DuPont Engineering Polymers Commercializes Expanded Portfolio Of Renewably Sourced Polymers

Demand Continues to Grow Despite Economic Environment

Wilmington, DE(Vocus/PRWEB ) Today DuPont Engineering Polymers announced the full commercialization of several families of high-performance renewably sourced engineering polymers, including DuPont™ Hytrel® RS thermoplastic elastomers, DuPont™ Sorona® EP thermoplastic resins and DuPont™ Zytel® RS long chain nylons, making DuPont the company with the broadest range of renewably sourced engineering resins. Customer demand for bio-based polymers continues to be strong despite the economy, the company reports, and customers have already announced commercial adoptions in automotive and sporting goods applications.

According to Marsha Craig, global business manager -- DuPont Engineering Polymers, the DuPont strategy is to offer polymers that are at least 20 percent renewably sourced and have equal or better performance than the entirely petrochemically-based materials they replace so that customers do not have to choose between performance and environmental improvements." "DuPont's vision is to have a portfolio of renewably sourced engineering polymers that offer comparable performance to existing product lines," said Craig. "We expect to expand the current product families with additional offerings this year."

Earlier this year, Salomon, a leading supplier of sporting goods, announced it has adopted Hytrel® RS for the collar of the company's new "Ghost" freerider alpine ski-boot. A key reason for the adoption, according to Salomon, was the availability of a renewably sourced alternative meeting the demanding performance requirements for winter sports equipment. "We already knew Hytrel® could deliver required performance. The fact that we could now access a grade with significant renewable content is an additional selling point for our boots," said Pascal Pallatin, research project manager at Salomon.

Containing between 20 and 60 percent renewably sourced ingredients by weight, Hytrel® RS elastomers are made using renewably sourced polyols derived from plant-based raw materials and are easily processed by conventional thermoplastic methods. Properties include excellent flex fatigue and flexibility at low temperatures and high impact resistance.

Also this year, DuPont™ Zytel® 610 nylon resin debuted on DENSO Corporation's new automotive radiator end tank, marking the first use of DuPont renewably sourced plastic in mechanical components exposed to the hot chemically aggressive underhood environment. "Collaborating throughout the value chain is critical to bringing high-value, cost-effective solutions to the market," said Craig. "In today's business environment, we strive to be cost neutral in offering new solutions and collaboration with partners around the world helps us deliver economical and more environmentally sustainable solutions."

DuPont's new renewably sourced long-chain nylons include Zytel® PA 1010, which is 100 percent renewably sourced, and Zytel® PA 610, which is more than 60 percent by weight renewably sourced. Seven different grades now are commercial.

Sorona® EP resins are available in glass-reinforced and unreinforced grades and on average contain 35 percent renewable content by weight. Sorona® EP is an engineering polyester resin and performs and processes similarly to PBT in molded automotive parts, electrical components and industrial or consumer goods.

In addition to its portfolio of renewably sourced engineering resins, DuPont also has launched renewably sourced offerings for the packaging market, including DuPont™ Biomax® TPS thermoplastic starch and DuPont™ Biomax® PTT injection moldable resin. Biomax® TPS sheet stock contains 80-90 percent by weight renewable content for thermoformed items and resins for injection- molded parts and containers. Biomax® PTT contains up to 35 percent by weight renewably sourced content for packaging applications where polyesters are used.

Renewably sourced materials from DuPont offer several benefits over products that are entirely petroleum-based. These products can help reduce dependence on petroleum and, in many instances, reduce the net production of greenhouse gases and energy consumption in the manufacturing process when compared to incumbent petroleum based products. With today's innovative technologies, all this can be achieved without compromising performance. Applications for renewably sourced products cross numerous industries and markets. For more information and a complete listing of the DuPont renewably sourced product portfolio, visit http://www.renewable.dupont.com.

DuPont - one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 19 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.

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.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Hytrel®, Sorona®, Zytel® and Biomax® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

SOURCE: PRWeb

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