How soft plastics are showing their beneficial side during coronavirus crisis

It would be prudent to understand the vast difference in composition and benefits between soft and hard plastics and we should appreciate the value of the latter, especially in these unprecedented times and in our battle against the COVID-19 virus, writes Eugene Murphy.

It is fair to say that increasingly the world views ‘plastic’ as an enemy, considering it to be an undesirable material with its impact on the environment and on human health.

It is true, researchers have found more plastic than plankton in some of our oceans and have determined once plastics enter the ocean, they break-up into tiny particles that can enter the food chain and eventually be consumed by us.

We are all familiar with this narrative. However, it would be prudent to understand the vast difference in composition and benefits between soft and hard plastics and we should appreciate the value of the latter, especially in these unprecedented times and in our battle against the COVID-19 virus.

There can be no argument against the harmful effects of soft plastics such as plastic bags, bottles and wrapping on our environment, harming marine and human health, and littering our beaches and landscapes.

Influencing policy makers

Undeniably, increasing our awareness is the first step towards making better informed decisions and empowers us to make a difference through reducing single usage, influencing policy makers, and highlighting the discussion of plastic pollution on the world’s stage.

However, there is another story to tell about plastic, its uses and moreover its benefits. What people fail to realise is that hard plastic or thermoplastic as it is known in the industry, is present everywhere in our homes such as our doors, bathtubs and shower trays and also used in the production of high gloss kitchen furniture.

Another positive use of hard plastics is in the production of flame retardant products providing an extra element of safety in domestic and industrial applications.

Turned to plastic products

Plastics are already part of our everyday lives but especially now, when we have turned to plastic products to help protect our frontline essential workers. The visors and goggles worn by our healthcare workers are made from plastic. The shields assembled in our retail stores protecting its workers are also made from plastic.

On March 27, the government announced a lockdown imposing restrictions as part of our national response to battling the COVID-19 virus, allowing only essential services to continue.

One such company operating in this sphere is Athlone Extrusions (AE). Operating over 40 years and situated on the banks of the Shannon in the town of Athlone, Co Westmeath, AE is part of 3A Composites and is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of thermoplastic sheet and film products.

AE runs a process whereby any rejected material is recycled back into a reusable product. AE continues to supply product to its customer base in the medical sector in Ireland and the UK, producing parts for hospital trolleys, medical refrigerators, laboratory machines and medical testing equipment.

'Pop-up hospitals'

In response to the COVID-19 threat, AE began supplying new product used in the production of bedside medical trays, panelling for 'pop-up' hospitals, ventilation systems, medical packaging, and air disinfectant machines.

In the weeks following, additional efforts were ramped up further with the production of transparent sheeting used as protective screens now visible in retail outlets all over the country.

AE’s engineering manager, Eugene Murphy, has been to the forefront and has designed a ventilator which has achieved in excess of 150,000 uninterrupted cycles (Fig.1).

Sustain life for one week

This is comparable to the average number of breaths needed for an adult male to sustain life for one week and the unit allows for adjustments to volume of air, breaths per minute and velocity of air delivered.

This model is pneumatically operated with no electrics involved and was designed as a portable unit for use in field hospitals. Several such ventilators can be operated simultaneously, powered by one air compressor (Fig.2).

We all have a responsibility and a part to play in the proper usage, disposal, and recycling of plastic waste. But let us remember that plastic has many benefits and has proven its value, especially in the current environment.

Fig 1. Prototype ventilator completing the test for functionality and repeatability. The medical version will be fitted with the appropriate mouth piece and tubing.