Biodegradable PA
PA6 Biodegradable: facing sustainable challenges
NUREL offers a specially designed solution for polyamide products disposed of in landfills at the end of their useful life: Promyde BIO. This new PA 6 polymer biodegrades at the end of its life, transforming into methane which, if properly captured, can be valorized as green energy. Promyde BIO, unlike oxodegradable solutions, can biodegrade in both aerobic and anaerobic media, without fragmenting under oxygen or UV rays.
NUREL’s biodegradable polyamide 6 maintains the standard properties of PA6, degrading only when it comes into contact with an activostrong biological medium. Likewise, it can be processed through standard production processes, maintaining its recyclability. In addition, Promyde BIO is suitable for food contact.
Promyde BIO Applications
Standard PA 6 is used for its mechanical properties and often cannot be substituted by other materials. PA-based materials do not enter the recycling channel, ending up in landfills where biodegradation is not possible. PROMYDE® Bio is the sustainable solution to this problem, as it promotes the biodegradation of PA-based elements.
Thus, biodegradable polyamides 6 are recommended for:
- Applications where PA is required.
- Multi-material applications such as complex packaging or over-injected parts.
- Injected parts for e.g. electric cars and household appliances.
Promyde Bio and carbon footprint
The final disposal/waste system plays an important role in the carbon footprint of any material.
The impact of the carbon footprint must be analyzed according to each disposal scenario.
The main environmental impact of Promyde BIO is related to its landfill management, where the resulting methane is captured and converted into energy, resulting in a carbon footprint reduction of up to 15%.
Click here to resolve your doubts with our detailed Q&A on biodegradable polyamides
Anaerobic biodegradation
Anaerobic biodegradability according to ASTM D5511. After 751 days: Up to 84.2% biodegradation
Anaerobic biodegradation occurs in oxygen-deprived environments, such as landfills, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and convert them into green energy.
Promyde BIO promotes biofilm formation. Biofilm is a bacterial colony and its growth generates the enzymes necessary for polyamide metabolization.
These enzymes break down polyamide into biomass and biogas (methane).
PA is converted to methane, while reducing landfill waste volume and generating green energy (RNG/LFG).
Aerobic biodegradation
NUREL does not support the dumping of waste of any kind. In case of improper disposal of plastic waste, PROMYDE® BIO also biodegrades in the soil.
Thus, aerobic biodegradation is the degradation of organic matter by microorganisms in oxygen environments, such as soil.
Aerobic certification, according to ISO 17556:2012, establishes 76% biodegradation after 90 days in active soil.
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Promyde Bio
Other sustainable polyamide solutions
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