Annual Report 2009 - Plastics New Zealand

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Sector Reports PIPA NEW ZEALAND Brian Wemyss PIPA Executive Officer 2008 saw much of the PIPA NZ time taken up with Green Building related matters. Specific areas of activity included: Green Buildings Action was taken by PIPA NZ over the introduction and adverse effects of a PVC minimisation clause forming part of a commercial building green rating system recently introduced by the New Zealand Green Building Council. The Green Star rating system is the only building rating system in the world that includes a PVC minimisation clause despite various independent scientific reports concluding that a restriction on PVC building products could well result in the use of alternative materials that are worse in terms of environmental impacts. PIPA NZ members have spent a considerable amount of time pursuing this matter with the Green Building Council and politicians. The work is being done in collaboration with our sister organization PIPA Australia who share the same problem. This disparity with other building materials will continue to be vigorously pursued by PIPA NZ until resolved. PVC Recycling In 2007 PIPA NZ members agreed to accept suitable PVC pipe back for recycling into new products as part of its product stewardship commitments. Initiatives included pilot a recycling scheme run by Marley New Zealand in conjunction with Waste Management to recover PVC pipe from the construction waste stream. The trial confirmed the amount of PVC pipe in the total construction waste stream to be very small and in the order of 0.015%. The recycling trial proved successful and an ongoing arrangement to accept used PVC pipe is now in place between Marley and Waste Management. Although most infrastructure pipe remains buried after its useful life many urban road construction projects now see the removal defunct pipes. This aspect coupled with rising disposal costs and greater environmental consciousness has seen a growing number of contractors returning used pipe to PIPA NZ members for reprocessing. Another recycling trial recently implemented by Marley New Zealand involves the use of recycling containers at Plumbers Merchants for the return of scrap pipe. Large Bore Polyethylene Pipe Loading Procedures Following a couple of pipe loading injury accidents by other organisations recently PIPA NZ members instigated a review of their large bore polyethylene pipe loading procedures. The general requirements of the reviewed procedures have been adopted by PIPA NZ members and the information has been made available to other organisations and the Department of Labour n ITAT David Carruthers Managing Director ITAT 2008 has been a year of consolidation for ITAT with plans for strong growth in 2009. In-house training has continued during the year, with a number of companies benefiting from ITAT training delivery tailored to suit their specific requirements. The very strong relationship with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has continued, with TEC now prepared to fund the full cost of training. This means that in 2008 and on into 2009, more and more companies within the plastics industry are able to plan confidently for ongoing training at minimal cost. More staff have been added to the ITAT stable with a new Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager and one more full time trainer. ITAT is looking forward to its increased capacity to deliver literacy, numeracy and specific technical skills training to industry. New products developed in 2008 include Competitive Manufacturing, Distance Learning, First Line Management, Train the Trainer and Occupational Safety and Health. ITAT now has a full suite of training products to cater to industry needs, all based around achievement of nationally recognized qualifications. Competitive Manufacturing qualifications have proved to be very popular, with a number of companies planning a full year of training delivery in 2009 in this critical discipline. Anyone interested in finding out more about fully funded ITAT in-house training which caters to your specific needs, need only call David Carruthers on 09 271 0597, or email david@itat.co.nz n ANNUAL REPORT 2009 I 16 PLASTICS NEW ZEALAND CORPORATE ACTIVITY
Plastics Centre of Excellence Len Harvey Chief Executive Officer Plastics Centre of Excellence With the final pieces of equipment installed at the end of July 2008, the PCoE commenced in early August to provide technical support to several NZ companies and this steadily increased through the remainder of the year. The PCoE was officially opened by the Prime Minister on 3 October 2008. This meant that one of the key points of Plastics New Zealand’s strategic plan of 2004 had now been achieved, in that the PCoE is now well positioned to act as a catalyst to assist in achieving and supporting the other elements that make up the PNZ plan. The PCoE role is to provide a research and development facility as well as a training and education service to the New Zealand Plastics Industry. Capabilities of the PCoE The Centre is equipped with state of the art research and analytical equipment providing industry focused projects. Typical research capabilities fall within the following broad guidelines, however, these should be considered indicative with research capable on a wider scope. • Polymer Modification Research into the manipulation and modification of the physical properties of a polymer by the addition of additives and reinforcements, and the affect these modifications have on typical manufacturing equipment. This research can be conducted on both laboratory and industry scale equipment. • Polymer Blends and Composites Research on blending of different polymer materials and composites is possible using different analytical and process based equipment, providing an understanding of the resultant properties and manufacturing requirements of the product being developed. CORPORATE ACTIVITY • Polymer and Product Analysis Rheological data on a polymer, blend or composite for grade and specification conformance using single and twin screw viscometry. Mechanical, thermal, electrical and weathering analysis of polymers and products can be conducted within the Centre. Optical analysis of a polymer for transparency, surface roughness and inclusions is conducted through optical microscopy. Analysis on the Oxygen Transmission Rate performance analysis (OTR) of a film sample or bottle is also available. Further analytical techniques are available within The University of Auckland on a case specific basis. • Polymer Processing The evaluation of a polymer or process modification through single screw, twin screw and injection moulding equipment, combined with scale up trailing from laboratory scale equipment to industry capability equipment. • Project Development The use of polymer and industry specialists for the development of products and processes in collaboration with Industry and product development specialists, from both the Plastics Industry and the wider group of their customers. • Polymer and Processing Education The Centre is fully equipped and provides access to industry and academic specialists capable of providing education and training for site specific training as well as formal education. This can take the form of either scheduled or block sessions and targeted to core skills and subjects. In addition to the research and development of products and processes the Centre has expertise available to assist with the application process to assist in accessing Government funding through grants and funding schemes such as Technology for Business Growth (TBG). Confidentiality is paramount within any development environment, and the Centre is aware of the importance this can have in the marketplace. Given the strong industrial focus of the Centre, company participation in their research is also a possibility. Financial Structure The Centre is an autonomous cost centre within the University. It must meet all its own costs – staff, equipment operating and maintenance, consumables, rent and services and depreciation. Other than a small income stream from interest from the balance of the unspent TEC funds, all costs are met through research and other services contracted from PNZ or individual companies. In the third quarter the Centre received specific project funding from FRST which will provide the industry with valuable intellectual property. Plus an improvement to its income stream. Operating income in the early years will be through contracts as noted above. However, if the expected success in developing novel technologies is achieved, a licensing income will be forthcoming which will be invested in longer term research programmes, possibly as co-funding for FRST RFI programmes, which will help secure the long term growth of the NZ Plastics Industry. The main income stream has to come from Industry FRST grants. Going Forward The success of the PCoE will depend on a strong industrial focus and clear direction to ensure Plastics New Zealand can meet its objectives. It is up to the Plastics Industry to challenge, support and participate in the PCoE development. However, failure to do so will mean this vital avenue to growth will be lost. For more information please contact Len Harvey, Director, Plastics Centre of Excellence, email: l.harvey@auckland.ac.nz n ANNUAL REPORT 2009 PLASTICS NEW ZEALAND I 17
Page 1 and 2: Annual Report 2009 Maximising the g
Page 3 and 4: National President’s Statement Te
Page 5 and 6: Ken Sowman: Group Operations Manage
Page 7 and 8: CEO Report 2008 was another very bu
Page 9 and 10: Membership Services Young Designers
Page 11 and 12: Gold Award Winners Kaynemaile: Rewa
Page 13 and 14: with local engineering companies co
Page 15: We can now go forward with confiden
Page 19 and 20: Industrial Relations Nigel Donne (M
Page 21 and 22: Environmental Matters Introduction
Page 23 and 24: Area of activity Iconic Kiwi Plasti
Page 25 and 26: 7. Development of a Hopper Dryer He
Page 27 and 28: Life Members * H C URLWIN AND H.L L

Annual Report 2009 - Plastics New Zealand

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?