After having decided to manufacture their toddler toys out of bioplastics, Playmobil has selected Ineos Styrolution bio-based ABS and MBS bio-plastics, as the material for their toys. This means the new Playmobil 1.2.3 portfolio range for toddlers will be produced with 100% bio-attributed ABS.

The company announced back in February of 2024 that they were aiming to make the switch from fossil-based to bioplastics for their toddler portfolio range. Playmobil is now a step closer to achieving this aim, as they have chosen to use Ineos Styrolution’ plant-based material as their new feedstock.

This development marks the first time a major toy manufacturer has made it possible to buy an entire product segment, that is manufactured completely from a minimum of 90% bio-attributed plastics.

The specific material that will be used to create these toys will be Terluran ECO GP-22 BC100, which is Ineos Styrolution’s bio-based ABS material. Terluran is made up of 100% bio-attributed feedstock, which results in the three conventional feedstock components that are found in Abs (acrylonitrile monomer, butadiene, and styrene) being replaced by renewable feedstock. This feedstock is attributed through an ISCC-certified balance approach.

The parts of the toys which are transparent, will be made with the MBS Zylar ECO 960 BC90. These components will contain 90% bio-based attributed feedstock.

It was in 2022 when Ineos Styrolution launched their ECO B line, which included bio-attributed ABS resins. This product and launch was known as ‘the final jigsaw piece’ within the company’s polystyrene and ABS portfolio. This portfolio has since grown and now includes mechanically recycled and bio-attributed solutions, which are suitable for the firm’s three product lines. They have also cleverly manufactured each of their bio-attributed products in a way that allows their physical and mechanical properties to be identical to their counterparts.

Product manager ECO EMEA at Ineos Styrolution, Dr. Christian Ruthard, commented, “Terluran ECO GP-22 BC100 is a material with a neutral to even negative carbon footprint, when biogenic carbon is taken into account.”

Playmobil CEO, Bahri Kurter, added, “After successfully establishing several classic product lines to now use recycled and bio-based plastics, converting the production of our toddler line is another important step on our ambitious sustainability agenda.”