Innovation | bioplastics
Bioplastics start to go mainstream
Global bioplastics production capacity is predicted to grow by 50% in the next five years. That’s according to industry trade association European Bioplastics. Growth is being pulled by major consumer brands committed to reducing their environmental footprints – and it’s being pushed by some important developments in the materials themselves that are enabling bioplastics to enter the mainstream. The best-known bioplastic of all, polylactic acid (PLA), is undergoing numerous tweaks to make it a serious competitor to traditional fossil-based thermo- plastics such as polypropylene and polystyrene. In addition, more bio-based polyamides are appearing on the scene: not just long-chain varieties, but now also a version that has the potential to move into applications currently occupied by standard 6 and 66 types. Last October, Natur-Tec, part of Northern Technolo-
gies International, and leading PLA producer Nature- Works introduced a jointly developed technology platform that they say lowers the cost of injection moulded compostable serviceware while increasing its performance. The new BF3002HT technology platform – with formulations based on NatureWorks’ Ingeo PLA – produces heat resistant serviceware with rigidity approaching that of injection moulded polystyrene and higher toughness than either polypropylene or polysty- rene cutlery. NatureWorks says that, for injection moulders, the
new technology platform addresses a processing issue common to compostable cutlery products – warpage of
www.injectionworld.com
Bio-based polymers are emerging from niche areas and starting to appear in markets as diverse as electronics, automotive and consumer goods, writes Peter Mapleston
the cutlery during cooling and crystallization. “Following field trials, injection moulders relayed to us that scrap from finished part warpage and inconsist- ency in material flow, which [normally] could be up to 20%, is now minimal, and less than 5%, when our new technology platform is used,” says Vineet Dalal, Vice President and Director of global market development for Natur-Tec. The two companies, which collaborated on develop-
ment for more than a year, will jointly market the technology as a two-part resin platform that combines in one package a nucleated impact modified Ingeo- based masterbatch with one of NatureWorks’ latest Ingeo performance grades. The BF3002HT platform, which is fully approved for food contact, helps retain polymer properties and so provides better mechanical performance than filled-PLA compounds.
March/April 2017 | INJECTION WORLD 19 Main image:
Developers are improving the
performance of bioplastics for demanding moulding
applications
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