Sustainability is a major motivator for EMR, with plastic recycling playing a huge part in the company’s plan to achieve ‘zero waste to landfi ll’ in 2013.

As we fast approach the second anniversary of MBA Polymers UK, the joint venture partnership between EMR and MBA Polymers formed to turn shredder residue into a top quality plastic product, The Cutting Edge spent a bit of time fi nding out how it’s all going…

THE

CUTTING EDGEMBA Polymers UK plastics special

In 1992, MBA founder Mike Biddle proved it was possible to recycle plastics from complexwaste streams such as electrical waste. Twenty years later, MBA Polymers has become the world leader in recycling plastics from goods such as computers, electronic appliances and cars.

MBA’s production facilities have expanded massively internationally, mining plastics from some of the largest, plastics-rich waste

streams in the world. Its state-of-the-art plants in China and Austria, which focus on waste electrical and electronic equipment have been operating since 2006.

The exciting joint venture with EMR produces top quality plastic products. It’s the most advanced plastics recycling facility in the world – and requires less than 20% of the energy needed to produce virgin plastics from petrochemicals!

MBA can process over 140,000 tonnes of waste per year, preventing masses of plastic waste from going to landfi ll or incineration.

The fi nished product is sold back to some of the world’s largest manufacturers of IT and electronic appliances; cars; and home, offi ce and garden products…fulfi lling a growing demand to produce more sustainable products.

MBA – mining tomorrow’s plastics

MBA takes another delivery of concentrated plastic from EMR Liverpool for further treatment at Worksop

The fi nished product is supplied to a wide range of customers

In January this year, MBA appointed Nigel Hunton as their new Chief Executive.

Nigel commented “As market leader, I plan to help MBA achieve its real potential. With more than 135,000 tonnes a year processing capacity across the world in the US, Europe and China, we are now really starting to make a difference.”

In 2009, Nigel took part in an expedition to Baffin Island where he witnessed the first hand the effects of climate change. “I have a strong personal interest in preserving the environment. The melting glaciers highlighted the fast changing landscape and real concerns over the impacts of climate change. It was an incredible journey. I returned inspired to do more. The success

of the trip hung on four key principles; safety, teamwork, agility and respect. Core values which I am hoping to embed at MBA Polymers. ” he said.

New boss brought in to drive growth

New Chief Exec Nigel is excited about the future of MBA Polymers UK

Nigel got to experience the effects of climate change first hand

Plastic fantastic…recycled of course!Over 90% of metals - steel, copper and aluminum are currently recycled from waste streams…for plastics, the story is very different. From over 250 million tonnes of plastic used annually around the world, less than 10% is recycled!

EMR’s partner MBA Polymers is helping to change the way the world sees recycled plastic, creating a highly valuable commodity with huge economic benefits…

EMR’s Group CEO Chris Sheppard was appointed in early July to the MBA Polymers’ UK Board. “I’m delighted that Chris has agreed to join the board,” said CEO Nigel Hunton.

“We’re really pleased that Chris will add his insight into this very complementary business and it will only strengthen the relationship between the two businesses -

- MBA the global leader in post-consumer plastics recycling.”

Chris Sheppardjoins MBAPolymers UK Board.

£3million to be invested in MBA plant in Worksop

As a season ticket holder of Liverpool FC and a graduate of Liverpool University to say that Andrew Potter is looking forward to regular visits to the EMR site in Liverpool is quite an understatement!

Potter has recently been appointed as Global Supply Chain Director for MBA Polymers based at Worksop and is responsible for the supply of materials to the company globally – including those from EMR.

Andrew commented, "By ‘closing the loop’ on the plastics supply cycle MBA is leading the way in sustainable manufacturing and at the same time protecting limited natural resources.”

Any excuse to come to Liverpool!

Andrew Potter at MBA Polymers in Worksop

The state of the art Worksop plant is set to receive investment for further developments

MBA and EMR have recently announced a£3 million investment at Worksop.

The Worksop site is already the largest and most advanced plastics recycling plant in the world; the investment will build on this platform by increasing

capacity and adding even more to the amount of plastic recovered from every tonne of shredder residue.

Nigel Hunton commented, “This is a very important development for us. We will be investing in better handling of materials

on site and technology that will add significantly to what we do.”

The UK facility focuses on recovering waste plastics and rubber from EMR automotive shredder residue, otherwise headed to landfill.

Worksop learns …from Austria!

The Earth Summit in Brazil in June was a special moment for MBA’s founder and President Mike Biddle when it was announced that he is to be awarded the 2012 Gothenburg Award for Sustainable

Development. Previous award winners were former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan and former US vice president and environmental campaigner Al Gore. A remarkable achievement for Mike!

An Olympic moment!

A timely visit from former Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi who recently took time out of his busy schedule to visit staff at MBA Worksop. Kriss won a silver medal in the 400m relay at the 1984 Olympics and has been one of the BBC commentary team for London 2012.

Kofi Annan, Al Gore…and Mike Biddle

Kriss Akabusi and MBA Polymers team at Worksop

Nigel Hunton (left ) and MBA President Mike Biddle inspect some of the material from EMR

Plant manager Martin has moved to Worksop to share his knowledge and experience

EMR Ltd, Plastics special, Summer 2012, Web: uk.emrgroup.com Email: ukinfo@emrgroup.com

Also new in Worksop is Plant Manager Martin Starchl. He’s just been transferred to Worksop from the MBA plant at Kematen in Austria where he led a series of plant enhancements. He’s keen on developing team spirit and has already made a number of changes which have contributed to increased production at the plant.