WRAP promotes new truck panels made from recycled plastics

The product, called Panelplus, is made using recycled polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The recycled plastics make up 52% of the lightweight, impact resistant and waterproof truck panels.

WRAP believes its Panelplus vehicle panels will provide extra payload or save on fuel costs

The product has been promoted at industry shows including the Commercial Vehicle Show, but rather than pushing its environmental credentials, WRAP is mainly selling the product on its potential 60% weight saving compared to alternative plywood panels.

On a 7.5 tonne truck, WRAP says that the Panelplus panels save 310kg in weight, 240kg on a 3.5 tonne vehicle. It believes the extra payload made available will reduce the amount of deliveries to save one journey for every eight to 10 trips.

Commenting on the new product, WRAP's chief executive Jennie Price said: “We now have a commercial product on the market that will help the sector to meet its tough environmental targets. Panelplus offers a double benefit for the environment; the ability to recycle more of the UK's plastics and the potential fuel savings associated with reducing the weight of vehicles.”

Consortium
Panelplus is the result of a WRAP-funded 500,000 study carried out over 18 months by Loughborough University's Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering, in partnership with Rothley-based technology transfer company Europrojects Ltd.

WRAP formed a consortium of organisations to work on the project from the plastics reprocessing industry, truck body design and manufacturing sectors as well as the UK's largest van rental company, Northgate Plc. Other consortium partners include Omnia Composite Solutions, Safecomp Ltd, Plastic Reclamation Ltd, Alloy Bodies and Leicester city council.

Two of the first vehicles to be fitted with Panelplus were at Loughborough University, having their panels installed last Friday.

Barry Haworth, who has been leading Loughborough's involvement in the project, said: “The benefits of these new panels are massive – not only are they made from recycled waste, they enable the vehicle to carry larger loads. Ultimately this could mean fewer trucks on our roads, and thus less road pollution.

“It is also anticipated that the panels themselves will be recyclable at the end of their own lifetimes in service,” he added.

For more information on Panelplus applications, contact Peter Skelton at WRAP by emailing: peter.skelton@wrap.org.uk