RecycleConnect launches RC Polymer Lab testing hub
RECYCLECONNECT has launched RC Polymer Lab, a dedicated polymer testing and material development facility designed to serve South Africa’s plastics industry. The laboratory in Rosslyn, one of South Africa’s primary automotive and manufacturing centres, was born directly out of RecycleConnect’s operational experience in the recycling and polymer supply chain. “Every week we see manufacturers struggling with inconsistent material, recyclers trying to qualify new feedstocks, and processors unsure why a product suddenly fails,” says Theodore Nagel of RecycleConnect. “At the same time, laboratory services are often difficult to access, slow to respond, and intimidating for smaller operators. RC Polymer Lab exists to remove those barriers.”
Closing a critical industry gap
RC Polymer Lab addresses several long-standing challenges faced by local plastics businesses – limited awareness of available polymer testing services, difficulty knowing which tests to request, and slow turnaround times. RC Polymer Lab is positioned as a commercially practical, user-friendly alternative, offering fast feedback, guided test selection, and real-world problem solving.
“Our objective is simple,” Nagel explains. “Make polymer testing approachable, fast, and useful.”
Designed for speed and ease of use
A core differentiator of RC Polymer Lab is its frictionless customer experience. Clients will engage via an online portal that allows them to:
• Select and book the test directly
• Request guidance if unsure what analysis is required
• Book automatic sample collection
• Track progress and receive reports digitally
Once a request is submitted, samples are collected via courier the same day, if booked on time. Typical applications include material identification, mechanical and thermal testing, and fault finding with full material reporting.
Customers can book a polymer test online in three minutes, with same-day collection and results available in under 5 day turnaround depending on the test package.
“This is built for busy production environments,” says Nagel.
From testing to problem solving
Beyond standard testing, the lab actively supports customers with issues such as:
• Sudden brittleness or impact failure
• Inconsistent melt flow or processing behaviour
• Poor layer adhesion or bonding
• Black specks, gels, or contamination
• Colour instability or degradation
• Qualification of recycled content
• Benchmarking recycled vs virgin materials
Rather than simply delivering raw data, RC Polymer Lab works with clients to interpret results and recommend practical next steps. “This isn’t an academic lab,” Nagel adds. “We focus on actionable outcomes – what needs to change in the material, formulation, or process to restore performance.”
Serving the entire polymer value chain
RC Polymer Lab supports manufacturers across all polymer applications – from virgin grades to recycled materials. The facility serves injection moulders qualifying new suppliers and troubleshooting production issues, extruders optimising processing parameters, packaging converters validating material performance, automotive component manufacturers meeting stringent quality specifications, compounders developing custom formulations, and companies integrating recycled content while maintaining performance standards. Whether working with virgin PP for medical devices, engineering-grade PA66 for automotive components, or validating recycled HDPE for industrial applications, RC Polymer Lab provides the same rigorous testing and expert guidance. The lab operates independently, with no requirement to purchase materials from RecycleConnect, and all client data remains strictly confidential.
Enabling circular economy and sustainability in practice
Sustainability is embedded into RC Polymer Lab’s mission – not as a marketing concept, but as a practical engineering objective. The lab actively supports circular economy initiatives by helping companies to close internal material loops and reduce dependence on virgin polymers. RC Polymer Lab also supports sustainability goals through recycling qualification programs, material benchmarking, process optimisation to reduce scrap, and development of recycled compounds tailored to specific applications. The focus is on measurable material improvement, not theoretical sustainability claims.
Technical leadership
RC Polymer Lab will be led by Stephan de Villiers, a polymer scientist with extensive experience in material characterisation, processing, and recycled polymer development. De Villiers is a highly accomplished B-Tech Polymer Technologist with over 15 years of specialised experience in polymer testing, failure analysis, and product development.
He brings a deep expertise in virgin materials and advanced recycling processes, previously managing largescale recycling plant installations and the commissioning of specialised extrusion technology. His background includes a strong focus on quality management systems, which ensures the lab’s testing protocols meet the highest international standards. With a proven track record, Stephan is uniquely positioned to lead a facility that bridges the gap between raw material innovation and sustainable, high-performance recycled solutions.
A practical industry partner
RC Polymer Lab represents a shift toward integrated technical support – combining laboratory capability with real manufacturing insight. “We built RC Polymer Lab for real production environments. “Whether you’re recycling plastic, moulding components, converting packaging, or developing new products, we’re here to make materials work better,” Nagel concludes.
RC Polymer Lab is accepting samples via its online portal at RCpolymerlab.co.za, offering guided test selection, rapid sample collection, and digital reporting. Companies across the plastics value chain are invited to engage.
