Techlan develops innovative recycling solutions and is once again proud to be the subject of a Business Wales case study.
In partnership with GTS Flexibles, Ebbw Vale the case study highlights the groundbreaking Circular Economy system that the two companies working together have developed and the significant cost and carbon savings that have been achieved.
GTS is a world-leading manufacturer of laminated composites and adhesive-coated tapes for the electronic and automotive sectors. It utilizes release liners as an integral raw material in its manufacturing process. Prior to Techlan’s intervention, the release liners were used once and then sent to landfill.
Techlan has developed an innovative process that enables it to recycle waste release liners under the Circular Economy model, enabling them to be repeatedly re-used. It supplies 100% recycled release liners under its trademark “Re-LinerTM”.
This delivers a measurable carbon saving of 670kgs per tonne of release liner consumed.
GTS recognized it was incurring significant costs and a having a detrimental environmental impact through its single use of release liners that were then discarded to landfill. It was looking for a solution to the problem.
The two companies worked together in partnership to achieve a cost effective recycling solution through multiple uses of the same liner. The system took many months to establish but is now operating as a perfect Circular Economy model.
The rolls of release liner are now utilized by GTS in its manufacturing process and then rewound for re-processing by Techlan. They are packaged and stored ready for Techlan to collect and transport back to Techlan’s facility in Swansea. The innovative, patented process then cleans the used release liner enabling it to be supplied back to GTS for a second use.
The process simply cleans the liner on both sides allowing it to be re-used as Re-LinerTM. The rolls are converted, packaged and then delivered back to GTS where the cycle resumes once again
This cycle of “use, clean & resupply” is repeated up to 11 times and delivers for GTS a massive reduction in the use of virgin paper and they enjoy attendant cost and a measured carbon reduction.
GTS is now achieving eleven re-uses from the same Re-LinerTM.
The collaboration between the two companies has created a unique Circular Economy system that has measurable environmental benefits that are vital as we work toward reducing carbon emissions and achieving a net zero society.
