Novoloop and Bemis to boost TPU upcycling technology
03/03/2022
Novoloop’s technology, ATOD (Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Decomposition), breaks down polyethylene into chemical building blocks that can be synthesized into other products.
Only 9% of polyethene is recycled, according to the company.
The first product is Oistre, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for use in footwear, clothing, sporting goods, automotive and electronics and which the company says matches the performance of virgin TPUs made from petrochemicals.
The company claims the technology can upcycle carbon content found in common plastic waste like shopping bags, packaging and agricultural plastics that is too low value for recovery facilities to bale and sell.
Novoloop CEO Miranda Wang said: "Plastics are not going away anytime soon, so we need to innovate to close the gap between what is produced and what is repurposed. After years of technology development, we're thrilled to announce backing by high-calibre investors and partners to commercialise this much-needed technology.”
US-based Bemis will introduce Oistre into its portfolio as a first step to replace virgin petroleum-based thermoplastic polyurethane.
Ben Howard, Bemis director of sustainability, said: "Novoloop's technology is a major breakthrough for our supply chain. Scaling it will be a huge step in shifting away from virgin petroleum sources and reducing our products' carbon footprints.”
Novoloop is sampling and taking pre-orders for Oistre 65A, a soft grade polyester TPU for injection molding suitable for footwear applications. Higher durometer grades of Oistre TPU will be introduced soon.
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