MATERIALS | BIOPLASTICS
Right: Properties of biopolyesters such as PLA and PBS can be improved using Wacker’s Vinnex
additive based on polyvinyl acetate
technology
IMAGE: WACKER
Genioplast Pellet S and Genioplast Pellet P plus
are silicone-based plastic additives in pellet form. They contain a non-crosslinked ultra-high-molecu- lar silicone polymer mounted on pyrogenic silica. Genioplast Pellet P plus is approved for food contact and Genioplast Pellet S is for technical applications. Both grades are said to reduce friction coefficient.
tion. They boost flexibility and impact strength and, in filled systems, increase elongation at break without impairing thermostability. When added in the usual amounts, and depending on the individual system, Vinnex and Genioplast additives were found not to hamper the degradability of biopolyesters. Vinnex homopolymers, copolymers and terpoly-
mers are based on polyvinyl acetate. Grades include Vinnex 2504, a powder-form polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene copolymer, which increases the impact strength of bioplastics. Vinnex 2525, a homopolymer available in granular form, acts as a production aid and worke especially well in blown film extrusion. Unfilled PLA modified with Vinnex 2504 is opaque, unfilled PLA modified with the new Vinnex 2525 additive is highly transparent.
On the grapevine Italy-based SabioMaterials, an innovative start-up that develops and produces bioplastics, has used its technology to create products branded Biodura and Terralix. The Biodura range has been designed to allow creation of high quality, solid, durable items. Target applications include designer furniture, electronics, sports and outdoor activity products. Terralix equipment and systems can be made that are easy to dispose of at the end of use and, in case of accidental dispersion in the environ- ment, yield a reduced impact. Applications are envisaged in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture sector. “Terralix is used in agriculture to produce systems to bind and protect new plants, in particu- lar in vineyards,” says company founder Alessandro Carfagnini. “At the moment, we are studying grades of Terralix to make advanced mulch systems and seasonal irrigation systems that do not need to be removed at the end of use.” Carfagnini says he believes that many of the
Compostable PLA capsules show promise
Earlier this year, PLA producer Natureworks said its development partnership with IMA Coffee to develop a compostable coffee capsule solution compatible with the K-Cup system has delivered promis- ing results and converter partnerships are now being initiated in North America. Compatibility testing on capsules,
filter, and top lid films performed at IMA Coffee Lab have now been supplemented with microleakage detection tests, which are said to have provided “more than encouraging and optimistic results.” Meanwhile, development of new single-stage thermoforming processes and capsule designs is producing capsules that meet IMA’s specifications for
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filling and sealing “With the promising results we’ve seen so far, we have already begun the next phase of development by partnering with converters in North America to bring these new com- postable pod designs to commercial scale,” says Flavio Di Marcotullio, Global Industry Manager, Single Serve Beverages, for NatureWorks. The intention is to make the PLA capsules available to North American brands and roasters looking to meet consumer demands for more sustain- able packaging and to circular economy directives that specify compostable packaging to recover food waste for compost. �
www.natureworksllc.com �
https://ima.it/coffee/
COMPOUNDING WORLD | September 2022
Natureworks and IMA Coffee report promising results for their compostable K-Cup-compatibile PLA capsule design
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: NATUREWORKS
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