Solvay Advanced Polymers (Alpharetta, Georgia / USA; www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com) and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC, Tokyo / Japan; www.mgc.co.jp) have entered into a partnership to develop high-temperature bio-based polyamides for high-performance durable applications. As part of the collaboration, the two companies will further develop a new monomer based on castor oil that has previously been introduced by MGC.

The companies expect the multi-year development project to result in the introduction of one of the industry’s highest temperature bio-based polyamides, with a heat deflection temperature of about 270 °C for glass-filled compounds. Earmarked for soldering applications, high-temperature automotive parts and sliding applications, the new bio-polyamide is said to exhibit low moisture retention, a high crystallisation rate, excellent wear resistance and good toughness.

This is not the first collaboration between Solvay and MGC. Over the last 25 years, MGC has supplied Solvay with MXDA monomer used to produce the latter’s “Ixef” polyarylamide.