What’s next for the UK’s plastics manufacturers?

Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of obsolete industrial equipment supplier EU Automation, gives his thoughts on how the UK’s latest initiative to remove all avoidable plastic waste by 2042 could affect the country’s plastics manufacturers.

In January 2018, Theresa May declared war on plastic waste, an ambitious plan to protect the environment by eliminating all avoidable plastic waste by 2042. As part of the initiative, the prime minister proposed plastic free supermarket aisles and a takeaway container tax. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at obsolete equipment supplier, EU Automation, discusses how plastic and packaging manufacturers will have to adapt.

On January 11, 2018 the prime minister also announced the extension of the 5p carrier bag charge, funding for plastics innovation and UK aid to help developing nations reduce plastics waste and pollution. The aim of the initiative is to reduce environmental impact by limiting the amount of plastic ending up in landfill. As well as reducing the plastics used, the UK will have to increase its focus on recycling as according to the Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP), the UK only recycles 19% of all plastic consumed.

To increase the amount of packaging recycled, manufacturers could divert their attention away from non-recyclable plastics manufacturing, towards cardboard, glass, paper or aluminium packaging.

“Reducing landfill can be achieved by cutting the consumer demand for plastics, but manufacturers also have a responsibility to develop and use packaging that is environmentally friendly.” explained Miguel Campos, export sales manager for aluminium food packaging manufacturer, Advanta. “Aluminium, paper and glass are good recyclable alternatives to plastic — 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use today.”

Though the plan is yet to be legislated or fully enforced, it proposes an interesting situation for the UK’s packaging manufacturers, who would require a rapid overhaul of their facilities. Unless you are Willy Wonka, operating a magical factory capable of producing anything you desire, it would be incredibly difficult to drastically change your packaging operations at the click of the button.

Manufacturers switching to an alternative material will have to decide on which new equipment to purchase, as well as figure out how to integrate it with existing operations. In many cases, this would involve removing a whole haul of machinery and parts which, unless sold to an obsolete parts supplier, could end up being disposed of themselves. Stocking additional system parts can increase labour and maintenance costs, so finding a new home for these spare parts should be prioritised.

Existing material may have to be retrofitted to perform additional functions in a system with new equipment. If the change is a drastic one, perhaps changing a plastic packaging factory to an aluminium one, a manufacturer will have to take the leap and opt to purchase an entirely new system. Managing where all the equipment has come from, either alongside an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or systems integrator, will help to plan for obsolescence, as well as ensure systems are kept up to date and are cyber-secure.

Though it would be nice to operate a magical factory like Willy Wonka’s, the UK plastic packaging manufacturers will have to learn the hard way. Over the next 25 years we could see some big changes in the UK’s plastic industry, so manufacturers must be prepared.