Plastribution has strengthened its commitment to sustainable materials by securing an exclusive UK agreement to distribute Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine Plastic™. Waterhaul is a pioneering social-enterprise dedicated to tackling ocean plastic pollution through circular recovery.
Waterhaul is at the forefront of transforming discarded fishing gear, often referred to as “ghost gear,” into high-performance recycled polymers. Recovered from UK coastlines, this material is processed into fully traceable polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), offering manufacturers a reliable and environmentally responsible alternative to virgin plastics. Waterhaul tackles marine plastic pollution in two ways: by recovering plastic already in the marine environment, and by recycling end-of-life fishing gear before it becomes future pollution. This material is then reprocessed into valuable raw materials with a clear and transparent origin.
Through this partnership, Plastribution can now supply customers across the UK with Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine Plastic™ PP and HDPE. Recent demand has been particularly strong for injection moulding applications, where manufacturers are looking for recycled materials that offer both traceability and strong sustainability credentials. This gives manufacturers the opportunity to incorporate genuinely circular materials into their products while also strengthening product storytelling, supporting sustainability objectives, and responding to growing demand for more responsible material choices.
Beyond the environmental benefits, this partnership also brings a significant strategic advantage in today’s uncertain global climate. The ongoing Iran conflict is causing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil. This has led to supply instability, extended lead times, and volatile pricing for prime polymers.
By integrating UK-sourced recycled polymers into the supply chain, manufacturers can reduce their reliance on imported, oil-derived materials and mitigate exposure to these global disruptions. Locally recovered and processed materials, such as those supplied through the Waterhaul partnership, offer improved supply chain resilience, shorter lead times, and a reduced carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Furthermore, adopting UK-based recycled polymers supports the domestic circular economy—keeping resources in use for longer, reducing waste, and contributing to national sustainability targets. It also allows businesses to strengthen their environmental credentials with fully traceable materials that demonstrate real-world impact.
This collaboration between Plastribution and Waterhaul represents a meaningful step forward in making circular, ocean-positive materials more accessible to UK manufacturers.
To find out more about Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine Plastic™ materials and to sample either their polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers, please contact Plastribution for further information.
