Denmark-based Expo-Net has invested in a new central warehouse to achieve overall site efficiency, improving materials handling, and reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
At a time of high-energy prices, achieving higher efficiency has become a key goal of many plastic businesses. This is often pursued by switching to more energy efficient machinery. Expo-Net’s project illustrates another avenue to achieving higher efficiency, alongside lower carbon footprint. Space optimisation reduces movement of materials and achieves a higher product volume to space ratio.
Expo-Net manufactures thermoplastic netting, mesh, and filtration products for applications in composites, filtration, industrial, packaging, aqua- and agriculture, amongst others. The product range is made from 100% recyclable polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) polymer grades.
Ground preparation for construction of the new centralised warehouse is underway at Expo-Net’s main 12,000 square metres production site in Hjørring, Denmark. The new centralised ‘low carbon’ warehouse will provide 3,300 square metres of covered storage for raw materials and finished goods, all under one roof. Operations are expected to begin in late 2024.
“We are planning to use the freed-up space to increase Expo-Net’s lean production capabilities by relocating a number of our existing extrusion lines and upgrading older lines,” said the company’s managing director, Lars Klinkby. “This will further improve our production efficiency and prepare the business for future expansion,” he explained.
Expo-Net reuses 100% of the internal waste materials it produces and 80% of the site’s electricity comes from renewable energy suppliers. The company has also invested in being able to filter and reuse processed wastewater and capturing and reusing heat generated from its production lines.