Next Tec has developed “Poly-melt”, a plastic densifier, which the company claims is a world's first. According to Next Tec the Poly-Melt system can reduce the volume of discarded plastic by more than 85% by transforming it into small reusable blocks.
The company has signed a deal to provide 24 densifiers to California and a further 36 to other American states. Twelve of the densifiers are to be held in stock as Next Tec expects more sales to develop following this contract.
The company's recently formed American subsidiary, Poly-Melt Technology USA, met with Californian officials in August 2004 to discuss the state's vast waste overload. A solution to the plastic waste problem in California is valued at more than $1 billion.
Commenting on the contract, Anne Riddle, sales and operations manager at Next Tec, said: “We are very excited, we believe we are on our way internationally thanks to this deal.”
Next Tec were supported by UK Trade and Investment's “Passport to Export” scheme. UK Trade and Investment is the government organisation that provides support for UK companies looking to become involved in or already involved in overseas trade. The Passport to Export scheme is an advice and support service aimed at helping inexperienced exporters move into international trade.
The Poly-melt technology turns 4 cubic metres of waste plastic or polystyrene into a briquette, 15 cubic centimetres in size. The briquette can then be used as a fuel or reprocessed for further plastics production. The company is presently researching the extraction of oil as a further possibility.
The American contract adds to Next Tec's major equipment contracts in Europe. Mark Smith, marketing director, said: “This contract takes us into North America, but we have already had success in Europe, we have 500,000 contracts in Germany and Ireland and a 300,000 deal in Scotland. At the moment we are looking at setting up a contract in Turkey.”
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