At Fakuma 2024, Radici Group launched a family of bio-based nylon resins under the Bionside brand name.
Bionside is part of the Radilon-brand nylon 6/10 product line for Bergamo, Italy-based Radici. The new resins use castor oil seeds as a raw material.
Bionside "is an opportunity to reduce environmental impact, including CO2 emissions," global marketing director Erico Spini said at an Oct. 16 press event. He added the seeds used to make Bionside don't compete with human or animal food. Spini also said the seeds are drought resistant and can provide a secure income source for farmers.
Applications for Bionside include cooling line connectors, cooling pipes, monofilaments and vacuum brake booster hoses. Spini said the new materials have excellent chemical resistance.
At present, at least 30 grades of Bionside have been developed for a wide range of extrusion and injection molding applications.
Radici also is seeing growth in its Renycle line of nylon resins made from mechanically recycled content. Renycle "allows us to have a partnership and share objectives with our customers," Spini said.
One recent new application for Renycle is in a thermal breaker for the insulation market. The materials can lower carbon footprint and reduce energy demand.
At Fakuma, Radici also spotlighted new grades of PBT-based halogen-free flame retardant materials. Officials said the new grades expand offerings for the electrical/electronic and e-mobility sectors.
Radici employs 3,000 worldwide and makes a range of specialty plastics and chemicals. The firm posted sales of almost 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) in 2023.