German speciality chemicals company Lanxess (Cologne; www.lanxess.com) has launched three “Durethan ECO” PA 6 grades containing recycled glass. Recycled fibres made from waste glass make up 30%, 35% and 60% by weight respectively of Durethan “ECOBKV30H2.0”, “ECOBKV35H2.0” and “ECOBKV60XF”.

Using a mass balance approach initiated by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF, Cowes / UK; www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org), independent inspection company Ecocycle (Elsdorf / Germany; www.ecocycle.de) has awarded the polyamide products an “Ecoloop” certificate in accordance with ISO 14021:2016. The standard specifies requirements for self-declared environmental labels and declarations.

Lanxess said the compounds are identical to those of virgin quality material, adding that the primary target for the PA 6 grades is the automotive industry. “For instance, Durethan ECOBKV60XF offers exceptional strength and rigidity, which makes it suitable for manufacturing structural components such as front ends, pedal bearing brackets and A-, B- and C-pillars, as well as lightweight battery trays for electric vehicles,” said Günter Margraf, global product manager at Lanxess’ High Performance Materials (HPM) business unit.

The HPM business said it will gradually increase the number of ECO product types that can be certified using the mass balance approach and plans to launch a PA 6 grade with a glass fibre content of 30% and a reduced carbon footprint. While the HPM business is not currently using waste glass fibres from end-of-life components, it stated that it does view them as a sustainable raw material for making new glass fibres. It noted that waste glass melts at lower temperatures than the raw materials used in manufacturing glass fibres, making it possible to save energy and reduce CO₂ emissions.