bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0905

Fiber Applications
New carpet
made from
PLA fibres
PLA
Floor Mat
A
special floor mat available for the fully
remodeled third-generation Toyota Prius uses
an advanced Ingeo based PLA fiber. Known
as the world’s most eco-conscious car, Toyota Prius
features world-leading mileage (2.6 L/100 km or 89 Miles
per Gallon), a solar powered ventilation system, and
environmentally friendly plant-derived plastics for seat
cushion foam, cowl side trim, inner and outer scuff
plates, and deck trim cover. Now, the new Prius adds to
these biobased materials by offering optional floor mats
(deluxe type) using an advanced Ingeo fiber system.
As a result of reducing the use of fossil resource as much
as possible in its manufacturing process from feedstock
to factory shipment, Ingeo reduces the fossil fuel use by
65% and cuts by 90% the CO 2
emission when compared to
the petroleum-derived nylon resin used in traditional floor
mats. By adopting the PLA mat products, Toyota benefits
from the unique environmental advantages of a fiber
made from plants, not oil. This adoption of new floor mats
exemplifies Toyota’s belief that the use of environmentally
friendly materials is as equally important as design and
product performance.
“We have long looked at Japan as an ‘innovation
engine’ for our Ingeo business,” noted Marc Verbruggen,
NatureWorks CEO. “With Toyota’s latest development, we
recognize their achievement in leading the automotive
industry’s efforts with excellence in biobased product
performance and innovation”.
NatureWorks in Japan supplied Ingeo to Toyota Tsusho
Corporation, who developed the new environmentally
friendly floor mats.
Sommer Needlepunch, Baisieux, France, is specialised
in floor covering solutions: carpet for events,
domestic and contract use and more recently artificial
grass. Its more than 50 years of know-how and experience
is recognised throughout the world.
The care for the environment has always been an
important consideration for the company, especially for
the issues related to the consumption of raw materials
and energy and the development of new products. During
the last five years they proved to be a trendsetter in
the development of sustainable eco-friendly solutions,
believing strongly that economy and ecology can go
together.
An important investment program made it possible for
Sommer Needlepunch to switch almost completely to the
use of biobased and recycled raw materials and the plan
to supply energy from wind turbines is scheduled to be in
place by 2010.
The launch of Ecopunch ® , the first carpet collection made
from 100% PLA fibres derived from NatureWorks‘Ingeo
is a result of the important R&D efforts made in the area
of the development of biodegradable products. “Ecopunch
is a real natural alternative to the conventional oilbased
products that offers the same performance and
quality,“ says a press release of Sommer Needlepunch.
“This new product is an environmentally friendly carpet
as its process reduces the CO 2
emissions by up to 60 %
compared to the traditional PP and PA products and
extends the economical life time of the raw materials.“- MT
www.sommernp.com
www.natureworksllc.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/09] Vol. 4 11