There is a greater realisation in the world about the construction and design materials that are friendly to the environment. Over the past couple of decades the thermoplastic polycarbonate has been one of such materials.
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that is usually produced from fossil fuels and it offers advantages in impact strength and transparency.
Due to the recent developments of recyclable polycarbonate, the landscape of designing has somewhat changed to incorporate issues of sustainability.
In this blog with Plastic Plus, the recent breakthroughs in creating renewable polycarbonate, its pros, its use, and its significance in sustainable design will be discussed.
What is Renewable Polycarbonate?
Renewably sourced polycarbonate is a cleaner replacement for conventional polycarbonate. In contrast, renewable polycarbonate is produced from bio-based raw materials, while traditional polycarbonate is derived from crude oil.
These feedstocks are biobased. These are derived from renewable plant biomass, agricultural waste, or other organic residues. This reduces the consumption of fossil fuel and also cuts down the greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil fuels.
The greatest advancement noticed in this field is the bio-based polycarbonate made from isosorbide, which is sourced from corn, or other agricultural products.
Innovation Key Drivers for Sustainability
In these rather peculiar innovations of renewable polycarbonate, a number of developments are changing the paradigm of sustainable design. Some of the latest developments within these include:
Higher recyclability
Further enhancements have been made to renewable polycarbonate in an attempt to make it more recyclable. This is largely because of the chemical structure of conventional polycarbonate which is rather complex and hence, difficult to recycle.
The newer formulation of renewable polycarbonate is made to be more recyclable. This is a good step towards the circular economy where material reuse prevails rather than the wastefulness of materials.
In fact, waste saving translates into natural resource saving, and that is simply a win in a sustainable win.
Light Weight and Durable Alternatives
Renewable polycarbonate is offered as an innovation: a lighter, yet stronger alternative to glass and other traditional usage material. It has very high value in construction and architecture because it lightens up weight and saves fuel or transportation cost.
Energy Efficiency
It is specifically designed to ensure energy efficiency besides the built attributes. New formulations may contain insulating properties that regulate temperature in buildings, saving a lot on heating and cooling.
This is particularly important in sustainable design, where energy saving presents one of the main concerns. The use of renewable polycarbonate for windows and skylights. As well as plastic panelling that enable architects and designers to offer an energy-saving building.
Application to Sustainable Design
Renewable polycarbonate is finding its way through different industries, hence its versatility and importance in pursuit of sustainability. Some of the main applications are described below:
Architecture and Construction
More renewable polycarbonate is being used in designs by architects because it is lightweight, durable, and insulates.
It can let the natural light into any room and yet at the same time provides UV protection, thereby being a good choice for energy-efficient windows, skylights, and plastic paneling.
Consumer Goods
From electronic devices to home appliances, renewable polycarbonate touches all the different consumer goods items. Brands appreciate the material since it is sustainable enough to appeal to consumers’ environmentally alert sensibility. Functional products that appeal to the green-conscious conscience.
Furniture Design
Stylistically, they design using renewable polycarbonate to mold furniture. The aesthetic flexibility created enables potential designs that would never conflict with the environmental dimension.
Conclusion
Innovations of renewable polycarbonate are going to be a giant leap in sustainable design. Higher recyclability and energy efficiency enable bio-based feedstocks, thereby, making this material fundamental to potentially abating environmental impact from various industries.
As architects, designers, and manufacturers alike enter the world of renewable polycarbonate, including its application in plastic paneling. There is no such thing as an end to sustainable design. It sets the stage for so much to be accomplished for earth and thereby grounds a more sustainable future and rightful benefitting of materials sourced responsibly and used wisely.
If you have further clarifications, concerns, and questions about renewable polycarbonate, contact us at 01902 715131 or email our sales team at sales@plasticsplus.co.uk. Our expert team will assist you immediately.