French chemicals supplier Arkema has launched the Rilsan T, a new range of bio-based polyamide (PA) 10.10 which is derived from castor oil.The company says the new grade benefited from the acquisition of two Chinese companies, Casda in 2012, a leading provider of sebacic acid derived from castor oil, and Hipro Polymers, which produces PA also from castor oil, as well as the recent purchase of a stake in Ihsedu Agrochem, a subsidiary of Jayant Agro in India which specializes in the production of castor oil.
According to Arkema, PA 10.10 is the only polyamide to rank between PA6.10, PA6.12 on one hand, and PA10.12, PA12, PA11 on the other. Besides its chemical resistance, low moisture absorption and mechanical properties of long chair polyamides, Rilsan T also has good rigidity in particular when reinforced with glass fiber, thermal stability, permeability to petrol and gas, and processability, while consisting of up to 100% renewable carbon.The various PA10.10 grades already available cover most applications in the field of transport such as mono-layer or multi-layer brake lines for trucks and fuel lines for cars, industrial pipes, cables, and injection molded parts for sports or electronics applications.
Arkema notes that it also has the technical ability to offer collection, sorting and recycling of waste, and the development of a range of recycled polymers.”This innovation has been developed to meet the most pressing needs of our customers, who are looking for a credible alternative to high performance polyamides, but with specific thermo mechanical properties. Thanks to our full integration, from raw material to polymers, we provide a solution that suits our customers’ medium to long term capacity and competitiveness needs”, explains Lionel Guerdoux, Managing Director of the Specialty Polyamides business unit.
Source: http://www.adsalecprj.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-67004465/Article.aspx
