The Vestamid Terra family of polyamides from Evonik Industries has been certified as "bio-based" by independent institutes. The bio-based components have been certified per DIN ISO 10694; 1996-08 and by the USDA’s Biopreferred program. These official laboratories used C14 trace carbon analytics to verify that the carbon in these products originates not from petroleum, but biomass instead.
Vestamid Terra polymers are partially or entirely based on renewable feedstocks. The starting material is the castor bean (Ricinus communis) and its oil derivates, which are synthesized into monomers that form the basis of the Vestamid Terra product range. At present, three Terra products are available:
Vestamid Terra HS is based on polyamide 610, which is the polycondensation product of 1,6-hexamethylene diamine (H) and 1,10-decanedoic diacid (sebacic acid – S). Sebacic acid is derived from castor oil, making Terra HS a 63% bio-content polymer.
Vestamid Terra DS is based on polyamide 1010, which is the polycondensation product of 1,10-decamethylene diamine (D) and 1,10-decanedoic diacid. Both decamethylene diamine and sebacic acid are derived from castor oil, making Terra DS a 100% bio-content polymer.
The 45% bio-content polymer Vestamid Terra DD is based on polyamide 1012, which is the polycondensation product of 1,10-decamethylene diamine (D) and 1,12-dodecanedoic diacid (D).
"Vestamid Terra proves that outstanding performance and responsible sourcing are not mutually exclusive," emphasizes Benjamin Brehmer, business manager for biopolymers. "We impart precisely those properties to our materials which the market expects from high-performance plastics." Thanks to their excellent chemical resistance, low water absorption, and good dimensional stability, Vestamid Terra polyamides are suitable for a vast number of applications and processing techniques.
