RTP Company Receives USDA Certified Biobased Product Label for Two PLA-based Compounds

Compounds to be utilized in a wide range of structural or housing applications

Global custom engineered thermoplastics compounder RTP Company has received “USDA Certified Biobased Product” labels for two of its PLA-based bioplastic specialty compounds through the USDA’s BioPreferred(SM) Voluntary Labeling Initiative. Following the program’s requirements, RTP Company’s compounds were third-party tested in accordance with ASTM D6866 procedures and renewable biobased carbon content is reported as a percent of total carbon content.

The first compound, RTP 2099 X 126213 Natural, is a polylactic acid/polycarbonate (PLA/PC) alloy with a biobased carbon content of 26%. With shrinkage, impact, and heat distortion temperature similar to many PC/ABS alloys, this material is an excellent option for housing applications in consumer electronic, office equipment, and home appliance markets.

The second compound, RTP 2099 X 121249 C Natural, is a 30% glass fiber reinforced PLA grade. Because the glass fiber component of this compound does not contain any carbon, this product has been certified to have a biobased carbon content of 99%.

With tensile strength and flexural modulus properties exceeding those of 30% glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) and comparable to 30% glass fiber reinforced polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), the second compound can be utilized in structural applications such as knobs, brackets, covers, and supports in markets such as sporting goods, hand tools, construction, office equipment, and lawn and garden equipment.

The “USDA Certified Biobased Product” label is intended to be an aid in consumer decision making because of both their trust in, and respect for, the USDA as a source of information, and because the information the label carries regarding renewable biocontent has been third-party verified and is strictly monitored.

Established in 2011 as an extension of the USDA BioPreferred program, the Biobased Product Labeling Initiative goals are to clearly make biobased products identifiable to consumers and to promote the use of renewable natural resource alternatives in line with America’s national values for resourcefulness and self reliance. For more information on the USDA’s BioPreferred program, visit www.biopreferred.gov.

Contact
RTP Company
Phone: 507-454-6900 or 800-433-4787
e-mail: rtp@rtpcompany.com

About RTP Company
RTP Company, headquartered in Winona, Minn., is a global compounder of custom engineered thermoplastics. The company has 11 manufacturing plants on three continents, plus sales representatives throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. RTP Company’s engineers develop customized thermoplastic compounds in over 60 different engineering resin systems for applications requiring color, conductive, elastomeric, flame retardant, high temperature, structural, and wear resistant properties.

Source

RTP Company, press release, 2011-08-09.

Supplier

RTP Company
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

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