LCA reveals sustainability gains for Saint-Gobain’s Tygon S3 tubing

Results from the LCA show that Tygon S3 was produced using eight percent less energy and 12 percent less fossil fuel than the tubing containing phthalates that was also tested. Overall, these savings contributed to a six percent reduction in carbon footprint compared to market alternatives. Results were substantiated by independent third-party verification of the LCA, which included the raw materials stage, manufacturing, transportation, use phase and end-of-life disposal.

"Sustainability is no longer a trend, but an integral part of today's manufacturing supply chain," said Iuliana Nita, global marketing manager, food and neverage, process systems business unit at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (SGPPL). "Tygon S3 reinforces that by proving that critical components in product processing, transfer and dispensing applications can meet - or anticipate - increasingly demanding food safety regulations and provide sustainability benefits without sacrificing performance."

Tygon S3 was introduced in 2012 as the first bio-based and phthalate-free tubing solution for food, beverage and applications that provided the same level of performance as other Tygon-branded offerings. Utilizing renewable, bio-based plasticizers, which represent a significant portion of the total formulation said SGPPL, these connection solutions can help manufacturers anticipate more rigorous regulations on the use of phthalates in equipment and materials that come into contact with food and beverage products along the supply chain.

The company declined to provide additional details about the new formulation, nor would it comment on whether this would affect the price of the new tubing.

Tygon S3 has been approved for use by the Food & Drug Administration in the U.S., as well as by regulatory bodies in Europe (for non-dairy applications) and Japan. SGPPL performed validation according to the most restrictive food-contact regulations, leading to certified compliance, accompanied by the required conditions of use.