#USA #Kirkland #Prism Worldwide #Sherwood Industries #Sustainable TPE

Prism Worldwide Partners with Sherwood Industries

In a significant move towards sustainability, Prism Worldwide has formed a partnership with Sherwood Industries to integrate its innovative thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) made from recycled end-of-life tires into Sherwood's extruded rubber sheets. This collaboration, announced on February 12, 2025, marks a pivotal step in advancing sustainable practices within the rubber industry, impacting sectors from automotive to household products.

Background on the Partnership

Prism Worldwide is renowned for its pioneering work in material solutions and end-of-life tire recycling technology. Sherwood Industries, on the other hand, is celebrated for its high-quality manufacturing of rubber and foam products. The collaboration was initiated back in April 2024 when both companies embarked on test runs to produce these eco-friendly rubber sheets. The successful trials have led to the incorporation of Prism’s high-performance Ancora™ polymer, derived from a significant percentage of recycled materials, into Sherwood’s manufacturing process.

The extruded thermoplastic elastomer sheets will find applications across various industries, specifically in automotive components like mud flaps and wheel well protectors. They will also serve household products, appliances, toys, and everyday items such as sporting goods and tool drawer liners. This diverse usage illustrates the practical benefits of using recycled materials in the production of reliable, high-quality products.

Advancements in Sustainability

The pilot production has yielded impressive results. Testing confirmed that the quality of the extruded sheets equaled that of virgin materials while containing a higher recycled content. Notably, Sherwood Industries reported producing over 7.5 million square feet of extruded rubber sheets in 2024 alone across its four production lines. The feedback from initial customers has been overwhelmingly positive, prompting Sherwood to prepare for full-scale commercialization of these sustainable rubber sheets.

Bob Russin, President of Sherwood Industries, highlighted how the partnership enhances their commitment to sustainability: "The demand for more sustainable materials led us to seek partners who could help drive our transition. Prism’s method of utilizing old consumer tires to produce engineered TPE material has allowed us to meet our sustainability goals with superior quality."

Future Prospects and Technology

With the partnership's success, Sherwood has invested in a new extruder dedicated exclusively to the production of sustainable rubber sheets containing Prism’s TPEs. Both Prism and Sherwood recognize the growing demand for eco-friendly products in a market still striving to meet that need. CEO of Prism Worldwide, Bob Abramowitz, emphasized the importance of providing innovative solutions: "Our partnership introduces a high-quality TPE most suited for a variety of new market applications, ensuring we tackle the sustainability challenge efficiently."

The technology used by Prism is not only revolutionary but also American-made, providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution that addresses long-standing environmental issues. The company's efforts contribute towards creating circular solutions for end-of-life tires, turning waste into valuable materials for numerous industries.

Conclusion

As companies increasingly prioritize sustainable practices, the collaboration between Prism Worldwide and Sherwood Industries sets a new standard in the manufacturing of rubber materials. By utilizing recycled content in high-performance products, they are not only improving the quality of their offerings but also leading a movement towards a more responsible and environmentally friendly industry. This partnership serves as an example of innovation driving change and showcases how technology can help industries meet both economic and ecological goals. For more details on Prism’s sustainable materials, visit Prism Worldwide.