BIOPLASTICS | MATERIALS
US bioplastics output lags world average
Heather Nortz, manager of sustain- ability and materials at the Plastics Industry Association in the US, told delegates at last year’s Bioplastics conference – organised by AMI – that US production and use of bioplastics still lags the global average. While bioplastics account for around 1.5% of global production, this is about 0.6% in the US. By 2028, bioplastics
will account for 2% of global produc- tion and 1% of US production. However, while exports of bioplas-
tics from the US are expected to remain stable to 2028, imports are expected to accelerate. In that time, global production of bioplastics is expected to triple – from around 2 million tonnes in 2023 to more than 7m tonnes in 2028: Asia currently
collaborating with numerous customers in sectors such as consumer electronics, home accessories and appliances, and construction. Founder Christopher Carrick said the company’s
proprietary process upcycles lignin into a sustain- able, high-performance bio-based thermoplastic. He said that the abundance of feedstock and the ability to fit within existing plastics processes is ena- bling adoption.
Coupling agents Turkey-based Tisan has launched a new brand of bioplastics called BioStar. These include bio-based raw materials that decompose into carbon dioxide, water, methane, inorganic compounds and biomass. They are engineered with coupling agents that increase bio-content and produce blends that have biodeg- radability or long life. In addition, its Bioblend has been developed with mixtures of different materials including PLA, PBAT and PBS and bio-fillers and fibres. Different loading ratios support increasing mechanical properties.
Biobond has been developed as a compatibi- liser for bio-based raw materials with organic and inorganic fillers within the polymer. It is a maleic anhydride-modified biopolymer with PLA or PBAT content to promote adhesion between the polymer matrix and fillers or different polymer compounds. It is a bio-based coupling agent for fillers, including mineral fillers and natural fibers. With the increased functionality, it can ensure high-level loading of bio-based organic fillers of 40-60%, says the company.
PEF plant Meanwhile, a five-year pan-European research project called PEFerence has culminated in the construction of a production plant for FDCA – a key
www.injectionworld.com
accounts for around half of all bioplastics production – but will exceed 70% by 2028, she said. n The next Bioplastics conference is held in Cleveland, USA on 26-27 August. For more details, contact Annabel Kerr on +1 610 478 0800 (
annabel.kerr@
amiplastics.com). �
www.plasticsindustry.org �
www.amiplastics.com
building block for the biopolymer PEF. The 5,000 tonnes/year facility – at Chemie Park
Delfzijl, in the Netherlands – makes FDCA from plant sources. PEF is a polyester that can be used in applications including flexible films. It is similar to PET, but bio-based and with high barrier and mechanical properties. PEF is also suitable for recycling while maintaining its quality and value. “The opening of this plant is a pivotal moment
for PEFerence and the bioplastics industry,” said Ed de Jong, VP of development at Avantium, which coordinated the project. “PEF is a material of the future as it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.”
Testing time A Spanish research project, called Biofast, has devised a way to carry out biodegradation tests of compostable plastics three times more quickly. The project partners – including coordinator
Aimplas, the MATS Research Group at Valencia University and materials company Prime Biopoly- mers – developed and validated a new protocol that combines specific bioplastic formulations, various oxidative pre-treatment technologies and compost enrichment to speed up biodegradation. The MATS group applied abiotic pre-treatment technologies – including plasma and UV irradiation, as well as hydro- and chemo-thermal degradation – to biopolymers. The impact of the oxidative pre-treatments was evaluated in terms of the short- and medium-term stability of the materials’ structure, morphology and functional performance. Prime Biopolymers prepared several composi-
tions of compostable biopolymers that are cur- rently used on the market, while Aimplas analysed factors that affect biodegradation. This led to a strategy to speed up the process based on increasing the potential of the biotic and abiotic components involved in composting.
� July/August 2025 | INJECTION WORLD 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
