materials development | Compounding bioplastics Delivering more bio in Mater-Bi
At the same time as the performance of biopolymers is being improved by the use of blends and compounds, the biopoly- mers themselves are also getting better. Among starch-based bioplastics,
Novamont’s Mater-Bi is probably the best known, but it has been mainly associ- ated with film extrusion applications such as the biodegradable carrier bags that have largely replaced polyethylene bags in Italian shops. However, Mater-Bi is now into its
fourth generation, and Novamont last year introduced two injection moulding grades. The latest materials have a renewables content of at least 80% compared to the 25% in first-genera- tion types, thanks largely to the development of new bio-based monomers for polyesters that are blended with the starch complexes. Novamont sees important opportu-
nities for single-use products in the catering sector, while the very good aesthetics and an unmistakable soft-touch obtainable with the new grades will offer opportunities for industrial designers looking to create high-performance sustainable products. The company quotes Izod
ance, high bio-based content, and compostability.” The new Terraloy HDT PLA compounds are available
in extrusion grades for thermoformed products like lids, cups, bowls and trays, or in injection moulding grades for cutlery, cups and bowls. Besides being FDA compliant, the compounds have been designated as compostable in accordance with the ASTM D-6400 standard, and Teknor Apex has received USDA BioPre- ferred certification. Bio-based content of the moulding and extrusion grades is 84 and 96%, respectively. In a life-cycle analysis, Terraloy HDT PLA compound
exhibited slightly more potential for greenhouse gas generation than uncompounded PLA resin and less than half that of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), which is commonly used in many target applications.
Increasing heat resistance Corbion Purac mainly focuses on producing lactide monomers for PLA, but it does also offer PLA polymers.
28 COMPOUNDING WORLD | June 2014 impact strength of 16-26 kJ/m2 , Young’s
modulus of 2.7-3.5 GPa, and deflection temperature of 90-100°C. A new grade of Mater-Bi with the
codename “DI02A” completes Nova- mont’s line of bioplastics for the foodser-
Novamont has extended its product offering for the foodservice industry
vice industry, including plates, beakers, cutlery, bowls, single-portion containers, straws, cups, and ice cream scoops that can be collected with the organic waste for composting and sent for anaerobic digestion, reducing waste generation and significantly reducing waste emission of greenhouse gases. With the new DI02A it is possible to produce eating utensils, dishes and portion containers for finger food. A Novamont representative explains
that now it is possible to make complete lines of disposable crockery and cutlery made entirely of Mater-Bi. “Before, there were some producers who made only the cutlery in Mater-Bi, and others who were making dishes and beakers by mixing the Mater-Bi with cellulose,” she says, adding that the milestone was made possible with a new series of biopolymers within the Mater-Bi family that have increased renewability as well as increased performance. Key features of the new grades include a renewables content of over 80%, superior mechanical characteris- tics, and high temperature resistance (up to 110°C). ❙
www.novamont.com
The company is seeding the market by offering sample quantities of L-type homopolymer suitable for injection moulding, as well as D-type for use as a nucleating agent (the two polymers are made from two different isomers), as well as blends of the two that it says have heat performance similar to PP, PS and ABS. Compounders cited by Corbion Purac as offering
products based on its PLA include Biotec and FKuR. Biotec recently launched the Bioplast 2200 range of compounds designed for durable applications, while FKuR has launched a range of high-heat compounds for the packaging industry. At the Interpack 2014 packaging show, held in
Düsseldorf, Germany in May, FKuR and Corbion Purac said that they had joined forces to develop PLA com- pounds for both heat resistant and GMO-free applica- tions. The two companies are targeting new compound formulations for applications that include both food and non-food packaging, as well as several durable
www.compoundingworld.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78