Echo Packaging closes the loop

Corby-based Echo Packaging, a manufacturer and supplier of plastic carrier bags, has recently completed a £2.1 million investment in its production site, including an on-site recycling facility.

As a direct result of the ever-rising price of raw material, Echo took the decision to build a recycling plant to handle post-consumer waste alongside the company’s own marketing initiatives to encourage its customers to recycle.

The final part of the £2.1million investment has just been completed with the installation of a second 10 tonne flexible silo supplied and installed by Genesis Process Solutions, based in Sandbach, Cheshire.

The first silo was installed in 2010, but as business increased, Echo identified the need for a second. Genesis Process Solutions said the silo system installed is based on simplicity and ease of maintenance, where material in pellet form is blown into the designated silo by a blower. Once that silo is filled the system diverts product to the second silo. Material is delivered to the production line by a vacuum conveying system – effectively completing the closed-loop recycling principal.

Kishan Nanji from Echo said: “Our new site might be 10 times bigger than our previous one, but with the rate the company is growing we are quickly running out of space.  This is due to the investment in two new extruders, the world’s current fastest bag maker and plans to install a new eight-colour press. The silo’s didn’t just help with using a smaller foot print to store 20 tonnes of recycled pellet, but also reduced movement in our main manufacturing hall.”