Plastic Blow Moulding 

Opening up new opportunities across the Plastic Blow Moulding sector

The UK plastic bottle blow moulding industry processes over 630,000 tonnes of polymer per year through Extrusion Blow Moulding and Injection Stretch Blow Moulding. Products include everything from containers for drinks, foodstuffs and personal care products to automotive and industrial applications. Across approximately 154 sites the annual energy consumption for the sector is around 755 GWh with carbon emissions of approximately 400,000 tCO₂. Most of the energy used is electricity for the plasticisation of the raw material.

Key findings from the Carbon Trust Report

Insulating the barrel of an injection stretch blow moulding machine could save between £4,000 and £5,000 per year

• Induction barrel heating on extrusion blow moulding machines could save between £10,000 and £12,000 per machine per year
• Over £7,000 per machine per year could be saved on equipment that is left idling    

 

By working closely with key players from across the plastic bottle blow moulding sector, the Carbon Trust has analysed detailed energy data throughout the blow moulding process. We identified a specific opportunity that could lead to energy and cost savings for every business involved, and help to open up a new market.