What is Biodegradable TPU?

Biodegradable TPU is a solvent-free TPU that can biodegrade in as little as 4 years.

TPU, which stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane, is a form of plastic and is not known for being eco friendly. As well as being harmful to the environment to produce, TPU products can take many hundreds of years to decompose.
Biodgradable TPU, on the other hand, is low in toxicity, can biodegrade much better than traditional TPU, and therefore is better for the natural environment.

TPU is used to produce hundreds of different products, including fabric laminates. Therefore, biodegradable TPU can be used instead of traditional TPU in the clothing industry.

Here’s a list of common uses for TPU:

  • Architectural Glass Lamination
  • Auto-Body Side Molding
  • Automotive Lumbar Supports
  • Caster Wheels
  • Cattle Tags
  • Constant Velocity Boots (Automotive)
  • Drive Belts
  • Film and Sheet
  • Fire Hose Liner
  • Flexible Tubing
  • Food Processing Equipment
  • Footwear - sport shoe soles
  • Hydraulic Hoses
  • Hydraulic Seals
  • Inflatable Rafts
  • In-Line Skates
  • Magnetic Media
  • Medical Tubing
  • Mining Screens
  • Sporting Goods
  • Swim Fins and Goggles
  • TPU Coated Fabrics
  • Wire and Cable Coatings

An example of one clothing company using biodegradable TPU is Quiksilver. Quiksilver uses a biodegradable TPU laminate in some of it’s winter clothing line.

Given the widespread use of TPU, it makes sense to continue development of biodegradable TPU.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 at 3:56 am and is filed under Sustainability. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Responses to “What is Biodegradable TPU?”

  1. stephanie loewen Says:
    August 21st, 2008 at 1:44 am

    Would you happen to know of a biodegradeable TPU supplier?
    Thanks so much,
    Stephanie

  2. stephanie loewen Says:
    August 21st, 2008 at 1:45 am

    Hi there, would you happen to know of a biodegreadeable TPU supplier? Thank you ,
    Stephanie

  3. Jonesy Says:
    February 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    The only forms of “biodegradable” TPU are both laminates. This means that the compound is laminated onto a fabric, usually with the intention that the fabric is the exterior and the laminate the interior. Currently the only fabrics available with this laminate are polyester fabrics. This is generally available only from asian manufacturers/mills and then generally only used on items produced in asia (such as Timbuk2 laptop sleeves) that are produced on a very large scale. Buying by the case (2400 yards) is the way to get it, contact an asian producer.

    For an effective use of a compound such as TPU, especially with regard to environmental concerns, fashioning a product that will last an unusually long time does far more for the consumer and the environment. The outstanding durability of TPU is harshly diminished when used in the manner described above to create “biodegradable” TPU. This is merely a ploy to apply a new, expensive material in fashion markets with the added bonus of planned obsolescence. If not designed to last longer much more is lost, environmentally speaking, in the production of this high tech material.

    Use TPU if you believe your product will last and be used by your consumer for ten years or more and not intended for mass consumption. Or if you have an industrial application. Otherwise you will need to find an alternative if you are indeed concerned with your product’s effect on ecology or the environment.

  4. Jonesy Says:
    February 3rd, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    There is -nothing- sustainable about applying TPU in any format to a fashion market. This material is specific in its purpose as an industrial compound utilized for high abrasion resistance, impermeability, high impact, tear and puncture resistance.

    If you have a product that -actually- requires such attributes, use TPU instead of PVC, even though it costs substantially more than PVC, and you have done well.

    If you want to use it to promote some notion of responsible manufacture of consumer goods, you have done wrong.

  5. Eco Pure Says:
    August 2nd, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    Nice post!
    Very informative blog. I learn a lot of knowledge and I look forward to future post.
    If you would like to become a distributor of EcoPure within your territory, visit Biodegradable Plastic Additive.

  6. Collins Pt. Says:
    August 23rd, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    Biodegradable plastic and packaging is a modern necessity for our ever-endangered environment.
    Now PLA has been used to line the indoors of Paper Cups in place of the oil based lining additional usually used, create Plastic Cups, Plates, Carrier Bags, Food Packaging and even Nappies.
    Eco Pure is our proprietary blend of organic materials that does not modify the base resin to which it is added.

    Thanks a lot for your information

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