Innovation | bioplastics
Developing bioplastics for performance
Signifi cant progress is being made in the development of thermoplastics sourced in large part - if not totally - from renewable resources, and which are capable of replacing mineral oil-based plastics in durable injection moulded applications. Not only is the supply of these biopolymers increasing, but manufacturers and their partners in the additive and compounding businesses are having considerable success in enhancing their properties.
Leading biopolymer supplier Natureworks says the
durables market for its Ingeo polylactic acid (PLA), although still much smaller than that for biodegrad- able/compostable packaging, is currently growing much faster. One of the reasons for this, the company says, is that its partners are learning fast how to round-out its property profi le. At the Natureworks’ Innovation takes Root conference held earlier this year in Orlando in the US, a session on durable applications included presen- tations from compounder Teknor Apex, nucleating agent developer Takemoto Oil & Fat, and speciality chemicals company Arkema. Arkema’s Altuglas (Plexiglas in North America)
Rnew is an alloy of PLA with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). It now sits alongside such biopolymers as Pebax Rnew polyether block amide TPE, Rilsan Clear Rnew transparent polyamide (incorporating castor oil chemistry), and Rilsan HT polyphthalamide (PPA). PLA appears to work in a synergistic way with PMMA, says Frank Diodato, durables industry global segment manager at NatureWorks. He says impact strength of Altuglas Rnew can get up to around twice as high as in conventionally impact modifi ed PMMA, while
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Developers of bio-based plastics are focusing development effort on
matching performance of traditional polymers and targeting durable injection moulding applications. Peter Mapleston reports
melt fl ow is also “extremely high.” Jim Litkovitz, business manager for resins at
Arkema company Altuglas International, discussed three Plexiglas Rnew alloys in Orlando: C520 combines standard PMMA with PLA; B514 is a transparent high-toughess grade; and B522 provides higher chemical resistance. All have light transmission only slightly below standard PMMA and renewable carbon contents ranging from 29 to 35%. Terraloy compounds from Teknor Apex contain PLA
in combination with various other materials that improve such aspects as heat resistance, processing window, impact strength, and fl ame retardance. Edwin Tam, manager for new strategic initiatives at TA, focussed at the conference on halogen-free fl ame retardant compounds, and how they compare very favourably with a fl ame retardant polycarbonate/ABS blend. Another way of improving the properties of PLA to make it more suitable for durable applications is to add a
Main image: Bioplastics
developers are aiming to develop
polymers suitable for
durable, high performance applications, including new high heat
resistant PLA grades
March 2014 | INJECTION WORLD 21
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