Pebax® Rnew, when biochemistry goes further than traditional techniques

The Pebax® range takes pride of place in the Arkema catalogue. This plastic, whose applications vary from sports shoes to dental floss and catheters, has exceptional properties. It is flexible, frost-resistant, solid, easy to use and handle and absorbs shocks. There is just one downside: it is made from fossil-based materials.

Our solution: from Pebax® to Pebax® Rnew. This innovation has smoothed Arkema’s transition towards a “green” Pebax®, made from renewable materials including castor oil. The end result is a product that is even better than traditional Pebax®. It is just as light but even more resistant to temperature changes and has increased elasticity at low temperatures. It fulfils our double goal of technical performance and respect for the environment: replacing fossil-based molecules with molecules from renewable sources has reduced fossil-based material consumption by 29% and CO2 equivalent emissions by 32%.

In practice, Pebax Rnew® serves an ever wider variety of uses.  Researchers at Arkema and Scarpa (an Italian high-quality ski boot manufacturer) have been working together to design a more environmentally friendly boot: the Scarpa Hurricane. The shell, strap band and tongue of the Scarpa Hurricane will now contain Pebax Rnew®: a real plus for skiers who want to protect the environment, eco-design enthusiasts and advocates of biochemistry.

(¹) Preliminary results may be subject to change according to ISO 14040-43 guidelines.