GoodFellow Green Production

Products available through the Goodfellow Green Production initiative are the result of environmentally sound processes that conserve energy and natural resources. The sustainable manufacturing methods used are bio-based and biodegradable. The majority of the Green Production materials may decompose naturally, whether they are exposed to soil, compost or marine sediments. They are also non-toxic, which makes them ideal for a range of medical or environmentally driven applications.

Products that fuel innovation and foster sustainability

We have developed a range of materials that strike the right balance between product quality and reducing the product’s carbon footprint, allowing our customers to focus on research and product design without compromising quality. In fact, access to our Green Production materials often serves as a creative catalyst for innovative applications.

Categories of Green Production materials

• Lightweight metal foams that reduce energy requirements while retaining the physical characteristics of the metal
• Bio-based and biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources
• Ceramics that are non-toxic
• Composites that decompose naturally without leaving a trace
• “Green” graphene produced by a unique, chemical-free process
• Lead-free solder that can allow the joining of traditionally challenging materials, without flux

Highlights of some of our Green Production materials

“Green” Graphene

Green production process: The green production process for graphene is highly scalable by converting methane – a greenhouse gas that is a harmful by-product of existing processes like farming, landfills and palm oil milling – into an environmentally friendly product.

Applications: Potential use in heat sinks, indoor solar cells, display screens and various medical, chemical and industrial processes.

Cellulose Acetate

Green production process: Derived primarily from two sources: The first, wood pulp, is processed using acetic anhydride to form acetate flakes; the other source, cotton fibres, involves treating cotton with acetic acid using sulfuric acid as a catalyst.

Applications: Cellulose acetate is widely used in the automotive industry because of its mechanical strength, toughness, wear resistance, transparency, and ease of moldability. Its high resistance to impact makes it a desirable material for protective goggles, tool handles and oil gauges.

Polyhydroxybutyrate Biopolymer

Green production process: Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a class of natural polyesters that are derived from bacterial fermentation. Microorganisms synthesize polyesters in nutrient-deficient conditions and these PHAs can then be harvested. They are capable of decomposing whether exposed to soil, compost or marine sediment.

Applications: Because of its biodegradability and biocompatibility, PHB can be used for single-use plastic items such as food containers and utensils, surgical stitches, pins, packaging and carriers for drug delivery.

Polyhydroxybutyrate / Polyhydroxyvalerate 8% Biopolymer (PHB92/PHV 8)

Green production process: This biologically based polymer is from the only family of bioplastics entirely produced and degraded by living cells. Its mechanical properties can be altered by changing the mix of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and the type of culture selected for its production.

Applications: It is used in biodegradable containers such as shampoo bottles and food containers, coatings for paper and cardboard, food wrappings, sutures and gauzes, and coatings for medicines.

Poly L lactic acid Biopolymer

Green production process: The production of poly L lactic acid involves the bacterial fermentation of renewable resources such as cassava roots, chips and starch (in Asia); corn starch (in the US and Canada), and sugarcane (in the rest of the world).

Applications: Like PHB92/PHV 8, poly L lactic acid biopolymer is used in biodegradable containers such as shampoo bottles and food containers, coatings for paper and cardboard, food wrappings, sutures and gauzes, and coatings for medicines.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate Biopolymer

Green production process: The polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family of biopolymers is the only family which is entirely produced and degraded by living cells. PHAs can be produced by varieties of bacteria using several renewable waste feedstocks, including cellulosics, vegetable oils, organic waste, municipal solid waste, and fatty acids, depending on the specific PHA required.

Applications: The PHA family of biopolymers is used in biodegradable containers such as shampoo bottles and food containers, coatings for paper and cardboard, food wrappings, sutures and gauzes, and coatings for medicines.