Due to the high price of oil virgin polycarbonate plastic is becoming more expensive, this rise is expected to continue in the near future traders believe. Last month the oil price hit $50 a barrel for the first time and experts believe that the price could reach $60 in the next few weeks.
Fergus Hardie, managing director of Glasgow-based Hardies Polymers ltd said: “Because of the high price of oil, which is a key element in the production of polycarbonate (PC) plastic, recycled Polycarbonate plastic could be up to 15% cheaper than virgin plastic.”
PC plastic is used in the production of interior trim parts in the automotive sector, where companies blend it with ABS (Acryloniprile Butadiene Styrene) . Hardie Polymers has been promoting the use of recycled plastic in the production of vehicles for the last 18 months, Mr Hardie has said that in the last 3 months the interest in the industry has picked up.
Mr Hardie believes that there is no difference in the quality of the recycled and virgin PC/ABS blend, he claims that in some cases the quality can “exceed” virgin product.
Gardener Compounds
Hardie Polymers distributes recycled PC plastic for Lincolnshire-based Gardener Compounds. Gardener Compounds has been recycling for around two years with around 150 tonnes passing through the company a month. Gardener compounds collect most of its plastic from the end of life conservatory roof industry.
Hardie Polymers supplies the recycled plastic directly to injection moulding companies who then supply automobile companies. Hardies Polymers offer a full specification sheet with their plastic, which is used by Nissan and MG Rover.
The recycled plastic can also be sold to other industry sectors including the electronic industry, Mr Hardie said.
John Gardener, director of Gardener Compounds, has said that the company is looking at the idea of recycling plastic from end of life vehicles for use in vehicles. He said: “I am investigating the use of recycled plastics from vehicles, but it is very much further down the route. There is a long way to go before one can recycle viable volumes of plastic from a vehicle.”
The recycled plastic can also be sold to other industry sectors including the electronic industry, he said.
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