Energy issues worry plastics processors

A survey of plastics processing energy consumption in Europe reports that 60% of companies fear for the future of the European plastics industry unless short-term action is taken on energy issues.

A groundbreaking survey of plastics processing energy consumption in Europe reports that 60% of responding companies fear for the future of the European plastics processing industry unless significant short-term action is taken on energy issues and costs.

Over half of the responding companies to the survey operate plants on a 24h, 5 day week basis, with an average machine utilisation rate of 75%.

The average site-specific energy consumption was found to be 2.87kW/kg/h and the average cost of energy across Europe was calculated from the survey to be EUR 0.08/kWh.

The new survey of 165 European plastics processors was undertaken by the newly formed RECIPE - Reduced Energy Consumption in Plastics Engineering.

The main respondents were from Germany, the UK and Spain, including a total of eight plastics processes.

Full details of the findings are available on registration at the Recipe website; www.eurecipe.com.

Recipe project coordinator, Suzanne Wilkinson, says that: "Our first survey into this issue has given us a very good first map of the sector but has also raised the seriousness of the issue.

We now have enough information to set sectoral benchmarks for specific energy consumption across Europe, The general attitudes to the energy issue in plastics processing are positive - over 50% for example urge adherence to the Kyoto protocol - but it is also clear that the sector wants more done".

"Most of the industry believes this issue to be urgent and in need of immediate attention." Wilkinson urges all European plastics processors to get involved with their energy management and to get involved in the work of the Recipe project." Wilkinson advises: "Visit our site on www.eurecipe.com.

From there, companies can download the new report, as well as fill in the questionnaire to benchmark their own performance." It is important, says Wilkinson, that companies still participate and complete the questionnaire: "As the data and information provided will be used when we develop the Energy Managers Toolkit.

Any company that completes the questionnaire will be sent a copy of the recent survey from which they will be able to benchmark themselves." In addition to a free copy of the survey, benefits from filling in the Recipe online questionnaire include: * 'The true cost of machine ownership' - a free software tool that allows accurate calculations of energy use and potential savings.

* 'The Energy Manager's Toolkit' - a free software resource that allows better management of energy resources.

* Free market update on energy markets/matters in Europe.

* Free and bespoke newsletter for RECIPE participants.

Wilkinson adds "There are many benefits to being a part of RECIPE - not least that the programme will run for the next thirty months and will contain significant future benefits to those users who demonstrate a real willingness to improve their energy performance and reduce its cost and use.".

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