New cellulose fiber reinforced PP compounds for eco-friendly durables

Eco Solutions product portfolio with a new line of custom cellulose fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) compounds has been introduced by RTP Company. These compounds, which utilize Weyerhaeuser’s Thrive* renewable cellulose fiber extracted from trees, will facilitate the design and production of environmentally friendly products by providing favorable performance and economics to a wide range of durable applications. Cellulose fibers are a unique reinforcement that can be incorporated into PP to provide increased strength, stiffness, and thermal performance making these compounds suitable for structural applications while providing sought after eco-friendly, renewable content. In comparison to other natural fibers like wood, hemp, and sisal or natural fillers like wood flour and wheat straw – cellulose fiber provides higher strength and stiffness, consistent color, superior processability, low odor, and a reliable supply. Advantages cellulose fiber has over glass fiber as reinforcement in PP include: renewable content to meet sustainability objectives, lower energy consumption during processing, specific gravity reductions of 6-9% at like loadings, average cycle time reductions up to 30% for medium to thick walled parts, and reduced tool wear. Compared to unreinforced PP, a homopolymer PP with 20% cellulose fiber reinforcement offers a 38% increase in tensile strength, a 75% boost in flexural modulus, and a 60ºF rise in heat deflection at 66 psi (16ºC at 455 kPa). Cellulose fiber reinforced PP compounds from RTP Company also offer strength and stiffness that is comparable to uncoupled glass fiber reinforced PP and achieves approximately 75% of the performance of a chemically coupled glass fiber reinforced PP. Cellulose fiber can also be combined with glass fiber or impact modified copolymer for materials that meet requirements of more demanding applications. These compounds can also incorporate post-consumer recycled PP to maximize their eco-friendly content. Additionally, they are fully colorable, can be overmolded with select RTP Company thermoplastic elastomers to enhance application ergonomics, and are available worldwide from RTP Company’s global network of full-service facilities that provide technical support from design through finished part production. Cellulose fiber reinforced PP compounds have potential uses in a variety of structural injection molded parts including bezels, bases, brackets, knobs, handles, lids, and housings for the automotive, appliance, furniture, lawn and garden, sporting goods, and toy markets. They are a part of RTP Company’s portfolio of Eco Solutions products that provide new design and performance options for manufacturers of eco-conscious products through materials that use bio-based or recycled content resins and natural fiber reinforcement.