Bayer MaterialScience LLC has added sustainable-content resins to its polycarbonate portfolio.
The Pittsburgh-based firm introduced several eco-friendly grades in its Bayblend and Makroblend lineups.
“These new grades are an extension of our already-strong commitment to manufacturing eco-friendly products that maintain aesthetics, durability and longevity while also meeting the needs of our customers who are increasingly looking to boost the sustainability of their products,” Gerry DiBattista, market segment leader for information technology and electrical/electronics PCs, said in a news release.
In the Bayblend line, Bayer has three new flame-retardant polycarbonate/ABS blends with post-consumer recycled polycarbonate, DiBattista said by telephone. They are Bayer's first post-consumer recycled-content products.
The Bayblend grades have post-consumer PC content of 10-30 percent and post-industrial PC content of 25-30 percent.
Bayer buys its post-consumer PC from undisclosed recyclers that reprocess products such as foodware, bottles and optical media, DiBattista said.
Bayer also debuted two biocontent PC blends that contain polylactic acid sourced in North America. The general-purpose Makroblend grades have 25 percent and 40 percent PLA content.
DiBattista said the new Bayblend products are well-suited to electrical and electronic applications and business machines. They fit the U.S. government's attempts to buy more sustainable products through its Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool program. Use of the new Bayblend grades can help a company achieve a higher rating in the EPEAT system, One or two extra EPEAT points are possible for electronics that contain the post-consumer Bayblends.
The biocontent Makroblends are aimed at end uses including electronics, cell phones, sporting goods, toys and auto interiors.
“The biocontent PC blends do not readily decompose like straight PLA and have very good impact and stiffness properties,” DiBattista said. “They are the perfect solution for companies interested in promoting a strategy of using durable materials derived from renewable resources.”
Tel. 412-777-2000, e-mail nafta [email protected]
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