MEDICAL CHARTS ARE HEALTHY

Members of a panel discussion at a plastics recycling conference identified the medical field as a growth segment within the manufacturing sector.

In a panel discussion at Recycling Today's Plastics Recycling Conference entitled "The Search for Manufacturing Scrap," three plastics recyclers commented on the nature of the market and the shifting landscape of plastic scrap generation.

Among the constant problems for industrial plastics recyclers: "We can't request that our customers create more off-spec parts," quipped moderator Robert Render of Maine Plastics Inc., Zion, Ill. "We have to continue to seek new sources every day."

Panelist Ron Sherga of Sherresults LLC, Arlington, Texas, noted that while he works with customers on a national basis, "There definitely has been a shift to the South" during his career in terms of scrap generation.

Panelist Phil Corvo of First State Plastics Inc., Newcastle, Del., says scrap supply near his Delaware location tends be stable or to grow slightly each month, but supply near his Toledo, Ohio, location can be much more volatile because of its dependence on the automotive segment.

On the brighter side, Render listed several growth segments, including health care and medical products makers, custom molders, "green" products makers, electronics recycling facilities and packaging scrap at all types of facilities.