Guide advises on low energy plastics processing

With rising energy costs and soaring raw material prices, the need to reduce energy plastics processing consumption is more important than ever before.

There are many reasons for wanting to improve your energy efficiency, however, the most compelling reason for the plastics processing industry is that wasting energy costs money.

With rising energy costs, soaring raw material prices and the impacts of climate change, the need to reduce energy consumption is more important than ever before.

RECIPE, the European project to help the plastics processing industry reduce their energy consumption, has written a 'Best Practice Guide for Low Energy Plastics Processing' to help organisations plan and implement an energy efficiency programme.

It is aimed at all levels of management and operational staff and provides a structured and practical approach to improving energy efficiency in the processing of plastics.

Understanding energy usage is examined first, along with a simple guide to renewable energy sources.

Processes covered include injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, rotational moulding, thermoforming, composites and compression moulding.

Finally, utilities and energy management are considered.

Each chapter contains useful techniques, tools, tips and practical advice along with actions to take and individual case studies.

RECIPE project coordinator, Suzanne Wilkinson, said: "The Best Practice Guide is an important publication for the RECIPE project.

It has been designed for use by anyone and can help to identify areas where energy and cost savings can be made most easily.

We urge all European plastics processors to examine their current energy management practices and get involved in the RECIPE project.

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The free Best Practice Guide is available to download.

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