Addiplast, one of Europe's leading compounders, combines extensive R&D expertise with flexible production technologies. Guillaume Ales, Head of R&D, Innovation and Industrialisation, tells us more about this approach and the eco-design process for developing new products with low environmental impact.
About Addiplast
Our group employs 160 specialists in the production of compounding: whether it is the development, production implementation, actual production or sales of compounding and masterbatches. All three production sites are certified to ISO 14001/ 9001 and IATF 16949 standards: Addiplast and Addikem, based in Saint-Pal-de-Mons, as well as Addicolor in Villers-St-Paul near Paris. Our specialization in materials formulation and the manufacture of these products includes a wide range of thermoplastics (polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, styrenics, polymers based on renewable raw materials). Our annual production is approximately 40,000 tonnes, using twin-screw DC extruders and kneader-type mixers to meet the needs of the automotive, 4E (electrical, electronics and energy), cosmetics, medical, packaging and consumer industries. We provide a range of enhanced properties to our base polymers, such as fire resistance, reinforcement, lightweighting, higher density, color, visual effects and more. Approximately 10% of our employees are dedicated to research and development, and two research centers (AddiScience) allow us to design our own products, collaborate on developments with our customers, and offer external compound development or subcontracting services. Each year we develop nearly 300 new formulations and conduct more than 800 R&D tests. Addiplast has a strong focus on innovation and has traditionally been involved in ambitious projects involving the private and public sectors to develop innovative breakthrough products.
What we offer to the rubber, plastics and composites industry
We offer them a range of expertise in product development. We support them in all phases of their projects: from formulation to final fine-tuning and stabilization of the extrusion process, from the introduction of innovations into production to changes in the production program. Our teams, whether in R&D, manufacturing, sales or customer service, work with clients on solutions that meet their specific needs (compliance with specifications, technical and economic optimization of products). In addition, we offer quality catalogue products. Thus, we offer both catalogue solutions and tailor-made solutions that perfectly suit all our customers.
We have developed a new tool for life cycle analysis
The growing demand from our customers for information related to LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), i.e. the assessment of the various environmental impacts of our products (global warming, eutrophication of the aquatic environment, soil acidification, etc.), has led us to seek the most efficient autonomous ways of quantifying this data. The LCA software available on the market did not suit us, as we were looking for a tool that would exactly match the specificities of our activity. We therefore turned to a reputable specialist company to develop a tool that would allow us to evaluate a wide range of recipes without compromising our production secrets and that would guarantee reliable results. Clients will then incorporate our LCA analysis into the environmental footprint monitoring and LCA analysis of the final product.
What is the meaning
Eco-design is a fundamental issue for our business because we want to offer thermoplastics with a low environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle and we also want to prioritise the principles of a circular economy. From the end of 2022, as part of a group of automotive manufacturers, we are obliged to have homologated not only new but also old values and to provide information on the emission load of our compounds and their impact on global warming (kg CO2 eq/kg of material). We have also established close cooperation with companies in the cosmetics sector to offer them greener solutions in the early stages of research and development. Thanks to LCA, we can identify compounds with the lowest environmental burden in an interdisciplinary collaboration. We want to provide our customers with relevant environmental information and offer environmentally friendly compounds. At Addiplast, innovation and respect for the environment go hand in hand because we care about a sustainable future.
What other issues are we addressing
We are continuing R&D projects to maximise the use of recycled materials in all sectors of the plastics industry. The aim is to ensure that our compounds exhibit stable and reproducible properties with minimal environmental burden. At the same time, we have developed the Addibio Renew range of compounds, which involves the integration of natural fibres to lighten products intended for the transport sector while improving their mechanical and environmental properties. We are also developing products for sports and leisure, and have also focused on 3D printing. We pride ourselves on providing our clients with tailor-made solutions that respect all standards and regulations, as well as continuously investing in the latest tools and technologies. We are ready to respond efficiently and flexibly to market demands. In fact, the Addiplast Group is a recipient of the Ecovadis Silver Medal, which recognises the results of our work in the field of corporate social responsibility.
