Alternative to vinyl records

The two 2021 albums from Adam Wakeman and Damian Wilson were released on polycarbonate records.

They are not a lathe cut records (which are made by embossing grooves into plastic, using a record cutting lathe), but they are made through a process based on injection moulding. The process is similar to that of manufacturing vinyl LPs up to the point of making stampers. As with traditional vinyl stampers, laquers are used. The technology for making the stampers for the polycarbonate records is based on the production of LaserDiscs moulds. The material is injected into the mould until it's completely filled; pressed straight into the grooves.

Developing this new process is the joint effort of 8 Dutch companies, supported by a grant from the EU, trying to come up with an alternative, energy saving production process for records. The process was perfected during the last couple of years.

Compared to the steam-driven process of making vinyl LPs, these records are produced with over 60% less energy and with environmentally friendlier materials.

Adam Wakeman's modern classical piano album 'A Handful Of Memories' and Damian Wilson's singer-songwriter album 'Limehouse To Lechlade' were released on November 12th 2021.

 

 

Damian Wilson
Limehouse to Lechlade
ORDER LP, CD, Digital

Adam Wakeman
A handful of memories
ORDER LP, CD, Digital