Avient expanding 'ocean' polymer materials portfolio

Cleveland, Ohio – Avient Corp. is collaborating with Oceanworks, a digital marketplace connecting local recycled polymer supply with global demand, in order to expand its recyclate portfolio, Avient has announced.

The partnership builds on the 2020 launch of reSound R recycled content thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) which were created with Oceanworks recycled plastics from waterways.

Avient and Oceanworks are now collaborating on an expanded recycled ocean plastics portfolio, which will include custom-formulated materials, said Avient 14 June.

The compounds – both TPEs and thermoplastics – will be based on Oceanworks 'Guaranteed' base resins, the compounder added. 

Oceanworks will also provide source validation for the compounds to provide transparency for brands that use the recycled materials in their products. 

Avient and Oceanworks initially connected through the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) in 2019. 

Oceanworks was selected in 2020 as a breakthrough venture to be incubated under AEPW's innovation programme with early-stage startup accelerator, plug and play.

"Expanding our collaboration with Oceanworks aligns closely with our sustainability commitments as a formulator and our focus on helping customers meet their sustainability goals," said Walter Ripple, VP sustainability, Avient Corp.

Oceanworks, he said, maintains “the largest global marketplace for recycled ocean plastics and brings knowledge and capability that are invaluable to building this new portfolio."