Axion International has been awarded a $170,000 worth purchase order to supply Recycled Structural Composite (RSC) material for the plastic bridge construction in Scotland. The order has been placed by Vertech through Sicut, a business partner of Axion International.
The new bridge will be replacing the existing timber deck and steel beam Road bridge and it will span 12 x 90 feet. The built piers and abutments of the existing bridge will be used to support the new plastic bridge that is constructed using RSC material. The bridge design complies with the European standards and hence it has the capacity to carry 45 t of load. This is the first bridge in Europe that is constructed using Axion’s 100% recycled plastic material.
The RSC material has been developed by Axion in co-operation with the Materials Sciences and Engineering Department of Rutgers University. It is free from toxic materials and is resistant to insect infestation. Axion’s RSC material is inert, recyclable and will not leach toxic chemicals. It is lighter, less expensive and decreases energy costs.
Vertech has commissioned the bridge and designed by Cass Hayward of Wales, an architectural consulting company. The construction work will be carried out by a local contractor in Scotland. The manufacturing and prefabrication of the plastic bridge will take place at Axion’s facility in Portland, Pennsylvania. The final product will be delivered in six sections and assembled on-site. The entire project is expected to be completed by October 2011.