The transition toward more sustainable materials is reshaping the plastics industry, driving the development of solutions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining high technical performance. UBE is expanding its polyamide portfolio with a new line of bio-based polyamide resins designed to meet this challenge. These specialty materials are engineered to be tailor-made according to customer requirements, combining sustainability, reliability, and versatility.
At the center of this development is ED34, a new copolyamide featuring an approximate 10% bio-based content derived from common crop oils. Despite its partially bio-origin composition, ED34 delivers mechanical and processing performance comparable to traditional fossil-based polyamides such as 5033B. This makes it a practical alternative for manufacturers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint without redesigning parts or sacrificing quality.
Key performance indicators demonstrate that ED34 matches fossil-based counterparts in critical areas. The material shows a melting point around 196°C, elongation at break of 390–440%, and strength at break between 70 and 80 MPa, ensuring excellent toughness and flexibility. Impact resistance and puncture energy values remain within a comparable range, supporting its use in demanding applications. ED34 is also well suited for thermoforming, with stable thickness control and consistent processing behavior.
From an environmental perspective, ED34 offers a carbon footprint reduction of approximately 10%, calculated in accordance with ISO 14067, compared to conventional PA6/66 materials. This reduction provides tangible benefits for companies aiming to lower Scope 3 emissions and align with sustainability targets.
Beyond its current formulation, ED34 can be further customized to achieve higher bio-based content, depending on customer specifications and application needs. This flexibility positions UBE as a strategic partner for companies developing next-generation, more sustainable polyamide solutions.
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