Polyurethanes /
Polyurethanes / Elastomers New bioderived Elastane for knit and woven fabrics INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibres, and owner of the LYCRA ® brand, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA, has introduced the only commercial offering of a bio-derived spandex available globally and for use in a wide variety of apparel fabrics and garments. LYCRA T162R fiber, new from INVISTA, is the only globally available commercial offering of a bioderived elastane. Approximately 70 % by weight of this new fiber comes from a renewable source made from dextrose derived from corn. New Lycra T162R fiber has the same physical properties as the incumbent T162L product, and requires no reengineering of fabrics, processes, or garment patterns. It is initially available in 44 and 78 dtex. Applications Lycra T162R fiber is a general purpose elastane for knit and woven fabrics. It can be combined with natural or synthetic yarns, provides excellent break performance in covering, core-spinning, and twisting operations, and can be subjected to denim bleaching, stone washing, and enzyme treatments. Lycra T162R fiber should not be used for swimwear or other end-uses that involve concentrated exposure to chlorine. Significant Features • Made from renewable resources. For a reduced CO 2 emissions footprint. • Similar properties as incumbant Lycra fiber. Fabrics and garments don’t require re-engineering. • Good balance of properties. Low knitting tensions for high knitting efficiency (value-in-use). • Improved fabric uniformity. Advanced spinning and winding technology result in better along-end fiber uniformity and end-to-end fiber consistency. • High recovery power. For good fabric weight control. • Optimized Luster. Reduces elastane glitter and unsightly white grin-through. • Good chlorine resistance. Lycra T162R fiber withstands mild bleaching and mercerisation. Processing Information Lycra T162R fiber can be heat-set at temperatures ranging from 190 to 200 °C at exposure times of up to 60 seconds. At the reference exposure time of 45 seconds, the optimal heat-setting temperature is 195 °C. (Note that this is the industry-standard for heat-setting temperature. Experiment for best results.) Lycra T162R fiber is compatible in processing when blended with cellulosics, polyester, or polyamide. It is not degraded by any dye class now in commercial use. LYCRA T162R fiber has the same dye affinity as other Lycra fibers, and should require no major changes in dye formulations having acid, direct, fiber reactive, and disperse dyes versus other Lycra fibers. INVISTA Apparel Planet Agenda: a Commitment to a Sustainable Apparel Industry The introduction of bio-derived Lycra 7162R fiber reflects the commitment of INVISTA Apparel to its own sustainability program, Planet Agenda, which touches every aspect of our apparel fiber business. Planet Agenda is based on the belief that INVISTA can help contribute to the sustainability of the apparel industry by delivering insight, technology, processes and products that add value while conserving resources. lt focuses on three main objectives. • Continuing to evolve manufacturing technologies and processes in ways that minimize the environmental footprint of the fibers and other textile offerings. • Offering competitive products that meet the needs of apparel markets while using fewer resources, and enhancing the environmental performance of fabrics. • Protecting the health and safety of workers and communities and participating in local stewardship initiatives. MT www.invista.com Application example ‘stretch denim’ (picture: Invista) Properties Yarn size (dtex) 44 and 78 Luster L (delustered) Elongation at break -490 % (44 dtex) Load power at 200 % elongation -6.2 cN (44 dtex) Tenacity -40 cN (44 dtex) 26 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10
Polyurethanes / Elastomers High-quality alternative polyols RAMPF Eco Solutions (Pirmasens, Germany) — a leading provider of chemical solutions for manufacturing high-quality alternative polyols — is looking to impress visitors to UTECH 2015, the international specialist trade fair for polyurethane in Maastricht from April 14 – 16, through price savings over primary polyols, a reduction in disposal costs, and active environmental protection achieved by recycling raw materials. RAMPF Eco Solutions delivers innovative chemical solutions for manufacturing high-quality alternative polyols: Customized polyols are manufactured using PU waste materials in two of the largest multi-functional plants in Europe. The basic polyols won in this way are integrated back into the customer’s production process through either RAMPF Eco Solutions or another PUR systems house. This creates a cycle that delivers both environmental and economic benefits. In a specially developed chemical process, among other polymers and Residual materials monomers, biobased polyesters such as PLA or PHB, and biobased raw materials such as vegetable oils are used as sources of raw materials for manufacturing high-tech alternative polyols. Recycling plant for PU, and e. g. PLA and PHB For customers, this means price savings over primary polyols, a reduction in disposal costs, no reliance on scarce petrochemical raw materials, and active environmental protection achieved by recycling raw materials. The RAMPF Eco Solutions portfolio also includes manufacturing PU molded parts: Individual consumer products The company develops polyurethane systems based on its own raw materials for manufacturing molded parts for use in the fitness industry, motorcycle accessories (pannier systems, back cushions), office furnishings (chair arms), and transport containers, for example. Molded parts made from semi-rigid integral skin foam and rigid foam for prototypes, small- to mediumscale series and large-scale series (by arrangement) production are manufactured in-house. In-house production of high-quality alternative polyols Customers can use in-house plants to manufacture their own high-quality alternative polyols, and in doing so can cut costs and reduce environmental impact – this profitable solution makes both economic and ecological sense, and is being showcased by RAMPF Eco Solutions and its project partner KEIL Anlagenbau, one of the leading providers of turnkey plants, at UTECH 2015 in Maastricht. Customized recycling facilities are designed and built for PU manufacturers with high volumes of waste material. These plants enable customers to manufacture their own cost-effective, hightech Biobased polyols at their own vegetable production location oils that can then be fed straight back into the production process. This cuts raw material, Tailormade polyols and transport, disposal costs, and makes the p r o d u c t i o n of PUR-based products more e n v i ro n m e n t a l ly friendly. RAMPF and KEIL also design and build plants for manufacturing alternative polyols from PET/PSA and biomonomers. At this year’s UTECH, RAMPF will be a topic not only in the exhibition hall. At the corresponding trade fair conference, Dr. Frank Dürsen, Director of R&D Future and Sustainability at RAMPF, and Christian Giesker, Deputy Division Manager for Engineering at KEIL, will be giving a lecture on the topic “Manufacturing of Polyols out of Alternative Sources – Chemistry and engineering aspects”. The presentation includes, amongst others, the portfolio of polyols that are provided by RAMPF Eco Solutions and describes the modular concept for recycling plants by KEIL Anlagenbau. MT www.rampf-gruppe.de/en/ bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10 27
