Sustainability

TENRON Circular by Nature

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Tenron demands significantly less energy for its production in comparison to other high-performance products.

Tenron can be recycled.

Tenron enables manufacturers to meet their CO2 targets and ever stricter environmental regulations:

– Tenron demands significantly less energy (kWh) to produce, compared to other high-performance products like carbon or aramid, reducing the overall CO2 footprint;

– Tenron can be recycled back to its original properties and has an exceptional durability (long lifetime);

– ​Tenron is based on a proprietary formula of widely available minerals from Western Europe.

With a sense of responsibility, Tenron envisions playing a pivotal role in the circular economy.

Significant reduction in CO2 emissions

  • The production of Tenron requires significantly less energy (kWh) than the production of comparable high-end products like carbon or aramid.
  • At every step of the process, the production of Tenron has been designed to reduce its CO2 footprint. Tenron is produced by a state of the art new factory incorporating the latest technologies to optimise energy consumption.​
  • The electricity used in the production of Tenron is from 100% certified renewable sources from wind turbines.
  • Isomatex is developing a strategy to produce part of its energy needs on premises by installing solar panels and a wind turbine. We are aiming to be net zero CO2 emissions. ​

Tenron can be recycled

  • Tenron is fully aligned with the principles of the circular economy. Tenron, when recycled, maintain 100% of its original properties. The mineral content of Tenron makes the recycling process remarkably simple while our ovens have been specifically designed with recycling in mind.
  • As fibres, textiles or felts, Tenron is just put back in the original oven and, as with gold or other minerals when being recycled, it can be done endlessly.
  • In its composite state, Tenron must be separated from the resin before it is put back in the oven. This separation is easily achieved due to the resin’s significantly lower melting point. We are committed to finding the optimum solution for our customers to ensure the separation process is both effective and practical (work in progress).
  • These attibutes set Tenron apart from other high-end products of organic or synthetic origin that can’t achieve a seamless and thorough recycling process to return to their initial properties.
  • The resins of composites are not recycled today or at best are recycled by producing lower-quality composites. At Isomatex, we are committed to developing new generation composites (thermoplastics) showing even higher performances than current composites (thermosets) and whose resins can be also recycled. Isomatex developed such a high-end thermoplastic in 2022, a world premiere.
  • Isomatex is fully committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.​
Luke Besley Mdz Epiep3a Unsplash

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Tenron stands as a beacon of environmentally responsible innovation. Its life cycle assessment, when compared to other high-performance fibres, reveals truly compelling advantages.

Key attributes of Tenron’s sustainability profile include:

  • Energy efficiency: The production of Tenron in notably more energy-efficient (measured in kWh) compared to the manufacturing processes of other contemporary high-performance materials​. Our internal assessment shows a reduction of energy of about 7 to 8 times compared to the energy needed for the production of carbon, and a reduction of energy of about 3 to 4 times compared to the energy needed for the production of aramid. These outstanding results are attributed to the inherent manufacturing process of Tenron, which stands in stark contrast to other high-end products.
  • Renewable energy: The electricity used in the production of Tenron is from 100% certified renewable sources from wind turbines.
  • Recyclability: Tenron fibres, textiles and felts can be recycled back to their original properties, exemplifying a commitment to sustainable end-of-life practices. Our ovens have been specifically designed to recycle our products. (See important considerations above under “Tenron is recyclable”.)
  • Minerals from Western Europe: In upholding the highest environmental and labor standards, all minerals used in Tenron’s composition originate from Western Europe, ensuring compliance with stringent European regulations and minimising the impact of transportation.
  • Chemical compliance: Isomatex’s sizing solutions (extremely thin layer on the surface of the filament also called sometimes a binder) adhere to EU rules on chemical use, specifically meeting REACH compliance standards.
  • Durability: Tenron’s exceptional durability significantly enhances its overall Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) contributing positively to its longevity and environmental impact.
  • Packaging sustainability: Wherever possible, Isomatex uses recyclable and biodegradable packaging with a long-term commitment to use only sustainable solutions for our packaging.
  • Carbon neutrality: Our factory intends to be net zero for CO2 emissions further demonstrating our unwavering commitment to sustainability.

For further technical details see the LCA technical datasheet (available end 2024) or we invite you to contact us.

Our United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)​

Decent Work

Workplace well-being at Tenron

Isomatex places considerable value on the well-being of its staff through a robust Health and Safety policy. Regular checks and reviews with management ensure that employees are thriving at the firm and that all employees are treated fairly, equally and with respect. In addition, Isomatex actively promotes an inclusive learning culture, encouraging staff to deepen their understanding of  environmental and societal issues by providing valuable learning opportunities.

Innovation

Innovation at Tenron

With nearly two decades dedicated to research and development, Isomatex has consistently pushed the boundaries to craft innovative solutions, ranging from fibres to composite materials. Our enduring commitment extends beyond the initial phase, as we continue to invest in enhancing the quality and sustainability of our products.

Responsible Production

Sustainable production practices at Tenron

Isomatex introduces a groundbreaking alternative that surpasses traditional materials and existing products in the fibres-textiles-composites sector in terms of sustainability. Our commitment to responsible production extends across the entire value chain, where we actively explore ways to enhance circularity. This includes assessing more sustainable options for transportation and packaging to further alleviate our environmental impact.

Climate Action

Climate action at Tenron

Isomatex is actively engaged in a series of impactful initiatives to combat climate change. These include implementing a closed loop water system, harnessing energy recycling from our ovens and installing a mini wind turbine (made with Tenron) on our premises. Each of these initiatives is designed with the primary goal of minimising our environmental footprint and fostering sustainability.

Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals​

Environmental

Our factory has been enhanced to comply with the required rules of the European Commission Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC) as well as other Directives. The factory now produces high-end advanced products with the Best Available Techniques (BAT) concept for preventing and controlling industrial pollution.

Energy: We are conscious of our energy consumption in the production process and are pursuing higher energy efficiency. We have sophisticated technologies in place to regulate and recycle the energy we use. One hundred percent of the electricity that we consume is sourced from renewable sources generated by wind turbines.

As an effective way to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment, Isomatex will install on its premises a solar energy panel system and a mini wind turbine (made with Tenron). The project is ongoing and will be scheduled subject to local government administration approval.

Pollution-waste-control: One of the most important components of our sustainability efforts is pollution prevention. Our goal is to reduce, reuse and prevent pollution waste and to find new ways to do so. Most of the chemical waste produced by Isomatex is returned to the waste treatment company. Where possible, Isomatex uses recyclable and biodegradable packaging with a long-term view to use only sustainable solutions for our packaging.

Social

In pioneering sustainable fibres, textiles and composite materials, quality, transparency and sustainability are values that are deeply ingrained in the culture of Isomatex.

Beyond those values, we also advocate for an optimal work environment for our employees. We promote our values by ensuring employees are treated fairly, equally and with respect. Our goal is to be best in class in our industry in terms of health and safety of our staff, and to provide them with more development and education opportunities in the future.

Our aim is to have at least 40% more diversity within our workforce by 2030.

Governance

​Isomatex has put in place corporate governance rules reflecting the highest international standards established by its Board of Directors. The Board currently includes three independent members of international standing who are well-recognised by their peers. We are continuing to strengthen our Board.

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