The world is changing. Never has there been as much focus on low-impact sustainable manufacturing processes, recycling, carbon footprints, net-zero. Manufacturers and consumers must adapt and change the way we do things to ensure we all play our part in looking after our planet
Plastics are very much at the focus of environmental concerns, of course products made from polymers are around us all the time. From everyday items including children’s toys and packaging protecting your food to more industrial parts used in vehicles and construction.
There are many environmental benefits to using polymers. They are lightweight and robust which means they can significantly reduce weight in vehicles and therefore fuel costs. Protecting food extends its lifespan and reduces waste. Polymers have a role to play in helping reduce the pressures on our environment.
Nevertheless, as processors of polymers we take our responsibility in terms of reducing plastic waste from our manufacturing process and where possible using recycled materials.
Recycled plastics consume at least 50% less energy; conserving natural resources versus crude oil and reducing waste to landfill and the environmental impact of waste processing and manufacture from virgin materials.
Working with our customers and material suppliers AC Plastics has been able to switch a number of products previously made from virgin materials on to 100% recycled material. Recycled material now makes up 75% of all polymers used at AC Plastics and with further developments in the pipeline we hope to increase this number further.
Reducing energy
As well as looking at more sustainable materials. AC Plastics is committed to reducing the energy usage associated with injection moulding processes.
We have had solar panels installed right across the roof of our facility in Huyton to lessen the impact of energy taken from the national grid. We have invested in free chiller technology which can cool the water systems needed for injection moulding by using the ambient temperature of the air outside and reducing the use of energy.
Alongside these measures we continue to invest in the latest energy-efficient injection moulding machines. A program has been put in place to remove the oldest, most energy hungry machines and replace them with the latest equipment which are far more energy efficient.
There is more work to do and we will continue to monitor and improve our manufacturing practices where and whenever possible and purchase materials from the most sustainable sources.
