MATERIALS | BIOPLASTICS
Right: Braskem has a ‘green ethylene’ plant in Triunfo, Brazil
Bio PP project Braskem has begun a project to evaluate potential production of bio-based polypropylene (PP). The project would use the company’s propri- etary technology that converts bioethanol into polypropylene. It is looking to establish several downstream project partners. “We are actively evaluating a project to produce the world-s first bio-based PP on an industrial scale,” said Mark Nikolich, CEO of Braskem America. Braskem says that the US is home to the world’s
largest ethanol industry production. The bio-based PP would be a drop-in solution with the same techni- cal properties as Braskem’s current PP portfolio. “This US-based project would serve a growing
market for sustainable solutions and reduce our reliance on fossil feedstock,” Nikolich added. “Expanding our portfolio to include bio-based PP supports our goal of 1 million tonnes of biopoly- mers capacity by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.”
Faster degradation Teijin Frontier – the converting division of Teijin – has developed a grade of PLA with a higher rate of degradation.
By adding a new biodegradation accelerator to the polymer, Teijin Frontier has boosted its biodeg- radation rate without impairing strength or other properties. The grade is expected to help reduce microplastics thanks to its faster degradation rate. “Until now, attempts to improve PLA’s biodegra- dability have impaired its strength and other practical properties,” said the company. The company will start producing and selling pellets for applications including extrusion in fiscal 2023 (which ends in March 2024). It aims to sell
“several hundred million JPY” by fiscal 2026. When PLA polymer is hydrolysed to less than 10,000Mn (average molecular weight) it can be broken down into carbon dioxide and water by bacteria and fungi. The accelerator accelerates hydrolysis to reduce molecular weight more quickly than pure PLA. During processing and storage, molecular weight decreases only slightly – similar to that of conventional PLA – so the resin is practical because its crystallinity and processability are not impaired, says the company. The decomposition period – of six months to
two years – can be controlled by adjusting addition conditions and the amount of biodegradation accelerator. This is useful for specific items such as agricultural film.
Bioplastic tie-up Bioplastics producers NatureWorks and CJ Biomaterials have signed an agreement that will see them collaborate on the development of new sustainable materials. While NatureWorks is a leading producer of polylactic acid (PLA), CJ Biomaterials produces polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The companies plan to develop materials to
replace fossil-fuel based plastics in applications ranging from compostable food packaging to films and other products. The initial focus will be to develop bio-based solutions for compostable rigid and flexible food packaging.
Above: NatureWorks recently held a cornerstone-laying ceremony for the new 75,000 tonnes/year PLA plant it is building in Thailand. The factory, on the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC), is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2024
14 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2023
CJ Bio claims to be the only company producing amorphous PHA (aPHA). The first product under its new PHAct brand – introduced in May 2022 – is PHAct A1000P. Amorphous PHA is a softer, more rubbery version of PHA that offers different performance characteristics from crystalline or semi-crystalline forms. It is certified biodegradable
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: NATUREWORKS
IMAGE: BRASKEM
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