Dalton—Polycom, a division of Taylor Adhesives, said its EcoBlend water-based, recycled PVB (polyvinyl butyral) dispersion can replace up to 30% of the VAE precoat (vinyl acetate ethylene emulsion) used primarily by manufacturers in the production of carpet tile.
“Supply chain constraints have affected carpet mills in a number of different critical components,” said Gary Bartley, chief chemist, Polycom. “VAE is used as a precoat, a flame retardant carrier and for lamination to secondary layers. By adding our PVB dispersion to their now limited supply of VAE, we can increase their carpet production by extending their VAE precoat supply without any change in performance.”
Polycom EcoBlend is made from a proprietary process that converts chips and pellets of polyvinyl butyral, reclaimed from the film found in discarded vehicle windshields and safety glass, into a water-based dispersion. “Carpet manufacturers are also excited about the fact that EcoBlend actually enhances their sustainability story by incorporating post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content into their carpet product,” Bartley said.
EcoBlend is not affected by current supply chain constraints, is manufactured here and can be rapidly delivered. “We are very excited that we can help the carpet industry with a critical component that’s in short supply,” Bartley said. “We want to keep those mills supplied with what they need.”