Custom recycled polymer blends are new focus for Axion Polymers

Plastics recycler Axion Polymers has recruited a dedicated polymer technologist to its technical sales team with a specific focus on expanding its range of Axpoly and Axplas high-grade 100% recycled polymers for new markets and specific end user requirements in manufacturing industries. 

Shaun Phizacklea, a Manchester University chemistry graduate with extensive experience in rigid plastic recycling, joins Commercial Operations Manager Steve Bell and Edyta Hallam in customer services/supply chain logistics at the fully-integrated materials resource recovery business.

Multi-million pound investment in new buildings and specialist plant equipment at Axion’s end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling facility Shredder Waste Advanced Processing Plant (SWAPP) at Trafford Park has increased the capacity for handling the complex plastics concentrate mixture from the ASR separation process.

Sophisticated laboratory testing equipment at Axion’s advanced Salford processing site has enhanced their ability to deliver accurate sampling results from complicated waste streams. Shaun is developing customised polymer blends for the automotive and durable goods markets where the company envisages exciting growth potential in the transition towards a circular economy.

Commenting on his new role, Shaun says: “Improving the physical characteristics of the recycled polymers, such as adjusting melt flow, impact resistance and tensile strength, are among the key challenges that make my job both interesting and rewarding.

“With more clients recognising the cost savings on virgin plastics and the opportunity to reduce their carbon impact, it’s great to be part of an enthusiastic and skilled team fully committed to growing our recycled polymer range,” adds Shaun.

More than 80% of Axion’s infeed supplied plastics originate from its own process plants, ensuring a long-term, stable and reliable supply of raw materials, but crucially, with a known source of origin.

Axion Polymers is working with several motor vehicle manufacturers on developing new car components to create true closed-loop recycling of automotive plastics. The horticultural sector is also a growing market.

Axion Polymers Commercial Operations Manager Steve Bell adds: “It’s evident that larger manufacturers are realising that they need to stop ‘talking’ about the circular materials economy and commit to delivering it by using high-quality recycled polymers in new products. At Axion Polymers, we have the expertise, technology and products to help them do this.”

Axion’s SWAPP facility is already capable of delivering the 2015 EU ELV 95% recycling and recovery target by producing recycled plastics, including Axpoly r-PP51 that goes back into new automotive components, materials for the construction industry and high calorific solid recovered fuel.

Operated jointly with S Norton, one of the UK’s leading ferrous and non-ferrous metal recyclers, the SWAPP, one of the most advanced plants of its type in Europe, has an annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes separating the non-metallic fractions (ASR or shredder ‘fluff’) from the equivalent of about 800,000 cars a year.