Green Plastic Injection Moulding
2 November 2020
Lockdown made us find greener ways to do all the things connected with managing a plastic injection moulding project.
Tex Plastics is committed to find greener injection moulding solutions
A surprising side effect during the lockdown was the impact on the environment. With fewer emissions as transportation was cut back to all but essential travel, pollution measurably decreased. Meetings were held by video conferencing and people became more productive with less time spent behind the wheel.
Every business holds a societal obligation to implement green manufacturing initiatives.
"Tex Plastics reviewed the environmental impact of its operations some years ago and created it’s 3 Pillars of Eco Efficiency Policy. With a proactive replacement policy of aging injection moulding equipment replaced by new energy efficient machines. As a result we’ve significantly reduced our energy usage per plastic component. This is because compared to a decade ago, energy consumption in plastic injection moulding machines has almost halved. But the management team wanted to take these green initiatives further by removing miles, reducing energy and recycling more."
Guy Sentance Production Director & General Manager at Tex Industrial Plastics
Reducing the Environmental Impact of Plastic Injection Moulding
Throughout the plastic injection moulding process, there are many opportunities for optimising energy consumption and facilitating sustainability. Tex Plastics 3 Pillars of Eco Efficiency is a policy outlining how Tex Plastics could reduce our impact on the environment through reduced energy consumption; using recycled materials and recycling waste; and culture, making everyone in the business environmentally aware.
Helping customers reduce their products carbon footprint
Tex Plastics 3 Pillars of Eco Efficiency extends to reviewing how we can possibly help each of our customers reduce their plastic products carbon footprint. This means if they choose us as their provider we operate a simple 3 Point ‘A,B,C’ checklist.
a) What else could be moulded?
The lightweight nature of plastics means many manufacturers are choosing polymers as an alternative to metal for their products, including vehicles and aircraft, as the shift in weight has a direct positive effect on fuel and energy savings. So when we speak with a new customer, we want to understand how the plastic component functions within the context of their product and manufacturing supply chain.
b) Can we use recycled plastics?
Using recycled plastics in the injection moulding process is not only environmentally responsible, but it also can reduce the OEM’s material expenses. Any brand that is using recycled plastic in its industrial process can benefit from the public’s perception that the business is working to protect the environment. Ultimately, making use of recycled plastic in plastic moulding and other industrial processes is a beneficial decision at every level.
c) Can we reduce the miles?
With many complex products there is often an equally complicated supply chain. Does the plastic part need painting, decals, sub assembly or some other added value service? Tex Plastics have helped many customers reduce their carbon footprint through Transport optimisation – removing unnecessary transportation because we provide these services in-house.
Helping you make your plastic components more environmentally friendly
Tex Plastics realise that we have a great responsibility to society and the planet and work hard to live up to that responsibility in all aspects of our business. Plastic – is a material used by everyone, every day – yet we often only hear about the many negative aspects of plastic, from the pollution, to the worries about the non-biodegradable nature of the material. Plastic is also used in ways helping to save and produce energy, through building materials and processes such as insulation and double glazing windows.