Agriculture

Enduring the demanding conditions of agricultural operations necessitates materials engineered for resilience. Consider the dairy industry, where rollers such as Ertalon 6 PLA play a pivotal role. These rollers strike an optimal balance between toughness and strength, crucial for enduring wear and abrasion in rotary dairies. Not only do these plastic rollers dampen noise, but they also mitigate metal-on-metal contact, providing robust resistance against corrosion and chemicals during intensive washdown procedures involving hot water and caustic solutions.

Similarly, in livestock handling applications, materials like Uniboard offer superior UV resistance, effectively replacing traditional wood and metal components. With its smooth surface properties, Uniboard ensures optimal livestock comfort while reducing friction and providing vision-restricting enclosures. Furthermore, Uniboard's exceptional impact resistance ensures durability, and unlike wood, won’t splinter even in high-impact environments. Utilising Uniboard for critical infrastructure such as pig pen walls and feeding troughs guarantees prolonged service life, thanks to its unparalleled resistance to rust and rot.

Additionally, certain plastics like Uniboard exhibit low moisture absorption, significantly mitigating bacteria proliferation and contributing to improved disease control within livestock facilities.

One of the primary considerations in aquaculture is the resistance to UV radiation and salinity, two factors that can significantly degrade conventional materials over time. Engineering plastics excel in this regard, providing exceptional UV resistance and the ability to withstand high salinity levels without deteriorating. 

In off-shore fish farming, where exposure to both fresh and salt water environments is inevitable, buoyancy is a critical factor. Engineering plastics offer buoyant solutions that not only remain afloat but also maintain their structural integrity. These plastics, resistant to UV and salinity, are ideal for various components such as fittings, flanges, and tie-down lugs, providing reliability in challenging conditions. 

When it comes to constructing fish farming pens, lightweight materials are essential to ensure buoyancy and ease of handling. Polystone 300 (HDPE), a UV-resistant engineering plastic, proves to be an excellent choice for this purpose. Its lightweight nature ensures that the pens remain afloat, while its UV resistance ensures longevity in the harsh aquatic environment. 

Fabricated plastic fish tanks represent another crucial application in aquaculture, providing a controlled environment for fish cultivation. Engineering plastics like Polystone 300, Polypropylene, and CUB X offer significant advantages over traditional materials such as fiberglass (FRP). CUB X, in particular, stands out for its minimal requirement for steel reinforcement, making it a cost-effective and durable option for larger tanks. These plastics are tougher and more customizable than roto-moulded tanks, allowing for tailored solutions to meet specific requirements.

In the equine industry, factors like UV resistance and durability are critical. To address these needs, engineering plastics like Uniboard and Polystone have emerged as exceptional alternatives to traditional wood materials.

These plastics offer a multitude of advantages over wood. They are moisture and rot resistant, eliminating the risk of decay and extending the lifespan of structures. Moreover, their odour resistance and inability to absorb smells make them ideal for washdowns, ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for horses.

One of the most significant benefits of using engineering plastics is their ability to prevent splintering. Unlike wood, which can splinter and cause injuries to horses, plastics provide a smooth and safe surface for animals to interact with.

Additionally, engineering plastics are UV resistant, making them suitable for outdoor applications such as fencing, shelters, and feeding bins. Their suitability for food and drinking water further enhances their versatility in equine applications.

Another crucial advantage of engineering plastics is their hygienic properties. Unlike wood, which can promote the growth of bacteria due to moisture absorption, plastics do not support bacterial growth. Moreover, anti-microbial plastics like Troblock F & M actively combat bacteria, making them suitable for even the food and medical industries.

Uniboard and Polystone are not only beneficial for building structures like stables and horse floats but also find use in constructing storage bins and feeding bins. Their durability and versatility make them indispensable materials for modern equine facilities, ensuring the comfort, safety, and health of horses.

Abattoirs pose unique challenges due to their wet environments, which can promote bacteria growth. In food processing, ensuring a hygienic environment is paramount to prevent the spread of diseases among workers and consumers alike.

Engineering plastics like Ertalyte offer a solution to these challenges. Unlike traditional materials, Ertalyte does not absorb moisture, making it resistant to staining and odours. Its suitability for food contact and ability to withstand harsh washdowns make it ideal for various applications, including cutting boards.

Dotmar goes even further by offering anti-microbial plastics like Trobloc F. Infused with silver ions, these plastics actively inhibit bacteria growth and proactively kill bacteria, further enhancing hygiene standards in abattoirs.

In addition to providing engineering plastics for various applications, Dotmar offers the largest range of conveyor parts and products tailored for abattoirs. From chain tracks for hangings to machine guards and conveyor parts, Dotmar's solutions contribute to maintaining hygiene and efficiency in abattoir operations.