Compound manufacturer Alphagary has joined the growing group of companies that are expanding their offerings to include products based on sustainable raw materials. The company, a division of Orbia’s Polymer Solutions business group, has introduced the first of a new series of renewably-sourced SEBS-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds, under the Evoprene brand .
The compounds in the new ECO 1000 series, formulated with bio-based raw materials, are designed for both extrusion and moulding general-purpose applications. Lab testing of a compound with 25 percent bio-based raw material revealed consistent mechanical properties (such as specific gravity, durometer, and tensile strength), good heat resistance, and consistent flow characteristics and surface finish compared with traditionally formulated compounds. The new compounds also showed good colourability.
In addition to adding renewably-sourced compounds to the portfolio, the company is both investing in new technologies to enable customers to achieve their own sustainability initiatives and exploring methods that enable the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achieved through thee use of sustainable feedstocks to be quantified.
“Our approach is holistic – it goes beyond formulating with bio-based raw material and recycled content,” said John Jaddou, Alphagary’s Global Business Development Director.
Orbia takes a strategic approach to sustainability, with defined goals that for Alphagary include actions at its manufacturing facilities. These are as important as the innovative products we offer, said Rick Correia, Alphagary’s Global Operations Director. “Our investments to contract green energy, upgrade equipment efficiencies, and capture precious resources such as heat back into our facilities all help to reduce our carbon footprint and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protect our environment.”