In Brief: Floreon; Sirius; RRG
A BIOPLASTICS company aiming to revolutionise the worldwide plastics market is working with a Yorkshire business school to develop its strategy for global success.
The majority of plastic materials produced globally are still oil based and currently there is a greater focus on the dangers of climate change, an over reliance on fossil fuels and growing consumer demand for more environmentally friendly plastics, says Hull-based Floroen Transforming Packaging.
Shaun Chatterton, founder of Floreon, said: “There are many organisations who want to use sustainable plant based plastics, but currently can’t source suitable quality material for their needs. There is no future for oil-based plastics which have an extremely negative effect on the environment. We have developed a plastic that we believe is four times stronger than any other bioplastic available and has the potential to become a global leader.
“It is essential that we adopt the right approach to introduce Floreon in the UK and worldwide. Therefore we are working with the University Of Hull Business School on an innovation project to establish our priorities.”
Peter Andrews and David Harness, senior academics from the University of Hull Business School are working closely with Floreon to bridge the ‘innovation gap’ between this new development and the market opportunity.
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SIRIUS Minerals, the company behind plans for a huge potash mine near Whitby has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The MOU provides a basis for enhancing the Tanzanian national capability in fertilizer research and development in which polyhalite will be introduced in Tanzania.
Managing director and CEO of Sirius, Chris Fraser, said: “Agriculture plays a major role in the economy of Tanzania and indeed much of Africa and the large scale, low cost nature of the polyhalite from the York Potash Project could significantly improve accessibility to key nutrients across the continent. This could help to encourage better balanced fertilization practices, leading to better productivity outcomes for farmers in the region and has the potential to positively impact millions of lives in Africa.
“We are very pleased the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture has recognised the potential of polyhalite and welcome its support. Tanzania is recognised as one of the five key focus countries for the UK Government’s High Level Prosperity Partnerships for Africa programme and polyhalite from the York Potash Project could play a significant role in advancing this initiative.”
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CAR dealership group RRG has invested more than £1.3m in revamping its facilities in Bradford.
The Salford-based group, which expanded across the Pennines in 2012 with the acquisition of West Riding Motor Group’s Toyota and Lexus dealerships, has overhauled its Lexus workshop, extended the Toyota showroom extension, and also improved its used car pitch.
Arran Bangham, RRG joint managing director, said: “With this investment we have completely overhauled our entire Bradford operations to provide a premier car buying experience for our Lexus and Toyota customers in the city.
“We already enjoy a successful portfolio of well performing sites in the North West and since our West Yorkshire acquisition of three Toyota sites and one Lexus dealership at the end of 2012, we’re thrilled that both sales and footfall figures have been steadily increasing, boosting our revenues in the region.”
