Arkema: Focus on bio-based products

Bio-sourced plastics already account for 30 % of Arkema’s technical polymer business, and call upon around two thirds of its R&D activities. The company says that its bio-based polymers offer the same properties as their oil-sourced counterparts, sometimes even outperforming them.

Hull, necklace, and tongue of Scarpa’s mountaineering ski boots Flash Pro use Pebax Rnew

By exhibiting objects and prototypes made from these materials at K 2010, Arkema will showcase its bio-sourced polymers in particular: Pebax Rnew (up to 90 % bio-sourced elastomer), Rilsan 11 (polyamide processed entirely from castor oil), Rilsan Clear Rnew (transparent polyamide made from 54 % renewable raw materials), and Rilsan HT (high temperature resistant PPA derived from castor oil for engine compartment automotive applications). A highlight at the stand will be office chairs designed by a Japanese furniture maker unveiled for preview – their main components and textiles are made from Pebax Rnew and Rilsan 11. Other highlights at the stand are objects made of Pebax Rnew and Rilsan developed together with the Japanese company Sanko Lite, specialised in the use of Urushi natural lacquer.

The stand will show applications of Arkema materials in four market hubs: Lifestyle (sport, decoration, consumer products, medical), Construction (public works, construction, furniture and fittings, window profiles), Energy (photovoltaics, electric cables, batteries, offshore pipes, wind turbines), and Transport (automotive, aerospace).

Besides the Pebax TPEs and Rilsan polyamides Arkema's product range includes, among others, Kynar PVDF fluorinated polymers, functional additives, polyolefins, Altuglas acrylic resins, PVCs, as well as carbon nanotube masterbatches, and the new PEKK ultra high performance polymer.