Technological watch

UBQ Materials is partnering with Teknor Apex Company to include UBQ™ in its latest line of sustainable thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).
UBQ™ is a sustainable plastic substitute converted entirely from unsorted municipal solid waste, including all organics, that have been diverted from landfills. UBQ™ is a novel worldwide patented material that has already been adopted by leading industry brands and enterprises for manufacturing durable products with reduced environmental footprints.
First Use of UBQ™ in TPE Compounds
This partnership marks the first time UBQ™ will be used in TPE compounds, a rubber-like material used across industries. As the preferred material for applications requiring flexibility in the consumer products, automotive, industrial, and building and construction industries, TPEs combine the performance of thermoset rubber with the processability of a thermoplastic and can be recycled. Teknor Apex’s TPE production offerings are as diverse as the industries they serve—consisting of formulations specifically designed to meet market requirements for physical and thermal performance.
In the race to meet market demand for environmentally conscious materials, the TPE market is embracing new sustainable options. Customized TPE solutions provide the right balance of performance, manufacturability and economics, and introducing sustainable content increases the complexity.
Diverting Plastics from Landfills
Over the past year, Teknor Apex and UBQ have developed a series of TPEs incorporating various levels of UBQ™ and high-quality post-consumer recycled raw materials, diverting plastics from landfills, and creating greater circularity within the polymers supply chain.
“Incorporating UBQ™ into our TPEs, we are introducing the market to a new TPE option that is both cost-competitive and better for the planet,” said Jonathan Plisco, new business development manager of Teknor Apex. “Many customers are looking for more sustainable options that meet both the functional and financial requirements of a competitive marketplace. Manufacturers can become a part of the waste solution by incorporating sustainable materials that divert waste and preserve finite natural resources.”
Source: Teknor Apex Company