2K Manufacturing Takes All Types of Plastic and Remakes them into EcoSheets

August 28th, 2009 by Moiz Kapadia

[social_buttons]

2k Manufacturing based in Luton, England has come up with a process that can take any type of plastic – clean, dirty, or defected – and remake it into what they’re calling ‘EcoSheets’. These EcoSheets are a composite material made to have the same mechanical properties as plywood. They are the end result of a process called powder impression molding, which takes all forms of plastic and makes it into a fine powder. The powder is then sandwiched in between two polymer films and is heat treated to form a viable substitute for plywood, a ubiquitous building material.

The company is eager to boast the many advantages their EcoSheets have over plywood. First and foremost: plywood is usually sent to landfill after its use because of the paint and chemicals that it is treated with. EcoSheets however, can be taken back to the plant to be remade again even if they have been painted and have nails through them. 2K Manufacturing is also selling its environmentally friendly building material at the same cost of plywood. Finally, plywood tends to rot overtime and can be difficult to work with because everyone hates splinters.

A product like EcoSheets embodies the cradle to cradle philosophy. At the end of its lifecycle it can be taken back to the factory to be remolded and reused, all the time reducing volume that would otherwise go into the waste stream. It is these sorts of materials that can truly make a green building. Assuming that 2K Manufacturings’s EcoSheets are can be trusted by engineers, this product can be used to help pick up points in green building rating systems.

Soon enough, you maybe standing or leaning on the bottled water that you just threw into your recycling can. The only question I ask is – what else can you make with plastic and powder-impression molding?

Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: 2K Manufacturing, green building, powder impression molding, recycling plastic

About the Author

Moiz Kapadia Moiz Kapadia graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in mechanical engineering. He is currently working as an engineer for Arup and lives in Newark, NJ.

http://ecosheetdirect.co.uk ecosheets

The potential seems endless. Each application will require feedback.

Agricultural shelters, sheep pens and calf pens should be possible but will have to be stress tested.

The real results will take a few years to become clear. If it outlasts plywood alternatives then Ecosheet is a dream product for the farming community also.
http://naturalfamilyworld.com Monica

Sounds really interesting.

I try to minimize my plastic consumption, but in spite of my efforts there’s always plastic trash.

Of course we should aim to reduce our consumption, but recycling is a desirable way to manage the plastic trash.
http://naturalfamilyworld.com Monica

Sounds really interesting.

I try to minimize my plastic consumption, but in spite of my efforts there’s always plastic trash.

Of course we should aim to reduce our consumption, but recycling is a desirable way to manage the plastic trash.
elmovittorio

chi devo contattare
elmovittorio

chi devo contattare
elmovittorio

il sottoscritto chiede autorizzazione a proporre questa tecnologia ad enti pubblici cosi proviamo subito se funziona
elmovittorio

il sottoscritto chiede autorizzazione a proporre questa tecnologia ad enti pubblici cosi proviamo subito se funziona