Cellulose-based compound as alternative

The development of materials that can be viable alternatives to conventional plastics has been an ultimate challenge to the plastics industry as it moves towards a circular economy.

- ALYSSA BUENO

A recent development has placed wood pulp and vinegar-based material into focus as a potential replacement for hard-to-recycle, single-use plastic applications.

Displaying a commitment to sustainable product developments and initiatives, Celanese Corporation, a global chemical, and specialty materials company, introduced a breakthrough cellulose-based material that aligns with Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) and circular economy objectives with a product that is both bio-based and broadly compostable. To advance this effort, Celanese announced the commercial availability of its BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets, a sustainability-inspired product intended to be an alternative to conventional plastics, both transparent and opaque, in difficult-to-recycle consumer applications. This material is both economically and technically viable, as well as rooted in sustainability from its raw materials to end-of-life compostability.

“We’ve studied how developments in sustainability impact the markets we serve and how we can better meet these growing demands, and we see the challenge of single-use plastic waste as one we are uniquely positioned to potentially tackle in a novel and significant way,” said Lori Ryerkerk, Celanese Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Celanese welcomes the launch of BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets as the Company’s next leap forward with a sustainable and compostable alternative to plastic.”

Part of the BlueRidge™ material’s elegance is in the simple a d sustainable chemistry that makes it work. It is based primarily on cellulose acetate, which is produced using cellulose from sustainably forested trees. The resulting BlueRidge™ material is recognized as being home and industrial compostable as well as broadly biodegradable in a range of environments, ultimately breaking down into glucose and vinegar, which are readily consumed in nature.