Abstract: Raw MSW is delivered through an organic digester (12) within which an organic fraction of the MSW is broken down by a combination of aerobic microbial activity and mechanical action and converted into a solid bio fuel material. Treated waste material comprising a mixture of the solid bio fuel material and insert inorganic waste material is discharged from the digester (12). The treated material is delivered through a separator (20) for removal of the inorganic fraction. A substantially homogenous solid bio fuel material is discharged from the separator (20), and passed through a dryer (26) and into a gasifier (30). Within the gasifier (30) the homogenous solid bio fuel material is heated in a depleted oxygen atmosphere to generate a bio fuel gas rich in methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The bio fuel gas is delivered through a cleaner (35) and then collected in a storage tank. Bio fuel gas is fed as required from the storage tank to a power plant (50) for generating electrical energy.

Abstract: An organic material digester for the treatment of waste material which includes organic waste has an elongate rotating drum through which the waste is delivered between an inlet and outlet of the drum. Mechanical and biological activity within the drum converts the organic waste to a compost. A number of baffle plates sub-divide the drum into treatment compartments arranged in series between the inlet and the outlet. A port in each baffle plate offset from the centre of the baffle plate, allows through passage of material from one compartment to the next. Each baffle plate is secured to the drum by attachment means such as a number of spaced-apart radial rods which extend radially outwardly from the baffle plate through a side wall of the drum to which they are secured. Faces of the baffle plates are protected by a corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: A bio-energy system includes a waste collecting station at which raw waste material such as municipal waste, household waste and the like is collected. The waste is delivered through a rotating organic material digester in a controlled manner for converting the organic waste material content of the raw waste to a bio-fuel. Treated material discharged from the digester is passed through a screen to remove any inorganic materials, leaving the bio-fuel. The bio-fuel is dried at a drying station and then delivered to a boiler for combustion to generate energy.

Abstract: A plastics material is prepared from a plastics material blend comprising PET or other plastics material in granular form, glass material in particle or fibre form and other processing aids. The scratch resistance of the plastics material prepared from the blend is significantly enhanced, and its temperature stability, impact resistance, fire resistance, ultraviolet stability and chemical inertness are also enhanced. Sheets of the plastics material with high scratch resistance are extruded and coextruded with unblended plastics materials which form a substrate or substrate core.

Abstract: A plastics material is prepared from a plastics material blend comprising PET or other plastics material in granular form, glass material in particle or fibre form and other processing aids. The scratch resistance of the plastics material prepared from the blend is significantly enhanced, and its temperature stability, impact resistance, fire resistance, ultraviolet stability and chemical inertness are also enhanced. Sheets of the plastics material with high scratch resistance are extruded and co-extruded with unblended plastics materials which form a substrate or substrate core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an article from a sheet of PET material of thickness greater than 1 mm comprises heating the PET sheet to a preforming temperature of approximately 110.degree. C. by heaters, and then forming the sheet onto a heated vacuum mold. The sheet is retained in the mold by the vacuum and the surface of the sheet are maintained at a temperature of approximately 160.degree. C. by the mold and the heater, respectively, until the degree of crystallization of the sheet is in the order of 35%.