Why Is Maintenance Planning And Scheduling Essential For Success In Bioplastics?

In 2019, European Bioplastics estimates that global bioplastics production capacity will increase to 2.194 million tonnes (up from 2.112 million tonnes in 2018). Through 2023, this number is projected to climb. Generating the ability to produce and sell new bioplastic materials at the current rate requires significant organisational effort on all levels. From quality assurance to sales departments, effective communication and coordination of duties is needed among all employees at bioplastic companies. One specific area of expertise that has become key to success in the industry is maintenance planning and scheduling. Learn more about why this function is critical for all bioplastic organisations, as well as strategies for successful implementation.

What is maintenance planning and scheduling?
Maintenance planning and scheduling refers to the process of coordinating equipment maintenance, including planned shutdowns. Often, these duties are fulfilled by someone in a designated maintenance planner role. One (or more) individuals who work in this role strategically create plans for when equipment maintenance will occur, decide what work will be carried out, devise a timetable for maintenance, and decide who will perform the tasks needed. When following strategies for long-term success in maintenance planning, any company with advanced equipment can reduce maintenance costs, decrease interruption times and increase production efficiency.

Why is planning and scheduling an absolute necessity to succeed in bioplastics?
As bioplastic industry experts already know, there are numerous machines that make it possible to create biobased and biodegradable materials. To keep new initiatives and existing product production moving smoothly, processing technologies, converters, and other tech must be kept in top-tier shape. This is where the planning and scheduling process comes in. To ensure that projects are completed in a timely fashion, bioplastic companies need to rely on maintenance planners and schedulers. Doing so cangreatly improve company productivity, better coordinate labour and access to supplies, and speed up technology that can advance the field. For example, when using maintenance planning and scheduling, organisations can spend less on ineffective maintenance practices, and use their funds instead on tech that improves the use of biopolymers. They can also work on developing new production processes that will ultimately make bioplastics more eco-friendly and affordable than ever before.

How can bioplastics organisations successfully implement maintenance planning?
If your company does not yet have a process for maintenance planning and scheduling, it is most effective to hire a professional. Since this is a specific job role across many industries, it isn’t a challenge to find someone who knows what she or he is doing. Alternatively, if the creation of a new position is not an option, select a team that can perform all necessary maintenance planning and scheduling functions. Hire someone who can train these individuals over the course of a few days or weeks, and then officially implement these duties as part of their daily roles.

To further advance the field, bioplastic companies need to become as efficient with their resources as possible. Although there is an initial time and financial investment, having one or more individuals carry out maintenance planning and scheduling will save much more in the long-term.

(By Cindy Trillo)