MATERIALS | BIO-BASED PLASTICS
Right: Possible applications for M·Vera PPC from Bio-Fed
families of compounds, all containing renewables but not always biodegradable and not always using bio-based plastics (some are based on PP, for example). Terratek NFRP is the latest line. The Terratek Bio family contains either wood or starch; the Terratek Flex family is based on a compostable elastomer; Terratek BD grades are more rigid, and biodegradable. Parker says various projects are in progress
coming from Mayco’s operations, which Green Dot converts into Terratek NFRP (Natural Fibre Rein- forced Plastic). According to Sarah Harbaugh, Sales & Market-
ing Director at Green Dot Bioplastics, Mayco wanted a sustainable solution for waste produced during the manufacture of automotive compo- nents. Green Dot plans to sell the Terratek NFRP compounds to third parties. Several injection moulding applications are currently under devel- opment. She envisages applications in such products as furniture and garden products. Green Dot Bioplastics launched Terratek NFRP in
2020. Compounds contain natural fibres such as hemp, jute, sisal, American Bamboo, and flax, rather than glass or carbon fibre. The polymer matrix comes from non-renewables, most often PP. Mike Parker, Green Dot’s Director of Research & Development, says Terratek NFRP grades have similar physical properties and aesthetics to traditional compounds, but Terratek NFRP is lighter and also has better sound deadening properties. Green Dot Bioplastics offers four different
involving Terratek BD: applications include cutlery with improved high temperature properties achieved without annealing, as well as parts with long flow paths and complex shapes, including incorporation of living hinges. Cologne-based Bio-Fed develops and produces
biodegradable and/or bio-based compounds under the brand name M·Vera. This grade range consists of biodegradable compounds, most of them partly or fully biobased. The portfolio was recently expanded with ISCC
PLUS and REDcert² sustainable-certified com- pounds made from biomass-balanced PP. These newest products are marketed under the names M·Vera PPH and M·Vera PPC. Bio-Fed says chang- ing from conventional PP to the sustainable version is easy for processors, as the material can be used as a drop-in solution without adjusting the process parameters in production. Bio-Fed also has a new range of masterbatches based on biomass-balanced carrier materials in cooperation with its sister company AF-Color. These are named AF-CirColor and AF-CirCarbon. The portfolio is supplemented by the matching AF-CirComplex additive masterbatches. Bio-Fed also offers a wide range of entirely or partially bio-based materials for the injection
Italian bio-based materials start-up
A new Italian company specialising in bio-based and biodegradable plastics is SabioMaterials, founded in 2016. Company founder Alessandro Carfagnini says: “Our expertise includes polyhy- droxyalkanoates (PHA), additives, and the production process of materials. We are expert in assessing novel ingredients, designing novel formulations and prototyping novel materials.” Alessandro Carfagnini is the son of Italo, one of the most famous figures in the compounding sector. Italo Carfagnini was founder and CEO of So.F.Ter, a major compounder of thermoplastic elastomers and engineering thermoplastics. The company now operates as Celanese Production Italy.
46 INJECTION WORLD | June 2022
Above: SabioMaterials’ Alessandro Carfagnini (left) with Giorgio Colombo, President of compounding equipment company ICMA San Giorgio, in front of SabioMaterials’ latest acquisition
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: SABIOMATERIALS
IMAGE: SVETAVO/
STOCK.ADOBE.COM
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
