What is Biodegradable TPU?
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008Biodegradable 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.
