Although patents are the primary tool with which NSTDA protects its innovations, at times a combination of other means of protection, such as trade secrets, is necessary. This can be illustrated in the sludge rubber recovery technology, which brought several IP challenges. First, the process is straightforward and easy to replicate. Second, there is no way to detect whether recovered rubber was derived from this process, or from any other source, so enforcement is difficult. Finally, since a major benefit of the technology involves using existing chemicals and manufacturing process flows, potential competitors and customers already possess a great deal of relevant knowledge.