Growing use of renewable raw materials, thermoplastics, nanostructured composites by Arkema

28-Oct-10

Arkema has turned ecotechnologies into reality with increasingly efficient materials that are key to the competitiveness of its downstream markets: the growing use of renewable raw materials, thermoplastics and nanostructured composites for lighter cars and aircraft, as well as solutions for storing energy and improving the yield of solar photovoltaic devices. Arkema's biosourced polymers and ultra high performance materials are helping meet all these challenges. At K 2010, Arkema is showcasing its extensive range of specialty polymers, the concrete embodiment of its R&D drive to develop innovative chemicals that increasingly focus on the challenges of sustainable development. Bio-sourced plastics today account for 30% of Arkema's technical polymer business, taking up around 2/3rds of its R&D activity. These plastics feature properties that are equivalent or superior to those of their fossil-fuel-based counterparts. Arkema's expertise in castor oil chemistry for over 60 years with its Rilsan polyamide 11, 100% derived from this chemistry, recently helped bring out four new polymers: Pebax Rnew, a biosourced elastomer up to 90% derived from castor oil, Platamid Rnew, the first hotmelt adhesive entirely of renewable origin, Rilsan Clear Rnew, the first transparent 54% biosourced polyamide Rilsan HT, an ultra tough high temperature polymer fulfilling today's general need for lighter materials.