Further boost for innovative recycled building materials

Echotect BV has appointed international commissioning director John Flaye to oversee the design and installation of Echotect technology in manufacturing plants around the world. With more than 25 years’ experience in project management of factory builds and installation for multinational brands, including HJ Heinz and John West Foods, John brings unrivalled experience and engineering expertise to the senior management team.

Echotect is a revolutionary new technology that produces a sustainable, 100 per cent recyclable alternative to engineered stone by combining waste plastic with fine aggregate by-products. Originally pioneered by scientists from Shell, the technology has been developed and production of materials trialled at a full-scale manufacturing facility in Switzerland for the last three years and is now ready to come to market.

A number of market-leading engineered stone manufacturers are in discussions to licence the technology from Echotect BV, which will provide the project management and plant specification on behalf of their clients. Licensing the technology will enable manufacturers to produce a range of new internal materials – floor tiles and countertops in the first instance – with in-built sustainability and unbeatable environmental credentials.

As projects director, John will be responsible for the delivery of these new plants and is working with a team of specialist designers to create the model for a series of factories, depending on the client’s exact requirements. Initially based at the Echotect BV factory in Switzerland, John is also set to establish the firm’s new UK headquarters and build a team to provide ongoing maintenance and support for customers.

Commenting on his appointment, John said: "Echotect is a fascinating new technology and I’m delighted to be involved with an innovation that has the potential to completely revolutionise the engineered stone market. Research and development over recent years has seen the technology proven to a global manufacturing scale and I am looking forward to working with customers licensing the technology to replicate that success for them."

Born in Brighton, John served in the armed forces for 15 years, before embarking on a career in the food and nuclear industries, graduating as an electrical engineer during this time. His career to date has taken him as far afield as the Middle East, Africa, and the Seychelles.

Stephen Eastwood, CEO of Echotect BV, is delighted that John has agreed to join the team, complementing the experience of scientists, engineers and commercial specialists already spearheading the Echotect operation. He said: "John is a skilled technician and his experience of leading multi-million dollar projects throughout Europe and Africa, often in difficult and testing conditions, gained him a reputation of always delivering to cost, time and performance standards. His track record shows he has successfully and repeatedly built and led multi-skilled and international teams of engineers and technicians. It is this, and his personable, can-do attitude, which makes him a perfect fit for Echotect and the ideal person to help us take the business forward."