An increasing amount of the thermoplastic elastomers from Hexpol TPE are being produced with maritime waste recyclate.

The Malmo, Sweden-based compounder has partnered with green plastics company Plastix A/S of Lemvig, Denmark, in the sustainability effort, this time producing a TPE — specifically, the Dryflex Circular MWR TPE — from maritime rope.

"We are continually investigating new recyclate sources to support the shift away from virgin materials," said Jill Bradford, global marketing manager at Hexpol TPE. "Reutilizing what would be waste and giving it a new life to help keep valuable materials in circulation."

Plastix brings its own set of skills to the table in the collaboration, with expertise in sorting and recycling plastic fiber waste — ropes, yes, but also fishnets and trawls.

"Integrating post-consumer recycled material is essential in the world's transition to a circular economy and requires its usage in all applications possible," said Hans Axel Kristensen, CEO and co-founder at Plastix. "We are excited to be working with Hexpol TPE to make this happen."

The Dryflex Circular MWR TPEs can be purchased in 40 Shore A to 50 Shore D hardnesses with between 10 percent and 60 percent recycled content.

They are available in black, blue, green and mint pigments.

"What drew us to working with Plastix was the controls and quality of their products and that their work is evidence-based," Bradford said. "They have conducted life cycle assessments to provide data on the carbon footprint of their products."

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