1. Raw materials  

Nigel Simmons is responsible for all the purchases of raw materials. These include plastic resins, paints, oils, solvents and packaging materials. These are all ordered in bulk and stored on site until required.  

Suppliers are evaluated on price but not on their environmental performance. 

Figure 1: Delivery of plastic resin for PVC sleeves 

Various raw materials for the plastic parts made are delivered in bulk and stored on site in the raw material stores until needed in production. These are delivered in 1 tonne and 30kg polypropylene bags. Workers collect their own raw materials as required.  

Figure 2: Raw material for injection moulded plastic components 

Figure 3: Bulk storage of Polybutylene Terephthalate chips 

Figure 4: Workers collecting raw materials for use in plastic production 

Only one grade of oil is used at APEC Kolath, used in large quantities for lubrication of the presses and other machines. This oil is delivered 4-5 times a year by tanker and pumped into a bulk storage tank sited on open land adjacent to the factory. This area has no bund for protection from spills. When oil is required in the tool room or shop floor, workers fill open top plastic drums (30L) from the tank, carry them into the factory and place them in the appropriate area. The number of oil deliveries depends on the stock available on site.  

No personal protection equipment is provided. 

Figure 3: Oil delivery  

Figure 4: Storage tanks – only the smaller on is used for storing bulk oil deliveries. The larger tank remains empty 

Paint is bought in bulk 205 litre drums. This is stored in the paint and solvent store. A spill kit is available in the stores area (Figure 4).  

Figure 5: Spill kit in the paint and solvent store  

During the metal treatment processes degreasing agents are utilised in dipping tanks and also applied by hand on using paper supplied on rolls. Solvent is delivered in 205 litre drums and stored in the external paint and solvent store. When required it is decanted into the open dipping tanks in the production areas.  

Drums of paint and solvent are moved by hand to the area required. No personal protection equipment is provided for handling or application of solvent.  

Figure 5: Open solvent dipping tank 

Figure 6: Hand cleaning metal components with solvent  

Figure 6: Paint and solvent store 

Propane gas is used to power the forklift truck. Bulk supplies are stored in the yard outside goods inwards, next to the paint and solvent store. 

Figure 7: Propane gas store      

Records of raw material purchase and use are maintained on a spreadsheet.  

Recycled raw materials are not used. Investigations by Nigel Simmons suggest that there is no source of recycled PVC and Polybutylene Terephthalate in the local area.