Progress Update (October 2021)
Successful Sourcing and Use of Polypropylene Through a Welsh Supply Chain
Funded by the Welsh Government, WRAP Cymru has successfully supported Technia Business Solutions, Addis Housewares and Synergy Plastics to develop products for the housewares sector using Welsh recycled content.
This achievement follows the success of the collaborative work to create sharps containers for the medical sector, also using Welsh recycled content.
Unlike the recycled plastic materials identified for the sharps containers, the available recycled polypropylene (rPP) from Welsh source-segregated and mixed sources exhibited physical properties that fell short of the properties required for the manufacture of the food waste caddy.
As a consequence, a more extensive materials development programme has been implemented to improve the physical properties of the polymer through the use of performance-enhancing additives. This work has been successfully completed and we are pleased to report that a 100% rPP with suitable properties has been successfully developed using a supply chain located predominantly in the South Wales Valleys.
This supply chain includes waste producers, waste collectors, a reprocessor, a compounder and a manufacturer. With the obvious impact of Covid-19 on international and national supply chains, the ability to source and use materials in a local context has become increasingly important to manufacturers. The project has demonstrated that with appropriate resources and focussed activity, it is possible to successfully identify materials, processes and partners to deliver an effective local supply chain.
Next Steps
To date the rPP has been shown to be suitable for the manufacture of the food waste caddy, with further trials due to take place in the coming months to confirm the suitability of the rPP for use within other housewares products.
Food waste caddy successfully manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled PP sourced through a Welsh supply chain.