NEWS


Limited supply and higher prices are hurting EU plastics converters


Material shortages and price rises are seriously affecting production at European plastics processors. Industry organisation EuPC, which


represents European plastics converters, says the European polymer market has been under pressure for some months. Converters have reported difficulties in sourcing the raw materials they need to keep their production running, as well as suffering from low stocks. “Since December 2020, the situation has worsened rapidly,” said Alexandre Dangis, managing director of EuPC.


Custom expands in Mexico


US-based profile manufac- turer Custom Profile is expanding production capacity and warehouse space at its facility in Juarez in Mexico. It has signed a lease for a 27,500 sq ft extension that will increase total space to 77,500 sq ft there. The operation consists of tubing and profile extru- sion, over-moulding and assembly operations. The expansion is driven by growth in its co-extrusion and in-line fabrication business that supports the home appliance market. Custom Profile plans to


add around 50 jobs and purchase additional co-extrusion equipment over time. The company also has two US-based production facilities. � www.custom-profile.com


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“Additionally, extreme weather condi- tions in the USA led to production losses that also affected the European market.” In addition, he said, European polymer producers have been declar- ing increased numbers of force majeure cases in the past months – as reported by the Polymers for Europe Alliance in January. EuPC said the situation is further


aggravated by shortages in shipping containers. This combination of factors has forced polymer prices upwards – which has limited credit facilities for


processors – and reduced the margins of converting companies. EuPC has called on European polymer producers to work with their European customers to resolve the situation as soon as possible, so as not to put supplies of essential goods at risk. EuPC president Renato Zelcher added: “If the situation continues, more companies will have to reduce production, leading to shortages of plastic products such as parts for the construction or automotive industry.” � www.plasticsconverters.eu


Trex steps up incentives for partners in film recycling


Decking manufacturer Trex has stepped up the incen- tives it offers to partners who collect post-consumer plastic film – which is then recycled into its composite decking The NexTrex supplier incentive programme allows participating retailers and other partners to earn points for their contributions – which can be redeemed for Trex products. Trex provides participants


– who are typically retail stores, of any size – with recycling bins and other materials such as instruc- tional videos, to help collect everyday items such as pallet film, grocery bags, bread bags and newspaper sleeves. Around 32,000 stores nationwide partici- pate in the programme. After collection, the plastic is sent to local distribution


PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | May 2021


Trex says its decking is made from 95% recycled material


centres, where it is sorted and shipped to Trex’s manufacturing facilities in Virginia and Nevada. Trex claims to be one of


the largest recyclers of plastic film in North Ameri- ca, collecting more than 450 million lbs (around 200,000 tonnes) of polyethylene plastic waste each year, for use in its decking – which is made of 95% recycled material.


“The contributions of our


partners are not only integral to our manufactur- ing process, but also critical to addressing our country’s growing plastic waste problem,” said Dave Heglas, senior director of supply chain excellence at Trex. “They help us divert tonnes of discarded plastic film from oceans and landfills each year.” � www.trex.com


www.pipeandprofile.com


IMAGE: TREX


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