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Sustainable Polymers

Playing our part in future-proofing our industry
and always doing our very best for the planet.

Sustainable Polymers

Playing our part in future-proofing our industry
and always doing our very best for the planet.

Sustainable, Recycled and Bio/Eco Polymers

Sustainability is vital to not only meet customer and consumer demand, it is crucial that ethically, we all play our part in future-proofing our industry and always doing our very best for the planet.

Increasingly we are asked to source products that meet greener specifications and our team are happy to provide options and guidance in this area. Sustainable polymers generally fall into two category types: Recycled Plastics and Bio/Eco Polymers.

With so much misinformation on plastics, many companies are left confused and uncertain of the approach they should take so we are delighted to introduce Chris DeArmitt, PhD FRSC FIMMM, President of Phantom Plastics in the United States. Truly independent, his goal is to be the leading source of unbiased information on plastics.

Chris is considered one of the top plastic materials experts and problem solvers in the World, which is why companies like HP, Apple, Exxon, P&G, Eaton, Total and Disney go to him for help and to create breakthrough plastic materials.

Recycled Plastics

Hardies have supplied Recycled plastics for nearly 30 years, which means we really do have as much experience in this area as anyone within the industry.

We have an excellent track record of specifying and supplying these materials into highly demanding applications, such as automotive parts for Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan. Additionally, we have supplied demanding recycled materials to the Stanley Black & Decker Group since 2005 and were instrumental in introducing them to recycled materials within Europe.

The most widely used recycled materials are the main commodity materials of Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) and to a lesser extent, Polystyrene (PS). PP can be supplied with fillers such as talc or glass fibre to enhance certain properties. We also offer a full range of recycled engineering polymers including PA, PC/ABS, ABS, PC and PEEK.

Bio / ECO Plastics

When considering the different types of Bio/Eco plastics that are available, it is important to differentiate between the actual origin of the material and the desired function of the material, as confusion often arises between durable renewable or biomass derived plastics and biodegradable plastics.

Some of the main options currently available include:

  • Bio-origin polymers, including PLA – plastics based on renewable sources i.e. corn starch, cellulose, sugar cane or from other natural waste products. Can also include water soluble polymers.                                                     
  • Biodegradable & Compostable materials (or additives.)  which in some cases may provide non-toxic by-products e.g. biomass, after being broken down by naturally occurring bacteria
  • Oxo-Biodegradable – A masterbatch additive, for adding to PP or PE. This type of additive tackles the key issue of plastic litter in the environment.  It is important to note that this option is not a compostable material, but an additive which breaks down and destroys the plastic at the end of its useful life, if it has not been collected for recycling.  

 

What is your polymer challenge?

Please fill out the form below to see if we can help with your polymer challenge.

Here are a few examples:

  • I have been given a lead time of 12 weeks for material but need it in 2 weeks
  • I only need 250kg but the MOQ is 2 pallets
  • I need a material that can operate in a high temperature environment for a prolonged period of time