Green Features of Innegra™ S Fiber
Polypropylene is a green polymer: Polypropylene received a grade of A- by Clean Production Action, the highest grade given to a plastic, indicating low environmental impact. This is quite favorable when compared to competitive fibers such as carbon (created from PAN and with high nitrate emissions in production) and aramid (which uses solvents and acids in production). For more see http://www.cleanproduction.org/Scorecard.Intro.php
Innegra™ S is recyclable: When made into parts and composites, fabrics are cut into pieces and approximately 15-20% of the materials unable to be used. Fibers like glass, aramid, carbon have these cut waste put into the landfill. With Innegra, the fiber can be recycled or incinerated to generate energy.
Innegra™ S can be made into 100% recyclable composites: By combining with polypropylene or other olefin polymer resin systems, Innegra™ S can be made into parts which, at the end of life, can be recycled by grinding and remelting, thus being put back into the production stream. Most other composite and ballistic materials cannot be recycled.
Innegra S can be used to replace carbon fiber, which is a major source of atmospheric pollutants: Carbon fiber is produced by pyrolysis, in which 50% of the weight of the original PAN precursor is exhausted out into the atmosphere. Thus, for every pound of carbon fiber replaced by a pound of Innegra™ S fiber, there is a pound of atmospheric pollutants that are not produced (the byproducts of the carbon fiber that is replaced).
Innegra™ S has a green manufacturing process: Innegra™ S is made by melting and stretching polypropylene, with almost no waste, low energy consumption and no other materials used in the manufacturing. Competitive fibers either use environmentally unfriendly solvents, acids and bases (aramid, UHMWPE), or consume tremendous amounts of energy (carbon, glass, other ceramics) in their production process.
Innegra™ S can reduce weight in aerospace, automotive, marine, light rail and other transportation: Depending on the legacy materials used, the weight reduction can range from 10-40% or even more. The reduced weight vehicle will require less fuel for acceleration and increases in elevation, reducing fuel consumption and decreasing the pollutants emitted into the atmosphere.
Innegra™S can be used to reduce weight and increase the durability of wind energy facilities: Innegra™ S can be used on the skins, leading edges, and other parts of wind energy facilities, reducing the weight and increasing the durability of wind blades. The primary benefits would be a small increase in efficiency, and through longer lifecycles, a reduction in maintenance, repair, overhaul and replacement work.
Innegra™ S can increase the durability of a multitude of parts: One way to decrease environmental impact is to manufacture fewer things to begin with, which can be achieved by longer lasting, more durable parts. Innegra™ S has been shown to increase the impact resistance and durability of a variety of parts ranging from sporting goods to transportation.