The latest of such trials at Asda in Clapham Junction and Marks & Spencer in Bath, which saw EcoSheet being used by leading South West England and South Wales construction company ISG Pearce for external site hoardings, have proven to be a great success operationally, commercially and environmentally.

The trials are further evidence that leading retailers are committing more and more to sustainable construction, something that is now expected by customers and shareholders alike.  In March this year, Marks & Spencer pledged to ‘build Plan A into every aspect of our construction programme’; from increasing the number of ‘eco’ stores and trialling new technologies including 100% recyclable materials, to introducing biodiversity audits and carbon managers for major construction projects.  It also promised to send no construction waste to landfill and reduce construction waste overall by 50% by 2015.  Supermarkets like Asda and Tesco have also made similar moves.

EcoSheet offers constructors environmental as well as commercial benefits in that it is made entirely from recycled waste plastic taken from the UK waste stream, and at end of life each board is entirely recyclable.  Using cutting-edge new technology, the natural characteristics of polymer are utilised to manufacture hard-wearing, smooth-faced, versatile boards suitable for a variety of applications in construction and beyond.

Peter Ball, sales director for 2K Manufacturing which produces Ecosheet explains:  “EcoSheet is engineered to perform as an alternative to imported plywood, or to virgin plastic panels, but whilst plywood is often not from a sustainable source and costs companies huge amounts to landfill, EcoSheet is fully recyclable at end-of-life, thereby offering a complete closed-loop solution for customers.

“For that reason, we are increasingly working with construction companies on behalf of big retailers because of their corporate commitments to more sustainable construction practice.  What’s more, in the future, EcoSheet could even be used by supermarkets for signage because of the usability and environmental benefit it offers.  The opportunities for EcoSheet are endless.”

Commenting on the recent M&S and Asda trials, ISG Pearce’s Craig Welmers said:  “We have been extremely pleased with the way EcoSheet has performed as external hoardings in both the Asda Clapham Junction and M&S Bath projects. We are now looking to roll it out to more sites as internal hoardings as well as external use.”

Ends

2K Manufacturing’s CEO Omer Kutluoglu, explained to Nick Clegg how they produce EcoSheet, a plywood replacement made entirely from waste plastic, and its environmental and economic benefits to the construction industry. Omer also highlighted how many of the leading British construction companies have embraced the potential of using EcoSheet as an alternative to plywood.

Omer explained:  “The UK construction industry currently disposes of millions of sheets of plywood a year in landfill creating a significant cost to the industry, a practice that is not sustainable from an economic or environmental point of view.  Our EcoSheet product provides a viable alternative for constructors and the industry is fast recognising this, as is evident in our developing partnerships with many major building contractors and house builders.  They have quickly come to recognise 2K Manufacturing and EcoSheet as an example of British green engineering at its best.”

Nick Clegg continues “2k is exactly the sort of green, job-creating British business that we need to be helping during the recession. Products like EcoSheet will support our green stimulus plan, which will also bring a quarter of a million empty homes back into use, providing a welcome boost to the hard hit construction industry as well as tackling the shortage of affordable housing."

Ends

EcoSheet is the world’s first recycled plastic plywood substitute, outperforming imported plywood commercially, operationally and environmentally thus creating a major opportunity for construction site waste management.

The multi-award winning product is made from recycled waste mixed plastics and is, in turn, 100% recyclable at end of life. The company’s first production facility – the first of its kind in the world - opened in July 2009, creating the first closed loop manufacturing process for the construction industry.  Once at full production in spring 2010 it will use 30,000 tonnes of waste plastic which would otherwise go to landfill. 

The Luton plant is the first of a number of plants to be opened by the company in the UK, which will allow for the production of millions of EcoSheets each year which are all, in turn, completely recyclable at the plant. The technology provides a solution for the issue of five million tonnes of waste plastic produced each year, 80% of which goes to landfill. In addition, over 25 million plywood sheets are used a year in the UK which are not recyclable and have to be landfilled as waste, at a great expense to the industry.

2K takes a variety of mixed waste plastic and through a unique process – Powder Impression Moulding for which 2K has just (December 2009) secured the worldwide license – can turn it into super strong recycled plastic that can have many different purposes; from caravans and supermarket signs to cubicles in hospitals. The product has been extensively trialled in St David’s retail development in Cardiff by Bovis, who are committed to supporting EcoSheet in future developments.

“The UK has mountains of plastic waste, the majority of which goes into landfill each year and cannot currently be recycled,” comments Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2K.  “We can take a huge variety of mixed plastic waste, from construction site waste, supermarket signage and packaging, to yoghurt pots or even biros and turn it into a fantastic high performance product for the construction and sign industry.  The panel is robust, versatile and suitable for many applications.”

2K has secured funding from Foresight Group, a leading investor in green and ethical investments.

As well as demonstrating the technological advances being made to recycle the UK’s waste plastic and the positive impact the company’s work has on the environment, 2K Manufacturing’s chief executive Omer Kutluoglu highlighted the issue of the difficulty in obtaining adequate bank financing that many of the UK’s green manufacturing businesses are encountering which prevents them from growing or even getting started in the first place.

Commenting after his visit, Vince Cable MP said:  “Small and medium sized businesses have a vital role to play in our economic recovery and 2K Manufacturing is an excellent example of how innovative and entrepreneurial solutions are driving the UK's green economy. Unfortunately, the Government and UK banks are not currently doing enough to financially support this sector's growth.”

Adds 2K co-founder, Omer Kutluoglu:  “We’re delighted that someone as high profile as Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vince Cable has shown an interest in our state-of-the-art recycling process.  The UK has mountains of mixed plastic waste, the majority of which goes into landfill each year and cannot currently be recycled. Our unique process allows us to take up to 30,000 tonnes of waste plastic a year, in our Luton plant alone, and recycle it back into something useful that can be used again and again.

“Despite the difficult business environment for young companies, the potential opportunities are endless.”

She was shown around the newly built facility by 2K Manufacturing’s chief executive Omer Kutluoglu who highlighted both the technological advances being made to recycle the UK’s waste plastic and the positive impact the company’s work has on the environment. 

2K Manufacturing is the company behind the multi award-winning EcoSheet, the world’s first environmentally-friendly plywood substitute board made from recycled waste plastics - from construction site waste, supermarket signage and packaging, to yoghurt pots or even biros.  Five million tonnes of waste plastic are produced each year in the UK, 80% of which are landfilled.  In addition, over 25 million sheets of plywood sheets are used a year which are not recyclable and have to be landfilled as waste, at great expense to the industry. 2K Manufacturing’s groundbreaking ‘Powder Impression Moulding’ technology provides a solution to this issue.

Commenting at the plant, Esther Rantzen said:  “Climate change is obviously a real concern and I am delighted that a Luton company is tackling the situation head-on and leading the way.”

 “The UK has mountains of mixed plastic waste, the majority of which goes into landfill each year and cannot currently be recycled,” added Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2K.  “Through a unique process, we can recycle that plastic waste into a brand new product that can be used again and again for a variety of different purposes; from caravans and supermarket signs to cubicles in hospitals.  The opportunities are endless, which can only be a good thing for the environment.”

The company’s first production facility in Luton – the first of its kind in the world - opened in July 2009, and allows for the production of thousands of EcoSheets each day which are all, in turn, completely recyclable at the plant. Once at full production in spring 2010 it will use 30,000 tonnes of waste plastic which would otherwise go to landfill.

EcoSheet is produced by 2K Manufacturing, the world’s first plant that will turn waste plastic back into environmentally friendly plywood substitute for the construction and signage industries.  On the DLR project, EcoSheet will be used as the formwork to platform slabs, platform walls and even for precast concrete works.

2K Manufacturing has secured launch funding from both Foresight Group, a leading investor in green and ethical investments, and also the EEDA (East of England Development Agency). Arup has been project managing the development of the Luton 2K plant.“We operate an Environmental Management System which means that VINCI is continually looking for innovative and environmentally friendly products that help us maximise the potential for environmental improvement as well as continuing to deliver successful projects,” comments Ken Orbell, Project Manager from VINCI Construction UK. “With its environmental credentials and proven performance EcoSheet is an excellent example of this.” 

 Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2K Manufacturing says: “We are of course delighted that a company such as VINCI has chosen to trial EcoSheet in such a major project, which is testament to the product’s commercial as well as environmental benefits.  EcoSheet continually outperforms traditional plywood in a range of applications and makes sound economic and environmental sense.

“We can take a huge variety of mixed plastic waste, from hospital and supermarket waste to yoghurt pots or even biros and turn it into a durable, high performance product for the construction industry. The possibilities are endless as we can adapt the end product into any form, shape or product.”

EcoSheet will be produced at 2Ks brand new Luton facility which will create the first closed loop manufacturing process for the construction and signage industries and will use 25,000 tonnes of waste plastic which would otherwise go to landfill. The Luton plant is the first of 11 planned sites in the UK which, in total, will enable the production of up to four million pieces of EcoSheet each year, which are in turn all completely recyclable at the plant. The technology provides a solution for the five million tonnes of plastic waste produced each year, around 80% of which is sent to landfill.  In addition, over 25 million plywood sheets are used a year which are not recyclable and have to be landfilled as hazardous waste, at great expense to the industry.

A trained manufacturing engineer, Mike Cantelo brings with him a wealth of experience including production engineering launches for the Peugeot Motor Company, Aston Martin Lagonda and more recently, Fairline Boats.

 “Having worked with some of the top brands in manufacturing, it’s great to come across to a completely different sector, using the latest in production innovation” comments Mike. “2K is revolutionising processing techniques in the waste material sector, producing high value and quality EcoSheet from the most challenging raw material streams. It’s hugely exciting."

The plant opening creates the first closed loop manufacturing process for the construction industry and will use 30,000 tonnes of waste plastic which would otherwise go to landfill. The Luton plant is the first in the UK with expansion in capacity planned for the near future, which could enable the production of up to four million pieces of EcoSheet each year which are all, in turn, completely recyclable at the plant. The technology provides a solution for the issue of five million tonnes of waste plastic produced each year, 80% of which goes to landfill. In addition, over 25 million plywood sheets are used a year in the UK which are not recyclable and have to be landfilled as waste, at a great expense to the industry.

“Mike has unparalleled experience and we are looking forward to working with him on all aspects of our production,” continues Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2K Manufacturing. “EcoSheet outperforms plywood commercially, operationally and environmentally and creates a major opportunity for construction site waste management as it is 100% recyclable at end of life.”

EcoSheet has been trialled extensively at the Bovis Retail Development in St David’s, Wales, to great success. 2K Manufacturing has secured launch funding from both Foresight Group, a leading investor in green and ethical investments, and also the EEDA (East of England Development Agency).

The facility for the financing of growth encompasses accounts receivable, plant & machinery and a capital expenditure term loan facility to allow for future fixed asset investment.

2K is backed by Foresight Group, the alternative asset manager with specific focus on the environmental infrastructure and solar energy sectors. 2K is a producer of industrial products from recovered waste plastics using a process known as Powder Impression Moulding. This process allows for the recycling of co-mingled low grade waste plastics (that would otherwise end up in land-fill) to produce the award winning product “EcoSheet”, itself made from 100% recycled plastic.

EcoSheet can be used in a variety of industrial sectors for site hoardings, concrete formworks and signs. The natural characteristics of polymer are utilised to manufacture hard-wearing, smooth-faced, versatile boards suitable for a variety of applications in construction and beyond. EcoSheet is engineered to perform as an alternative to imported plywood, or to virgin plastic panels, yet in turn are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan.

2K has received numerous awards for its innovation, and as recently as last month was a finalist in the “Best Recycled Product” category at the 2009 National Recycling Awards.

Paul Hooper, KBC Business Capital sales director said: “We are very pleased to be working with such an exceptional business as 2K and look forward to a very long successful partnership.”

Omer Kutluoglu, 2K CEO, said: “Our goal is to make products that help our customers reduce their impact on the environment. We are very pleased that KBC Business Capital will be assisting us in achieving that goal”.

2K was advised by Field Fisher Waterhouse. KBC received legal advice from Mills & Reeve.

BSF is the biggest-ever school buildings investment programme which will rebuild or renew nearly every secondary school in England. EcoSheet is produced by 2k Manufacturing, the world’s first plant that will turn waste plastic back into environmentally friendly plywood substitute for the construction and signage industry. The EcoSheet will be used by Wates for hoarding at the Lea Manor high school in Luton.

 “Wates is delighted to be the first company to use this innovative product from the Luton plant” comments Michael Coyle, Project Manager from Wates. “Our strategy is to identify new and innovative construction products that continually improve the delivery on projects and EcoSheet is an excellent example of this.”

“We are particularly excited that the first EcoSheet will be used by Wates because it is for a Luton schools project which is where our new plant is based.” continues Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2k Manufacturing. “In addition, being involved in the wider Building Schools for the Future is a huge opportunity for EcoSheet, which has fantastic benefits and has outperformed traditional plywood in all applications.

The plant can take a huge variety of mixed plastic waste, from hospital and supermarket waste to yoghurt pots or even biros and turn it into a durable, high performance product for the construction industry. The possibilities are endless as we can adapt the end product into any form, shape or product.”

EcoSheet will be produced at 2Ks brand new Luton facility which will create the first closed loop manufacturing process for the construction and signage industries and will use 25,000 tonnes of waste plastic which would otherwise go to landfill. The Luton plant is the first of 11 planned sites in the UK which, in total, will enable the production of up to four million pieces of EcoSheet each year, which are in turn all completely recyclable at the plant. The technology provides a solution for the issue of five million tonnes of waste plastic that goes to landfill each year, 93% which cannot currently be recycled. In addition, over 25 million plywood sheets are used a year which are not recyclable and have to be landfilled as hazardous waste, at great expense to the industry.

Arup has been project managing the development of the Luton 2k plant. In addition, EcoSheet has been trialled extensively at the Bovis Retail Development in St David’s, Wales, to great success. 2k Manufacturing has secured launch funding from both Foresight Group, a leading investor in green and ethical investments and also the EEDA (East of England Development Agency).

Peter Ball joins from Norbord, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of wood based products for the construction industry. He brings with him a wealth of experience in manufacturing, distribution and housing construction.

“This is fantastic opportunity to join a completely new technology that will revolutionalise the way we use materials in the construction and signage industry” comments Peter. “The plant has already attracted support from major contractors and we will specifically be looking to introduce sub- contractors and merchants to the cost and environmental benefits”.

The plant opening creates the first closed loop manufacturing process for the construction industry and will use 25,000 tonnes of waste plastic which would otherwise go to landfill. The Luton plant is the first in the UK with expansion in capacity planned for the near future, which could enable the production of up to four million pieces of EcoSheet each year, all in turn which are completely recyclable at the plant. The technology provides a solution for the issue of five million tonnes of waste plastic that goes to landfill each year, 93% cannot currently be recycled. In addition, over 25 million plywood sheets are used a year which are not recyclable and have to be landfilled as waste, at a great expense to the industry.

“Peter has unparalleled experience and we are looking forward to driving forward our sales strategy with him.” continues Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2k Manufacturing. “EcoSheet outperforms plywood commercially, operationally and environmentally and creates a major opportunity for construction on site management as it is 100 recyclable at end of life.”

EcoSheet has been trialled extensively at the Bovis Retail Development in St David’s, Wales, to great success. 2k Manufacturing has secured launch funding from both Foresight Group, a leading investor in green and ethical investments and also the EEDA (East of England Development Agency).