K-Tek

03/11/2026

**UK Manufacturing Is Growing Again—but Costs Remain the Challenge**

Encouraging news for British industry: UK factory output has grown at its fastest rate in more than two years, supported by stronger demand at home and overseas.

However, manufacturers are also reporting rapidly rising input costs. Increased production does not automatically translate into stronger margins—particularly when energy, materials and supply-chain costs remain under pressure.

This is where technical and process knowledge becomes especially valuable. Reviewing material selection, production efficiency, waste, quality consistency and supplier arrangements can often uncover savings without compromising product performance.

After nearly 50 years working with polyurethane materials and manufacturing processes, I know that periods of growth are often the best time to examine what could be done differently.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-october-manufacturing-pmi-shows-fastest-output-growth-two-years-2026-11-02/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

British manufacturers started the final quarter of 2026 with the strongest output growth in more than two years, ​a survey showed on Monday, although fast-rising costs may ‌worry the Bank of England, which looks set to raise interest rates this week.

30/10/2026

UK Vehicle Production Rebounds—But the Bigger Opportunity Lies Ahead

September’s UK vehicle output rose by 36.3% year on year, providing welcome momentum for the automotive industry and its supply chain.

With new electric models expected in 2027, manufacturers have an opportunity to reconsider the flexible foam technologies used in seating, NVH and lightweight interior applications.

Several emerging technologies could offer advantages over conventional approaches. The companies that explore these possibilities before designs and specifications become fixed may gain a valuable head start.

Britain's vehicle production rose sharply in September, industry data showed on Thursday, rebounding from a cyber-incident-hit comparison a year earlier.

25/10/2026

£20.4bn Boost for British Industry — Turning Investment into Innovation

The planned capital boost for the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank could provide much-needed support for British manufacturing, infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Access to finance is often the barrier between a promising technical idea and a commercially viable production process. If this funding reaches the right businesses, it could help manufacturers invest in new materials, modern equipment and UK production capacity—while supporting an estimated 100,000 jobs by 2035.

The real measure of success will be how quickly this investment translates into practical projects, competitive products and sustainable growth.

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/uks-healey-give-two-state-backed-lenders-20-billion-capital-boost-budget-2026-10-24/

British finance minister John ​Healey is expected to announce £20.4 billion ($27.3 ‌billion) of additional support to the state's business lender and infrastructure bank in his ​budget on Wednesday, the Treasury said, ​confirming a newspaper report.

18/10/2026

RHINOEDGE™ – MORE COLOUR. MORE CHOICE. MORE OPPORTUNITY.

A few weeks ago, I shared news of the successful manufacturing trials of RhinoEdge™, our innovative polymeric edging technology.

While RhinoEdge was originally developed for classroom table tops, its potential applications extend far beyond educational furniture.

RhinoEdge can be used to coat virtually any suitably prepared MDF edge, opening up opportunities across furniture manufacturing, shopfitting, office interiors, display systems and many other applications.

The technology offers manufacturers:

✅ Cost-effective application – a simple, two-coat roll-on process.

✅ Greater colour flexibility – a wide choice of UV-stable colours.

✅ Three distinctive finishes – smooth, textured and mineral-filled heavy textured.

✅ Excellent durability – a tough, protective coating designed to resist everyday knocks and damage.

✅ Manufacturing flexibility – an alternative to conventional edging methods without the need for complex application equipment.

For manufacturers working with MDF, RhinoEdge offers an opportunity to introduce new colours, finishes and product ranges while potentially reducing production costs.

RhinoEdge is now available for acquisition, licensing or commercial partnership.

I’m interested in hearing from manufacturers in the UK and Europe who would like to explore the technology and its potential applications.

Could RhinoEdge give your products a competitive edge?

Please get in touch to discuss the opportunity or request samples.

17/10/2026

Could “Made in EU” Status Create New Opportunities for UK Automotive Suppliers?

The proposed Franco-German agreement could allow Britain to be treated as a trusted partner under future “Made in EU” automotive rules.

Although wider European approval is still required, this could strengthen the position of UK manufacturers within European vehicle programmes and create opportunities across the supply chain.

For seating and NVH suppliers, the important question is whether future platforms will simply reuse established materials—or take advantage of emerging flexible foam technologies offering benefits that may not yet be widely recognised.

Those opportunities are best explored before specifications and sourcing decisions become fixed.

France and Germany struck a deal on Friday to soften proposed EU car emissions rules ​and open the door for Britain to be treated as a trusted partner under the bloc's Made in EU rules.

14/10/2026

Can flexible foam become genuinely circular?

Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas and Sanyo Chemical are developing a complete recycling model for post-consumer flexible foam and production waste in Japan.

The technology has already been used to manufacture new flexible foam with 100% recycled polyol. That is an important technical milestone—but commercial success will depend on far more than the recycling process alone.

Collection, sorting, contamination control, material consistency, product performance and manufacturing economics must all work together at scale.

For manufacturers, this could open valuable opportunities—but only if the entire process is considered from waste foam through to the finished component.

An interesting development for anyone involved in flexible foam, seating, mattresses or circular-material strategies.

https://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/pu/news/meldungen/20261013-evonik-japan-recycle.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas and Sanyo Chemical will evaluate a recycling model for recovering polyols and amines from post-consumer polyurethane foam and production scrap.

11/10/2026

In 1987, I led a small team developing a moulded flexible polyurethane foam system to meet the fire-performance requirements tested under BS 5852.

The challenge was to achieve that performance in a foam suitable for moulded seating. Our CMHR system was the first moulded system of its kind to reach the market, ahead of the UK furniture fire regulations introduced in 1988. It gained a significant market share that continued to grow in the years that followed.

I’ve put together a short case study on the development. It’s an example of taking a demanding materials requirement through to commercial production.

If you’re facing a polyurethane formulation or production challenge, I’d be pleased to talk.

11/08/2026

RHINOEDGE™ — A New Generation of Furniture Edging

Furniture manufacturers are under increasing pressure to produce products that are tougher, longer lasting, visually distinctive and more sustainable.

RhinoEdge™ has been developed to meet those challenges.

Unlike conventional edging systems, RhinoEdge™ features an extremely tough polymeric edge that is chemically bonded to the board, creating a highly durable finish designed to resist impact, wear and vandalism.

Suitable for:
• Domestic furniture
• Office furniture
• Contract furniture
• Education & healthcare environments
• Hospitality & leisure applications

Key advantages include:
✔ Exceptional durability
✔ UV stable colours
✔ Smooth or textured finishes
✔ Wide range of edge profiles
✔ Modern premium appearance
✔ Reduced maintenance and replacement costs

RhinoEdge™ opens the door to new design possibilities while delivering the robustness demanded by today’s commercial environments.

We are currently looking to collaborate with furniture manufacturers interested in bringing RhinoEdge™ products to market.

Interested in learning more? Then message me or email [email protected]

05/08/2026

After nearly 50 years working with moulded flexible PU foam, I’ve noticed something interesting:

Most production problems are not caused by “big failures”…

They come from small, repeated issues:

* Density variation that no one fully explains
* Scrap rates that are “accepted as normal”
* Moulding inconsistencies that come and go
* Formulations that work… until they don’t

And in many factories, these problems quietly cost hundreds of thousands each year.

What I’ve learned over the decades is this:

👉 The difference between an average operation and a high-performing one is not equipment
👉 It’s not raw materials
👉 It’s technical understanding + consistent control

The challenge?
Most companies don’t need (or can’t justify) a full-time senior technical director.

So I’m exploring something new:

A way to provide ongoing, hands-on technical support remotely —
working alongside production teams to:

* Reduce scrap
* Stabilise processes
* Solve recurring issues
* Support new developments

Not as a one-off consultant,
but as a continuous technical partner.

The objective would be simple:
👉 Any investment in this support should be recovered through measurable savings and efficiency improvements.

I’m curious:

If you’re involved in moulded flexible PU foam,
what’s the most persistent production issue you face today?

Or what’s one problem you’ve “learned to live with”?

I’d be very interested to hear real-world experiences.

And if this kind of ongoing technical support sounds relevant to your operation, feel free to message me.

05/08/2026

We’ve had a lot of interest in RhinoEdge, but it’s not too late to get involved.

RHINOEDGE™ — A New Generation of Furniture Edging

Furniture manufacturers are under increasing pressure to produce products that are tougher, longer lasting, visually distinctive and more sustainable.

RhinoEdge™ has been developed to meet those challenges.

Unlike conventional edging systems, RhinoEdge™ features an extremely tough polymeric edge that is chemically bonded to the board, creating a highly durable finish designed to resist impact, wear and vandalism.

Suitable for:
• Domestic furniture
• Office furniture
• Contract furniture
• Education & healthcare environments
• Hospitality & leisure applications

Key advantages include:
✔ Exceptional durability
✔ UV stable colours
✔ Smooth or textured finishes
✔ Wide range of edge profiles
✔ Modern premium appearance
✔ Reduced maintenance and replacement costs

RhinoEdge™ opens the door to new design possibilities while delivering the robustness demanded by today’s commercial environments.

We are currently looking to collaborate with furniture manufacturers interested in bringing RhinoEdge™ products to market.

Interested in learning more? Then message me or email [email protected]