2020 | A sustainable plastics industry: 3 trends
Plastic and sustainability are two things not often directly associated with each other. Yet it is precisely in this innovative sector that continuous efforts are made to improve sustainability, quality and progress. This is done for the benefit of people, the environment and society. This article talks about the main trends in this area and what we at BKB Precision can do for sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Trend 1: not disposables but sustainable high-tech solutions
We as a society can no longer imagine living without plastic. Plastic is used everywhere, from packaging material to the television in our living room. And there is a reason for this: plastic is long-lasting, safe, hygienic, lightweight, and cost effective. However, the fact that plastic is so long-lasting is both a blessing and a curse. If plastic ends up as waste in the environment, it hardly ever decomposes. That’s why disposables are being increasingly banned.
However, at BKB Precision, we almost exclusively make products for high-tech solutions. These high-quality technical and high-performance plastics are the literal future, because they last for decades and meet the highest quality and user requirements. These plastics are essential for various sustainable innovations, such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric cars, and insulation material – all products which couldn’t be made without plastic.
Trend 2: sustainable production processes
Not only are plastic products becoming more innovative, but during the production process itself more attention is being paid to high-quality forms of plastic processing in which raw materials are used optimally, thus reducing residual waste, and where processes and machines work as efficiently as possible.
This is a trend which BKB Precision has fully embraced. For example, we already account for the careful use of raw materials during the design process, so that we produce as little waste as possible. Any waste that is generated is, of course, separated after production and taken to the appropriate recycling facility.
Thanks to our advanced machines, we can also perform very precise CNC milling or CNC turning. The heat released during the production process is then recycled. In fact, almost all residual flows from the production process are reused, so that the waste flow is minimal.
Trend 3: the plastics industry is contributing to a circular economy
The circular economy is becoming increasingly more important. This is true in all industries and certainly in the plastics industry in which raw materials are becoming more and more scarce. The basic concept revolves around re-using products and materials without compromising on quality.
In a circular economy, nothing is lost and the economic value is preserved as much as possible. This means the efficient recycling of plastic products with attention paid to the collecting, sorting, processing, and reusing of materials. Municipalities, waste processors and companies would have to take responsibility for this and work together to find efficient solutions which prevent plastic from ending up as waste in the environment.
The manufacturing of modular parts also contributes to a circular economy because, in the event of a defect, only the relevant part has to be replaced and not the entire product. This also makes the so-called ‘refurbishing’ of products a lot easier – something which is already considered normal in the technology sector.
Want to know more about our sustainable plastic production and processing?
For us, making plastic production and processing as sustainable as possible is the most normal thing in the world. We closely follow trends in this area, not only because we want to be at the forefront of our industry, but also because we believe in a future in which high-quality plastics contribute to a liveable and innovative world.
If you would like more information on this subject or if you have any questions regarding this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.
