Member Article

Redcar packaging outfit use government catapult to grow production

North East-based bioplastics firm Plaxica has hailed the hand a government scheme has played in helping it to establish two laborartories at its Wilton base.

Plaxica is a partnership with roots in Redcar and at Imperial College London and specialises in plastics made from natural feedstocks derived from crops such as corn, sugar beet and forest products.

The business aims to reduce reliance on oil-based products by using processes that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Plastics could be used in a wide range of products from food and drink to furniture, car bumpers, computer housings and carpets.

The current market size for biopolymers is over £1.2 billion per annum and is growing at more than 10% per year.

Support from the region’s Centre for Process Innovation, using the government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, has helped Plaxica to scale up its production process for its product.

Chief Executive Phil Goodier said: “Being a collaborator of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult programme has allowed us to turn our ideas into a commercial reality.

“Open access to equipment, facilities and analytical expertise has accelerated our scale up plans and was fundamental in our decision to locate our facilities in the North East.

“With this support, we now run two laboratories from our Wilton Centre, Redcar and launched our own pilot plant on site earlier this year.“

More information of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult is available here.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .