Beyond Marketing: the sustainability benefits of using recycled thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
11/10/2023
Thermoplastic elastomers
For almost thirty years, sustainability has been talked about as a marketing tool: multinational companies have introduced social and corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets and started to assess their carbon footprint.
The new generations are increasingly sensitive to environmental issues, they are much more aware of the risks associated with poor waste management and CO2 emissions. In response, malpractices also referred to as greenwashing have spread, which have only increased the distance and scepticism from unverifiable corporate choices.
But sustainability is not just marketing, quite the contrary! In today's article, we would like to take a closer look at the advantages of using recycled plastics, in particular recycled thermoplastic elastomers, which for some years now have been the strong point of production of the Italian company Gianeco.
The 6 main advantages of using recycled thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
TPEs are a class of polymeric materials that have elastic properties similar to rubber, but can be thermoplastically processed like traditional plastics.
On Gianeco's company blog, we have addressed the topic of mechanical recycling of thermoplastic polyurethanes and biopolymers several times, and we can summarise the most common advantages of introducing recycled granules and compounds into our production in 6 points:
1. Reduction of environmental impact
2. Conservation of resources
3. Economic savings
4. Improved corporate image
5. Adaptability to environmental regulations
6. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Let us address point by point to facilitate those who are approaching a sustainable procurement strategy in the internal communication levers that can sensitise the most sceptical.
Recycled thermoplastic elastomers and the reduction of environmental impact
The use of recycled thermoplastic elastomers, such as those produced by Gianeco, contributes significantly to reducing environmental impact and marine pollution.
The production of recycled materials requires less energy and resources than the production of virgin materials.
Every year, around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced. Of this, only a small part is recycled.
Recycling TPE waste reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans, thus contributing to the fight against plastic pollution.
Every year we know that millions of tonnes of plastic end up in landfills or are incinerated, producing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
By using recycled thermoplastic elastomers, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfills and the environment. This is crucial because conventional plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing large-scale pollution problems.
It also helps reduce the flow of plastic into the seas and oceans, protecting marine life and aquatic ecosystems.
Conservation of natural resources and recycled thermoplastic polyurethane polymers
Using recycled thermoplastic elastomers contributes to the conservation of natural resources, as no new raw materials need to be extracted for the production of virgin materials.
This has a positive impact on the conservation of oil, natural gas and other non-renewable resources whose production is an energy-intensive and water-intensive process. Suppliers of virgin TPU can be subject to price fluctuations and risks related to raw material availability.
The use of recycled TPU reduces dependence on these unstable resources and can provide a more stable source of material for companies.
Cost savings through rTPU, rTPO, rSBS, rSEBS
One of the most obvious advantages of using recycled materials is the savings in raw material costs. Recycled materials, such as rTPU, rTPO, rSBS and rSEBS, often cost less than their virgin counterparts. This is due to the fact that the recycling process requires less energy and resources than the production of virgin materials. Therefore, companies can reduce material procurement costs by using recycled products.
The use of recycled materials also contributes to the reduction of waste disposal costs. Since recycled materials reduce the overall amount of waste produced, companies can save on waste management costs, including transport and disposal costs in landfills or recycling plants.
Companies that adopt sustainable practices, including the use of recycled materials, may benefit from tax incentives or government subsidies. These incentives can further contribute to companies' cost savings and facilitate their transition to the adoption of recycled materials.
The use of recycled materials can improve operational efficiency. For example, rTPU, rTPO, rSBS and rSEBS can be used in many existing production processes without the need for significant or costly changes in equipment. This allows companies to exploit existing economies of scale and reduce adaptation and conversion costs.
Corporate image, communication and use of recycled thermoplastic elastomers
Using recycled thermoplastic elastomers can improve corporate image.
Companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability often attract customers, investors and business partners who share these values.
This can translate into increased customer trust and loyalty, as well as opportunities for collaboration.
Companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and the use of recycled materials often enjoy a better corporate reputation. This can attract customers, investors and business partners who prefer to do business with sustainable companies, which may result in increased business opportunities and retention of existing customers.
Adaptability to environmental regulations
Environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent worldwide. Some environmental regulations set recycling and waste reduction targets that companies must meet. The adoption of rTPE directly contributes to achieving these targets, as it involves reducing the overall amount of plastic waste produced and promoting recycling.
Some companies seek environmental certifications, such as ISO 14001, which attest to their sustainable practices. The use of rTPE can be an integral part of an environmental management system that promotes such certifications.
Consumers and international markets are becoming increasingly sensitive to environmental issues. The adoption of rTPE can help companies meet consumer expectations and access international markets that demand sustainable products.
Using recycled materials can help companies remain compliant with these regulations and avoid potential penalties or operational restrictions.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, plastics production accounts for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
By using recycled thermoplastic elastomers, companies can help reduce these emissions, helping in the fight against climate change.
Gianeco's role in increasing the use of recycled plastics
The Italian company Gianeco has developed a production process for recycled TPU that allows the use of production waste, such as processing residues and offcuts.
As a producer of recycled thermoplastic elastomer compounds and granules, Gianeco plays an important role in promoting these benefits and helping companies become more sustainable in their operations.
Here are some concrete examples of how the use of recycled thermoplastic elastomers can help reduce environmental impact:
In the automotive sector, using recycled TPE for the production of interior and exterior components can help reduce the amount of virgin plastic used, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
In the footwear sector, the use of recycled TPE for the production of soles and other components can help reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfill or incineration.
In the packaging sector, the use of recycled TPE for the production of films and other materials can help reduce pollution caused by the production of new packaging.
If you use virgin thermoplastic elastomers in your production and would like to test our recycled TPEs, contact us now.
You can consult the dedicated page or contact the product manager.
Beyond Marketing: the sustainability benefits of using recycled thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
11/10/2023
Thermoplastic elastomers
For almost thirty years, sustainability has been talked about as a marketing tool: multinational companies have introduced social and corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets and started to assess their carbon footprint.
The new generations are increasingly sensitive to environmental issues, they are much more aware of the risks associated with poor waste management and CO2 emissions. In response, malpractices also referred to as greenwashing have spread, which have only increased the distance and scepticism from unverifiable corporate choices.
But sustainability is not just marketing, quite the contrary! In today's article, we would like to take a closer look at the advantages of using recycled plastics, in particular recycled thermoplastic elastomers, which for some years now have been the strong point of production of the Italian company Gianeco.
The 6 main advantages of using recycled thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
TPEs are a class of polymeric materials that have elastic properties similar to rubber, but can be thermoplastically processed like traditional plastics.
On Gianeco's company blog, we have addressed the topic of mechanical recycling of thermoplastic polyurethanes and biopolymers several times, and we can summarise the most common advantages of introducing recycled granules and compounds into our production in 6 points:
1. Reduction of environmental impact
2. Conservation of resources
3. Economic savings
4. Improved corporate image
5. Adaptability to environmental regulations
6. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Let us address point by point to facilitate those who are approaching a sustainable procurement strategy in the internal communication levers that can sensitise the most sceptical.
Recycled thermoplastic elastomers and the reduction of environmental impact
The use of recycled thermoplastic elastomers, such as those produced by Gianeco, contributes significantly to reducing environmental impact and marine pollution.
The production of recycled materials requires less energy and resources than the production of virgin materials.
Every year, around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced. Of this, only a small part is recycled.
Recycling TPE waste reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans, thus contributing to the fight against plastic pollution.
Every year we know that millions of tonnes of plastic end up in landfills or are incinerated, producing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
By using recycled thermoplastic elastomers, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfills and the environment. This is crucial because conventional plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing large-scale pollution problems.
It also helps reduce the flow of plastic into the seas and oceans, protecting marine life and aquatic ecosystems.
Conservation of natural resources and recycled thermoplastic polyurethane polymers
Using recycled thermoplastic elastomers contributes to the conservation of natural resources, as no new raw materials need to be extracted for the production of virgin materials.
This has a positive impact on the conservation of oil, natural gas and other non-renewable resources whose production is an energy-intensive and water-intensive process. Suppliers of virgin TPU can be subject to price fluctuations and risks related to raw material availability.
The use of recycled TPU reduces dependence on these unstable resources and can provide a more stable source of material for companies.
Cost savings through rTPU, rTPO, rSBS, rSEBS
One of the most obvious advantages of using recycled materials is the savings in raw material costs. Recycled materials, such as rTPU, rTPO, rSBS and rSEBS, often cost less than their virgin counterparts. This is due to the fact that the recycling process requires less energy and resources than the production of virgin materials. Therefore, companies can reduce material procurement costs by using recycled products.
The use of recycled materials also contributes to the reduction of waste disposal costs. Since recycled materials reduce the overall amount of waste produced, companies can save on waste management costs, including transport and disposal costs in landfills or recycling plants.
Companies that adopt sustainable practices, including the use of recycled materials, may benefit from tax incentives or government subsidies. These incentives can further contribute to companies' cost savings and facilitate their transition to the adoption of recycled materials.
The use of recycled materials can improve operational efficiency. For example, rTPU, rTPO, rSBS and rSEBS can be used in many existing production processes without the need for significant or costly changes in equipment. This allows companies to exploit existing economies of scale and reduce adaptation and conversion costs.
Corporate image, communication and use of recycled thermoplastic elastomers
Using recycled thermoplastic elastomers can improve corporate image.
Companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability often attract customers, investors and business partners who share these values.
This can translate into increased customer trust and loyalty, as well as opportunities for collaboration.
Companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and the use of recycled materials often enjoy a better corporate reputation. This can attract customers, investors and business partners who prefer to do business with sustainable companies, which may result in increased business opportunities and retention of existing customers.
Adaptability to environmental regulations
Environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent worldwide. Some environmental regulations set recycling and waste reduction targets that companies must meet. The adoption of rTPE directly contributes to achieving these targets, as it involves reducing the overall amount of plastic waste produced and promoting recycling.
Some companies seek environmental certifications, such as ISO 14001, which attest to their sustainable practices. The use of rTPE can be an integral part of an environmental management system that promotes such certifications.
Consumers and international markets are becoming increasingly sensitive to environmental issues. The adoption of rTPE can help companies meet consumer expectations and access international markets that demand sustainable products.
Using recycled materials can help companies remain compliant with these regulations and avoid potential penalties or operational restrictions.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, plastics production accounts for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
By using recycled thermoplastic elastomers, companies can help reduce these emissions, helping in the fight against climate change.
Gianeco's role in increasing the use of recycled plastics
The Italian company Gianeco has developed a production process for recycled TPU that allows the use of production waste, such as processing residues and offcuts.
As a producer of recycled thermoplastic elastomer compounds and granules, Gianeco plays an important role in promoting these benefits and helping companies become more sustainable in their operations.
Here are some concrete examples of how the use of recycled thermoplastic elastomers can help reduce environmental impact:
In the automotive sector, using recycled TPE for the production of interior and exterior components can help reduce the amount of virgin plastic used, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
In the footwear sector, the use of recycled TPE for the production of soles and other components can help reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfill or incineration.
In the packaging sector, the use of recycled TPE for the production of films and other materials can help reduce pollution caused by the production of new packaging.
If you use virgin thermoplastic elastomers in your production and would like to test our recycled TPEs, contact us now.
You can consult the dedicated page or contact the product manager.
