MATERIALS | BIO-BASED POLYMERS


Right: Pulverised oyster shells are used in one of MAIP’s IAmNature compounds


natural polymers produced by biosynthesis in plants and algae, natural polymers produced by biosynthesis in fungi and natural polymers pro- duced by biosynthesis in bacteria.” MAIP has over 500 grades in its IamNature, with elastic moduli ranging from around 500 MPa to over 6,000 MPa, and comparable, depending on the grade, to polyolefins and styrenics. Unreinforced grades as well as grades containing various types of fillers and reinforcements are available. One formulation even contains pulverised oyster shells. At least one grade has been developed for


external applications, out-performing not only ABS but also ASA (the so-called outdoor ABS, in which butadiene rubber is replaced by acrylic rubber). Some formulations are also said to have consider- able scratch and mar resistance. Bio-Fed, a branch of Akro-Plastic, produces and


markets biodegradable and/or biobased com- pounds under the M∙Vera brand. It does not divulge the polymers used. The portfolio includes mostly film extrusion materials with good transpar- ency as well as a variable bio content, but also injection moulding grades. These are certified according to OK compost HOME and OK biode- gradable SOIL by TÜV Austria Belgium. A range of grades with different mechanical properties is available, suitable for applications such as coffee capsules, disposable cutlery, hygienic relevant products, food and cosmetics packaging. Compounds with OK compost INDUSTRIAL


certification are available for the same products. The M∙Vera injection moulding portfolio is rounded off by a softer grade with properties comparable to LDPE (low-density polyethylene). This material is


mainly biobased and fulfils the requirements of soil degradability certificatation. Engineering applica- tions can be served by the M∙Vera ECS range, based on partially bio-based polyamides. All M·Vera materials can be coloured individually


– for example with Bio-Fed’s AF-Eco biopolymer- based masterbatches, which are certified in accordance with EN 13432. The AF-Eco range consists of colour and carbon black masterbatches as well as additive masterbatches.


From PLA Nurel in Spain has developed a new range of Inzea renewable and compostable biopolymers (based on PLA and starch) for injection moulding and extrusion. The company claims to be the leader in Europe in the manufacture of compostable biopolymers. Nurel says one of the main advantages of Inzea


Squeezable tube producer Tubettificio Favia has developed ToBeNaturAL, a line of cosmetic tubes that use aluminium for the tube itself and a closure injection moulded in IamNature from MAIP. The bioplastic has also proved to be particularly suitable for customisation through Favia’s innovative digital printing technology, “ToBeUnique,” which enables the tube and the closure to be printed at the same time.


14 INJECTION WORLD | June 2020


is that it can be processed in the same facilities as standard polymers with just small process adjust- ments. “With optimal mechanical properties and similar processing parameters, Inzea can replace most oil-based polymers with equivalent proper- ties,” it claims. “Inzea products for injection moulding have been designed to improve the main drawback of PLA, its low thermal resistance and its fragility,” says the company. Grades are suitable for processing in conventional equipment. Generally the recom- mended processing parameters are medium to high injection speed and a moderate backpressure. Grades range in flexibility from 1,000 MPa to 10,000 MPa. Nurel offers a wide range of grades with thermal


resistance up to 150°C with or without annealing to increase levels of crystallinity. Target applications for grades with higher heat resistance include microwave food containers, coffee capsules and hot food containers. Inzea biopolymers are


www.injectionworld.com


IMAGE: MAIP


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