Recycling complex plastics waste stream impresses MP

Complex processes used to extract plastics from end-of-life vehicles for recycling impressed a local MP during a visit to Axion Polymers’  in Salford last month.

Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and Eccles and Shadow Treasury Minister, said she did not realise “how much skill and technology was involved in tackling such a difficult waste stream.”

During the hour-long visit she learnt how Axpoly recycled polymers, derived from automotive (vehicle shredder residue) and electrical end-of-life feedstocks, are extracted and processed for use in variety of new items, from drainage and ventilation products to vehicle components. 

“In recovering these valuable resources, Axion’s growing business contributes environmental, economic and employment benefits. That’s great news all round,” commented Ms Long-Bailey after her visit.

With full order books for the foreseeable future, Axion’s growth is being driven by higher levels of feedstock due to increased vehicle recycling coupled with rising demand from customers who have requirements to meet corporate sustainability goals through using recycled content in new products.

“Resource recovery businesses such as ours have an important role to play in the transition to a Circular Economy,” explained Axion Director, Roger Morton.

“Rebecca was very interested to learn about our developments at Salford and recruitment of a significant number of local people, including graduates from Manchester and Birmingham Universities.”