MATERIALS | BIOPLASTICS


strated is the processing behaviour for commer- cialisation and up-scaling. Laboratory trials can give early indications, but larger scale trials require the active involvement of converters. This is why Reverdia promotes long-term application co-devel- opment with companies throughout the value chain. This allows for efficient learning and sharing, and an iterative approach towards material and application development.” He says that with Biosuccinium acting as a


Above: Reverdia’s


Biosuccinium is a building block for


bio-based poly- urethane used in footwear


Right: Reverdia and Wagenin- gen UR have developed durable PBS based on


Biosuccinium which has been used success- fully in injection moulding trials


16


producers, the global production capacity for bioplastics is currently around 2m tpa and is expected to increase to over 2.4m tpa by 2022 (European Bioplastics, Nova-Institute 2017). “This leads us to expect that the market in injection moulding applications will follow this trend,” Theunissen says. “As consumers get increasingly used to bio-based and more sustainable alterna- tives, they will expect more renewable options to be available to them. The biggest challenge is how young the bio-based industries are. Consumers and brands are looking for innovative success stories before committing to these new materials. Another challenge is cost competitiveness. In the brands perspective report, it was found that 87% of brands saw cost as the biggest barrier for bio-ma- terials adoption. The short-term solution for this challenge will be the new performance benefits offered by those new materials. With growing economies-of-scale, we feel that longer term many bio-materials have the potential to become cost-competitive.” Reverdia’s Biosuccinium is succinic acid pro- duced using a fermentation process from sustain- able biomass. It is a building block for various materials, including polybutylene succinate (PBS) which has mostly been used in film applications so far (for example, for packaging or agriculture). Theunissen says: “As PBS’ properties suit the injection moulding process well, injection mould- ing needs to catch up. With the introduction and growth of bio-based PBS, it will be much more attractive to also develop injection moulding applications in bio-based plastics. The biggest area of interest is currently the development of bio- based drop-in solutions for established petrochem- ical materials, such as adipic acid, acrylic acid and terephthalic acid. For newer bio-based plastics such as PBS, the physical performance they can deliver is well known. What is still to be demon-


INJECTION WORLD | March 2018


platform chemical, Reverdia has helped to enable new materials and consumer products down the value chain. “With Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, we developed new bio-PBS compounds which can be used for injection moulding of reusable horticultural crates and rigid food packag- ing with hinges. A joint development programme, initiated in 2015, is now nearing its completion. These new bio-PBS compounds have been devel- oped for overall physical performance and durabil- ity, but also evaluated for performance in the injection moulding process. Project partner Team- plast demonstrated that bottle caps could be injection moulded in full-automatic mode, including in-mould closing of the hinged lid. Additionally, successful injection moulding trials were completed by RPC Promens on a 40×40cm, 1kg plastic panel with numerous geometrical features such as ribs, screw bosses, undercuts and various grain textures.” Polyurethanes is another area where Reverdia has been active. Theunissen says: “We also work with forward-looking partners such as Covestro to take bio-based thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) to the next level with its Desmopan brand. In the footwear, automotive and electronics markets, the different grades available offer excellent physical properties while also providing a champion carbon footprint. “Next to partnering with materials suppliers, we also work with partners further down the value chain. The German outdoor brand VAUDE uses injection moulded Biosuccinium-based TPU for toe caps and heel counters in its Skarvan range of


PHOTO: RPC PROMENS www.injectionworld.com


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