Efficient Vehicles, Environmentally Friendly Packaging and Renewable Plastics Part of the Big Picture from DuPont Performance Materials

2009 is a milestone year for the DuPont Performance Materials (DPM) platform in responding to today’s global mega trends – particularly in addressing the need to reduce energy and environmental footprints in important end-use markets.

DPM is transforming its portfolio to meet the growing demand for renewably sourced products. New offerings contribute to the energy efficiency of vehicles or by making packaging options more environmentally responsible.

Engineering Polymers (EP) is commercializing three families of renewably sourced polymers – making DuPont the company with the broadest range of renewably sourced high performance resins.

“DuPont’s strategy is to offer renewably sourced polymers that have equal or better performance than the petrochemical-based materials they replace so that customers do not have to choose between performance and environmental improvements. The vision is to have a whole portfolio of these offerings,” said Marsha Craig, EP global business manager for renewably sourced materials. “Initial customer interest has been strong for our offerings, which not only provide sustainability benefits but also enhanced performance and cost-effective solutions.”

DuPont offerings help the global automotive and commercial vehicle industry meet demands for improved energy efficiency. In the first quarter, DuPont™ Vespel® expanded its portfolio with new Vespel® SP-2515 polyimide parts that help improve engine efficiency, reducing gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The new parts have been commercialized in transmission seal rings, which demand low friction, extreme tolerance control over a broad temperature range, and long life.

Despite the economy, improving the sustainability of packaging remains a top focus of consumers and brand owners. DuPont solutions include renewably sourced products that help reduce the amount of material in packaging and/or provide alternatives for more environmentally-responsible disposal. In the first quarter, DuPont expanded the family of Biomax TPS starch-based sheet and resins – which are biodegradable and compostable – by introducing Biomax TPS 2001.