Extrusion International USA 2-2022

33 Extrusion International 2/2022 www.smart-extrusion.com Germany Austria and Switzerland Italy Eastern Europe Benelux countries Scandinavia Other Asia Russia South America North America Other Europe 34 600 + average monthly visits Geographic distribution of Smart_Extrusion readers, % The only website collecting information about smart technologies of extrusion 19 8,5 7,8 9,3 1,1 0,8 1 2,2 2 17,9 11,6 18,9 Broad Range of Sustainable Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) „ United Soft Plastics has announced the development of a series of sustainable thermoplastic elastomer solu- tions which meet the eco-conscious needs of brand own- ers and consumers. The TPEs – currently under different stages of commercial development – are produced from renewable, post-consumer, post-industrial, and bio- based sources. “With the market clearly focused on a circular economy, we are committed to the development of unique and in- novative products that reduce carbon emissions and deliv- er sustainability advantages,” said Rudi Herbst, President and CEO of United Soft Plastics. Market drivers include the emergence of state and federal legislation on single-use plastics and the fi rm commitment from various stakehold- ers including brand owners to meet aggressive sustainabil- ity goals during the next fi ve years. The first commercially available grades, based on sty- rene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), are made from recycled post-consumer and post-industrial sources up to 100%. They provide typical soft touch, anti-slip prop- erties along with adhesion and haptics. Three other series of sustainable TPE solutions are cur- rently under commercial development. These cost-effec- tive SEBS grades include renewable products, consisting of up to 70% of wood flour, rice hull, and/or hemp. They offer a limited performance threshold, which excludes use in highly engineered TPEs but they come with ample supply. Other sustainable TPEs in the commercial development pipeline are biopolymers which utilize non-fossil-based materials with up to 100% content. These TPEs show the greatest promise in terms of market impact and carbon emission reduction, according to Herbst. Rounding out the sustainable TPE portfolio are bio-hy- brid TPEs which can combine renewable, post-consum- er, post-industrial, and bio-based content up to 100%. USP’s product development efforts are centered at its manufacturing facilities in Lawrenceville, Ga., and Hous- ton, Texas. The company is also conducting sampling and manufacturing trials with end-use customers in the consumer products and healthcare industries. United Soft Plastics Inc. (USP) www.unitedsoftplastics.com