Smart Molding International 1-2025

27 www.smart-molding.com materials Polyplastics launches new eco-friendly PLASTRON® LFT and DURAFIDE® PPS The company is developing new grades made from recycled PP and PPS resin that can further mitigate carbon footprint levels while also expanding its portfolio of PLASTRON® LFT products to meet growing market needs. P olyplastics has launched PLASTRON® LFT (Long Fiber- Reinforced Thermoplastic) RA627P, an eco-friendly composite of polypropylene (PP) resin and long cel - lulose fiber which delivers low density, high specific rigid - ity, high impact strength, and excellent damping for a range of applications including audio components (speaker dia - phragms) and housings of industrial components. The development of PLASTRON® LFT RA627P reinforces Polyplastics’ commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its materials and bring about a sustainable society. Thanks to its regenerated cellulose fiber content, PLASTRON® RA627P boasts a reduced carbon footprint – roughly 30% less than that of 30% short glass fiber-reinforced PP resin. The new LFT is a composite of PP resin and uninterrupted 30% long cellulose fibers of the same length which are oriented in the same direction. The regenerated cellulose fiber exhibits high strength and elasticity thanks to unique spinning conditions and polymerization of the raw cellulose materials. PLASTRON® RA627P provides roughly 10% lower density than 30% short glass fiber-reinforced PP resin, while maintaining roughly the same flexural modulus. The material also has a specific rigidity that is higher than that of 30% short glass fiber- reinforced PP resin, with a large loss coefficient at the same time. The properties of high specific rigidity and large loss coefficient typically have an inverse relationship, but PLASTRON® RA627P offers an excellent balance of these properties, making it suited for audio equipment components such as speaker diaphragms which require this balance. Polyplastics has also announced plans to launch a 40% glass- reinforced grade of DURAFIDE® rG-PPS by December 2025 as part of its mechanical recycling business. The company will develop high-quality optimum formulations which will play a role in helping achieve 100% circularity of engineering plastics by expanding the applications of mechanically recycled materials. The first iteration of Polyplastics’ mechanical recycling business calls for collection of glass-reinforced PPS scrap from customers through an open post-industrial recycling (PIR) mechanical recycling scheme. The PPS scrap will be used as a raw material to make DURAFIDE® rG-PPS, which will be launched this year. In initial processes, strict acceptance inspections will be conducted and metal will be removed. In later processes, recycled materials and some virgin materials will be reformulated to meet target specifications. The materials will undergo the same quality standards as that of virgin materials. The open PIR scheme will help customers reduce and effectively use waste and also significantly reduce carbon emissions for their products. For now, the raw material from customers will be specific grades of DURAFIDE® glass-reinforced PPS. Polyplastics will develop a higher filled grade as the second iteration of DURAFIDE® rG-PPS. The company will establish a system to supply that grade and the 40% glass-reinforced grade to customers in Japan. The re-compounding business and institution of the open PIR system requires applications as well as establishment of collection routes. The company seeks to collaborate with its customers as well as companies in the recycling and industrial waste treatment industry. In the future, Polyplastics will build a “local production for local consumption” recycling chain within each geographic region. Polyplastics www.polyplastics-global.com All pictures: Polyplastics