Innovation | bioplastics
formulation that matches most of the mechanical properties of Biomer P226, an existing grade widely used in technical parts. Biomer P304 is available in pilot scale quantities. Last year, BASF added an injection moulding grade
to its range of Ecovio compostable and partially bio-based PBATs that, until then, had been mostly used for shopping bags and mulch fi lm. Ecovio IS1335 is said to offer good stiffness, moderate fl ow characteristics and dimensional stability under heat up to 55°C. “This variant lends itself for thin-walled, complex and high-quality packaging, which should be compostable,” says the company. Depending on the application, injection-moulded products made of Ecovio IS1335 having wall thicknesses of as much as 1.1 mm degrade in accordance with the EN 13432 standard for com- postable packaging. Among starch-based bioplastics, Novamont’s Mater-Bi is probably the best known, but it has been almost exclusively associated with the biodegradable carrier bags that have largely replaced polyethylene bags in Italian shops. However, with Mater-Bi now into its fourth generation (which boasts a renewable content of at least 80% compared to the 25% in fi rst-generation types due largely to the development of new bio-based monomers for the polyesters that are blended with the starch complexes), Novamont last year introduced two injection moulding grades. Novamont sees important opportunities for single use products in the catering sector, while the very good aesthetics and an unmistak- able soft touch obtainable with the new grades will offer new
opportunities for industrial designers looking to create high performance
sustainable products. It quotes Izod impact strength of 16-26 kJ/m2, Young’s modulus of
2.7-3.5 GPa, and defl ection temperature of 90-100°C. At the beginning of March this year, Novamont also
announced plans to increase production of its Origio-Bi PBAT. It is taking a 78% stake in Mater-Biopolymer in Patrica, Italy, taking over majority ownership from Mossi & Ghisolfi . Mater-Biopolymer now has two lines, one making PET for M&G, and one making Origo-Bi for Novamont. The intention is that Novamont will eventually take full control of the company and convert the existing PET line to Origo-Bi production. Total capacity would then be around 100,000 tonnes/yr. Novamont says Origo-Bi, obtained from monomers either partly or completely based on renewables, is used to improve the technical, economic and environmental characteristics of Mater-Bi.
www.injectionworld.com
Among the engineering thermoplastics, polyamides
stand out with their potential to be produced at least partially from renewable resources. Many major suppliers already offer commercial materials for injection moulding, or are in the advanced stages of development.
As mentioned earlier, Arkema offers Rnew Rilsan polyamide 11, which is partly sourced from castor oil. DSM’s EccoPaXX PA 4,10 is also sourced from the castor plant, which grows in such countries as Brazil, China, and India. It is 70% bio-based. EcoPaXX has mechanical properties such as stiffness and toughness that are similar to those of conventional aliphatic polyamides such as PA6,6 and PA6; on the other hand, it has properties typical of long-chain polyamides such as PA6,10 and PA6,12 such as low moisture uptake, chemical- and hydrolysis resistance, and high thermal stability. PA 4,10 has a glass transition temperature of 70°C, a
crystalline melting point of 250°C – the highest of any bioplastic – and a high crystallisation rate. This results in a tensile modulus in the dry state close to that of PA6,6. Moreover, due to its low
moisture uptake, the decrease of tensile modulus after conditioning is limited. Defl ection temperature is 175°C under 0.45
MPa load. DSM says the good hydrolysis resistance of EcoPaXX
is important for several applications in engine compart- ment cooling systems. These include radiator and charge air cooler end caps, thermostat housings, water pump housings and impellers, water valves, coolant recovery tanks, and cooling water pipes. There are currently fi ve commercial injection molding
grades of EcoPaXX: a general purpose, unfi lled injection molding grade; two glass-reinforced types (30% and 50% respectively); a glass/mineral reinforced injection molding grade suited for injection moulding of large parts requiring low warpage such as engine and crankshaft covers; and a halogen-free fl ame-retardant
March 2014 | INJECTION WORLD 25
Above: Evolve sunglasses by Smith Optics
are moulded in Arkema’s
Rilsan Clear
Rnew, a castor oil based PA with 54% biobased content
Left: Tecnaro has developed a range of biodegradable and durable polymers including the Arbofi ll grades used in this fruit bowl
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