Avient Launches New TPEs with Post-Consumer Recycled Content from Automotive Windshields

August 19, 2021

Caption: reSound™ R TPEs incorporate 25% recycled content from polyvinyl butyral (PVB) from broken automotive windshields and laminated architectural glass to support a circular economy.
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CLEVELAND – August 19, 2021 – Avient today announced the latest additions to its growing reSound™ R recycled-content thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) portfolio. The materials are a result of close collaboration with Shark Solutions, a global leader in advanced sustainable polyvinyl butyral (PVB) products. Both new TPEs contain 25 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content from PVB reclaimed from broken automotive windshields and laminated architectural glass.

It is estimated that 75 million broken windshields need replacing each year. This abundant supply includes thousands of tons of PVB, found in the inner layer of the glass, potentially bound for landfills. Instead, the outer glass is recycled and the PVB is reclaimed and reprocessed for various uses, including an alternative raw material source for polymers. Avient’s unique formulation expertise allows the supply of reprocessed, high-quality, non-toxic PVB to be upcycled into more sustainable TPEs with excellent properties.

Developed in 45 to 55 Shore A durometers, the new reSound R grades are ideal for general purpose applications in the consumer and automotive industries. Both injection moldable TPEs can be overmolded to polypropylene (PP) and come in a natural grade that can be easily colored. 

These reSound R grades with PCR content offer similar performance properties to traditional TPEs and are suitable for many durable consumer products and grips – such as personal care items, lawn and garden tools, golf clubs, and footwear. Their performance properties also fit automotive applications that could benefit from vibration damping, such as door mats, door damping and glove boxes.

“This technology brings together advanced material science and innovation to support customers' goals and the circular economy,” said Matt Mitchell, director, global marketing of Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient. “These material developments create an opportunity to help divert mountains of valuable resources from the waste stream and upcycle them into new products that offer excellent performance and value.”

“Our mission is to create high-performance raw materials from a former waste stream of laminated glass, instead of allowing it to decompose in landfills over thousands of years,” said Jens Holmegaard, CEO and Founder of Shark Solutions. “Avient shares our vision to preserve limited natural resources for future generations through products that enhance performance and protect the environment.”

Available globally, the new reSound R TPEs are formulated with regionally recycled PVB. For a complete view of the reSound R line of recycled-content TPEs, available in PCR and post-industrial recycled (PIR) content ranging from 8 to 93 percent, please click here.

About Shark Solutions

Shark Solutions® is a cleantech global leader in advanced sustainable PVB products and has been recognized as one of 50 Global Leaders. It is a Denmark based company, with operations in Europe and North America; owned by management and leading private equity firms Blue Equity and Circularity Capital.

About Avient

Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT), with expected 2021 revenues of $4.6 to $4.7 billion, provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:

• Barrier technologies that preserve the shelf-life and quality of food, beverages, medicine and other perishable goods through high-performance materials
• Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation
• Breakthrough technologies that minimize wastewater and improve the recyclability of materials and packaging across a spectrum of end uses

Avient employs approximately 8,400 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care®, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and certified Great Place to Work®.  For more information, visit www.avient.com.
 
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Media contact
Michelle Maniscalco
Senior Manager, Marketing Communications
Avient Corporation
michelle.maniscalco@avient.com