#tide ocean material® is a recycled material made of 100% ocean-bound plastic that comes in different forms: recycled plastic pellets, recycled polyester yarn & canvas and recycled plastic filament. The recycled plastic material is certified ocean-bound plastic and replaces virgin plastic without loss of quality.
How? In partnership with Professor Daniel Schwendemann and his team at the Swiss University of Applied Sciences, #tide has developed a science-based mechanical plastic recycling process to regenerate the molecular chains of ocean-bound plastic.
#tide knows how to bring plastic waste back to life, transforming single-use plastic into a high-quality, award-winning ocean-bound plastic material for safe and durable goods.
By using #tide's recycled ocean-bound plastic in their factories and production lines, brands and manufacturers are protecting the oceans, reducing their carbon footprint, conserving fossil resources and participating in an eco-friendly circular economy. And, of course, they also benefit from the excellent properties of plastics (e.g. density, moldability, durability, light weight, resilience) that can be influenced by the manufacturing process.
The ocean-bound plastics are collected on islands, beaches, along coastlines and uncontrolled landfills. Exposed to sun, sea, sand and rain, the plastic waste is dirty, brittle – but also threatening the environment. We pay fair wages to fishermen and local communities who are picking up the plastics.
The material is sorted in Social Enterprises: For example, a plastic bottle is often made up of three different types of plastic: PET (bottle), PP (screw cap) and PET-G resins (label). The local teams ensure that these plastics are separated, cleaned and pressed into bales for further processing. We collect different types of plastics: PET, PP, HDPE or LDPE.
The processing and recycling of ocean-bound plastic waste is overseen and monitored by #tide's Research and Development department and our partners at the Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing (IWK), a specialized branch of Switzerland's University.
The scientists make sure the ocean-bound plastic material meets our quality standards and is recycled according to a mechanical method developed in close partnership with the Swiss University of Applied Sciences. The brittle ocean-bound plastic waste is transformed into premium recycled plastic pellets with an astounding level of purity – and without adding any virgin plastics.
Our raw material is 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic. We recycle and upcycle ocean-bound plastic waste. Depending on the final product, our experts know how to match the properties of the collected and recycled ocean-bound plastic waste to the manufacturing process. Each product has its own specifications - and we have the knowledge and network to make the impossible possible. We call it targeted compounding.
There's far too much single-use plastic ending up in landfills, rivers and ultimately the ocean: our big goal is to change that by applying our recycled plastic pellets to all kinds of industries and products. #tide ocean material is a raw component ready for all kinds of plastic and textile applications. It can be processed into recycled plastic filaments, recycled polyester yarns and recycled fabrics (canvas). Our scientists and partners are constantly researching new applications and processes, from film extrusion to blow molding.
#tide not only sells recycled ocean-bound plastic, the supplier of recycled plastics also offers professional project support along the entire value chain: from the initial idea and raw material selection to process engineering support for machines and the final recyclate.
Clients benefit from #tide's control over the whole supply chain and its innovative approach of a target oriented recycling: #tide helps to check the feasibility of a final product at an early stage. Our specialists know the technical properties, share Technical Data Sheets and their know-how when it comes to the application of recycled ocean-bound plastics: #tide's internal technologists and external research departments secure the technical lead in the development of new material properties.
Thanks to our collaboration with scientific partners from the Institute for Material Technology and Plastic Processing, we have access to Switzerland's leading research institution for component design and production in plastics technology including their wide range of technical facilities:
Injection molding machines
Extrusion lines
Weathering equipment
DSC measuring device
Residual moisture device
MFI/MVR measuring device
Light booths
Photospectrometer for color and material analysis and archiving
The team at the IWK also works with a state-of-the-art technical infrastructure, with which we are able to simulate customer requirements:
Flat film line
Blown film line
Rolling mill and press
Bottle blowing machine
Injection molding machine
Pipe extrusion line
Transparency has been at the core of Tide Ocean's business model since day one. It is central to building trust and we promise to become the most trusted label for recycled ocean-bound plastic. Period.