Synthomer Builds ISCC PLUS Certified Value Chain to Produce Bio-based Nitrile Latex

Synthomer P.L.C. says it has established the first ISCC Plus certified value chain for nitrile latex, manufactured at its Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, facility.

London — Synthomer P.L.C. is providing a more sustainable value chain to manufacture bio-based nitrile latex for the gloves industry.

Together with Neste and PCS, the London-based specialty materials firm said it established the first International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) plus-certified value chain by using "responsibly sourced" bio-based feedstock for the manufacture of nitrile latex.

"This marks an important milestone for the industry and for Synthomer, reinforcing its leadership in creating more sustainable options for its glove manufacturing solutions," Synthomer said in a Feb. 5 press release.

The nitrile latexes—which are manufactured at the company's facility in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia — contain at least 20 percent bio feedstock and demonstrate the same quality, safety and high functional performances as their fossil fuel-based equivalents, according to Synthomer.

The ISCC Plus certification, it said, enables accredited manufacturing sites to utilize ISCC-certified raw materials and offer ISCC-certified products to downstream customers using the mass balance approach.

This approach, the company added, "facilitates the integration of certified bio-based or circular feedstock into existing manufacturing systems, that can be traced and accounted for throughout the value chain."

Justin O'Doherty, vice president of health and protection, said Synthomer is better meeting its costumers' needs by improving its products' sustainability benefits.

"At Synthomer, we are embedding innovation and sustainability across our business, our products and processes." O'Doherty said in a statement.

"As we drive sustainability and circularity in the industry through ISCC Plus, the integration of bio-based feedstock materials at Pasir Gudang means we are the forefront of efforts to meet the growing demand for bio-based or circular certified NBR grades for glove manufacturing," he added.

Synthomer employs over 4,000 employees at five innovation centers and more than 30 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Eight of its manufacturing sites are ISCC Plus certified.