SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING & FACILITIES
At Bixby, sustainability is more than a goal; it is a practice ingrained in every aspect of our operations. Our commitment to waste prevention is fundamental, intensifying our drive toward achieving zero waste. Through our longstanding partnership with the CleanSweep program, we ensure meticulous management of materials, guaranteeing that no pellets go to waste. Moreover, where appropriate, we reintegrate regrind material back into the production cycle, conserving resources and reducing costs for our customers.
Our efforts extend beyond in-house practices. We are collaborating with a local recycling facility to ensure that large plastic scraps are not only recycled but are also processed efficiently - to be repurposed by other industries, thereby lessening the demand for virgin plastic pellets.
Additionally, Bixby is making significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint through strategic energy management. Our original solar panels had to be removed when we redid the roof. We are now in the process of reinstalling a 650kW photovoltaic solar panel array, aiming to significantly cut down our energy usage. This project is expected to be completed in the near future, representing another important step in our sustainability journey.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
With over a century of materials science expertise and access to an extensive array of thermoplastic materials, our company stands at the forefront of sustainable production. As interest in eco-friendly alternatives grows, we are harnessing bio-derived polymers into our broad spectrum of materials knowledge and experience. Our team works on programs utilizing biosourced materials such as thermoplastic starches (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), seaweed, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), as well as castor-based polyamide (PA), polyether block amide (PEBA), bio thermoplastic polyurethane (bio-TPU) and more!
Replacing virgin pellets with recycled materials is a core mission not only for Bixby but for the plastics industry as a whole. Our Research and Development (R&D) Team is leading innovation with initiatives like replacing PVC with non-halogenated recycled materials and using upcycled TPU (to replace virgin TPU) and ocean-bound polyester for protective laminates.
Beyond renewable resources, we are committed to CO2 emission reduction by focusing on projects to support material reduction. This includes working on solutions to replace thermoset materials like EVA foam - difficult to recycle - with thermoplastic, recyclable materials which saves on cost, weight, and CO2 emissions.
ENABLING GREEN TECHNOLOGY
It is impossible to meet our sustainable initiatives without supporting and enabling the growth of green technologies. Some of the green technology platforms we are working with include:
- Producing films used in Green H2 electrolyzer
- PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane) replacements through discovering polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) alternatives
- Electric vehicle (EV) applications - battery separators, PVDF films, additional green technologies
- Photovoltaic (PV) filter film applications - solar panel IR filter technology and additional filter films
Bixby has always been a development and innovation company. We are very excited to focus this innovation on driving our sustainability programs forward to meet the needs of future generations. As we advance, we embrace the challenge of innovation, not merely to lead in the market, but to lead in environmental responsibility as well.
At Bixby, our dedication to innovation has always been one of the cornerstones of our company. This over a century-long commitment to creative ideas is now partnered with a dedication to sustainability, thus fostering a unique ability to provide environmentally conscious solutions. We are continually adapting and innovating to decrease our ecological footprint. Our commitment extends beyond compliance with environmental regulations to proactively develop products and processes that conserve resources, reduce waste, and promote the use of recyclable and renewable materials. From innovating with bio-polymers to optimizing our production processes for energy efficiency, we strive to be pioneers in the green revolution. Our goal is not just to adapt to a changing world but to lead the change, making sustainability inseparable from the superior quality and innovation in our industry.
