It is no longer sufficient to simply manufacture high-quality, high-performance connectors. It is now important to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions throughout the life cycle of a connector, from the raw materials, to the manufacturing process and the long-term sustainability.
That is why SCHURTER has released the world’s first appliance connectors, which are manufactured with bio-based plastic rather than traditional oil-based plastic.
According to a study commissioned by myclimate, the highest CO2 emissions are caused by the material used in the manufacture of a component. To address this challenge, SCHURTER has launched Green Line appliance connectors in a bio-plastic housing which is made from plant-based raw materials.
The change to bio-based plastic can reduce emissions by up to 68% compared with traditional oil-based plastics, which are made from petrochemicals. At the same time, the connectors must continue to maintain the same standards of visual and mechanical quality.
The raw material which is used to produce the bio-plastic for the Green Line connectors is produced from castor beans. The bio-plastic is recyclable and has a CO2 footprint which is neutral over the entire life cycle. As the bio-based plastics often have a lower density compared with oil-based plastics, there is also a reduction in the amount of raw material that is used.
The extraction and production of the bio-plastic from castor beans is sustainable and minimizes the need for energy. The fact that castor bean plants can be grown in dry regions is different from using raw materials such as corn or sugar to produce bio-plastics. This is because castor bean plants do not compete for land, which is needed for conventional agriculture, as the plants can grow in dry regions and without needing fertiliser or artificial irrigation. In addition, the castor bean plants absorb and bind CO2 from the atmosphere during cultivation.
The plant-based plastic made from castor beans also has the ability to be recycled and reused to support long-term sustainability.
To provide design flexibility, there are 77 variants of the Green Line IEC 60320-compatible appliance connectors across six series. These series offer screw-on or snap-in mounting for the 6100 and 6102 series of C14 and C18 appliance inlets, and for the 6600 series of F outlets. The mounting options also add the option of using solder or quick-connect terminals.
As part of the SCHURTER strategy for sustainability, the Green Line eco-friendly appliance connectors play a significant role in contributing to the goal of cutting 50% of the CO2 footprint by 2035. The connectors also help the manufacturers of appliances to lower CO2 emissions.