Dow introduces its first bio-circular product for flooring, adding a sustainable option to its ENGAGE™ REN Polyolefin Elastomers product line. The newly developed bio-circular product is designed to deliver the same performance as other ENGAGE™ POEs, while enabling customers to better meet their sustainability goals. The new product greatly reduces the carbon footprint related to traditional materials derived from petrochemicals by utilizing raw material feedstocks from renewable biological residues and waste-considered responsible, such as used cooking oil.
The product is also ISCC PLUS certified under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification program, which provides full transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. This reflects Dow’s ongoing commitment to responsible sourcing and further advancing circular economy principles within the materials industry.
Lower Carbon Footprint with Bio-Circular Feedstocks
One of the major benefits of Dow’s new bio-circular product is that it potentially results in a much smaller carbon footprint. Petrochemical feedstocks in traditional plastics, for instance, represent one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, bio-circular feedstocks stem from renewable feedstocks, including biological residues like used cooking oil, which in another context would be called waste.
The mass balance approach used by Dow ensures that sourcing of the bio-based feedstock and its introduction in the production process are sourced responsibly, further contributing to reduced environmental impact. ISCC PLUS certification further verifies the product against very strict standards for sustainability, thus giving customers the confidence to use these materials as part of their eco-friendly initiatives.
Benefits to the Flooring Industry
The flooring industry is more and more turning to sustainable materials that reduce environmental impacts, and Dow’s new product will help them to meet the demand. ENGAGE™ REN POEs are widely used in carpet tile backing, where they impart important performance properties such as stability and adhesion.
With the new bio-circular options, flooring manufacturers can still depend on quality specifications that they have come to expect from Dow and continue to reduce their reliance on fossil-based feedstocks. In doing this, flooring companies more easily fulfill their commitment to greater sustainability without sacrificing product performance or durability.
Commitment to Circular Economy Goals
The new Dow product is part of the company’s broader commitment to drive the circular economy. Circular economy principles emphasize the possibility of the reutilization of materials, reduction of waste, and decrease in the need to extract new resources. With the bio-circular solutions Dow provides, the circularity of materials is enabled, and truly valuable resources-plastic waste-are not landfilled or otherwise disposed of but put to work in creating new products.
Dow’s bio-circular materials are integral to the Company’s “Transform the Waste” goal, in which it aims to commercialize 3 million metric tonnes of circular and renewable solutions by 2030. This ambitious goal forms part of Dow’s roadmap toward using plastic waste and alternative feedstocks to develop high-quality, sustainable materials for a wide array of industries.
Feedback from Industry on Dow’s Sustainability Innovations
These bio-circular products have been extremely well received within and outside the flooring industry. Joanna Giovanoli, Dow senior marketing manager for the Packaging and Specialty Plastics business, underlined the importance of this innovation for Dow and its customers: “This innovation represents a crucial step toward expanding our circularity offerings into new markets. By offering our flooring customers high-performance options made from bio-circular feedstocks, we literally give waste a new life, potentially lowering carbon footprints and dependence on fossil feedstocks. This is how we move Dow and our customers closer to shared goals on sustainability.
That Dow is further investing in the pursuit of other available feedstock options is additional testament to its commitment to innovation and greener solutions. This will help further reduce the ecological footprint of production and advance the development of more bio-circular raw materials, which in turn will be able to produce virgin-quality resins.
Rosalyn Kent, associate TS&D scientist for Dow’s Packaging and Specialty Plastics business, underscored the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. “We’re committed to developing innovative products that meet the sustainability needs of our customers and help drive toward a circular economy. To do this, we continue to explore alternative feedstock options that reduce the impacts of production and invest in new partnerships that progress bio-circular raw materials to produce high-quality resins.
Transforming the Future of Sustainable Materials
Dow’s new bio-circular product to flooring industries is an important milestone for the company in its journey of creating a more sustainable future. Industries worldwide increasingly show awareness of the need for reductions in environmental impacts, and Dow’s efforts toward the provision of bio-circular materials add value to companies seeking ways of adopting more sustainable practices.
With its renewable biological circular ENGAGE™ REN POE product, Dow is changing the face of flooring with high-performance materials inspired by the principles of the circular economy. It’s truly at the forefront in lowering carbon footprints and offering ISCC PLUS certification for traceability among other aspects that will support the reduction of waste to help industries transition to greener ways of production.
The attention given to circular economy solutions in the case of Dow will be key to realizing its long-term goals as it continues to forge ahead in terms of its sustainability agenda. Through strategic partnerships with key leaders in various industries and increased investment in innovative technologies, Dow is well placed to leave a mark on global sustainability efforts.
Conclusion
First bio-circular product for the flooring industry from Dow represents the next step in a series of innovative, more sustainable materials with a corresponding contribution to a circular economy. Flooring manufacturers tap into the latest development from Dow’s bio-circular feedstocks offering industry-leading performance, coupled with a lower carbon footprint, as they look for ways to set their sustainability goals. The new product reflects the company’s commitment to waste-to-value and its support of customers transitioning toward a low-carbon economy.
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Dow