Number
260-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of textiles, leather, fur
Manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products
Manufacture of rubber products
Manufacture of plastics products, including compounding and conversion
Other
Function
Other
Process
Other
Product category
polymer ppaations and cimpounds
Application
Bio-based polymer as substitute
Abstract
Poly(ethylene terephthalate), better known as PET, is a material used on large-scale l that impacts in a negative way terrestrial and aquatic environment because is not biodegradable. PET can be substituted by a bio-based polymer with properties that also make it usable in a variety of other applications.
Substituted substances
Polyethylene terephthalate
CAS No. 25038-59-9 EC No. Index No.
Chemical group
Polymers
Alternative Substances
Polylactic acid
CAS No. 26100-51-6 EC No. Index No.
Chemical group
Polyester
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
ecotoxicity
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Alternative substance: Polylactic acid (PLA) is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Ingeo is a product based on polylactic acid.
Description of Substitution
The bio-based polymer marketed as Ingeo can replace oil-based plastics like poly(ethylene terephthalate), known as PET. It is based on polylactic acid (PLA) obtained from vegetal renewable sources. Currently one of the main raw materials is corn, a crop also very important for the food supply. The (US) producer states that the overall input for the polymer production does not use more than 1% of the annual corn yield. The PLA plastic can be used as clear or opaque material to replace PET containers for food or in spun-bond nonwoven fabrics. According to studies published by the producer of Ingeo, life cycle analysis provided better results for this bio-polymer than for PET or other oil-based polymers regarding the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The polymer can be processed by injection into moulds, fibre orfilm extrusion.
Case/substitution evaluation
It is a good example of an environmentally friendly substitution.
State of implementation
Full capacity
Availability ofAlternative
The alternative is available on the international market from the producer and distributors.
Producer/Provider
http://www.natureworksllc.com/ - producer
Type of information supplier
Producer / distributor
Contact
The information has been published by NatureWorks LLC on their website, http://www.natureworksllc.com/
Further information
Type of publication and availability
Internet presentation
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
The information has been published by NatureWorks LLC on their website, http://www.natureworksllc.com/
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021