The Company
Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd based in Carrickfergus, is an Invest NI customer manufacturing high quality, technically complex cast aluminium products mainly for the automotive industry. Its parent company is based in Japan.
Ryobi has been a member of the Industrial Symbiosis (IS) Service since 2008.
The Challenge
Following a change in its manufacturing process Ryobi contacted the IS service to find a solution for a quantity of redundant plastic packing dividers made from high density polyethylene (HDPE). This packing material was no longer utilised on site and Ryobi had approximately 20tonnes in storage pending disposal. To maintain compliance with Health and Safety and environmental regulations Ryobi was keen to find a solution that would be environmentally sustainable and also divert the material from landfill.
The Solution
The IS practitioner took a sample of the HDPE to show to potential solution providers and then introduced Ryobi to Renewable Products. This company was geographically close to the Ryobi site and could take the material for reprocessing back into a reusable resource. After a short period of discussion the two companies completed a deal that was economically and environmentally acceptable.
The Benefits
This synergy demonstrates the value of involvement in the Industrial Symbiosis service. Ryobi has been able to maintain its health, safety and environmental credentials by finding a sustainable solution for redundant stock. This has saved the company from paying costly landfill charges and Renewable Products was able to sell the HDPE recyclate to other companies for use in the manufacture of new products.
“It has been of great benefit to Ryobi to be a part of the IS service. We take pride in our environmental credentials and finding a recycling solution for the plastic packing dividers means we can continue to meet our sustainability targets.” Graham Coulter, Integrated Systems Superintendent Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd