Teknor creates plastics from recycled waste
Teknor Apex has introduced a series of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), the Monprene® RX CP-15100, containing 25 to 35% recycled content; to help brands achieve sustainability goals, said the company.
“This specialty TPE is an important part of our sustainability program. We actively look to increase the sustainability of our products, while reducing the environmental impact of our manufacturing operations,” said Jonathan Plisco, new business development manager at Teknor Apex.
The Monprene RX CP-15100 series, formulated with PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) content, promotes a circular economy while decreasing reliance on virgin fossil-based resources and energy, said the company.
“Our focus includes improving energy efficiency, reducing water consumption and diverting waste from landfills.” said Plisco.
This offering allows brands to meet consumer and regulatory demands for recycled content within their products, said Teknor Apex. These TPEs are available globally and manufactured around the world with locally sourced raw materials procured to exacting specifications - turning local waste into resource.
“Unlike competitive TPEs with recycled content, available in black only, these materials are delivered in a consistent light, natural color, similar to their prime offsets,” said the firm.
The Monprene RX CP-15100 series is available in standard grades from 55 to 80 Shore A and can also be tailored for a customer’s specific requirements, said the company. These grades are designed for injection molding applications, including over molding onto polypropylene.
These materials perform and processes like prime TPE and are used in personal care products, lawn and garden tools, writing instruments, appliances, sporting goods and dunnage.
The company said the PCR content is sourced from waste diverted from households, or commercial, industrial and institutional facilities. The use of PCR content contributes toward a circular economy and creates demand for consumer recycling programs.
Not only does Monprene RX reduce plastic waste by incorporating it into the compound, but products made from Monprene RX are still fully recyclable at the end of the product’s life, said Teknor.
Teknor Apex, founded in 1924, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, makes everything from “bottles to boots to junction boxes, dashboards to ear buds to garden hoses, kayaks to toys to decks.”