Eco-Plastics

Reducing the environmental impact

of producing plastic components
Comparator
Reductions in wall thickness and using ribs give reduction in weight, cycle times and provide
extra stifness, as shown below:
Utilisation of snap ts or
plastic welding eliminates
the need for screws,
rivets and glues. The
process is simple and
reliable, no extra part is
required, and it enables
greater design freedom.
Part Design & Processing
140
A
B
C
1.8
2.0 711
2
.
0
4
.
0
6
.
0
9
.
2
1
1
.
2
Compares to A material
savings up to 57.4%
Compares to A material
savings up to 22.9%
Moment of Inertia for
A, B and C 2520 mm
2
It is vital that design is
considered at the start of
a project, Distrupol have
development engineers that
can assist with this and
optimising your cycle times.
There are no magic answers on the topic of Eco-Plastics but bringing together recycled,
biodegradable, organic and sustainable materials, and non polluting technologies will help
to save the environment in many ways. Fewer raw materials will be mined, and less waste or
discarded material will go to land ll. The changes made may seem small but cumulatively the
changes implemented will make a huge diference. Distrupol will assist with design, process
optimisation and materials selection to ensure the customer has all the information necessary
to make an informed decision.
The Solution
Smarter Selection Standard Materials
It is also possible to reduce the environmental impact through smarter selection of standard
materials without using specialist Eco grades. Ultimately saving time and money too.
A better choice of unlled commodity materials could give:
The density of a material has a dramatic efect on the amount of polymer required
to produce a part. For example use of a suitable alternative to PC can:
Reduced density, thus the amount of polymer required by up to 20%
Reduced environmental impact of transportation
Lower processing temperatures thus lower energy consumption
Avoidance of drying thus lower energy consumption
Super structural engineering thermoplastics for metal replacement could give:
Retention of strength
Reduced part weight
Reduced manufacturing costs
Reduced Eco footprint using advanced llers
Reduced dependency on petroleum derived feedstocks
Reduced water consumption by as much as 200%
Reduced CO2 emissions by up to 20%.
The Solution
Smarter Selection Eco-Plastics
Eco-Plastics can be divided into 3 main categories:
Regenerated
Recovered after use in a previous application, re-ground into pellets and then
re-used on new products, these materials usually come from a single source
(i.e. CD cases, car batteries or drinks bottles) and are therefore of good quality
and consistency. Certain grades also have food and water approvals.
Renewably Sourced
Bio-plastic materials have ingredients from non-depletable resources and can be derived
from a selection of sources. Use of these materials is subject to debate, with certain
sources potentially impacting the food chain! There are however a range of non-impacting
sources available and these options are all an essential part of the selection process.
Biodegradable
Standard petrochemical derived polymers can last for years. Biodegradable
materials are designed to last for the expected life span of a product and
then breakdown after use. Additives also exist that will enable a standard
materials to biodegrade though it is not fully understood the long term efects
of any by-products are created as a result of the chemicals used.
Zytel RS PA
Hytrel RS TPC-ET
Sorona EP PTT
Renewably Sourced
Materials
PTT & TPS
Transmare Bio PLA
M Black Regen PP
Bamboo-lled PP Bamboo
Giving an indication of the plastics general exibility.
Flexural Modulus
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000+
Flexural Modulus Range (MPa) (ISO 178)
Renewably Sourced Biodegradable Regenerated/Bio Blend
5000+
The nal cost of a product depends on many factors,
e.g. density, cycle times, processing temps, drying requirements etc.
Relative Cost
Renewably Sourced Biodegradable Regenerated/Bio Blend
Relative to Polystyrene
0
Zytel RS PA
Hytrel RS TPC-ET
Sorona EP PTT
Renewably Sourced
Materials
PTT & TPS
Transmare Bio PLA
M Black Regen PP
Bamboo-lled PP Bamboo
Our comparator card range:
Tough & Strong
Metal Replacement
Flame Retardant
Clear
Flexible
Food & Drink
High Temperature
Medical
Electrical
www.distrupol.com
European Corporate HQ
T: +44 (0)1932 566 033
F: +44 (0)1932 560 363
E: info@distrupol.com
Distrupol BV
T: +31 (0) 78 6250 181
F: +31 (0) 78 6250 053
E: info-benelux@distrupol.com
Distrupol Denmark
T: +45 (0)39 612 223
F: +45 (0)39 612 266
E: info-denmark@distrupol.com
Distrupol Estonia
T: +358 (0)20 7500 460
F: +358 (0)20 7500 469
E: info-estonia@distrupol.com
Distrupol Finland
T: +358 (0)20 7500 460
F: +358 (0)20 7500 469
E: info-nland@distrupol.com
Distrupol Ireland
T: +353 (0)1 4019 808
F: +353 (0)1 4019 853
E: info-ireland@distrupol.com
Distrupol Latvia
T: +358 (0)20 7500 460
F: +358 (0)20 7500 469
E: info-latvia@distrupol.com
Distrupol Lithuania
T: +358 (0)20 7500 460
F: +358 (0)20 7500 469
E: info-lithuania@distrupol.com
Distrupol Norway
T: +46 (0)40 6353 080
F: +46 (0)40 6113 506
E: info-norway@distrupol.com
Distrupol Sweden
T: +46 (0)40 6353 080
F: +46 (0)40 6113 506
E: info-sweden@distrupol.com
Distrupol UK
T: +44 (0)1932 566 033
F: +44 (0)1932 560 363
E: info@distrupol.com