New TPEs from marine waste plastics

Audia Elastomers, a global supplier of innovative elastomer materials, has announced the launch of its OP line of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) based on marine waste plastics. The OP line of elastomer materials includes products with up to 45% marine waste and 70% total recycled material content in a wide range of hardness from 35 Shore A to 95 Shore A.

 

This new range of high-performance materials increases the potential market for marine waste beyond basic PET fibers and containers and allows more brand owners the opportunity to help keep oceans clean and free from debris, according to Anthony Marozsan, market development manager for Audia Elastomers. Audia is focused on recapturing beach cleanup materials, commercial fishing gear, and ocean-bound plastics as the source for its innovative TPEs. “The OP product line is an example of Audia’s commitment to sustainability,” according to Mr. Marozsan. He explained that the materials offer their customers a cost-effective way to incorporate marine plastics into products without sacrificing performance.

 

The challenge of ocean pollution is multifaceted and requires more than one solution, according to Mr. Marozsan. “The most important step in stopping and preventing ocean waste is intercepting waste before it ever enters the oceans or a waterway,” he said. “A key component of this initiative is to create a market for recycled plastic from regions with poor existing waste infrastructure before it enters the ocean.” 

 

Marine fishing gear is a major contributor to ocean waste and historically, a large amount of fishing gear has been abandoned at sea. In addition, collecting and cleaning up existing waste in oceans and on beaches requires outlets for waste that may be degraded by salt water and light exposure.

 

 

Elastomer compounds allow more design freedom and end uses for marine plastics versus single resin recycling. Audia Elastomers incorporates these marine waste materials into its formulations via its proprietary compounding technology. Raw material sources are customized for each brand owner to focus on at-risk recycling, fishing gear, or beach clean-up. These materials can compete in high-performance applications with conventional TPEs, TPVs, and TPU chemistries for use in consumer goods, toys, electronics, and sporting equipment.

 

Audia Elastomers is working closely with customers to commercially adopt its new marine waste-based TPEs for select end-use applications.

 

Marine plastics is only one facet of Audia’s broad sustainability effort which includes an ongoing effort to develop sustainable materials for customers as well as internally focused activities centered around achieving zero landfill, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable operations.

 

Audia Elastomers, based in Washington, Pa., is a leading supplier of thermoplastic elastomers for an array of diverse markets including automotive, consumer electronics, housewares, industrial, personal care, and appliances. The company works closely with customers to develop custom solutions based on a range of elastomers such as styrenic block copolymers (SBC), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), copolyesters, and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). Audia Elastomers is a member of the Audia family of companies which includes Washington Penn Plastic, Uniform Color Company, Southern Polymer, Inc., and Audia Liqui-Kolor® Solutions.