BP&R December 2021 by BP&R Magazine

British Plastics

and Rubber

bp&r Nov/Dec 2021

TOOL-TEMP SUPPORTS PRODUCTION PROCESSES WITH SUITABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNITS - SEE PAGE 4. RAVING IN THE RUBBISH How festivals need to start offering eco-friendly alternatives to attendees

LIVING IN A DIGITAL AGE Why more needs to be done for cyber security in manufacturing

COMPOSITES AID ARMED FORCES How their composition is optimised for function

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editor’s letter

www.britishplastics.co.uk Editor: GRACE NOLAN

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 375 E: grace.nolan@rapidnews.com head of media SALES-Plastics portfolio: Lisa Montgomery

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 372 E: lisa.montgomery@rapidnews.com Advertising Manager: MANDY O’BRIEN

T: +44 (0) 01244 952 519 E: mandy.obrien@rapidnews.com Advertising Manager: Gareth Jones

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 370 E: gareth.jones@rapidnews.com

pull quote please grace

Head of studio: SAM HAMLYN

T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 E: sam.hamlyn@rapidnews.com SUBSCRIPTIONS:

T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 E: subscriptions@rapidnews.com PUBLISHER: duncan wood

T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 E: duncan.wood@rapidnews.com PRINT SUBSCRIPTION Qualifying Criteria UK – Free Europe – £249 ROW – £249 FREE digital issues available to view and download online British Plastics & Rubber is published monthly (8 times/year) by Rapid Plastics Media Ltd, Carlton House, Sandpiper Way, Chester Business Park, CH4 9QE T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 F: +44 (0) 1244 671074 © 2021 Rapid Plastics Media Ltd While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed. All rights for British Plastics & Rubber are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. ISSN 0307-6164 Incorporating Polymer Age and Rubber and Plastics Age. PEFC Certified This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources PEFC/16-33-254

www.pefc.org

It is our last issue of 2021 and with that my last issue as editor. Although my time as editor has been short but sweet, it has been a pleasure to lead on such a longstanding publication rich with history. Looking back on the year there was a feeling of an industry revived at Interplas UK. I am proud to have been part of a show that brought such quality. A few personal highlights included organising and hosting the Women in Plastics event; Moderating the ‘Plastics in Construction’ panel; And continuing to meet and build my network in this fantastic industry! I look forward to spectating from the sidelines to see how the new editor will add their own spin on the direction of bp&r magazine.

Thank you for your continued support. Enjoy the issue and have a lovely Christmas! grace nolan, EDITOR

the big story

T TOOL-TEMP SUPPORTS PRODUCTION PROCESSES WITH SUITABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNITS. HERE THE COMPANY TELLS BP&R READERS WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A TOOL-TEMP UNIT OVER ONE OF ITS COMPETITORS.

PRODUCT RANGE: ool-Temp offer more than 60 standard models with a huge range of different configuration options and customized processes we can keep your industry at the right temperature using water or oil as the process medium. We can cover temperature ranges down to -20˚C and up to 360˚C across the range using standard manufactured units. Tool-Temp have been developing suitable temperature control solutions for our customer’s production processes for more than 45 years. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience we have acquired in many sectors. Our experience: Plastics industry / injection moulding Die casting Extrusion Pharmaceutical and chemical Composites Rubber and silicone Food Timber Printing, laminating and textile Engineering WELL-ESTABLISHED IN QUALITY MANUFACTURING: Tool-Temp products are developed and produced exclusively in Switzerland. Starting in the development phase, careful attention is given to the selection of high-quality components for our products. All parts that come into contact with water are made of stainless steel or bronze, Tool-Temp does not use any flexible joints in its products, choosing to use only robust solid piping. All control units we manufacture use the latest technology to precisely regulate the temperature to within one tenth of a degree. They also feature integrated flow rate measurement which constantly monitors circulation of the medium. Tool-Temp guarantees quality at every stage of production. Key components such as pumps, heat exchangers, flow sensors and special switches and relays are produced at the factory. Short response times for bespoke customer solutions are an integral part of the service we offer. We

ensure optimum temperature control so that you can concentrate on your production process. SERVICE AND SUPPORT: It’s not just about the supplying of a new product and being able to support a unit for the first 12 months of its lifespan, We hold in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire extensive spare parts to cover the UK and Ireland. This enables us to give customers stock spare parts within 24 hours or a same day delivery. We have customers who still have units in operation that are 30-40 years old and we can still offer spare parts to these customers as Tool-Temp AG will have these parts available. In conjunction with this we have the on-line chat where customers can talk on-line to someone technical to help resolve the problem or identify a part. A lot of people still like to have the technical support from the service department on the telephone, were we give support to resolve a problem or arrange for an engineer to attend site to rectify any issues. PRODUCTION IN PLASTICS AND RUBBER. Precise temperature control is essential throughout the entire production process. ToolTemp can support your production processes with suitable temperature control units to ensure an optimal production temperature. The robustness and durability of our unit’s means they are able to achieve a very good ROI for the production of all products. There are a range of clear advantages to rubber and plastic production processes when using liquid heat transfer mediums for temperature control. Alongside uniform temperature distribution, a key benefit is the simultaneous delivery and removal of heat within the temperature controlled zone. Precise and rapid changes in temperature improve the structure of the material and help ensure optimum surface quality of the product. The demands being placed by the market on the production, quality and longevity of products have increased. We offer a wide range of powerful and precise temperature control units to meet these demands. www.tool-temp.net

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Faster than you might expect. Long delivery times and short-term requests are troublesome: With ENGEL you have the necessary agility and flexibility. We offer you professional and especially quick help. Whether it is our all-electric e-mac or our tie-bar-less victory series, our stock injection moulding machines are there for you in no time.

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On the Cover

Quantifying the Benefits of Sustainable Competitive edge

22 FEATURE

Composites to protect the armed forces

3 EDITOR’S LETTER

Here, Patrick Loock, segment business owner for composite materials manufacturer Exel Composites, discusses the design considerations of camouflage netting support units for defence applications and how their composition is optimised for function.

11 COMMENT

35 FEATURE

Richard Hird, Chairman of the Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA), reflects on chairing the Sustainably Stage at Interplas 2021 and discusses a key area in which PMMDA members and other moulding machinery suppliers are assisting processors is energy reduction in the mould shop.

Claire Price of QMS International, one of the UK’s leading ISO certification bodies, addresses the question of why does more need to be done for cyber security in manufacturing and engineering?

Tool-Temp supports production processes with suitable temperature control units. See page 4

The word from Hird

16 INTERVIEW Women in Plastics

During the FANUC Open House event, Rob Coker spoke with Sarah Willis, Head of Marketing for machine learning and recycling robotics specialist Recycleye about how AI and robotics & automation is revolutionising sorting technology.

Living in a digital age

Regulars and Features 9 INDUSTRY NEWS 11 WORD FROM THE HIRD 13 MO’S CORNER 15 MATERIALS HANDLING 16 WOMEN IN PLASTICS 19 POLYMERMAN

45 FEATURE

21 MATERIALS NEWS

In this article Duncan Clarke, head of operations at biodegradable biopolymer research platform Teysha technologies, explains how festivals need to start offering eco-friendly alternatives to attendees and invest in sustainability schemes that develop new biodegradable materials to tackle large scale littering.

25 PACKAGING

Raving in the rubbish

29 MACHINERY NEWS 33 INDUSTRY 4.0 39 TEMPERATURE CONTROL 43 RECLAMATION & RECYCLING 47 SOFTWARE GUIDE 47 BUYERS’ GUIDE 50 NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

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www.cjpsales.co.uk | Specialists in technical polymers

INDUSTRY | NEWS ULMA Sales Manager to Honour Late Son with Everest Trek Accompanied by around forty others, Danny Kenworthy, Regional Sales Manager at ULMA Packaging UK, will hike an impressive 5,384 metres to fundraise for Reuben’s Retreat, which has supported him following the loss of his son, Henry. The charity offers two branches of support, one for families of complexly poorly children and the other for those who have suffered a bereavement. Commenting on the fundraising, Danny said: “This is extremely important and close to my heart. The wonderful people at Reuben’s are creating a home from home for those who have lost a child and parents of those living with life-threatening or

life-limiting conditions. Every penny donated will take the charity a step closer to completing the Retreat and providing a sanctuary for families who desperately need their support – families like us.” Danny and his wife turned to the charity following the death of their 18-month-old boy, Henry. Despite facing a severe heart condition, feeding difficulties and club feet, among other complications, Henry defied the odds following a difficult and uncertain pregnancy. However, he sadly passed away on 5th March 2019. “Henry was born with a genetic condition called Noonan Syndrome,” explained

Fibrax and University of Wales Trinity Saint David Launch SMART Partnership Technical injection moulding specialists at the Fibrax Group have launched a collaborative SMART Partnership with University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). This project is part-funded by the Welsh Government and will focus on the development and optimisation of bespoke automated processes specifically related to adhesive applications within polymer mouldings at the Group’s plastic injection moulding facility, Hi-Mark Automotive. SMART Partnerships facilitate a knowledge exchange and

collaboration between University and Industry. According to Business Wales, the Welsh Government’s support service for businesses, SMART Partnerships aim to “support collaborative projects, with a clear focus to increase the capacity and capabilities of Welsh businesses to develop R&D activities by linking them with Research Organisations and an associate, to work on a specific project to develop new products, processes and services.” In this instance, Fibrax will be working with UWTSD to identify the benefits of automation and digitisation, and implement the

Danny. “This by no means defined him, as he became a wonderful, cheeky little boy, with an infectious smile and a joy for life. Though it took months following his death before we had the energy or courage to contact Reuben’s, when we finally did, we found refuge. More than two years later, we continue to get support from both the charity and other families facing the same unimaginable future without their child: something we need as much now as ever.” Reuben’s Retreat has a mission to relieve the distress of families who have suffered the loss of a child by providing them with access to a range of services. This includes counselling and support groups, which Danny has personally benefitted from. He described: “Nothing can prepare you for the death of your child – you wonder how you will live, and it can be the most lonely and devastating place. Talking about the pain of such a loss is important, as keeping this inside can ramp up the problems in the long term. Reuben’s Retreat has provided a release for us at various points, which is why I’m challenging myself with the trip to Everest Base Camp to raise money for them. Danny concluded: “For those who’ve lost a child, don’t be afraid to seek help, and for friends and family of those affected, please check in on your loved ones even if they don’t always want to talk about it, as this can be invaluable. You never ‘get over’ losing a child, you simply learn to live with it the best you can, and this comes from having

a network of support around you. Reuben’s Retreat is part of my network and their help has been hugely appreciated.” For more on Reuben’s Retreat: www. reubensretreat. org/what-we-do/ or to donate, please https://www. justgiving.com/ fundraising/dannykenworthy1

new technologies and techniques for economic gain whilst developing new capabilities inhouse. We recently visited Fibrax to interview a potential candidate for the Research Associate position for the partnership and were delighted to appoint Jefferson Dzidzienyo,” Howe Jefferson recently

joined the New Product Introduction team at Fibrax having completed a Masters in Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University. As a Research Associate working with UWTSD, he will have access to state-ofthe-art facilities and a highly-skilled knowledge base to support the successful delivery of this challenging project.

findings should they enable Fibrax to gain a competitive advantage. The Partnership was formed by Graham Howe and Lisa Lucas of UWTSD and Craig Jones and Przemyslaw Solowiej of Fibrax. Further to the Smart Partnership, Fibrax is also now engaged with UWTSD’s MADE Cymru initiative. MADE Cymru is a suite of programmes designed to navigate organisations through Industry 4.0 via collaborative research and development, and upskilling. It is funded by the European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and delivered by UWTSD. “This twelve-month collaborative project will investigate and apply

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Specialists in technical polymers | www.cjpsales.co.uk

How to Protect The Ocean Every Time You Search The Internet OceanHero search engine users have helped recover 21 million ocean-bound plastic bottles from the comfort of their homes and offices. When web surfers add the ocean-protection search engine to their browser, they recover ocean-bound plastic with every search. “When you consider that 18 billion pounds of plastic waste enter our oceans every year, you realize that each of us has a responsibility to stem the tide,” said OceanHero founder Marvin Burman. How OceanHero Works Internet users add the OceanHero search engine to their browser. When they conduct a search, open a new browser tab or answer ocean-themed trivia questions, OceanHero pays partners to recover ocean-bound plastic. OceanHero works with organizations that have created a global infrastructure of plastic collection hubs, built

micro recycling plants, found innovative ways to repurpose plastic, and provide pollution education. The funds come from unobtrusive ads displayed in the browser and search results, similar to what you see in any search engine. OceanHero does not track users’ search history or sell any personal information to third parties. Turning Waste Plastic Into Bricks OceanHero works with Trash Waste Solutions to reclaim ocean-bound plastic and turn it into bricks in Manado, Indonesia, an area that has suffered massively from plastic dumping. Burman noted, “Many communities have limited waste management systems. We’re creating micro recycling plants that transform plastic waste into building blocks. So instead of plastic destroying communities, it can rebuild them.”

Additional Global Ocean Protection Partnerships OceanHero also partners with Plastic Bank, which has 32 branches in Haiti and the Philippines. Plastic Bank provides family sustaining plastic collection jobs in underdeveloped communities then recycles the plastic waste into reusable products. The search engine also supports Waste Free Oceans, an organization that improves recycling infrastructure throughout the world. Burman noted, “This work will help

Award-winners announced at BPF’s Annual Dinner The British Plastics Federation’s (BPF) Annual Dinner took place in London on 14 October 2021. One of the key networking events for the UK plastics industry, the event also includes the presentation of the BPF’s Special Commendation for the Horners’ Award, the BPF Gold Medal and the BPF Energy Award. After opening the event, BPF Director General Philip Law introduced the BPF’s current president Karen Drinkwater, who is also a founding director of JSC Rotational Limited. After commenting on how it was encouraging that the trade association

had now grown to just under 500 organisations, Drinkwater stated: “I am confident that the future has the word ‘plastics’ written all over it. If you take the government’s 10-Point Plan for a green industrial revolution in the UK, there’s a very positive plastics story attached to each of the main points, be it Zero Emission Vehicles, greener buildings, or advancing offshore wind power. Plastics make all these possible.” The BPF president explained how the trade association is determined to take a lead in responding to the

government’s ambitious Net Zero Carbon emissions target, citing numerous activities that are already underway. Drinkwater also draw attention to other BPF initiatives to minimise the impact if plastic on the environment, such as Packscore, EcoDesignGuide and online courses about packaging design. The latter two have been shortlisted for two national awards. Technical Director of Epwin’s Fenestration Division Martin Althorpe won the BPF Gold Medal for Services to the Federation. Martin Althorpe has been a

more than 700 species that are impacted by plastic entanglement and ingestion.” A Beautiful and Educational Experience When you add the OceanHero search engine to your browser, you can select ocean mode to see stunning oceanscape homepage backgrounds with every new tab that you open. You’ll also enjoy fun interactive elements. Burman said, “When people use our browser extension, we continuously engage them with messages and questions that highlight the marineecosystem’s importance and what we can do about ocean pollution.” There’s also a gamified element - digital shell collecting. They provide a concrete way for you to see how many ocean-bound plastic bottles you have helped to recover. Users earn shells when they open new tabs, perform searches, or answer Ocean trivia questions. For every hundred shells you collect, OceanHero can recover one plastic bottle.

longstanding chairman of the BPF’s Windows Group Technical Committee, the group’s Management Committee and is also the immediate past president of the BPF. The BPF Energy Award for outstanding achievements in energy savings went to Beverage Plastics due to its investment in energy-saving machinery as well as the creation of an energy management team and weekly ‘energy patrols’. Faerch Poole Ltd received the runner-up award for its long list of improvements, such as investing in new compressors and chillers and converting the motors from DC to AC on large sheet extrusion lines.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

COMMENT

The word from Hird

RICHARD HIRD, CHAIRMAN OF THE POLYMER MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION (PMMDA), REFLECTS ON CHAIRING THE SUSTAINABLY STAGE AT INTERPLAS 2021 AND DISCUSSES A KEY AREA IN WHICH PMMDA MEMBERS AND OTHER MOULDING MACHINERY SUPPLIERS ARE ASSISTING PROCESSORS IS ENERGY REDUCTION IN THE MOULD SHOP.

hilst at Interplas I had the pleasure of chairing a seminar on the Sustainably Stage, focusing on the up-and-coming Packaging Tax and the value of Post Consumable Recyclate (PCR) material. What became evident is that some of the so called ‘Single Use Plastics’ are a valuable commodity if the supply chain is sustainable. This starts with the consumer not treating this versatile material as waste, but as a valuable resource that can be re-used or recycled to help alleviate the issue of Climate Change. This is a truly ‘circular economy’ material if there ever was one, especially as it is easier and cheaper to recycle than glass, with a lower carbon footprint. All this is not news for most of us in the industry, but we may have been a little slow in making the most of this valuable resource. However, this is changing, possibly due to the imminent Packaging Tax as a catalyst, with many companies leading the way and some of those assisted by members of the PMMDA. One such member is ancillary supplier Labotek GB, who over the last 18 months has been working on a number of Silo, Blending and Conveying installations where customers are either re-selling their recylate into other sectors/processes or switching over to PCR - in some cases up to 100%. Others are setting up their own in-house reprocessing lines. Tim Peet, Director of Labotek GB observed “We started seeing a trend just before the start of the pandemic, which has developed into our main focus as a business, with sustainability a key ethos at Labotek.” Another key area in which PMMDA members and other moulding machinery suppliers are assisting processors is energy reduction in the mould shop - in particular with the advent of servo hydraulic machines. A typical example is White Horse Plastics (WHP) based in Oxfordshire, who recently ordered a SmartPower 60 from Wittmann Battenfeld UK (WIBA UK). WHP Managing Director Paul Bobby commented “after labour and raw material costs, energy and utilities present us with the next

In closing, our industry has a lot to shout about and educate the wider audience of the true value of a truly sustainable material and equipment that is already contributing to improving Climate Change.

most significant overhead. I always expect to see some significant improvement when comparing old to new, but these outcomes were far more impressive than could ever have been hoped for. In fact, the greatly reduced running costs from the SmartPower machine were so incredible that it led to us repeating the exercise in order to check our methodology. But when repeated these results were exactly the same.” WIBA UK’s Tracy Cadman added that “the bonus for everyone is that green energy is profitable energy - and by some way when we have customers of all kinds telling us that our newly supplied equipment is now reducing their energy consumption by a factor of between five and ten.” In addition, Steve Lacey of STV Machinery, suppliers of refurbished machines and Yizumi machines asks the question - does replacing an otherwise good variable displacement pump machine give real energy saving, when compared to the latest servo hydraulic machine? In his opinion it does - citing an example where one of his customers conducted a real-world direct comparison between his existing 10 year old machine and a new Servo Hydraulic Yizumi, resulting in a net energy cost saving of £252 over a 3 shift 168 hour production/week. Lacey’s advice is to always conduct a true comparative test rather than take the published savings at face value, as every moulding process will have its’ own particular parameter and running conditions. In closing, our industry has a lot to shout about and educate the wider audience of the true value of a truly sustainable material and equipment that is already contributing to improving Climate Change.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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Q: How do the various vacuum generators differ?

IN THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF OUR ONGOING SERIES ANSWERING THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED MATERIALS HANDLING QUESTIONS, THE EXPERTS AT MOTAN COLORTRONIC BRIEFLY PRESENT THE MOST COMMONLY USED VACUUM GENERATORS IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY.

art of the heavy workers of pneumatic suction conveying – the precise term for the most important conveying method in plastic processing – are without a doubt the vacuum generators. They must run interference free around the clock if required, should be as maintenance free as possible, and ideally should operate economically and as needed. Simply put, vacuum pumps generate a vacuum in the material hopper on the processing machine. The air that then flows in after transports the granules of powder through the pipe and hose lines into the hopper. A safety filter installed between the pipe lines and the vacuum pump prevents contaminated air or dust and granule particles damaging the pump. Some of the most important vacuum pumps are: • Side channel vacuum pumps • Claw vacuum pumps • Disc vacuum pumps • Root or rotary blowers Side channel blowers are the most common and are mainly used for

Part of the heavy workers of pneumatic suction conveying – the precise term for the most important conveying method in plastic processing – are without a doubt the vacuum generators.

simple conveying tasks with short distances and large volumes. They operate contactless without oil and therefore require almost no maintenance. Rotary blowers also operate contactless and without oil. They are suitable for large throughputs at low pressure differences, but this restricts the conveying distance. Disc or claw pumps are suitable for larger distances. The disc principle for suction conveying operates with circulatory oil lubricant, which requires regular maintenance. As a result, these robust all-rounders are suitable for a large range of applications. The claw vacuum pumps operate dry and contactless and are considered to be very energy efficient and safe. The pumps differ particularly in how they operate and thus also their effectiveness. They can only be compared when restricted to the characteristic curve of volume flow based on intake pressure. When designing a suction conveying system, various criteria need to be taken into consideration when choosing a suitable vacuum generator. As well as the general environmental conditions (for individual cases the height above sea level), the material and its properties,

ABOVE: Central vacuum generation station with side channel blowers and safety filters in the background (photo: Motan-Colortronic) length and diameter of the material lines, and the line system must be considered. With this data the required pressure difference and volume flow can be determined – and the most suitable vacuum pumps can be selected. Maximum requirements of the units to be supplied with material are crucial for the necessary power of the vacuum generator. In the simplest case this means that the material loader furthest away with the highest throughput determines the power performance.

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Standard vacuum generators run with constant performance, regardless of the actual requirements of each material loader. This is why a vacuum generator with power regulation may be beneficial. In combination with the correct controls, power regulation can adjust the power to the actual requirements. As a result, material protecting conveying speeds can be set individually for every material loader, every conveying distance, and every pipe diameter. Energy consumption then also corresponds to the actual requirements.

26 - 28 SEPTEMBER 2023

88%

of exhibitors said they made a sale directly related to Interplas.

92%

of visitors found a new supplier or technology they has not known of before.

Save the date Interplas is back in 2023, bringing with it the opportunity for you to experience the UK’s largest plastics industry exhibition showcasing the full spectrum of plastics processing machinery, materials, software, services and ancillaries in one place. It’s also the only plastics event in the UK where visitors can see working machinery LIVE on the show floor and where they’ll come to compare, contrast and buy. With an expected 14,000+ attendees across the three-day event, as well as new features and an expanded floorplan, now is the time to position yourself as a company that can offer solutions, showcase innovation and offer expertise to an audience known for its quality and purchasing power.

www.motan-colortronic.co.uk | Technology for challenges of the future

MATERIALS HANDLING | NEWS Coperion Partners in Development of Manufacturing Technologies for Graphite-Polymer Based Bipolar Plates Within the framework of a joint project with the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Plastics Technology (IKT), Robert Bosch, and Matthews International / Saueressig, Coperion is working on the continued development of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for efficient delivery of energy for everyday mobile use. Bipolar plates as a core element of fuel cell stacks, and in particular their thermoplastic

graphite compoundbased implementations, are the focus of this work. The extremely high fill levels pose challenges upon the process technology, the likes of which have not been seen before. As a partner in this project, Coperion is leveraging its comprehensive expertise in developing the required machineside solutions for manufacturing compounds. In this project, addition of fillers to the polymer

in the Coperion ZSK twin screw extruder is being improved to avoid creating agglomerates and degrading the polymer during compounding. Bipolar plates, made from graphite-polymer compounds, lend themselves to mobile applications due to their low weight. They combine properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity and gas non-permeability with markedly higher mechanical capacity than pure graphite plates can achieve. Moreover, they withstand the effects of moisture and acid media at typical operating temperatures over longer periods of time than do metal alloys. Coperion has set this task for itself: To transfer all the experience gained in its years of feed limited plastics compound manufacturing to the preparation of mixtures consisting of high amounts of graphite and low amounts of polymer, to lay the foundation for future upscaling.

Maguire introduces New Bridge Breaker for HighCapacity Blenders A pneumatically operated device that is deployed inside one of the hoppers in a gravimetric blender makes possible accurate dosing of regrind, recycled plastics, and other ingredients that tend to agglomerate or “bridge,” obstructing flow through the dispense valve of the hopper. Maguire Products, Inc. has introduced the new “bridge breaker” for its three largest blender series, those with maximum throughput capacities of 5,000 kg/

hr, (11,000 lb/hr) and capability of blending up to twelve ingredients. The Bridge Breaker Consists of: 1. A hopper insert that directs material straight down onto the dispensing valve. 2. A rotary device that operates automatically while the dispense valve is open. The device rapidly pulses between clockwise and counterclockwise movement, enhancing material flow through the dispense valve. The hopper insert, which provides a

vertical alternative to the sloping wall of the hopper, can be retrofitted in any blender currently in operation. To make up for the space occupied by the insert, the complete hopper assembly includes an extension to accommodate the desired quantity of material. “The new bridge breaker addresses the growing demand for recycled content in plastic products and the increasing use of regrind as a means of reducing production costs,”

With the aid of patented Feed Enhancement Technology (FET) from Coperion, intake of difficult material within the process can be optimized. For the base technology to improve intake behaviour, Coperion uses patented Feed Enhancement Technology (FET), which is ideally suited when finer, non-compacted fillers are used. The intake section of the side feeder is equipped with a porous, gas-permeable wall. A vacuum is fitted on the outside, and part of the air contained in the mixture is sucked out. The bulk density

thus increases and with it the material’s absorption capacity in the side feeder. Coperion has also developed a processoptimized machine concept to homogenize the mixture. Parallel to this, the company is using numeric 3D flow simulations (CFD) for virtual and real optimization of the polymer and filler mixing process. Along with the project, Coperion is also developing an inline quality tool to detect process and product fluctuations, whereby the regulation of compound quality should be realized in real time.

said Frank Kavanagh, vice president of sales and marketing. “More and more processors have been finding it a challenge to keep such materials flowing consistently. In fact, we developed the bridge breaker to help one of our customers solve a problem with trim scrap.” The three largecapacity Maguire® blender families, the 1200, 2400, and 3000 Series, blend up to twelve ingredients, using a wide range of removable hopper and feeder configurations and numerous dispensing devices. The

blenders handle raw materials in a variety of forms, including regular pellets and regrind, bulk powders, flake, and ingredients that are especially bridge-prone, such as wood flour. As with other Maguire weigh scale blenders, once all ingredients are dosed into the weigh chamber, the batch falls into a mixing chamber. A microprocessor makes corrections from batch to batch, including adjustments to compensate for variations in extrusion rate or bulk density, maintaining overall batch accuracy to within + / - 0.1 per cent.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

FEATURE

SPOTLIGHT SARAH WILLIS: “Automating waste sorting brings the benefit of transparency and traceability of the materials sorted” Interview | rob coker

DURING THE FANUC OPEN HOUSE EVENT, ROB COKER SPOKE WITH SARAH WILLIS, HEAD OF MARKETING FOR MACHINE LEARNING AND RECYCLING ROBOTICS SPECIALIST RECYCLEYE ABOUT HOW AI AND ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION IS REVOLUTIONISING SORTING TECHNOLOGY.

IN WHAT WAYS DOES THE RECYCLEYE VISION AI TECHNOLOGY HELP IMPROVE THE SORTING PROCESS? Our low-cost, AI-powered Recycleye Vision system replicates the power of human vision, using advanced machine-learning algorithms to provide automatic, image-based detection of individual items in co-mingled waste streams. This allows for 100% sampling of waste streams on a quality control line, transforming collected data into a dashboard in which plant managers can monitor their composition and granularity bringing a previously impossible visibility to waste sorting. The vision system can also differentiate between classifications such as food-grade and non-food-grade plastics and packaging vs non packaging, prohibiting valuable recyclates from being downcycled. Working with the Recycleye Robotics solution, this enables the automated picking of waste in materials recovery facilities that is faster, traceable and more accurate than human pickers. THE AI SOFTWARE LOOKS PRETTY ADVANCED. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW ADVANCED IT IS? Waste is perhaps the most complex computer vision problem – items are overlapping, crushed in many different ways and covered in dirt. Recycleye had to develop a range of new algorithms in order to achieve the incredible +95% accuracies the system now provides (some of our work academic research has been published on our WasteNet platform). We are also the first to have brought the speed of the algorithm up to 60 frames per second meaning the system will, on average, classify each item 120 times on a conveyor belt (if it makes one error it will still have the average of the other 119 times) - this also means we are the only company with large AI models that can be installed on top of optical sorters.

AT WHAT SPEEDS IS IT CAPABLE OF ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING AND SORTING WASTE STREAMS? Recycleye Vision and Recycleye Robotics picks at around 50 picks a minute with our 6 axis robot and around 70 picks with the delta robot on display at the Fanuc open days. AND HOW DOES IT HELP OUT THOSE MANUALLY SORTING THE WASTE? The Recycleye Robotics solution can be used alongside human pickers, with a safety cage that ensures a safe distance is maintained between the hardware and people manually sorting waste. IS THE SORTING/RECYCLING INDUSTRY SLOWLY BECOMING RELIANT ON AI AND AUTOMATION BY EFFECTIVELY ALLOWING IT TO ‘DO THE DIRTY WORK’ FOR US? Automating waste sorting brings the benefit of transparency and traceability of the materials sorted. This will become increasingly important with the requirement for increased sampling with EPR. Automated waste sorting is also more accurate, faster and can run 24/7 which is more economically efficient and safe than reliance on manual pickers, a role which experiences high turnover and recruitment issues. IN WHAT WAYS HAS FANUC EXPERTISE CONTRIBUTED TO REALISING THIS TECHNOLOGY? Our robotics solution was developed in collaboration with the team at Fanuc in the UK. We now work with Fanuc on a European exclusivity basis for the manufacture and maintenance of our robotics.

However, we believe that increasingly stringent UK, European and global policies will require classification and sampling sizes to a degree only capable by AI and robotics

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WHEN ROBOTICS, AI AND AUTOMATION COME AS PART OF THE MACHINERY AS IN THIS CASE, DOES IT HELP MAKE THE CASE FOR GREATER UPTAKE OF INDUSTRY 4.0 TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE? Absolutely, we are, for example, embedding IoT in everything we do. This means that clients can gather data on the performance of their facility on a live basis (based on the compositional data provided by the vision system), receive augmentations through software updates that will include the accuracy of the vision system or optimize the path planning of the robot. Future applications will also include predictive maintenance.

The waste management industry is defined by the traditional analog machinery which has served MRFs for several decades, therefore it is expected that many players are hesitant towards automation. However, we believe that increasingly stringent UK, European and global policies will require classification and sampling sizes to a degree only capable by AI and robotics.

RELUCTANCE REGARDING ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION UPTAKE IS ONE OF THE MAJOR THEMES OF THE FANUC OPEN HOUSE EVENT. WHAT ARE YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ON IMPROVING UPTAKE ACROSS MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRY GENERALLY?

IN WHAT WAYS IS RECYCLEYE WORKING WITH PARTNERS FURTHER ALONG THE VALUE CHAIN (E.G. RECYCLERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS) TO ROLL THIS TECHNOLOGY OUT? Recycleye is collaborating with waste management companies and local councils at MRFs on projects to increase vision capabilities, such as food grade vs non-food grade plastic differentiation, and packaging vs non packaging. Recycleye also believes that technology is key in driving alignment to ever changing industry policies, and therefore endeavour to work closely with policy-making organisations to enable an automated future for recycling.

Additionally, our solutions are retrofittable to existing machinery, allowing facilities to invest in the technology as a compliment, rather than substitute, and without need for expensive renovations. Hence, automation is becoming an increasingly attractive, and in some cases necessary, prospect for existing MRFs, rather than simply newly designed facilities.

WHERE ELSE MIGHT WE BE ABLE TO SEE MORE RECYCLEYE SOLUTIONS LIVE IN ACTION? We have Robotic and Vision installations in the UK, France, Italy and Northern Ireland at the moment.

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IN THIS EDITION OF HIS REGULAR COLUMN, OUR RESIDENT MATERIALS EXPERT, MIKE BOSWELL, CONSIDERS WHAT FACTORS WILL DRIVE PRICE INFLATION AND INCREASING VOLATILITY.

What factors will drive price inflation and increasing volatility?

he cyclical nature of petrochemicals is well established with historical cycles typically taking 5 – 7 years from low to low, or high to high. The traditional view on the cycle is that this is mainly driven by investment cycles in the sector, with geopolitical and weather-related events providing volatility within the overall cycle. However, and for the reasons outlined below consideration must be given to if some influencing factors have fundamentally changed which could affect:

In addition to baseline inflation, it is likely that volatility will increase as the impact of global warming on the climate will result in more frequent extreme weather events, with the consequence of the output of plants that are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions becoming less reliable. Whilst it may be possible to mitigate this risk by enhancing the protection for these petrochemical plants, the requisite investment is likely to drive up fixed costs, which in turn will support inflationary pressures.

Lows – historically lows have often taken prices to the threshold of profitability, and it is possible that the market will post higher lows Highs – recent history is evident that the market for many petrochemicals have posted higher highs, with many new highs posted in the last year. Average prices – to what extent are inflationary pressures able to increase average prices throughout future cycles

The historical reliance of petrochemical feedstocks on bi-products from refining crude oil for transport fuels is another vulnerability because as transport moves to alternative energy sources output rates will fall and this will result in an increasing need to invest in expensive on-purpose feedstock production, albeit that this could be in the sector of chemical recycling with the obvious benefit of enhancing the environmental credentials of plastics.

The following PESTLE evaluation, in which values have been attributed to the qualitative factors confirms that there is an overall tendency towards inflation. It should be noted that there are likely to be occasions where individual factors become more influential.

In summary it is likely that polymer pricing will become more volatile, that the relative pricing of these important materials will become relatively more expensive and the whole sector will need to evolve in order to further support sustainability of the global environment.

Who is ‘Polymerman’?

Mike Boswell is Managing Director of UK materials distributor, Plastribution, as well as the Chairman of the British Plastic Federation’s Polymer Compounders and Distributors Group and its ‘BREXIT Committee’. ‘Polymerman’ is the title used for announcements made via his Twitter account. This column is compiled using data from PIE (Plastics Information Europe) www.plastribution. co.uk | www.pieweb.com

The graph below depicts the cycles running from 2008 to 2015 and 2015 to 2020, along the record highs posted for the Styrene and Polyolefins baskets earlier this year.

Whilst it may be possible to mitigate this risk by enhancing the protection for these petrochemical plants, the requisite investment is likely to drive up fixed costs, which in turn will support inflationary pressures.

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MATERIALS | NEWS JEC Group and EuCIA publish first edition of 2021 Composites Sustainability report JEC Group in collaboration with EuCIA has published the first edition of the Composites Sustainability report 2021. This report seeks to give highlights about the part composite materials are playing in creating the sustainable European economy of the future. The contents of the book are comprehensive: starting with discussions around the widelyrecognised Life Cycle Assessment methodology for calculating the environmental impact of products, it then moves through a series of analyses and case studies presenting the Circular Economy approach and ranging from raw materials (including bio-based) to industrial components. The purpose of the work, rather than results, which quickly become obsolete, is to give examples of approaches contributing to and moving towards sustainability. Frédéric Reux, former Editor-in-Chief of the JEC Composites Magazine, said: “There’s room for everyone willing to show initiative. No field will be able to dodge the issue, and all the necessary questions are touched on in a life cycle assessment or through a tool like the Eco Impact Calculator developed by Eucia, which assist players in making progress in their environment approach.”

Royce and IOM3 launch Materials Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution At COP 26 the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, The Henry Royce Institute(Royce) and the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3) launched a joint report which sets out how materials science and innovation will help the UK achieve net-zero. The document aligns into the Government’s Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution, the precursor to the subsequent Net Zero Strategy, which sets out how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and outlines measures to transition to a green and sustainable future including helping businesses and consumers to move to clean power. The new RoyceIOM3 report highlights the importance and cross-cutting nature of materials science and demonstrates how different materials systems are applicable to each of the themes in the Government’s Ten Point Plan, as well as the applications and enabling technologies that will allow the plan to be put into action. Nick Rimmer, Royce Head of Business Engagement at Royce said: “Materials science and engineering will be critical in providing the solutions needed for each of the ten points in the Government’s plan. As acknowledged in the recent Innovation Strategy, the UK has strong historical strengths across materials and engineering and, as this new report

notes, understanding and predicting how materials react and respond in challenging environments – for example at sea, in a nuclear reactor, or in a rapidly charging battery – is fundamental to the safe operation of many systems. Advanced materials will also help us to prolong service life and minimise resource consumption, which are becoming increasingly important considerations within our net-zero ambitions.” IOM3 CEO, Dr Colin Church CEnv FIMMM said: “As this report shows, materials science is a key enabler and is

already contributing to our progress towards net-zero in a number of critical areas, from research into materials that will deliver major advances in energy storage, to fuel cell development to exploit hydrogen and more efficient solar cells to harvest sunlight. And for

the circular economy, which cuts across everything we do in society, we need a range of new and advanced materials with a focus on sustainability, considering the full life-cycle from initial raw material extraction, through to manufacture and end-oflife reuse or recycling.”

Milliken expands PP recyclers portfolio with DeltaFlow viscosity modifiers Milliken & Company has launched DeltaFlow viscosity modifiers specifically to help polypropylene (PP) recyclers. Recyclers can use DeltaFlow, a solid concentrate, to increase the melt flow rate of recycled polypropylene (rPP) for the extrusion and injection moulding processes.. DeltaFlow-optimised resins allow for lower processing temperatures, which can enable converters to reduce cycle times, boost productivity and improve processability. DeltaFlow enables rPP to replace virgin resin in many end-use

applications. This allows brands to use more rPP in their products, thereby helping them to meet their sustainability goals. This new concentrate nicely complements Milliken’s existing family of DeltaMax Performance Modifiers for polypropylene that enhances the physical properties and melt flow of rPP resins by allowing recyclers and converters to optimize their formulations and blends machine-side. Tugce Asici-van Houselt, Milliken’s Sales Manager for Plastic Additives in EMEA, said: “Milliken is pleased to be adding to its portfolio of products that assist polypropylene recyclers. “Milliken & Company remains committed to supporting the plastics recycling industry with advanced polymer additives that allow for the increased use of recycled content by improving the properties of the recycled PP resin itself. DeltaFlow Viscosity Modifiers are just the latest example of this effort, which in turn, contributes to the industry’s ongoing push to promote sustainability.”

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FEATURE

H HERE, PATRICK LOOCK, SEGMENT BUSINESS OWNER FOR COMPOSITE MATERIALS MANUFACTURER EXEL COMPOSITES, DISCUSSES THE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS OF CAMOUFLAGE NETTING SUPPORT UNITS FOR DEFENCE APPLICATIONS AND HOW THEIR COMPOSITION IS OPTIMISED FOR FUNCTION.

o deceive the enemy of your presence, position and intentions in the battlefield, military concealment plays a vital role. This is why camouflage netting support units are manufactured to withstand heavy loads, to be dismantled quickly, and be able to function in extreme environments. In harsh environments, for example where heavy rainfall or snowfall is likely, soldiers need the reassurance that their presence can remain concealed. Composite telescoping poles are chosen to support camouflage nets over alternative materials like aluminum because of several advantages such as lighter weight and speed of assembly. The composite tubes must therefore combine the strength and durability needed for support with the lightweight flexibility to be able to carry heavy loads. To achieve these properties, careful consideration goes into every stage of manufacturing, from choosing the reinforcing fibres to the manufacturing process itself. So, what are these considerations and how do they ensure the end product is fit for purpose? CHOOSING THE COMPOSITE MATERIAL Early applications for fiberglass date back to World War II, where design engineers used it for aircraft radomes. Since then, armed forces across the globe have used fibreglass in a variety of applications because of its corrosion and weather resistance, competitive cost, and design flexibility. For camouflage netting support units, fibreglass is chosen for its excellent tensile strength meaning it can resist high forces that may pull other materials, like metal, apart. Fibreglass is also a great insulator with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity of 0.3W/m˚K. Alternatives like aluminum are much higher at approximately 200W/m˚K. On the battlefield, where thermal imaging cameras are commonly used to identify the position of the opposition, fiberglass is largely undetectable. The material itself is not the only design consideration for composites in military applications. Fibre alignment provided by the manufacturing process also plays an important role. STRENGTH FROM FIBRE ALIGNMENT Because of the specific helical fibre alignment it provides, the best process for manufacturing camouflage netting support units is pull-winding. Reinforcing fibres, mats, and fabrics are guided together before being saturated with resin. Ultimately, this produces fibre alignment combining both crosswise and unidirectional fibres, resulting in thinner tube walls and the strength and stiffness required for support.

With other materials, such as aluminum, the camouflage netting support units are painted a desired colour to help with concealment. However, rough handling of support units may result in colours chipping away, reducing concealability. To protect colour integrity and ultimately, the concealment of soldiers, colour pigment or dye — usually NATO green or sand — is impregnated directly into the resin. This provides pigmentation across the width of the tube wall so that the same colour exists even if deep scratches are made in the tube. CHOOSING THE RIGHT TELESCOPE SOLUTION Resin choice is critical in reinforcing the mechanical properties of a composite. Thermoset resins are used for camouflage netting support units because the resulting composite can keep its shape throughout its lifespan. They are display better chemical resistance compared to others, like epoxy. Composites for military applications need a degree of flexibility to cope with varying weight loads and extreme temperatures, from -40 to 80 degrees Celsius. Because composites are more tolerant of stretching, they are more likely to absorb impact without damage and less likely to shatter under stress. Even if a bullet punctures the support unit, the structure allows the tube to function well. What’s more, composites are rust free, making it resistant to water and ideal for use in wetter terrains. CHOOSING A TRUSTED MANUFACTURER While it may be more convenient to use the cheapest telescoping pole available for other applications, in the military the stakes are a lot higher. It is crucial, then, that composite manufacturers have tailor-made solutions crafted especially for protecting our troops. By collaborating alongside a trusted composite manufacturer, soldiers can be equipped with a lightweight, portable, and rugged composite system that can withstand rough handling and extreme environmental conditions.

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PACKAGING | NEWS SIMBODIES ACHIEVES 35 percent WEIGHT SAVING USING ARPLANK FOR NEW PACKAGING The partnership that JSP International and Polyformes formed earlier this year continues to grow. Polyformes has recently developed a packaging solution for Simbodies Limited, using ARPLANK. ARPLANK was selected for this application due to its stability and absorption behaviour, giving good protection to the product when it is held in its bespoke manufactured bag. The protective qualities of the foam, captured by the products bag, has enabled a 35 per cent reduction in the packaging weight with an increase in performance. Ideal for shipping the product abroad contributing

New Circular Range from Berry Supports Personal Care Customers’ Sustainability Goals

to cost efficiency, space optimisation and reduced transport emissions. ARPLANK is JSP’s sustainable packaging material, it is a noncrosslinked foam made from expanded polyethylene (EPE). It is isotropic; absorbing kinetic energy from all directions, returning to its original shape and is 100 per cent recyclable. Jiri Slezak, ARPLANK Sales Manager commented “We are delighted to support Polyformes to provide customers with a recycled foam material. ARPLANK has 20 per cent less concavity when compared to other materials which allows much higher precision and less scrap.”

Berry Global is introducing its next generation of innovation with a range of packaging and product solutions, the Berry Global B Circular Range, that leverages the company’s engineering expertise and proprietary processes in the design for circularity to reduce products’ impact on the environment, focused on helping brand owners meet and exceed their sustainability goals. Recognising the growing importance of action to support brand sustainability objectives, Berry Global has decided to take on even the toughest personal care customer packaging challenges utilising its global scale to access circular resins, worldwide capabilities and growing investments in infrastructure such as the recently announced Berry Leamington Spa recycling facility. The Berry Global B Circular Range programme will see the ongoing introduction of a range of standard products for the beauty, personal care, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, home care

and industrial sectors, all of which feature important sustainability enhancements. The first collection of the Berry Global B Circular Range of products for personal care applications, which is now being launched, is designed in line with two key rules of the Circular Economy: design out waste and pollution and keep product and material in use. This process includes the incorporation of recycled content; the development of reusable and refillable packs; and the development of mono-material solutions to improved recyclability. Highlights from the first suite include Boston Round bottles and Flip Top and Tube closures incorporating up to 100 per cent post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic; refillable jars with up to 100 per cent PCR content; a lighter weight mono-material lip care

stick and refillable roll-on stick; as well as airless dispensers with lighter weight and monomaterial construction, recycled content and refillable capabilities. “We recognise the importance that companies across all markets attach to sustainability. As an industry leader in helping brand owners, large or small, achieve their sustainability commitments, we are excited to launch the Berry Global B Circular Range to help bring solutions toward a circular economy to market faster,” commented Thierry Bernet, Circular Economy Director, Berry CPI. “Whether seeking a special product solution or establishing a corporate-wide initiative, we will partner with customers to help them towards meeting both short- and long-term sustainability goals.”

Spectra rolls out 30% minimum recycled content standard As widely reported, a new tax introduced by the UK Government will come into force in April 2022, aimed at ensuring a minimum of 30% recycled content in plastic packaging. As an established champion of recycled plastics, Spectra supports the latest move with the rollout of its new PCR30 initiative. The PCR30 rollout will see all new quoted projects include a minimum of 30% PCR as standard in all their HDPE and PET containers. The new initiative will also consider additional masterbatch colourant content to ensure the pack still satisfies the regulatory minimum recycled content limit. Any customers not wishing to include a minimum of 30% recycled content in their bottles will need to advise the Suffolk-based converter on their optwww.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

out wishes, with such opt-out arrangements considering the Government’s new levy. Despite the Government’s best intentions, it is widely anticipated that feedstocks of recycled materials will come under pressure as everyone adjusts to the new legislation bringing new challenges to the industry.

Easyfairs announces launch of London Packaging Week packaging designers and specifiers in the luxury packaging markets, with a particular focus on the fashion, accessories and luxury retail sectors. PCD will focus on packaging innovations for the perfume, cosmetics and personal care markets and is already the world’s leading event brand for the beauty packaging community, having built its reputation in Paris over the past 20 years. PLD will unite the premium and luxury drinks packaging community, connecting buyers and suppliers

of packaging for wine and spirits as well as premium beers, ciders and non-alcoholic drinks. Food & Consumer Pack will focus on connecting the packaging development community for the food and broader FMCG market, bringing together designers and technologists with packaging suppliers for a wide range of everyday products. Together, the four events will form a vibrant new annual meetingplace for London’s packaging community, including its worldleading design sector

Fifth edition of MeetingPack to be held at Valencia Conference Centre in 2022

the challenges and opportunities of the circular economy in the barrier food packaging sector. The previous edition of MeetingPack, held in 2019, helped consolidate the congress as a key event thanks to the attendance of more than 350 national and international experts. The fifth edition, planned initially for 2021, was postponed due to COVID-19 and will now be held next April. In May 2021, Virtual MeetingPack 2021, a virtual sneak peek, took place. It offered companies a strategic overview of trends in the barrier packaging sector to learn about the business perspective and share information on the common challenges the sector will face in upcoming months. MeetingPack 2022 will provide a more technical approach and will showcase the solutions and success stories companies are placing on the market.

Easyfairs has announced a new future for its packaging innovations events in the UK’s capital with the launch of a series of four new and highly-focused events as part of London Packaging Week. The first London Packaging Week will take place on 21 & 22 September 2022, replacing the current Packaging Innovations & Luxury Packaging London event, and will feature four colocated exhibitions each targeted at a specific packaging community. Packaging Première will bring together

MeetingPack, the biennial event organised by AMPLAS and AINIA that attracts members of the entire packaging value chain, will hold its fifth edition on 20-21 April 2022. The congress will be held at

the Valencia Conference Centre with a strict protocol to ensure a safe event. Under the motto Barrier Packaging Solutions: A Challenge for the Circular Economy, MeetingPack 2022 will once again address

2022 will once again address the challenges and opportunities of the circular economy in the barrier food packaging sector

and the many beauty, drinks, luxury and FMCG brand owners who are based in the city. As part of the relaunch, a range of new features and initiatives are being planned to inspire and

connect the community better than ever before both at the live event and through digital channels throughout the year. Renan Joel, Divisional Director, says: “We

PFF GROUP EXPANDS WITH ACQUISITION OF SIRAP UK Food packaging specialist PFF Group is set for expansion following the acquisition of Sedgefield-based Sirap UK. The £13million turnover company was part of the Italian Sirap Group and is a leading producer and supplier of thermoformed rigid plastic food packaging. PFF Group also recently launched a health division with an investment of £2 million and has been producing millions of disposable polythene aprons at its Washington site for use by frontline NHS and social care workers. PFF Group managing director Kenton Robbins said: “We’re delighted with the acquisition of Sirap UK which allows us to combine two longstanding and highly regarded businesses in the packaging sector. “This investment forms

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Kenton Robbins, Managing Director at PFF Group

a key part of the Group’s continued growth strategy, increasing our brand share of the UK’s thermoforming sector, and a fantastic opportunity for us to manufacture a wider variety of products to a more diverse range of customers. “We look forward to realising the significant synergies that Sirap UK and PFF Group have and the opportunities for growth and scale that this presents for the Group.”

are very excited to be opening this new chapter in how we connect the London packaging community. London Packaging Week and the launches of PCD, PLD, Packaging Première and Food & Consumer Pack will bring a fresh new experience, both at the live event and across the year through our digital channels, to everyone involved in packaging innovation. “Our community has told us that they want more focused events and this new structure will create the perfect environment for suppliers and specifiers to meet, do business and innovate together.”

Packaging specialist celebrates milestone for its ecommerce mailing bag solution Manchesterheadquartered packaging manufacturer and consultancy Duo celebrated a production milestone for its Optipac mailing bag solution this week as it welcomed Vice-lord Lieutenant Sharman Birtles to present the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for the product. Developed by a team at Duo’s Manchester headquarters, the Optipac was produced to provide ecommerce retailers with a parcel bag to create fulfilment efficiencies and convenience for businesses and their customers.

Floreon launches halogen-free flame retardant bioplastic Floreon, which is a company that develops high performance bioplastics, can confirm that its Polylactic acid (PLA) is officially a halogen-free alternative to flame retardant ABS. The halogen-free bioplastic, derived from plants, is suitable for chemical and mechanical recycling and has up to seven times lower carbon footprint than oil-based plastic, making it a safe and sustainable option for electrical goods.

Flame retardant ABS is not recycled today due to concerns about halogen contamination. As the material of choice for the $29.6 billion electronics and electricals industry, this translates to a vast volume of plastic heading to landfills instead of a recycling stream. Shaun Chatterton, CEO of Floreon explains: “Our in-house consumer study* found that 92 per cent of UK adults are concerned about how much plastic is in their home appliances, so the development of our flame retardant PLA is a pivotal point for Floreon.” “Not many bioplastic materials can offer the same high-performance level, options to recycle and a lower carbon footprint in direct comparison to flame retardant ABS plastics, and we are incredibly proud to be one of the first.”

Since April 2020, Duo, has seen a 67 per cent increase in customer demand for its Optipac mailing bag and has produced over 430 million Optipac mailing bags to date for leading online retailers including Gym King and Oh Polly. Dale Brimelow, operations director at Duo, commented: “This is a really proud moment for the team at Duo. We invented the Optipac mailing bag based on feedback from customers on their escalating ecommerce fulfilment costs, along with demands from ecommerce shoppers for increased

delivery options. The surge in ecommerce shopping habits throughout the pandemic has driven demand for the Optipac even further and we’re so pleased we’ve been in a position to provide this solution to so many customers. “The beauty of the Optipac is not only in its design, but that we can manufacture the mailing bags with a high percentage of recycled

content without affecting the performance of the bag. Using our closed loop recycling process we collect post-consumer waste packaging from our customers, recycle it and use this to manufacture new mailing bags. With the continued growth in ecommerce globally, we’re currently evaluating the relevance of this product in other markets such as the USA and mainland Europe.”

of the Reconomy Group company), polymer sorting facility and Faerch’s tray recycling facility in the Netherlands, with the material used to make new food trays across Faerch’s production sites. Introducing initiatives such as this will support the growth of the recycling infrastructure within the UK and for local recycling. Spencer Johnston, CEO of Faerch UK, Ireland & France says “We are committed to accelerating our efforts

to reduce environmental impact especially on CO2, and we are using our position and resources actively to drive change at scale”. He continues “As the world’s only integrated tray recycler, we have the capability, capacity, and expertise to support the industry’s transition towards a circular economy for primary food packaging. The journey has just begun and we look forward to the collaboration with Tesco in bringing this concept to market.”

Industry giant BASF joins task force for sustainable polymers Faerch drives forward industry-leading initiative with Tesco back of store collection programme Faerch has launched an industry first, closed loop recycling programme, in collaboration with Tesco – Back of Store by Faerch. The initiative will see Tesco back of store rigid trays collected, recycled and turned back into primary food contact trays or pots. This is an industry first, not just in the UK, but right across Europe. It is a perfect example of the circular economy in action and demonstrates a collaboration towards achieving a true closed loop within food packaging. Tesco will be diverting 2,000 tonnes of retail ready packaging tray waste back into food packaging applications, using Eurokey’s (part

We are using our position and resources actively to drive change at scale”

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MACHINERY | NEWS Continued Success for BILLION UK and a Changing of the Guard BILLION UK have just completed finalising their 2021 financial year and have posted one of their best turnover results in the history of the company. Pete Kirkham – Managing Director stated “We have remained consistently busy throughout the pandemic with some customers also enjoying record sales. We are fortunate to have some fantastic customers here and we thank them for their continued support and loyalty. It’s great to have achieved such a positive turnover result, which will help to provide a solid platform for service and spares business in the future, although margins have been very tight due to the immense supply chain and business cost pressures, we are all having to bear”. 2022 will also see another milestone for BILLION UK through the retirement of Pete Kirkham at the end of May following 37 years with the company including 21 years as Managing Director. Simon Johnson, who joined BILLION UK in

2018 has been appointed as the new Managing Director since 1st October to steer the company in the coming years. Simon has an in-depth engineering background within the injection moulding industry, which has been his sole occupation during his working life. Commenting on his new challenge, Simon stated “I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to undertake the role as Managing Director for BILLION UK. Pete has provided BILLION with many years of valuable service and created fantastic relationships with all our customers. Pete has been a great mentor throughout my time at Billion and I hope to fill the rather large shoes that he wil leave behind. My aim is to carry the business forward in a similar manner to Pete, whilst giving it my own touch and developing it further. I look forward to continue working with the great team we have within BILLION UK and all the fantastic customers we have that support us with their business.”

COLLEGE TAKES DELIVERY OF SPECIALIST TRAINING MACHINES City of Wolverhampton College has taken delivery of a new plastics injection moulding machine and industrial robot, enabling it to expand the number of specialist training courses it provides to industry employees. The new Bole BL140EKS 140 tonne machine has been loaned to the college’s Polymer Training and Innovation Centre (PTIC), at Stafford Park in Telford, by Wednesbury-based OEM supplier Bole Machinery Ltd. The machine, worth £50,000, with a clamping force of 140 tonnes, is used to produce a range of plastic components for a range of sectors and will be used by the college to train industry professionals from across the UK, as well as Bole customers who need to learn how to use the new kit. The company has also lent the college a Sepro robot

FANUC SUPPORTS YOUNG ENGINEERS AT INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS FINAL FANUC UK is sponsoring the Industrial Robotics Final of WorldSkills UK, as part of its wider commitment to supporting the development of the next generation of British and Irish robotics engineers. The competition sees over 400 students and apprentices vie for the title of National Skills Champion across as many as 64 disciplines, with the Industrial Robotics Final set to take place from 17 – 19 November in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Four teams, Hammer, Basher and Sparky; The Athletes; 2 Dudes 1 Robot; and The Cyborgs, will work hands-on with a real FANUC industrial robot as part of the final. Each team will be tested on their programming and operation skills, with 2019 runner-up and FANUC Engineering Technician Apprentice Romi Rai due to sit on the judging panel. She will be joined by fellow FANUC employees Paul Coombes and Rachel Kenning. Speaking on her

experience in the competition, Rai said: “FANUC supported me through training and mentorship to get me up to speed and ready for the competition. I learned not only a broad range of technical skills but also leadership, time management and teamwork. The competition helped me to develop both in professional and personal aspects, and I encourage all future apprentices to give it a go.” With the last WorldSkills UK tournament taking place in 2019, as many as 3,000 students and apprentices registered to take part in the competition’s return this year. The winners will be announced as part of virtual medal ceremony that will be broadcast live from Channel 4’s ‘Packed Lunch’ studio at 4pm on Friday 26 November.

Success 22, worth £30,000 which is used to automate the injection moulding process. Hardeep Khera, general manager at Bole Manufacturing, said: “We are pleased to be able to loan the new machines to the college and to know that our equipment will be used to deliver specialist training in the latest techniques to industry professionals from the UK and beyond.” Andrew Dermody, trainer consultant at PTIC, said: “We are extremely grateful to Bole for the loan of the new machine which will enable us to expand the range of specialist training we offer to our clients and for them to benefit from learning how to use the latest industry equipment.” The Polymer Training and Innovation Centre provides polymer training and consultancy specialising in injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion training - to employees in the plastics

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Tom Bouchier, Managing Director of FANUC UK, added: “We’re really pleased to be continuing our partnership with WorldSkills following the success of the inaugural Robot Systems Integration challenge in 2019. Supporting the development of the next generation will be key to the growth of the robotics sector in the UK and Ireland and closing the current automation skills gap. “The pandemic has limited the number of opportunities available to young people in robotics and engineering, so we’re happy to be providing the chance for our finalists to work closely with real FANUC robots. This kind of experience will be instrumental to their personal success as well as that of the sector as a whole.”

industry, as well as apprenticeships in polymer processing and lean manufacturing and a range of industryfocussed health and safety courses. 29

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MTC REPORT: AUTOMATION IS THE KEY TO IMPROVING UK PRODUCTIVITY Speeding up adoption of industrial automation and robotics can lead to dramatic improvements in productivity, according to a new report just published by experts at the Coventrybased Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Industrial Policy Research Centre, Loughborough University. “Robotics and Automation: A New Perspective” says that the slow uptake of robotics among British manufacturers, and a reluctance to invest in automation, has contributed to the country’s vanishingly small improvements in productivity in recent years. But investment in automation along with reshoring manufacturing operations, can lead to new opportunities for UK businesses. The report, compiled by MTC and IPRC experts with contributions from major players in the world of automation, says the UK is 24th in the world for robot density in manufacturing businesses, and lags behind in productivity as a result. But the technology to turn the situation around already exists. The priority is to improve the rate of adoption. The report, with experts from a wide range of fields contributing opinions and recommendations, calls for a renewed emphasis on the need to improve productivity through the use of automation, with manufacturers, research organisations, equipment suppliers and Government

Arburg products and experts in high demand at formnext 2021

Investment in automation along with reshoring manufacturing operations, can lead to new opportunities for UK businesses. working together to help businesses improve their performance through the intelligent use of automation. The report also stresses the importance of independent advice to new users, particularly in the SME supply chain. In the foreword to the report, Dr Clive Hickman, chief executive of the MTC said, “While the UK was traditionally a leader in world manufacturing, our productivity has been surpassed by other countries and, if ignored, this gap will continue to grow. It is necessary to address the opportunities available within manufacturing to get back on top form and make advances available for businesses across the UK.” Mike Wilson, the MTC’s chief automation officer, said that the pandemic had exposed weaknesses in the UK’s extended supply chains leading to a recognition that there was a need to increase the resilience of UK manufacturing by increasing local content and reshoring production capacity. He said, “A significant expansion of manufacturing capability cannot be

achieved using the current methodologies, which are largely based on manual labour and obsolete equipment. The ‘Made Smarter Review’ identified that the application of automation and robotics in UK industry could contribute £183.6 billion over the next decade. The solutions are available and proven. The challenge in the UK is adoption, and also the education of the finance community so they understand and support investment.” The report calls for more support for UK businesses to help them with adoption at every stage, from identifying opportunities, getting workforce buy-in, selecting suppliers, ensuring they have the right skills, and implementing solutions. It also calls for knowledge-sharing across industry and the automation supply chain in order to develop, demonstrate, test and de-risk affordable and deployable automation, targeting those UK manufacturers who have under-invested in the past. Better training is also called for, particularly

short courses which don’t take key people out of the business for long periods of time. The report also calls for a specific emphasis on SMEs to adopt automation and robotics technology, possibly through an extension to the Made Smarter programme. It also recommends stronger networks, specifically for robots and automation, to encourage more cooperation and communication, to share knowledge and expertise, and to represent the sector to other parties, including Government. Professor Chris White of the Industrial Policy Research Centre said, “The opportunity is here and because of the pandemic the public perception has changed - calling for an increased resilience in our supply chains. The acceleration of the introduction of robotics and automation into production and the adoption of new technology generally will create a revolution in the way it thinks about manufacturing and its culture. The future of work, and for that matter, the future of manufacturing, is about to change dramatically. Its culture can no longer be described as ‘dirty, dangerous and dull’, but one that is clean, safe and as exciting as our imagination will allow.”

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At formnext 2021, Arburg wowed trade visitors with numerous innovations for industrial additive manufacturing. Many international visitors also travelled to the world’s leading trade fair in Frankfurt to find out first-hand about innovations and trends in the AM industry. Arburg’s international team of AM experts put on a strong show together with InnovatiQ. The highlight was the world premiere of the hightemperature Freeformer 300-3X, which processed medically approved PEEK granulate to produce skull implants. “As an original exhibitor and member of the trade fair advisory board, we have been actively involved for years in making formnext the central meeting place for the AM world. We are pleased that we made a successful appearance at this year’s trade fair despite a difficult environment,” said Dr Christoph Schumacher, Head of Marketing at Arburg. “Arburg’s prominently positioned stand was visited by many international visitors, who were very interested in our innovations and solutions for industrial additive manufacturing. Our experts engaged in many valuable discussions and received interesting enquiries.”

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INDUSTRY 4.0 | NEWS Digital Workspace becomes a top IT priority for manufacturing sector A new report from Softcat offers an exclusive snapshot of the manufacturing IT landscape and what technologies organisations are prioritising in the year ahead. The findings are based on the views of nearly 1,250 organisations in the UK and Ireland, across 23 industries including manufacturing. Looking at a sector level, the report reveals 69 percent of manufacturing companies are now prioritising Digital Workspace solutions above all other technology areas. As industry 4.0 and new work styles underpin transformation in the manufacturing industry, companies are leveraging the power of Digital Workspace solutions. After Digital Workspace solutions, Cyber Security is the second

most cited technology investment area for the next year, with 55 percent of manufacturing organisations saying it’s an important part of their IT strategy. As digital transformation accelerates in the manufacturing sector, more data is being created, stored and shared, making the threat of cybercrime greater than ever. With the industry relying on technology for the production of goods and as the supply chain becomes more digitally connected, a cyber-attack can have huge implications for companies, the wider supply chain and the end consumer. Therefore, cyber resilience is now a high priority and organisations are being encouraged to take a proactive rather than reactive approach to securing networks,

Manufacturers too complacent about digital transformation, new report warns New research has revealed that the manufacturing industry is dangerously underestimating the role that technology will play in building a sustainable operation that can thrive in the face of future pandemics, the climate crisis, and economic and political instability.

Despite major disruption over the past year and a half, only 49 per cent of manufacturers think that Brexit and Covid-19 have made technology more essential to success, according to the Connected Enterprise report, produced by digital transformation specialist Nexer in

devices and data. Networking is ranked as the third most important IT priority within manufacturing, according to the study, with 42 percent of respondents citing it. A new era of networking in manufacturing is emerging, where virtualization is allowing companies to deploy and manage network resources as logical services rather than physical resources. Realtime analytics, powered by the network and

collected on the factory floor can further improve efficiency, reduce downtime and lower costs. Importantly, organisations were also able to rank sustainability as a focus for the first time. And 12 percent of those in the manufacturing sector cited sustainability as an important factor in their IT strategy for the coming year, signalling a shift towards greener and more ethically conscious decision making. Technology has a vital

partnership with applied futurist Tom Cheesewright. The report also reveals that only a 34 percent of manufacturers believe that they will have to implement more technology over the next five years in order to remain competitive, and another 34 per cent believe that changes in customer demands/ expectations will make technology more crucial. Worryingly, 15 per cent feel that the technology they currently use will remain sufficient for the foreseeable future. For the report, Tom Cheesewright conducted in-depth analysis establishing how key global pressure points,

including the climate crisis and economic recovery, as well as changing customer behaviour, will impact the manufacturing industry in the coming years. Colin Crow, managing director at Nexer, added: “Tom’s analysis rightly emphasises the importance of supply chain visibility. In order to achieve this, the manufacturing industry will need to rapidly increase its adoption of ERP solutions.” According to the research, adoption of ERP solutions amongst manufacturers currently sits at just 39 percent. Only 15 percent of those surveyed said that they plan to introduce the technology, leaving almost half still not intending to have an ERP solution in use in the next five years. Crow continued: “It’s also clear that inventory management technology and CRM software will play a key role in managing stock and communicating with customers in a sufficiently agile and responsive way.” The research found that 39 percent of manufacturers are currently using inventory management software, and 34 percent have a CRM platform. Reassuringly, another 34 percent said they plan to implement inventory management technology, and 24 percent are keen to start using CRM software, suggesting that there are positive steps being taken in the right direction in some areas.

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role to play in supporting organisations in meeting their sustainability goals, to ensure compliance with tightening legislation and help the global community meet science-backed climate targets. Richard Wyn Griffith, Managing Director of Softcat, explained: “People, empowered by technology, have made navigating this uncertain and disruptive period possible. And this will only continue as we learn to live and thrive with new ways of working.”

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C CLAIRE PRICE OF QMS INTERNATIONAL, ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING ISO CERTIFICATION BODIES, ADDRESSES THE QUESTION OF WHY DOES MORE NEED TO BE DONE FOR CYBER SECURITY IN MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING?

LIVING IN A DIGITAL AGE

s the fourth industrial revolution gathers pace, cyber criminals are honing their craft. But what exactly are the risks and what can the manufacturing and engineering sectors do to keep their new systems safe? We’re living in a digital age and manufacturers and engineering companies across the globe are embracing the benefits of digital transformation, giving rise to the fourth industrial revolution, otherwise known as Industry 4.0. This new revolution allows the flow of data throughout a business and its operations, integrating production with business processes and introducing artificial intelligence, cloud computing and augmented reality into the workplace.

By introducing ‘smart’ manufacturing, factories and warehouses into their operations, businesses are therefore gaining unparalleled visibility and control over their supply chains, machinery and facilities. With real-time data collected across the business and supply chain, businesses can better understand their operations and analyse and improve performance and maintenance. But this new inter-connectedness and use of ‘big data’ opens manufacturing and engineering businesses up to novel threats when it comes to cyber security. WHAT IS UNDER THREAT? Smart manufacturers and engineers are vulnerable to malware, denial of service, device hacking and exploitation. This could result in the loss of intellectual data, a damaging amount of downtime, product sabotage and even threats to health & safety if equipment is hacked and control lost. These threats have increased with Industry 4.0. With the new emphasis on the transparent flow of data, factory floors and equipment can no longer work in isolation, cut off from the main network. Now, everything is linked, and more people and systems have access to that network, opening up multiple gateways to cyber criminals. Mobile devices are also becoming more common, which can be difficult to protect and keep on top of security updates. In 2016, nearly half of manufacturers in the Deloitte-MAPI survey were already saying that they were using mobile apps for connected products, a figure that is likely to have grown.

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Digital transformations are also often done piecemeal, meaning that old systems exist alongside the new with varying levels of security and vulnerability. Combined with the slow installation of upgrades or patches across a network, this creates another challenge for businesses – and another opportunity for criminals. It is not therefore surprising that the UK manufacturing sector was the victim of 29 per cent of all cyber-attacks recorded by the NTT’s 2020 Global Threat Intelligence Report. HOW CAN CYBER SECURITY BE IMPROVED? The narrow-focused cyber security of the past won’t cut it in this new digital age. Going forward, the manufacturing and engineering sectors need to adopt a more holistic approach which integrates cyber security into every aspect of their business, creating a culture of security. Key considerations when thinking about cyber security for Industry 4.0 include: • How you can ensure the integrity of your systems and information • The protection of sensitive information throughout the data life cycle • The recovery process of critical systems and how to minimise the effects of an incident • To start, you must first assess your risk. ASSESSING THE RISK To protect your smart network from cyber criminals, you must first identify possible risks and their likelihood of occurring. A comprehensive risk assessment must therefore be carried out which must consider your organisation, its suppliers and its technology. You will need to assess how secure your industrial control systems are (ICS), how and where your sensitive data is stored, the vulnerabilities of your supply chain and who has access to your system. You should also look carefully at what systems control or are linked to physical processes and what may happen if they get disrupted. Once you know what the risks are you can begin to develop ways to mitigate or remove these risks. HARDENING YOUR SYSTEMS ‘Hardening’ your systems will help to reduce the risk of cyber threats to your business. This includes: • The installation of firewalls • The creation of processes to install patches • The installation of real-time intrusion detection or threat intelligence • Encryption • Access and identity management (physical and digital) • Regular back-ups • The segmentation of systems You can also increase your organisation’s resilience by coming up with a disaster recovery plan or business continuity plan, which will help you to deal with an incident and detail the steps needed to return to normal.

STAYING VIGILANT Ongoing vigilance is key and should be undertaken by both your workers and your technology. Monitoring of your networks, personnel and the environment should be continuous so that you can pick up on threats as quickly as possible. To aid vigilance, your workers need to be trained. Cyber security awareness training should be carried out regularly, especially if new technology is introduced or novel threats emerge. You should also seek to ensure that your suppliers or any other organisations connected to your systems commit to regular audits and the installation of software patches as soon as they become available. A CULTURE OF SECURITY To create a security-first approach that integrates information security throughout your organisation, you may want to implement a comprehensive information security management system, such as ISO 27001, which includes processes for physical, digital and legal risks. ISO 27001’s 114 controls have been developed to help you implement best-practice processes when it comes to integrating security into your personnel, leadership and digital and physical assets. These processes include access control, operations security, system acquisition and maintenance, supplier relationships and incident management, giving you the framework you need to build a true culture of security within your manufacturing or engineering business. The Standard can also be extended with additional codes of practice to tailor it to your organisation’s needs. ISO 27017, for instance, provides additional controls that cover information security for cloud services, while ISO 27018 tackles the protection of personally identifiable information kept in a cloud. Whether you use a management system or not, it remains important to create an integrated defence strategy so that your security is as consistent as possible both within and without your business.

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TEMPERATURE CONTROL | NEWS Newsome first to offer ‘Try before you Buy’ rental option on free coolers With energy costs rising and increasing pressure on companies to reduce their carbon footprint, plastics manufacturers are striving to embrace environmental initiatives to combat climate change; whilst engineering managers are being challenged to increase manufacturing efficiency, whilst reducing energy consumption and operating costs. PWC’s latest UK Manufacturing Operations Pulse survey - November ’21* highlights that 81% of UK manufacturers are investing in reducing energy use and measuring energy efficiency.

With the onset of Autumn introducing cooler outside air temperatures, alternative solutions are available to traditional air-cooled chillers. Free coolers utilise external fresh ambient air to provide partial or 100% free cooling - providing a far more energy efficient and cost- effective way to provide chilled fluid to their processors, whilst maintaining optimum cooling temperatures. When ambient air temperatures are low enough, especially through autumn, winter and into early spring, a free cooler automatically dissipates the system

As free cooling reduces the annual total system energy consumption the savings made can be reinvested elsewhere into the business.

heat, allowing the chiller to reduce its power consumption. As free cooling reduces the annual total system energy consumption the savings made can be reinvested elsewhere into the business. Furthermore, they can in turn increase plant component longevity, thus assisting to meet important carbon reduction targets. Richard Metcalfe, Director for temperature control and humidity experts, Newsome, explains: “Free Cooling is a fast and effective way to reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint on refrigerated, process water cooling applications. Depending on the external air temperatures and the temperature you want to achieve, chillers can typically be partially or fully offloaded for up

SHELLBACK Spray Batch System Shipments for Major Transportation Supplier SHELLBACK Semiconductor Technology, a global business in Spray Batch technology for the semiconductor industry, announced that it has shipped another TORRENT™ spray batch system to a major electronic vehicle and transportation supplier as a part of a multi-system order. The systems will be used for post-etch residue and polymer removal on 200mm wafers. President and CEO, Wayne Jeveli noted, TORRENT is the most intelligent spray batch system on the market

and provides high capacity throughput, easy maintenance, and a robust trusted process based on SHELLBACK’s proprietary SEMITOOL™ intellectual property. These systems are a perfect example of SHELLBACK’s capabilities to develop enabling technologies for new markets.”

These systems are a perfect example of SHELLBACK's capabilities to develop enabling technologies for new markets."

to 90% of the year. It simply means that you can significantly reduce the energy consumption and achieve a lower carbon footprint for your company.” The ROI for implementing a Free Cooler in a traditional chiller system is truly impressive, depending on location, some companies could have a payback period of as little as 12 months. The system not only reduces the energy consumption and contributes to a greener profile for companies - by offloading the chiller, it also extends the chiller lifespan with potential

cost reduction on servicing. Traditionally, free cooling systems are generally only available to purchase. However, for a limited period - Newsome is offering companies the opportunity to rent a free cooling system to allow them to evaluate the potential cost savings available, before investing in a solution that is fully tailored to meet their individual business requirements. *https://www.pwc. co.uk/industries/ manufacturing/buildingagility-in-manufacturing/ manufacturing-operationspulse-survey.html

Husky and Chem-Trend create colour-change feature for Altanium hot runner temperature controllers Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd. has announced its collaboration with Chem-Trend on a system solution that creates repeatability during the critical colour-change process to offer a faster, more accurate, and optimised approach for operators. The team devised a new guided procedure made easily accessible to operators within the Husky Altanium Mold Controller operator interface. The instructions outline a simple, yet highly effective approach to

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setting up and performing the colour-change process explicitly for moulds with hot runner systems. The joint approach is based on the process for using Chem-Trend’s Ultra Purge brand of purge compounds, which is designed specifically to reduce colour-change time and carbon formation in hot runner systems.

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Digitalisation in process temperature control by Reglopl

This enables real-time process optimisations leading to higher productivity, reduced downtime, optimised machine capacity and

Lockdowns and pandemic-related employee absences are making it difficult for many food producers to maintain their usual production capacity. You don’t send a machine or plant operator to work from home lightly. Production of dairy products, pasta, pastries, confectionery, food additives, even new types of foods such as plant-based meat replacements must continue, even when everything around is at a standstill. To provide even better support to its customers during this development, Regloplas AG offers a range of solutions for its temperature control

communicate with one another. This enables real-time process optimisations leading to higher productivity, reduced downtime, optimised machine capacity and improved product quality. With less outlay on the integration of high performance and flexible temperature control solutions, is equally attractive to plant manufacturers and to processing operations. Regloplas AG is continuously developing its offers and technical expertise for these users. The motivation, in addition to economic considerations is being able to contribute to a healthier, tastier and sustainable food supply.

Conair Group announces new President

ICS Cool Energy Launches ICSLink ICS Cool Energy has announced ICS Link, a new real-time, remote monitoring system and service for temperature control equipment. ICSLink combines data analytics, connectivity and expert support to maximise productivity, operational and energy efficiency of customers’ heating and cooling solutions. The new ICS Link remote telemetry system continuously collects performance data of the temperature control equipment, allowing customers to have complete 24/7 visibility of their units, via web browser or dedicated mobile app and can remotely change set points if needed. ICSLink incorporates internal watchdogs for performance verification and reliability of temperature equipment like chillers, boilers, pumps, air handling units and fan coils. The system is compatible with new

units and cooling systems (-20°C to 350°C and 3 to 80 kW heating capacity) which drive forward the digitalisation of temperature control in the food industry. Regloplas AG’s new RT200 control system with integrated OPC UA server now offers maximum flexibility for digitalisation within the production process. The central concept of digitalisation is data exchange of all the process and machine data across the network and to higher-level IT systems such as MES, ERP and PPS. All peripheral machines, devices and systems involved in the production process

and legacy equipment, rented or owned and works with customer’s building management systems. “With ICSLink we want to maximise our customer’s productivity and uptime, combining data analytics, connectivity and expert support,” said Dave Palmer, general manager for the UK and Ireland at ICS Cool Energy. “By putting data to work and pairing it with technical expertise from ICS Cool Energy we’re offering our customers much more than just an alarm that notifies them about a problem with their equipment. With ICSLink they have full visibility of the units and our expert support to optimise and maximise their equipment’s productivity. This intelligence can also help them to better plan investment and resources to improve their business’ profitability and growth.” With ICSLink, customers receive a single, compatible system that can be used across their operations. Using customisable dashboards, they can access complete present and past data of their temperature control assets and have a complete oversight of their equipment including real time data analysis of hours, fuel consumption and events outside expected range, machine usage and condition.

Jason Ganim, whose background includes almost 30 years of success in sales, management and executive leadership, as well as a degree in Finance, is the new President of Conair Group. “We interviewed many highly qualified candidates from a number of industrial equipment companies and several other industries,” said Kirk Winstead who has been Conair President since 2018, while also serving as President and COO of Conair’s parent company, “As Conair continues to experience phenomenal growth, we need to expand our capacity to serve our customers and maximize our effectiveness across the business.” Most recently, Ganim was a senior executive for Transtar

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Industries, Cleveland, a leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts and solutions. He held multiple highlevel positions during his 13 years with that company. He was Vice President Business Development for East West Manufacturing, Atlanta, for just over 5 years before that, and, earlier in his career spent 6 years as Director of Aftermarket Business for a large distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia, with special concentration in Finance. 41

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RECLAMATION & RECYCLING | NEWS New EPS recycling trial launched

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has been working with household waste recycling centres (HWRC) in England on an initiative that will enable more expanded polystyrene (EPS) to be collected and processed for recycling. A new trial was launched with the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) on 8 November 2021. It was attended by representatives from the NLWA, the BPF, NLWA-owned LondonEnergy Ltd, and Greenbank Recycling Solutions, which provided the onsite compactors being used in the trial and is also managing the processing of the material. EPS packaging is highly effective in protecting valuable electrical items such as televisions, microwaves and fridges as it is extremely lightweight as well as being water resistant. It is also widely used as an insulating material in the construction sector, as well as in bicycle helmets, boxes to transport live organs and other pharmaceutical packaging. EPS is fully recyclable but because it is 98 per cent air it provides unique challenges when it comes to collecting and reprocessing the material. Currently in the UK, 54 per cent of the material is recycled but it is hoped initiatives like this will enable far more of it to be captured from UK households. The reprocessed material from the scheme will be made into insulation panels for use in construction.

Emerson to Provide Advanced Automation Technologies for Revolutionary Plastics Recycling Plant ReNew ELP, a UK-based advanced recycling company, has selected Emerson (NYSE:EMR) as its digital automation partner for its new plastics recycling plant in Teesside, north-east England. Emerson’s advanced automation technology and software will help achieve safe, efficient operation of an innovative hydrothermal process to convert endof-life plastics back into their original feedstock to produce new plastic products, reducing waste and pollution. “By converting endof-life plastics into fossilreplacement feedstocks, ReNew ELP has the potential to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic and make the raw ingredients for a circular plastics economy, creating value instead of waste,” said Richard Daley, managing director, ReNew ELP. “Pivotal to achieving these goals is the construction of this first commercial-scale plant using a unique hydrothermal platform, and in Emerson we have found a valuable, long-

TOMRA Recycling’s sensor-based technology provides a future-proof solution for Mid UK Recycling’s new Barkston MRF Innovative sensor-based sorting solutions from TOMRA Recycling have been installed at Mid UK Recycling’s new £15m

state-of-the-art Lincolnshire-based material recycling facility (MRF) which became operational in June 2021. Mid UK’s multi-million-pound Barkston MRF, near Grantham, processes 30 tonnes per hour (tph) of dry mixed recyclables from domestic and commercial recycling collections. As part of the MRF’s development, 14 of the latest generation TOMRA AUTOSORT® units have been installed across two lines to enhance the sorting process, boosting throughput and elevating purity levels of the targeted end fractions. TOMRA’s new equipment at the Barkston MRF focuses on sorting a variety of fractions, including paper, film, magazines and a range of plastics, including high-density polyethylene

term partner to create an advanced automation model for further plants planned across Europe.” The ReNew ELP plant will utilise a groundbreaking advanced recycling process called HydroPRS™ (Hydrothermal Plastic Recycling System), that uses supercritical steam (high pressure and temperature) to convert waste plastics into the valuable chemicals and oils from which they were originally made. These products can then be used to manufacture new plastics and other materials. “The HydroPRS process is currently undergoing a Life Cycle Assessment by Warwick Manufacturing Group to understand both its environmental impacts and Global Warming Potential (GWP), alongside the CO2

savings from diverting plastic waste away from incineration and into advanced recycling,” said Daley. “Initial findings indicate a significantly reduced GWP when compared to energy from waste (incineration) and a favourable comparison to fossil naphtha, supporting the ambition of a viable pathway to net zero.” As the main automation contractor, Emerson will be responsible for developing a complete automation and control solution to ensure safe, efficient operation of the demanding production process with minimum operator intervention. The plant is expected to become operational in late 2022, with the first phase including one of four recycling lines, each able to process 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year.

(HDPE), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Mid UK Recycling was already familiar with the capabilities of TOMRA’s AUTOSORT® technology as previous versions of the units were installed in Mid UK’s original MRF at the site. In total, the 14 new AUTOSORT® machines at the Barkston MRF can process an impressive 30 tonnes per hour (tph) of dry recycling from homes and businesses in the local area. Chris Mountain, Director at Mid UK Recycling, comments: “We have invested heavily in our new Barkston facility to ensure that we take full advantage of the latest in technology advances and standards to build a state-of-the-art facility that we are all proud of. Specifying the latest TOMRA AUTOSORT® units is a key part of this investment, and we have every confidence that the technology will add value to our recycling processes for many years to come.”

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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IN THIS ARTICLE DUNCAN CLARKE, HEAD OF OPERATIONS AT BIODEGRADABLE BIOPOLYMER RESEARCH PLATFORM TEYSHA TECHNOLOGIES, EXPLAINS HOW FESTIVALS NEED TO START OFFERING ECO-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES TO ATTENDEES AND INVEST IN SUSTAINABILITY SCHEMES THAT DEVELOP NEW BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS TO TACKLE LARGE SCALE LITTERING.

IN THE RUBBISH

ields littered with abandoned tents and plastic bags, bottles and containers, these are the images people often see on the TV after a large music festival. An estimated 23,500 tonnes of waste is left by UK festival goers each year according to think-tank Powerful Thinking, that’s more than double the weight of the Eiffel tower. Here Duncan Clark, head of operations at biodegradable biopolymer research platform Teysha Technologies, explains some of the best solutions for festival organisers to minimise their plastic problem. For many, the return of events like Reading Festival will be a blessing after a long period of isolation during the global pandemic. However, many people are waiting in trepidation for the scenes of fields covered with discarded plastic waste that have been a regular occurrence since the iconic Woodstock Music and Art fair in 1969, one of the UK’s first music festivals. However, music festivals don’t have to be synonymous with mass littering and festival organisers are trying to change this stereotype. For example, Glastonbury, which produces around 2,000 tonnes of waste per year, has required attendees to adhere to the Glastonbury Green Pledge since 2019. Single-use plastic bottles were no longer available, and attendees were encouraged to refill their water bottles for free at water taps. While this is a step in the right direction, there is still so much more that music festival can do to limit their plastic waste. GO A STEP FURTHER Firstly, it’s not enough to just ban the sale of singleuse plastic bottles. This needs to be extended to all areas of packaging supplied by festivals. Sustainable products are increasing and many events are currently utilising them, music festivals must do the same. From food and drink packaging to small plastic trinkets, limiting the amount of traditional plastic allowed will see a direct decrease in plastic waste. Secondly, music festivals should encourage attendees to make sustainable choices. Every year more than 250,000 tents are abandoned at music

festivals in the UK. Though some may be salvaged and given to those in need, this only pushes the plastic problem onto another location when the cheap tents eventually become unusable. If music festivals were to offer attendees ecofriendly alternatives to the main culprits of waste, the problems would lessen. Teysha has developed a unique polycarbonate platform from renewable resources that can be customised for a multitude of applications. These products can even undergo selective degradation into non-harmful substances, a good solution if attendees continue to litter. Festivals can encourage visitors to purchase products made from these alternative materials through festival branding or endorsement from performing artists on stage and social media. Encouraging a change in attendee behaviour is just as important as providing greener alternatives. Finally, festivals need to start investing more heavily in sustainability schemes. Eco-friendly materials, like biodegradable biopolymers, are only able to compete with the traditional petroleum-based plastic industry with funding. Contributions will not only fund further developments in how to make products more durable and user friendly, but they also make a statement of solidarity in progressing towards green technology. The more events push towards sustainable products, the more options they will begin to see.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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FUSION 1 Y

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Controlled:

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Pistol Grip Handle:

Can be mounted for onehanded welding

Rod shape

Reduced design for increased maneuverability in small spaces

Double-sided wire intake LED Light

To illuminate the welding area

For more flexibility when welding

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BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE MATERIALS MOULD RELEASE

MASTERBATCH

ASSEMBLY

HAMPTON COLOURS LIMITED

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pulse staking

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158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.bransoneurope.eu

Telsonic UK Ltd

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

BP&R SOFTWARE GUIDE

PLANTMASTER BMS Vision Ltd T: 01254 662244, E: sales.bla@visionbms.com www.visionbms.com/plastics

RJG TECHNOLOGIES LTD Moulding Technology

Affordable and flexible MES system for the plastics/rubber industry. Easy to use systems from a €600m company with over 30 years experience. Real-time production monitoring features wireless data units and OPC Ethernet machine connections. “Drag and drop” job scheduling supports frame/insert level family tooling plus KAN BAN. ERP system integration, SPC/SQC, Touch Screen Data Units, Machine Maintenance, Operator Tracking, Traceability, DNC, Energy Monitoring, Bar Coding, Pager Alerts.

• • • •

INTOUCH T: 01604 537100 E: enquiries@ intouchmonitoring.com www.intouchmonitoring.com Real-time production monitoring systems. Designed to be easy to use and providing affordable solutions to all sizes of businesses. Production monitoring, scheduling, reporting, data import/export, databases for parts, tools and operators, integration with other software packages.

Branson Ultrasonics

158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.bransoneurope.eu

QUALITY MONITORING CONTROL

T: +44 (0)1733 232211 E info@rjginc.co.uk

Kistler Instruments Ltd

T: 01256 741550 F: 01256 741551 E: sales.uk@kistler.com W: www.kistler.com Pressure transducers and associated monitoring/control equipment for new and existing injection moulding applications.

Zero Defect Moulding – What’s your target? Cycle time reduction Reduced scrap rates Improved process capability Higher yield and OEE

PRO-OP™ software provides a step-bystep procedure for optimising the injection moulding process to deliver optimum quality products at the most favourable cycle time. PRO-OP™ is a server based application which, by setting an optimum moulding process, highlights weaknesses and problems in relation to part design, mould design, mould construction, moulding equipment efficiency, moulding equipment specification and material selection.The moulding process is documented with explanations for each key process parameter setting demonstrating the processing conditions and equipment contributions to the final result. PRO-OP™ is aimed at companies whose focus is quality and consistent part manufacture. PRO-OP™ supports companies by providing a documented and structured validation protocol which is recognised in the in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors.

VIBRATION WELDING

CONTROL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

PROCESS OPTIMISATION SOFTWARE

MONITORING

Unit 3 Vitrage Technical Park 27 Witney Road , Nuffield Industrial Estate, Poole, Dorset BH17 0GL T: 01202 697340 E: info.uk@telsonic.com W: www.telsonic.com Blog: telsoniccuk.wordpress.com

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

SILICONE MOULDINGS Technical Mouldings in

Silicone, FKM, EPDM, Neoprene, NBR Contact

WWW.MEADEX.CO.UK

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519 www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT Super Bluish Titanium Dioxide

HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS

CONTROL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT QUALITY MONITORING CONTROL Kistler Instruments Ltd

Cavity pressure measurement systems and sensors for control of the injection moulding process and automatic hot-runner balancing, provides zero-defect production with 100% quality control. T: F: E: W:

T: 01256 741550 F: 01256 741551 E: sales.uk@kistler.com W: www.kistler.com Pressure transducers and associated monitoring/control equipment for new and existing injection moulding applications.

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METAL DETECTION and dosing

MOULD CHANGE

HEATING EQUIPMENT Metal Detection

Magnetic Separation

INDUCTION HEATING FOR PLATENS AND TOOLS MF Induction Heating

MASTERMAGNETS.COM

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

Permanent Electrostatic Magnets Separation BOOK YOUR FREE SITE VISIT TODAY

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Tel: 01952 671918 Fax: 01952 608579 Email: connectors.uk@staubli.com

Unit 5, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 7XN Replacement Coils New platens T: 01543 570642 E: sales@mfinduction.com W: www.mfinduction.com

www.quick-mould-change.com

TO ADVERTISE HERE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN ON 01244 952519 RUBBER

SCREWS & BARRELS

DRYERS

Wanted

www.magog.co.uk

Rubber Manufacturing Company

Design, Manufacture, and Refurbishment of Screws & Barrels for the Plastics and Rubber Industries. • Screw design • New manufactured Screws, Barrels, Feed Sections & Liners • Proven wear resistant specifications for screws • Nitrided and Bimetallic barrels • Refurbishment and repairs • Condition monitoring and wear checks

As part of our ongoing strategy we are looking to aquire an additional business ideally with a current turnover of between £1-3m PA

In the first instance email us on rubberukp3@rubber.today

Magog Industries Ltd, 10 Crane Mead, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9PY T: +44(0)1920 465201 E: enquiries@magog.co.uk

Goldcrest Engineering Technologies Ltd Unit 15 St Johns Way, St Johns Business Estate, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 0QQ

Unique group of engineering companies specialising in the development, design & manufacture of Granular Polymer Dehumidifying Dryers under the “Drymaster” Brand

Tel: 01366 383398 E: goldcrestengtech@gmail.com www.goldcrestengtech.co.uk

FILTRATION ALUMINIUM MATERIAL STORAGE BINS Off the shelf or made to order with very competitive pricing! Standard sizes available: 80l, 200l, 420l, 830l.

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

BPR18

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

Exhibiting at Interplas on stand DD10 Hall 3A

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519 48

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

SECONDHAND AND RECONDITIONED Cooper Plastics Machinery

8 Lyall Court, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1UX T: 01525 719850 E: Cooperplastics@gmail.com W: www.cooperplastics.co.uk Extruders, water baths, haul-offs, fly knife cutters, conveyors/tip tables, in-line punches, coilers etc. New and used. Repairs, servicing or rebuilds. UK agent for Lyons Electronics.

DTL Machinery UK

- We buy / sell all makes / age / sizes of Plastic Injection Moulding Machinery & Ancillaries equipment. - We also buy redundant, nonrunners & faulty machinery. - Machinery repair and maintenance services available. T: 01925 596170 M: 07838138342 E: info@dtlmachinery.co.uk E: douglastrading@gmail.com

TransXL International Ltd

Plastics Processing Machinery Bought & Sold, Thornhill, South Marston, Wiltshire SN3 4TA T: 01793 827666 F: 01793 823826 E: sales@transxl.co.uk W: www.transxl.co.uk

BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT second hand & re-conditioned

BUSINESS FOR SALE

TESTING EQUIPMENT Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services

Buying, Selling, Merging? Whatever your business needs, Richmond Capital Partners are the industry experts with a proven track record of guiding acquirers or sellers through the process of buying, selling and merging. Contact Paul Holohan in complete confidence on 07798 530684

Refurbished machines with fault and leak free guarantee. We buy & sell all manner of plasscs equipment. Visit our workshop in Wellingborough, Northants. 01933 272747

sales@stvmachinery.co.uk www.stvmachinery.co.uk

richmondcapitalpartners.com

‘USED INJECTION MOULDING MACHINERY DEALERS’

Single Machines to whole plants purchased Tel: David 07540 633552 info@plasticinvestments.co.uk www.plasticinvestments.co.uk

Ultrasonic Plastic Welders New & Used

Tel; 07730 413197 Tel; 01258 459257

als.ultrasonics@gmail.com www.als-ultrasonics.co.uk

MAPRA Technik Co — BAREISS

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT

For Sale & Wanted Sonotrodes (Horns) all Frequencies Fixtures, Repairs, Service, Parts Sub-Contract Welding, Hire & Consultancy

HARDNESS - IRHD AND SHORE For Bareiss of Germany IRHD & SHORE hardness testers, Abrasion & Rebound testers. T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

new & used

Branson-Mecasonic-Telsonic

Unit 5C, Leaton Industrial Estate, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3AP T: 01939 291677 E: enquiries@gammadot.com W: www.gammadot.com Providing independant testing solutions to all your quality control, failure analysis & flow simulation data needs

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

MAPRA Technik Co – DOSS

MARCEL AUBERT – KAFER

For DOSS visual solution of Italy –Inspection & sorting machines for O’rings, Seals, Gaskets. T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

SERVICES TESTING/CONSULTANCY

TRAINING

PRINTERS PRINTERS OF PLASTIC MOULDINGS Total Print Ltd

Specialist Pad Printers Station Road, Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire PE12 0NP T: 01406 330122 F: 01406 330123 E: info@totalprintltd.com W: www.totalprintltd.com Sub-Contract Pad Printers to the Plastics Industry

COMPONENT PRINTERS MONITORING

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TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL

Contour Marking Co Ltd Albert house, Gledrid Industrial Park, Chirk ,Wrexham, LL14 5DG T: 01691 770093 F: 01691 770023 Sub Contract Tampo, Screen & Foil Printing to the plastic moulding industry E: sales@contourmarking.com W: www.contourmarking.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

60 Day Free Trial www.intouchmonitoring.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519 www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

comment

NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

IN THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF HIS EXCLUSIVE COLUMN FOR BP&R, DIRECTORGENERAL OF THE BPF, PHILIP LAW TELLS READERS ABOUT A NEW NET ZERO HUB AND HOW IT’S A MAJOR NEW RESOURCE TO HELP MEMBERS IN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS NET ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS.

o organisation can afford to stay still. The BPF is a business just like any other. We view our members as ‘customers’. We are just as keen to retain existing customers and secure new customers as the most competitive firms in our industry. Developing our membership benefits is key to this. Our latest venture is to form an agreement with Platts on providing our member firms with polymer data to help them navigate the shortages and long lead times and assist with their planning and budgeting. This will take the form of live steaming data through our website, participation in webinars and seminars, and the provision of customised reports. As signal that we could be moving in the right direction towards some semblance of normality, our BPF Annual Dinner, enlivened by the wit of John Pienaar, was a great success with 440 people attending. We are already selling tickets for next year’s event due to be held on 13th October 2022 at the Royal Lancaster London Hotel, on the northern edge of Hyde Park. A really key thing I want to tell you about is our new Net Zero Hub on our website. It’s a major new resource to help members in their journey towards net zero carbon emissions. Make UK’s report, ‘Demystifying Net Zero‘ highlighted manufacturing’s 11 per cent contribution to carbon emissions and as the third largest manufacturing sector , the plastics industry will have a major role to play in delivering a future low carbon economy. The fact that the targets will be impossible to meet without using plastics was

underlined in a government publication, ‘Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener’ which noted the importance of replacing iron pipes with plastics alternatives to reduce methane leakage across the gas network. The Hub contains a ‘Decarbonisation Directory’ listing those member firms which have made formal commitments. This is accompanied by a Net Zero Introduction, a training resource covering scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Further major tools to help companies with the Net Zero issue will be made available before the end of the year. A wonderful illustration of how ‘actions speak louder than words’ has sprung from the BPF’s Expanded Polystyrene Group. It concerns a project initiated by the Group in conjunction with a Household Waste Recycling Centre which will increase the collection and recycling of EPS. The EPS Group teamed up with the North West London Waste Authority, London Energy Ltd and Greenbank Recycling Solutions in a trial to operate compactors. It is expected that recycled materials will be used in insulator panels for construction. With many activities such as this in play it was something of a shock to hear the Prime Minister’s mystifying declaration that plastics recycling doesn’t work. Of course, it does and it is increasing in scale, particularly in recent months. It is the government’s policy to encourage plastics recycling. I was pleased that The Times quoted the BPF’s statement in full pointing this out. The industry has every reason to be proud of its achievement.

It’s a major new resource to help members in their journey towards net zero carbon emissions.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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Thermally and/or electrically conductive polymer compounds bringing the traditional advantages of polymers to applications requiring thermal management, static dissipation, electrical conductivity or EMI shielding.

BP&R December 2021

Articles inside

FEATURE

INTERVIEW

COMMENT

FEATURE