Pick something up in front of you, is it plastic? If it isn’t, does that mean that no plastic was needed to make that product? The answer is, no. Plastic has spread into every part of the world, including that of production.

Every modern business uses plastic in one form or another. Even if the products/services that they sell doesn’t, there is always plastic used in some part of the business cycle. This is because of its cost effectiveness and efficiency. Why use a heavier and more expensive material when the same thing can be made from plastic at half the cost. 

Plastic is a relatively new invention, just over 100 years old. The first synthetic plastic was made in 1907 by a Belgian-born American in New York State. Leo Hendrik Baekeland pioneered a world that is currently one of the biggest industries in the world, as well as one of the most damaging.

Active Plastics director Bart Engelsman has been a long time board member of WECA (Waikato Engineering Careers Association). 

"A wise choice; engineering in its many forms offers variety, the chance to progress your career and may provide an opportunity to own your own business.

Active Plastics has been involved in designing, producing and distributing Smart Parking solutions throughout New Zealand and the world. 

In early 2015, Electrix engaged Active Plastics to assist with developing and testing a specialised piece of tooling to use in the high voltage (HV) transmission line construction industry. The injection moulded, nylon catenary roller block is a critical piece of equipment used to protect sensitive infrastructure when replacing cables on HV transmission lines.

His bright blue eyes sparkle as he enthuses about the opportunities for New Zealand entrepreneurs, and laughter frequently punctuates his conversation. Engelsman heads Active Plastics, a Hamilton business the engineer began in 2002.