MATERIALS | BIOPLASTICS
bio-based and offers better barrier and thermal properties. It is said to be an ideal material for beverage bottles. Packaging remains the largest field of application for bioplastics with almost 53% of the total bioplas- tics market in 2019. The European Bioplastics data reveals that sectors such as automotive and transport and building and construction are significantly increasing their relative share. Bio-based, non-biode- gradable plastics, including bio-based PE, bio-based PET, and bio-based PA, currently make up around 44% of global bioplastics production capacities.
Global bioplastics production capacity 2018-2024 (forecasting prior to the Covid-19 pandemic) Source: European Bioplastics/Nova Institute
Global bioplastics production by application 2019 Source: European Bioplastics/Nova Institute
Right: HPF Minerals has developed a range of short and long needle Tremin 283
wollastonite filler/ reinforcement grades for bioplastics
Source:
Quarzwerke/ HPF Minerals
18 COMPOUNDING WORLD | September 2020
www.compoundingworld.com
Consider lifecycles When looking at the current market situation for plastics it is important to pay consideration to the entire lifecycle, according to Péter Sebö, Head of Marketing and Market Development at HPF Minerals, a division of Quarzwerke. “Bioplastics can be used in an increasing number of application areas,” he says. “Green polymers are increasingly in focus, with an expected highest growth rate in the automotive and electronics sectors of around 8-10% per year. However, we still have to be aware of the fact that bioplastics are divided into two groups of materials that are not necessarily identical: biodegradable plastics that can be composted and bio-based plastics that are made from renewable raw materials, but barely degrade.” Sebö says that biodegradability can be appeal- ing in certain applications. “The use of biodegrad- able plastics is particularly interesting where this degradability has a special benefit; for example, flower pots that are metabolised into biomass in the soil, mulch foils that are ploughed in, or organic waste bags that can be disposed of together with organic waste. However, manufacturers and processors of bioplastics face major challenges, such as price, availability and quality, in order to be able to compete with fossil fuel-based raw materi- als. Otherwise, they have to offer other benefits that justify the price difference from the consumer’s
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