Friedrichshafen, October 2009 The first commercial, injection-molded use of renewably-sourced DuPont™ Zytel® RS polyamide in Europe is for the hand grip, tip, cap and inter-locking elements of the new ‘Exel NW ECO Trainer’ Nordic walking stick from EXEL Sports Brands (ESB), Stephanskirchen, Germany. The unreinforced polyamide 610 is produced using sebacic acid extracted from castor oil plants. The renewably-sourced content of unreinforced Zytel® RS is 58 percent by weight. This was a crucial factor in the sports equipment manufacturer decision to not only base its production in Europe, but to also launch its own competence model made in the material.
“Both sustainability and the responsible handling of resources are strongly encouraged within our company. This includes the use of products with a reduced environmental footprint products offering the best levels of performance based on high quality standards. Accordingly, innovative products developments, such as Zytel® RS from DuPont, fit perfectly into our corporate strategy,” states Richard Holzner, product manager at ESB for the Exel walking sticks. “All the components are solvent- and toxin-free. Thus, we are able to guarantee that our customers receive environmentally-friendly products offering the best performance according to European quality standards.”
For the hand grip, a cork or wooden shell can be used on top of the Zytel® RS, enhancing its feel for the user. Carbide is overmolded with Zytel® RS for the tip. Beyond its very good surface finish, the long chain polyamide 610 offers excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption and temperature resistance between -40° and 50° C. The parts were designed and manufactured by Metall und Plastikwaren Putz GmbH (MPP) of Abtenau in Austria. “The processability of unreinforced Zytel® RS is similar to that of polyamide 66. The material is also easy to color,” reports Georg Putz, managing director of MPP. “The only differences were an approximately 40 °C lower melt temperature and minor variations in shrinkage behavior. The technical support provided by the polymer distributor Biesterfeld-Interowa was very helpful during the transition.”
Following its launch at the relevant sporting goods trade shows such as the ispo winter 2010, the ‘Exel NW ECO Trainer’ will be available to consumers from specialist sports shops from spring 2010.
The DuPont portfolio of engineering polymers includes a series of products based on renewable resources. They are either entirely or partially produced using agriculturally-sourced raw materials such as corn or castor-oil beans instead of crude oil, thereby helping reduce the industry’s dependence on increasingly limited crude oil reserves. The products include Sorona® EP thermoplastic polymers, Hytrel® RS thermoplastic elastomers and Zytel® RS long chain polyamides.
ESB (Exel Sports Brands) GmbH/ OY is globally responsible for the marketing, sales, logistics and product development of Exel walking sticks and Exel footwear, as well as the country-specific distribution of products from other sporting goods brands. The company works with enthusiasm and commitment to constantly expand its product range and introduce new innovations whilst respecting the traditional values and origins of Exel.
Metall und Plastikwaren Putz (MPP) is a family company, established in 1977, which is able to look back on many years of experience in the areas of component development, tool-making and injection molding technology for the automotive and sporting goods industries. For the latter, the company has engaged in pioneering work in the use of renewably-sourced materials – a strategy it will continue to pursue at it new facility in Eastern Europe.
The DuPont Engineering Polymers business manufactures and sells Crastin® PBT and Rynite® PET thermoplastic polyester resins, Delrin® acetal resins, Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomers, DuPont™ ETPV engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, Minlon® mineral reinforced nylon resins, Thermx® PCT polycyclohexylene dimethyl terephthalate, Tynex® filaments, Vespel® parts and shapes, Zenite® LCP liquid crystal polymers, Zytel® nylon resins and Zytel® HTN high-performance polyamides. These products serve global markets in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, healthcare, industrial, sporting goods and many other diversified industries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
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The DuPont Oval, The miracles of science, DuPont, Crastin®, Rynite®, Delrin®, Hytrel®, Minlon®, Sorona®, Thermx®, Tynex®, Vespel®, Zenite® and Zytel® are registered trademarks or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
Editorial contacts:
EXEL SPORTS BRANDS ESB Sport GmbH
Kathrin Schweiger
kathrin.schweiger@esb-sport.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 8031 - 2745106
Mobile: +49 (0) 162 - 2122206
Fax: +49 (0) 8031 – 2745318
Metall- und Plastikwaren Putz GmbH
Dipl. Ing. (FH) Georg Putz
office@mpp-austria.at
Waldhof 24
A-5441 Abtenau
Tel. 0043/6243/3385-17
Fax 0043/6243/3385-14
DuPont de Nemours (Deutschland) GmbH
Horst Ulrich Reimer
Telephone: ++49 (0) 61 02/18-1297
Fax: ++49 (0) 61 02/18-1318
E-Mail: Horst-Ulrich.Reimer@dupont.com
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