720141Improved polythene processing additivesClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKThis project aims to dramatically reduce the impact of increased costs on the UK polythene production market. Prices have risen from £800/T in 2006 to £1300/T in 2012. Further price pressures are exerted by the decreasing availability and variability of recycled feedstock and increased processing costs. CCm technology can help meet the demand for lower costs. It seeks to demonstrate the scalability of its process, already proven at small scale, through a prototype development project which will deliver alternative feedstock at lower cost. The project reduces the quantities of virgin polymer and energy required to make extruded (PE) products. The incorporation of specially treated renewably sourced fibres into polythene melts reduces costs without reducing the mechanical properties of the end product. It also reduces the quantity of PE by up to 30% and energy costs by 20%. The process also reduces total CO2 emissions relating to PE production whilst allowing for the potential for additional material functionality (including fire retardancy) potentially helping to significantly broaden the polythene market. The CCm process was initially developed under a Yorkshire Forward R&D grant and has subsequently been developed at the University of Birmingham. We now seek to scale-up the project by developing a prototype that can generate larger quantities of treated fibre for full industrial testing and to act as a test bed unit for the development and sale of larger scale equipment to product manufacturers in the UK. A successful prototype will enable the industry to reduce costs, save energy and C02, whilst also developing potential market opportunities for the sector.