Elastomer supplier floats marine-waste TPEs

Washington, Pennsylvania – US-based Audia Elastomers has launched a range of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) based on marine-waste plastics, the company announced 14 Nov.

The OP-labelled elastomer materials incorporate up to 45% marine waste and 70% total recycled material content in hardness from 35 Shore A to 95 Shore A, Audia Elastomers stated.

The introduction, it said, “increases the potential market for marine waste beyond basic PET fibres and containers and allows more brand owners the opportunity to help keep oceans clean and free from debris.” 

The focus is on recapturing beach clean-up materials, commercial fishing gear and ocean-bound plastics for use in TPEs, explained Anthony Marozsan, market development manager, Audia Elastomers. 

“These materials offer our customers a cost-effective way to incorporate marine plastics into products without sacrificing performance,” according to Marozsan.  

“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,” he pointed out.

Incorporated using a proprietary compounding technology, sourced materials "are customised for each brand owner to focus on at-risk recycling, fishing gear, or beach clean-up," said the company. 

These materials, it claimed, “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 currently working closely with customers to commercially adopt its new marine waste-based TPEs for selected end-use applications, its statement added. 

Part of the Audia family of companies, Audia Elastomers supplies TPEs for markets including automotive, consumer electronics, housewares, industrial and personal care. 

The Washington, Pennsylvania-based company’s portfolio includes styrenic block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, copolyesters, and thermoplastic vulcanisates.