The Overview

Philip Tyler Polymers (PTP) proactively reached out to a small moulding shop with which we had not previously worked. The business owner agreed to a visit despite expressing concern that their operations did not currently include recycled materials. This initial contact marked the beginning of a collaborative relationship, focused on overcoming the barriers to incorporating recycled polymers.

The Challenge

The primary concern for the moulder was the perceived lack of continuity and reliability in the supply of recycled plastics. They had previously purchased recycled polymers but found that subsequent orders were either unavailable or required purchasing volumes far larger than they needed. These experiences had made them cautious about transitioning from prime polymers, despite the potential benefits of recycled materials.

The Solution

During our visit, we addressed their concerns head-on, emphasizing PTP’s capability to provide a consistent and reliable supply of recycled polymers, even for small-scale operations. By producing significant volumes of material, PTP ensures regular availability for both high-volume customers and smaller businesses. Of particular interest to this customer was our natural recycled polypropylene, known for its consistent clarity and high-quality performance.

To build confidence, we discussed the complexity of their application and tooling to determine whether the material would meet their specific needs. To mitigate any risk, we supplied a sample of the material for testing. This allowed the moulder to confirm its suitability for their production processes and to secure approval from their customer. The clarity, quality, and performance of the recycled polypropylene exceeded expectations, addressing their initial hesitations about using recycled polymers.

The Outcome

The small moulder successfully transitioned from prime to recycled polypropylene. Whilst, swapping from prime polymer to recycled is not a like-for-like material swap, by adopting our recycled material, they enhanced their profitability while offering their customer a cost-saving solution, strengthening the relationship between the moulder and their client. Additionally, this switch improved the moulder’s sustainability credentials, aligning its operations with increasing market and consumer demand for environmentally friendly practices.

This case exemplifies Philip Tyler Polymer’s consistent supply capabilities, collaborative problem-solving, and focus on quality can help even the smallest businesses adopt recycled polymers. By addressing concerns and delivering practical solutions, we demonstrated that recycled materials could offer reliable performance, sustainability benefits, and cost savings without compromising on quality.