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Latest news - Autumn 2016


elimination of HBCD

​Kay-Metzeler is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment and legal compliance. 
With this in mind we stopped the manufacture of EPS insulation using Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in January of 2015.  The sunset date(under REACH regulations) for the use of HBCD in raw material form was August 2015, we decided on the early implementation of these regulations in order that our customers were HBCD free before the sunset date and also to reduce our impact on the environment.
 
The next phase of elimination of HBCD from the supply chain is concerns the recycling of HBCD containing materials:
 
Regulation (EU) 2016/460 came into force on the 30/09/16, this regulation requires that all materials containing >1000mg/kg of HBCD must be destroyed.
 
From 30/09/16 products containing HBCD should not be land filled or recycled; the designated method of disposal in the UK is by municipal incineration preferably with waste recovery.
 
Please see attached Environment Agency guidance on HBCD.
 
So that we can still provide an outlet for customers to recycle expanded polystyrene products,
​we will require a waste transfer note including the following comment:
Description of waste
  • Expanded Polystyrene  containing <1000mg/kg of HBCD
 
If you require any further information you can contact our technical team on 01245 342104 or email us at epstechnical@vcfuk.com


news - Autumn 2015


airpop®  - a new name for a well-established material

Bad Homburg, May 12th 2014 – Expanded Polystyrene has had many names in Europe: Styropor, Styrofoam, PSE, Piepschuim or Polyfoam - to name just a few. We now put an end to this variety: the EPS industry proudly introduces a common European name for EPS:
airpop® engineered air. 

But why give a new name to an internationally established material like EPS?  Simply because the name airpop immediately brings to mind what the material is made of – It’s air. A lot of air. 98 % air, to be precise. And just a tiny fraction is made of synthetic material, which expands to 50 times its own volume. To protect everything that needs to be protected: our children’s heads, TVs, fresh fish and thousands of other things.

The airpop®-campaign has been initiated by EUMEPS Power Parts, European airpop®-converters, their respective National EPS Associations and European EPS raw material producers. The creative concept has been developed by the communication agency Ogilvy & Mather, Frankfurt / Germany.

The introduction at the interpack is a joint activity of the German IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V. and EUMEPS Power Parts.

airpop® represents an industry of approx. 200 mainly small and medium sized converters for moulded parts in Europe. They process about 300.000 tons of raw material into airpop® moulded parts. Main customers are producers of household applications, electronic technologies companies, the HVAC and the food industry.

More information at www.airpop.com.

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UK’S TOP MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCERS OF EPS SIGN CODE OF PRACTICE AND PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMERS

The British Plastic Federation’s EPS members, supplying EPS to industries ranging from construction and civil engineering to packaging and insulation, have signed up to a commitment to product excellence, technical and professional standards and the highest levels of customer care.

BPF says the move follows consultation with stakeholders and associated industry bodies and will act as a reassurance of production and service standards at all times. As signatories to the new code of practice, members are assigned a unique member code and allowed to display the membership badge on all materials including technical and sales literature, vehicle liveries and web site information.

David Emes, Chairman of the BPF EPS group said “Described by one national stakeholder as ‘definitely a proactive move forward’, I believe this is a significant step which commits our responsible members to maintain the highest standards from production quality to customer care. Whilst these companies operate in diverse customer sectors from construction and building insulation to product packaging, they have agreed a common set of principles of quality, service and trust which stands them apart. Effectively, this is a ‘contract of care’ in everything they do and any company requiring EPS or EPS products can feel comfortable in seeking advice and support from one of the members listed on our official web site www.eps.co.uk

The British Plastics Federationis the UK’sleading trade authority in plastics design, technical advancement and manufacture. Members of the EPS Group include:processors and converters of EPS; raw material suppliers; suppliers of EPS processing, manufacturing and auxiliary equipment andrecyclers of EPS.

The Code covers eleven key operational areas from accuracy of technical and marketing information to training and contractor standards, assessments and compliance to regulatory and industry requirements – as well as a commitment to recycling.

David Emes said “This is a commitment with teeth. We have a strict disciplinary code which carries the risk of expulsion and a recourse to legal action where regulatory or statutory obligations have not been met. We are determined that the UK EPS industry provides a world-class resource and service quality to its customers through membership of our group.”

The move also coincides with the adoption by the UK group of a new Europe-wide branding for Expanded Polystyrene which is now being marketed across all applications as airpop® engineered air.

Kay Metzeler have completed trials of the “NEW” Polymeric material 

From the start of 2015 Kay Metzeler will be manufacturing “HBCD” free material with view that by 2nd quarter Kay Metzeler will be HBCD free, well before the 15th August 2015 when HBCD’s will be outlawed in Europe.

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David Emes
David Emes
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL OUR SALES DEPARTMENT ON 01245 342101 - epssales@thevitagroup.com
Vita Cellular Foams (UK) Limited Registered in England and Wales. Registered number 621497. Registered office Oldham Road, Middleton, Manchester, M24 2DB
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Kay-Metzeler 2016