Axion Polymers adds polymer technologist

From left, Shaun Phizacklea, Steve Bell and Edyta Hallam of Axion Polymers.

The U.K.-based plastics recycling firm Axion Polymers has hired Shaun Phizacklea, a dedicated polymer technologist, to its technical sales team. Phizacklea will focus his efforts on expanding Axion’s range of Axpoly and Axplas high-grade 100 percent recycled polymers for new markets and specific end-user requirements.

Phizacklea has extensive experience in rigid plastic recycling. He joins Steve Bell, Axion’s commercial operations manager, and Edyta Hallam in customer services/supply chain logistics.

Axion notes that significant investments in new buildings and specialist plant equipment at the company’s end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling facility Shredder Waste Advanced Processing Plant (SWAPP) in Trafford Park, U.K. has increased the capacity for handling the complex plastics concentrate mixture from the ASR separation process.

The testing equipment at Axion’s Salford, U.K., processing site has enhanced the company’s ability to deliver accurate sampling results from complicated waste streams. To help in the process Phizacklea is working on developing customized polymer blends for the automotive and durable goods markets, a sizable growth market for the company.

Commenting on his new role, Phizacklea says, “Improving the physical characteristics of the recycled polymers such as adjusting melt flow, impact resistance and tensile strength are among the key challenges that make my job both interesting and rewarding.”

Phizacklea continues, “With more clients recognizing the cost savings on virgin plastics and the opportunity to reduce their carbon impact, it’s great to be part of an enthusiastic and skilled team fully committed to growing our recycled polymer range.”

Axion Polymers is working with several manufacturers on developing new car components to create closed-loop recycling of automotive plastics. The horticultural sector is also a growing market. “It’s evident that larger manufacturers are realizing that they need to stop ‘talking’ about the circular materials economy and commit to delivering it by using high-quality recycled polymers in new products,” says Bell. “At Axion Polymers, we have the expertise, technology and products to help them do this.”