Eco-polyamide is manufactured partly from castor oil

Paul Boughton
Rhodia is launching Technyl Exten at Chinaplas, the engineering plastics trade show that is being held in Shanghai from 19-22nd April 2010.
 
Technyl Exten complements Rhodia's Technyl and Technyl Star ranges and broadens the use of polyamide to technically advanced applications while reducing their ecological footprint. Technyl Exten uses polyamide 6.10, produced in part from castor oil, and is therefore 'respectful of the environment' and offers users an economical combination of high performance and a reduced ecological footprint.
 
Technyl Exten's benefits are said to include excellent mechanical and thermal performance, similar to that of PA 6 as regards its high melting point (215 degrees C), exceptional chemical resistance that comparable to that of polyamide 12, very high gas barrier properties, and low moisture absorption - approximately halfway between that of polyamide 6 and polyamide 12.
 
According to Rhodia, Technyl Exten has a reduced carbon footprint, as the production of one ton of this product requires 20 per cent less non-renewable resources than the production of one ton of conventional polyamide with equivalent performance properties.
 
Moreover, the team of experts responsible for evaluating environmental impact at Rhodia's research and development department measured a significant reduction in the environmental impact of Technyl Exten; its production from organic raw material reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent compared with a product produced from non-renewable sources.
 
Antoine Guiu, Rhodia Polyamide's innovation marketing manager, states: "With Technyl Exten, Rhodia is opening up new perspectives on a viable economic alternative for our customers, who are more inclined than ever to include an ecologically responsible dimension in their product ranges at optimised costs."
 
For more information, visit www.rhodia.com

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