US processor Prism commercialises TPEs from ELTs

Kirkland, Washington – Prism Worldwide has commercially launched a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) featuring 50% post-consumer recycled contents from end-of-life tires (ELTs).

AncoraTM C-1000 TPE maintains “the look, feel and processing of a typical petrochemically derived TPE,” said the clean-tech materials startup in a statement.

The US company's patented process uses tire rubber as the primary feedstock in the production of polymer intermediates called PTR.

The process chemically and physically converts thermoset rubber into a  thermoplastic rubber product.

According to the company, the processing steps leave "essentially all the valuable polymer, linkages, and carbon black intact."

Most importantly, the process does not break or destroy the sulphur bonds, which according to Prism is "a major breakthrough" for the rubber industry.

The material is then compounded into injection mouldable TPE pellets at the company’s Sodus, New York plant.

This facilty was acquired last November through the purchase of CRC Polymer Systems Inc., Prism pointed out.

The first compound in the series is said to be suitable for use in applications such as automotive all-weather mats, weather stripping and footwear.

This compound is available in black and has a Shore A hardness of 80.

According to Prism, the company’s base polymer has a carbon footprint approximately 86% lower than virgin synthetic rubber compounds.

“There is growing demand for recycled content throughout the industry, and high recycle content TPEs are not widely available,” noted chief commercial officer Mark Kinkelaar.