Entrepreneur transforms recycling industry

© Tanaphong Kanansilp – 123RF.com

As manufacturers and suppliers of picture frame mouldings, profiles, cornices and even embellishments used on coffins that are sold directly to the end market, Son's father frequently had to deal with shipping delays and exchange rate fluctuations which had a dramatic impact on his business.

"This caused us to start looking around for local, readily available material that we could recycle and use in the products instead of the imported virgin material. At that time, polystyrene was available in abundant supply, but was considered to be difficult to recycle and had very limited end markets," Son explains.

Contaminated products

Other obstacles that they had to face was transporting the very light, but bulky material to their plant, working with often heavily contaminated and soiled products, and the different colours of polystyrene that they had to use.

Son started adapting their existing machines. "We soon found that we were able to effectively use and recycle all kinds of polystyrene for our specific purposes - even slightly dirty, post-consumer, coloured and even high impact polystyrene," he says.

Son points out that his success is not the result of individual efforts, but credits the power of forming strategic partnerships. "We realised early on that we cannot do this alone. Since we started our operations, we have taken great care to build and grow the relationships we have formed with local polystyrene manufacturers, waste management companies, municipalities and associations such as the Polystyrene Packaging Council. We also buy factory scrap from other polystyrene factories and pelletise the material in-house."

Growth projections

Son currently recycles 20 tons of polystyrene per month that goes into decorative picture frames and mouldings sold throughout South Africa, with future growth projections showing that he will soon need in excess of 100 tons per month to keep up with the demand.

"We need a lot of polystyrene in every shape and colour that we can get. To this end, we are also very grateful that our paths have crossed with those of Adri Spangenberg and the Polystyrene Council who has been instrumental in putting us into contact with sources of material around the country," Son says.

Today, the company employs 30 people on a full time basis at its factory in Silverton, Pretoria, and have also expanded their operations into Cape Town. Their new recycling plant in Durban is expected to open within the next few months.