A promising plant-based vinyl alternative

[proftournesol]

 

 

https://newatlas.com/music/evovinyl-bioplastic-pvc-alternative-vinyl-records/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=f41016955d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_03_26_11_54&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-f41016955d-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]

 

Here's a really important quote from the article

Quote

As for sound quality, test pressings have been assessed by veteran music producer Rob Cass "who was speechless when he learnt that it was made entirely from plants." Peter Thomas (pictured above) from high-end loudspeaker manufacturer PMC says that EvoVinyl's "performance is indistinguishable from traditional vinyl."

PMC recently injected some cash into the enterprise to kickstart the move to marketplace availability. "Our main driver is a genuine concern for the environment," said Thomas. "It is not greenwashing, but a real desire to try and do something to remove PVC from our industry. We’re also going to be looking at this technology to see if we can use it to replace the plastic parts in PMC loudspeakers."

 

[Tweaky]

They have a article about these Sugarcane based LP's being pressed by U.K. company Evolution Audio in the latest, August 2024, issue of HiFi News & Record review. [Test pressings only at this stage]

If only the fact that they are basically free of Static, I'd say that's a win.

 

You can read about Evolution Audio's Evovinyl at the link below.

https://evolution-music.co.uk/evovinyl/

 

In the HiFi News article, there is mention that sugar-based polymers could eventually end up replacing the silicon chip, as it has higher optical clarity.

If so, I imagine the same could be a good reason to test it with the manufacture of CD's and other disc media.

 

[audiofeline]

It will be good if the product doesn't degrade over time. 

I note the lower temperatures required for pressing, this might mean there are fewer factory-warps.

[audiofeline]

[April Snow]

Billie Eillish's new album is pressed on Eco Vinyl.

The reviews are not great on the SQ  of that one with plenty of complaints about the "eco vinyl" and the bad noise floor.

I decided to stick with the digital release of this album, based on the complaints.

 

I also wonder about the "longevity" of this eco vinyl? Early days yet I guess.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-69011387

 

Streaming is not "eco friendly" either - you are still better off buying the physical it seems. 

 

Streaming can often seem like a low-impact option but Spotify's most recent impact report reveals its total emissions in 2023 added up to 280,355 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

The energy we use to charge and power our devices as well as the energy needed to transmit tracks across a network and store data on servers all adds up.

Streaming is still thought to be the best option if you only listen to a track a few times. For repeat listeners though, physical copies of albums are likely to be a more sustainable alternative.

Edited July 1, 2024 by April Snow

[ReliaBill EngR]

Of course, there is no mention of the fossil fuel energy resources used to make just one disc! I’m willing to bet a lot more energy is required than for an equal mass of pvc. 
 

Id love to see drink bottles recycled to make records. Uses less energy to recycle, mix colors to make black, and it keeps the plastic out of landfills and waterways. 

[audiofeline]

11 hours ago, ReliaBill EngR said:

...Id love to see drink bottles recycled to make records. Uses less energy to recycle, mix colors to make black, and it keeps the plastic out of landfills and waterways. 

Yes, but only the bottles of still beverages.  The carbonated bottles would probably crackle like a Paramount 78. 

[ReliaBill EngR]

2 hours ago, audiofeline said:

Yes, but only the bottles of still beverages.  The carbonated bottles would probably crackle like a Paramount 78. 

LOL!!

 

Heating, melting, blending, would remove and release the 2 parts per billion per Kg of plastic of entrained CO2…..

Edited August 5, 2024 by ReliaBill EngR

[Honreekea]

I wonder how the new Vinyl alternative will withstand vermin? .... Hopefully better than the soy based electrical cabling in automobiles  were they are vulnerable to being chomped on by mice.

[aussievintage]

On 26/06/2024 at 5:56 PM, audiofeline said:

I note the lower temperatures required for pressing, this might mean there are fewer factory-warps.

 

 

and more warps afterwards - basically it melts more easily?

 

 

On 05/08/2024 at 11:55 AM, ReliaBill EngR said:

Id love to see drink bottles recycled to make records. Uses less energy to recycle, mix colors to make black, and it keeps the plastic out of landfills and waterways. 

 

Polystyrene records were not a big success in terms of how fast they wear out.  Same here I suspect

 

2 hours ago, Honreekea said:

Hopefully better than the soy based electrical cabling in automobiles  were they are vulnerable to being chomped on by mice.

 

Very good point. 

[David A]

The question is - If you plant one of those records and water it regularly, will it play songs like "One tree hill", "Don't sit under the apple tree" and "Songs from the wood"?