BP&R Jan/Feb 23

British Plastics and Rubber

EAST MEETS WEST IN BOLE-PROPLAS SUCCESS STORY

BP&R TALKS TO HARDEEP

KHERA - SEE PAGE 10

RESIN PRICES

The end of turbulent times?

GREENER & CLEANER Microban on protecting plastics

ROBOTS & RESHORING Automation for the nation?

INTERPLAS AT 75: PlastikCity returns, and Wittmann goes big

British Plastics and Rubber

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ISSN 0307-6164

Incorporating Polymer Age and Rubber and Plastics Age.

COMMENT

New year, new look

Welcome to 2023 (admittedly the year will be well under way by the time this editorial hits desks), and welcome to your new-look British Plastics & Rubber magazine. Regular readers will notice a vastly different style, not least in the front cover design. Going forward, each edition will focus on an interview with a leading light in the plastics industry.

We’re kicking this off with my interview with Hardeep Khera, general manager at Bole UK. A relative newcomer to the UK IMM supplier network, Bole have certainly shaken things up. Made in China, these machines have proven to be an attractive option for moulders and manufacturers, both for commodity and more technical work. Long-standing European suppliers seem to be moving towards offering the ‘no frills’ standard machine options that were historically offered to the Asian markets. With some brand owners reshoring their output in recent years, it makes sense that the machines bestsuited to the job would come to the West as well.

Also new is our ‘Meet the Moulder’ feature, which this issue focuses on WSM Plastics. I caught up with Neil Paice at WSM to learn more about the challenges facing the firm – and indeed many moulders – in the current climate. Not surprisingly, one of the critical pain points is the continual onslaught of rising overheads, from energy costs to resin price hikes. While both factors are showing signs of a shift to a *slightly* more palatable scenario at the start of the year, conditions remain far from ideal for healthy profit margins. That said, WSM remain optimistic, and have taken some sustainable learnings from the challenges of recent years. Turn to page 16 to find out more.

On the subject of sustainability and energy, I just finished recording the latest episode of the Interplas Insights podcast, which was a special focus on sustainable plastics processing in the face of high energy costs. I was joined by Jo Davis, managing director at Broanmain Plastics, Robin Kent, managing director at Tangram Technologies, and probably

Now recruiting: Editorial Advisory Board

British Plastics & Rubber is compiling an Editorial Advisory Board comprised of independent industry experts. If you or someone you know would like to assist in the planning of features, regular columns and contributions, as well as providing critical reviews of technical articles, please email

david.gray@rapidnews.com. Nominated individuals must not be employed by suppliers of equipment or materials to the plastics industry. Ideally, candidates will have a background in either: technical consultancy, academia and research, or policy and regulation, but other fields will be considered.

the world’s leading voice on this topic, and finally Carl Reeve, managing director at Premier Moulding Machinery/Haitian. It was a wide-ranging discussion, which explored the priorities for moulders’ capex, as well as smaller, less costly changes that can make a big difference. Jo herself has been on one of Robin’s courses, and through the changes they’ve made at Broanmain, the company has even been able to afford staff an early finish on a Friday, so significant were the savings.

More important than financial investment though is an investment in culture change. Most of us are at work more than we’re at home. At home, we’ve learned to be recyclers, we’ve learned to turn off the lights when we’re not using them. So why don’t we do that at work? Because it’s not our money? To leave the planet in a sustainable state for the next generation, we need to be thinking differently at work. Find out more in the next episode of the podcast, search Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts (or whichever provider you use) for ‘Interplas Insights’, and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss an episode.

Head of Content

DAVE GRAY

“At home, we've learned to be recyclers, we've learned to turn the lights off when we're not using them. Why don't we do that when we're at work? Because it's not our money?”

33 PRSE Europe’s plastics recycling conference returns with political input

16

MEET THE MOULDER

Dave Gray speaks with Neil Paice, WSM Plastics

18

ANTIMICROBIAL AND SUSTAINABLE Kimberley Cherrington at Microban explains how antimicrobials

30

CASE STUDY: BLOWN FILM FOR RECYCLABILITY

How one firm’s new blown film line makes for sustainable packaging

32

CUTTING THE COST OF USING RECYCLATE

Why your blending setup could make a material difference

23 POLYMERMAN

Mike Boswell looks back on a turbulent year, and forecasts for 2023

39 COLUMN David Raine, PMMDA

42 COLUMN Phillip Law, BPF

INTERPLAS

In 2023, Interplas, the definitive and longest running UK plastics exhibition will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. Amidst a host of exciting features and new developments is the return of the PlastikCity pavilion for the third edition since its debut in 2017.

returns to Interplas for 2023

The PlastikCity Pavilion was first introduced at Interplas in 2017 and following a successful second outing in 2021 the show organisers, Interplas Events Ltd, part of the Rapid News Group and PlastikCity are delighted to announce it is back for Interplas 2023, from 26 – 28 September at the NEC Birmingham.

The pavilion is designed to provide opportunities for high-quality UK & Irish suppliers that may not normally exhibit at

the show, for example, suppliers who may not have the resources to occupy a large individual stand, or who wish to dip their toe in the water for the first time to assess the benefits.

As a result of exhibiting in 2017 and 2021 several PlastikCity members have gone on to take a larger place on the show floor with the experience that their time on the PlastikCity Pavilion has given them confidence they can achieve return on investment.

Duncan Wood, CEO, Interplas stated, “We are delighted that Carl, Jess and the PlastikCity Pavilion are back for 2023. It is a big year for Interplas with our 75th birthday celebrations and this pavilion presents a great opportunity for smaller companies to join the party. The PlastikCity Pavilion is a firm fixture on the show floor at Interplas and we look forward to seeing the breadth of suppliers on there that our visitors will be able to connect with.”

Carl Futcher, Managing Director at PlastikCity added, “We’re thrilled to once again bring the PlastikCity Pavilion to Interplas, especially for this special commemorative edition of the show. With over 100 of our partner companies exhibiting, and 20 more SMEs attending alongside us on the pavilion, the show is set to be a highlight of 2023 for the UK plastics industry.

PLASTIKCITY PAVILION

“Teh show is set to be a highlight of '23 for the UK plastics industry”

- Carl Futcher

Wittmann Battenfeld UK shares optimism ahead of INTERPLAS 2023

Wittmann Battenfeld UK has said it has high hopes for a strong performance in 2023, despite the turmoil throughout the globe and in business and supply chains generally. The optimism is reflected the group’s stand booking at Interplas, its largest exhibition space in recent times.

Joint managing director Tracy Cadman said: “The price-performance features of our class-leading and energy saving machines have helped us to retain customer loyalty, and have also attracted significant new business to us. Despite the economy’s common afflictions – extended supply chains and general inflation to name but two – we remain energised at WIBA UK for 2023.”

Interplas 2023, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, September 26-28, 2023, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. “As the industry well knows, Wittmann is a key innovator – all across the board,” said Dan Williams, WIBA UK Joint MD. “We wanted the extra room at Interplas 2023 to demonstrate the latest innovations on offer, including our one-stop-shop.”

Interplas 2023 will host Wittmann injection moulding machine production cells with proprietary materials handling, automation and recycling hardware and software, as well as Wittmann 4.0 production, allied with the latest TEMI+ software.

“A Wittmann-based production cell is more than the sum of its parts,” said Williams. “Our equipment is designed to produce added synergies when all are seamlessly linked together - reducing customers’ valuable

ABOVE: A positive K Show confirmed the group’s confidence in the return of trade shows post-pandemic.

time, energy and manufacturing costs.”

Wittmann said the decision to book such a major stand at Interplas 2023 comes after Wittmann’s experiences at last year’s K exhibition confirmed the perception that the gap in the calendar created by the pandemic has accelerated a global desire for the latest technologies and production solutions.

“Events and exhibitions are key to this link, for both customers and potential customers” said Williams. “We look forward to welcoming everyone onto our Interplas booth this September at the NEC.”

Williams added: “Day-to-day, Wittmann continues to innovate and provide the market with the best energy saving solutions that moulders can buy. We know that UK government energy help for industry is assured until the end of March 2023 and we trust that that assistance will be ongoing. However - and for added peace of mind - most moulders are now investing in energy proofing their future manufacturing business.”

“We wanted the extra room at Interplas 2023 to demonstrate the latest innovations on offer, including our one-stopshop.”

Exhibi t w it h u s

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 12,000+ 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.

26-28 SEPTEMBER 2023

“The PlastikCity Pavilion is a great way for companies who aren’t regular exhibitors to test the waters and attend the show in a low-stress and affordable manner. You still receive all the benefits of a full exhibitor, and the Pavilion always generates a buzz on the show floor.

“We’ve had strong interest in our 20 available pavilion pods already, so if you’d like any more information regarding the package and benefits of attending Interplas, please get in touch with our team without delay!”

Interplas and PlastikCity are currently taking bookings for 2023 and encourage companies to get in touch quickly to reserve and book their slot as booths on the pavilion are predicted to fill up quickly.

Last year PlastikCity reached the milestone of a decade in business. Starting out with a handful of partners and only five site categories, the PlastikCity platform has grown to include over 260 partners and 400+ categories of equipment and services required in the plastics industry.

PlastikCity was founded by Carl Futcher on 26 October 2012, with the official website launch in May 2013. The idea came about back in 2011, when the plastics industry was facing difficult times; it was evident that managers had less time to meet with prospective suppliers, yet still wanted to ensure they were being offered the latest technology and competitive prices. As the industry started to get busier, time pressures worsened, as companies tried to keep headcount low. Alongside this, it was also clear that everyone, regardless of age, was using the internet to conduct market research, find suppliers, and compare products. Carl decided to start a business and platform that would address these issues, which led to the formation of PlastikCity.

PlastikCity is designed to modernise the way the plastics industry operates, bringing more efficiency to manufacturers in the UK and Ireland by providing a choice of leading suppliers and comparative quotes, all in one step. The company has stuck with its initial principle of only promoting established

UK & Ireland based businesses – known as PlastikCity Partners – with high-quality equipment and services. All PlastikCity Partners are vetted and must meet certain criteria before they’re able to join the site, ensuring users can buy with confidence.

As well as helping plastics processors to source equipment and services to keep their mould shop running, PlastikCity also assists all sorts of companies in finding suitable manufacturers for moulding projects in the UK. This has involved helping to reshore many moulding projects and bring more manufacturing back from the Far East to the UK, of which PlastikCity and its teams are huge supporters.

Please contact Will Clarke at will@ plastikcity.co.uk for more information and to reserve your spot on the pavilion for September 2023. This opportunity is available to current PlastikCity Partners only.

For all other Interplas booking enquiries contact mandy.obrien@rapidnews.com.

“It is a big year for Interplas with our 75th birthday celebrations, and this pavilion presents a great opportunity for smaller companies to join the party.”

ON

THE COVER

EAST MEETS WEST IN BOLEPROPLAS SUCCESS STORY

Bole, a supplier of IMMs from China, has made significant inroads into the UK market since entering the fray a few years ago. Dave Gray caught up with Hardeep Khera, general manager, Bole UK, to find out about his work with injection moulder Proplas 2008, and how the relationship set the benchmark for Bole’s UK presence.

IMAGES: Khera said the Bole machines supplied in the UK tend to be of a higher spec than those sold domestically.

DG: So Hardeep, the partnership with Proplas 2008 started with the firm taking a trip to Chinaplas in 2016 right? What were they looking for on that trip, and what did they find?

HK: That’s right, they went to Chinaplas, not with the intention of looking for machinery, but just looking for toolmakers and moulds more than anything. But they’ve got a really good friend out there who introduced them to Bole. As a result of a bad experience in the UK that they had with an OEM, they also wanted to look to at Chinese brands, and have a look at the technology that they were bringing. So they kind of stumbled across Bole. They had a look at the machine, they didn’t have any intention of buying the machine, but they had a look at it, and they noticed the quality. And I think they saw the

They’ve invested $25 million dollars in a short period of time.

DG: And so going back to Proplas 2008, you put together a machine replacement program, is that right? What did that involve, in their case?

HK: Well, as I said, the first machine that was purchased was the 520, which was really a trial and error machine, they wanted to see what it was capable of. And by the way, that first machine is still running really well today. So after that, they started purchasing more machines, but at the same time, we started to increase the specification on those machines for them. They don’t have to be just standard, no-frills machines. We can increase the spec to run more faster cycling jobs, or more technical jobs for example. So

of both worlds. You know, I always say to people that Chinese machines are like jigsaw puzzles, you can pretty much just add on whatever you want and keep changing it to whatever you need it to be. The addons are pretty much endless. Due to cost, the options that people might want on European machines aren’t always feasible. That cost tends to be a lot lower on Chinese machines, giving people the chance to try those add-ons.

DG: Do you find that a lot of the sales that you’ve seen in the last couple of years are for commodity applications? Or are your machines being used for a mix of commodity and highly technical work?

HK: I always say to people, there is always a cheaper machine out there, just as there’s

direction the company was going in. So that really encouraged them to make the first investment in a 520 tonne machine. And then from there it just snowballed. They realised that Bole were challenging the stereotypes of Chinese machines, and that the quality is there, and is progressing in the right direction.

DG: So are those stereotypes a problem for you? How do you challenge them?

HK: It’s similar to when Italian machinery first came into the market. Obviously, the German brands dominated the market, and when Italian brands entered the fray, there was some skepticism there, which is no longer there today, because the quality has been proven. And of course, China as a country is so quick to progress. They want to compete, so they’ll bring in the best engineers, they’ll bring in the best designers, and just give them the creative freedom to build the machine that’s going to compete.

DG: And are Bole still investing in R&D?

HK: By the end of this year, they’ll have a second plant up and running, which is going to be three times the size of the current plant. And it’s going to triple the current output, from 6000 to around about 18,000 machines worldwide. And they’re also looking to bring some suppliers in-house, building factories for their other equipment. That gives them more control over lead times and production for things like screws and barrels, servo motors, as well as testing.

the later machines that they purchased were quite high spec in order to allow them to run far more difficult jobs. For example, one of the machines is a 550 tonne machine, with a separate robot, and it’s running the cycle time around 13 seconds, which is quick for a large machine - that rivals some of the European brands out there. But it was definitely a learning curve for both of us.

DG: So how does that work? Do you feed the requests back to China and then they make the modifications? Or is it stuff that you can do at your end?

HK: A lot of it comes from China. So our machines in the UK, they’re a higher spec compared to some of the Bole machines in other countries. And that’s that’s reflective of what we found in the UK. We listened to what customers wanted on the machines, we listened to what customers might have needed on the machines. It’s great to represent a company that takes ideas from its international teams and puts those changes into effect.

DG: And what do you think about some of the machines larger European brands are launching? In recent times, a couple of major European brands have brought machines originally targetted at the Asian market into the UK and Europe, for those customers who just need a quality, ‘no frills’ machine.

HK: Probably the best way to say it is that with Bole, we think we can offer the best

always going to be a more expensive machine. It’s about finding the right machine with the right service. As I said, the machines we sell are capable of being adapted to a range of complex and technical jobs.

DG: And as for the reshoring that we’ve seen in recent years, is it just a moment that’s going to come and pass? Or is it a long term trend?

HK: It’s a difficult one, I think. At the end of the day, everyone needs to look at the prices they’re offering to their consumers. If there is a country that does it cheaper, people tend to go that way. Because obviously, it’s difficult right now, you know, a lot of companies aren’t making profit, a lot of companies aren’t breaking even. So wherever they can save a few pennies on a project, you know, they will look at it. One of the major factors that influenced reshoring was container prices increasing massively during the pandemic, it went from $2,000 to $20,000. But if you have a look at it now, container prices are actually back around $2,200 compared to what they were during COVID. Hopefully a lot of the trade moulders have built relationships with UK customers where price isn’t the only important factor; reliability and quality are major benefits.

DG: And part of the ambition for Proplas 2008 was to upgrade some really old machines and start getting some energy savings. So how has that turned out for them? >

“You know, I always say to people that Chinese machines are like jigsaw puzzles, you can pretty much just add on whatever you want and keep changing it to whatever you need it to be.”

HK: They’ll have a few more machines up for replacement this year, which will continue to help them bring their energy usage down. It’s a case of saving where we can, even the small differences: not just machinery, but lightings and fixtures, you know, it all makes a difference at the end of the day.

DG: And when it comes to upgrading machinery, it’s no small undertaking no matter what brand you buy from. What support is there for moulders?

HK: We’re quite fortunate to work with finance brokers in the UK, so we can offer really competitive finance deals. We also work quite closely with a Birminghambased grant application company, who are able to find suitable grants in order to help UK moulders just to recoup a little bit of their money as well.

DG: So for Proplas, how have the Bole investments helped with their long-term strategy?

HK: Since COVID, turnover has been increasing. So they’re clearly doing something right on that side. But their focus right now isn’t so much on sales, it’s on finding the savings. And I think that’s where they really benefit from their investments.

DG: And did the machines help them to get a foothold into any new markets?

HK: Well, by bringing in more energy efficient machines and more reliable machines, they’ve been able to win big UK and potential European contracts. They’ve actually grown their sales revenues massively over the last few years. The larger capacity does allow them to go on the hunt for larger contracts and new business. It’s really good news for UK manufacturing.

DG: So finally, what’s the next step in Bole’s journey?

HK: Expansion and investment. We’re still a relatively young company, but over the last few years we’ve managed to get a foot in the door in the UK market. So we’ll be looking to build upon that. And obviously Interplas is coming up this year. Our first Interplas really helped put us on the map. So we’ll be looking to build on the success of that show. And finally, we want to keep challenging the stereotypes around Chinese machines, and we’ll continue to do that by demonstrating the quality and longevity of the Bole brand.

RESHORING WITH ROBOTS

Manufacturers hope that, by reshoring, they can bring supply closer to demand in order to achieve shorter lead times and better service against the current global supply chain issues and increasing import costs. Here, Nigel Smith, CEO of industrial robot specialist TM Robotics, the official distributor of Shibaura Machine, explains the vital role of advanced robotics in these trends.

“Mama, I’m coming home,” Ozzy Osbourne once sang, “here I come, but I ain’t the same.” This could apply to manufacturers that are trying to quickly reshore production back to their own countries, under slogans such as “buy British” in the UK. In doing so, companies hope to mitigate supply chain issues caused by the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, the Ukraine conflict and material shortages.

But, to paraphrase Ozzy, manufacturing is no longer the same. Gone are the preCovid days when managers and suppliers could take supply chains for granted, and manufacturing was outsourced to countries like China at a significant profit. Instead, businesses are under pressure to reshore their production while keeping it economically viable, reducing lead times and improving quality of service, despite the supply chain disruptions.

However, according to the London School of Economics, robotisation might

LEFT: Nigel Smith, CEO, TM Robotics

play a vital role in helping manufacturers bring their operations back home to the UK.

High production

Take injection moulding for instance, a manufacturing process that Digital Journal predicts will see booming growth between 2023 and 2030. Injection moulding is used to manufacture a huge variety of plastic parts — everything from medical devices to takeaway food containers — with good repeatability, consistently high production with low waste, and a low-cost-per-part. However, the injection moulding process can be expensive, overall. Estimates range from £3,000 to £100,000, relative to the size of the product, the volume of manufacture and the speed of production.

How can automation and robotics lower these costs? First, let’s consider that 90 per cent of the costs of injection moulding are attributable to the electricity used

to power the injection moulding machine itself. Machines powered by a hydraulic motor are often favoured because they produce higher energy levels and higher injection pressures, and the initial cost of the machine is lower.

But, there are disadvantages. The machine’s hydraulic power is connected to an electric power unit, so works at maximum capacity during the entire moulding process and even consumes energy when idle. These factors significantly impede the energy efficiency, and are why manufacturers should instead consider all-electric machines.

AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS

ABOVE: Injection moulding, used to manufacture plastic products for a range of sectors, is expected to see significant growth over the coming decade.

Energy efficiency savings

Let’s examine the case of one TM Robotics customer, a large UK manufacturer of plastic containers. The company relies on Shibaura Machine’s all-electric injection moulding machines (IMM) supplied by TM Robotics. Performance benefits of the IMM include a range of clamping force from 50 to 2,500 tons, which can be calibrated by a digital direct screw transfer (DST) control for added production flexibility. While all-electric machines are initially more expensive with lower injection pressures, they greatly outperform hydraulic versions in a variety of other ways.

Advantages of all-electric IMMS include higher rates and speeds of injection, because they rely on toggle clamping rather than direct pressure clamping, which is better for high-speed injection moulding. Other benefits are improved dry cycle times and the overall stability of the mould itself.

But what about the energy savings?

Performance tests by Shibaura Machine measured its EC650SX-61B IMM, with a clamping force of 650 tons, against a hydraulic servo machine.

It delivered a 51 per cent energy reduction. Another EC-SX model, the 1,800 ton

“According to the London School of Economics, robotisation might play a vital role in helping manufacturers bring their operations back home to the UK”

RIGHT: The TVL700 6-axis robot >

AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS

ABOVE: The SXIII can integrate with robots like the TVL700

BELOW: Shibaura Machine’s SXIII injection moulding machine

EC1800SX-155B, was tested against a competing all-electric IMM. Although both machines had the same energy consumption, the Shibaura Machine IMM delivered a faster cycle time, for overall energy efficiency savings of 30 per cent.

Bringing it all back home

Meanwhile, the TM Robotics’ customer has experienced 20 to 40 per cent lower running costs and 35 per cent faster cycle times with the all-electric IMMs, plus a lower cost-per-mould.

Thanks to these benefits, the manufacturer of plastic containers has ordered several more Shibaura Machine IMMs from TM Robotics, specifically its newest SXIII range of injection moulding machines. An additional benefit is that the SXIII can be easily integrated with Shibaura Machine robots like the TVL industrial robot range that are compact, lightweight and space saving. Each robot has varying reach and payload specifications, and a longer arm length compared with previous robot ranges.

The advantages of all-electric injection moulding machines, like the EC-SX and SXIII, demonstrate how automation and robots can help manufacturers bring their operations back home to the UK. Reshoring can be achieved with cost- and energy-efficiency as well as productivity benefits — even if, as Ozzy sang, things “ain’t the same.”

A ‘UK-first’ for multi-cavity high production toolmaking

In fact, the group believes the cell is “very likely a world-first”, which it hopes will enhance the quality and efficiency of its mould tool manufacturing. The production cell particularly supports multicavity, high-production tooling.

The manufacturing cell will feed both the 5-Axis and spark erosion machines, enabling automated changes of electrodes and of workpieces, further increasing capacity for high cavity tooling.

For example, the tool pictured has 16 impressions, and is guaranteed for a million shots and moulds at a seven second cycle time. Faulkner Moulds recently reduced the cycle time on a new 12 impression packaging tool for a household name, from a target of 8.5 seconds to just 6.98 seconds.

BRITISH TOOLMAKER FAULKNER MOULDS HAS INSTALLED WHAT IT CLAIMS IS A UK-FIRST ROBOTIC PRODUCTION CELL AT ITS YORKSHIRE-BASED TOOLROOM.

ABOVE: The new cell further increases capacity for high cavity tooling

RIGHT: Skills and training are core to the operation at Faulkner Moulds

Faulkner Moulds’ managing director Duncan Faulkner said: “Our success lies in focusing on three things –customer service, skills and training, and technology. We never stay still – we are constantly innovating and finding ways to move forward for our customers”.

In 2022, the three-times UK ‘Toolmaker of the Year’ winner also took delivery of a new Hurco TM8i 2 axis CNC turning centre (lathe) and Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex S CNC Co-ordinate Measuring machine. The CMM machine responds to increased demand for ever tighter tolerances in toolmaking, allowing highly accurate 3D measurements at high speed. Dedicated software algorithms eliminate even miniscule geometrical imperfections in the guideways.

The turning centre has in-built features to ease programming, enhance machine speed and ensure outstanding accuracy and surface finish. Faulkner Moulds’ recent experience in high precision

INJECTION MOULDING

turning includes projects for the medical, packaging and industrial sectors.

Other recent investments include a new wire erosion machine and a new CNC sparker that runs to three microns accuracy all day.

The three newest machines are already in daily use, helping Faulkner Moulds respond to increased demand for high precision multi-cavity toolmaking and extreme measurement accuracy.

Last year the firm won the Business for Calderdale ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ Award. The awards celebrate local business achievements, shining a spotlight on businesses that have “gone above and beyond”.

Faulkner Moulds moved into the Calderdale area in 2012 and, after implementing a Business Plan focussing on technology and skills, the business has flourished.

Duncan Faulkner, Managing Director, said: “I am so proud of our team and all we have achieved together. We have embraced ‘world firsts’ in terms of technology and have pioneered new skill sets. We’re absolutely delighted to have won this award and are proud to be part of a thriving local economy with many varied industries and manufacturers in this area. Our goal is to be known as the UK’s number one choice, especially for multicavity and complex tooling”.

Caroline Faulkner, Director, added: “The team truly deserve this recognition as they have been with us every step of the way, from our roots as a one-man band, through to national recognition as 3-times UK ‘Toolmaker of the Year’ and establishing ourselves as a pioneer in UK toolmaking technology and techniques”.

Celebrating the contribution of manufacturers to the Calderdale economy, the award recognises SMEs that have delivered consistent growth and demonstrate innovative products and processes, outstanding initiative, and efficiency.

“One tool has 16 impressions, and is guaranteed for a million shots and moulds at a seven second cycle time”

INJECTION MOULDING

MEET THE MOULDER: WSM PLASTICS

WSM PLASTICS IS ONE OF THE UK’S MANY MOULDERS AT THE FRONT LINE OF THE PUSH TO KEEP THE COUNTRY’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR COMPETITIVE. DAVE GRAY CAUGHT UP WITH NEIL PAICE, SALES MANAGER AT WSM, TO DISCUSS THE LATEST TRENDS AND CHALLENGES FACING THE LANCING-BASED FIRM.

MAIN IMAGE: WSM Plastics is based in Lancing

TOP RIGHT: The firm offers a well-equipped moulding operation RIGHT: WSM also has toolmaking facilities in the UK and overseas

DG: What are some of the customer trends that you’re seeing in moulding enquiries at the moment?

NP: At WSM, we specialise in high-end materials and applications with more requirements than a straightforward plastic moulding. So for example, our customers might need some additional additives for strength, particular colours, something a bit more complex. As a result of our capabilities in that area, we do quite a bit of work in the aerospace industry on things like seating and you know, and the peripherals around the aircraft: things like USBs, monitor surrounds, etcetera. Naturally the aerospace market is

INJECTION MOULDING

there have been some real headaches there.

DG: It sounds challenging, but you’ve weathered that particular storm, which is great. You have a toolroom too right? Tell me what you’re seeing coming through the doors there?

NP: Well we have a facility in China that makes tools and as you say, we have a UK facility that makes a lot of tooling. During the pandemic of course we saw more people trying to source British-made tools. So that was good news for us, because it meant our tool room was busy. As we’re coming out of the pandemic, more people are saying they want a hybrid approach. So they would like tools made in China, but production in the UK – and the maintenance of those tools dealt with here. So there is some drift, but we’re also retaining some of that business here in the UK. And at WSM, we are lucky that we have some extremely talented toolmakers, some of the best in the country, and they can make some really quite exquisite tooling. Which is great, because we like the more specialist plastic mouldings where a complicated tool is required. So while we’re seeing a trend again towards part-sourcing the tool from China, we’re also seeing more interest in using British engineering to solve problems and improve quality.

starting to pick back up again after COVID. During the pandemic, as you can imagine, the aerospace market was very downtrodden, and limited for us. Last year, it started to show signs of coming back, and this year it’s starting to increase quite considerably. So demand for aerospace materials and applications is growing right now. That said, it’s been hard work, keeping up with material price increases, and trying to

manage the customer through the impact of that. In recent months that does look to be stabilising a little bit, but we went through a period last year where we were getting price increases from suppliers every two weeks. And quite often they were sending materials in under order and those prices had gone up compared to the day we’d placed the order. So they'd refuse to deliver unless we paid the additional price. So

DG: Let’s talk about Interplas now. What are you hoping to talk to customers about during the three days in Birmingham, and why is it important for UK moulders to exhibit?

NP: It’s a platform for all the plastic manufacturers, so you get to see what the competition is up to, and understand what trends they’re seeing. The primary thing, however, is an exercise in sourcing new business. We >

“We are lucky that we have some extremely talented toolmakers, some of the best in the country, and they can make some really quite exquisite tooling.

”

INJECTION MOULDING

do want to become a more global company, which would give us a competitive edge in the UK, so we want to meet other global businesses. And we also want to meet aspiring startups who have secured funding for new products. We’re very keen to be there at the beginning of their journey, and lend our support and technical knowledge in both plastics and toolings.

DG: We’ve talked about supply chain challenges. Now we’re facing a new obstacle, with energy prices being what they are. Has it given you an opportunity to look at your processes in house? A lot moulders are making changes, whether that be through capital investment, or through process changes, or even behavior changes in-house. Have you been able to do anything like that?

NP: Absolutely, we’re continually looking at how we make things and how we can make them more cost-effective for our customers. And internally, we have a team that are almost entirely focused on that, to try and see how we can improve. So for those increased costs, we can offset some of those by being better at what we do. Part of that process involves us reviewing what we’re doing. We’re looking at all sorts of things like recycling our waste, but more than that, we’re exploring options to offer our customers return services, for instance. That’s all a work in progress at the moment, but they’re all opportunities that we’re looking at in a way that does justice to the cause, and makes a positive impact.

DG: Finally, what about incorporating recycled materials? Is that something that you’re seeing more demand for? And is it something that you can cater to?

NP: That’s a good question. A lot of what we do, because the applications use more complex materials, they can sometimes be less recyclable than perhaps off-the-shelf, standard materials. But at the same time, those components don’t tend to be the things that end up in landfills and waste streams. They’re specialist plastics with an extremely long lifespan, destined to be used over many years.

I have to say, in the most part, the majority of plastic is now recyclable. And for me, it feels like it’s an education thing as much as anything else. Let’s stop talking about how bad plastics are for the environment, because in actual fact, most plastics are highly recyclable and highly productive in the functions they’re used for. So let’s educate people not to just chuck these things into landfill, let’s make it clear that these products can be recycled, and they can be reused and upcycled as well.

And perhaps, this focus on plastics being terrible is more down to our need to just throw something away rather than think about what we can do with it afterwards. We’re very conscious as a business that we recommend recycled and recyclable materials wherever we can. We find that new startup businesses are very keen on incorporating those things. Top of their list is always “let’s use recycled and recyclable materials in the products we're proposing to make in order to safeguard future generations”. We’re on board with that fully. And we’re very, very keen to recommend those things wherever we can and work with businesses to try and help reduce those carbon footprints.

Antimicrobial

solutions FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS

Kimberley Cherrington, International Marketing Manager, Microban International

Plastic is one of the most versatile materials on earth, being used in a huge array of different products and industries. Its revolutionary discovery has led to the development of diverse, flexible and costeffective materials that have made previously unattainable products available and affordable to people all around the world. The demand for plastic is continuing to

skyrocket, but in recent years its reputation as a wonder material has been tarnished by its potential environmental repercussions.

Getting to the source of the problem

The issue lies in the fact that plastic items are typically short-lived and easily disposed of, so as soon as they appear less than perfect, they are quickly replaced. One of

MASTERBATCH & ADDITIVES

susceptible to contamination. Additionally, items subject to warm and moist conditions with a plentiful energy source, such as chopping boards, food storage containers, refillable shampoo bottles and even home appliances, provide the ideal environment for bacteria and mould to flourish. These microbes not only affect the overall aesthetics of the product, but they can even lead to diminished performance, leading to premature disposal and replacement.

On top of this, some plastics contain high levels of plasticisers that act as a carbon-rich food source for bacteria and fungi, and others have a molecular structure that makes them particularly susceptible to the penetration and accumulation of bacteria, mould and mildew. Altogether, these factors make it very difficult to prevent stains, odours and degradation on plastic goods, which in turn contributes to our throwaway culture and adds to the volume of plastic waste that ends up in landfill.

the main culprits here is a build-up of microbes on the product’s surface, which leads to premature degradation and unpleasant odours and stains. Some plastic items are more prone to microbial growth than others, because of their usage, environment, and lack of accessibility for cleaning. For example, hightouch products and surfaces – like soap dispensers, medical carts and even airport security trays – are constantly exposed to large numbers of people around the clock, making them particularly

One way to address these issues is to thoroughly clean surfaces with disinfectants on a routine basis. However, many plastic components are hard to clean frequently because they are out of reach or particularly fragile, such as the brittle grout in showers, which cannot withstand constant scrubbing or corrosive detergents. Added to this, common disinfectants only offer limited residual activity once sprayed onto a surface so, as soon as a product is used again, it becomes re-contaminated with microorganisms. For shared products, contamination events will be very frequent, and regular cleaning practices are simply not adequate – or realistic – for keeping microbial numbers below the recommended threshold. >

MASTERBATCH & ADDITIVES

A comprehensive approach to product protection

Minimising or even preventing microbial contamination is a remarkably effective alternative that, in conjunction with regular surface cleaning regimes, can help to overcome these challenges and extend product longevity. Antimicrobial additives are increasingly being adopted by a whole host of industries, and can be seamlessly incorporated into a wide range of polymers at the point of manufacture without affecting the product’s aesthetics or performance. They therefore become an intrinsic part of the plastic that will not wash off, wear away or succumb to rigorous cleaning, working 24/7 to limit the growth of odour- and stain-causing microbes for the entire lifetime of the product.

One of these innovative solutions is LapisShield by Microban, from Microban International, the global leader in built-in antimicrobial product protection. LapisShield has been specifically developed for water-based coatings that are applied to polymer products, and is proven to inhibit bacterial growth by up to 99.99%, as well as limiting the growth of mould and mildew. It achieves this through disrupting cells’ internal enzymes, blocking metabolic pathways, and creating an inhospitable environment where these microbes cannot proliferate.

Ascera is another next generation antimicrobial offering from Microban, and is designed for use in olefinic polymer masterbatches and solvent-based coatings. This additive has antibacterial efficacy and works by interfering with the absorption and conversion of nutrients to inhibit bacterial cell

growth and survival. Ascera represents the company’s commitment to developing a new class of sustainable chemistries, as it is based on an active ingredient inspired by nature.

Adding to this impressive list of advantages, both LapisShield and Ascera are completely free from heavy metals, further alleviating environmental concerns and giving added peace of mind to both manufacturers and customers.

Antimicrobial additives: adding up to a sustainable future Consumers are increasingly expecting higher quality, longer-lasting goods, as well as becoming more aware of the ecological issues surrounding plastics in general. Coupled with

this, governing authorities are formulating ever-stricter laws aimed at protecting the environment and preventing pollution. This puts pressure on manufacturers to find ways of making their plastic products more environmentally friendly, including extending their lifespan and durability. Built-in antimicrobial technologies such as those produced by Microban have great potential for sustainable product development, and could ultimately go a long way towards reducing the volume of plastic waste entering the environment, helping to shape a greener planet.

Kimberley Cherrington, International Marketing Manager, Microban International

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POLYMERMAN

How2022affectedmaterialsprices... and what's in store for 2023

In his first report of the year, Mike Boswell, managing director, Plastribution, takes a deep dive into the influences on resin prices last year, and looks ahead to 2023.

The market in 2022 was dominated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was an event that came as a complete surprise to the whole world in February. What for Russia, was expected to be a short conflict has subsequently become a long battle in which the support for Ukraine from the West has resulted in retaliation from the Russians in the form of energy sanctions. Whether inflation was already becoming an issue in developed economies or not, the spiralling energy costs resulting from the Russian energy supply restrictions caused significant inflation with rates typically in and around 10%. Central banks in the US, Europe and the UK then applied significant hikes in base interest rates in an attempt to curb inflation. Here in the UK the Bank of England rate has already jumped up 3.4%, with more likely to come, albeit the impact of these changes on a generation of consumers who have never experienced more normal borrowing rates is unproven.

In the crude oil and petrochemicals sector the risk of global recession far outweighed any initial concerns about scarcity of oil and gas supply from Russia and prices fell dramatically from the record highs recorded just before the middle of the year, with the ‘polyolefins basket’ price falling some 25% by the end of December.

Energy costs became a key topic both for polymer producers and polymer converters with each sector defined as energy intensive. For polymer converters in the UK, it was commonplace to hear of electricity price increases of up to 400% whenever fixed price deals were up for renewal, however some of this extreme cost inflation has been offset by falling raw material costs and the possibility of some temporary government support. Polymer producers made some valiant efforts to pass through their energy cost increases, often in the form of surcharges, but these became unhinged by the challenging market dynamics.

Whilst the burgeoning supply of PP and PE from Russia was quickly aborted following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the combination of diminished demand and revived PE supply from the USA, following constrained supply from that region in 2021, ensured that supply was plentiful. Furthermore, falling East-West shipping costs in H2 enabled the normal movement of plastics to resume on the basis that it is once again economically viable.

Despite the challenges of 2022, the UK plastics sector has once again demonstrated resilience in the face of significant challenges.

UK Economy & Brexit

Subject to confirmation from HM treasury it is likely that the UK economy will have moved into recession, by recording at least two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. Many economists predict a short and shallow recession lasting between 12 and 24 months and likely to see annual GDP growth dip into the -1.5% to -2.0% range. The impact on the industrial sector may be less severe, as other sectors such as retail and hospitality bear the brunt of a fall in consumer spending.

One element that is difficult to isolate is the move from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ and back to ‘just in time’. The move to ‘just in case’ resulted in part from Brexit and then was continued as a result of supply chain disruption and abnormal demand during the Covid-19 pandemic. The return to ‘just in time’ is driven by a combination of falling prices and recession; as prices fall there is no financial incentive to keep inventory and companies trend towards cash rather than inventory in times of economic uncertainty. This situation may go some way to explain the very pessimistic outlook being recorded in the UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

The S&P Global/CIPS UK manufacturing PMI published on 3.1.23 included the following commentary: “The seasonally adjusted S&P Global/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to a 31-month low of 45.3 in December, down from 46.5 in November but above the earlier flash estimate of 44.7. The PMI has remained below the neutral 50.0 mark for five successive months (fig. 1). Excluding the series lows registered during the first pandemic lockdown, the current PMI reading is one of the weakest since mid-2009. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to a 31-month low of 45.3 in December, down from 46.5 in November but above the earlier flash estimate of 44.7. The PMI has remained below

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 neutral 50.0 mark for five successive months. Excluding the series lows registered during the first pandemic lockdown, the current PMI reading is one of the weakest since mid-2009.”

Already two years have passed since the UK finally left the EU, and much of the fallout became inextricably combined with the broader impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the UK and global economy. The trade agreement made on 31.12.20 removed the imposition of duties of goods manufactured in the EU27 and UK passing from one to the other. However, administration has become burdensome as import and export regulations have been more strictly imposed, and the Northern Ireland situation continues to generate controversy.

Political events in the UK caused economic turmoil and in particular the short stint of service by Liz Truss as Prime Minister and Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor of the Exchequer caused untold grief as their ‘mini budget’ was announced. The ensuing reaction from the financial markets enabled a rapid correction and much confidence has now been restored through the appointment of Rishi Sunak.

Nonetheless, international markets remain concerned about the future prospects for the UK economy, and hence the continued pressure that is being placed upon the value of the GBP against other leading currencies.

Logistics

As illustrated in figure 2, the extreme inflation in East-West container shipping rates peaked in mid-2022, since which time prices have fallen back to near normal levels. And as illustrated in the table below, high shipping costs in the context of typical polymer prices became prohibitive and effectively isolated Europe from the perspective of importing more competitively priced polymer, where exporters did not have the protection of shipping rates that were contracted. It should be noted that shipping rates within Europe have declined less, and this is having an impact on trade within the continent. Finally, it is possible that a similar East-West shipping crisis could recur, as China relaxes its Covid-19 restrictions with the risk that much of the Chinese manufacturing sector is shuttered in an attempt to control the spread of the virus.

Within the UK, the shortage of HGV drivers appears to be less acute, with a combination of more drivers and the economic slowdown both contributing to more availability of resources.

Exchange Rates

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the USD gained strength as there was a market move to what is perceived to be a safe currency (see figure 3). The negative impact of the UK ‘mini budget’ is clearly evidenced in the September performance, with intra-month GBP:Euro falling well below 1.10, although the predictions of sub-parity against the Euro and USD were never realised. Most recently the USD has weakened as concerns grow about a slowdown in the US economy.

(Source Bank of England https://www. bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/the-

interest-rate-bank-rate)

After almost 14 years, interest rates in the UK have increased significantly, as the Bank of England takes action to reduce inflation from the current rates of 10% to the target level which is below 2%. Whilst the objective is to reduce consumer spending, businesses who raise working capital through borrowing are also facing significant increases in the cost of financing.

Crude Oil

Crude Oil prices are often regarded as a proxy for the global economic outlook and following a long-term recovery from the

FIG 4

FIG 3

low point that ensued from the Covid-19 pandemic hitting the Western World in April 2020, prices have been falling since mid2022 as concerns about global economic growth continue to mount.

Feedstock

The volatility of aromatic feedstock continued in 2022, with both Benzene and Styrene monomer recording large swings, which were almost entirely independent of Brent Crude and Naphtha.

In terms of olefins and to some extent Naphtha, the market situation was quite unusual, in that a strong recovery in demand for transport fuels coupled with supply restrictions of refined products from Russia resulted in refineries operating at exceptionally high rates. Furthermore, the high demand for refined fuels from Europe resulted in exceptionally high refinery margins, which could easily be observed through the persistently high

retail prices for petrol and diesel at a time when crude oil prices were moderating. Since petrochemical feedstocks are typically a by-product of crude oil refining, supply significantly exceeded demand and hence prices fell. This phenomenon was especially apparent in the case of the C3 (Propylene) spot price because the FCC (Fluidised Catalytic Cracker) used in the petrol refining process results in significant C3 and hence the C3 spot price falling below the crude oil price in September as C3 molecules desperately sought buyers, so that the refineries could continue to operate and cash in on the high margins for fuels. Towards the end of 2022 the retail price of petrol and diesel started to fall, suggesting that supply and demand are starting to become more balanced. Figure 7 below demonstrates that all monomers were discounted in 2022, and the relative reduction in C3 compared to C2 is further evidence of the excess supply outlined

above. None-the-less all monomers have recorded a significant net gain over the two-year period and the economics of monomer production remain attractive.

The passing through of monomer price adjustments to polymer prices remained a matter of serious contention between buyers and sellers. In attempts to recover increased energy costs polymer producers sought to discount reductions but to pass any increases on in full and in some cases applied energy surcharges. Ultimately, the level of reductions was a reflection of the market with plastic processors typically enjoying the full reductions as producers continued to chase volumes, even in spite of their best efforts to balance the market through reduced operating rates.

The graph clearly confirms through spot pricing the over-supply of C2 and C3, which were effectively cross subsidised by the high margins resulting from refining transport fuels.

FIG 5

FIG 7

FIG 6

FIG 8

Figure 8 clearly illustrates the volatility of aromatic feedstocks, with periods of discount and significant premium.

Polyolefins

2022 was really a tale of two halves, with already high prices, escalating to record highs in September, before prices rapidly fell away. The negative market sentiment was driven by oversupply to a market where demand fell significantly, and even despite the efforts of polymer producers to curb output rates prices continued to drop on the back of oversupply.

Polypropylene has traded at a discount to polyethylene throughout 2022, and is a combination of factors including:

1. A relative reduction in the C3 price compared to the C2 price

2. PP producers taking advantage of the low C3 spot pricing

3. Lower production and/or demand for consumer durables such as cars and white goods for which PP is a much more significant component than PE

In the course of 2022 the supply of PE from the USA resumed, following a period of restricted supply in 2021, and towards the end of the year significant volumes of C4 and C6 LLDPE for film applications and HDPE for blow moulding were physically present in the UK market, and as mentioned above these materials have substituted the volumes from Russia that have now disappeared from the market.

Styrenics

As in the prior year, the volatility of aromatic feedstock costs was a key factor in the economics of the production of styrenebased polymers. In addition, volumes from Asia were constrained for much of the year as a result of the high shipping costs. The softening of prices after the summer is a reflection of demand in Asia, the reduction in shipping costs and some dramatic falls in feedstock costs.

The year ended with the shocking announcement that Trinseo would discontinue styrene production at its Böhlen site in Saxony, Germany due to poor economics and a failure to find a buyer for the business. The closure will remove 300k tonnes of European capacity and will have a significant impact on the supply demand balance.

Engineering Polymers

The engineering polymers market very much reflected the broader economic situation; up until about the mid-year point supply for most grades was limited and demand from most sectors, apart from automotive, quite robust. However, the realities of a global economic slowdown coupled with falling East-West shipping

FIG 9

FIG 10

FIG 13

FIG 11

FIG 12

rates started to put prices under pressure from September onwards. The nonintegrated nature of engineering polymer production enabled producers to recover margins after a dip in the summer months that was related to the volatility of aromatic feedstocks, however energy input costs will also be a matter of concern with the relocation of some base resin production for PBT compounds being relocated to Asia on economic grounds.

Trinseo announced that in addition to closing SM (styrene monomer) capacity, that it would also shutter one of its two production lines for polycarbonate in Stade, Germany, citing overcapacity and poor economics as the rationale for this decision.

FIG 14

FIG 15

FIG 18

FIG 16

FIG 17

2023 OUTLOOK

UK Economic Outlook

Even before any mention of recession, most economists were already predicting that the UK would have the lowest rate of growth in the G7 due to the negative impacts of Brexit on trade. A global economic slowdown and rampant inflation will put further pressure on the UK economy, and higher interest rates will have a significant impact on the housing sector in which transaction volumes are expected to fall, but the prospect of falling average house prices will also significantly dent consumer confidence.

Whilst a UK economic slowdown may be more likely to affect services including leisure and entertainment, businesses will face significant cost pressures from factors including fixed and variable cost inflation, higher finance costs and an increase in the rate of corporation tax from 19% to 25%.

The UK Government continues to review the UK REACh legislation and has extended the deadlines for the full registration and announced that it will enter into discussion with regards to the need to closely follow EU REACh, or to take a different approach.

Global Geopolitical Issues

A rapid resolution of the Russian intention to invade Ukraine looks to be highly unlikely, and with this comes the prospect of increased tensions between East and West, although China appears to be resisting calls from President Putin to become more involved in the conflict. The protracted withdrawal Russian origin crude oil, natural gas, refined products and petrochemical derivatives has resulted in a jump in prices for many these essential commodities, and substitution with products from alternative origins will continue to require significant investment in infrastructure and resources, which in turn will have longterm consequences for price levels which are now likely to remain elevated into the longterm.

Logistics

The extreme spike in international shipping cost in 2022 is unlikely to recur in the foreseeable future, and as such the movement of polymers around the globe will not be subject to any prohibitive premiums. There remains the possibility that container shortages could recur if Covid-19 results in significant issues for the Chinese economy, or if the economic slowdown in the West results in slower turnarounds of shipping containers. Since the crisis last year, more shipping capacity is now on-stream and additional containers introduced.

On the domestic front the issue with a shortage of HGV drivers appears to have eased, and even in the final quarter of 2022 when seasonal demand is high, there were no significant issues.

Further logistics cost inflation will take place in 2023, as providers look to recover cost increases and improve profitability. Inevitably these costs will be passed through the entire supply chain, and in part are an important factor in retail inflation.

Exchange Rates

Relative prospects for the UK economy are likely to dominate exchange rates throughout 2023. Whilst USD:GBP exchange rates are a typical reference, the perceived weaking of the US economy means that referencing against more stable currencies such as the Euro and JPY is likely to give a more accurate reflection of the views of the international markets on the value of the GBP.

With more stable domestic politics, there should be less volatility with exchange rates and it is expected that the GBP:Euro will continue to trade a similar levels throughout 2023.

Crude Oil

The likely scenario is that Brent Crude will continue to trade in the 70 – 90 USD per barrel range, with energy companies trying hard to manage supply in an economic environment that will tend towards falling prices, in an effort to stabilise the slowdown that is taking place. It is notable that many traditional energy companies that have been heavily reliant on Crude Oil sales, have increasingly diversified their sources of revenue, with many now turning more to renewables for sustainability both of the planet and for their business models.

Feedstock C2 (Ethylene)

Ethylene pricing is likely to be heavily influenced by the level of PE imports from the USA, which started to resume in 2022. With the expectation that US imports will further increase, as new capacities come on stream, it is likely that local demand for C2 within Europe will be suppressed. If this proves to be the case then the likelihood is that ethylene prices will decline, which along with competitively priced PE US imports will tend to cap European PE prices at similar levels to the end of 2022.

C3 (Propylene)

C3 has a double reliance on crude oil refining in which C3 is a significant cooutput of Naphtha cracking for ethylene and also a biproduct of the FCC (Fluidised Catalytic Cracking) process used to upgrade the petroleum fraction of crude oil distillate to the required environmental standards. Whilst the ratio of C2 to C3 in the Naphtha cracking process can be adjusted, this is within a relatively narrow window and therefore low C2 demand along with refinery output rates will impact C3 availability.

Benzene

This is an important aromatic hydrocarbon compound which is the basis for the following intermediates including:

Ethylbenzene

Cumene | Cyclohexane | Nitrobenzene | Linear Alkylbenzene | Maleic Anhydride | Others

Price volatility is expected to continue, particularly as petrochemical producers seek to improve the economics of this important aromatic petrochemical compound.

Styrene

Monomer (SM)

The fortunes of SM are closely related to Ethylbenzene and in turn Benzene. An important characteristic of SM and the Benzene family is the relative ease with which these products can be shipped around the world in tanker vessels, and this tends to increase volatility as material is either distressed in the case of surplus and exported or imported in the case of shortage.

Polyolefins

2023 will continue to be challenging for Polyolefins as new capacity for all grades comes on stream and demand is not expected to match it. Highly commoditised grades such as high melt PPHP, HDPE for blow moulding and LLDPE C4/C6 for film applications will be under the most pressure. Oversupply in these sectors will push producers to increase output of more specialised grades which will bring downward price pressure in these more premium products

Styrenics

The situation for 2023 starts with a similar level of uncertainty surrounding the impact of higher energy, and raw material costs and this is likely to be most focused around the more volatile materials such as PS. That said, for most of the styrenic polymers it is unclear what will happen during this year, with the most likely scenario is that prices will remain low and material plentiful throughout the year.

CASE STUDY:

Sustainable plastic packaging with

ManuliTech, based in Cambiago near Milan, produces multilayer blown films for customers primarily in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The company has undergone a rapid rise to success; in 2018, production capacity was around 12,000 tonnes, and in 2019, it was increased to 15,000 tonnes.

“ManuliTech has achieved a very high level of quality within a very short time,” said Nicola Pirani, Alpine’s representative in Italy.

The first Alpine line was installed at the site in northern Italy in 2020. The quality of the film produced from that line has been a key part of the firm’s rapid group, according to Alpine.

This was followed last year by the construction and configuration of the new, flexible 7-layer highperformance line with inline MDO to meet the emerging demand for full-PE films in Italy.

“The market for full-PE barrier films is growing in Italy, but it is still difficult for endcustomers to get these films in consistently good quality and sufficient quantity,” Pirani said. ManuliTech targeted this gap in the market with its capital investment.

In many cases, in order to achieve the desired product properties in these applications, composites have needed to be produced from different materials that cannot be fully recycled. Full PE packaging with films made from pure polyethylene composites, however, can be fully recycled after their original use and reused without material loss for

Italian packaging manufacturer ManuliTech has invested in a 7-layer blown film line with inline machine-direction orientation (MDO) from Hosokawa Alpine, to produce laminating and laminate films with an oxygen barrier in full PE. It’s the company’s attempt to corner the market for plastic packaging with recyclability credentials.

end products, making for a more sustainable product, and resource efficiency. “We support this circular economy approach and offer our customers suitable solutions for it,” said Alessandro Manuli, managing director at ManuliTech. “This is a longneeded development for the sustainability principle and a promising growth market for us,” he added.

“More than 100 MDOs made by us are in operation worldwide,” said Stefan Sager, operations director in the film extrusion division

The new 7-layer blown film line with inline MDO from Hosokawa Alpine installed at ManuliTech near Milan.

MDO technology

at Hosokawa Alpine. The technology was first introduced 25 years ago. Working with its customers, Hosokawa Alpine designs each MDO blown film line to fit the desired film production, tailored to the customer’s needs. “That’s one secret to our success, the other is the quality of MDO film,” said Sager. Alpine claims that film produced on its equipment is characterised by excellent processability, optimised flatness and no hanging edges. To achieve this, the MDOs are equipped with three features:

TRIO technology (Trim Reduction for Inline Orientation) for best flatness and roll cylindricity, flexible stretch gap adjustment to reduce neck-in, and unique vacuum technology for best flatness and excellent process stability.

Hosokawa Alpine MDO technology is based on monoaxial stretching of blown film. In this process, the film is drawn between two rolls which rotate at different speeds. Depending on the application, the film runs over eight to twelve rolls, two of which are stretching rolls. After heating to the optimum temperature, the film is brought to the desired ratio in the stretching phase. The stretching process reduces the film thickness while improving its optical and mechanical properties. These include, for example, barrier properties, transparency or processability. “This technology reduces the need for raw materials in a resource-saving way, while also increasing efficiency,” said Sager. The stress created during stretching is reduced

in the subsequent annealing phase. Finally, the film cools down and compensates for the thermal shrinkage.

TRIO increases

finishing

quality

The TRIO system integrated into the line reduces neck-in by up to 50 percent. At the same time, the flatness of the film is optimised, and a uniform thickness profile is produced. “TRIO 2.0” is a further development of the system and is now on the market. It includes single-layer measurement of the stretched film after slitting and before the winding points. “This more precise detection of the film layers enables even better positioning of the thin sections for the stretching process,” said Sager. A smart control algorithm calculates an improved mapping of the influences from the MDO

on the entire control loop from the measured values. The optimised recording and calculation of the target values for the thin sections makes the control in the inline MDO process more precise and thus further increases processing quality.

Trend-setter

ManuliTech uses the new blown film line to produce monomaterial films from polyethylene. When an oxygen barrier is needed, ethylene vinyl alcohol plastic (EVOH) is used as a barrier layer. If the EVOH content of a film is less than 5 percent, it does not affect recyclability in the PE waste stream. “Alpine is not only a pioneer in MDO technology, but also a market leader. We are pleased that, together with this competent partner, we have been able to integrate a new, futureoriented component into our product range,” said managing director Manuli.

With the laminating and laminate films with oxygen barrier in full PE design produced by the 7-layer line with inline MDO from Hosokawa Alpine, ManuliTech offers solutions for recyclable plastic packaging.

“This is a long-needed development for the sustainability principle and a promising growth market for us,”

Why use recycled plastics? Recycling plastics reduces the amount of energy and resources needed to create plastic, including water, petroleum, natural gas, and coal, and it keeps plastics out of landfills.

But for most manufacturers, the most significant reason to use recycled plastics is that it costs less than virgin materials – bringing down the cost of production.

The challenge

The problem facing manufacturers is that recycled plastic combined with virgin plastic can complicate the production process.

The issue is that the amount of recycled plastic used in a product is not constant; it depends on several different factors including the grade (i.e., the quality) of the plastic, the type of product being produced, how important the quality is for that particular product, and the type of customer.

As a result, when recycled plastic enters the system, recipes need to be adapted to integrate the recycled material effectively. For manufacturers working with local batch blending systems rather than centralized

How central blending systems can cut the cost of using recycled plastics

There’s never been more interest in incorporating recycled plastic into finished products, with taxes and incentives cropping up in countries around the world. Here, the team at ancilliaries expert Jenco argue that centralised blending could make the material easier to process.

batch blending systems, this is a significant challenge that requires adjusting the recipes for each of the systems in the factory.

Local batch blending systems limit recipe adaptation

Local batch blending systems generally are limited in terms of how many types of raw

material can be used. This creates challenges when working with recycled plastics.

Some recycled plastics are of a higher grade and some are of a lower grade – and the lower grade plastics are less expensive. Therefore, sometimes it may be beneficial to create a mixture that includes several recycled materials of different grades.

However, this frequently is not an option supported by the machinery due to the limited number of raw material options supported by local batch blending systems.

In addition, local batch blending systems require the same recipe used for all production machines serviced by each of the blending systems. It’s not possible to define different recipes for the different products.

Centralised blending systems offer greater flexibility and efficiency that eliminate many of the problems that come up, when integrated recycled plastics in production.

Using centralised batch blending, manufacturers can make better use of recycled plastics – thereby cutting down on production costs, and improving the bottom line.

PRSE unveils keynote speaker and sessions

Vivianne Heijnen, Minister for the Environment in the Government of the Netherlands is to be the keynote speaker at the Plastics Recycling Show Europe’s (PRSE) conference, taking place at RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 10-11 May 2023. The free-to-attend conference will take place in two theatres for the first time.

The latest trends in the plastics recycling sector will be explored in depth throughout the conference, which aims to provide a holistic view of the whole plastic recycling value chain, drawing together political leaders, major brands and the plastics recycling and manufacturing industry. Conference sessions will cover  political and legislative developments in plastics recycling in Europe as well as the outlook for energy supply in the EU.

Viviane Heijnen is the keynote speaker for the opening session entitled Plastics Recycling in Europe –paving the way towards circularity.

Tom Bébien, Recycling Manager at Plastic Odyssey features in the panel discussion looking at Global initiatives for closing the plastic loop.

As the plastics recycling chain grapples with volatile energy prices, organisers believe The push and pull factors impacting the market: working towards a carbonneutral Europe, is expected to be among the most popular sessions. Confirmed speakers include Gian de Belder, Global Group Manager Purchasing at Procter & Gamble and his colleague Adam Selby, Purchases Director - Global Resins & Sustainability.

Speakers presenting a future market outlook for chemical recycling include Ermis Panagiotopoulos, Head of Sustainability Advocacy EMEA at Indorama and Lia Voermans, Director Innovation Strategy at Brightland Chemelot Campus.

Organisers say materials focus sessions will explore

Key Highlights

• Vivianne Heijnen, Minister for the Environment in the Government of the Netherlands is to be the keynote speaker at the conference

• Conference will cover political and legislative developments in plastics

• Sessions will have a particular emphasis on sustainability and carbon neutrality

• The show will also cover topics such as traceability, chemical/ mechanical recycling and materials

• Research papers will be handed out that cover a wide range of topics

the challenges, issues and opportunities within the sector for mechanical recycling, covering PET, PVC and Technical Plastics, polyolefin waste streams and polypropylene (PP) recycling.

Speakers examining the key issues of Traceability, Transparency, Trust of Recycled Plastic include Adrian Sen, Packaging Sustainability and Innovation Manager at Colgate, Lena Lundberg, Public Affairs and Regulatory Director at Trioworld and Mireia Boada, Project Manager at Plastics Recyclers Europe.

In the Science behind recyclability, speakers include Flor Pena Herron, Sr. Sustainability & Circular Economy Manager EMEA at Avery Dennison; Wladimir Moraes, Global Market Manager Flexible Packaging at Bostik and Annett Kaeding, Circular Packaging & Sustainability Project Management at AKK Innovation.

Other presentations will include:

• Filtration in rPET spinning - How BBE’s inline filter cleaning system brings efficiency and ecology into rPET finefiltration by Matthias Schmitz Head of Engineering Recycling Technology at BB Engineering GmbH

• Innovative Block Copolymer Solutions to Enhance Sustainability and Circular Economy by Freddy Vervoot, Senior Scientist at Kraton Polymers

• Waste Plastics Advanced Recycling Solutions – Pathway to True Circularity byStephane Fedou, Director Plastic Circular Economy at Axens

• Additives enabling the circular economy – a case study in PET and polyolefins by Jeroen Frederix, Market Development Manager – Circular Economy at SI Group

Over 300 companies and organisations from across Europe have signed up to exhibit including: Albis, Berry Global, Bollegraaf, Dijmex Europe, Ettlinger, FIMIC, Interzero Plastics Recycling, Krauss Maffei, Krones, Milliken, Pellenc ST, PreZero, Remondis Recycling, Starlinger, Suez and Veolia.

The Plastics Recycling Show Europe is designed specifically for plastics recycling professionals and all those engaged in the sustainable use of plastics.

“Sometimes it may be beneficial to create a mixture that includes several recycled materials of different grades. However, this frequently is not an option supported by the machinery”

Vivianne Heijnen, Minister for the Environment in the Government of the Netherlands (Credit: Valerie Kuypers)

BPF LAUNCHES FREE NET ZERO GUIDE

Building upon its recent activities assisting plastics processors work towards achieving net zero, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) has made its latest document freely available online: Net Zero for Plastic Processors: A Practical Guide to Delivering Net Zero.

The trade association has already published documents in this area, including the preceding Net Zero Briefing which provided an explanatory overview of net zero, including scope one, two and three emissions. The BPF also hosts a ‘Net Zero Hub’, which brings together a variety of documents and online tools.

The document was written by Dr Robin Kent of Tangram Technology, who is an expert in energy efficiency in plastics processing that has also written extensively on sustainability issues.

It covers the basics of becoming carbon neutral, the use of renewable energy, reducing the impact of raw materials, reducing supply chain emissions, as well as covering other areas where efficiency could potentially be improved. The end of the guide provides the framework to assist in creating an action plan, as well information about how to conduct a self-assessment to help companies and sites understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Commenting on the release of the document, Robin Kent said: "Achieving net zero is going to become an important topic over the next 30 years. Whilst the plastics processing industry is already ‘electrified’ for most

READ – WATCH – LEARN

LyondellBasell teams with Lego owner to invest in recycling technology

Plastics and chemicals company, LyondellBasell and KIRKBI A/S, the family-owned holding and investment company of the Lego brand, announces they have signed an agreement to make an investment in APK, which specializes in a unique solvent-based recycling technology for low density polyethylene (LDPE).

APK has developed the unique solventbased Newcycling process, which separates the different polymers of multi-layer packaging materials and produces recycled materials with a high degree of purity suitable for new packaging materials.

Under the agreement, LyondellBasell and KIRKBI will become minority shareholders in APK and together with other co-investors will invest approximately 130 million Euros in APK. Further Newcyling Plants are planned to be built to increase the production capacity.

Yvonne van der Laan, LyondellBasell Executive Vice President, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions said: “We need to advance the recycling of all types of plastic waste material generated today to support the goal of a circular

economy and meet the increasing demand for high quality recycled products, Advancing this technology, through our investment in APK, will enable more plastic packaging waste to be reintroduced back into the value chain and will address the demand from consumers and brand owners for more sustainable packaging. Products made using this unique Newcycling solventbased technology will be a great complementary addition to our existing Circulen product portfolio, which currently offers mechanical and advanced recycling solutions to our customers.”

Damir Hamzic, Head of the Circular Plastics Investment area in KIRKBI said: “We are happy to announce our investment in APK. KIRKBI believes APK offers a promising scalable technology in LDPE recycling that can help increase the circularity of plastics and minimise plastic waste, to contribute to a more sustainable environment in the future. We look forward to providing strategic, financial and commercial support while APK establishes technology that will compliment mechanical and chemical recycling, which focuses on

investments that contribute to the transition to a more circular plastics economy.

Susanne Küppers, Member of the Executive Board of APK AG and Managing Director of APK NCC added: “Our Newcycling technology makes it possible to close the loop even with complex waste streams and to produce highquality LDPE recyclates from mixed plastic waste - highly efficient and offering both economic and ecological advantages. We have been proving for years that this is also possible on an industrial scale at our plant in Merseburg, we are pleased to now ignite the next stage and are proud to have LyondellBasell and KIRKBI as two strong supporters at our side, who bring a lot of additional expertise, for example in the areas of polymer design and application know how.”

New team for Labotek GB

Scan the QR code to check out the accompanying video for this article – read it, watch it, learn

processes, there is still a need to understand what net zero actually means at the practical level. Processors need to know what they can do today to move towards

Not only is 2023 marking an important milestone in the of Danish ancillary supplier Labotek A/S’ history, as it celebrate 80 years in serving the plastics industry, but it also is an important year for the UK subsidiary Labotek GB Ltd. To match the growth the firm has seen over the last five years, the team is now growing too. Tim Peet, managing director, recently welcomed Robert Siggee to the engineering team as senior installations coordinator.

Peet explained that Siggee brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the planning and installation of material conveying systems and the construction of silos.

“Having worked as a subcontractor to Labotek for nearly 20 years, Rob is well-known to customers and already feels like one of the team,” said Richard Hird, UK sales director.

achieving net zero. This document gives this concrete guidance that will allow the plastics processing industry to start the process of decarbonisation."

Tim Peet (left) welcomes Robert Siggee on board

“There is still a need to understand what net zero actually means at the practical level.”

IDEAS FOR THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM SOUGHT IN 2023 STUDENT PLASTICS DESIGN COMPETITION

Berry teams with Coca-Cola to deliver tethered plastic bottle lid

Budding designers interested in working with plastics have been set a challenge to design a new product for the kitchen or bathroom by the Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) competition, 2023, sponsored by Covestro.

This competition, contested annually by university undergraduates in the UK and Ireland, is inviting them to design a functional item made primarily from plastics, which is an original concept or a significant improvement on an existing product.

Students must submit their projects by March 26, when a panel of industry judges will scrutinise the entries and choose six finalists.

Chairman of DIP, Martin Sixsmith, said: “There is a great deal of scope to come up with something which could help anyone from children to the elderly or disabled, as well as dealing with issues such as accessibility or the lack of space in either the kitchen or the bathroom. The judges will also be looking very closely at how the designs maximise lifespan and sustainability. We’re very much looking forward to seeing what materialises from this brief.”

Design Innovation in Plastics is the longest running plastics competition of its kind in Europe, having been established in 1985. It is supported by the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, the Worshipful Company of Horners, and sponsored by leading design and plastics organisations, such as Covestro, which is the headline industry sponsor.

The entries for the competition will be whittled down to a final six, when the judges meet in April. On May 26, they will ask all six finalists to present their products at an all-day session in London. The final result will be announced at a ceremony in London on July 7.

Berry is the first plastic packaging manufacturer in Europe to supply The Coca-Cola Company with a lightweight, tethered closure for its carbonated soft drinks in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles.  Bolstered by the European Union (EU) Single-Use Plastics Directive, Berry’s new tethered closure for Coca-Cola is designed to remain intact with the bottle – the company claims this it less likely to be littered and more likely to be recycled.

Berry claims Over 400 million closures have been successfully applied to date on CocaCola bottling lines in Germany, Spain, and the UK, with the rollout to continue to the company’s other European plants.

Thierry Bernet, VP Circular Economy & Innovation at Berry Global, said: “Innovation in packaging design is key to helping our customers meet their ambitious sustainability goals while delivering attractive. Functional solutions that

SPRA’s 48th annual dinner dance set for March

The Scottish Plastics and Rubber Association (SPRA) is an independent society catering for the needs of individual professional members and Corporate Member companies and organisations. The society is holding its 48th annual Dinner Dance at The Radisson Blu Edinburgh on the 17th March.

The evening will include a gala dinner, dancing to a live Cèilidh band and an entertaining after dinner speaker. Dress is formal and the

evening will finish at 2.00 am. Tickets are priced at £90 each.

Rooms at The Radisson Blu can be reserved at the special rate of sole occupancy at £189, double occupancy at £204 inclusive of full breakfast and VAT. Booking for the rooms should be made directly with the hotel using the details below using the code “SPRA2023”.

For further event information and booking info contact: kevin.ross@ impact-solutions.co.uk.

meet and exceed constantly evolving market demands, because PET bottles are the most recycled plastic package type, this collaboration has tremendous potential to help keep resources in use and out of our environment.”

EU Directive 2019/204 requires plastic beverage bottles up to 3 litres in size to have closures that remain attached to the container throughout their intended use from July 2024. This collaboration aims to progress Coca-Cola’s goal to make 100% of its packaging recyclable

globally by 2025.

Berry’s new tethered closure for Coca-Cola features a special tamper-evident band that, once broken, does not impact the closure’s ability to remain attached and is positioned out of the way for drinking but can easily be reclosed. When open, it provides a wide angle for easy access to the beverage and comfortable onthe-go drinking.

Berry’s closure for Coca-Cola is based on its patented CompactFlip hinge solution. The company claims It is the first to be used in conjunction with the new lightweight 26mm GME30.40 neck, developed by the Cetie (The International Technical Centre for Bottling) Single-Use Plastics Group, of which Berry is a member. Combined with a 10% weight reduction from the Berry closure, the new pack is now around 20% lighter than the PCO1881 version, according to the company.

The evening will include dancing to a live Cèilidh band

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Cautious optimism

As this is the first column of the New Year, although its late January when writing this, I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone and their families, and I hope 2023 is kind to you all both professionally and personally.

As we move into 2023, and scarily the first month has been and gone, the recurring themes of sustainability, energy, and the image of plastics in general continue to dominate thoughts and actions. However, whilst these clearly need to be tackled, there is, from conversations with both suppliers and customers alike, a cautious but real sense of optimism that things are gradually returning to something approaching pre-Covid levels. Whilst there will clearly be ups and downs, it’s good to be talking positively, even though caution will clearly be the watchword.

2023 is an Interplas year, and this years’ event will be its 75th anniversary, and I for one am both proud and excited to be part of the whole process – 75 years is a fantastic achievement for any institution. In the current climate, it’s more important than ever that the whole industry comes together to celebrate and highlight the essential role plastics continues to play in our everyday lives. North of the border, late 2022 also saw renewed activity in the Scottish Plastics & Rubber Association. The annual SPRA dinner dance will again take place in March in Edinburgh, 2023 being its 48th incarnation, and again, the plastics industry will come together to celebrate achievements and activity. In addition to the social side of the Association’s activity, 2023 will see a renewing of academic and industry gatherings, and we hope to resurrect the “Fantastic Plastic” program so ably and enthusiastically championed by the much missed Charlie Geddes.

All in all, 2023 promises to be a watershed year, and my fervent hope is that with the passing of 2022, the first full pre-Covid year where restrictions were reduced and removed, we will continue to see renewed activity and investment, and a positive year for the industry.

David Raine Chairman, PMMDA

“2023 is an Interplas year, and this years’ event will be its 75th anniversary, and I for one am both proud and excited to be part of the whole process – 75 years is a fantastic achievement for any institution.”

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Philip Law

In his latest column for BP&R, Philip Law, director-general at the British Plastics Federation, reflects on the federation’s first business conditions survey of 2023.

With so many mixed signals abounding we were very keen to launch the BPF’s Business Conditions Survey in January to establish the best view we can on the business outlook for the plastics industry over 2023. In a quick poll we received responses from 72 firms, about half from processors and the other half evenly divided between suppliers of raw materials and equipment.

The conclusion was a roughly stable forecast with some optimism for profitability. There was a decline in the number of firms expecting an increase in turnover over the next twelve months (49%) but equally an increase in those expecting the ‘status quo’. Specifically, there was a decline in the numbers expecting an increase in export sales, many citing ‘Brexit bureaucracy and EU customers buying more from EU suppliers. Nevertheless, there was a sharp increase in expectations of profitability from the low point of the last survey with some 35% of respondents forecasting an improvement. Some put this down to improvements made to plant and equipment whilst others cited lower material costs. Those on the pessimistic side blamed the savage increase in energy costs, in some instances five times more than they were two years ago. Capacity utilisation was expected to be around 77%, probably a median figure for the last ten years’ recorded expectations.

The percentage of firms expecting to increase staff levels fell to 35% with 46% expecting to maintain stable establishments. There appears to be a slight

easing of difficulty in finding suitable staff with those having problems falling from 84% in the last survey to 70% in the latest. As ever engineers and shop floor personnel were the most difficult to find. Whilst there was a decline in companies ‘investing significantly’ there was a further increase to 57% of companies ‘investing a little’. Those not investing at all have remained a constant proportion in the midteens for the last decade.

Clearly the government has been anxious to reduce its support for consumers and businesses to minimise the impact of energy costs but we were pleased to see much of the plastics industry included in the energy intensive business qualifying for further help, a product of an intensive BPF campaign conducted over the last three moths. Bizarrely plastics recyclers were missed out in this and our work continues in a bid to secure their inclusion. In any event the basis on which assistance was perpetuated was rather complex and more questions are being asked.

On the export front we hit the ground running, organising a stand at the PlastIndia Fair at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, February 1st – February 5th. With a Free Trade Agreement in negotiation between the UK and India, we were joined there by veteran exporter Meech International, Sandon Global, Astropol, Ashe Converting Equipment, Farrel Pomini, and Tinius Olsen. We received great feedback saying it was well worth their time attending, with one company commenting that if an FTO was signed with India their business ‘would ‘explode there.’

Meanwhile the BPF is preparing for its stands at the Southern Manufacturing Show, 7th-8th February at Farnborough and the Packaging Innovations 2023 Fair at the NEC on 15th-16th February.

Finally our congratulations go to Kaelan Hurrell of Berry, who has won the Polymer Industries Apprentice of the Year Award for 2022. This is an initiative organised by the BPF and the Worshipful Company of Horners to encourage the development of talent and the early emergence and identification of future plastics industry leaders.

“There was a sharp increase in expectations of profitability from the low point of the last survey with some 35% of respondents forecasting an improvement.”

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