Durakon Industries, manufacturer of the top selling drop-in bedliner for trucks and a leading brand of truck tonneau covers, is now setting a new standard in “GREEN” corporate initiatives to ensure a healthier, more sustainable world. In addition to their corporate iniatives to conserve energy, reclaim used water, and build wetlands at their headquarters in Lapeer, the company is now proud to announce that both Duraliner® and All Star® bedliners are manufactured with almost 100% recycled and recyclable material. This new “green-focused” manufacturing process of their main product line will greatly reduce landfill waste without any loss to the product’s high standards of quality or durability. It is an eco friendly approach to manufacturing that reduces the use of fossil fuels used in the production of virgin plastics.

Durakon’s commitment is to a completely closed loop manufacturing and reclamation process for the company’s primary post consumer waste. The reclamation of HDPE plastic, the common material used to manufacture all bedliners, will have a significant impact over time. In a short period of time, it is estimated that Durakon will have prevented 150,000 lbs. of bedliners from entering landfills, greatly reducing carbon emissions in the process.

The company’s manufactured tonneau cover, Duracover, is currently being made with a high content of recycled materials and is recyclable. Tonneau covers are one of the top five added truck product accessories for pickups. Durakon’s tonneau cover is both a recycled product, and is one of the few accessories that offers a benefit of improved fuel efficiency. A recent SEMA study found that the use of a tonneau cover on a vehicle driving 48 MPH will reduce the coefficient of drag by 5.73%. This translates to a 1.8% MPG gain in fuel efficiency.

Durakon Industries has had a longstanding environmental policy to utilize manufacturing processes that reduce pollution, evidenced by their certification in 2001 as ISO 14001.

To receive ISO 14001 certification, a company must commit to an environmental management system that is designed to prevent pollution in all forms, encourage fuel efficiency, and make policies and decisions that effect efficient energy use. The spary on business emits high levels of extremely harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted in the paint process and are extremely harmful to the respiratory system. Regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs have been shown to be fatal without proper protection.

Dennis DeLeonard, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Durakon Industries, says, “Durakon has always quietly pursued environmental initiatives to prevent pollution, improve air quality and conserve energy. The ISO 14001 certification is an excellent process to determine your overall environmental performance and ensure compliance of all statutory and regulatory requirements. As an environmentally focused company, we are committed to a reduction of carbon emissions to reduce global warming not only in the production of our products with the latest thermoforming technology, but also by keeping liners from ever entering landfills. We’re very pleased to report that our distribution network - the Distributor Council - is fully supporting these aggressive green initiatives.”

All recyclable Duraliner and All Star bedliners made from recycled HDPE plastic will be identified for the consumer with a decal that will be located on the interior of the liner near the tailgate. The new GREEN bedliners are currently being distributed nationwide. There will be no change to the company’s warranty for these new eco-friendly liners.

Durakon is the world's leading supplier of vehicle protection products, and cargo management systems. The company’s products include: bedliners, tonneau covers, storage boxes and thermoformed paint film products for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and the Automotive Aftermarket. Durakon’s brands include: Duraliner, All Star, and Duracover®.

For more information about Durakon Industries, or to review the company’s published environmental policy, go to www.durakon.com, or call toll free at (800) 933-4200. Durakon Industries, Inc. is located at 2101 N. Lapeer Road, Lapeer, MI 48446.