Objectives

Our 5-step pathway is supported by Plastics NZ. It provides tailored tools and resources to help manufacturers lower their emissions and unlock business benefits.

Eligibility

All plastics manufacturers can access this pathway for free.

Your decarbonisation journey starts here

Welcome to the Plastics Decarbonisation Pathway. Endorsed by Plastics NZ, it provides tailored tools and resources to help manufacturers lower your carbon emissions.

Go to our tools and resources page to start your journey now.

The energy impact of the plastics manufacturing sector

Plastics manufacturing is an energy intensive industry. According to Plastics New Zealand, energy accounts for between 5% and 8% of total costs for plastics manufacturers, so reducing the use of energy can lead to significant economic savings as well as reducing the companies' carbon footprint.

Reliance on gas, diesel and LPG

The New Zealand plastics industry uses a variety of manufacturing processes, of which EPS (expanded polystyrene) and rotational moulding (rotomoulding) have the highest energy intensity. Both use energy within different parts of the process, and many rely on gas, diesel and LPG to produce their product.

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This pathway focuses on reducing carbon emissions coming from the manufacturing operations of plastic. Ultimately that means reducing the use of natural gas, diesel and LPG across the manufacturing process.

By doing this, plastics manufacturers will reduce their energy impact, lower their costs, and ensure business continuity in a future low-emissions environment.

The business good of decarbonisation

Switching away from fossil fuels can have many benefits for business, beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Cost savings – reduce operating costs through energy efficiency and fuel switching.
  • Social license – improve your reputation with socially responsible consumers and investors.
  • Brand value – tap into new markets, spark innovation and create business opportunities.
  • Employee engagement – attract and retain talent.
  • Compliance – stay ahead of regulation for climate change mitigation.

The sooner the switch, the greater the reward

The earlier businesses make changes, the faster potential cost-savings can be unlocked. By switching to low-emissions solutions soon, you can protect your business from potential fossil fuel supply and cost uncertainty. In addition, by acting quickly, your businesses may be able to get ahead of the pack for popular technologies – particularly if there is competition for limited resources.

Get started

Ready to begin? Explore our resources for plastics manufacturers and start your decarbonisation journey.

Wayfinder