BIOPLASTICS | MATERIALS
Green revolution: latest developments in bioplastics
Recent developments in bioplastics include several collaborations to move the materials further into the mainstream – as well as new ways to modify their properties
Bioplastics research has boomed as demand for more sustainable materials continues to increase. This research varies widely – encompassing everything from finding new raw material sources to developing innovative applications. For instance, Finnish research centre VTT has
expanded the use of its physics-based modelling and AI – to model and design soft materials such as novel bio-polymers. VTT’s virtual modelling toolbox – ProperTune
– had previously been used to model hard materi- als such as metals. It allows companies to cut product development time in half, decrease cost elements of product development, reduce environ- mentally harmful materials and design new materials that perform better, says VTT. “Developing products virtually is happening
now,” said Antti Puisto, research team leader at VTT. “As products are improved and new ones are created for different industries, we need to make each resource count.”
He says the technique holds promise for the construction industry, as an example. Here, insulation materials in the walls of buildings are typically made of petrochemical-based polymers or mineral wool – which often end up in landfill. “How do we create an alternative insulation
material that doesn’t rot between the walls – but disappears without a trace after its life cycle is over?” he said. “This is the kind of inspiring challenge that we want to tackle.” Potential examples include: building structural models of bio-composites – incorporating cellulose fibres into a polymer matrix; and designing a biodegradable material from scratch, including modelling of factors such as enzyme action.
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Agricultural use Italy-based Sabio Materials – a start-up that develops and produces bioplastics – has used its technology to create two material grades. Its Biodura range has been designed to allow
creation of high quality, solid, durable items, while its Terralix material is to make items easy to dispose of at the end of life – or, in case of accidental dispersion in the environment, yield a reduced impact. Applications are envisaged in the agricul- ture, forestry and aquaculture sectors. “Terralix is used in agriculture to produce systems to bind and protect new plants, in particu- lar in vineyards,” said founder Alessandro Carfag- nini. “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 traditional plastics used in agriculture could be replaced with Terralix — which is based on linear biopolyesters combined with additives of plant origin — bringing
Above: VTT is using physics- based model- ling to develop new plastic materials – such as this PLA
January/February 2023 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 11
IMAGE: VTT
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