Sustainability
Careful material use, controlled manufacturing and responsible handling of process streams guide our approach.
Manufacturing practices ↓Our approach
For us, responsible manufacturing begins with disciplined decisions on the plant floor: how raw materials are selected and handled, how each reaction is controlled, and how water, solvents and energy are used. Because every resin chemistry behaves differently, improvement is practical and process-specific, with attention to safety, product quality, waste and resource efficiency.
Plant-derived feedstocks
Several resin ranges use gum rosin, vegetable oils and fatty-acid derivatives as chemical inputs.
Gum rosin
UMaleic MR · UMaleic SS · Unigum E · PR series
This pine-derived raw material is used in rosin-modified maleic, ester gum and rosin-modified phenolic resins.
Linseed oil
Unikyd L-80 · L-100 · LR-50
Selected long-oil and rosin-modified alkyd grades use linseed oil.
Dehydrated castor oil (DCO)
Unikyd D-100 · DR-50 · DR-70
Selected long-oil and rosin-modified alkyd grades use dehydrated castor oil.
Soya oil
Unikyd S 705
An alkyd resin grade for coatings uses soya oil.
Fatty acids and mixed fatty acids
Unikyd S 701 · CO-48 · STY-01 · S-72 · FD-60
These inputs are used across selected short-oil, medium-oil, styrenated and urethane-modified alkyd grades. The exact input is defined by grade.
Dimer fatty acids
Unimide US series
Polyamide resin grades supplied for printing-ink formulations use dimer fatty acids.
Green chemistry principles
The twelve principles provide a practical framework for examining reaction design, material use and process safety. Their relevance varies by chemistry and product.
Prevent waste
Accurate charging, reaction monitoring and defined release limits help reduce rework and off-spec material.
Atom economy
Reaction-route assessments consider conversion of the charged raw materials and the by-products they generate.
Less hazardous synthesis
Process development and revision consider raw materials and reaction conditions together.
Safer chemicals
Product hazard classification and regulatory documentation are maintained for the grade and destination market.
Safer solvents
Solvent choice, recovery potential and handling controls are considered together for solvent-based products.
Energy efficiency
Defined temperature profiles and batch times support consistent heating and cooling for each reaction.
Renewable feedstocks
Selected resin grades use gum rosin, vegetable oils and dimer fatty acids where they provide the required chemistry.
Reduce derivatives
Process development considers whether temporary reaction steps or additional reagents can be avoided.
Catalysis
Catalysts are used where they improve the reaction route and remain compatible with product specifications.
Design for degradation
End-of-life behaviour is assessed in the context of the complete coating, ink or adhesive system rather than the resin alone.
Real-time analysis
Defined process parameters are monitored during manufacture, followed by product-specific release tests.
Inherently safer chemistry
Engineering controls and operating procedures are selected for the hazards associated with each process and material form.
Materials and controls
Material efficiency begins with the process itself. Feedstocks, temperature profiles, handling methods and process streams are managed according to the chemistry of each grade.
Water and solvent management
Compatible condensate, process-water and solvent streams are separated for recovery, treatment or reuse where the process permits.
Manufacturing controls
Raw materials, reaction conditions and finished-product specifications determine the controls used for each grade.
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Process water recovery
Condensate and compatible process-water streams are collected separately for recovery, treatment or reuse where appropriate.
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Solvent recovery
Recoverable solvent streams are kept separate and managed according to their composition and intended route.
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Thermal systems
Heat-transfer systems operate against the reaction temperature profile and batch instructions for the product.
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Enclosed solid handling
Transfer and packing controls match the physical form of solid raw materials and finished products.
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Effluent management
Wastewater is directed to the treatment route established for the process and site.
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Process and release checks
Batch parameters are recorded during manufacture, and the finished product is tested against its release specification.
CSR records
CSR information and supporting records are published here when they are ready for external use.
CSR recordsFAQs
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What does responsible resin manufacturing mean at Uniform Synthetics?
For us, responsible manufacturing means looking at the materials, energy, process streams and waste involved in producing synthetic resins and improving how each is managed. Our approach includes green-chemistry principles, renewable resources where applicable, natural gas-based heating, process-water and solvent recovery, and continued work towards reducing discharge and waste.
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How do the principles of green chemistry influence your manufacturing?
Our resin manufacturing practices are guided by the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. In practical terms, this means considering material efficiency, process conditions, recoverable streams, energy use and waste reduction when developing and manufacturing resin products.
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Do you use renewable raw materials in your resins?
Renewable resources form part of our raw-material approach where they are appropriate to the chemistry and product requirements. Several of the resin systems we manufacture are based on naturally derived or renewable raw-material streams, while the exact composition varies by resin family and grade.
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How are process water and solvents managed?
We recover and recycle suitable process water and solvents where the manufacturing process allows it. This reduces unnecessary resource use and forms part of our broader approach to improving material efficiency and reducing waste across our production operations.
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Why do you use natural gas-based heating systems?
Natural gas-based heating forms part of our manufacturing infrastructure and supports our wider effort to manage energy use and process emissions responsibly. It is one element of a broader manufacturing approach that also includes material recovery, process control and waste-reduction measures.
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What does your zero-discharge objective involve?
We continue to work towards reducing process discharge through better recovery, reuse and treatment of suitable process streams. Zero discharge is a direction for continuous improvement rather than a reason to imply that every process currently produces no discharge.
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Do you manufacture resins designed to reduce dust and fumes?
Selected products are manufactured with handling and process characteristics intended to reduce dust or fumes compared with less suitable physical forms or processes. The relevant characteristics depend on the resin chemistry and grade, so customers should refer to the specific technical and safety information for the product being considered.
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Are Uniform Synthetics products REACH compliant?
Major Uniform Synthetics products are REACH compliant for European markets. Because regulatory and documentation requirements can differ by grade and destination, customers should confirm the relevant status and available documentation for the specific product they intend to use.
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How does sustainability fit into product development and manufacturing?
We treat responsible manufacturing as part of the way products are developed and produced rather than as a separate programme. Raw-material choice, process conditions, energy use, recoverable streams and waste handling are considered alongside product quality and application requirements.
Product and site information
Our team can assist with product documents and available manufacturing-site information for supplier qualification.
Send a documentation request