Plastics in the Angus Economy
Plastics are woven into almost every part of the Angus economy. Farmers use silage wrap, crop covers and polytunnels to protect soft fruit and vegetables. Builders rely on plastic pipes, ducting, membranes and window profiles. Food processors need packaging that keeps products fresh, and the offshore energy sector uses engineered polymers for cable protection and components. The industry therefore plays a vital, if often unseen, role in local supply chains.
Angus also has a direct manufacturing connection to polymers. Forfar has long been associated with polypropylene-based technical textiles and nonwovens, carrying forward the region's textile heritage into modern materials. Across Scotland and the wider UK, a strong network of plastic manufacturers supplies Angus businesses with everything from packaging to infrastructure products.
How We Selected These Manufacturers
We considered local presence, relevance to Angus industries, product quality, innovation, recycling and sustainability initiatives, and the ability to supply businesses in Tayside reliably.
The Top 10 Plastic Manufacturers Serving Angus
1. Don and Low
Don and Low in Forfar produces polypropylene-based technical textiles and nonwovens used in construction, agriculture, filtration and hygiene products. It is one of the most important polymer-related manufacturers in Angus and a significant local employer.
2. Berry BPI
Berry BPI, formed from British Polythene Industries with strong Scottish roots in Greenock, is a leading producer of polythene films, agricultural films and packaging. Its silage wrap and agricultural films are widely used on Angus farms, and it has invested in recycling agricultural plastics.
3. Emtelle
Emtelle, based in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, manufactures fibre optic ducting and blown fibre systems. Its products support broadband rollout in rural areas, including the Angus Glens, and utility networks across the UK.
4. Polypipe
Polypipe is one of the UK's largest manufacturers of plastic piping systems for drainage, water management, heating and ventilation. Its products are widely used in Angus housing developments and infrastructure projects.
5. Wavin
Wavin supplies plastic pipe systems for water supply, drainage and underfloor heating. Its solutions support sustainable water management, including surface water attenuation for new developments.
6. Brett Martin
Brett Martin manufactures plastic sheets, rooflights, drainage and plumbing products. Its polycarbonate glazing is used in agricultural buildings, greenhouses and commercial roofing across Scotland.
7. Coveris
Coveris produces flexible packaging for food, agriculture and industrial markets. Its films and packaging solutions help Angus food producers protect and present their products, with growing emphasis on recyclable designs.
8. Freudenberg Performance Materials
Freudenberg, which acquired the former Low and Bonar business with roots in Dundee, produces engineered nonwovens and polymer materials for construction, transport and industrial applications. Its heritage links it closely to Tayside's materials industry.
9. Viridor
Viridor operates plastics recycling facilities in the UK, converting waste plastics into high-quality recycled polymer. Its work supports the circular economy and helps manufacturers increase recycled content.
10. Plastic Energy
Plastic Energy is a chemical recycling company that converts hard-to-recycle plastics into feedstock for new materials. Its technology represents an important innovation in reducing plastic waste.
Sustainability and the Future of Plastics
Sustainability is transforming the plastics industry. The UK Plastic Packaging Tax encourages manufacturers to increase recycled content, while extended producer responsibility schemes place greater responsibility on businesses for packaging waste. Scotland's focus on the circular economy is driving new investment in recycling and reuse.
For Angus agriculture, recycling farm plastics such as silage wrap and crop covers is a growing priority. Collection schemes and recycling partnerships help farmers dispose of plastics responsibly and reduce environmental impact. Manufacturers are also developing thinner, stronger films that use less material without compromising performance.
Innovation in Materials
Bio-based and biodegradable plastics are being explored for specific applications, such as agricultural mulch films and compostable packaging. Engineering plastics and composites are becoming increasingly important in renewable energy, particularly for wind turbine components and cable protection systems. Advances in design are also helping products become easier to recycle at end of life.
Choosing a Plastics Supplier
Businesses should consider product specifications, certifications, recycled content, lead times and technical support. Ask suppliers about their sustainability strategies and take-back or recycling schemes. Working with manufacturers that understand your sector, whether agriculture, construction or food, ensures products meet performance and regulatory requirements.
Jobs and Skills
Plastics manufacturing provides skilled roles in production, engineering, quality control and materials science. As recycling and advanced materials grow, new opportunities are emerging in process engineering and sustainability management. Apprenticeships and college programmes help develop the workforce of the future.
Practical Steps for Angus Businesses
Businesses can take several practical steps to use plastics more responsibly. Audit packaging to identify where material can be reduced or switched to recyclable mono-material formats. Ask suppliers for products with verified recycled content. Farmers should separate and store used silage wrap and crop covers cleanly so they can be collected for recycling. Construction firms can return offcuts of pipe and membrane through manufacturer take-back schemes where available. These actions help reduce costs linked to packaging taxes and waste disposal while demonstrating environmental responsibility to customers.
Conclusion
Plastics remain essential to Angus agriculture, construction and industry. The manufacturers above combine technical expertise with growing commitments to sustainability. By choosing responsible suppliers and supporting recycling initiatives, Angus businesses can benefit from plastic products while reducing their environmental footprint.
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