Manufacturers in the consumer sector need to consider a product’s environmental, economic, and social impact throughout its lifecycle. Designing for durability and repairability can have an impact. In complicated products with multiple components, the goal may be to design for disassembly and recycling, to enable a circular economy. What is the impact on material selection, when performance requirements increase but reliance on natural resources needs to be reduced?
A Global Shift Toward Sustainability
The consumer industry is driven by the ever-evolving landscape of consumer needs and desires. In a fragmented industry—ranging from food storage containers to personal electronics to outdoor power equipment— each brand has its own challenges and goals for aesthetics, design, functionality, and quality. As brands and consumers turn their focus on sustainability, environmental concerns are driving more and more decisions we make.
Sustainability Challenges in Consumer Products
Sustainable Design
Alternatives to Traditional Materials
The market is demanding more responsible material choices with a focus on reusability, durability, and recyclability. Opportunities to replace virgin petroleum-based plastics are on the rise, with recycled or biobased materials increasingly available—and increasingly capable of delivering high performance. Manufacturers are now able to explore ways to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising in other areas.
End of Life Take Back Recycling Programs
The definition of "recycling" is changing in the consumer space. Beyond local and national material recovery programs, individual brands are instituting programs where products at the end of their lifespan can be returned and made into new products. Or products beyond use can be repaired, refurbished and returned to the market. The more ways industry players can get more value out of the products that are already out there, the more competitive they will become in the market.
Applications
Related Products
Vinyl
For dependable, high-performance vinyl compounds, trust Teknor Apex. Our vinyl portfolio is extensive, and our compounds can be customized for maximum design flexibility.
Thermoplastic Elastomers
Explore the industry’s most extensive portfolio of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), the recyclable alternative to thermoset rubber, with product lines tailored to meet industry-specific requirements.
Engineering Thermoplastics
Our highly-engineered thermoplastic solutions are designed to address unique, often competing requirements that cannot be met with standard materials. Explore our portfolio, backed by expert technical support.
- Creamid® Specialty Polyamides
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- Recyclon® Recycled Polyamides
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Polyolefins
Our portfolio of polyolefin compounds addresses specific industry needs. From low-smoke halogen-free technologies for the wire and cable industry to lightweight alternatives to engineering plastics in automotive, our custom engineered solutions satisfy unique requirements cost-effectively.
Polymer Colorants & Masterbatches
Teknor Apex offers a full line of colors, additives, and effects. Explore our extensive color library and find the one that's perfect for your project.
Sustainable Solutions
Every industry is solving for sustainability differently, but they all need solutions. Teknor Apex takes a holistic approach that helps our customers meet their unique sustainability goals.