Here at Polyco, we are problem solvers. Customers are constantly challenging us to make products that are more resilient, last longer and ultimately, perform better. As a scientist, I’m always thinking about how to achieve a better end product. After almost a decade of innovation at Polyco, I’ve learned that the road to superior performance is paved with sustainability (and ground rubber tires – more on that later). 

What is sustainability?

A quick Google search on sustainability returns a myriad of answers to this question. For some, the term is linked to being eco-friendly in the short-term, while for others, it means long-term conservation. For us at Polyco, sustainability is both an immediate action as well as a lasting strategy. Through collaboration, we’ve built a company culture of innovation and creativity that ensures the success of future generations. Our commitment to manufacturing the highest quality products ensures the long-lasting impact of those products. And, by incorporating upcycled materials into our products, we are powering a circular economy. 

Asphalt is … sustainable?

What many people don’t realize is that asphalt is the most recycled material on the planet. Since we were already working with an innately sustainable material, we asked ourselves: What more could be done? The answer, it turns out, is garbage — specifically, rubber tire waste in landfills.

With our proprietary Rapid Digestion Process (RDP), we are able to upcycle end-of-life tires and reduce the environmental impact of discarding them. RDP is the only process in the market that completely digests recycled tire rubber into a homogenous, liquefied state. That substance is then formulated with asphalt to create our high-performance SigmaBond binder. Not only are we reusing tires that were destined for the landfill, we’re able to extract the rejuvenating properties inherent in those tires to make roads and roofs last longer.

Polyco’s commitment to sustainability

At the end of the day, performance and sustainability are at the root of everything we do. It’s a symbiotic relationship – one is dependent on the other and they do not exist in siloes. It is our responsibility as stewards of this earth to ensure we take care of it now in order to set future generations up for success. Our company culture is built around this principle. 

What’s next for Polyco? We are focusing on how we can reduce our carbon footprint, cut down on energy consumption and work toward zero waste. We know that contributing to a circular economy is not the easiest route to take, but the reward for the people and the planet is well worth the effort.