ENTRON eco Granules
– PA6 & PA66 from the manufacturer

The difference between polyamide compounds and polyamide raw polymers lies in their composition and application.

ENTRON eco granules are a raw polymer (basic polyamide) produced directly from the extrusion of polyamide waste (PIR). These raw polymers have the basic properties of polyamide, such as high strength, good abrasion resistance and chemical resistance, but without modifications or additives. They are often used as a starting material for compounding or for unmodified plastic parts. They can be used in a wide range of applications, but without further modification they are often not ideal for specific application-related requirements.

ENTRON eco compounds are polyamide pellets that have been modified with various additives or fillers to improve certain properties or give them new properties. Compounds can have tailored properties such as increased stiffness, improved thermal conductivity, reduced moisture absorption, increased impact strength, flame retardant properties or improved processability. They are particularly useful for specialty applications where specific mechanical, thermal or electrical properties are required. Examples include automotive parts, electrical and electronic components, industrial equipment and consumer goods.

To summarize:
ENTRON eco granules (raw polymers) are unmodified basic polyamides.

ENTRON eco compounds are modified versions of polyamide raw polymers, optimized for special requirements and applications.

PA6 and PA6.6 differ in their chemical structure. PA6 has a lower crystallinity, which leads to better toughness and processability. PA6.6 has a higher crystallinity, which results in better strength, rigidity and thermal stability. PA6 is well suited for flexible, impact-resistant applications, while PA6.6 is ideal for heat-resistant and high-strength applications.

PA6 offers good toughness, flexibility and processability. It is particularly impact-resistant and is easy to extrude and injection mold. PA6.6 offers higher strength and rigidity due to its higher crystallinity. It can withstand higher temperatures and is therefore ideal for heat-resistant applications. PA6.6 is also more chemically resistant, which increases its service life in demanding environments.

PA6 has a melting temperature of approx. 220°C and retains its mechanical properties well at low temperatures. It is less crystalline, which results in a lower heat deflection temperature compared to PA6.6. PA6.6 has a higher melting temperature of approx. 260°C and is therefore suitable for applications that require higher thermal stability. It has a higher heat deflection temperature and retains its strength and stiffness better even at higher temperatures.

PA6 is resistant to many chemicals, including oils, greases and solvents. It shows good resistance to alcohols and ketones, but can be attacked by strong acids and bases. PA6.6 offers even higher chemical resistance and is particularly resistant to many solvents, greases and oils.

Recycled polyamide offers numerous advantages, including the reduction of CO₂ emissions, as the use of recycled material reduces the need for new raw materials and thus the environmental impact. It contributes to the circular economy by transforming waste into valuable new materials. Recycled polyamide has similar mechanical and chemical properties to virgin polyamide and is therefore suitable for a wide range of applications. In addition, the use of recycled materials helps to conserve resources and avoid waste.

The main difference between virgin and recycled polyamide lies in their origin. New polyamide is produced from petrochemical raw materials, while recycled polyamide is obtained from waste. A distinction is made between post-industrial (PIR) and post-consumer (PCR) grades of waste, with Enneatech specializing in industrial waste (post-industrial). With a sophisticated recycling process, recycled polyamide has the same quality as virgin material. It offers similar mechanical and chemical properties and at the same time contributes to sustainability by reducing waste and conserving resources. Recycled polyamide is therefore an environmentally friendly alternative without compromising on quality.

Recycled polyamide is versatile and is used in many branches of industry. In the automotive industry, it is used to manufacture components such as air intake manifolds, engine covers and fuel systems. In addition, recycled polyamide is used in electrical engineering for housings and insulation, in the construction industry for various construction materials and in the furniture industry for hard-wearing fabrics and components.

With a sophisticated recycling process, recycled polyamide has the same quality as virgin material. High-quality recycling processes and a careful selection of raw materials ensure that the recycled polyamide has similar mechanical and chemical properties to virgin material. Quality assurance measures and certifications help to ensure the high quality of the recycled polyamide. One major difference to virgin material is the greater tolerances in the specification, e.g. in terms of viscosity.

ENNEATECH plays a leading role in the field of recycled polyamide through the use of innovative recycling technologies and the production of high-quality recycled polyamides. The company mainly uses synthetic fibers from the high-end textile industry as a raw material source, which contributes to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the conservation of natural resources. ENNEATECH promotes the circular economy through the reuse of materials and is committed to the goals of sustainable development. In addition, ENNEATECH ensures that the quality of the recycled polyamide meets customer requirements.

Recycled polyamide can be awarded various certificates that confirm its quality and sustainability. These include

• Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): This certification provides transparent information about a product’s environmental impact throughout its entire life cycle.
• Product Carbon Footprint (PCF): This certificate measures the CO₂ emissions of a product.
• ISO certifications: These include various standards such as ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 50001 for energy management.
• These certificates help to guarantee and transparently present the quality and environmental compatibility of recycled polyamide.

ENNEATECH’s primary sustainability goals are the promotion of sustainable consumption and production, the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the use of clean energy sources. ENNEATECH relies on innovative recycling technologies and sustainable production methods to minimize the environmental impact of its products. In addition, the company actively participates in the development and implementation of standards and practices that support the circular economy and reduce environmental impact. Through these measures, ENNEATECH contributes to a more sustainable plastics industry.

ENNEATECH uses mechanical recycling to produce high-quality polyamide recyclate. The fiber waste is shredded and processed into pellets in an extrusion plant. The moisture is removed and the melt is filtered.

This enables efficient and environmentally friendly processing. These automated systems improve the quality and consistency of the recycled materials and help to reduce CO₂ emissions by using sustainable raw materials from the textile industry.

ENNEATECH optimizes its energy consumption through comprehensive energy management. This includes the purchase of green electricity, the use of its own photovoltaic system and the installation of energy-efficient electric motors and compressors. The company has also introduced an automated line management system and plans to use waste heat to heat its production facilities. These measures help to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions and support ENNEATECH’s sustainability goals.

ENNEATECH promotes sustainable development in the plastics industry through the use of recycled raw materials and the development of high-quality polyamides. The company works closely with universities and research institutes to develop innovative recycling technologies and sustainable production methods. ENNEATECH is committed to complying with environmental and energy management standards and is committed to implementing quality standards and norms for recycled plastics. Through these measures, ENNEATECH contributes to reducing environmental impact and promoting the circular economy.

ENNEATECH ensures transparency with regard to environmental impact by providing detailed information on the CO₂ emissions of its products. This is done through independent audits and the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and Product Carbon Footprints (PCF). Both methods provide a comprehensive insight into the environmental impact of products, with the EPD being based on a complete life cycle assessment that takes into account all relevant potential impacts on the environmental media of soil, air and water. This transparency helps customers to make informed decisions about the environmental impact of products.

DIN SPEC 91446 defines a system comprising four data quality levels (DQL) for the classification of plastic recyclates, thereby establishing a uniform basis for trade and use. Building on this, DIN SPEC 91481 applies this system specifically to polyamide recyclates and supplements it with a digital product passport to ensure end-to-end transparency throughout the value chain. ENNEATECH played an active role in the development of DIN SPEC 91481.