Solvay launches Technyl® 4earth® to reduce the environmental footprint of high performance materials

“Enhanced consumer awareness and legislation are pushing OEMs and processors to improve sustainability, hence a growing demand for solutions with lower environmental footprint,” claims Peter Browning, General Manager of Solvay’s Engineering Plastics Business Unit. “However, the variable performance of recycled materials prevented our customers from using them in the most demanding applications. With Technyl® 4earth®, allying eco-design and high performance is now a reality!”

Such pioneering innovation is born from the Move 4earth® project supported by the European Commission (LIFE+ program) and recently awarded the Pierre Potier Prize for sustainable and eco-responsible developments. Industrialized in Poland, this patented process transforms stable sources of post-industrial or end-of-life technical textiles, such as automotive airbags, into prime quality engineering plastics. This unique technology offers novel eco-friendly products with similar performance when compared to our traditional Technyl®.

“Technyl® 4earth® significantly reduces the environmental impact of polyamide parts to a level that has never been reached before,” adds Richard Bourdon, Move 4earth® Project Director. “Solvay’s initial cradle-to-gate assessment shows outstanding results: carbon footprint reduced by a quarter; consumption of non-renewable resources divided by two; and water use decreased by over two-thirds compared to traditional compounds!”

Officially launched at K2016 in Düsseldorf, Solvay is already developing a number of applications using Technyl® 4earth® with major players in automotive and consumer goods markets.

Solvay also supports customers with a complete array of technical services designed to speed the time to market of new applications, from advanced material characterization to application validation. This offering includes 3D printing of PA6-based functional prototypes in Sinterline® PA6 powders, predictive simulation with MMI® Technyl® Design as well as part testing at fully equipped APT® Technyl® Validation centers. 

Pic: The cradle-to-gate environmental footprint of Technyl® 4earth® is significantly reduced vs. prime Technyl® PA6.6 (Graphic courtesy of Solvay)