World's first ether-based bio-TPU unveiled

03-Dec-08

Merquinsa, a Spain - headquartered leading thermoplastic urethane specialty producer, has announced development of the world's first ether-based Bio TPU grades at the Bioplastics Awards Conference, Munich. This new plant-based development is the last addition to the growing range of company's Bio TPU for "Green" injection moulding, extrusion and adhesive applications. These new Bio TPU grades will be marketed under the Pearlthane® ECO brand with a renewable content up to 60% according to ASTM D6866, and will offer an alternative to petroleum-based TPU and TPE, with excellent mechanical properties, abrasion, scratch resistance, processability and recyclability. As per the company, a preliminary life cycle analysis (LCA) indicates that manufacturing Pearlthane® ECO results in 40% less global warming emissions.