TWI Supports Formation Plastics with Welding Expertise

In January 2025, two members of the Formation Plastics team came from their Bradford headquarters to TWI’s Plastics Welder Training Centre in Middlesbrough to take part in a specialist programme designed to raise skills and prove competence in plastics welding.

Over the course of 1.5 days (13–14 January), the candidates undertook a combined training and CSWIP certification course in hot gas and extrusion welding of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) sheet, delivered in accordance with the EN13067 standard

The programme blended theory with hands-on practical, ensuring that participants were equipped with both the knowledge and confidence to apply their skills in the workplace.

The key topics included:

1. Standards and Health and Safety
2. Introduction to Welding and Site Working
3. Plastic Materials and Identification
4. Processing of Plastics
5. Joint Types and Symbols
6. Extrusion and Hot Gas Welding
7. Fabrication Methodology
8. Welding Procedures
9. Destructive and Non-Destructive Testing
10. Visual Inspection of Welded Systems

This broad foundation was designed not only to improve practical ability, but also to familiarise staff with recent advances in plastic welding and new standards, helping Formation Plastics to maintain the high quality of its products.

The training concluded with theoretical and practical examinations, alongside the CSCS health and safety assessment. Both candidates, Adam Newton and Daniel Captisk, passed successfully. Adam Newton was awarded certification for hot gas and extrusion welding in PP and extrusion welding of PE. While Daniel Captisk achieved certification for hot gas and extrusion welding in both PP and PE.

This recognition ensures that Formation Plastics’ workforce remains competent and certified in key plastics welding processes, providing assurance to clients and supporting the company’s continued development.

Driving Quality and Growth

For Formation Plastics, this investment demonstrates a strong commitment to upskilling staff, embracing new standards, and ensuring consistent product quality. Certification also provides the company with documented proof of its team’s competence, reinforcing trust with customers and partners alike.

Martin Dennison, director at Formation Plastics says, “Our team of plastic fabricators typically come from an engineering background, and we provide them with in-house training in plastic welding and fabrication, drawing on over 40 years of experience—long before it was even recognised as a trade. During training, our fabricators become familiar with the different plastics available and their properties. Once we are confident in their welding competency, we arrange for them to attend certification with TWI.

“Most recently, over the course of 1.5 days (13–14 January), with the support and expertise of TWI, our candidates undertook a combined training and CSWIP certification course in hot gas and extrusion welding of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) sheet, delivered to the EN 13067 standard. The programme combined theory with hands-on practical learning, ensuring that participants left with the knowledge and confidence to apply their skills in the workplace.

“This means all our builds—including large vessels such as tanks and bunds, and more recently even HDPE canal boats—can be supplied with complete confidence, knowing our staff are fully trained and certified.”

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