DSM announces that its entire Arnitel Eco family has been awarded Cradle to Cradle certification by the internationally renowned sustainable design firm, McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC).Arnitel Eco is an innovative, more sustainable, high-performance, partly bio-based thermoplastic copolyester (TPC) that supports greater environmental friendliness in end-user applications.
The Cradle to Cradle concept, developed by Mr. William McDonough and Prof. Michael Braungart, aims to eliminate waste entirely by circulating safe and beneficial materials within closed loop systems of continuous reuse.
The Arnitel Eco range has been evaluated by EPEA Hamburg, Michael Braungart’s consultancy firm. The evaluation focused on the product ingredients’ human and environmental health attributes and their potential to safely cycle in closed loops. The result is Silver certifications for the whole Arnitel Eco family.
Arnitel Eco grades currently available are: Arnitel Eco L700 an injection molding grade with a 70 ShoreD hardness, Arnitel Eco M700 extrusion 70 ShoreD etc, Arnitel Eco L550 injection molding 55 ShoreD, Arnitel Eco L460 injection molding 46 ShoreD, Arnitel Eco L400 injection molding 40 ShoreD.
In addition to the Arnitel Eco family, Silver certificates were previously awarded to more DSM high-performance materials: Akulon F&K grades, Akulon K224 grades, Arnitel EM and EL grades, Arnitel XG an unfilled halogen free flame retardant thermoplastic copolyester resin, Arnite T-XG510 a halogen free flame retardant PBT resin, EcoPaXX UF an unfilled 70% bio-based polyamide 4.10 resin.
With a broad range of Cradle-to-Cradle-certified materials, DSM Engineering Plastics now offers business opportunities in industries where the certification is an accepted or increasingly important eco-label. These include office furniture and flooring where Cradle to Cradle is already a recognized sustainability standard; industries like sports & leisure and consumer electronics that are looking to close the material loop; and sectors like the automotive industry that need to prepare for potentially stricter recycling legislation and regulations.
According to Fredric Petit, Sustainability Director DSM Engineering Plastics: “At DSM, we recognize the growing importance in the market for recycling with the ultimate goal to achieve closed loop systems. Our commitment to Cradle to Cradle is expected to develop further over time. We intend to secure certification for more materials within our portfolio and to work closely with other stakeholders in our value chains to pursue further Cradle to Cradle opportunities.”
