October 14, 2016 – At K 2016, the Dow Chemical Company showcases its latest innovations and value chain collaborations that are delivering solutions around the world that support food preservation, recycling, waste management and resource efficiency. Dow is driving change in the plastics industry through regional and global initiatives and firmly believes that the future of sustainable plastics will come from the collective efforts of the entire plastics value chain. K 2016 provides a global forum to accelerate industry progress in this area.
These innovations are on display at K 2016:
- INNATE™ Precision Packaging Resins: This family of high performance resins creates breakthrough opportunities for high performance, sustainable food and industrial packaging solutions.
- Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO) - TPOs can replace heavier materials, like metal, in a variety of applications enabling lighter-weight and better fuel efficiency.
- ENGAGE™ Polyolefin Elastomers - Dow’s ENGAGE™ Polyolefin Elastomers enable TPOs with good protection through stiffness, toughness, and/ flow balance, as well as enhanced aesthetics. They are also used in encapsulant films for photovoltaic module applications and provide better protection over the years of the module’s service life while increasing cell efficiency, reliability, and long-term performance.
- RecycleReady Technology - The stand-up pouch made with RETAIN™ polymer modifiers has barrier film that can be recycled in a polyethylene recycling stream. When combined with other polyethylene resins, the RETAIN™ compatibilizer offers a recyclable solution with enhanced barrier characteristics.
- INTUNE™ Polypropylene-based Olefin Block Copolymers (OBCs) - Compatibilizers for blends of polyethylene and polypropylene post-consumer recycle (PCR) creating new uses for post-consumer recycle content. INTUNE™ OBCs enable low value mixed recycle streams to be blended and used in higher value applications offering up-cycling opportunities.
- ENGAGE™ Polyolefin Elastomers and INFUSE™ Olefin Block Copolymers - Dow’s elastomers solutions also enable Cradle to Cradle Certified carpet tiles. Carpet waste is one of the top landfill contributors annually. Dow’s elastomer solutions enable PVC-free, phthalate-free, recyclable carpet tiles that can contain over 45% recycled content. The polyolefin elastomer technology can also be recycled back into the product as part of a closed-loop process. Carpet tiles produced with Dow’s elastomers solutions contribute to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) credits, including recycled content, low-emitting materials, and innovation in design.
Dow continues to invest in sustainability initiatives to reduce global challenges such as food waste and to improve end-of-cycle, recycling, and energy recovery, as part of the company’s commitment to achieving the DOW 2025 Sustainability Goals.
- REFLEX project – A two-year collaborative R&D project, co-funded by Innovate UK to create a circular economy for flexible packaging in the UK, thereby meeting specific local needs.
- The Energy Bag Programs - In the USA, Dow teamed with municipal and industry partners to implement an alternative for plastic waste where every year 29 million tons of plastic waste is discarded1. The Energy Bag Programs demonstrate that non-recycled plastic items - like juice pouches, sweet wrappers and other plastic items - can be collected and converted into an energy resource and helps identify a way to keep more material out of the landfill.
- Supporting Initiatives to Mitigate Marine Debris - Dow pledged $2.8 million (€2.5 million) over the next two years to help efforts to stop the flow of marine debris into the Earth’s ocean. Around half of Dow’s contribution will go towards sponsorship of collaborative projects such as the Ocean Conservancy’s research and waste management pilot programs and to support educational programs to promote recycling and prevent littering. The other half of Dow’s commitment will support ongoing research such as that being done by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation involving the development of new technologies to create a more circular economy while advancing opportunities to turn waste into a valuable end-state.
Plastic waste and its incredible afterlife – on the Dow catwalk at K2016!
Dow has teamed up with the Fashion and Arts School at Southampton Solent University, UK, to bring together a fashion show made entirely out of plastic. More than 30 young designers have created garments, hair-pieces, make-up and accessories to exhibit five times during the evening program for customers and the general public at their stand at the K Show. It is a fun and entertaining example of how plastics can be reused and made useful again.
Source: Dow
