People and our planet are what matter most at Teknor Apex, which is why we do our part every day to reduce our carbon footprint and adhere to high standards of corporate social responsibility. We recognize our responsibility as part of the value chain to manufacture our products as sustainably as possible, while simultaneously innovating more sustainable approaches. We understand there are many complex and interconnected paths to sustainability, and our products play an integral role. Every day, we investigate new sustainable raw materials, processes, technologies, and partners in order to deliver the most innovative solutions. We are committed to the journey of sustainability – as a business partner, employer, community member, environmental steward, and value creator for our stakeholders.
Alignment with UN Sustainability Development Goals
In 2015, the United Nations created a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which promote a global partnership to improve health and education, reduce inequality and stimulate economic growth - all while addressing climate change and working to preserve our environment.
Teknor Apex's sustainability initiatives support many of these goals, including:
Good Health and Well-Being:
Ensure safety remains the core of our operations.
Clean Water and Sanitation:
Ensure responsible use and cleanliness of the water and enable access to clean water.
Responsible Consumption and Production:
Ensure sustainable consumption of natural resources while producing more sustainable products.
Climate Action:
Ensure continued reduction of reliance on non-renewable resources.
Our Commitment to Safety
The health and safety of our employees, contractors and the communities where we operate are paramount to Teknor Apex’s corporate values of being accountable for our actions, acting with integrity, respecting our people and creating innovative solutions. In the past year Teknor Apex has reduced the Total Reportable Incident Rate (TRIR) by 27%. The current TRIR average of 1.18 is less than 50% of the industry average of 2.4*.
*Based on the year 2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics (NAICS code is 325991) https://www.bls.gov/web/osh/summ1_00.htm
Responsible Consumption of Energy & Decreased Reliance on Non-Renewable Resources
At Teknor Apex we aim to increase energy efficiency by reducing electricity intensity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity. An internal Global Energy Team has been established, focusing on reducing the amount of electricity consumed by our plants, while continuously seeking opportunities to use clean energy sources to reduce the environmental impact associated with these emissions. In 2021, the company reduced its electricity intensity (kWh/MM lbs. produced) by 6% and reduced GHG emissions by 5% versus the prior year. Our on-site Renewable Energy Sources as percent of total electricity Use (%) has increased to 5.87% (versus 0.6% in 2020).
Ensure Responsible Use and Cleanliness of Water
Teknor Apex aims to decrease water consumption by both reducing usage and recycling. We track Water Use Intensity (MM gal per MM lbs. production) for all 13 plants worldwide. Several sites reduced their water consumption by 40% or more in 2021!
Operation Clean Sweep
Teknor Apex has partnered with Operation Clean Sweep®, an international program designed to prevent pellets, flakes, and powder from entering our marine environment. We joined OCS in 2020, and currently 9 of our 13 plants have implemented the program. The goal is complete implementation at all Teknor Apex sites by 2024.
Ensure Responsible Production through Waste Reduction and Diversion
We have increased our diversion goal in 2023 and aim to divert at least 85% of waste from landfills by reusing, recycling and incinerating waste as fuel. In 2022, 81% of all waste was diverted from landfills, which totaled over 20,000 metric tons!
Sustainable Solutions
When it comes to the use of plastics, environmental sustainability is defined differently in every industry, and these definitions are still evolving. At Teknor Apex, we understand that there isn’t one standard solution that can address everyone’s sustainability goals and we’re continuously working to deliver more options for our customers. As a custom compounder, our role is integral to the value chain, taking sustainable raw materials and developing high-value solutions which meet end-use performance requirements. In addition, we partner with our clients to develop more sustainable products by providing engineering support for more efficient processes or introducing new technologies and recycling solutions.
Here are some examples of how Teknor Apex products enable sustainability:
THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
Monprene® TPE Containing up to 35% Recycled Content
The Monprene® RX CP-15100 series TPEs are styrenic-based compounds containing up to 35% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. This is a significant added value that helps major brands achieve their sustainability goals, contributing toward a circular economy while decreasing reliance on virgin fossil-based resources and energy. Available from 55 to 80 Shore A, these high flow materials are formulated for injection molding applications or overmolding onto polypropylene.
Monprene® TPE Containing up to 35% Recycled Content
VINYL (PVC)
Teknor Apex is +Vantage Vinyl™ Verified
Teknor Apex has successfully met all the requirements of +Vantage Vinyl™, an industry-wide sustainability initiative that engages companies across
the entire U.S. vinyl value chain. Companies that showcase the +Vantage Vinyl mark have undergone verification by third-party GreenCircle Certified
to confirm their progress to the program Guiding Principles relating to environmental stewardship, social diligence, economic soundness, open
communication, and collaboration.
THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
Monprene® TPE and Sarlink® TPV with Carbon Negative Additives
Teknor Apex and UBQ Materials have formed a co-development partnership to introduce reduced carbon footprint thermoplastic elastomers to the market. UBQ converts unsorted household waste, including all organics, into a climate-positive, cost-competitive alternative for plastic. Incorporation of UBQ™ into our compounds diverts waste and reduces carbon emissions.
VINYL (PVC)
Teknor Apex Acquires the business of Nu-Pro Polymers
Nu-Pro works with clean post-industrial (PIR) streams and converts them into new PVC compounds which perform equivalently to prime compounds. Nu-Pro specializes in clear, natural and black reprocessed compounds in a range of durometers. Under the acquisition, Nu-Pro will continue to produce products for Teknor Apex at this time, under the Cycle-Tek brand as a subsidiary of Teknor Apex.
Nu Pro Acquisition
THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
Sarlink® TPVs are Now Manufactured using 100% Renewable Energy for
the European Market
As of 2022, Sarlink® TPV products in Europe are manufactured using 100% renewable electricity, generated from wind energy. Sarlink TPVs are produced at the DSM Specialty Compounds site in Genk, Belgium, which was just awarded with a certificate from Eneco Belgium NV for the use of 100% renewable energy. The certification confirms that the site is reducing its CO2 emissions and contributing to Belgium’s sustainable energy transition to 100% locally sourced “green” electricity.
VINYL (PVC)
BioVinyl® Flexible PVC Compounds with DOW ECOLIBRIUM Bio-Based Plasticizers
Teknor Apex is proud to produce BioVinyl as the leading North American compounder of DOW ECOLIBRIUM bio-based plasticizers. Boasting renewable attributes while retaining the flexibility and durability of traditional materials, BioVinyl is the sustainable choice for flexible PVC compounds used in wire and cable, automotive, consumer, and building and construction applications.
BioVinyl® Flexible PVC with Dow Ecolibrium
THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
Eco-Conscious Monprene® TPE is made with 35% Sustainable Content
The Monprene® S3 CP-15170 BLK includes UBQ™ and post-consumer recycled material. UBQ™ is a sustainable plastic substitute converted entirely from organic and unrecyclable waste. Biobased and highly recyclable, UBQ™ offers a climate-positive solution towards a circular economy. By replacing oil-based raw materials with UBQ™ in TPE formulations, Teknor Apex is helping to address the global waste crisis, preserving finite natural resources, and reducing the carbon footprint of end products which utilize its TPE.
Monprene® S3 CP-15170 BLK with UBQ
VINYL (PVC)
Teknor Apex Collaborates with Hyperlight Energy
Rather than the traditional fields full of steel and concrete, Hylux™ (Hyperlight Energy’s flagship product) uses domestically produced, recyclable tubes made from Teknor Apex rigid vinyl compounds. The tubes can be hand carried and snapped into place in the field, eliminating the expense of handling steel and creating a flexible solution for testing, minimizing necessary rework. Additionally, the vinyl compound provides key benefits including UV stability, so the tubes don’t degrade or crack in the sunlight over time, improving their durability and longevity.
Teknor Apex Collaborates with Hyperlight Energy
THERMOPLASTIC VULCANIZATES (TPVs)
Sarlink® TPVs with up to 40% recycled content
Sarlink® TPVs are the premier choice for automotive applications requiring superior elasticity and long-term performance, as a recyclable, light-weight alternative to EPDM rubber. This latest series, Sarlink® RX 3100B, was developed to help automotive brands achieve sustainability targets, by incorporating up to 40% post-industrial recyclate, depending on the hardness. For these high-durometer grades, applications include the backbone or carrier for extruded seals, like in glass run channels, or boots, bellows, and other under hood components.
Sarlink® RX 3100B Series: TPVs with up to 40% Recycled Content
ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS
Recyclon® Recycled Polyamide Solutions
The Recyclon® product portfolio includes grades that contain up to 100% recycled resin content, and yet offer near-prime performance and a high
degree of consistency for smooth processing. Use of post-industrial recycled (PIR) resin results in a reduction of CO2 emission by >50% versus
virgin PA 66 and consumes 90% less water. These are Global Recycled Standard certified and LCA verified recycled polyamide solutions.
MASTERBATCH and ADDITIVES
Teknor Apex Creates Color Masterbatch Solutions for UBQ Materials’ Climate Positive Bio-based Thermoplastic
Teknor Apex’s color masterbatch solution enables UBQ™ to be compounded with a brighter spectrum of colors beyond the initial brown, black and grey of the climate-positive thermoplastic. Adding specialty colorant masterbatch or specially formulated colorants to UBQ™ compounds allows customers to meet sustainability goals while still providing a visually appealing end-product.
Color UBQ
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Teknor Apex Hose with Core Manufactured from Post-Industrial Recycled (PIR) Content
10 million pounds of post-industrial recycled material was used in the manufacturing of Teknor Apex garden hoses.
