Finally, a good recipe for recycling of polyethylene plastics
– It looks like Nordic Plastic Recycling has found a recipe for recycling of polyethylene plastics that creates qualities equal to virgin material, says Stein Nordvang, quality manager at Pioner Boat.
Nordic Plastic Recycling has now delivered several tonnes of recycled plastics that has passed all tests internally. And that the quality is good is confirmed by Stein Nordvang. Pioner Boat has performed tests with the plastics on some of the parts of their durable boats, and is very pleased with the result.
Stein Nordvang, quality manager at Pioner Boat.
– The method that NPR uses gives the plastic about the same properties as virgin plastic. The manufacturing method is absolutely crucial for the use of this plastic, and now it seems that NPR has cracked the code.
Need full control over the materials when recycling of polyethylene plastics
But he emphasizes that more testing needs to be done before they use recycled material in all parts of the boats.
– We have careful reception control for recycled plastics to ensure that the mechanical properties are good enough. In our boats we must have full control over the quality of all materials. And it takes many years of testing before we can replace all plastics with recycled material. Results show that we already now can use 100% recycled materials in the elements that are not critical such as lids and seats.
Requires recycled
The general manager of NPR, Jan Erik Lia, is also very satisfied with the quality of the recycled material.
The quality is good, almost as new. And it’s good to get good feedback from customers.
Far from everyone has tested polyethylene plastic recycling in production yet. But soon there will be demands, not only from customers, but also from the authorities.
– Recycled plastic will be in short supply, so it is important to be prepared before the authorities make demands. It has already been decided that by 2030, 70 percent of all packaging will be recycled, and more demands will come, says Jan Erik Lia.