12. Mar 2021
Evonik develops sustainable transparent polyamide for the optics industry
Evonik is adding a sustainable, high-performance molding compound to its range of transparent polyamides. TROGAMID myCX eCO is produced partly from a bio-based monomer and entirely with renewable energy.
The result is a 50 percent reduction in the footprint of the climate gas carbon dioxide compared to the qualitatively equivalent premium product produced on a petrochemical basis using conventional energy sources.
Sustainable and high quality
TROGAMID myCX eCO is a high-purity microcrystalline high-performance polyamide specially optimized for the optics industry. The name eCO stands for "eliminate CO2". On the one hand, this is achieved by replacing a petrochemical-based raw material with one based on biomass. By mass balance, this results in 40 percent bio-based raw material in the polymer. Secondly, only renewable energy is used in the production of the granules. This and the resulting halving of the carbon balance compared with the fossil-based product are confirmed by a certification from TÜV Rheinland. The analysis was prepared in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 and includes the Cradle to Gate stage.
The sustainable manufacturing process in no way alters the outstanding properties of the new product, such as its excellent transparency of over 90 percent, outstanding mechanical properties, stress cracking resistance, and break resistance. This makes it a safe and durable choice for premium lenses or high-quality visors for ski and snowboard goggles, as well as excellent wearing comfort due to its low weight.
Customized plastic materials
TROGAMID stands for a product family of transparent polyamides that have been successfully used in the optical industry for over 20 years. The portfolio includes innovative high-performance plastics for lenses and frames as well as other materials, for example for UV protection or pole films for high-contrast vision.