EcoSheet is a ground-breaking plywood replacement board made entirely from unwanted waste plastic sourced from farms, businesses and homes. Due to its sustainable qualities, durable nature and cost effectiveness, EcoSheet is increasingly being used in the farming industry as animal housing for a range or livestock including outdoor pig units. Major agricultural merchants now stocking EcoSheet include CPF, CFF, Wynnstay and Bridgmans.

Explains Peter Ball from 2K Manufacturing: "EcoSheet has a number of advantages over plywood in practical terms, including the fact it doesn’t rot, doesn’t contain adhesives and preservatives and is easier to clean which improves animal welfare. Plus it is more environmentally friendly than plywood, which usually ends up in landfill as part of the 25 million plywood sheets that are disposed of in the UK each year.

"EcoSheet on the other hand is longer lasting and can be recycled again and again, making it the obvious solution for farmers both environmentally and economically."

Charlie Hughes, senior product manager in Wynnstay Group’s retail division comments: "EcoSheet is proving to be a successful product for us. The many applications EcoSheet has for our agricultural customers is proving to be the reason for its success. Farmers are increasingly looking for products to give longer service life to keep costs down, when comparing EcoSheet to plywood its lifespan makes it very cost effective, plus the benefits of being able to wash down and disinfect compared to wood which can harbour bacteria and disease makes EcoSheet an attractive product."

Colin Bucknell from Devon, an animal housing manufacturer, is using EcoSheet in his chicken arcs: "Whereas plywood rots easily, EcoSheet doesn’t and it is easier to jet wash clean, making it more disease resistant. This is certainly true in the case of red mite, which has really been cut down as a result of using EcoSheet."

Another animal housing manufacturer, Richard Rees from Wenvoe, South Wales says: "My customers have been asking for more sustainable materials and EcoSheet is the ideal solution as it is made with waste plastic and can be recycled after use. On top of that it’s a fantastic product to work with and keep clean."

Windsor Howells from Newport, South Wales also extols the virtues of EcoSheet: "I’m using it in the construction of sheds and also for horse stable panelling. I like the fact it doesn’t rot and can be painted easily. Long term, I want to use it to make sheep and cattle feeders because it is such a durable material."

From January 2012, 2K Manufacturing will double its production to 1300 EcoSheet boards per week. Production is then expected to double again in spring 2012 with the installation of new machinery at its Luton-based factory.

2K has secured equity funding from Foresight Group, a leading investor in green investments, and debt financing from PNC Bank.