Sustainable Plastics - September/October 2023 - 26

machinery and sustainability
OMV Technologies
specialises in closedloop
turnkey systems
for maximum
utilisation of material
'Sustainability concerns play
a significant role in shaping
machine purchase choices'
In 2021, MalStra LLC, a Florida-based company owned by Mark Strachan and
Brooke Maltun, acquired the Verona, Italy-based thermoforming and extrusion
machinery fi rm OMV Machinery Srl from Wifag/Polytype Holding. Both owners,
experienced players in the plastics packaging industry, are active in the new
company, which operates as OMV Technologies Inc. and is headquartered in Florida.
F
or both Mark Strachan,
currently CTO,
and Brooke Maltun,
who is president of
OMV Technologies, sustainability
is an ongoing theme at the
company. In the interview below,
conducted via email, they
explain what this means and
how it impacts the company's
strategies and decisions.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly
important for plastics
processors. Is this something
you've noticed among
your customers?
Yes, sustainability has absolutely
become a significantly more
important consideration among
our customers, especially over
the past few years. In fact,
we've observed a growing emphasis
on sustainability across
the board, in both vertical and
horizontal markets within the
plastics industry. This heightened
focus on sustainability is
not only a priority for our customers'
business values but it
has also become critical from
an environmental and compli26
ance
standpoint.
In response to evolving customer
demands and regulatory
requirements, our clients are
increasingly looking for ways
to integrate sustainable practices
into their operations. This
includes aspects like reducing
waste, minimising energy consumption,
and adopting more
environmentally friendly materials
and processes. Many of our
customers are not only striving
to meet their own sustainability
targets but also are seeking
to align with broader industry
trends that emphasise responsible
resource usage, recyclable
materials and waste reduction.
Are there diff erences in this
respect between Europe and
the US?
From the perspective of OMV
Technologies, a company with
manufacturing operations in
Verona, Italy, and off ices in the
United States, the primary concerns
regarding sustainability
are influenced by both regions.
It's worth noting that the importance
of sustainability has
September/October 2023
been further stressed by new
legislation, especially in the
European markets. This legislation
is introducing stricter
standards and guidelines related
to environmental practices,
sustainable manufacturing,
and a higher content of PCR
for single-use plastics. As a result,
our customers are not only
motivated by their own commitment
to sustainability but also
by the need to adhere to these
evolving regulations. And while
Europe has been implementing
stricter regulations sooner
than North America, we see the
movement picking up momentum
there as well.
What are the primary concerns
regarding sustainability
and plastics, in your opinion?
One of the significant concerns
we've observed is the presence
of misinformation surrounding
the environmental impact of
plastics. It's important to clarify
that plastics are, in fact, a
highly recyclable material that,
when managed properly, can
have a smaller ecological footprint
compared to many alternative
materials that are far
more harmful to critical natural
resources such as energy, water
and trees. Because of this,
the carbon footprint associated
with plastics often proves to be
significantly lower than that of
other materials.
Additional concerns lie in
overly hasty decisions to ban
plastics without fully considering
the broader implications
and potentially negative consequences.
These actions are
leading to unintended adverse
eff ects on economies, industries
and job markets. It's crucial
to make informed decisions
based on a comprehensive understanding
of the trade-off s
and potential outcomes.
It is important to recognise
there's a tremendous need to
address waste management
more eff ectively. While plastics
are beneficial in many applications,
their improper disposal
and lack of eff icient recycling
mechanisms have led to environmental
challenges. This is an
aspect where both Europe and
Sustainable Plastics - September/October 2023

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