A scalable process to achieve structural improvements for plastic aggregates in concrete

Plastech Innovation's mission is to identify plastic waste streams from various sources and apply technical know-how to produce useful innovative materials, creating value from the valueless whilst providing positive social and environmental impacts in the UK and globally. It uses its patent-pending technology to transform waste plastic that would otherwise be sent to landfill or incineration, into an aggregate for concrete and other construction materials.

The technology is a market disruptor, enabling construction companies to partially replace sand in traditional concrete mixes. This replacement significantly lowers the carbon footprint of concrete, an industry responsible for 8% global CO2 production.

Plastic production is predicted to double in the next 10-years, meaning a solution that repurposes waste plastic is needed urgently. Globally, 50 billion tonnes of sand are used annually in construction; moreover, not all sand can be used for construction due to the particle shape. Construction-grade sand is usually dredged from rivers and sea-beds, leading to significantly damaging impacts on ecosystems, destroying habitats for marine and freshwater life.

The use of aggregate derived from waste plastic will reduce demand for such sand, reduce damage to the environment and offer a solution to global shortages in construction-grade sand.

Natasha Boulding, Plastech's CEO and Co-founder, is the lead applicant for this proposal. Plastech Innovation registered as a private limited company in September 2019\. It now has many ongoing innovative projects and collaborates with a variety of organisations in pursuit of fulfilling its vision. This project will allow the company to diversify its product range by developing a scalable process to achieve structural improvements for plastic aggregates in concrete.