Sustainable Polyamide Lightens Gardening Tool

Archman srl, an Italian manufacturer of scissors for viticulture, horticulture, and gardening, has chosen Domo’s Econamid Air for its Helium electric tree pruner. An extremely light tool, weighing only 1.63 kg, the cutting body of the new product is molded with the sustainable polyamide- (PA6) based compound with carbon fiber.

The material’s lightweight, strength, electrical conductivity and sustainability credentials, made Econamid Air the ideal material for this application. The lightweight nature of the material offers comfort for the user, while its electrical conductivity prevents the accumulation of energy, and the risk of unpleasant small electrical shocks during use.

Domo, with the help of Italian distribution partner Guberti Spa, worked in close collaboration with Archman from the early development phase through to launch to ensure that end of life considerations were taken on board during the design phase.

Econamid Air is the flagship among Domo’s line of Light Engineering Solutions, which includes products, prototyping and simulation services, to redesign and rethink applications under the eco-design trend.

This innovative solution grants reduced surface and volume resistivity for various levels of electrical conductivity, from anti-static and static dissipation properties to EMI super-shielding. These additional properties can be used by OEMs and tiers in the development of connectors, fuel filtering components, lidar components, camera housings and electronic components.

Econamid Air offers both strength and sustainability credentials. The solution has a 90 percent-reduced carbon footprint when compared to prime PA. Furthermore, it offers high stiffness with low density, electrical conductivity, electrical surface and volume resistivity, and improved tribological properties.

“Archman’s Helium Electric Tree Pruner is a further demonstration that Econamid Air is the perfect solution for all kind of DIY tools and sports equipment, where lightweight and electrical conductivity are needed,” says Leonardo Comperatore, R&D Manager at Domo. “Thanks to the combination of high-quality recycled carbon fiber and sustainable polyamide, Econamid Air allowed for a significant reduction of CO₂ emissions, without affecting the mechanical properties of the product,” adds Comperatore.

Domo continues to develop its range of sustainable nylon solutions that help to assist the transition from a linear to a circular, resource-efficient economy. The company is backing up commitments with proactive steps to engineer solutions that benefit reducing, reusing and making a closed loop to reach achievable goals, such as Econamid Air.

“We are leader in sustainable polyamide solutions and continue to focus on the use of alternative raw materials to establish a circular nylon model in the plastics industry. We believe that this is the only way forward,” Comperatore concludes.