RTP Company's bioplastic compounds contain 20-80% bio-content by weight.
Initial bioplastic compounds based on polyamide, polyester, and polylactic acid (PLA) are available in grades providing conductive, flame retardant, structural, and wear resistant properties.
Research into additional formulations continues along with development of custom materials to meet specific end-use requirements.
Prospective applications for bioplastic compounds include automotive interior and industrial components, semi-durable consumer goods, and housings and enclosures for electronics or business equipment.
Bioplastic polyamide and polyester-based compounds are available with glass fibre reinforcement, antistatic protection, halogen-free flame retardant, and PTFE lubrication. Polylactic acid (PLA) grades are combined with PC, PMMA or ABS in hybrid formulations that increase mechanical performance and offer antistatic, flame retardant, and structural properties.
"Bioplastic compounds, utilising components derived from rapidly renewable resources instead of petroleum, are the latest element of an RTP Company initiative to develop greener products to meet diverse industry requirements," says Andy Lamberson, Corporate Development Manager at RTP Company. "The use of bioplastic compounds lessens dependence on non-renewable resources, they also have a lower carbon footprint, their manufacture emits less carbon dioxide and requires less energy, making them more environmentally-favorable than traditional plastics."
"Bioplastic compounds join RTP Company's other materials, such as halogen-free flame retardant and recycled post-consumer content grades, which help processors and OEMs meet their goals and consumer demands for manufacturing more environmentally-conscious products," said Lamberson.
RTP Company, headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, USA, is a compounder of custom engineered thermoplastics. The company has 10 manufacturing plants on three continents.
