In a move poised to reshape the chemical and recycling landscape, Prism Worldwide, a leading tire recycler headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, has joined forces with Sherwood Industries, a family-owned thermoplastic sheet extruder based in Niles, Illinois. This strategic partnership aims to introduce sustainable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) into the extruded rubber sheet industry, offering innovative and environmentally responsible solutions for a wide array of applications. The collaboration addresses the growing demand for sustainable materials while maintaining high performance standards.

Prism Worldwide specializes in transforming end-of-life tires into valuable, high-performance materials. Their flagship product, Ancora, a thermoplastic elastomer composed of a significant percentage of recycled tire content, stands as a testament to their commitment to circular economy principles. Ancora is designed to replace traditional materials in diverse sectors, including automotive, consumer goods, and sporting equipment, offering a sustainable alternative without compromising quality.

Sherwood Industries, with its extensive experience in thermoplastic sheet extrusion, will integrate Prism's Ancora polymer into its manufacturing process. The resulting extruded TPE sheets will serve as durable and sustainable replacements for conventional rubber sheets, which are widely used across numerous industries. This collaboration marks a significant step towards incorporating recycled materials into mainstream manufacturing processes.

Extruded TPE sheets find applications in a broad spectrum of products. In the automotive sector, these materials are commonly used for bin mats, mud flaps, wheel well protectors, and other components demanding resilience and flexibility. Beyond automotive, extruded TPE sheets are utilized in household appliances, toys, tread grips, sporting goods, and tool drawer liners, demonstrating the versatility of this material. The combination of thermoplastic polymers with the sustainable nature of recycled tire materials offers a compelling, high-performance solution for these diverse applications.

The partnership between Prism Worldwide and Sherwood Industries began in April of last year. Since then, the two companies have conducted extensive test production runs, refining their manufacturing techniques and material formulations. These collaborative efforts have culminated in the development of extruded TPE sheets that meet the stringent quality and performance criteria required by pilot customers, paving the way for wider adoption.

The inclusion of Ancora polymer in Sherwood's sheet extrusion process is central to this partnership. Prism Worldwide's unique approach to tire recycling plays a crucial role in waste reduction and the promotion of circular economy principles. Ancora's specific composition ensures that the final extruded sheets are not only sustainable but also possess the performance characteristics comparable to conventional TPE materials. By utilizing recycled materials, this innovation significantly reduces the consumption of virgin resources and minimizes the environmental impact associated with extruded rubber products.

Both Prism Worldwide and Sherwood Industries express strong confidence in the future of their collaboration. They recognize the significant environmental and economic advantages of incorporating recycled content into TPE production. Through their partnership, they aim to push the boundaries of sustainability within the chemical industry, addressing the increasing demand for eco-conscious products while upholding high standards of performance and durability.