A commercially driven plastics engineer (Gpri) and graduate of Trinity Business School, Padraig brings decades of hands-on experience spanning plastics manufacturing, recycling, and sustainable business development. His career reflects a deep commitment to advancing circular economy practices across the plastics value chain.

Career Highlights & Expertise

Early Entrepreneurship (1990s):
Shortly after graduating, Padraig founded a thermoforming business that rapidly grew in scale and capability. Following the acquisition of Vanguard Plastics—an injection moulding facility supplying the medical device and automotive sectors—the company expanded to employ 40 staff and became a trusted supplier in Ireland’s plastics manufacturing landscape.

Commitment to Recycling & Sustainability:
After the successful sale of his manufacturing interests, Padraig shifted focus toward plastic recycling and sustainability-driven innovation.

• He played a key role in establishing an extrusion company producing products made entirely from 100% recycled PVC, later sold successfully.
• He also intervened to rescue and restructure a farm film recycling facility in Ireland and a PET flake production plant in Wales, preserving critical recycling capacity within the region.

Waste Management & Consulting:
In 2008, Padraig launched a business in Ireland specializing in the separation of commercial and consumer waste, pioneering efforts to improve recycling efficiency. Although the venture was ultimately closed due to sharp market volatility, it strengthened his expertise in waste stream economics and materials recovery.

Current Role – Director, VSR Group:
Today, as founder and director of VSR Group, Padraig leads a consultancy dedicated to helping companies across Europe implement effective plastic recycling strategies and monetize waste streams.
Under his leadership, the firm has supported multiple organizations in developing, expanding, and optimising recycling operations throughout the UK, continental Europe, and Ukraine—advancing sustainable manufacturing and closing the loop on plastics use.