MALMO, Sweden—Chemical manufacturing company Hexpol has received the ISCC Plus rating, an international certification that relates to sustainability and carbon emission reduction benchmarks.
The certification, issued Jan. 28 to the international polymer compounding group Hexpol TPE, allows the company to produce TPE materials with certified bio-positive or bio-circular content at its Amal, Sweden, location.
Using the notion of mass balance, a chain-of-custody model, makes it possible to mix fossil with bio-based raw materials, keeping track of the specific quantity of each that is used.
This allows "for a gradual increase of the sustainable share with the target to reduce the use of fossil raw materials step-by-step," Hexpol said.
"As one of the first TPE compounders achieving ISCC PLUS certification, we are bringing further possibilities for us and our customers to reach their sustainability targets," said Klas Dannaes, global research and development manager. "It is important to us that we deliver actions and not just buzzwords. I'm proud we're taking a leadership role in driving sustainability in the TPE industry.
"The new materials will complement our growing portfolio of bio-based, biocomposite and TPEs with recycled content."
According to Hexpol, the ISCC PLUS certification allows for traceability along the supply chain via the transparent system of the mass balance approach.
Selected versions of the Dryflex TPE portfolio will be available using this methodology, as well as grades from the Mediprene TPE range of TPEs for medical applications.
"The ISCC PLUS certification is part of our ongoing sustainability work," said Thomas Nilsson, managing director at Hexpol TPE A.B. "Collaboration with customers, suppliers and brand owners will be key to the transition to a more circular polymer industry. This certification sets an example in maintaining transparency throughout the supply chain and provides reassurance about the bio and bio-circular content of our materials."
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