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MBA Polymers to process WEEE plastic

MBA Polymers is to begin production of a blended polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer product, produced using plastic recovered from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), the company reports.

MBA Polymers' plant at Kematen, Austria will produce the blended polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene pellets

The PC/ABS product will come in the form of pellets from shredded plastic components in the WEEE stream, and can be used in automotive applications as well as in new electrical products.

MBA Polymers' plant at Kematen, Austria will produce the blended polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene pellets
MBA Polymers’ plant at Kematen, Austria will produce the blended polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene pellets

To be distributed under the EvoSource tradename, the product will be manufactured at MBA’s facility at Kematen, Austria. Feedstock for the plant will come from sources in mainland Europe.

PC/ABS is used in a wide range of electronic products such as computer monitors, cellular phones and laptop computers and is a highly-engineered blend of the two polymer types.

MBA Polymers also produces post-consumer plastics recovered from shredded WEEE and end-of-life vehicles including High Impact Polystyrene which is used in printer housings, coffee makers and vacuum cleaners.

Development

Richard McCombs, chief executive of MBA Polymers, said: “These are exciting times for our engineering plastics business. The decision to develop PC/ABS products reflects our determination to meet the growing demand from customers for post-consumer recycled plastic as well as extending our commitment to sustainable growth. Every 1% increase in the usage of our waste benefits our return on investment enormously. MBA is unique in being able to extract the degree of value that we are achieving today from WEEE.”

Arthur Schwesig, business manager, engineering plastics, MBA Polymers, Austria, added: “EvoSource PC/ABS and MBA Polymers’ other high-quality recycled plastics further expand the opportunities for manufacturers to use more sustainable materials, which in turn increase the realities of a circular economy.”

As well as the facility in Austria, MBA Polymers also operates a plant at Worksop, Nottinghamshire which processes automotive shredder residue, as well as a facility in Guangzhou, China, which also processes plastic from WEEE.

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