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DuPont, an important ETP manufacturer in the global scenario, has been spending significant amount on research
of polymers based on renewable resources. DuPont has launched new polymers based on renewable resources at K
2007. Most of these new products will be commercially available in the second half of 2008. Some of the notable
new offerings are:
DuPont™ Sorona® EP thermoplastic resins
DuPont™ Hytrel® RS thermoplastic elastomers
Renewably sourced grades of DuPont™ Zytel® long chain polyamides
DuPont™ Biomax® RS packaging polymers
DuPont™ Selar® VP breathable films
A key ingredient in Sorona® EP is Bio-PDO™, which is made at out of renewable resources. It replaces petrochemical
based 1, 3-propanediol (PDO) and/or 1, 4- butanediol (BDO) in the two glass-reinforced grades of Sorona® EP.
Sorona® EP offers performance advantages compared to polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), including improved dimensional
stability and surface appearance.
Hytrel® RS incorporates DuPont Cerenol™ renewably sourced polyol made with Bio-PDO™, as a replacement for petrochemical
polyols. Initial grades of Hytrel® RS will have a renewable content range of 25-50%. Hytrel® RS will offer comparable
performance to standard grades of Hytrel®.
The new renewably sourced grades of Zytel® long chain polyamides are based on sebacic acid derived from castor oil.
PA 1010 is 100% renewably sourced and PA 610 is over 60% 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 power train systems.
Biomax® RS-PTT is a renewably sourced polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) offering aimed at rigid packaging
applications such as injection moulded 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® RS 1001 has a renewable content of 35% with Bio-PDO™ as the key ingredient.
Selar® 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% 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
micro perforated films.
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