Dow’s commitment to sustainable chemistry and material science expertise is paving the way to innovations in carpet backing technologies that provide environmental benefits.
Dow researchers have developed new HYPOD™ Polyolefin Dispersions (PODs) for carpet applications. Enabled by Dow’s proprietary BLUEWAVE™ Technology, HYPOD Polyolefin Dispersions allow manufactures to apply thermoplastic carpet backing using conventional coating equipment. Unlike many carpet backing technologies that are available today, PODs are thermoplastic, not thermoset, which makes it easier to recycle the carpet at the end of its life.
HYPOD Polyolefin Dispersions offer this enhanced recyclability, and low odor and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), while maintaining excellent physical properties, including excellent wet strength, outstanding tuft lock strength and the potential for lighter weights.
The carpet industry has a goal to divert 40 percent of discarded carpeting from landfills by 2012, under a joint industry-government effort known as Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). BLUEWAVE Technology from Dow could play an important role in helping to reach this target because it facilitates carpet recycling.
This kind of innovative thinking and collaborative effort is just one example of how the Human Element at Dow is contributing to more sustainable chemistry solutions; for more, please visit http://www.dow.com/commitments/studies/index.htm
