is where technology enters the picture. Most sorting machines rely on lasers to help identify different grades of plastic. Different types of plastic have different signatures, which makes it easy for the machine to figure out which type of plastic each item is.

The machines are equipped with air nozzles that blow different types of plastic into different bins. Some of the plastic can’t be recycled, which means that it needs to be thrown away. Other types of plastic, however, are recyclable. These types of plastic are bundled together in bales and are sent off to recycling facilities to be turned into usable products again.

Sadly, not all items can be recycled. That means that at least a portion of the waste that is thrown away winds up going to the landfill. Without the help of automatic sorting machine, however, the volume of garbage that made its way to the landfill would be much higher.

These machines play a key role in the waste management process. They allow cities and local governments to manage waste far more effectively, which is extremely important in this day and age.

Manual Sorting Platform
Manual Sorting Platform

Proper waste management allows recyclable materials to be reused over and over again, helping to make the most of these resources. As a result, fewer raw materials need to be mined, harvested or pulled from the earth, which is extremely good news from an environmental standpoint. See the blog: http://bestonchina.weebly.com/.

Determining A Fair Waste Tyre Pyrolysis Plant Price

It’s important to research waste tyre pyrolysis plant price before you purchase something essential like this machine. You’ll want to look carefully at what you’re getting for your money and make sure that you’re getting a good value for the price. How can you determine what sort of pricing is fair? Here’s how you can ensure you’re getting a waste tyre pyrolysis plant.

Fair Waste Tyre Pyrolysis Plant Price
Fair Waste Tyre Pyrolysis Plant Price

Compare Waste Tyre Pyrolysis Plant Price

Find retailers that carry plants from well-known brands like Beston Machinery. Browse their selection so that you can get a better idea of what plants cost. If you compare prices, you’ll be able to spot some really great deals.

It’s hard to know whether or not a plant is a good deal if you don’t know what the cost of a plant like that typically is! If you compare prices, you’ll be able to see which plants are reasonably priced. You can compare the prices for products by different manufacturers of pyrolysis machine for sale, and you’ll have the chance to compare vendor pricing as well.

Look At What You’re Getting For Your Money

It’s not unusual to see equipment that can be used in a pyrolysis plant for as little as $1,000. However, if you’re purchasing a full plant, it’s likely that you’ll be spending a minimum of $20,000. If a plant is significantly more than that, there’s likely a good reason for that.

Beston Tyre Pyrolysis Equipment
Beston Tyre Pyrolysis Equipment

When you’re shopping for a purchase like this, you can’t look at the price tag alone. You also have to look at what that money is getting you. You’ll want to make sure this purchase will pay off for you in a big way.

Pay Attention To Other Waste Tyre Pyrolysis Plant Price

The base price of the plant isn’t the only expense that you’re going to have to cover. There are other costs that are going to come out of your pocket as well. For example, you may have to cover the cost of shipping your plant. You’ll also have to cover operating and maintenance costs.

These kinds of costs can really add up, and they can help to determine how affordable a plant truly is. Be aware of these costs and take steps to ensure that they don’t catch you off guard.

Take Your Needs Into Consideration

It’s easy to ignore your needs when you’re completely focused on pricing. For example, you might assume that a plant is a smart buy because of its reasonable price. However, if the plant isn’t in line with what you need, it’s not a wise purchase at all.

You’ll want to think carefully about what it is you need before you make any sort of purchase. Think about the amount of space you have for your plant. Consider your expectations for production. Look for a plant that will meet these needs without any issues.

Figuring out what a fair waste tyre pyrolysis plant price is isn’t as difficult as you might think. Click www.bestonmachinery.com for the right machine. As long as you’re willing to do a little bit of research, you should be able to learn a lot about your options and how they are priced.

Sewage Sludge Treatment Plants: The Whys and Whats

Increased levels of urbanization both across the developed world and in the developing world have placed urban infrastructure under increased pressure. The sludge treatment plant becomes a hot product. The close proximity of so many human beings in the close confines of cities has meant that disposing of sewage has become a challenge that must be addressed. Prior to the 1950s many of the globe’s largest cities were simply dealing with wastewater and sewage by discharging it into rivers and streams – often without treatment of any kind. The sewage sludge carbonization plant is a good way to handle these wastes.

Without the technology and the infrastructure to treat sewage sludge the incidence of water-borne diseases such as cholera skyrockets – and those rivers and streams begin to die. The knock-on effect of this is felt by communities across the world – especially in poorer countries where those assets are the main source of potable water.

Sewage Sludge Treatment Plant - Beston Group
Sewage Sludge Treatment Plant – Beston Group

Fortunately, the science and design behind sewage sludge treatment facility continue to improve. The modern sewage sludge treatment plant uses a variety of strategies to treat effluent and wastewater. You can also choose carbonization as the primary way to treat the sewage sludge and you will also get clean fuel from it. By the way, this kind of technology can also be used to process solid waste, which you can find from waste carbonization machine.

The aim of the sewage sludge treatment plant is to produce an end product that is suitable for use in a variety of situations – including for use as fertilizer in agriculture. this is accomplished through a variety of means.

The wastewater is first subject to a screening process where large material such as rags, cloth, sanitary products, glass bottles, and paper – even naturally occurring material such as sticks and other organics are removed. The second stage is a finer screening where matter such as grit and sand are screened out.

Beston Waste Carbonization Machine
Beston Waste Carbonization Machine for Sale

The next step in the process is referred to as the ‘Primary Treatment phase. This consists of both settling and ‘floatation’ approach. Heavier material settles to the bottom of the settling ponds that hold the semi-liquid organic and inorganic waste that is being treated. Other material that is lighter than water such as petroleum products, wood and vegetation float to the top. this floating material is skimmed off and plays no further part in the treatment process. The material that has sunk to the bottom of the tanks is removed. This is now known as the ‘Primary Sludge’.This material is generally referred to as inorganic solid waste. This material is collected and is generally deposited at various landfill sites.

A secondary treatment now takes place. This harnesses biological processes where microorganisms ‘digest the material. The result is the production of carbon dioxide which is bled off into the atmosphere as well as the production of what is called a ‘microbial mass’. This mass then settles in the bottom of the secondary treatment tanks. It is now mainly organic (secondary sludge) in nature and can be removed. In more advanced sludge treatment plants a further step to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, finer suspended solids and biological oxygen is also undertaken.

As mentioned previously intensive treatment may make sewage sludge suitable for land application. where this is not feasible incineration or disposal in landfills are two of the most widely explored options.

As population density increases new, and more effective methods of dealing with wastewater and sewage need to be researched and identified. It is no exaggeration to say that if this does not happen, the health of both the human race and the natural environment will remain under threat.

Leave all your questions about the sewage sludge treatment to Beston, one of the best waste to energy manufacturers in China and you will get what you want for the technology.

How To Get The Best Price On The Egg Tray Machine

The egg tray machine is a great investment in your business. It allows you to create egg trays that you use to protect your produce and eggs. The machine takes waste paper and uses water to turn the paper into a pulp which is molded in the machine. Read on to learn more about the egg tray machine and how to get the best paper egg tray making machine price on the machine so you can save big.

The egg tray machine is good for the environment since it takes waste paper and turns it into something amazing. The machine is easy to operate and it doesn’t produce many emissions which makes it a great choice when you want to do something good for the environment and get your paper made.

Egg Tray Machine
Egg Tray Making Machine for Sale

The egg carton making machine can produce anywhere from 1,000 to 6,000 egg trays, depending on the model you buy. You want to make sure that you choose a model that will produce the amount of egg trays you need. There are lots of choices and you can easily make the trays you need when you invest in the machine that is going to work best for your needs.

You can use many types of paper waste with these machines. You can use newspaper, books, magazines, and waste paper to produce the trays. The machine is built to last and it is made out of the best materials so you know you are getting a machine that is going to work best for your needs. The machine is reliable and it can handle unlimited quantities of egg trays with ease.

Egg Carton Making Machine
Beston Egg Carton Machine

You want to make sure that you know how many trays you need to make before you start shopping for machines. It is important that you get the best deal and this means that you need to ensure that you end up with the machine that is going to make all of the trays you need. The trays are going to be a big help and they are going to help ensure that your eggs or products are protected.

The machine is built to run without needing a lot of maintenance and the machine is going to help you get a lot of work done. This machine is just what you want when you are in the produce business since it helps you produce the trays that are going to protect your business. Contact us to learn the egg tray machine philippines price now.

The machine comes in multiple sizes and you have to make sure that you choose the size that is going to work the best for your needs. This machine is a great investment in your business and it will help you get more done and help ensure that your produce is protected. Related product: egg tray dryer.

The machine doesn’t use a lot of electricity and runs clean so you don’t have to worry about pollution. You also get to remove waste paper out of the environment. The egg trays are very affordable to produce and you can produce thousands of them so you have them when you need them.

Solutions to Waste Tyre Recycling – Tire to Oil Plant

Today’s modern society requires a great deal of mobility to provide for a growing and expanding civilization. And wherever things go, they are taken there on the comfy support of rubber tires in all their abundance. This means that rubber tires are being used and discarded very quickly. Tires are no longer allowed to be thrown into the landfill in many parts of the globe. This is because the synthetic and highly processed components of a tire are designed to withstand the elements. Tires may still have considerable value if their constituents can be properly recycled, for example by tire pyrolysis plant.

Tyre Pyrolysis Machine to South Africa
Tyre Pyrolysis Machine to South Africa

As the world and our environment seeks a solution for the contamination caused by rubber tires, science and engineering has produced a potential solution. In the following reading we will take a closer look at how tires can be converted into something useful, safe and profitable.

How to Convert Tires to Oil and Other Useful Materials

AS it turns out, the tire is not garbage as soon as its service life has expired. On the contrary, the materials used in the fabrication of a tire are still in good order and only need to be extracted to reenter the consumer supply. Those with a mind for investment will be very interested to know of this inexhaustible supply of top quality materials and valuable resources.

One way of accessing the valuable content sequestered within waste tires is through the process of pyrolysis. Pyrolysis involves using extreme temperature in an oxygen-free environment to transform tire into their more valuable components, as follows:

Convert Waste Tire to Oil

During pyrolysis, the solid compounds and synthetic and natural materials of a tire will be evaporated and can be collected with the use of a very precise machine. This collected gas can then be fed into a collection chamber where it will be turned into an oil. This oil can be used for a wide variety of applications. Fuel oils can be used for powering diesel engines and many other important tasks. Just remember to find the qualified pyrolysis machine manufacturers.

Other Gases –– the most sophisticated pyrolysis plants are very efficient and will send all unused gas back to the pyrolysis furnace where it will be used to improve energy efficiency.

Tire Pyrolysis Plant Design
Tire Pyrolysis Plant Design

Convert Tires to Scrap Steel

There is a high quality steel just waiting to be extracted from your tires. Normally this is used to keep sharp nails and other road debris from puncturing the tires. This steel content can also be salvaged and taken to the steel processing plants for profit.

Convert Tires into Carbon Black –– Carbon black is another very important byproduct of the process of pyrolysis for tires. Carbon black has applications as a source of fuel and is also used by the ink and toner industry.

So, there you have a few ways that a top-quality waste tire recycling machine can solve the issue with discarded tires and thus ease the burden of global waste management.

Important Uses for High Quality Coconut Shell Charcoal Machinery

Coconut shell charcoal machinery plays an important role at present. Coconuts and coconut trees are among the most versatile and benevolent plants in the animal kingdom and have literally thousands of applications to improving human life. From their highly nutritious milk and meat which have saved countless lives, to the tough fibers and hard shells used for textiles, construction and more, every aspect of the coconut has a potential use.

In our article today we will take a look at how coconut shells can be transformed in massive quantities into a high value charcoal suitable for application in many industries. Here is what you need to know about coconut shell charcoal machinery and making money from waste.

Coconut Shell Charcoal Machine Manufacturers
Beston – Coconut Shell Charcoal Machine Manufacturer

Coconuts, Coconut Industry and Coconut Shells

Coconuts are an important cash crop that flourishes on every continent populated by human societies. Because they grow so fast and so well –– a single coconut tree capable of producing around 70 to 80 coconuts a year –– they offer a sustainable source material for all types of popular products.

Most of the products sourced from the coconut plant are taken from the highly nutritious oily meat and durably fibers or husks. The meat and oils are used abundantly in the cosmetic and food industries while the fibers have been used to create bedding for aquaponics agriculture, textiles and construction materials. Here is the biochar production equipment manufacturer you can contact with.

This leaves the coconut shell in a massive quantities across all areas of the globe. The shell has many uses as an alternative to plastics in making small items like buttons, cups and the like. But, the truth is there is no single industry that can entirely handle the mountains of coconut shells produced by the coconut industry –– good thing that these materials can simply be returned to the ground where they will do more good for future plants and herbs in the region.

But, there is a potentially profitable alternative.

Coconut Shell Charcoal Machine
Beston Coconut Shell Charcoal Machine for Sale

Modern charcoal making equipment can transform large quantities of coconut shell waste into a valuable fuel and materials. Coconut shell charcoal has a great variety of uses and is valued for its especially high quality and performance as a source of fuel.

Some Of the Most Important Uses for High Quality Coconut Shell Charcoal Include:

1. Fuel Source –– coconut shell charcoal is favored in homes that still use the old fashioned fuel burning stoves. As a fuel sources, coconut shell charcoal provides clean burning and efficient fuel. Because it creates very little smoke and a highly pleasant fragrance ––known for keeping mosquitoes at bay –– it is the first choice for a wide range of indoor uses from shishas and hookahs to censers and thuribles.

2. Pollution Treatment –– coconut shells can be transformed into activated charcoal of the highest grade. Activated charcoal contains a positive charge and this attracts negatively charged toxins and pollutants. His is especially important to the water treatment facilities that clean water for humans use and treat water before releasing it back into the oceans.


3. Gold Recovery Process –– activated charcoal also has important benefits in the gold recovery process. Because the traces of gold pulled from the earth are always in very small amount and often polluted with large quantities of other elements, activated charcoal can be used to pull the minuscule specks of gold from the sludge.

Modern Coconut Shell Charcoal Making Machine with Good Quality

The best method of transforming coconut shells into a useful and profitable form of charcoal is with a modern coconut shell charcoal machinery. Through the chemical transformation of pyrolysis, large quantities of coconut shells can be turned into charcoal in very little time with no threat to the environment or creation of air pollution. Go on bestoncompany.com for the right model.

Tips for Finding Great Pyrolysis Plant Manufacturers

A pyrolysis plant majority recycles wastes into new valuable and profitable products in the market. They can be used to recycle hazardous materials to produce bio-oil, and carbon black for use or selling. When you are in need of a pyrolysis plant or machine, you need to look for the best manufacturers that serve your needs. Some of the key things to have in mind when looking for the best manufacturers are as explained below.

Pyrolysis Machine for Sale
Pyrolysis Machine for Sale

Do research on the quality of machines they produce. A good manufacturer will always have good reviews and positive feedback from their customers. Read through various reviews and see the most mentioned manufacturer for their good and quality machines. We also have independent online reviewers. These are good for your research. Go through their reviews. It will help you make an informed decision.

Look out for features like environmental safety and energy efficiency when in use as well as the machine’s safety. A good manufacturer will take these into consideration when making their machines. The manufacturer should be assured of their safety at all times. A safe machine is easy to operate and demands less of the user. Go for a machine that is not complicated to use, this way you are sure of your protection. The manufacturer should have in mind the effect of the machine on the environment. Recycling main goal is to reduce pollution so the machine the plant produces should ensure it is eco-friendly enough both for the users and what surrounds them.

Design of Pyrolysis Plant
Design of Pyrolysis Plant

A perfect pyrolysis plant should be able to make a machine that is energy efficient. You do not want a machine that runs your pocket dry as you try to make a business out of it. Some machines are good enough in that they produce some combustible gases during processing that it can reuse to run itself. This saves you from costs that are too high. Some machines consume less fuel for a huge task.

Consider the cost of pyrolysis plant. This information can be easily obtained from the various catalogs of various manufacturers. You can also ask for referrals from businesses friends who have had an interaction with these manufacturers before. As you assess the prices, let quality be your number one consideration. Do not compromise on it. You can do further research online to see what there is in the market and how much it costs. See there recommendations to know what is most suitable for you. Comparison gives the best idea that you can use while negotiating for the selected machine.

Finally, choose a reliable manufacturer to buy your equipment from. You do not have to limit yourself to a local manufacturer. You can search for other countries for the best product, such as the continuous pyrolysis plant. A good pyrolysis plant manufacturer will have plenty of experience, good customer relation, and a great reputation. Check their background before you engage them. Your research could get a high quality pyrolysis machine at an affordable price that was not on offer in your own country.

Helpful Tips Regarding Egg Tray Machine Project Analysis

When producing egg trays, it’s critical that you constantly analyze your production mechanisms. Furthermore, it’s essential that you perform market research to be ahead of any major trends within the sector. Companies that neglect to perform these actions are often likely to face bankruptcy in the near future. The market for egg trays is immensely competitive, so neglecting to these actions is not recommended. Thus, here are some helpful tips regarding egg tray machine project analysis.

Egg Tray Making Machine
Egg Tray Making Machine

Project analysis must take into account a huge variety of different variables. Remember, your company will have a number of unique variables that are not comparable to other businesses in the same industry. For this reason, one of the most important things to do when conducting project analysis is to hire consultants that are professionals within the field of manufacturing. Consultants that have a strong track record in dealing with manufacturing companies should be hired for assistance during the project analysis process.

Consultants that understand everything from the financial and operational dynamics of the egg tray market will have the ability to provide strong strategic advice about what you and your company should do moving forward. Strategic advice will often encompass a range of different goals, such as acquisition goals as well as marketing and operational endeavors. With this in mind, it’s always important to have an open dialogue with the consultants that have been hired. Make sure to ask them tough questions about their advice, and to get all levels of management within the company involved so that they can ask any questions they may have. More information on the egg tray making machine here.

In addition to working with consultants, a high-quality egg tray machine project analysis will involve working with a number of different specialized internal teams. Teams that consist of members from the acquisitions department, all the way from engineers, should be present in these teams. Being able to get a diverse range of opinions from all departments of the company is critical to a comprehensive egg tray machine project analysis. Neglecting to get all departments involved will likely lead to a myopic evaluation that will likely produce inefficient recommendations.

Overall, the process of project analysis deserves lots of resources and attention. The more you put into a yearly project analysis, the better the outcome for you and your company. Analyzing your company is key to seeing where your business needs to improve. From there, you can implement great new strategies that will focus on the weak points of your company, giving you a competitive advantage over the many other businesses in this market. Hence, it’s easy to see why spending so many resources on this endeavor is so critical to future business success. Get high quality small egg tray making machine for sale here.

30Holes-Egg-Trays
30Holes Egg Trays

When it comes to ensuring the future financial stability of your business, it’s essential you perform regular project analysis. Especially when it comes to egg tray machine for sale project analysis, you should invest as much resources as necessary to get the right recommendations and insights. As mentioned, hiring expert consultants and creating a diverse team within the company is critical to achieving high-quality analysis.