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and then the product should be
designed for recyclability either for
reuse or for easy and environmentally
friendly disposal.
KEEP AN EYE ON IT
Monitoring resources, inventory,
supply and demand can help
manufacturers to reduce waste
during production. Manufacturers
should invest in automated processes
to better monitor the movement of
goods. Radio frequency identification
(RFID) tags can help businesses to
keep track of product movement
from raw material to delivery and
accurately show the consumer
demand. Manufacturers can then
ensure they only produce the goods
required, reducing waste caused by
over production.
Most products require more raw
material that is cut or shaped to create
the final item, creating waste that is
often thrown out. Instead of neglecting
this material, manufacturers should
look at how it can be used elsewhere.
It could be recycled to make products
in the future, either in that facility or
sent to another company to be used
as a raw material.
BENEFITS
Manufacturing a more
environmentally-friendly product
will benefit a business in many ways.
Consumers will trust a brand that
invests in more sustainable methods
that can increase demand and profit
for the business.
Businesses may also see a
reduction in costs because they are
purchasing smaller amounts of raw
materials and manufacturing fewer
products.
Consumers saying no to plastic
bags, coffee cups and bottles is
already having a positive impact
on the environment. However,
manufacturers should not expect
the consumer to do all of the work.
Manufacturers should be proactive
and decide how they can produce
more sustainable products that
can make a significant impact
on our future planet. !
SUSTAINABLE
PLASTICS?
With such a focus on sustainability and
reducing plastic consumption, end
users invariably want to know about
the moulding properties of bio-based
materials. Although the cost of biobased
materials is gradually coming
down, the price currently remains
higher than fossil-derived polymers.
There remain lots of developments in
this field. And for many right now there
are too many unknowns, including
questions surrounding the true
sustainability of harvested bio-based
crops, such as corn.
For recycled plastics, the jury for
many customers is also still out. Most
prefer to source a pure polymer and
don’t accept regrinds, as they are
concerned that product performance
will be compromised. From a scientific
perspective, every time plastic is
melted the molecular structure
changes and degrades. Some call
this a ‘heat history’. The more this
happens, the weaker and more brittle
the part gets. In time this can affect the
characteristics of the end product,
potentially compromising safety,
hygiene or performance.
To produce goods
with sustainability in
mind, manufacturers
should consider how
every aspect of design
and production impacts
the environment
If using regrind it’s advisable
to minimise the blend to
20% or less. Do remember
that any subsequent pass
through the machines will
contain some of the previous
regrind blend, so the ratio of
regrind to virgin polymer will
increase incrementally.
Mixing of the polymers in pellet or
powder form is often performed by a
material supplier, which a moulder buys
in batches. However, most moulders
have dosing units on site to create a
polymer mix when smaller quantities
are required.
It’s important to seek a moulding
partner that can think creatively and
use their engineering acumen and
chemical knowledge to present the
best materials for a moulding project.
Understanding how the molecular
structure of plastics change as they are
processed is critical when considering
which material to use for your project.
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