Dow and Teknor Apex form Product Development Partnership

A change is in the air when it comes to products produced with flexible vinyl compounds. Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, a division of The Dow Chemical Company, is partnering with Teknor Apex Co. to develop flexible vinyl in several application areas.

Under a joint collaboration agreement, Pawtucket, R.I.-based Teknor Apex was granted exclusive marketing rights in North America for flexible vinyl compounds containing Dow Ecolibrium Bio-Based Plasticizers in certain applications such as consumer and industrial products, some medical devices, automotive components, and select wire and cable products. Teknor Apex plans to commercialize compounds made with Ecolibrium this year.
 
“Our relationship with Teknor Apex has provided Dow E&T with a unique opportunity to market beyond the power industry,” said Thorne Bartlett, new business development director for Dow E&T. “Working with a company like Teknor Apex will allow us to bring this sustainable technology to a host of consumer and industrial end products that utilize flexible vinyl compounds, including certain wire and cable construction applications.”
 
Made from virtually 100 percent renewable feedstocks, the use of Ecolibrium bio-based plasticizers in flexible vinyl compounds may help cable-makers and durable goods original equipment manufacturers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 percent, according to Dow, if used instead of traditional diisononyl phthalate PVC plasticizers.
 
“Environmental Stewardship is serious business at Teknor Apex, and we are committed to the development of innovative compounds utilizing sustainable resources,” said Louis R. Cappucci, vice president, Vinyl Division of Teknor Apex. “Using Dow Ecolibrium Bio-Based Plasticizers in our world-class compounds will allow both Dow and us to help open doors for those OEMs looking for sustainable solutions in their end products. Compatible with a wide range of applications, footwear, flooring and profiles are among the first targeted areas for our new compounds.”