At ALCOT PLASTICS, sustainability is not a new initiative or a response to a recent industry trend. The principles of reducing waste, improving manufacturing efficiency, and creating durable products have influenced the way we operate for decades.
From proprietary process improvements designed to reduce scrap to recovering suitable manufacturing material, our approach is practical: use materials efficiently, reuse what we can, and manufacture products designed to provide long-term value.
A PHILOSOPHY THAT STARTED WITH OUR FOUNDER
Our approach to waste reduction can be traced back to ALCOT PLASTICS founder Jan Alac.
Coming from Europe, Jan understood that space and resources were not unlimited. Products and materials don’t simply “go away” once they are discarded. That perspective helped shape an important philosophy within the company: make quality products that last and minimize the amount of manufacturing scrap that ends up in landfill.
Over the years, this philosophy has influenced both the products we manufacture and the equipment we use to make them.
REDUCING WASTE STARTS AT THE EXTRUDER
One of the most important opportunities to reduce manufacturing waste occurs before a product is even made.
Manufacturing processes can generate scrap while reaching stable operating conditions. ALCOT PLASTICS continually refines its equipment and operating practices to improve material efficiency.
These proprietary improvements support efficient startup and help reduce material waste as production reaches operating conditions.
But reducing scrap is only part of the equation.
We recycle and reuse suitable manufacturing scrap generated internally through our closed-loop process.
Instead of treating that material as waste, suitable production scrap is recovered and returned to productive use through our internal process.
This closed-loop approach allows material that might otherwise be discarded to become a manufacturing input again.
TURNING MANUFACTURING SCRAP BACK INTO PRODUCTS
Across recent reporting periods, our internal regrind process has consistently returned a meaningful volume of suitable production scrap to productive use.
Depending on the requirements of the application, ALCOT PLASTICS can also manufacture certain products with high levels of recycled content.
Our goal is straightforward: when material can be effectively reused without compromising the requirements of the finished product, we want to keep that material in productive use.
REDUCING WATER AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Material efficiency isn’t the only area where we have made changes.
Water is required for process cooling during extrusion. Rather than continually consuming new water, ALCOT PLASTICS recirculates the water used for process cooling, significantly reducing water consumption compared with a once-through cooling system.
We have also been improving the energy efficiency of our facility.
We also continue to make incremental infrastructure improvements as part of our longer-term effort to operate a more energy-efficient manufacturing facility.
SUSTAINABILITY IS ALSO ABOUT MAKING PRODUCTS THAT LAST
Recycling receives a great deal of attention when discussing plastics, but we believe product longevity should also be part of the conversation.
Some of the products we’re most proud of are found in our construction line. These products become integrated into buildings and infrastructure, where their function is to provide protection, improve efficiency, or help other materials perform for longer periods of time.
For example, our pipe insulation helps reduce energy loss, while our expansion joint materials are designed to accommodate movement and help extend the service life of concrete and sealant systems.
Rather than being short-lived disposable products, many of these materials become a long-term part of the structures in which they are installed.
EXPLORING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MATERIALS
ALCOT PLASTICS is also looking ahead by evaluating the next generation of materials.
ALCOT PLASTICS is evaluating biodegradable resin technologies for potential use in future packaging and consumer product applications.
We are assessing selected applications where these technologies may offer practical environmental and performance benefits.
There are still challenges to overcome. Alternative materials can carry a significant cost premium, and ultimately, they must provide the performance customers require at a price the market can support.
Nevertheless, we believe these materials represent an exciting area of development and one worth continuing to explore.
LOOKING BEYOND OUR OWN MANUFACTURING WASTE
Currently, our recycling efforts are centered primarily on the scrap created within our own manufacturing operations. The next step is to look beyond our facility.
We are evaluating opportunities to recover suitable external material streams and return them to productive use.
If feasible, this approach could help divert additional material from disposal while supporting responsible resource use.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, ONE STEP AT A TIME
We don’t believe sustainability is something that can be solved with a single product, material, or initiative.
For ALCOT PLASTICS, it means continually looking for practical ways to improve material efficiency, recover suitable resources, reduce operational consumption, strengthen our facility, and evaluate responsible materials for the future.
Our philosophy remains closely connected to the idea that helped shape the company in the first place:
Products don’t simply “go away.” So, our responsibility is to use materials wisely, minimize waste, and manufacture quality products that serve a useful purpose for as long as possible.