Spencer Dormer
Our recycled plastic core trays are the only ones in the world to be independently tested to withstand the harshest conditions - extreme temperatures, heavy loads and rough handling - meaning you can protect your important geological core data while supporting ESG targets.
Sustainability without compromise
One of the biggest contentions of our day is the movement towards sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in our mining supply chains. At Dynamics G-Ex, we have been actively pursuing this ambition with our Discoverer® Core Tray manufacturing for a number of years now.
There has been, and continues to be, interesting reactions from the competition to the use of recycled polymer in core trays, but that's ok. Change is challenging, and it is our job to prove to our customers and the industry that there is no compromise in using recycled polymer core trays for the right applications.
This last point is important. We understand recycled polymer is not for everyone, or every situation. For example we will continue to use virgin polymer for our Sub-Zero rated trays, which are extensively used and proven to withstand artic conditions in countries such as Mongolia and Canada.
Our job is to continue to test, validate and prove the long term benefits of recycled polymer, and to help our customers meet their growing ESG targets. So read on to find out how we have received independent validation that our recycled polymer trays can last for at least 25 years.
Simulating exposure to the harshest of environments
To ensure our recycled polymer trays are up to the task we commissioned independent testing by a proven expert in materials science - Dr. John Scheirs. The investigation was carried out by ExcelPlas Polymer Technology and Testing from 2022 to 2023. They were challenged to perform a long-term comparative test on the effects of accelerated UV weathering between the virgin polymer and recycled polymer materials used in the manufacture of core trays.
Our recycled polymer trays are the only ones in the world to be independently tested for durability in this way.
UV apparatus was set up to replicate the environment in Kalgoorlie, WA Australia. This included alternating between 20 hours of UV at 75°C and 4 hours of condensation at 60°C. The samples were inspected, photographed and repositioned every 500 hours. Then every 1,780 hours (equivalent to 5 years outdoor exposure) samples were viewed under a laboratory magnifying lens.
In total the samples completed 8,900 hours of accelerated exposure in the testing environment - this is the equivalent to 25 years outdoor exposure in Kalgoorlie, WA.
Validated to last +25 years
When we made the decision to switch to manufacturing the Discoverer® Core Trays from repurposed Australian Kerbside Recycling, we needed assurance that this product would last just as long as a our original Virgin Plastic Tray that has been proven in the elements since 1993.
Recycled polymer is better and more advanced than it's ever been... it is time to 🚀 to the future!
The best way we can share the results is to show that actual letter from the Director at ExcelPlas - they acted completely independently of us, bias was removed by not specifying which sample was which until after results were collated.
These results give you the peace of mind that when selecting a recycled polymer product you will not be compromised in the longevity of the tray. Here's what one longstanding customer had to say.
"There has been some speculation regarding the quality of the recycled core trays and their durability. We have had absolutely no issues to date."- Kaye Raureti | Geology Supervisor | Red River Resources Limited
Need some slightly less scientific proof?!
Little challenge: If you use Discoverer® Core Trays on your site at the moment, try this little experiment and see
how you go. This may debunk the 'very brittle' theory.
Heads up: if things turn bad, act responsibly and stop. Otherwise have some fun!
Have any more questions about Recycled Core Trays? Leave them for us in the comments and we will answer them as soon as possible!