Oct 22 2007
DuPont continues its progress in the development and launch of high-performance polymers made with renewable resources, the company said on the eve of the global K-2007 plastics trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany. The new offerings will contribute to the company's goals of doubling revenues from non- depletable resources to at least $8 billion by 2015.
According to Dr. Nandan Rao, global technology leader for DuPont Performance Materials, research programs to develop materials based on renewable resources are paying off with new offerings that provide comparable or better performance than the petrochemical-based materials they replace for automotive, electrical, packaging and other markets.
"DuPont is a world leader in the development and manufacture of high performance materials through the use of bio-based technologies and renewable feedstocks. We are committed to collaborating with customers in addressing their most critical sustainability issues," Rao said.
Chief among the new offerings are DuPont(TM) Sorona(R) EP thermoplastic resins, DuPont(TM) Hytrel(R) RS thermoplastic elastomers, renewably sourced grades of DuPont(TM) Zytel(R) long chain polyamides, DuPont(TM) Biomax(R) RS packaging resins and DuPont(TM) Selar(R) VP breathable films.
A key ingredient in Sorona(R) EP is Bio-PDO(TM), which is made at the recently inaugurated DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products facility in Loudon, Tenn. Bio-PDO(TM) replaces petrochemical based 1,3-propanediol (PDO) and/or 1,4- butanediol (BDO) in the two glass-reinforced grades of Sorona(R) EP that will initially be available. Sorona(R) EP offers performance advantages compared to polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), including improved dimensional stability and surface appearance. Sampling for targeted development programs is under way with broader availability expected in 2008.
Hytrel(R) RS incorporates DuPont(TM) Cerenol(TM) renewably sourced polyol made with Bio-PDO(TM), as a replacement for petrochemical polyols. Initial grades of Hytrel(R) RS will have a renewable content range of 25-50 percent. Hytrel(R) RS will offer comparable performance to standard grades of Hytrel(R). Sampling for targeted development programs is under way with broader availability expected in 2008.
The new renewably sourced grades of Zytel(R) long chain polyamides are based on sebacic acid derived from castor oil. PA 1010 is 100 percent renewably sourced and PA 610 is over 60 percent renewably sourced. These flexible polyamides are used in high performance applications where temperature resistance, low permeability or mechanical properties are important, such as in automotive fuel or powertrain systems. Part of the family is already commercially available and additional grades will be introduced in 2008.
Biomax(R) RS-PTT is a renewably sourced polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) offering aimed at rigid packaging applications such as injection molded containers, caps and consumer items such as media cases where it would replace polypropylene or similar petrochemical based polymers. Initial applications are targeted for cosmetics, food and consumer goods packaging. Biomax(R) RS 1001 has a renewable content of 35 percent with Bio-PDO(TM) as the key ingredient.
Selar(R) VP is a renewably sourced breathable film, designed for use in applications where foods need to respire, such as fresh fish and produce. It is up to 40 percent renewably sourced with the incorporation of a vegetable- based fatty acid. In seafood applications, it provides a tightly sealed package for fresh fish versus open, unsealed polyethylene bags that are commonly used today. In produce applications, it provides a completely sealed packaging alternative to microperforated films.
Additional information on these and other renewably sourced offerings from DuPont is available at www.renewable.dupont.com.
DuPont -- one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 18 years ago -- has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets including automotive, electrical and packaging.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
http://www.renewable.dupont.com/