Specialty chemicals expert Clariant has been making notable strides towards sustainability practices with a new initiative that involves providing products and solutions for recycling beverage plastic crates made from polymer.

The crates are collected from around the country via an organised supply chain and Clariant Masterbatches provides colour and additive masterbatches that are used by plastics convertors to make new crates from recycled polymers such as PE-HD (High Density Polyethylene) and PP polypropylene.

The company explains that the initiative assists local governments with waste management handling, because the crates no longer have to go through the costly waste management process. “Recycling reduces the amount of new polymer usage in turn reducing waste and carbon emissions in production,” the company notes.

Improving cost and performance

Commenting on the initiative Yogesh Phadke, Clariant LBL Head Masterbatches Southern Africa says he believes that through constant improvements in technology and commitment Clariant business unit Masterbatches will ensure that the recycling trend is not just another fad but an integral business tool that benefits their customers too.

“Cost and performance are critical elements in industrial packaging and Clariant Masterbatches has solutions for these issues and more. Customers use up to 25% of recycled material or in some cases 100% of recycled materials during the production of end product without compromising the quality of the finished products” he adds.

“Clariant is committed to exploring and implementing innovative ways that will subsequently create an environment with zero waste of resources. We envision an economy that thrives on the reduction of waste in recycling material that reduces production costs” concludes Phadke.