Responsible use of valuable raw materials

These products do not always fulfil the required quality requirements, and therefore don't reach the shelf. Sometimes there may a few hundred of them, but in exceptional cases they may be significantly more. Which we at Teamplast feel is a shame, because in most cases there's nothing wrong with the quality of the raw materials.

Which we at Teamplast feel is a shame, because in most cases there's nothing wrong with the quality of the raw materials.

In the previous item, Alan talked more about our search to reduce process waste flows. He also mentioned that we have recently invested in a new grinding mill. Now I will explain how Teamplast uses this grinding mill and ensures that no waste flows are lost!

This practical example starts with a relation who came to us with a problem. The development of their new product line with another supplier had come to a halt, and they asked us to take over the project. They already had a batch of rejected products in stock which could not be launched on the market.

It soon became apparent that we could very easily take on the product development, make the necessary modifications, and ensure that our relation could launch their new line at the start of 2023.

But what to do with the rejected products?

We are lucky to have an internal social workplace in which we can respond to various assembly issues. In this case, the question was whether we could de-assemble all the packaged and assembled products and put the plastic parts through our grinding mill.
A huge job, during which we were able to recycle 2,900 kg of cardboard and 10,000 kg of raw material. This grinding stock is ready to be used for this new line, which will start later this year.

Is this activity profitable?
When we compare it to the costs of a delivery of 10,000 kg recycled PP, it reasonably covers the costs, but I wouldn't call it profitable.

So, what is our most important consideration?
We don't want to lose valuable raw materials, and by doing this, we can now reuse them in a really good way. And we can support this business relation, in the hope that they will approach us again for the development of a new product line. Which is also worthwhile!