MATERIALS | BIOPLASTICS
The material has also been used to replace
traditional mailing films covering magazines and newspapers, and as a wrap for meat. “Lots of butchers have decided to go plastic-
free,” said Scott Morton, managing director of BioBag World Australia – a subsidiary of its Norway- based parent company. “They’re using the film to wrap meat before they freeze it.”
Above:
Aimplas will create thermo- formable sheet from PHA, derived from coffee and oil waste
Mulch benefit
Ecovio is also used to make mulch films that rot in the soil after use, rather than having to be collected. One grade of the material, M2351, has been used as a component in mulch films that has also helped to increase the yield of tomatoes – by up to 50%. Farmers noticed higher resistance to fungal diseases, earlier harvests and better quality crops. “We support farmers in many countries in using mulch films made of Ecovio”, said Dirk Staerke, from marketing biopolymers for agriculture at BASF. Ecovio M 2351 is a ready-made compound for
extruding thin films. It can be processed on conventional blown-film lines for PE. Because of its mechanical properties regarding strength and tear resistance, the films can be manufactured in thicknesses of 12, 10 and 8 microns. The com- pound already contains slip and anti-block agents.
Cucumber wrap An Australian converter has developed composta- ble shrink-wrap packaging for cucumbers – which has been taken up more widely. BioBag World Australia, based in Adelaide in
Right: Washington State University researchers have developed a cellulose- based foam that has better insulating properties than polystyrene
South Australia, originally developed the wrap for cucumbers after a request from a supermarket. It is made from the starch-based Mater-Bi resin from Novamont. The company recently doubled production of the film and will boost output further when a second extruder and conversion machine arrive from China. Qatar Airways now used the compostable packaging to reduce waste and collect food scraps.
14 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2020
PHA from coffee Spanish plastics research organisation Aimplas is taking part in Waystup, a pan-European research project that aims to make products such as bioplastics from urban biowaste. Overall, it intends to improve the perception of urban biowaste as a resource and promote active citizen participation to separate and collect it. New manufacturing business models will be developed to prepare the necessary technological solutions and end products for market entry. The project will also advise city managers on how to adopt new organisational models that support the use of urban biowaste, as well as evidence-based EU-level policy recommendations for decision- makers.
Aimplas’ role in the project will be to make pack-
aging from PHA – derived from coffee and oil waste. PHA will first be formulated so it can be extruded, sheet will be manufactured, then the packaging will be thermoformed. The 42-month project will involve 26 research
partners, local authorities, businesses and city networks.
Compostable barrier Emsur of Spain has developed a compostable bag with a high-performance triplex structure – using adhesives and special inks that are also compostable. It was created in response to customer demands for a two- or three-layer barrier bag of sustainable origin, with compostable characteristics. The bag can be transparent, opaque or colour-printed, in gloss or matt, with a range of visual and sensory effects to enhance product differentiation.
As well as its sustainability, the main advantage is the high barrier performance compared to other com- postable plastics. The laminated structure was specially designed for the
coffee market but can be applied to other products such as
www.filmandsheet.com
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