Axion Polymers has invested in new laboratory test equipment at its Salford-based plastics recycling facility that will allow for more accurate and rigorous material testing of its recycled polymer infeed material and finished products.
Designed for regulatory compliance screening, the XRF X-MET8000 Expert CG handheld analyser identifies regulated elements, usually metals, within the plastic infeed material. Crucially, the Hitachi High-Tech device identifies and measures substances of very high concern (SVCH) and restricted persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Axion’s Salford plant refines plastics extracted from waste electrical goods and end-of-life vehicles (auto shredder waste) at their nearby facility at Trafford Park, Manchester. According to Axion, the resulting high-quality recycled engineering polymers are REACH and RoHS-compliant and match virgin material quality for use in a wide range of new products.
“This state-of-the-art XRF analyser means Axion’s customers can have a very high level of confidence that the material they are buying complies with REACH and RoHS regulations,” says Mark Keenan, Axion’s Business Development Manager.
This state-of-the-art XRF analyser means Axion’s customers can have a very high level of confidence that the material they are buying complies with REACH and RoHS regulations
“Enhancing our lab capabilities enables us to deal with the ever-changing landscape of material testing requirements and gives us the ability to comply with any changes in the permitted levels of SVCHs and POPs in the future.”
Having the on-site ability to test finished products also gives Axion an advantage over its competitors, Mark believes. “Having this technology on site will be a big plus and help set us apart from other recyclers.”
He notes that demand for recycled polymers in all sectors is currently high, adding: “The automotive and electrical markets are realising that they are going to have to include recycled content in their goods. I am getting enquiries on a daily basis from manufacturers looking to replace virgin plastics.”
