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Every year, the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (Sapro) hosts an award ceremony celebrating innovation, sustainability, and progress. At this year’s event, held on 27 August at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Plasco Consulting (Pty) Ltd’s irrigation valve box was awarded the Gold Award for Best Recycled Plastic Product in the Agricultural and Related Products category.
About Plasco Consulting
Plasco Consulting (Pty) Ltd was established in 2013 by chief executive officer, Anton Silvis, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the plastic industry. Plasco Consulting (Pty) Ltd assists companies in the plastic manufacturing industry to optimise their processes, mainly by supplying processing machinery and providing manufacturing solutions. The company also assists with sourcing, testing, installation, and repair of materials and machinery.
Engineered for success
The Irrigation Valve Box mould was initially developed by Plasco Consulting (Pty) Ltd for a client, who did not proceed with the purchase. Silvis was so impressed by the design that he decided to acquire the patent himself. He is now the brand owner.
The original purpose of the Irrigation Valve Box was to protect and house irrigation valves, achieve the distribution of irrigation in different directions, and withstand demanding outdoor infrastructure applications. It can now carry up to 1 500kg and has adjustments for personalisation. The product also has compact packaging, and consists of eight components that can be assembled and disassembled easily – reducing transportation costs and improving efficiency. Its innovative design allows for an increased daylight opening, a stronger lid, and a secure locking device.
The product is made up of post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. Both the lid and the base of the valve box contain 48% strictly defined recycled polypropylene, sourced from household packaging collected after consumer use. A custom resin blend was even developed in-house from recycled polypropylene.
The valve box is the result of a collaborative, all-hands-on-deck approach, involving key partners across the value chain, including the plastic recycling company, Myplas, and Sandplast Plastic Injection Moulding for manufacturing.
Judging criteria
Sapro represents the plastics re-processors in South Africa. The Sapro Awards for the best recycled plastic products aim to encourage recycling among brand owners, retailers, and designers.
The Irrigation Valve Box had to meet several strict criteria for the achievement of the Gold Award, including innovation in developing the product in question, tonnage converted, replacement of alternative materials and the long-term sustainability of the product in terms of demand and market acceptance, and measures taken to ensure product consistency and customer satisfaction.
Technical achievements in manufacturing and overcoming some of the challenges associated with recycled material were also taken into consideration. Plasco Consulting (Pty) Ltd had, in fact, encountered challenges with the product’s structural integrity.
Recycled plastics often have inconsistencies due to different types of plastic and leftover impurities, which could have caused cracking of the product during use and installation. By carefully refining their recycling and production process, Plasco achieved a consistent, stable material that performs reliably and, despite the obstacle, overcame the challenge.
Plasco’s Valve Box happened to tick every box, showing that recycled products can be practical, durable, and market-ready. The product is now ready for introduction to the market and is suitable for sectors where irrigation is used – from nurseries to golf courses.
From a cancelled order to an award-winning product, the valve box is a victory for sustainability. May the innovative Valve Box stand as proof that going green need not come at the expense of technical excellence or performance standards. – Milla Matthee, Plaas Media
Send an email to info@plasco.co.za for more information.
