Consumer Electronics
Consumer Electronics Bioplastic Mouse added to Green Line Fujitsu is extending their portfolio of ’Green IT TM ’ products. The KBPC PX ECO keyboard with bioplastic components has been available for quite some time already. bioplastics MAGAZINE reported about it in its issues on 03/2010 and 05/2010. Earlier this year, Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH from Munich, Germany, a subsidiary of the Japanese Fujitsu Limited, added an optical USB mouse to their Green IT line of products. “The environmentally friendly keyboard was and still is quite successful in the market so it was only a logical step to introduce a mouse,” said Christian Sandmeier, Senior Product Manager Accessories of Fujitsu. Like the keyboard, the optical USB mouse M440 with a resolution of 1000 dpi features a housing and 3 keys made of BIOGRADE ® C 7500, a cellulose acetate compound from FKuR in Willich, Germany. The 100% biodegradable material is predominantly composed of natural resource materials and completely recyclable. In addition, the mouse features halogen free circuit boards along with a PVC free cable. “One of the many advantages of using Biograde was the fact that existing injection moulding tools could be used,” explained Christoph Lohr, injection moulding expert working in the department of Applications Technology at FKuR. Thus, the existing manufacturer could produce the mouse without any problems. All necessary requirements for electronic devices, which include computer equipment, could be fulfilled (e.g. fire tests). In Germany, a special glow wire test is required whereas in other countries the UL94HB flammability test has to be met. All of these tests were passed without adding any special flame retardant additives. A colour masterbatch with a biobased carrier allows the colourisation of the mouse at a very high quality. The black version of the mouse can be laser-marked, also without the need for any additives. In addition to its ergonomic design for right and left handed users, due to the special properties of Biograde the haptic appearance of the mouse is very pleasant. This is quite important, as many users spend hours and hours with their hands in direct contact to the mouse, a fact that must not be neglected. Also, Biograde offers a ‘self-polishing’ effect, as Christoph Lohr explained. This means that small dents and scratches will disappear after a while, simply by touching and using it. The Swedish computer magazine ‘PC för Alla’ tested the mouse and certified its robustness: “The mouse is as durable, hard-wearing and robust as other mice made from hard plastics”. With a reduction of oil based plastics of about 66 tonnes per year the ‘green’ mouse obviously is the best companion for the ‘green’ keyboard, as stated on Fujitsu’s website. Beside the environmental benefits, quality design and superior performance what’s the best benefit to the consumer? Both the keyboard and mouse are sold at a retail price comparable to ‘conventional‘ products. www.fujitsu.com www.fkur.com Our cover kitty cat Olivia likes ‘organic food‘ ... Her comment: „Miaouw“ 38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/11] Vol. 6
Polylactic Acid Uhde Inventa-Fischer has expanded its product portfolio to include the innovative stateof-the-art PLAneo ® process. The feedstock for our PLA process is lactic acid, which can be produced from local agricultural products containing starch or sugar. The application range of PLA is similar to that of polymers based on fossil resources as its physical properties can be tailored to meet packaging, textile and other requirements. Think. Invest. Earn. Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH Holzhauser Strasse 157–159 13509 Berlin Germany Tel. +49 30 43 567 5 Fax +49 30 43 567 699 Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG Via Innovativa 31 7013 Domat/Ems Switzerland Tel. +41 81 632 63 11 Fax +41 81 632 74 03 marketing@uhde-inventa-fi scher.com www.uhde-inventa-fi scher.com Uhde Inventa-Fischer
