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General comment The main data source was a data collection from European producers of PA6.6. Primary data on gate-to-gate production is derived from site-specific information for processes under operational control supplied by the participating companies of this study. Four different producers with plants in five European countries were participating in the primary data collection. They cover 64% of PA6.6 production volume in Europe (EU27) in 2011/2012. The data for the upstream supply chain until the precursors as well as relevant background data, such as energy and auxiliary material, are from the DEAM, GaBi, PlasticsEurope and Ecoinvent databases.
Polyamides are a group of polymers characterised by a carbon chain with –C=O-NH- groups interspersed at regular intervals along it. They are commonly referred to by the generic name Nylon and are usually identified by a numbering system that indicates the number of carbon atoms between successive nitrogen atoms in the main chain. This EPD is for Polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6). Both adipic acid and HMD have 6-atom carbon chains, hence the name of PA6.6. Polycondensation occurs when a salt solution of adipic acid and HMD is heated.
High tensile strength, excellent abrasion resistance, elasticity, and durability are the main characteristics of PA6.6. It is resistant to acid and alkali chemicals. It is also resistant to hydrocarbons, solvents, fuels, waxes, and oils. In addition, PA6.6 is an electrical isolator.
Weight reduction in automobiles is one example where PA6.6 applications contribute to reduction of carbon footprint and costs in the use phase compared with standard solutions.
Please keep in mind that comparisons cannot be made on the level of the polymer material alone: it is necessary to consider the full life cycle of an application in order to compare the performance of different materials and the effects of relevant life cycle parameters. This EPD is intended to be used by member companies, to support product-orientated environmental management; by users of plastics, as a building block of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of individual products; and by other interested parties, as a source of life cycle information. |
