bioplastics | Innovation
toothbrushes, ball pens, bottles and containers in general.
Another company offering bio-elastomers is Kansas,
Above: The Dino Adventure play set is made in Green Dot’s Terratek wood-plastic composite
electronic equipment, including computing centres and switchgear cabinets. Chinese supplier Kingfa has been supplying bio-based
polyamide 10T for several years now. It says its Vicnyl semi-aromatic resin offers better resistance to hydrolysis and superior thermal properties compared to rival high performance polyamides such as PA9T and PA4,6. The polymer is produced at a 2000-tonnes/year plant in China and is based on decanediamine, derived from castor beans, and terephthalic acid. The bio-based carbon content in Vicnyl ranges between 40%-60% by weight. According to Kingfa, Vicnyl materials are suited for a
wide range of applications in the electrical and electronics, automotive, and metal-replacement fields. Two grades are currently available: Vicnyl 650 glass- fibre reinforced PA 10T (50% glass fibre content) with heat-deflection temperature under load of 280°C, water absorption of 0.15% (23°C/24 hours in water), and a UL 94 HB rating at 0.4-3 mm thickness; and Vicnyl 630 with an HDT of 240°C, water absorption of 0.6% and UL 94 rating of HB.
Right: Green
Dot’s Terratek moulding compound
contains up to 60% wood fibre
Flexible developments API, which specialises in soft compounds, last year launched its Apigo Bio family of olefin-based com- pounds (TPOs)containing hard and soft components derived from what it only describes as “renewable sources.” Renewables content ranges from 20% to 90%. API says the new compounds, which complement its existing Apinat Bio range of biodegradable compounds and Apilon bio-based TPUs, show good physical and mechanical properties comparable to conventional TPOs derived from fossil fuels. Apigo Bio grades are available in Shore hardnesses
ranging from 70A to 66D and all grades are suitable for food contact applications. API is collaborating with another major compounder, A Schulman, on marketing of the new compounds. Schulman says the grades are especially suitable for durable goods, packaging, personal care items and many other products. It cites
48 INJECTION WORLD | March 2015
www.injectionworld.com
US-based Green Dot Holdings, a company headed by ex-Styron CEO Mark Remmert that describes itself as a bioscience social enterprise. Terratek Flex is a starch- based (over 50%) elastomer that degrades in home composting environments as well as in industrial facilities. Green Dot says it is strong, durable and pliable with an “exquisite” soft touch. Said to be well suited to scenting and printing, the elastomer is suitable for production of toys and electronics cases, as well as industrial and agricultural applications. “It has been tested by [public health and safety organisation] NSF International and is verified to meet child safety standards in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand,” the supplier says.
Natural reinforcements Green Dot is also one of several companies that have recently added natural fibre-reinforced injection moulding compounds to their portfolios (although these are not always based on bioplastics). The company says the Terratek WC materials use reclaimed, recycled or virgin polypropylene with up to 60% wood particles obtained from waste materials generated by lumber manufacturers. A variety of wood types can be used, including maple, oak and pine, and the mesh size of the wood particles may be selected to achieve the desired look of the finished part. Green Dot claims the smaller and more uniform size of its Terratek WC wood-plastic composite pellets is optimised to ensure superior processing compared to other wood-plastic composites. Germany-based Technamation’s Fibroform is a
cellulose fibre reinforced plastic composite formulated for injection moulding. The company says it combines the best properties of cellulose fibres and [convention- al] plastics. Produced mainly from recycled raw materials, the compound has proven to be tough and humidity resistant. Cellulose content is 80% and the
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