06 | 2013
bioplastics
MAGAZINE
Vol. 8
ISSN 1862-5258
November/December
Films | Flexibles | Bags | 12 Consumer Electronics | 37 New steps in European Bagislation | 46
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Editorial
dear readers A proposal to amend the European Packaging Directive in terms of (what we call) bagislation caused quite a lot of excitement in early November. A press release by the European Commission was commented on by associations such as European Bioplastics, the European Plastic Converters (EuPC), the German Association of Plastic Packaging (IK) and others. We ourselves also asked the opinion of some stakeholders and created a kaleidoscope of opinions and facts. However, the question of whether the problem of marine littering can be solved with certain legal measures such as bag bans or taxes — or with certain materials — could not be answered satisfactorily. At least this is a huge field for discussion, and I am sure we will hear a lot more about it in the future — and bioplastics MAGAZINE will report on it.
n question is certainly one of the topics belonging to This bagislation our editorial focus in this issue, where we look at the subject of films, flexibles, bags. The second highlight is Bioplastics in consumer electronics. One of the applications has made it into the shortlist of the Bioplastics Award. From significantly more proposals than last year, the five judges again selected five submissions (see page 10 for details). The winner will be presented on December 10th at the 8th European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin. We are looking forward to meeting one or the other of you there. As usual this issue is once again rounded off by lots of industry and applications news… We hope you enjoy reading bioplastics MAGAZINE.
Sincerely yours Michael Thielen
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/13] Vol.8
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Content Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 - 9 Application News . . . . . . . . . . 34 - 36 Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Suppliers Guide . . . . . . . . . . . 58 - 60 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 - 57 Companies in this issue . . . . . . . . 62
K’2013 Review . . . . . . . . . . . .28 - 41
06|2013
Award Bioplastics Award 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
November/December
Films | Flexibles | Bags Compostable packaging nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Strong and compostable plastic bag alternatives . . . . . . . . .16 New transparent films for mulch and food. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Infrared transparent colors for mulch films . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Bags in industrial composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 New heat-resistant PLA blends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 New PLA copolymers for packaging films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Consumer Electronics Linseed epoxides for electronic circuit boards . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Bioplastics for high-end consumer electronics . . . . . . . . . . .38 PHA for electronic applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Bio-Based PPA for Smart Mobile Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
From Science & Research Biocomposites research for packaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Politics
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Cover © Fabiana Ponzi (fotolia) (Cover and photo page 47)
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A part of this print run is mailed to the readers wrapped in bioplastic envelopes sponsored by Flexico Verpackungen Deutshhand, Maropack GmbH & Co. KG, and Neemann
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News
Biobased PEF for thermoforming forming and printing equipment, and the sole company producing the entire range from sheet extrusion, to thermoforming, to coating and printing of thermoformed products. The Swiss company from Fribourg and Avantium (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) recently announced their agreement to collaborate on thermoformed products from 100% biobased PEF. This collaboration will be complementary to collaborations Avantium has in place with The Coca-Cola Company, Danone and ALPLA. Both parties are excited about the market opportunity of PEF in the novel application area of thermoforming of cups, containers and trays, which are used today for the packaging of food products like meats, nuts, or dairy products like cheese and yoghurt. The YXY technology for the production of PEF (polyethylene furanoate) is running in Avantium’s pilot plant in Geleen, and converts plant based feedstock into chemical building blocks. PEF is a next generation plastic. It has superior properties over existing materials, it can be produced cost competitively and is 100% biobased, resulting in a more than 50% reduction in carbon footprint and non-renewable energy usage. “Thermoforming is an excellent application for PEF plastics”, commented Gert-Jan Gruter, Avantium CTO. “Since PEF has superior barrier, thermal and mechanical properties over PET, it offers exciting new growth opportunities. Due to its ten times higher oxygen barrier, PEF could extend the shelf life of perishable goods like meats or cheeses. The higher thermal stability of PEF compared to PET could enable packaging opportunities for microwaveable products.” Tom van Aken, CEO at Avantium, adds: “Thermoforming can be a potential outlet for recycled PEF, providing an additional end-of-life solution for our PEF bottles. MT www.polytype.com www.avantium.com
Jean-Marc Chassagne (Evonik), Carmen Michels (FKuR)
FKuR now offering Evonik’s bio-polyamides Evonik Industries AG, High Performance Polymers Business Line (Marl, Germany), and FKuR Kunststoff GmbH (Willich,Germany) announced their distribution agreement for VESTAMID® Terra during K’2013 in Düsseldorf. With immediate effect FKuR will market, sell and distribute Evonik’s full line of biobased polyamides Vestamid Terra products worldwide. “We value our partnership with FKuR, a specialist in the field of bioplastics promotion. We are excited to share our experiences and, combined, strengthen our expertise” said Jean-Marc Chassagne, Director Biopolymers - Resource Efficiency, High Performance Polymers, Evonik. For Edmund Dolfen, CEO of FKuR, the new distribution agreement is a consistent implementation of FKuRs philosophy ‘Plastics - made by nature’. “As The Bioplastic Specialistt we offer innovative solutions for all processing methods and applications for our customers’ product of choice. With Vestamid Terra we have extended our range of products by a high-tech engineering plastic. Thus we enable our customers to open up new areas of applications with biobased plastics”, stated Dolfen. Vestamid Terra polymers are partially or entirely based on renewable feedstock. The raw materials are the castor bean and its oil derivates, which are synthesized into monomers that form the basis of the Vestamid Terra product range. There are currently three products within this new group of polyamides available: Vestamid Terra HS (PA610), DS (PA1010) and DD (PA1012) Thanks to their excellent chemical resistance, low water absorption, and good dimensional stability, Vestamid Terra polyamides are suitable for a large number of applications and processing techniques. This makes them unique in the field of biopolymers, as the Vestamid Terra line enables durable products providing high performance with the added benefit of a reduced ecological impact. MT www.evonik.com www.fkur.com
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News
Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance
Latest generation of Mater-Bi
Eight of the world’s leading consumer brand companies and conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced in mid November the formation of the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance (BFA) to support the responsible development of plastics made from plant material, helping build a more sustainable future for the bioplastics industry. These are The Coca-Cola Company, Danone, Ford, H.J. Heinz Company, Nestle, Nike, Inc., Procter & Gamble and Unilever.
Novamont (Novara, Italy) recently presented its products from the 3 and 4th generation of Mater-Bi®, the family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics designed to resolve specific environmental problems, but also to offer opportunities for reindustrialisation through the creation of integrated Biorefineries. In this way it is possible to manufacture bioplastics capable of optimising the use of resources and minimising environmental risks associated with end-of-life, while also complying with the following requirements:
The primary focus of BFA will be on guiding the responsible selection and harvesting of feedstocks—such as sugar cane, corn, bulrush, and switchgrass—used to make plastics from agricultural materials. As the development of these renewable materials has grown, so has the opportunity to address their potential impacts on land use, food security, and biodiversity. BFA intends to bring together leading experts from industry, academia and civil society to develop and support informed science, collaboration, education, and innovation to help guide the evaluation and sustainable development of bioplastic feedstocks. Consumers across the world increasingly are looking for more sustainable products, including those made from plant-based plastics. With increasing market demand for food and fiber in the coming decades, responsible sourcing of these materials is the key to enabling sustainable growth. “This alliance will go a long way in ensuring the responsible management of natural resources used to meet the growing demand for bioplastics,” said Erin Simon, of WWF. “Ensuring that our crops are used responsibly to create bioplastics is a critical conservation goal, especially as the global population is expected to grow rapidly through 2050.” The Alliance’s eight founding companies, along with WWF, are supported by academic experts; supply chain partners; suppliers; and technology development companies, all of whom are focusing on a variety of issues, challenges, and possible tools within the growing bioplastic industry. www.bioplasticfeedstockalliance.org
rd
a percentage of renewable carbon (12C/14C) over the 50% threshold; cradle-to-grave greenhouse emissions significantly lower than those of traditional plastics; recyclability in accordance with the standards of national recycling consortiums; compliance with certain standards for marine biodegradation; biodegradability in composting in accordance with the EN 13432 standard; sustainable biomass used in production. The new generation of materials, that integrate the two consolidated technologies of complexed starches and polyesters from oils with two new technologies, can be used in a wide range of applications, including flexible and rigid films, coatings, printing, extrusion and thermoforming. It contains an even higher proportion of renewable raw materials than before, leading to an even lower level of greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil feedstock. The industrialisation of the two new highly innovative technologies will make it possible to produce two monomers from renewable sources. The first is from the vegetable oil production chain, obtained using a world leading technology which transforms oils into azelaic acid and other acids through a chemical process (in the advanced stage of development by Matrìca). The other comes from the sugars transformed through fermentation into 1.4 BDO, using Genomatica technology. Novamont had presented the roadmap for future generations of Mater-Bi products at the European Bioplastics Conference held in Berlin in 2009; the objectives set then have been rigorously pursued thanks to the creation of a system of strategic alliances, with investments in the order of 300 million euro. “The creation of the third and fourth generations of our bioplastics marks an important milestone in the strategy for developing the Novamont model of the integrated biorefinery, based on connected proprietary technologies applied to declining industrial sites. In Europe these sites can become catalysts for the regeneration of areas which are currently facing serious difficulties, as part of a regional development model with local roots and a global vision, encouraging entrepreneurship and teaching the efficient use of resources through a real school in this field,” said Alessandro Ferlito, Novamont’s Commercial Director. MT www.novamont.com
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Meredian announces full production capabilities Meredian, Inc. (Bainbridge, Georgia, USA), a privately held manufacturer of fully renewably sourced and completely biodegradable PHAs, with a range of Fortune 500 clients anticipating their products, expects to be operating at full capacity by the second quarter of 2014. “Our team has worked tirelessly to design, install and deliver developmental quantities of PHA from our pilot facility for client selected high value applications. Today, we have committed to providing yet another four million lbs. (1,814 tonnes) in the near term to complete these joint development activities while enabling the launch of multiple commercial applications in mid2014” said S. Blake Lindsey, President, Meredian. “This timing aligns perfectly as we come on line with the Bainbridge facility and optimize our PHA production systems”. Meredian’s next steps include preparing the Bainbridge plant for full production for their clients, as well as continuing to educate consumers regarding this innovative technology. “It is especially gratifying to note our ability to offer highly functional cost effective biodegradable alternatives to petro based plastics,” explained Paul Pereira, Executive Chairman of the Board, Meredian. “Having the largest PHA production facility in the world, Meredian will produce over 30,000 tonnes of PHA per year at the Bainbridge facility. We recognize that growth is required for bioplastic materials. Engineering plans are now completed for right sized Meredian facilities to be placed globally to best serve our customers. The company expects multiple projects to be underway simultaneously in order to meet the demand of our customers,” states Michael Smith, VP Manufacturing & Engineering, Meredian. MT www.meredianpha.com
Green revolution in the polyester chain M&G Chemicals, headquartered in Luxemburg, announced in late November its decision to construct a second-generation bio-refinery in the region of Fuyang, Anhui Province of China for the conversion of one million tonnes of biomass into bioethanol and bio-glycols. The project is expected to be realized through a joint-venture with Chinese company Guozhen which will make available one million tonnes of straw biomass and use the lignin resulting as a by-product from the bio-refinery to feed a 45 MW cogeneration plant which will be constructed at the same time as the biorefinery in the same site. M&G Chemicals will be majority partner of the bio-refinery and minority partner of the power plant. The bio-refinery will employ PROESA™ technology licensed from Beta Renewables, a joint venture between Biochemtex (a company belonging to the Mossi Ghisolfi Group), US private equity fund TPG and Danish enzyme producer Novozymes. The second-generation bio-refinery will be approximately four times the size (measured by volume of biomass processed) of that built by Beta Renewables in Crescentino, Italy, which was recently inaugurated. The plant, which is expected to require capital expenditures of approximately half a billion US dollars, is expected to be brought on stream in mid 2015. Necessary enzymes will be supplied by Novozymes, one of the world’s largest enzymes producers and one of the partners in the Beta Renewables joint venture, which owns the rights of the Proesa technology. “This is the first act of a green revolution that M&G Chemicals is bringing to the polyester chain to provide environmental sustainability to both PET beverage packaging and polyester textile” said Mr. Marco Ghisolfi, CEO of M&G Chemicals. “The timing and scope of our green polyester revolution and our manufacturing entry in China from the green PET raw materials avenue is even more relevant considering The Coca-Cola Company has announced plans to use PlantBottle™ packaging, which is partially made from plants, for all of their PET plastic bottles across the globe by 2020.”, Marco Ghisolfi added. “The second-generation bio-refinery and power cogeneration project is the core part of the Biomass Utilization Park that Guozhen plans to build in Fuyang City. Fuyang is rich in biomass resources; Guozhen is experienced in biomass collections and logistics; and M&G Chemicals owns the proven cuttingedge technology. Our cooperation will open a new era of biomass utilization and provide an effective solution for the full exploitation of biomass to tackle Chinese energy demand and environmental issues,” said Mr. Li Wei, Chairman of Guozhen Group. www.mg-chemicals.com
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People News
FTC cracks down on misleading claims (Source: iStock; pepj)
Actions challenge deceptive biodegradable claims for both plastics and paper
T
he Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States of America recently announced six enforcement actions, addressing biodegradable claims for both plastics and paper products, as part of the agency’s ongoing crackdown on false and misleading environmental claims. The plastic cases include complaints against both an additive supplier (ECM BioFilms) and and four customers using biodegradable additives. The four converters agreed to proposed consent orders agreeing to stop making unsupported claims that their products were biodegradable. Additionally, the FTC reached a consent order with AJM Paper, which made unsupported biodegradable and compostable on their line of paper bags and paper plates. The company was fined $450,000 as this is the second time the FTC found their claims wanting. All of these cases are part of the FTC’s program to ensure compliance with the agency’s recently revised Green Guides (cf. bM 06/2012). The Commission publishes the Guides to help businesses market their products accurately, providing guidance as to what constitutes deceptive and non-deceptive environmental claims. “It’s no secret that consumers want products that are environmentally friendly, and that companies are trying to meet that need,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But companies that don’t have evidence to support the environmental claims they make about their products erode consumer confidence and undermine those companies that are playing by the rules.”
ECM Biofilms, Inc. is based in Ohio and markets its additives (which allegedly make plastic products biodegradable) under the trade name MasterBatch Pellets. It advertises its additives on its website and through marketing materials. According to the complaint, ECM also issues its own “Certificates of Biodegradability of Plastic Products,” which ECM allegedly uses to convince its customers and end-use consumers that its additive makes plastic products biodegradable. ECM allegedly claimed, for example, that “plastic products made with (its) additives will break down in approximately nine months to five years in nearly all landfills or wherever else they may end up.” The complaint alleges, among other things, that ECM has no substantiation to support its claims that its additive makes plastic biodegradable.
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Only claim biodegradability if you can substantiate the claim, ideally through a certification body and according to ASTM D6400 or EN 13432.
The Commission complaint charges ECM with violating the FTC Act by misrepresenting four claims. The FTC’s complaints against the following companies charge them with misrepresenting that plastics treated with additives are biodegradable, biodegradable in a landfill, biodegradable in a certain timeframe, or shown to be biodegradable in a landfill or that various scientific tests prove their biodegradability claims. The FTC also alleges that the companies lacked reliable scientific tests to back up these claims.
American Plastic Manufacturing g is based in Seattle, Washington, and was an ECM customer until at least December 2012. The FTC alleges that APM advertised its plastic shopping bags on its website as biodegradable, and sold them to distributors nationwide. APM’s marketing materials claimed that its products were biodegradable based on the use of the additives sold by ECM. CHAMP P, located in Marlborough, Massachusetts, also was an ECM customer, and advertised on its website that its plastic golf tees were biodegradable. CHAMP sold the tees both online and in brick and mortar stores throughout the United States. The company’s marketing materials claimed that the ECM additive made its products biodegradable. Clear Choice Housewares, Inc. based in Leominster, Massachusetts, was a customer of an additive manufacturer called Bio-Tec Environmental. Clear Choice sold what it claims are biodegradable, reusable plastic food storage containers on its website, as well as in retail stores all over the US. Clear Choice’s marketing materials claimed its products were biodegradable based on the application of a Bio-Tec product called Eco Pure. The FTC alleges that Clear Choice made false and unsubstantiated claims that Eco Pure made its products “quickly biodegradable in landfills”. Carnie Cap, Inc., based in East Moline, Illinois, incorporated Eco-One, an additive manufactured and marketed by Ecologic, into its plastic rebar cap covers. Carnie Cap advertised the caps on its website and sold them through various distributors throughout the United States. It claimed,
with no qualification, that the Eco-One product makes it plastic rebar cap covers “100 % biodegradable”. The proposed consent orders settling the FTC’s complaints are essentially the same. They prohibit the four companies from making biodegradability claims unless the representations are true and supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Consistent with the FTC Green Guides, the companies must have evidence that the entire plastic product will completely decompose into elements found in nature within one year after customary disposal (…) before making any unqualified biodegradable claim. For qualified claims, the companies must state the time required for complete biodegradation in a landfill or the time to degrade in a disposal environment near where consumers who buy the product live. Alternatively, the companies may state the rate and extent of degradation in a landfill or other disposal facility accompanied by an additional disclosure that the stated rate and extent do not mean that the product will continue to decompose. The proposed consent orders also make it clear that ASTM D5511 (a test standard commonly used in the additive industry) cannot substantiate unqualified biodegradable claims or claims beyond the results and parameters of the test, and that any testing protocol used to substantiate degradable claims must simulate the conditions found in the stated disposal environment. The complaint against AJM marks the 2nd time in 5 years that the FTC has found that unqualified “biodegradable claims for paper products were misleading”. Manufacturers of paper products will need scientific support for these claims, in the same way as plastic manufacturers. www.ftc.gov
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2013
People Award
Supla and Kuender (Taiwan) Kuender & Co., Ltd. and SUPLA Material Technology Co. Ltd. together bring bioplastics into durable applications. Kuender presents an AIO (All-InOne) PC with 21.5” touch screen, and a naked-eye 3D media player, by using SUPLA’s new grade of durable PLA blend in their housings. This is the first time that PLA has been used for mass production of consumer electronics and implies that PLA can replace oilbased plastics such as HIPS and ABS, and alleviate our dependency on fossil fuels. Facing the challenge of demanding physical properties of the material and the stability of dimensions, SUPLA started the first step by choosing PLA homopolymers from Corbion/Purac’s lactide monomers, which are GMO free and have better potential in physical properties to rival their oil-based counterparts. SUPLA then balanced the properties of the resulting blend to the heat resistance, flame retardant, toughness and dimensional stability with fast cycle time during injection. Under a close partnership with SUPLA, Kuender was able to master the technology for injection of PLA blends. The resulting new front and back covers of the AIO PC passed the test standards originally used for ABS. Kuender launched this new project to provide brand customers with a greener solution by choosing a biobased material in addition to Kuender’s green display technology, OGS (One Glass Solution for touch panel) design and sustainable materials. (More details can be found on page 38 in this issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE) www.kuender.com www.supla.com.tw
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Helmut Lingemann (Germany) Helmut Lingemann GmbH & Co.KG have been involved for more than 30 years as an innovative market leader in the sector insulation glass spacers. The new spacer system NIROTEC EVO is applied in windows and facades with a high level of insulation to reduce the energy losses by using double and triple glazing. The technological requirements are high strength and structural reinforcement (e.g. tensile modulus), low thermal conductivity, no fogging when used in insulating glass, no incompatibility with other components in the insulation of windows and facades. In combination with the target of reducing the use of fossil fuels this can only be achieved by using a biopolymer. Together with Tecnaro, a tailor-made blend of different biopolymers based on PLA, biopolyester and further additives were developed, which met the requirements 100%. Until now about 2 million metres of NIROTEC EVO have been processed into insulating glass units. The biopolymer ratio is approximately 40 tonnes. If NIROTEC EVO were used for the total annual production of insulating glass units in Europe, about 18,000 tonnes of this bioplastic material could be applied. The material selection of stainless steel foil and this bioplastic material for the manufacture of such spacers is unique. The applicability and thermal characteristics of the material combination for the spacer NIROTEC EVO represents a milestone in innovation for the insulating glass industry. www.helima.de/1
Award
Qmilk (Germany) Every year globally more than 100 million tonnes of milk, which is no longer marketable and subject to legislation, should not be used as food, but is scrapped Qmilch Deutschland GmbH is the owner of a unique technology for the production of textile fibres made from the milk protein casein coming from dairy waste and 100% solely natural and renewable resources in an efficient and ecological manufacturing process. The textile fibres can be used for apparel applications, home textiles, industrial applications, medical and automotive equipment. Qmilk is working to further develop the unique biopolymer for excellent product quality and outstanding products in the field of man-made fibres. The advantage of the new manufacturing process is the ability to produce a biopolymer comprising 100% natural and renewable raw materials. To produce 1 kg a maximum of 2 litres of water are needed. Qmilk is a crosslinked, thermoset material. The crosslinking of the molecules makes the material (including the fibres) water resistant, as opposed to approaches in the past when chemicals had be added to achieve water resistant caseinbased fibres. In addition to the manufacturing of the fibres (a 1,000 tonnes per annum plant is being installed right now) Qmilk is also setting up a decentralised system for collection of the waste milk and pre-processing into casein. (More details can be found in bM issue 05/2013) www.en.qmilk.eu
Natural Plastics (The Netherlands) We plant trees for CO2 reduction. But to plant trees we need wooden tree stakes. For this we sacrifice a tree that is 10 to 15 years old! Everyone is familiar with the streetscape: initially everything looks tidy and stands up straight, but after a few years the tree and tree stakes are poorly cared for. All that we are left with is a ‘lazy’ tree supported by two dead or dying trees. A sad, but above all, unnecessary image! The Eco Keeper is a patented product that is the most important part of Natural Plastics’ underground tree anchoring system. Eco Keeper anchors the tree robustly, easily and sustainably. No supporting tree stakes are necessary. The system comprises the following elements (made from either PLA or Cradonyl, a bioplastic material from Biome): Eco-Keeper (anchors) NatuRope, a rope/cable made from PLA. The quality, strength and usage are similar to rope made of polypropylene and nylon.
Pharmafilter (The Netherlands) Pharmafilter offers a complete new waste management system for care centers (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.). It is a revolutionary system where a hospital’s waste water stream is purified (removal of hormone disturbing substances, medication rests, blood, urine, food rests, other organic waste and bioplastics) in an anaerobic digester functioning at the hospital’s premises. The bioplastic components include bedpans (Metabolix PHA) and urine bottles (Kaneka PHBH) with more than 200 applications under development, such as dinner plates, cutlery, blood bags, medication packaging and much more). (More details can be found in bM issue 04/2011) The liquid product is clean water, which can be discharged to the sewer or used for toilet flushing or watering the garden. This reduces the waste water charges / costs by 99.9%. The gaseous product is methanerich, which is used on-site for energy. One tonne of bio-waste can generate 120 m3 of biogas, which results in 200 - 250 kWh of electricity.
Driver and pre-driver (metal, to be re-used as tool)
The solid digestate is part of the solid waste stream from the hospital. However, this solid waste stream has been reduced significantly, therefore delivering a vast reduction in road movements of waste trucks and costs for removal, transportation and processing.
In Northern Europe (Scandinava, France, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium), each year 10 million trees are planted with stakes. If these trees were planted with Eco Keeper this would save 70 million Euros and a lot of CO2 by not using traditional plastics for ropes, drains etc.
Currently there are two Dutch hospitals running with the Pharmafilter waste management system. Today Pharmafilter has 10 more projects for similar systems with hospitals in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
NatuDrain, a venting and watering drain (perforated flexible hose) which supports trees in their growth. Natusheet, for watering purposes, root guidance and protection.
www.naturalplastics.nl/en
www.pharmafilter.nl
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People Films | Flexibles | Bags
Compostable packaging nets By Chelo Escrig-Rondán Head of Extrusion, AIMPLAS Paterna, Spain Steven Verstichel Head of BCE, OWS Gent, Belgium
orldwide polyethylene nets are abundantly used for packaging organic products, such as potatoes, onions, green beans, garlic, shellfish, etc. However, the disposal of these nets causes problems to household waste treatment due their low apparent density and high strength (i.e. material is difficult to be cut and the nets may get entangled and collapse treatment machines). The ECOBIONET project tackles this end of life treatment problem by the development of compostable nets. The project aims to promote the industrialization of the process and technology of obtaining different types of biodegradable and compostable nets, obtained through the Extrusion Melt Spinning (EMS) process for the packaging of agricultural and shellfish products. The different types of nets collect most of the variations that are present in the market: Oriented nets which retain their original shape with the product inside: for garlic and shellfish products, for example) Non-oriented nets for citrus fruits, potatoes and a large variety of fruit and vegetables Combined nets designed to see the product and to let it breathe, but prevent waste and dust from falling out of the packaging. These nets have progressed from a biodegradable composite developed in a previous EU project (PICUS) to obtain non oriented nets. The innovations to be achieved throughout the development of the project were the following: Optimize an adequate biodegradable material for the manufacture of net packaging. Expansion of the use of biodegradable materials to oriented nets. Maintain the packaging weight, taking into account that the density of the biodegradable materials is 30% higher than polyolefins, while maintaining the mechanical resistance properties that the current nets have.
Acknowledgements: The work received funding of CIP Eco-innovation program of European Community www.aimplas.es www.ows.be
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The partners involved were research centre Aimplas, compostability testing lab OWS and producers Meseguer, Ecoplas and Tecnaro.
New bio-compound developed for oriented nets In the ECOBIONET project two new grades of biodegradable materials (BM) were developed from commercial compostable
From Science & Research
Figure1. Nets obtained for both applications.
materials. The applied modifications have provided changes in rheological and mechanical properties that permit to achieve the desired characteristics. The key in this type of modifications is to define the best melt compounding system to achieve a homogeneous compound, taking into account rheological behavior of each biodegradable material and components, the compatibility between them, the melting temperature and processing. The equipment selected was a co-rotating extruder machine due to its modularity. During the project, the best screw configuration, defining the length and position of the transport and mixing (dispersive and distributive) elements and the feeding port for each component was defined. The compounds developed show the following properties in comparison with the target materials and the commercial biodegradable materials available in the market (Table 1).
Industrial validation of the nets The BM developed has been processed in conventional equipment to obtain oriented nets for two applications: oriented nets for shellfish products and nets for garlic (Fig. 1). Finally, the nets obtained were validated taking into account the useful life of products, mussels and garlic during 16 and 20 days, respectively. After that the nets were characterized before and after the validation for comparative purposes. After the tested days, both nets showed good appearance and the changes are still acceptable (Table 2). f
Table1. Properties of the materials tested for nets manufacturing. MFR g/10 min (190°C , 2.16 kg)
Maximum Tensile stress (MPa)
Maximu, tensile Strain (%)
Target material
0.2 - 1
10 - 25
400 - 600
Commercial BMs
> 1.5
35 - 60
5 - 10
ECOBIONET BM
≈ 0.7 (*)
30 - 40
300 - 400
MFR determined according to EN-ISO 1133-1. Mechanical properties according to EN-ISO 527-3 (test specimen type 5, 50 mm/min) (*): MFR measured at process temperature, 150 ºC.
Table2. Mechanical properties of the nets obtained. Type of nets
Tested nets
Reference material Shellfish nets (5 ± 2) °C
BM before validation BM after validation
Oriented nets stored to: (23 ± 2) °C (50 ± 10) % RH
Reference material BM before validation BM after validation
Net weight (g/m)
Maximum Tensile stress(N)
Elongation at break (%)
7,29
33,0 (1,5)
180 (12)
34,6 (0,7)
52 (3)
7,06 11.6 12.2
31,8 (2,4)
46 (10)
15,1 (0.4)
150 (10)
17,0 (0.8)
340 (21)
20,1 (1,4)
250 (17)
Mechanical properties according to EN-ISO 527-3 (test specimen type 5, 50 mm/min) In bracket the standard deviation (s).
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
13
Films | Flexibles | Bags 100 90 80 Biodegradation (%)
Figure 2: Evolution of biodegradation of New BM developed compound under controlled composting conditions (ISO 14855).
70 60 50 40 30 30 20 0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Time (Days)
Industrial compostability of nets (EN 13432) Figure 3: Evolution of disintegration of Ecobionet net during composting (ISO 16929).
The European standard 13432 stipulates 4 requirements that all need to be fulfilled in order to call a packaging product compostable under industrial processes: 1) Chemical composition (volatile solids content, heavy metals and fluorine) 2) Biodegradation 3) Disintegration 4) Compost quality, y including plant toxicity testing The ECOBIONET nets demonstrated to fulfill these criteria. The requirements on chemical composition were easily reached with a volatile solids content of more than 95% on total solids and heavy metals and fluorine concentration well below the stipulated limit levels.
1 week composting
Biodegradation, which is the breakdown of the organic compound by micro-organisms to carbon dioxide, water, and mineral salts and biomass, is often the most difficult hurdle to pass. The developed compounds showed complete biodegradation under controlled composting conditions (ISO 14855) with a relative biodegradation, with cellulose as the suitable reference substrate, above 90% within the prescribed maximum duration of 180 days. Figure 2 shows the evaluation in biodegradation of new BM developed compound. During composting a material must physically fall apart into fragments in order to not visually disturb the compost outlook. The disintegration is strongly influenced by the thickness. The nets developed showed a thread thickness around 0.3 mm and did easily pass the 90% disintegration requirement in a 12 weeks pilot-scale composting test according to ISO 16929. Figure 3 gives an example of the disintegration rate of one of the developed nets. Already after 4 weeks of composting the nets were almost completely disappeared. The disintegration proceeded and no test material could be retrieved at the end of the composting process. Moreover also no negative effect on the composting process and on compost quality, including plant toxicity was observed for the developed compound.
2 week composting
4 week composting
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
Based on these results several net types were certified according to EN 13432 and are allowed to bear the seedling logo, which is the registered trademark of European Bioplastics.
At start
People Films | Flexibles | Bags
Strong and compostable plastic bag alternatives
A
s global demand for compostable and biodegradable bags grows, by some estimates as much as 15% over the next five years, a range of compostable bag options are being developed to address all desired performance profiles for compostable materials. One important formulation is biodegradable shopping bags that can also be repurposed and reused as compostable kitchen food waste bags. These bags are suitable as drop-in replacements for traditional polyethylene or polypropylene grocery bags.
Even as global demand increases for compostable bag alternatives for traditional polyethylene and polypropylene single-use bags, finding the balance between compostability and in-use performance remains a challenge. While the biodegradation profile of the material is an important consideration, if the bags cannot perform comparably to a traditional bag, it doesn’t present a viable option for manufacturers nor consumers. In addition to performing as well as a traditional bag, a compostable bag must also provide excellent barrier properties and odor control for its second use collecting food waste. Metabolix, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA recently developed two compostable resins for films and bags that combine compostability with processability and a robust performance profile. These two certified compostable resins are Mvera™ B5010 and Mvera™ B5011, and together they provide a range of appearance options, while delivering strong performance. Both Mvera products offer a
good balance of strength and stiffness for high load carrying capacity and can be processed on standard equipment. Metabolix launched Mvera B5010 compostable resin in September 2013 and was the first product that Metabolix launched following their collaboration with Samsung Fine Chemicals. Certified industrial compostable, Mvera resins can be used for shopping bags, yard waste collection, and kitchen compost bags. Metabolix launched Mvera B5011 compostable resin in December 2013 and provides converters with a transparent, compostable bag. With nearly identical performance to Mvera B5010, and only 16% haze, Mvera B5011 opens the door to a new range of compostable film and bag applications. With two effective solutions, Metabolix helps film and bag manufacturers address several needs at once. Compostable bags are effective retail shopping bags. They can be repurposed as bags for collecting household food waste for collection to municipal composting and save the consumer from buying additional bags for this purpose. Finally, they promote bag litter reduction, and diversion of food waste from increasingly scarce landfills to composters – two important public policy agendas that are very relevant today. With more cities and countries looking to reduce or eliminate their dependence on polypropylene and polyethylene single-use bags, the need for reliable options is important to the growth of the compostable bag market. Metabolix continues to develop new formulations, offering a range of biocontent and degradation profiles to address the needs of customers.
www.metabolix.com
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
Films | Flexibles | Bags
New transparent films for mulch and food
N
ovamont from Novara, Italy during K’2013 unveiled what they call another milestone for Novamont research. It is a new grade of Mater-Bi® specifically designed for the production of transparent mulching film which biodegrades in the soil.
In keeping with its philosophy that bioplastics should represent a virtuous case of bioeconomy, for years Novamont has decided not to market transparent mulching film that could biodegrade in the soil until it had developed UV stabilisers that were natural and biodegradable like the polymeric matrix. These stabilisers are necessary to ensure this type of product has an adequate lifespan in the field. Based on its own environmental standards it did not consider it sustainable to use the same additives as non-biodegradable mulching film because this would have left deposits in the soil after the film had biodegraded, presenting a risk of accumulation. Novamont therefore decided to study natural substances, including substances extracted from experimental crops for its own non-food agricultural lines. After years of intensive work, Novamont is delighted to present now farmers with the results of its research: a transparent mulching system which is resistant to UV radiation thanks to substances as natural and biodegradable as the polymeric matrix encasing them, which do not alter the product’s initial properties and which, once in the field, maintain performance for a period similar to traditional products. “The development of transparent mulching film with natural resistance to UV radiation which biodegrades completely in the soil is a concrete demonstration of Novamont’s position regarding bioeconomy: finding effective and original technical solutions using raw materials from integrated bioreffineries to support virtuous practices, in this case in the area of sustainable agriculture, which also provide maximum protection for the quality of water, air and the soil during use and at the product’s end-of-life, thereby preventing possible accumulation,” said Catia Bastioli, Managing Director of Novamont. Also presented at K’2013 for the first time are the new rigid and transparent grades for blown, double bubble and bi-oriented cast film which were already tested in a range of food packaging applications These products contain a high proportion of renewable raw materials and an even lower level of greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil feedstock. Specifically, the new grades, which have been tested in a range of food packaging applications (bread, cold meats, small fruits, coffee, chocolate, etc.), have demonstrated the following characteristics: biodegradability and compostability in compliance with the EN 13432 standard; full compliance with the directive on ‘contact with food’; multiple mechanical properties; excellent twistability; excellent clarity; high gas barrier; excellent sealability; well suited to metalisation; can be printed with water and solvent based inks.
www.novamont.com
MT
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
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People Films | Flexibles | Bags
Infrared transparent colors By Dr. J. Carlos Caro Export Manager, Grafe Color Batch GmbH Blankenhain, GERMANY
M
ulch films can be used when cultivating crops in order to achieve earlier and higher yields as well as to enhance the quality of many different types of vegetables, such as tomatoes, eggplants, water melons, peppers and cucumbers. Listed below are the advantages of using plastic mulch films as described by W.J. Lamont, of the Department of Horticulture at Kansas State University (www. agnet.org). 1. Earlier yields: Raising the temperature of the soil makes it possible to achieve earlier yields. Using a black plastic mulch film can result in a 7 to 14-day earlier yield. Transparent mulch films can reduce time to yield by 21 days. 2. Soil moisture: The use of plastic mulch films considerably decreases the loss of soil moisture through evaporation. This means that the soil remains moist and the cost of irrigation can be reduced. Under these conditions, vegetable yields can be almost doubled in comparison to the yields of crop plantings without plastic mulch. 3.
Weeds and unwanted flora: Black and combinations of black / white plastic mulch films prevent unwanted flora from appearing and suppress the growth of weeds.
4. Leaching of agrochemicals and fertilizers: The protection provided by plastic mulch films prevents leaching and run off of valuable agrochemicals and fertilizers. 5. Reduced soil compaction: The protective mulch film keeps the soil below it loose. There is reduced soil compaction because of low moisture loss. Formation and growth of roots is guaranteed by the improved absorption of oxygen and the production of nutritive mediums. 6. Control of roots: Outside of the areas covered by plastic mulch film, the formation of undesirable weed roots can be kept under control through the use of pesticides and agrochemicals. 7. Cleaner produce: Fruit and vegetables under plastic mulch films can be kept cleaner as they are protected from dirt and soil. 8. Higher growth and yield: Photosynthesis for plant growth requires the absorption of CO2 and its transformation into oxygen. The use of plastic mulch raises the CO2 concentration beneath the film as the gas cannot diffuse out of the film. This allows the green leaves to perform the process of photosynthesis. 9. Retention of gaseous nutrients and fertilizers: Plastic mulch films protect sprayed chemical fertilizers from diffusing out through the film so that they can be better absorbed. 10. Flooding: Fields covered with plastic mulch are typically laid out with drains so that excess water can run off in the case of heavy rains. This reduces the danger of flooding and the risk of crops drowning.
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
From Science & Research
for mulch films Colored plastic mulch and its effects on plant growth by means of photoselectivity are now, and have been for years, the subject of numerous studies. The theory maintains that colored plastic mulch, when it is transparent, displays advantages over traditional black plastic mulch due to the transmission and absorption of certain wavelengths of light. This can lead to higher temperatures in the earthbanks and under the earth. There have been many more studies done on this topic in the USA and Israel than here in Europe. The range of commercially available products supplied by film manufacturers and plastic granulate producers is also more extensive in these countries. Plastika Kritis and Kafrit are two manufacturers of additive and color masterbatches for agrofilms that have supplied similar products in earlier years. Plastika Kritis offers the products Brown 70964 4 and Brown 708699 as masterbatches. Recommended addition is 20% for mulch films with a thickness of 20-30 µm. Both masterbatches suppress weed growth due to the dark color and keep the underlying soil warmer by allowing heat to pass through. 70964 4 contains an additional IR absorber (such as chalk / talc) which traps the warmth by preventing heat from escaping at night. Kafrit in Israel added the product LDPE MB Brown & PA L -8660 0 to its portfolio in 2006. This is also a color masterbatch that is used to produce brown plastic mulch. Kafrit recommends adding 5 to 15% depending on the film thickness of the mulch and on the desired degree of heat permeability. Research being conducted in the Department of Horticulture at Pennsylvania State University is also worth mentioning. M.D. Orzolek and L.Otjen have been performing extensive research on tomatoes using different colored polyethylene mulches. Studies performed at the Weihenstephan University of Applied Science (under the direction of Ms. K. Kell) in 2006 examined the effect of different colored plastic mulches on the cultivation of kohlrabi and lettuce and looked at the influence of temperature on growth. An article published in the year 2007 (bioplastics MAGAZINE issue 02/2007) by FKuR introduced an innovative black plastic mulch made of polylactide. FKuR announced that it had been working together with Oerlemans Plastics and the Fraunhofer UMSICHT since 2004 on the development of this product and was now ready for market launch. The release described the PLA blends as a mixture of PLA (polylactide) and other biodegradable polymers and additives. Oerlemans Plastics b.V. Genderen, Netherlands, had carried out the industrial production and application testing of the PLA mulch. It was reported that the innovative mulch film had the advantage over other biodegradable films, of decomposing significantly slower and being more resistant to fluctuating climatic conditions. Already in the year 2004, the FKuR Kunststoff GmbH had begun with the first tests for biodegradable mulch films. The degradation behavior of the film under open-airr conditions was studied in the lab. The
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
19
Films | Flexibles | Bags
Plastics b.V. since 2005. The most important factor for Oerlemans Plastics in choosing the FKuR PLA mulch film was, among others, the unproblematic production of the film on conventional extruders, such as those used in the production of LDPE films. Before they went ahead with industrial production, the use of the Bio-Flex® mulch film was successfully tested on a variety of crops by different research institutes and testing stations. Since 2005 Oerlemans Plastics‘ biodegradable PLA mulch films have been tested all over the world on a wide range of crops in various climate zones. The crop yields attained with this biofilm are comparable to conventional PE mulch films. Laying out the PLA mulch films can be done with the usual laying machines and is no more difficult than conventional biofilms. A big advantage over other biofilms, e.g. starch-based films, is its significantly slower decomposition and its resistance to fluctuating climatic conditions. Another advantage of bio mulch films in agriculture, is that the films can simply be ploughed into the soil after harvest, where they continue to degrade. The application of Bio-Flex mulch films reduces the amount of work required and lowers the costs of film disposal. The granules and the film are completely biodegradable in accordance with EN 13432. In addition, they are certified in accordance with DIN Certco, OK Compost, NFU 52001 und Ecocert. As mentioned above, the most important reason for the application of mulch film is weed suppression as a function of light absorption in the UV and visible (VIS) ranges. In addition, there is strong heat absorption (from the near infrared range NIR) because of the added carbon black. This means that the mulch film heats itself up and passes the absorbed heat on to its immediate environment. The second generation of mulch films represents the transition from LDPEbased film to films made of biodegradable plastics. Black carbon is still being used as pigment here. The focus is on sustainability through the guaranteed biodegradability in industrial composting. Heat absorption out in the open air really puts biodegradable mulch film to a hard test in terms of longevity and functionality. The idea of prolonging longevity by adding additives or aggregates would be in contradiction to the original goal of sustainability. Figure 2: Image of a standard mulch film colored with carbon black (1) as compared with an IRT-colored GRAFE mulch film (2 and 3). (Thanks to the friendly support of RKW).
It was only a matter of time before studies began on colored, infrared transparent (IRT), biodegradable plastic mulch. The idea is to suppress weed growth through the complete absorption of lightwaves from the UV and the visible (VIS) ranges. However, the highest possible amount of energy from the near infrared (NIR) should be allowed to pass through. Figure 1 provides an overview of the UV-VIS-NIR spectra in transmission mode with dark colored mulch films (50 µm) made of various biodegradable plastics. It shows the continuous absorption from 200 nm to 750 nm and the increased transmission in the NIR range of values from 70% to 80%. It is obvious that this effect cannot be achieved with carbon black and this presents some disadvantages: The percentage of colorants used in thin films must be higher and this automatically increases the costs for raw materials. The color formulations that have been developed are based on the simple color mixture theory, which says that it is possible to create black (dark) colors by mixing a combination of pigments. Figure 2 shows the behavior of films that have been colored with black carbon against those that have been colored with IRT mixtures. The thermal imaging camera shows clearly the temperature differences under an infrared lamp. The advantages of using infrared transparent colors in mulch films can be summarized as follows:
20
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
From Science & Research High heat transmission
Figure 1: UV-VIS-NIR spectra of various biopolymeres in transmission mode
This results in a higher soil / earth bank temperature
80
Excellent conditions for plants that keep their roots in winter.
70 60
No weeds or unwanted flora 50
Fruits, such as strawberries, are not damaged at contact points with overheated mulch film.
%T
Reduced attacks from rodents and worms. 40 30 20
No chemicals needed to suppress weeds and other vermin, enabling a change to organic farming.
10 0
Earlier and increased yield.
200
300
400
500
600
800
900
1000 1100 1200
11-07392.sp Film d = 0,05 mm 11-07392 CH-11-25522 11-07393.sp Film d = 0,05 mm 11-07393 CH-11-25523 11-07688.sp Film d = 0,05 mm 11-07688 CH-11-25524
Based on these experiences, field tests were performed with tomatoes and cucumbers in 2012 with funds from the Thüringer Aufbaubank (Project Number 2010FE9048) at the Education and Research Institute for Horticulture Erfurt (LVG) The results are shown in the two figures below. Mulch films based on biodegradable plastics with IRT coloring were used in these field tests. LDPE-based standard black mulch films were compared to LDPE-based films with IRT coloring. The goal was to measure the effect of the films‘ biodegradability alone (PLA or cellulose) on the growth behavior of the crops.
700
nm
Improvement in crop quality – and amount.
Film Projects 2012 with Freeland tomato Marketable Harvest in weeks (kg)
There are differences between the growth of the cucumbers and tomatoes. The data for the tomatoes show that in the early weeks all films independent of their composition display similar effects. In the later weeks, the PLA film with IRT coloring performs better than all the others. The differences, however, between the different film types are not significant.
300
Film PE LDPE MB FK (1) ( ) FK (2)
kg
200
The field tests with the cucumbers, however, show differences from the beginning. The ranking of the yields from highest to lowest reads as follows: PLA + IRT, cellulose + IRT, LDPE + IRT and at the end the standard black mulch film can be found.
100
0 30
Further tests (conducted by the Institute for Materials Research and Testing at the Bauhaus University Weimar MFPA) have confirmed the required minimum 90% biodegradability of the IRT-colored film in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14855-1. Ecotoxicity tests in accordance with DIN EN 13432 have also been successfully completed.
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Week
Film Project 2012 with cucumbers Added Harvest (kg) 700
Type PE LDPE E UV 50 0 MB UV 50 0 FK (1) UV 50 0 FK (2) (2)
600 500 400
kg
On the basis of these tests, Bioflex F 1130 produced by FKuR has been selected as the most suitable material with a wide processing window and a high level of flexibility, independent of the machinery used. The combination with IRT color mixtures has resulted in a high-performance product representing the next generation of mulch film on today’s market.
31
300 200 100
www.grafe.com
0 24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
35
Week
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Films People| Flexibles | Bags
Bags in industrial composting Do biowaste bags decompose fast enough in industrial composting or AD plants? By C. Letalik, B. Schmidt, A. Ziermann C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V Straubing, Germany
I
ndustrial composting has widely implemented across in Germany for over 20 years. During the last decade and driven by legislation, the separate collection of organic waste has grown more and more popular. As a result, a broad variety of technologies of industrial composting and anaerobic digestion are in place. According to the Bundesgütegemeinschaft Kompost’s (BGK; the German Quality Assurance Association for Compost) classification scheme, there are eight major types of process, so-called Hygiene-Baumusterkategorien, which differ a lot with regard to their technical components and composting/digestion times. Compostable biowaste bags have been on the market for more than 15 years. As soon as biodegradability and compostability according to DIN EN 13432 or DIN EN 14995 have been demonstrated under laboratory conditions and have then been certified, the product can be labelled with the compostability logo. Nevertheless, compostable biowaste bags have not systematically been field-tested in all of the different types of industrial composting or anaerobic digestion plants until now. As a result, there is still uncertainty among operators and local authorities as to whether or not compostable bags are technically compatible with on-site technology, especially as to whether the bags decompose fast enough within the usual decomposition times. At the same time, the interest in the subject is increasing, as compostable bags may increase the amount and quality of organic waste collected by households. This article is based on a more comprehensive paper [1] which outlines a project performed in Germany from April 2010 to November 2011. Part of this project was to evaluate the relevant industrial composting and anaerobic digestion technologies for the treatment of organic waste. On the one hand, there are partly enormous procedural differences between these processes. On the other hand, the composting time is typically much shorter in practice than the twelve or five weeks required in DIN EN 13432/14995. Plant operators and representatives of local authorities who are critical of compostable biowaste bags conclude from this that the bags do not meet the requirements of composting practices because they do not degrade fast enough. For this purpose, all plants that are members of the BGK were evaluated. The results showed that six types of process cover approximately 50 % of the total number of plants and the annual capacity of all composting and anaerobic digestion plants listed by BGK. In a second part, the specifications of these types of process were first determined by means of telephone interviews. Subsequently, five different kinds of biowaste bags were practically tested, each on one plant of a certain plant design. The biowaste bags for testing were added to the plants’ normal bio-waste streams. Samples were taken at different times. Material degradation was documented by photographs and by weight determination.
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
Films | Flexibles | Bags
Product type
Bioplastics type
Bioplastics manufacturer
Supply source
Filling volume [l]
Wenterra T-shirt bag
Mater-Bi® NF
Novamont (I)
biomasse (D), retailer of biobased products
< 10
Profissiomo biowaste bag
Mater-Bi® CF
Novamont (I)
dm-drogerie markt (D), chemist’s shop
10 +
Biowaste bag
Bioplast®
Biotec (D)
Rewe (D), grocery store
10 +
Bio4Pack waste bag
Ecopond Flex®
KingFa (Hong Kong)
www.hygi.de, internet portal for the purchase of detergents
< 10
Biowaste bag
Bio-Flex®
FKuR (D)
Real (D), grocery store
10 +
Table 1: Overview of the sample materials tested
Table 2: Practice-relevant types of process with process description (BGK 2010)
Number and type of process
Active Composting time
Turning process
Additional Aeration
Humidification
1.1 Herhof boxes
7 days
not applicable
forced aeration
process water, industrial water
3.6 Horstmann WTT tunnel
7 days
not applicable
forced aeration
process water, industrial water
5.2 Bühler-Wendelin
9 weeks
≥ 9x
forced aeration
industrial water, process water up to 4.5 weeks
6.2 triangular wind-row, not covered
6 weeks
≥ not later than once every four weeks
not applicable
During the turning process when required. Industrial and process water up to 3 weeks.
6.3 trapezoidal windrow, open- air (I)
5 weeks
≥ 4x
not applicable
During the turning process when required. Industrial and process water up to 2.5 weeks.
6.8 triangular wind-row, covered
4 weeks
wheel loader or compost turner ≥ 1x
not applicable
During the turning process when required. Industrial and process water up to 2 weeks.
Type of process
6.3
Number of plants Capacity of the smallest plant [t/a]
6.8
1.1
5.2
3.6
6.2
22
26
19
8
7
127
2,900
4,500
8,000
15,000
10,000
6,500
Capacity of the largest plant [t/a]
50,000
85,000
36,000
80,000
85,000
87,500
Average capacity [t/a]
15,782
13,842
17,924
36,937
34,286
10,392
347,199
359,885
340,550
295,500
240,000
1,319,792
Total capacity [t/a]
Table 3: Number and annual capacity of practicerelevant types of process (plants listed at BGK)
In summary, it can be said that standard types of bio waste bags quickly achieved high degradation rates in the field test. The test showed that the degradation requirements according to DIN EN 13432 or 14995 were met in nearly all kinds of plants. It can thus be concluded that these bio waste bags do not cause any visible compost contamination or technical problems in all the practice-relevant plant types that were tested.
German legislation and current situation In 2015 the biowaste bin will be introduced nationwide throughout Germany (BMU 2011). Many people, however, refuse to collect their kitchen waste separately because they consider it unhygienic. Thus, large amounts of valuable biowaste are not utilised for the production of compost and bioenergy. Another problem is that households use conventional plastic bags for collecting their kitchen waste. These are not biodegradable or compostable and can cause technical problems in composting and anaerobic digestion plants and may also contaminate the compost.
Different types of bags tested Within this project four types of standard certified compostable biowaste bags and one T-shirt bag were field-tested. All products are available in German retail stores or online shops. All bags were filled with fresh biowaste and then put into the different composting systems.
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
23
Films | Flexibles | Bags
Composting with aeration screw
Different types of composting facilities From the above mentioned eight major types of composting facilities six types of process cover approximately 50 % of the total number of plants and the annual capacity of all composting and anaerobic digestion plants listed at BGK. Table 2 lists these plants and some of their specifications. Table 3 shows an overview of the number of plants and annual capacities of these types of process. From each of the types of process named above one plant operator was chosen for the field test.
Results The field tests show that the majority of samples meet the degradation requirements according to DIN EN 13432 or 14995 in nearly all plant types (Fig. 1). The red line marks 10% of the original weight of the sample weight which, according to the standards, may still be found after a composting time of twelve weeks in the sieve fraction > 2 mm. The remnants of film which were still present were often knots. However, these were obviously heavily decayed, too, because they could be easily crushed between fingers. In plant 4 (type of process: Bühler-Wendelin), the products made of Bio-Flex and Mater-Bi CF did not meet the rates of degradation. Due to the remnants of film that were found, it can be assumed that the biowaste bags were unfilled when put into system – against the test protocol. So the empty biowaste bags were crumpled, thus multiplying the material strength. The rate of degradation directly depends on the sample thickness thus the degradation took considerably longer. Moreover, the low degradation rates in the plant are presumably a result of the special test form.
Fig. 1: Overview of the sample weights in % at the time of screening
sample weights in %
30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Plant 1
Plant 2
Plant 3
Plant 4
Plant 5
Plant 6
Plant 6 + storage in biobin
12th week 12th week 4th week 12th week 8th week 12th week 12th week
Mater-Bi® NF Mater-Bi® CF Bioplast®
24
Ecopond Flex® Bio-Flex®
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
In the course of test in plant 6 a group of test materials had been stored in a household-biobin for one week before the test with the following observations made: While no or just minor traces of degradation were optically detected on the products made of Ecopond Flex, Bio-Flex, and Bioplast, both products made of Mater-Bi were already visibly affected. The weight determination of the samples at the end of the test showed the following results: All samples that had been
Films | Flexibles | Bags
stored in the biobin for one week were clearly more degraded than the samples that had been put directly into the windrow. Furthermore, the analysis showed that that the composting time is much shorter in many plants than the 12 weeks required in the standards. In nearly all cases the biowaste bags were also degraded within the shorter composting times. In plant 3 (type of process: Herhof boxes) the compost was already sifted after four weeks. Even after this short time, only insignificant remnants of the biowaste bags were found (a maximum of 8% of the original material, mostly even < 5%). In plant 5 (type of process: Horstmann WTT tunnel) only the samples made of Ecopond Flex and Mater-Bi CF just dipped below the 10% mark.
Conclusion In summary, it can be said standard biowaste bags quickly achieved high degradation rates in the field test. So it can be assumed that they do not cause any technical problems in relevant plant types, do not contaminate the compost optically and are thus suitable for municipal biowaste collection. Against the background of a planned increase in biowaste col- lection and the aspired increase in the rates of food waste capture, the citizen, who is an important link in the chain, must be motivated to participate. Water-proof compostable bags can make an important contribution here. If the consumers fill the bags completely and do not fasten them with a knot, even better degradation rates could possibly be achieved. In spite of the compostability logo printed on the bags, the recognisability of all tested biobags is difficult amidst the mass of biowaste. The labelling for compostable biowaste bags could be improved. All five product types that were tested look very different. When sorted by hand, they do not clearly differ from conventional plastic bags. So there is room for improvement on the part of the bioplastics’ converters. For instance, C.A.R.M.E.N., the Bavarian Agency for Renewable Raw Resources, recommends a standardised, hexagonal design for compostable bio-waste bags. This design is accepted and supported by a growing number of local authorities using bio-waste bags. www.carmen-ev.de
Referenzens [1] Letalik C.; Schmidt, B.; Ziermann, A.; C.A.R.M.E.N. e. V., How compatible are compostable bags with major industrial composting and digestion technologies?, ORRBIT 2012, Rennes, France [2] Bidlingmaier, W. (2000): Biologische Abfallverwertung, Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, p. 95. [3] Bundesgütegemeinschaft Kompost (BGK), Ed. (2010): Hygiene Baumuster-Prüfsystem (HBPS) – Kompostierungsan- lagen Vergärungsanlagen, Cologne. [4] Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMU), Ed. (2011): Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz – KrWG, Berlin. [5] Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN), Ed. (2000): Anforderungen an die Verwertung von Verpackungen durch Kompostierung und biologischen Abbau - Prüfschema und Bewertungskriterien für die Einstufung von Verpackungen; Deutsche Fassung DIN EN 13432:2000, Brussels. [6] Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN), Ed. (2006): Kunststoffe Bewertung der Kompostierbarkeit – Prüfschema und Spezifikationen; Deutsche Fassung DIN EN 14995:2006, Brussels. [7] Kehres, B.: Mündliche Aussage vom 25.02.2010, Cologne.
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People Films | Flexibles | Bags
New heat-resistant By Mohammad Kazem Fehria, Patrizia Cinellia, Thanh Vu Phounga, Irene Anguillesia, Sara Salvadoria, Monia Montorsib, Consuelo Mugonib, Stefano Fioric, Andrea Lazzeria a
Inter University Consortium Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),University of Pisa Pisa, Italy b
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy c
Condensia Química S.A Barcelona, Spain
uring the last decade, among biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, polylactic acid PLA has been considered as a potential alternative for synthetic plastic materials on the basis of its good processability, and relatively low cost. However applications using conventional PLA are limited by low mechanical properties, poor thermal stability and a slow crystallization rate. In particular amorphous PLA is not suitable for packaging of hot-filled food or beverage bottles or other containers, i.e. filled at the food-manufacturing or beveragebottling plant while the food or beverage is still hot from pasteurization. Examples include tomato ketchup or some kinds of fruit juice. In order to modify some of the limitations in properties, additives such as plasticizers, coupling agents and fillers can be used. As part of the EC Project DIBBIOPACK (Development of injection and extrusion blow moulded biodegradable and multifunctional packages by nanotechnologies), the project team considered the use of a biodegradable plasticizer, GLYPLAST OLA8, (a low molecular weight modified PLA produced from renewable raw materials by Condensia Quimica, Spain), in combination with two nucleating agents, PDLA and LAK301. To compare the relative effectiveness of PDLA and LAK301 (LAK) the crystallization time of PLA in the blends was measured since this in an extremely important parameter in polymer processing and in industrial production. Using a DoE (Design of Experiments) approach, a mixture design was prepared to study the effect of OLA8 as a plasticizer and of LAK301 and PDLA as nucleating agents on the time to reach 50% of crystallization of PLLA in the blends. Some of the studied blends are reported in Table I. Tensile tests were performed with an Instron 4302 at room temperature and with a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min. Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) was carried out by means of a GABO Eplexor 100N.
Table I: Compositions Sample Code STD 1
Table II : Mechanical properties
Composition in Weight [%]
STD
PLA
OLA8
LAK
PDLA
90
10
-
-
Composition by weight [%]
Mechanical Properties E [GPa]
σU [MPa]
εb [%]
STD 2
78.2
20
-
1.8
STD1
(PLA-OLA8 10)
2.7
47
38
5.6
STD 3
72.2
20
2.8
5
STD2
(PLA 78.2-OLA8 20 - PDLA 1.8)
1.24
16
23
310
STD 4
70
20
5
5
STD3
( PLA 72.2 - OLA 20 - LAK 2.8 - PDLA 5)
2
18
23
285
STD 5
75
20
5
-
STD4
( PLA 70 - OLA8 20 - LAK 5 - PDLA 5)
1.2
11.2
20
278
STD5
( PLA 75 - OLA8 20 - LAK 5 )
2.2
28
18
247
(E: Modulus of elasticity, σy: yielding stress, σU: ultimate stress,
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σy [MPa]
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
εb: elongation at break)
From Science & Research
PLA blends (310%) in presence of 20 % by wt OLA8 and 1.8 % by wt PDLA (STD2) attest for a good interaction among all components that induce good dispersion, with no phase separation. While the addition of a plasticizer normally causes a drop in storage modulus the concurrent addition of a nucleating agent such as LAK leads to a higher degree of crystallinity and to an improvement in elastic modulus. In Table III, interesting values can be observed in terms of percent crystallinity, evaluated from melting enthalpy, glass transition temperature and crystallization kinetic, for the blend based on OLA8 20 % by wt, LAK 2.8 % by wt PDLA 5 % by wt (STD3). Dependence between the time of crystallization and the type of nucleating agent, LAK301 versus PDLA; and the relative amounts was observed. By this study it can be seen that both PDLA and LAK reduce the time of crystallization but the LAK seems to have a more relevant effect.
Table III : Thermal properties t1/2 [sec]
ΔHm [J/g]
ΔHc [J/g]
Cryst. [%]
STD 1 (PLA-OLA8 10)
n.d.
1.5
23.4
25.1
STD 2 (PLA 78.2-OLA8 20 - PDLA 1.8)
152
4.3
21.4
23.0
STD 3 ( PLA 72.2 - OLA 20 - LAK 2.8 - PDLA 5)
46
6.8
12.2
13.1
STD 4 ( PLA 70 - OLA8 20 - LAK 5 PDLA 5)
48
6.1
14.7
15.9
STD 5 ( PLA 75 - OLA8 20 - LAK 5 )
61
3.9
16.2
17.4
STD
Compostion by weight [%]
(t1/2 :half time crystallization, ΔHm: melting enthalpy, ΔHc: crystallization enthalpy, Cryst: percent crystallinity, n.d.: not determined)
In conclusion, LAK and PDLA are efficient nucleating agents for PLA. The effect of LAK is higher than the effect of PDLA. Fine tuning of the type and/or amount of nucleating agent can allow us to control the time of crystallization and adapt it to the industrial requirements. OLA8 confirmed to be an efficient plasticizer for PLA. For production of heat resistant packaging based on PLA the formulation including PLA, OLA8 (20 % by wt), and LAK (5 % by wt) exhibited relatively good values of elongation at break, associated with a reduced time of crystallization, and a moderate content of nucleating agent (5%). www.dibbiopack.eu
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People Films | Flexibles | Bags
New PLA copolymers for packaging films By Vu Thanh Phuong*, Patrizia Cinelli and Andrea Lazzeri University of Pisa, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pisa, Italy Steven Verstichel Organic Waste Systems (OWS) Gent, Belgium
*Vu Thanh Phuong is currently on leave from Department of Chemical Engineering, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Vietnam. http://cet.ctu.edu.vn/cnhoa/en/
30 25
Stress (MPa)
10 15 10 5 0 0
25
50
75
100 125
150 175
Strain (%)
Figure 1: Mechanical properties of films
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200 225 250
he increasing concern about the environmental impact and sustainability of traditional plastics has led to the development of new materials derived from renewable sources, in particular for use in the production of bags (shoppers). On the market there are many compostable products based on PLA and polyesters, but none of these has mechanical properties comparable to many conventional commodity plastics. Despite the undoubted advantages compared to traditional plastics, PLA is characterized by a glass transition temperature (Tg) of around 60°C, which makes the material too rigid for applications such as packaging film. There are several techniques available to improve the flexibility of PLA, such as copolymerization, mixing with elastomeric polymers, addition of a plasticizer, etc. In particular the copolymerization of PLA and elastomeric polymers through reactive extrusion produces materials with the necessary properties to produce flexible films, but the products that are currently available on the market contain high amounts of elastomeric aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters such as poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) or poly (alkylene succinates) such as poly (butylene succinate) (PBS). Such polyesters are biodegradable, but are not (yet) produced from renewable sources, and they have a very high cost. The products currently on the market, in addition to containing only a small part of raw materials from renewable sources, are opaque due to the limited compatibility of these elastomers with PLA, which is attributed to the substantial difference in the chemical structure of the two components. This causes the formation of a microstructure in two phases, with a continuous phase (usually formed primarily from polyester elastomer) and a dispersed phase (usually made from PLA) in the form of approximately spherical particles with a diameter of several microns. Even if the adhesion between these two phases is generally good, such a microstructure does not allow the passage of visible light and the material is opaque. To overcome these limits the research group has produced a new type of copolymer based on PLA, with a higher content from renewable resources and a lower cost than products actually present on the market. The material is also transparent and has optimum mechanical characteristics for the production of packaging film and for shopping bags. In particular it presents an increased mechanical strength, a good deformability and good elastic recovery, accompanied by being soft to the touch. Specially, the film in a thickness of 15 µm disintegrated almost completely within 4 weeks of composting under industrial conditions
From Science & Research
figure 2 – Evolution of the visual disintegration (or degradation) of sample UNIPI-05 under industrial composting conditions.
At Start
After 1 Week
After 2 Weeks
After 3 Weeks
After 4 Weeks
(ISO 16929) and proved to be biodegradable under controlled composting conditions (ISO 14855). The new copolymers have been prepared by a process of reactive blending in the molten state, starting from mixtures of: - Polylactic acid (PLA), - Different types of reactive plasticizers
Code
PLA (%)
Plas1 (%)
Plas2 (%)
- Elastomeric copolyesters such as polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate-co-(PBAT), or polybutylene-co-adipate-co-succinate (PBAS), etc.
UNIPI-01
82
UNIPI-02
84
16
UNIPI-03
64
14
After extrusion, the material is then granulated with the common techniques used in the field of compounding and subsequently transformed into a film by means of the known techniques of blown film extrusion.
UNIPI-04
86
14
UNIPI-05
68
12
The transparent films were produced by creating new copolymers characterized by a block structure containing polylactic acid (PLA) covalently linked to segments of reactive plasticizers and functionalized elastomeric copolyesters which maintain optimum mechanical characteristics at temperatures below 40°C with a consequent and significant improvement in flexibility within the temperature range mentioned. The molecules of plasticizer are incorporated in a stable manner (internal plasticizer) in the acid polylactic through a covalent bond that is formed during the copolymerization process. This avoids on the one hand that the plasticizer can migrate to the surface of the film, in particular in the presence of water or other polar solvents, and also allows a better compatibilization with the elastomeric polyesters added to ensure good elastic characteristics to the finished product.
Ecoflex (%)
18
22
20
Table 1. Formulations used to produce the films
Figure 3. Photograph of a sample UNIPI-05with a thickness of 15 μm which shows the high degree of transparency of the film.
This copolymer film is not only characterized by excellent mechanical properties, transparency and compostability in industrial processes but it is also economical since it uses only 20 to 30% elastomeric copolyester. Moreover, the reactive plasticizers cost about 4 to 6 USD/kg. This copolymer compostable film will find a strong potential market for packaging. http://materials.diccism.unipi.it www.ows.be
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K‘2013 Review
Show Review K’2013 - Oct. 16 - 23, 2013 came from well over At K’2013 some 218,000 trade visitors Düsseldorf, Germany, 120 countries around the world to rd th . At the world’s biggest between October 16 and 23 , 2013 held every three years, trade fair for plastics and rubber, how remains the most it again became clear that the K-S plastics industry important event in the rubber and presented a large In our K-show preview we already products and services. number of the bioplastics related rt with a couple of news This review will round off our repo in Düsseldorf. MT items and highlights that we found
becausewecare Using bioplastic technology, becausewecare™ (Derrimut, VIC, Australia) has scientifically developed products that are made with a combination of organic plant and biodegradable components to break down into compost within weeks. In addition, they have programmes in place to educate business people and consumers worldwide about the negative impact that conventional plastics have on the environment. They also encourage Government moves to ban non-compostable bags, and support strict policies to ensure that all claims of biodegradation and compostability are substantiated. Most importantly, becausewecare endeavours to keep its costs to a minimum so that customers and end-users can be environmentally responsible at the lowest cost possible. The range of products of becausewecare includes retail checkout bags, waste bin liners, doggy bags, nappy bags, produce bags, food prep and related products, garden products, fashion bags, and the BotanicBag™. Even the soy-based non-toxic inks used to print on the products will not leave any harmful residue in the process of breaking down. becausewecare can also extrude film, thermoform, injectionmould, and blow-mould articles to customers’ specifications, as well as supplying rigid and flexible packaging options. www.becausewecare.com.au
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BIOTEC BIOTEC (Emmerich, Germany) presented their new film grade BIOPLAST 500 with a biobased carbon content of more than 50%, which biodegradable according to EN 13432, and home compostable (OK compost Home certified). Biodegradable bags made with Bioplast 500 are ready to meet the challenges of European waste disposal regulations that now require more than 40% biobased contents. The OK compost home certification also allows bags made of BIOPLAST to comply with waste disposal policies, which put a real focus on home composting. “We are extremely proud to announce that Bioplast 500 can be extruded down to a film thickness of 18 µm,” says Harald Schmidt CEO of Biotec. Bioplast 500 is designed for blown film extrusion used in short life packaging, multi-use bags (e.g. carrier bags and loop-handle bags), single-use bags (biowaste bags, bin liners, etc.) and agricultural film. Such film products are recyclable, printable by flexographic and offset printing without pretreatment and have a soft touch. The films can be coloured with masterbatches and are sealable (hot, RF, ultra-sonic) www.biotec.de
Texchem Texchem (Penang, Malaysia) introduced their proprietary biobased materials, which consist of thermoplastic starch derived from agricultural waste. This bio-based material (40% PP plus 60% non-edible food residues such as rice hull or palm fibre, corn residue, sugar cane residue, soy bean shell, cassava residue, kernel powder, etc.) can be thermoformed with a surface smoothness, texture and finish that brings elegance to different packaging applications whilst maintaining all the characteristics of conventional petroleum based plastic material. In addition, Texchem exhibited biobased injection moulding grades to replace conventional HIPS as well as to reduce destruction of forests to produce wood-based packaging. One of the benefits of the material is its good processability. There is no need for any additional equipment or processing in order to make products using this biobased material. www.texchem-polymers.com
K‘2013 Review Solvay acetate bioplastic, manufactured using wood pulp obtained from SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified forests. This it has a much lower CO2 manufacturing footprint when compared to petroleum-based products. A new and amorphous engineering bioplastic, it is a non-toxic material. Together with a bio-plasticizer the biobased content of Ocalio compounds is at present 50 % (ASTM D6866).
Gehr Mannheim (Germany) based GEHR has relaunched its bioplastic product line ECOGEHR. Gehr is a manufacturer of plastic sheets, rods, tubes and profiles, active in the bioplastic market since 2007. During K 2013 Gehr has shown its new sheets produced from Ecogehr PLA-LF and Ecogehr CL. PLA-LF is a blend of PLA, lignin, wood fibres and some additives. CL is a blend of cellulose and lignin. These wood-like sheets at a size of 1000 x 2000 mm and with a thickness of 2 mm, are dedicated to point of sale applications. Gehr is convinced that these sheets will be used for product displays, marketing materials and interior design elements. Besides their new products Gehr also exhibited the well-known Ecogehr PA 6.10 and Ecogehr WPC-30PP. The interest for semi-finished products based on renewable resources was again very high during the exhibition. Gehr’s Sales and Marketing director Thorsten Füßinger pointed out: “Now brand owners have, with these sheets, the possibility of presenting their ecofriendly products on eco-friendly product displays.” www.gehr.de
GreenWorks Zhejiang Huju GreenWorks Technology Co., Ltd is a hightech enterprise that mainly produces and sells products which are completely biodegradable and compostable, such as: deliware, cutlery, tableware and related products, as well as raw material granules. The resources of the raw materials for biodegradable products are several, but mainly corn and tapioca starch. They are natural and can completely biodegrade in a short time. GreenWorks claim to be leading the industry into a new era of petroleum-free bioplastics that recycle agricultural by-products and eliminate both the use of food crops and the use of petroleum in plastics. This can greatly reduce the food service and retail packaging industries reliance on materials that contribute to global warming, and help create new jobs and new opportunities for sustainable business practices at the same time. www.zjgreenworks.com
With excellent technical properties and performance, such as better mechanical and heat resistance, enhanced transparency and outstanding processability, Ocalio cellulose acetate compounds can not only replace applications made with engineering plastics such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) but also polycarbonates (PC). The material is designed for use in a wide range of end-use consumer goods such as containers for cosmetics and personal care, food packaging, electronic devices, toys and mobile phones. In addition to the beneficial range and balance of mechanical properties and ease of processing, Ocalio plasticized cellulose acetate displays excellent surface aesthetics such as a high gloss, smooth and silky tactile qualities and an exceptional depth of colour, for both opaque and transparent grades. Manufactured in Europe in back-integrated and completely self-sufficient facilities, Ocalio cellulose acetate compounds will be commercially available in Q1 of 2014. www.solvay.com
Ningxia Ningxia Qinglin Shenghua Technology Co., Ltd. is a hightech enterprise specialized in nanometer sized biological based biodegradable environmental protection plastics and their preparation, as well as their technology research, plus manufacturing and sales. Products can be widely applied in industry, agriculture and other fields. The registered trademark of their products is Jia Jia Gu. The company’s products use potato, cassava, sweet potato and other natural plant starch and straw fibre nanometerfine powder as the main raw material, as well as food grade or pharmaceutical grade modified materials and additives. The company developed special technologies and uses advanced equipment. All of their biodegradable plastic products have properties comparable to traditional plastics. The performance Info: is between that of polyethylene and polypropylene. Under natural conditions, the products can be completely biodegradable with an adjustable and controlled degradation cycle. Currently the development and production of products include disposable snack-boxes, plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, water cups, coffee cups, toothpicks, toothbrushes, combs, shopping bags, and much more, including children’s toys and 3D glasses frames www.nqst.com.cn
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K‘2013 Review Kafrit
Cathay
Kafrit Industries Ltd based in Negev, Israel introduced three new products. Ecocomp 420 is a biodegradable compound for twin-wall sheet applications. It is comprised of 100% renewable resources and fulfils the standards: EN 13432, ASTM D640004, ISO 17088. Ecomp 420 compound is starch-based with the addition of plasticizers and biopolymers. This combination can be easily processed on conventional sheet extrusion equipment, with only minor process parameter changes, namely reduced temperature and controlled screw speed. Sheets of 4 mm (300 µm wall thickness) may be produced. They have a first class welding performance, excellent mechanical properties and good printability.
Cathay Industrial Biotech has been a pioneering industrial biotechnology company with commercial-scale production since 2003. It is the world leader in the production of long chain dibasic acids used primarily for nylons, polyesters and adhesives and bio-solvents. Cathay’s leading-edge technological innovations allow the manufacturing of chemicals and fuels from renewable resources. Cathay is managed by a globally experienced team of technology, business and finance experts.
Ecocomp 131 is a grade to produce tie layers for biodegradable multilayer films. Details will be subject of a more comprehensive article in one of the next issues of bioplastics MAGAZINE. Ecocomp 142 is a compostable PHA based compound for film applications. It is a soft, flexible compound designed for shopping bags and applications that can be easily processed on conventional film extrusion equipment. Ecomp 142 biodegrades quickly in a composting environment and in soil. www.kafrit.co.il
Kuraray Kuraray Europe (Hattersheim, Germany) presented Mowiflex TC 232 C14, a partly biobased polyvinyl alcohol. Mowiflex TC 232 C14 is produced from bio-VAM (Vinyl Acetate Monomers) which is acquired from renewable raw materials (bio-ethylene). The use of Mowiflex TC 232 C14 allows the manufacture of biobased products such as water-soluble foils, packaging and fibres. The biobased portion of the material (measured using ASTM D6866 procedure 12C/14C) was determined to be 89%.
Cathay Biotech’s Terryl™ Green Nylons are a series of polyamides based on their unique 100% biobased 1.5-pentanediamine, C-BIO N5 polyamide 56 and based on this new diamine has similar performance properties to PA 66. In addition to potentially substituting HMDA with C-BIO N5, Cathay’s five carbon diamine, offers new performance properties in certain polyamide applications due to the even/ odd carbon arrangement. Available Terryl polyamides include PA 510, 512 and copolymers. www.cathaybiotech.com
DongChen ShanDong DongChen Engineering Plastic Co. Ltd. (Shandong, China)‚ is specialized in the synthesis, modification development and sales of long carbon chain PA1212, and the synthesis of PA1012, PA612, and PA1010, PA 610 and transparent PA. Their annual capacity of long carbon chain nylon resins is 6,000 tonnes. The PA1212 developed solely and uniquely by the Technical R&D Center of the company has filled a gap of China and has been rated to meet PA11 and PA12 standards of similar foreign products in respect of performances. www.dongchenchem.com
www.kuraray.eu
Lifocolor Lifocolor produces colour masterbatches and offer these under the brandname Lifocolor BIO O. These masterbatches are for colouring applications made from bioplastics. By using pigments that fulfil the requirements of the standard DIN EN 13432 the customers can — provided a correct dosing — get certification as biodegradable per EN 13432. The colour pallet developed by Lifocolor comprises a multitude of colour shades, offering customers good opportunities to differentiate their products from competition in the various fields of applications for biobased as well as biodegradable plastics.
Greemas Greemas is the brand of the biosourced materials from the Getac Technology Corporation (Taiwan). They focus on the research of the fundamental characteristics of biomass materials and provide green plastic solutions. Greemas includes three main product lines. These are PLA series, bioPA (bio-nylon) series and NFRC series (natural fibre-reinforced composites). Based on the material features, Greemas can be applied in household items, furniture supplies, tableware, kitchenware, stationery, toys, baby and child products, packaging, and even automotive components and electronic products.
www.lifocolor.de www.getac.com.tw
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K‘2013 Review
Celanese ®
Clarifoil cellulose diacetate film from Celanese was among the world’s first thermoplastics. In the 1950s and 1960s it was the number one material for transparent thermoform packaging. Today, cellulose diacetate is again gaining popularity as an alternative to oil-based plastics. Clarifoil thermoform film from Celanese is produced from cellulose obtained sustainably from managed forestry plantations and without genetic modification. The outstanding clarity means the film has an excellent appearance and has good properties for thermoforming of outer packaging, containers, lids etc. The high thermal stability of the Clarifoil thermoform film means that the softening temperature is 120°C. This makes it especially attractive for packaging hot foods and beverages. Additionally, this environmentally friendly film is ideal for the storage and transport of goods in hot climates. The manufacturing process is very flexible, allowing for easy integration of other functions in the materials such as for UV blockers, tint or flame retardant additives. The film is approved for direct food contact and is, therefore, ideal for packaging organic fruits and vegetables, pastries or confectionary. Clarifoil film also reliably protects cosmetics, upscale electronics devices or other luxury goods and lends them a glamorous packaging design.
Polyblend POLYBLEND GmbH, a company of the Polymer-Group, started offering highly flexible biodegradable compounds under the name BioBlend. These polymers consist of biopolymers and special additives that are being certified in accordance with DIN EN 13432 as well as ASTM D6400 by DIN CERTCO. Applications are landscape and agricultural films, garbage bags, hygiene and packaging films. BioBlend 1851 and 1852 are composed of biobased as well as fossil raw materials. BioBlend is highly suitable for printing without pre-treatment, welding and bonding. Of course, BioBlend compounds can also be coloured and the company Masterbatch Winter, part of the Polymer Group, offers appropriate masterbatches. Particular emphasis is on processability using standard converting machines. Film lines processing PE-LD or PELLD can be changed to BioBlend without any modifications. Due to good compatibility with polyethylene, changeover can be achieved without stopping the production process. Merely adjustments of temperature profiles might be necessary. Polyblend is in the process of developing a variety of new formulations in the bio sector and will soon offer bio-based and biodegradable formulations. www.polyblend.de
www.celanese.com
Shanghai Disoxidation
Editor’s note
Shanghai Disoxidation Macromolecule Materials Co. Ltd. (DM) is a manufacturer of biodegradable starch resins and related derivatives, such as shopping bags, garbage bags, films and external packaging. The company is located in the Xiangshi Road Jin Ban Industrial Zone of Kunshan, Jiangsu Province and runs 10 Coperion dual screw extruders, with automatic feeding and packaging. DM has a capacity of 32,000 tonnes/year. Their product BSR-09 was developed for blown film application and is EN 13432/ASTM 6400 certified compostable.
On a big show like K’2013, with more than 3000 exhibitors, it is of course inevitable to come across some black sheep. A total of 38 out of the 145 companies (more than 25%) listed in the official catalogue of K’2013 under bioplasticss did not offer any bioplastics related products or services at all. Or they offered products that we do not consider as bioplastics, such as oxo-additives or additives that claim not to be oxo, but rather enzymatic or organic additives. None of these companies was, however, able or willing to provide scientifically backed evidence for a complete biodegradation (per EN 14855) so far. We are still waiting for some of such promised evidence. MT
www.dmmsh.com
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Application News
New biobased coated fabric
Bioplastics facade mock-up
CHOMARAT (Le Cheylard, France ) recently rolled out the world premiere of a new line of biobased coated fabric called OFLEX™ Bio-based, which is made from Gaïalene® produced by ROQUETTE. For this product Chomarat, specializing in coated textiles, is using a specific flexible grade of Gaïalene to coat a textile material or foam. As developed, the coating lends itself readily to dyeing, is free of plasticizers, and is recyclable in the polyolefin stream. If offers numerous design options with a high level of performance.
The bioplastics facade mock-up was created within the framework of Research Project Bioplastic Facade, a project supported by EFRE (European Fund for Regional Development). It demonstrates one of the possible architectonic and constructional applications of the bioplastic materials developed in the course of this project. The blueprint is based on a triangular net made up of mesh elements of varying sizes. The mock-up was publicly presented on October 17, 2013 on the Stuttgart, Germany University campus.
“The technical partnership with Roquette allowed us to develop an entire line of fabrics coated with kind of biobased TPOs (soft thermoplastic polyolefins) that are free of phthalates and PVCs. Thanks to their great flexibility and softness, our products offer a genuine alternative to coated PVCs and leathers. The soft touch and ease of dyeing open up new prospects in our traditional markets of leather products, luggage, telephony, sport & leisure activities, and event furnishings. Gaïalene offers us an excellent solution for responding to a clientele that is increasingly demanding and sensitive to sustainable development in their daily environment,“ points out Philippe Chomarat, Manager of Chomarat’s Plastics business line. The Oflex bio-based line contains 25 to 35% plant-based resources, which sets it apart from conventional coated fabrics made solely from nonrenewable materials. “We are very proud of this development with Chomarat, which is a major innovation in the field of coated fabrics. The company combines unique know-how and respect for the environment in its developments. Oflex bio-based is the result of an excellent partnership and we are convinced that this innovation will meet with success on the market,“ underscores Jean-Luc Monnet, Product and Business Development Manager at Roquette. www.chomarat.com www.gaialene.com
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The ITKE (Institute for Building Construction and Structural Design, University of Stuttgart, Germany; Faculty for Architecture and Urban Planning) can look back on numerous years of experience in both teaching and researching the computer based planning, simulation, and production of cladding for buildings with complex geometries. Currently, materials made from petroleumbased plastic, glass, or metal are used to encase such structures. Thermoformable sheets of bioplastics will constitute a resourceefficient alternative in the future as they combine the high malleability and recyclability of plastics with the environmental benefits of materials consisting primarily of renewable resources. Collaborating materials scientists, architects, product designers, manufacturing technicians, and environmental experts were able to develop a new material for facade cladding which is thermoformable and made primarily (>90%) from renewable resources. Developed by project partner TECNARO within the framework of the research project, ARBOBLEND®, a special type of bioplastic granules, can be extruded into sheets which are further processable as needed: They can be drilled, printed, laminated, laser cut, CNC-milled, or thermoformed to achieve different surface qualities and structures and various moulded components can be produced. The semifinished products serve as cladding for flat or free-formed interior and exterior walls. The material can be recycled and meets the high durability and inflammability standards for building materials. The goal of the project was to develop a maximally sustainable yet durable building material while keeping petroleumbased components and additives to a minimum. The ecological audit was completed by project partner ISWA (Institute for water engineering, water quality,and waste management). Furthermore, the materials’s resistance to microbial degradation was determined. www.itke.uni-stuttgart.de www.tecnaro.de
Application News
New compostable coffee pods Biome Bioplastics (Marchwood, Southampton, UK) has helped to develop a biodegradable coffee pod, offering one of the first sustainable packaging alternatives in the single-serve market. The global coffee capsule market is worth 5 billion Euros and is considered to be a rare bright spot in the global food and drink industry. There are now around 50 different coffee pod or capsule systems on the market, but their convenience comes at a price. For example an estimated 9.1 billion single-serve coffee and drink cartridges wind up in US landfills every year, amounting to some 540,000 m³ of waste. Coffee-pod machines are also increasingly popular in Britain with usage up by 45.1% between February 2012 and 2013, equating to around 186 million capsules. Unfortunately, single serve coffee pods are not easily recyclable. Mixed material pods are sent to landfill and those brands that do offer a recycling service have few recycling points and limited collection service. With mounting pressure around the environmental impact of their success, the coffee industry urgently needs more sustainable packaging options. In response to this challenge, Biome Bioplastics has developed a portfolio of compostable materials for coffee pods based on renewable, natural resources including plant starches and tree by-products (lignin). These bioplastics will degrade to prescribed international standards (such as EN 13432 or AST D 6400) in composting environments. As coffee is also a compostable resource the big advantage is, that the coffee and the pods can be disposed off to composting systems, e.g. via a biowaste bin collection system in areas where such systems are in place. “Single–serve coffee pods are an excellent example of the fundamental role that packaging plays in delivering quality and convenience in the food service sector”, explains Biome Bioplastics CEO Paul Mines. „The challenge is to reduce environmental impact through packaging optimisation without impacting on food quality or safety, or inconveniencing the customer. Bioplastics are an important part of the solution”. Based on the success of the biodegradable pods, Biome Bioplastics is working with manufacturing and brand partners to develop a number of natural polymerbased solutions for the hot drinks industry, with further announcements expected in the coming months. MT www.biomebioplastics.com
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Application News
Breathability enhances safety A US company has developed a ground breaking fabric that offers high level chemical protection, using NatureFlex™ from Innovia Films (Wigton, Cumbria, UK) within its construction.
Bio-based surfboard foam TECNIQ LLC, San Diego, California, USA, a leading developer of environmentally conscious materials and products, and SYNBRA BV, Etten-Leur, The Netherlands, leading innovators in expanded rigid foam technology, announced in October the creation of the worlds first certified 100% biodegradable and 99% bio-based surfboard foam. “Surfboards have been overwhelmingly made out of petroleum products since the 1950’s,” says Rob Falken, Tecniq’s Managing Director. “We’ve worked really hard to create an alternative that doesn’t compromise performance and that delivers tried–and–true characteristics for surfers, shapers, and glassers alike,” he continued. The foam is produced in a patented process that utilizes converted locally abundant sugarcane biomass (certified GMO-free) provided by Corbion Purac that is polymerized to PLA by Synbra Technology BV and expanded into rigid foam by Synprodo BV. “For me, the best parts are that the foam is created entirely from a renewable resource and that dangerous chemicals are not used in production. This means the foam is drastically less toxic for the surfboard craftsmen during shaping” stated Falken. Holding their companies to an examined approach, Tecniq and Synbra will have full transparency in the life cycle of the surfboard foam. An independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has already been secured, as have certificates of validation including decomposition, compostability, bio-based content, GMO-free, and Cradle to Cradle. In addition to the environmental claims validations, the foam boasts the ultra-eco use of benign CO2 as the sole blowing agent in the expansion process. The brand name for this new surfboard foam technology is BIÓM™ (pronounced BY-ohm). The first manufacturing site will be located in the Netherlands with production commencing in the third quarter of 2014. There are plans to develop US manufacturing in late 2014 or early 2015. In addition to surfboard foam, BIÓM will find use in stand up paddleboards, wakeboards, skimboards, kiteboards, and other types of watercraft. MT www.synbra.com www.tecniq.com www.biomblanks.com
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For thirty years Kappler® based in Guntersville, Alabama has defined the protective garment industry with patented fabrics, innovative seaming technology and unique garment designs. Their latest product Lantex™ 300, a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1994 Class 3 certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) breathable protective suit, allows users in a hazardous chemical emergency situation to wear them for longer. George Kappler, President proudly states “For years the Holy Grail of chemical protective clothing has been the quest for comfortable, breathable yet chemical protective fabrics. We, at Kappler believe we have achieved this quest with Innovia Films’ help. Our Lantex fabric gives good general chemical protection while reducing the heat stress associated with chemical protective fabrics.“ He continued “The breathable properties of NatureFlex have enabled us to develop an improved lighter fabric while maintaining essential chemical and gas barriers. In the environments for which this was developed, Lantex 300 is a significant improvement over existing safety chemical suits.” Thomas Gwin, Innovia Films’ Sales Executive, explained: “We are delighted that our renewable NatureFlex film’s moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) ensured that it provided the necessary performance to be included in this unique fabric.” NatureFlex film’s inherent properties make them an ideal choice for this application. They are naturally permeable, allowing loss of moisture from within the suit as well as bi-directional gas transfer. At the same time, the barrier to micro-bacterial contamination from outside the suit is maintained. NatureFlex’s natural permeability can be controlled and tailored to the moisture barrier needs of the application or product by using a wide range of special coatings applied during production.MT www.NatureFlex.com www.kappler.com
Consumer Electronics
Ciruit board (iStock thiel_andrzej)
Linseed (flax) in bloom (photo FNR/H. Habbe)
Linseed epoxides for electronic circuit boards n the electrical industry about 1.5 million tonnes of petrochemical epoxides are processed annually for circuit boards, printed circuit boards and similar. It is the goal of a research network, comprising Hobum Oleochemicals GmbH, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research and Siemens AG, to develop a bio-based alternative for this kind of application. The project is being funded until early 2015 by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) and their Agency for renewable Resources (FNR).
I
Vegetable oils provide the essential basic component for biobased resins. A specific fatty acid composition, especially with a high content of linolenic acid, is crucial for this. Linseed has a high linolen content, so the plant was selected for this project. In Germany, system solutions for reactive resins made from pure linseed oil epoxides and the corresponding cross-linking hardeners are still in their infancy. Among other things, within the now started project, the researchers are looking for the optimum additives. The Fraunhofer IAP relies on phosphoruscontaining compounds that allow a burn-off without halogencontaining substances. Thus, there would be huge benefits in terms of easier disposal because petrochemical epoxides with brominated flame retardants are classified as hazardous , requiring a special combustion process. Epoxy resins are used for electronic devices, but also for the production of paints, coatings and waterproofing agents, as well as adhesives and sealing foams. For electronic components, the epoxy resin is reinforced with glass fibers or paper.MT FNR project numbers 22025612, 22012110 und 22023109.
www.fnr.de
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People Consumer Electronics
Bioplastics for high-end consumer electronics By: Dr. Chung-Jen (Robin) Wu Chairman Supla Material Technology Co. Ltd. Tainan City, Taiwan
olylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources (mainly starch or sugar, currently). One of the attractive characteristics of the PLA is the nature of crystallinity. With a melting point above 150°C, it opens a wide potential on various applications. However, there are factors affecting the application of PLA. One is the rather low glass transition temperature (Tg) of around 60°C. Another is its low rate of crystallization. These two factors result in a low heat deflection temperature around Tg, which limits PLA’s applications. Based on above facts, the development of PLA used to being focused under ambient environment or none durable usage, say disposable food containers, bags and so on. But even within these applications, there are some critical limitations still affecting the performance of PLA. For example, a traditional PLA copolymer cup can’t hold hot coffee and temperatures above 70°C will result in deformation of products. These factors limit the use of PLA in durable and high-end application. There are many approaches to solve the shortage of PLA mentioned above. To enhance the heat resistance fillers can be added. In the case of semi crystalline plastics, adding nucleating agents is another approach, however for standard PLA copolymer, which crystallizes at a rather slow rate, such treatment does not bring about a significant improvement in heat resistance. In bioplastics MAGAZINE issue 01/2010, SUPLA announced a novel, heat-resistant PLA. By means of novel recipes and process
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Consumer Electronics
equipment, Supla have developed SUPLA™ C1001 that has a unique crystallization behavior, which results in a high HDT at around 100°C (HDT B 120 K/h, 0.45 MPa). Furthermore, because not much fillers were added, the density was kept at a level almost equivalent to native PLA. This low-density characteristic results in a higher Melt Flow Rate of 31.9 g/10min (190°C, 2.16 kg), which makes Supla C advantageous over other types of modified PLA in injection molding. Supla C1001 with superior heat resistance is a great product for markets such as food wares, stationery, gifts and toys. Furthermore, for most of the 3C (Computer, Consumer, Communication electronics) housings, a PLA blend with flame retardant is a must. Based on the development of a heat resistant PLA blend with 99% by wt content of PLA (Supla C1001) SUPLA developed a flame retardant PLA blend (Supla C1003) which meets the V0 standards of UL-94 Vertical Burning Test in 1/8”, 1/16” and even 1/32”, while its PLA content is kept as high as 90% by weight and its heat resistance (HDT B) is kept to over 100°C. The flame retardant package in Supla C1003 is halogen free. Therefore, this is the greenest flame retardant PLA blend available (bM issue 05/2010). However, for PLA to be a commercially viable alternative, the injection molding cycle time is of critical importance. The cycle time of standard PLA copolymer blends during injection are too long in comparison with current materials like ABS or PC/ABS blends. Moreover, this low crystallization rate might give rise to another drawback on the dimensional stability. A housing often has several parts to be assembled with limited tolerance. Moreover, a very complicated structure in the injection part arose from the need for compromising the needs of placing many electronic parts and the mechanical strength. Meanwhile, the complicated assembling method itself is a very critical to the PLA materials, since there are many fasteners, and screws locations. To solve the above challenges, the choice of the right PLA base materials will be a very important factor. Due to the chiral nature of lactic acid, there are several forms of PLA: poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is the product resulting from polymerization of L,L-lactide (also known as L-lactide), and PDLA (poly-D-lactide), which is the product resulting from polymerization of D,D-lactide. PLLA and PDLA are considered PLA homopolymers. Most currently commercially available PLA’s are PLA copolymers. A percentage of L,D-Lactide (also known as meso-Lactide) is polymerized together with L,L Lactide. This PLA copolymer has limitations. However, if high purity PLLA and PDLA homopolymers are available, the melting temperature of PLLA can be increased by 40-50 °C and its heat deflection temperature can be increased by physically blending the polymer with PDLA (poly-D-lactide). PDLA and PLLA form a highly regular stereo-complex with increased crystallinity. In this case, PDLA or the resulting stereo-complex acts as a nucleating agent to increase the speed of crystallization. By a closed cooperation with Corbion Purac, Supla are able to produce PLLA and PDLA homopolymers. This gives Supla a great opportunity into durable applications. At Corbion Purac’s booth at the K 2013 (Düsseldorf, Germany), Kuender showed an
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Consumer Electronics Kuender Kuende er & Co., Ltd. hass been established establishe ed since 1990, with witth a vision visio on iss to o offer ffer customers custome ers rreasonable easo onable price together with h the e best besst service se ervice e and d also alsso creates win win-win n-win business and longlo ongterm m re relationship elatio onship w with ith customers. custo omers. In ad addition dditio on to o itss Taipei headquarter head dquarrter (Taiw (Taiwan), wan), Kue Kuender ender als also so ha have ave manufacture manu ufactture plants both in Ta Taoyuan, aoyuan, Taiwan Taiwa an and Wujang, Wujang, China. China. Kuender Kuend der group group p is a professional professsion nal OEM/ODM OEM/ODM M manufacturer manufactu urer to provide provide total total solution n forr brand bra and customers in va various arious pr products, roduccts, say air cleaner, consumer conssume er electronics, ellectronicss, etc. Fr From rom tooling d design esig gn an and nd mold m old injection n to asse assembly embly of com complete mplete un unit, nit, K Kuender uend der o offers fferrs customers cu ustom mers trem tremendous mend dous adva advantages antag ges o on n co cost, ost, speed d and d ser service. rvice. As a good citizen n of tthe he w world’s orld d’s responsibility, re espon nsibility, K Kuender uen nder decided to becom become me a gree green en pa partner artne er to all h his is customerss by providing ga range e of g greener reen ner cchoices. hoicces. www kuender.com www.kuender.com
SUP SUPLA PLA has dedicated d itself in n pro producing oducing h high igh perf performance formance PLA sin since nce 2 2007. 007. SUPLA’s achievements achieve emen nts in PLA PL LA blendss of high high heat resistance ressistance and flam flame me retardant retard dant hav have ve be been een reported in bioplastics b iopllasticcs MAGAZINE E in the issue issues es off 01/2010 01//2010 0 and d 05/2010, 05//2010, respectively. re espectively. SUPLA A has its man manufacture nufaccture e plants b both oth in Taiwan Ta aiwan n and Suqian, China. S SUPLA UPL LA recently announced announ nced it is constructing consstruccting a 10 10,000 0,000 0 tonn tonnes/a nes/a a PLA A pol polymerization lyme erizattion p plant lantt in C China hina a thatt will be become beco ome o operational peration nal in n 2014. www www.supla-bioplastics.cn, w.supla-bio oplastics.ccn, www.supla.c www.ssupla.com.tw om tw
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All-In-One (AIO) PC with 21.5” touch screen, and an naked-eye 3D media player, by using Supla’s new grade of durable PLA blend (Supla 155) on their housings. This is the first time that PLA has proven itself ready for a mass production line of consumer electronics. And it implies that PLA can replace oil-based plastics such as HIPS and ABS, and alleviate our dependency on fossil fuels. The AIO PC is the latest version of personal computer combining PC and the monitor. Kuender’s AIO PC has a 21.5” touch screen, which makes the keyboard an optional component. Since this All-InOne PC includes all the devices under one housing, the structure and functional requirements for the housing are much more demanding. The front and back covers have more demanding on the physical properties of the material and the stability of dimensions. Facing this challenge, Supla started by choosing PLLA and PDLA homopolymers from Corbion Purac’s lactide monomers, which are GMO free, as the base. PLLA and PDLA homopolymers have better potential for further blending and balancing other properties including heat resistance, flame retardant, toughness and dimensional stability while keeping the injection molding cycle time as short as possible. A new mold was designed for the production of this AIO PC accordingly. Under a close partnership with Supla, Kuender was able to master and optimize the injection molding process of these PLA homopolymer blends. This includes for example the proper mold temperature, the arrangement of heating sources in the mold, the flow pattern of the polymer melt, and the control of dimensional stability. The resulting new front and back covers of the AIO PC pass the test standards originally developed for ABS covers. For this AIO PC’s, the retail price will be around $700 USD. The change of material from ABS to PLA will increase the cost less than 2%. As an OEM/ODM professional, Kuender launches this product to provide brand customers a greener, biobased material for the housing in addition to Kuender’s green display technology, OGS (the OGS stands for One Glass Solution for touch panel) with an excellent cost/performance ratio.
Consumer Electronics
W
ith 50 million tonnes of waste produced worldwide every year, electronics (smartphones, tablets, computers, etc.) are now a serious problem for the environment. To reduce the impact of the so called ewaste, a new contribution has arrived in the form of bioplastics designed by bio-on, as stated in a recent press release by the Bologna, Italy based Intellectual Property Company. Their product is a PHA made from beet and cane sugar (in Italy in collaboration with Co.Pro.B.), using a natural production process without the use of organic chemical solvents. It is 100% naturally biodegradable in water and soil and can be used as a substrate for electrical circuits. When combined with suitable nanofillers, it can act as an electricity conductor, with extraordinary, as yet unexplored potential.
PHA for electronic applications
“In this way it’s possible to build electronic devices with a reduced environmental impact”, Marco Astorri, CEO and co-founder of bio-on, explained during Maker Faire 2103 in Rome, Italy. “But the use of bioplastics will not be restricted to smartphones and tablets. We can extend it to highly advanced technological sectors, thanks to the multiple features of our bioplastics, their outstanding technical performance and excellent biocompatibility. In the future this will also enable us to develop sensors and electromedical equipment for health care,” added Astorri. The possibility of incorporating electrical and electronic circuits in plastic substrates, to obtain flexible, lightweight and easily integrated electronics, has been the subject of investigation by a team of Italian researchers from the Departments of Engineering of the Universities of Modena-Reggio Emilia and Perugia. They integrated carbon nanoparticles like nanotubes and graphene into bioplastics produced by bio-on, making them suitable for the development of sustainable electronics. The preliminary results of this research were presented in Rome during BIOPOL 2013, the International Conference on Biodegradable and Biobased Polymers. “This type of plastic reduces the environmental impact of the device”, according to Paola Fabbri, a researcher at the Enzo Ferrari Department of Engineering of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, “making recovery easier and cheaper.” “As much of the plastics currently used in electronics can now be replaced by biopolymers such as bio-on’s”, the researchers say, “many businesses can already benefit by reducing the impact of the life cycle analysis (LCA) of electronic devices, as recommended by the European legislation”.
Bio Bio-on o-on is an n Italian companyy that dev develops velop ps new ne ew materials in the m modern ode ern biotechnologies biote echno ologies sector secto or and d this th his recognition recog gnitio on completes comp pletes th the he indus industrial strial research rese earch h project, prroject, started starte ed in 2 2007, 007, aim aimed med at a producing produ ucing g nat naturally turally bio biodegradable odeg grada able plast plastic, tic, sstarting tarting g from sugar sugar beets bee ets and, as as off today, toda ay, also from sugar suga ar cane. can ne. T The he id idea dea iss esp especially pecia ally in innovative nnova ative sinc since, ce, for the firstt time e in the the world, world d, PHA PH HA (polyhydroxyalkanoate (p polyhyydroxxyalk kanoate) e) was obtained obtained from m molass molasses es orr intermediate inte erme ediate e sug sugar garr cane ca ane jjuices uice es orr from m itss by-prod by-products ductss and d nott from oils or cereal starches like m many any other biopolymerss on the market marrket today. M MINERV INERV® PHA A bioplastics bio oplasstics are thus made made from waste materials and not not from fr rom products prod ductss intended inte ended forr foo food od pr production. roducction. This, combined combin ned with their complete co omple ete b biodegradability iode egrad dabillity in water, wat ter, is the big g environ environmental nmen ntal advantag advantage ge off the bioplastics de developed evelo oped by B Bio io on on. n. www.bio-on.it www .bio-on.it
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Consumer Electronics
Bio-Based PPA for Smart Mobile Devices
S
olvay Specialty Polymers LLC (Alpharetta, Georgia, USA) recently announced the launch of a new portfolio of bio-based high-performance polyamides (HPPA) offered for use in smart mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, and other smart mobile electronics. The introduction includes the Kalix® HPPA 3000 series, the first bio-based amorphous polyphthalamides (PPAs), and the Kalix 2000 series, a family of bio-sourced semi-crystalline polyamide (PA 610) grades that provide outstanding impact performance. The Kalix 3000 series breaks new ground as the industry’s first bio-based amorphous PPA which delivers exceptional processability. The two new grades - Kalix 3850 and Kalix 3950 – provide less warp, reduced shrinkage, and low to no flash. This improved processability results in tighter dimensional tolerances and more cost-effective manufacturing due to fewer secondary operations such as deflashing. The two compounded grades consist of 16% renewable content (according to ASTM D6866). One of the key raw materials for the Kalix 3000 series is a renewably sourced material supplied by sister company Solvay Novecare, a specialty supplier of surfactants, polymers, amines, solvents, guar, and phosphorus derivatives. Under the development work, Solvay utilized the specialized resources of its R&D teams in India, Belgium, China, and the U.S. while also taking advantage of new Solvay raw materials captively available since the Rhodia acquisition in 2012. Meanwhile, the new Kalix 2000 series of semi-crystalline materials, based on PA 610, consists of Kalix 2855 and Kalix 2955. They provide strong mechanical properties, high impact, exceptional surface finish, and low moisture absorption. These two compounded grades consist of 27% renewable content (ASTM D6866). Both the Kalix 2000 and 3000 series compounds offer manufacturers more sustainable options while providing the exceptional physical attributes and processing capabilities that are required in demanding structural applications such as injection molded chassis, housings, and covers, according to Sebastien Petillon, global market manager for mobile electronics for Solvay Specialty Polymers. Both the 2000 and 3000 series contain monomers that come from the sebacic acid chain which is derived castor oil. Overall, in addition to their renewable content, the new grades (between 50-55% glass fiber loading) provide greater strength and stiffness than most competing glass-reinforced materials including high-performance polyamides and lower-performing engineering plastics such as polycarbonate.
The introduction of the new series represents a major expansion of Solvay’s longtime offering of Ixef® polyarylamide (PARA) and Kalix HPPA grades which have served the mobile electronics market the past 15 years. The new bio-based grades are expected to penetrate a greater share of smart mobile device applications due to their easier processability compared to Ixef PARA, according to Petillon. The non biobased products Ixef and the Kalix 9000 series will continue to be offered. Both the Kalix 2000 and 3000 series offer an excellent surface finish. They can be matched to a wide range of colors including the bright and light colors of the smart device industry and can be painted using existing coatings commonly used for portable electronic devices. The new materials are available globally and Solvay intends to primarily manufacture in the region of sale, according to Petillon. The company expects most production to be conducted at its Changshu, China, facility since Asia is the primary manufacturing center for smart mobile devices.
http://ssolvayy.com http://solvay.com
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Both Kalix 2955 and 3950 have been qualified and specified by OEMs for use in smart mobile devices. Solvay is already developing next-generation biobased products with enhanced flow, better mechanical performance, and higher renewable content for constantly redesigned and innovative smart mobile devices.
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From PeopleScience & Research
Biocomposites research for packaging By Davide Bandera Laboratory for Biomaterials and Laboratory for Applied Wood Materials Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology St. Gallen and Dübendorf, Switzerland
Schematic of nacre’s structure (top) and Seashell (bottom)
T
he Laboratory for Biomaterials at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in St. Gallen, Switzerland, is actively searching for new solutions in the area of bio-based packaging materials. The goal is to expand and improve the range of applications of biopolymers in this field, focusing on those materials, which are accessible through more sustainable and efficient routes, rendering them suitable alternatives to more conventional oil-based packaging. In particular, their inspirational sources are natural inorganic-organic composites, like nacre, which is found in mother of pearl and other seashells. These systems are composed by relatively weak constituents, mainly inorganic platelets, proteins and polysaccharides, but their hierarchical arrangement imparts exceptional mechanical and barrier properties. The structure resembles that of an array of bricks glued together by the bio polymers. From the barrier viewpoint, it is clear that gases need to go through a rather long and tortuous path in order to pass them; mimicking similar constructions should allow for the preparation of materials displaying good barrier properties. The researchers tackle the issue by using biopolymers [like PLA, chitosan, etc.] and pristine or modified inorganic layered silicates. Biomimetic films from PLA and organically modified layered silicates have been prepared by blade coating in order to improve barrier properties of PLA. The resulting films, prepared at high layered silicate loadings, mostly preserved the natural PLA transparence. It was also found that the crystallization behavior of the PLA was not heavily influenced with up to 50% by wt. in content of layered silicate. The water vapor barrier was 10-fold enhanced in the bionanocomposite with comparison to the original PLA. Chitosan and layered silicate composites films were also developed. Usually, these materials display high mechanical strength but their ductility is low. The addition of an ionic liquid type of plasticizer to the mixture improved the ductility by a factor of two, even with a plasticizer amount that was a third compared to the one required with the commonly used glycerol. The oxygen barrier properties of these films had 6-fold enhancement compared to pristine chitosan. It is reasonable to foresee future industrial applications where multilayered systems, based on these naturally occurring polymers and layered silicates, can provide more environmentally friendly packaging solutions for food and other goods. In a collaborative industrial project funded by the Swiss Commission for Technology and Innovation [CTI], the scientists deal with the improvement of the barrier properties of paper materials for food packaging. In particular, the task is to develop a solution to the manufacture of PLA water-based dispersions used as coatings for paper and paperboard. The biopolymer-
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From Science & Research Chitosan/Layered silicate ďŹ lm (cross section SEM picture)
5.00 um
PLA water-based dispersion (SEM picture)
based coating has to provide better water vapor and oxygen barrier properties, but also comply with the strict industrial requirements of low viscosity and high solid content. To face this challenge we started from a solution of polymer and prepared the water based dispersion that contains also a layered silicate. An innovative formulation was obtained with relatively high solid content (up to 25%), rather homogeneous particle size distribution, low viscosity and capable of improving the water barrier properties of paper when applied to it. The solutions and knowledge of the Swiss research team sets them as ideal partners for industries which are looking for innovative biopolymer-based packaging applications.
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www.empa.ch/biomaterials
INTAREMA THE NEW DIMENSION OF PLASTIC RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY
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People Politics
By Michael Thielen
(Photo: iStock, MikaelEriksson)
New steps in European Bagislation n early November a new proposal by the European Commission (EC) to amend the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPDW) caused quite some excitement throughout the industry. This article comprises some facts and some opinions. The proposal of the EC [1] requires Member States to reduce their use of lightweight plastic carrier bags. Lightweight carrier bags under this definition are bags with a thickness below 50 µm. These bags are less frequently reused than thicker ones, and often end up as litter, as stated in a press release by the European commission [2]. Member States of the European Union can choose the measures they find most appropriate, including charges, national reduction targets or a ban under certain conditions. Lightweight plastic bags are often used only once, but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, often as harmful microscopic particles that are known to be dangerous to marine life in particular. EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “We’re taking action to solve a very serious and highly visible environmental problem. Every year, more than 8 billion plastic bags end up as litter in Europe, causing enormous environmental damage. Some Member States have already achieved great results in terms of reducing their use of plastic bags. If others followed suit we could reduce today’s overall consumption in the European Union by as much as 80%.” So the overall aim is to promote waste prevention and reduce littering [3].
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Bioplastic bags could be a good alternative The industry association European Bioplastics basically welcomes this proposal. “The proposal of the European Commission aiming to reduce the consumption of plastic carrier bags in the EU is an important first step in the direction of a more sustainable economy“, said François de Bie, Chairman of European Bioplastics [4]. Keeping in mind the guiding principles of a circular economy and increased resource efficiency, the initiative should also be the opportunity for legislators to promote biobased products, such as bioplastics. European Bioplastics recommends that the measures brought forward to reduce the consumption of plastic bags should also allow for flexibility in Member States when dealing with bioplastic shopping bags. Exempting biobased and/or biodegradable/compostable plastics, due to their different specific environmental benefits (see below), from any measures intended to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags should be considered [4]. European Bioplastics advocates the reduction of carrier bag consumption in general, and endorses the basic approach of the Commission’s proposal to amend the PPWD. This proposal allows Member States to derogate from Article 18 of the PPWD (which obliges Member States not to impede the placing on the market of their territory of packaging which satisfies the provisions of that Directive [3]). European Bioplastics further advocates considering specific promoting measures for bioplastic alternatives [4].
Politics “Under this Directive, the Italian plastic bag law would be finally validated. This law banned fossil-based lightweight plastic carrier bags, and allows only single use bags that are compostable according to EN 13432 to be utilised,” added Francois de Bie. European Bioplastics supports also the exemption of biobased, non-biodegradable shopping bags, that contain at least 50% biobased content, from restricting market regulations. Promoting measures for bioplastic alternatives would address environmental issues and drive building a biobased economy at the same time” [4].
Some more opinions Harald Kaeb, narocon, added: “Positioning bioplastics as an exemption to a widely accepted reduction target which addresses over-use and environmental issues, is not the most elegant way of promoting their use. I am missing advocacy of the industry for the use of durable, reusable and recyclable bioplastic bags. I have seen fantastic nonwoven bags for life made of PLA and biobased PE is much more used for reusable bags. Such products would not benefit from bagislation as it stands today.” Braskem is a producer of biobased polyethylene. Marco Jansen (Commercial Director Renewable Chemicals Europe & North America at Braskem) said: “Braskem’s biobased polyethylene is a renewable raw material to produce a wide variety of plastic products including carrier bags, both single-use and durable ones. The product offers a more sustainable alternative for fossil based polyethylene products. It is fully recyclable within existing polyethylene waste streams and nonbiodegradable. The biobased PE bags offer a contribution to the circular economy, a reduction in carbon footprint and after recycling (the preferred option) a potential feedstock for bioenergy. So for both, multiple and single use carrier bags the target must be to collect, recycle and finally incinerate carrier bags” [5].
Our Covergirl Irina says: “In this world we really do need more solutions against pollution. Like bioplastics. I feel that for my health and for the environment bioplastics are a safer solution and makes a better world. Everyone should use it.”
“Not the wallthickness of the bags should be considered, but their weight, as the Commission’s proposal is related to lightweight bags,” said Stefano Facco, Novamont’s director of new business development. “Bag producers could easily overcome a 50 µm rule e by adding calcium carbonate, recycled material or foaming agents, all of which would also reduce the quality of a bag,” he said. “I suggest that bags below 50 gramss (!) should be compostable and heavier bags should be made of biobased plastics. By the way, the weight of a bag is much easier to police than the gauge” [5]. Marco Versari, Chairman of the Board of the Italian association Assobioplastiche said: “The adoption of the draft directive recognizes our country’s efforts, since we have been working successfully for years to reduce the use of bags made from traditional plastics, supporting the uptake of reusable and compostable bags. It has now been proved, including at European level that the ban on the sale of non-reusable traditional plastic shopping bags falls fully within the measures that Member States can adopt in order to reduce usage, thereby addressing associated environmental problems.” And he added: “Assobioplastiche will continue to work at the European level to follow the path of the directive and promote application of the Italian law which has now finally and officially been approved” [6]. The German IK (Association of Plastic Packaging) stated that for Germany there is no need for a plastic bag ban. Today, 98% of all plastic packaging is disposed of within an excellent disposal and recycling system, a high quota which has officially been confirmed by the EU commission. The successful implementation of this disposal concept has largely been achieved thanks to the highly motivated participation of German consumers. German plastic bags therefore do not end up either in the European seas nor do they constitute a littering problem on dry land. A further suggestion by the EU commission to reduce the use of plastic carrier bags by means of penalty taxes as an alternative, is not very constructive. „Only suitable disposal systems in combination with educating the population will prevent marine litter on a large scale,“ IK managing director Ulf Kelterborn stated [7]. f
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Politics Multiple Use Plastic Bags Single Use Plastic Carrier Bags
Single and multiple use plastic carrier bags unsed per person in EU member States and EU-27 average (Source [12])
Estonia Hungary Lativa Lithuania Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Czech Republic Romania Bulgaria Greece Italy EU-27 (average) UK Cyprus Spain Malta Sweden Belgium France Netherlands Germany Austria Ireland Luxembourg Denmark Finland 100
Benefits of biobased and biodegradable bags Biobased and biodegradable plastic bags offer different specific advantages [8]: The biobased content of bioplastic shopping bags ensures that they have a lower carbon footprint than oil-based bags, helping to reduce CO2 emissions. In countries where organic waste is collected, compostable bags can be used to collect organic waste, in effect making it a dual use bag. Studies have shown that compostable biowaste bags help to increase the amount of biowaste collected and improve the quality of compost. Dual use also reduces the number of bags that are thrown away or end up in landfills. In countries where plastic waste is recovered for recycling, the bioplastic shopping bags can be mechanically recycled into new plastic products. This topic, however is rather complex and needs additional efforts as to source separation of the waste. Biobased (and non-biodegradable) plastics, such as 100% sugar cane based Polyethylene for example can be recycled together with traditional PE without any problems. In countries where waste is incinerated, the biobased content contributes to the generation of renewable energy. landfill is the least preferable end-of-life option. However, in case of biobased (and non-biodegradable) plastic shopping
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bags ending up in landfill, the biobased content will help to ‘sequester’ CO2. An important factor in this context is the fact, that a huge amount of marine litter in the oceans originates from landfills that are not closed or properly managed (see more details below) [9].
Some more background The properties that make plastic bags commercially successful – low weight and resistance to degradation – have also contributed to their proliferation in the environment. They escape waste management streams and accumulate in our environment, especially in the form of marine litter. Once discarded, plastic carrier bags can last for hundreds of years. Marine littering is increasingly recognised to be a major global challenge posing a threat to marine eco-systems and animals such as fish and birds. There is also evidence indicating large accumulation of litter in European seas [2]. In 2010, an estimated 98.6 billion plastic carrier bags were placed on the EU market, which amounts to every EU citizen using 198 plastic carrier bags per year. Out of these almost 100 billion bags, the vast majority are lightweight bags, which are less frequently re-used than thicker ones. Consumption figures vary greatly between Member States, with annual use per capita of lightweight plastic carrier bags ranging between an estimated 4 bags in Denmark and Finland and 466 bags in Poland, Portugal and Slovakia [2].
Politics
Doubtful figures However, looking at these figures a little more closely, some doubts arise about the accuracy of the data. Just a few exemplary figures to circumstantiate these doubts: The people in Denmark for example need 75 heavy multiple use bags and 4 single use bags per person per year… while the people in Germany use 64 single use bags and 7 multiple use? In Ireland on the other hand, people carry home their purchases of a whole year in 18 single use bags and 2 multiple use bags? Seems that the Irish still use a lot of shopping baskets. And in Bulgaria – the opposite. Here people seem to need about 250 single use plus 150 multiple use bags – Wow! In addition to the figures above, the EC (in an Impact Assessment paper [12] for the proposal) mention a total of 1.6 to 1.8 million tonnes of plastic being converted into carrier bags each year in the European Union. EuPC (the association of the European Plastics Converters) however state that this figure is still far too high (in 2008 the EC hat estimated a total of 3.4 million tonnes). EuPC estimate a total market volume in Europa of about 800,000 tonnes. The biggest mistake in the proposal is — according to a press release of EuPC [13] — the statement, “that in the case of a ban on plastic carrier bags, 147.6 Million t of CO2 emissions would be saved. In reality, the correct emissions savings would be 1.44 Million tonnes and not a factor 100 times higher, as stated in the Commission’s proposal”. As a matter of fact, and Commissioner Potočnik admitted this recently, it seems that good and reliable data is simply not available — or the available data is being evaluated and compared without a common background and thus like comparing apples and pears.
After all – littering is a behavioural question At the end of the day — Littering is not a product-intrinsic problem of shopping bags. It is caused by careless or thoughtless disposal behaviour on the part of consumers. In order not to encourage this behaviour, bioplastic producers, retailers and brandowners should refrain from advertising biodegradability and compostability of bioplastics bags as a solution to littering. However, all products should inform the consumer about their useful end-of-life options [8, 10].
References [1] Proposal to reduce plast plastic tic bag con consumption, nsum mption n, European Eurropean Commission, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste htttp://ec.eurropa.eu/en nviron nment/wasste/ e/ packaging/legis.htm#plastic_bags packagin ng/leg gis.httm#plasticc_bag gs (ac (accessed ccessed Nov. 6th, 2013) [2] [2 2] Environment: Envvironment: Commission Com mmission proposes propo oses to reduce the use use of o plastic plast tic bags, P Press ress relea release ase by the European Com Commissio mmisssion, n, 4 Nov 2 2103, 103, http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13http://eurropa.eu/rapid/p press-release_ P-13 1017_en.htm 1017 7_en.htm (accessed Nov. 6th, 2013) [3] Potočnik, Potočnik, J.: Questions an and nd answers on the proposal propossal to reduce red duce the consumption consumptio on of plastic bags, Memo Memo related to the e proposal [1], 04 No Nov ov 2013, ht http://europa.eu/rapid/ ttp://europ pa.eu/rapid/ press-release_MEMO-13-945_de.htm press-r releasse_MEMO-13-9 945_d de.htm m (ac (accessed ccessed Nov. 6th, 2013 2013) 3) [4] N.N.: P Press resss release of of European Eurropea an Bioplastics, Bio oplastics, 04 Nov No ov 2013, http://en.european-bioplastics.org/wp-content/ http://e en.europea an-bioplasstics.o org/w wp-content/ uploads/2013/11/EuBP_sstatem uploads/2013/11/EuBP_statement_EC_bags_ ment_ _EC_ _bags_ proposal_131104.pdf pro oposa al_131104.pdf (accessed Nov. 6th, 2013) [5] personal conve conversation, ersation, N November, ovem mber 2013 [6] EU Directive e on the the use of plastic plasttic bags: ba ags: important im mporrtant recognition for fo or Italy, Pre Press ess release of A Assobioplastiche, ssob biopla astich he, Rome, R ome e, Italy, 06 November 2013 [7] [7 7] N.N. N.N N. Press release releasse of IK K Industrievereinigung Ind dustrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen Kuns ststoffverpackungen e. V., Nov Nov. v. 6, 2013 http://w http://www.kunststoffverpackungen.de/index. www.kunststofffverpackungen.de/in ndex. php?id=5337&langfront=en php?id=5 5337& &langfront=en (accessed Nov. 13th, 2013) 2013 3) [8] P Plastic lastic shopping g bags, Po Position osition n of E European uropean B Bioplastics, ioplastics, http://en http://en.european-bioplastics.org/EuBP_PositionPaper_ n.european-bio oplasttics.org/Eu uBP_PosittionPaper_ _ Plastic_shopping_bags.pdf Plastic_sh hopping_bags.p pdf (access (accessed sed N Nov. ov. 6th, 20 2013) 013) [9] http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/marinelitter/ htttp://w www.u unep.org/rregionalse eas/m marine elitter/ [10] [10 0] Bioplastic Bioplasttic carrier bags – a sstep tep forward, Fact Sheet of European B Bioplastics iopla asticss http://en.euro http://en.european-bioplastics. opean n-biop plastics. org/wp-conte org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/EuBP_FS_shopping_ ent/up ploads/2013/11/EuB BP_FS S_sho opping_ bags_2013.pdf bags_ _2013 3.pdf (accessed (acce essed Nov. 6th, 2013)
The fulll text of the Proposal Pro oposal can be downloaded here: herre: [11] http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/packaging/pdf/ http://ec.europa.eu/environme ent/w waste//pack kaging/pdf/ proposal_plastic_bag.pdf proposal l_plasstic_b bag.pdf (ac (accessed ccesssed Nov. 6t 6th, th, 20 2013) 013) [12] Impact Im mpactt Assessment for a Proposal Propo osal for a DIRECTIVE E OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF F THE COUNCIL COU UNCIL amending am mending D Directive irective 94/62/EC on pac packaging ckaging an and nd packag packaging ng waste to reduce the con consumption nsumption of lightweight plastic carrier bag bags gs http://ec.europa.e http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/ eu/environment/wasste/ packaging/pdf/swd_plastic_bag.pdf pac ckaging/pd df/sw wd_pla astic_ _bag.pdf (a (accessed accesssed Nov. 17th, 2013) [13] EuPC EuPC criticises criticcises contents conte ents o off Commis Commission’s ssion’s plastic pla astic carrier bags proposal; P Press ress release E EuPC, uPC Nov Nov. 6, 20 2013; 013; http://www.plasticsconverrters.eu/upload http://www.plasticsconverters.eu/uploads/EuPC%20 ds/EuPC%20 response%20 response%20to%20Commission%20bags%20proposal.pdf 0to%2 20Commisssion%20b bags% %20propossal.pd df (accessed Nov. 6th, 2013)
Most of these sources can be downloaded from www www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/201306 w.bioplasticsmagazine.de/201306
On the other hand UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) published findings that only 20% of the garbage patch in the pacific is created by direct littering by man — the other 80% are said to origin from open and improperly managed landfills. The plastic bags find their way to the sea on indirect ways, e.g. by wind, animals etc. [9].
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People Basics
Biobased carbon vs biomass ? Understanding terminology and value proposition in the bioplastics space – biobased vs biobased carbon vs biomass based here are a growing number of terms being used in the bioplastics space with the potential to confuse and mislead the various industry stake holders and the general audience - from regulators, to NGOs, to brand owners, to consumers, and the general public. In this article we will sort through the technical jargon of terminology usage and more importantly the relationship between these terms and to the ultimate value proposition bioplastics has to offer. Many of these terms are originating in the various International standards (ISO, EN, ASTM) being developed and under development. It is critical that the various bioplastics stakeholders including standards writers, certification organizations, and the representative trade organizations have a clear understanding of the terms and definitions and the linkages to each other.
T
We begin with the basic terminology – bioplastics, biobased plastic, biodegradable-compostable plastics. The term bioplastics encompasses two separate but interlinked concepts: (a) biobased plastics representing the beginning of life e of the plastic and (b) biodegradable-compostable plastic representing the end-of-life. Biobased plastics – plastics made from plant biomass/agricultural crops. These are photoautotrophs that convert (remove) CO2 in the environment to organic materials (like carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in plant biomass) using water and sunlight energy (photosynthesis). This is in contrast to plastics made from petro/fossil resources (like Oil, Coal, Natural gas) which are formed from plant biomass over millions of years. The rate and time scale of CO2 conversion to organic materials in plant biomass is typically one year (an agricultural or biomass crop) or around 10 years (wood/ tree plantation). Therefore plastics made from plant biomass/agricultural crop is consistent with removal of CO2 from the environment in a short time (1-10 years) and incorporating them into plastic polymer molecule. In the case of plastics made from fossil resources the carbon present has formed over a million year time frame and so cannot be credited with any CO2 removal from the environment even over a 100 year time scale ( the time period used in measuring global warming potential, GWP100). Figure 1 illustrates this natural biological carbon cycle.
Ramani Narayan
To illustrate this carbon footprint reduction (CO2 removal/sequestration from the environment), consider the manufacture of biobased polyethylene from sugarcane (plant biomass). Figure 2 shows the stoichiometric equations starting with CO2 in the environment being converted to sugar (in sugarcane) by photosynthesis, fermentation of the sugar to ethanol; dehydration to ethylene, and polymerization of the ethylene to biobased polyethylene. Summing up, the net reaction is the removal of 88 kg of CO2 in the atmosphere to manufacture 28 kg of biobased polyethylene – that is every kg of biobased PE manufactured results in 3.14 kg of CO2 removal from the environment. This illustrates the clear, unambiguous, quantitative carbon foot print reductions achieved from switching to biobased carbon and that is the fundamental value proposition.
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
Using similar basic stoichiometric, it can be shown that for every kg of 100% biobased PET (polyethylene terephthalate) manufactured results in 2.29 kg of
By:
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Biological Carbon Cycle sunlight energy CO2 + H2O
photosynthesis 1-10 years
(CH2O)X + O2
The above discussions and calculations represent a cradle to gate (in LCA terminology) assessment of the material carbon in the polymer. It does not reflect the end-of-life and ultimate release of the carbon bound in the polymer to the environment as CO2. As can be seen from Figure 1, this does not change the basic value proposition of reducing the carbon footprint. For example when the biobased carbon in biobased PE is released back to the environment as CO2 (as it would be) then the 3.14 kg CO2e/kg of PE removal would become zero – zero material carbon footprint. By the same token the fossil based PE carbon would result in +3.14 kg of CO2e/kg of PE released to the environment – the net result being the same. Biodegradable-compostable plastics – these are plastics designed to be completely biodegradable in the targeted disposal environment (composting, soil, marine, anaerobic digester) in a short defined time period. They are assimilated by micro-organisms present in the disposal environment as food to drive their life processes. They are not necessarily biobased and can be petro / fossil based. Biobased plastics are not necessarily biodegradable-compostable, and as discussed earlier they derive their value proposition from contributing to a reduced carbon footprint during the beginningof-life e stage. The fundamental intrinsic carbon footprint reduction value proposition described above does not address the carbon emissions and other environmental impacts for the process of converting the feedstock to products, use, and ultimate disposal – the process carbon and environmental footprint. LCA methodology and standards (ISO 14040 standards) are the accepted tools to compute the process carbon and environmental footprint, and is required for all products irrespective of whether it is biobased or fossil based.
NEW CARBON > 106 years
1-10 years
CO2 removal from the environment. For the current Coca-Cola PET plant bottle with 20% biobased carbon content, 0.46 kg of CO2 is removed from the environment per kg of plant bottle PET. For every kg of PLA (polylactic acid) manufactured there is 1.83 kg of CO2 removed from the environment. For fossil based products there would be zero removal of CO2 from the environment as discussed above and illustrated in Figure 1 of the biological carbon cycle.
Biomass, Agr. & Forestry crops & residues
USE – for materials, chemicals and fuels
Fossil Resources (Oil, Coal, Natural gas) OLD CARBON Rate and time scales of CO2 utilization is in balance using biobased/plant feedstocks (1-10 years) as opposed to using fossil feedstocks Short (in balance) sustainable carbon cycle using bio based carbon feedstock Material carbon footprint (
Fig. 1: Understanding the Value Proposition based on the origins of the carbon in the product - biobased carbon vs petro/fossil carbon [1])
photosynthesis 6nCO2 + 6nH2O
nC6H12O6 + 6nO2 fermentation
nC6H12O6
2nC2H5OH + 2nCO2 dehydration
2nC2H5OH
2nC2H4 + 2nH2O polymerization
2nC2H4
2—CH — 2—CH2—
n
2—CH — 2—CH2— + 6nO2 n
NET 4nCO2 + 4nH2O (88 kg)
(28 kg)
Stochiometric equation showing CO2 ‘removal’ from the environment and incorporation the carbon into biobased polyethylene molecule
14
Biomass
CO2 - Solar radiation (12CH2O)x
(14CH2O)x
NEW CARBON
12
CO2
> 106 years C-14 signature forms the basis to measure biobased carbon content (ASTM, EN, ISO standard)
Fossil Recources (petroleum, natural gas, coal) (12CH2O)n
Cosmicc Cosm rad ation radiation 14
N
14 4
C
(12CHO)x
OLD CARBON 14 4
CO2
12
CO2
Defining biobased carbon and differentiating from fossil carbon using radiocarbon analysis [1]
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kg of CO2 removed per kg of resin
Experimentally determined using ASTM D6866 based on the principle of 12C/14C analysis 3.5
Biobased carbon content
3.14
3.0 2.29 2 29 29
2.5
1.87 1 87 87
2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0
0 Bio-PE / -PP
Bio-PET
PLA
PE / PET
Figure 4. Material carbon footprint, illustrating amount of CO2 removal from the environment and incorporating into polymer
A key requirement for biobased plastics is the need for a transparent and accurate test method to unequivocally identify and quantify biobased carbon present in the plastic. Recall that biobased plastics are plastics made from plant biomass which have recently fixed CO2 present in the environment (new carbon – see Figure 1). The carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has 12 CO2 in equilibrium with radioactive 14CO2. Plants and animals that use carbon in biological food chains take up 14C during their lifetimes. They exist in equilibrium with the 14C concentration in the atmosphere; that is, the numbers of 14C atoms and non-radioactive carbon atoms stay approximately the same over time. As soon as a plant or animal dies, the metabolic function of carbon uptake ceases; there is no replenishment of radioactive carbon, only decay. Since the half-life of carbon is around 5730 years, the petro-fossil feedstock formed over millions of years will have no 14C signature. However, all biobased plastics will have this small but measurable 14C signature associated with it. This forms the basis to identify and quantity the percent biobased carbon in the product. The test method calls for combusting the biobased plastic and analyzing the CO2 gas evolved to provide a measure of its 14C/12C content relative to the modern carbon-based oxalic acid radiocarbon standard reference material (SRM) 4990c (referred to as HOxII). This methodology to determine bio-based carbon content has an accuracy of +/–3% and was first codified into an ASTM standard D6866 titled “Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis”. This test method also forms the basis for determining biobased carbon content in the EN and ISO standards. Percent biobased carbon content = mass of biobased (organic) carbon /total mass of (organic) carbon * 100. Inorganic carbon like calcium carbonate is excluded from the calculations and in ASTM D6866 method for measuring biobased carbon content, any carbonate present is removed before measuring the biobased carbon content. However, EN, and ISO standards also provide for reporting percent biobased carbon content using total carbon present in the plastic – that is without removing the inorganic carbonates. Percent biobased carbon contentTC = mass of biobased (organic) carbon /total mass of carbon * 100. It should be noted that the principle and methodology is the same, the biobased carbon content value obtained would be different depending on whether one used total mass of organic carbon or total mass of all carbons present in the plastic. The percent biobased carbon content using radiocarbon analysis like in ASTM D6866 gives the ratio of the mass of biobased (organic) carbons to total mass of (organic) carbons or total mass of all carbons present in the product, for example if
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a product A contains 60% biobased carbon, it means that for every 100 kg of carbon present in product A there are 60 kg of biobased carbon. It is nott that for every 100 kg of Productt A, there is 60 kg of biobased carbon! This is because product A includes elements other than carbon, like hydrogen, oxygen, and other elements. This does not pose a problem, because it is straightforward and well established method in organic chemistry to experimentally determine elemental analysis – which gives the percent carbon present in product. In the above example let us assume that elemental analysis of Product A gives us 50% organic carbon; 5% hydrogen, and 45% oxygen -- in other words 100 kg of Product A contains 50 kg of carbon. If the biobased carbon content determined experimentally (using ASTM D6866) is 60%; then 100 kg of Product A will contain 30 kg of biobased carbon [60/100 *50] This can be extended to calculating the biobased carbon content of a complex product comprising n components as shown in the equation below. However, the biobased carbon content (using ASTM D6866), organic carbon content, and mass of each of the n components should be known. Alternatively, the complex product can be directly tested for biobased carbon content using ASTM D6866.
BCC (product)= ∑wn*BCCn*OCCn /∑wn*OCCn wn = mass of the nth component BCCn = biobased carbon content of nth component OCCn = organic carbon content of the nth component
Biobased mass content The earlier discussion showed calculations based on carbon n mass. This seems logical given that the value proposition for using biobased plastics arises from carbon footprint reductions (CO2 removal from the environment) achieved. The biobased carbon content calculations can readily provide the CO2 reductions obtained as discussed in the earlier sections. It may be useful to report the biobased mass content (not just on a carbon content basis) for better communication and understanding by general audiences and to satisfy other requirements. However, there is no verifiable, accurate test methodology that can directly measure the biobased mass content of a product. To calculate and report total biobased mass content of a plastic product, one needs to experimentally measure the biobased carbon content, and know the chemical structure of the polymer material (the chemical structure should be validated by established chemical and spectroscopic techniques). This is best illustrated with the biobased PET bottles and containers in commercial use today. PET has the chemical structure shown below:
–CO-C6H4-CO
-
Fossil based acid 8 carbon atoms 68.75% by mass
O-CH2-CH2-O biobased glycol 2 carbon atoms 31.25 by mass
20% biobased carbon content (ASTM D 6866) 31.25% by mass/weight of plant biomass The biobased PET is made from the condensation polymerization of fossil based terephthalic acid and biobased ethylene glycol. So, there are 2 biobased carbons and 8 fossil carbons in the product giving it 20% biobased carbon content. Any PET bottle in the market can be collected and experimentally analyzed (ASTM D6866) for biobased carbon content as discussed earlier, and should give a result of 20% biobased carbon content. Based on this experimental observation and knowing the chemical structure of PET, one can readily calculate and report that the biobased PET has a biobased mass (plant biomass) content of 31.25%. However, there is no direct experimental methodology or protocol that can take a PET bottle or a PE film and conclude that there is biobased content, let alone the amount of biobased content in the product.
Biomass content There are ongoing efforts to directly calculate and report biomass content; however to-date there is no simple, direct experimental methodology or protocol to do this without going through the biobased carbon content experimental determinations. There is research directed at using CO2 from smoke stacks and growing algal biomass. Plastics made from this algal biomass will not be able to be identified and quantified using the established radiocarbon test method. While, this may be environmentally beneficial and has value, it is different from the biobased plastics made from plant biomass that photosynthetically fixes CO2 from the environment and is part of the sustainable, natural biological carbon cycle (as shown in Figure 1). A vast majority of biobased plastics in the market and under development follow this natural biological carbon cycle. The biobased plastics industry needs to be careful to not confuse the marketplace and the general audience by using terms like biomass content or renewable materials or similar terms to describe the current generation of biobased plastics from plant biomass/agricultural crops that remove CO2 present in the environment through the sustainable, natural biological carbon cycle.
[1].Ramani Narayan, Biobased & Biodegradable Polymer Materials-, ACS Symposium Ser. 1114, Chapter 2, pg 13-31, 2012; ACS Symposium Ser. 939, Chapter 18, pg 282, 2006 [2] Ramani Narayan, Carbon footprint of bioplastics using biocarbon content analysis and life cycle assessment, MRS Bulletin, Vol 36 Issue 09, pg. 716 – 721, 2011
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The intention of this new book (2011), written by 40 scientists from industry and academia, is to explore the extensive applications made with bioplastics & biocomposites. The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications packaging; civil engineering; biomedical; automotive; general engineering. It is structured in six parts and a total of 19 chapters. A comprehensive index allows the quick location of information the reader is looking for.
This book is unique in its focus on market-relevant bio/renewable materials. It is based on comprehensive research projects, during which these materials were systematically analyzed and characterized. For the first time the interested reader will find comparable data not only for biogenic polymers and biological macromolecules such as proteins, but also for engineering materials. The reader will also find valuable information regarding micro-structure, manufacturing, and processing-, application-, and recycling properties of biopolymers
44*
79,
€2
Rainer Höfer (Editor)
Sustainable Solutions for Modern Economies Apocalypse now? Was the financial crisis which erupted in 2008 the ‘writing on the wall’, the Menetekel for the Industrial Age? Is mankind approaching the impasse of Easter Island, Anasazi and Maya societies shortly before collapse – ‘‘which followed swiftly upon the society’s reaching its peak of population, monument construction and environmental impact’’? Or will mankind be capable of a new global common sense? 0*
9.0
€9
Market study on Bio-based Polymers in the World Capacities, Production and Applications: Status Quo and Trends towards 2020 Bio-based polymers – Production capacity will triple from 3.5 million tonnes in 2011 to nearly 12 million tonnes in 2020
million t/a
Germany’s nova-Institute is publishing the most comprehensive market study of bio-based polymers ever made. The nova-Institute carried out this study in collaboration with renowned international experts from the field of bio-based polymers. It is the first time that a study has looked at every kind of biobased polymer produced by 247 companies at 363 locations around the world and it examines in detail 114 companies in 135 locations (see table). Considerably higher production capacity was found than in previous studies. The 3.5 million tonnes represent a share of 1.5 % of an overall construction polymer production of 235 million tonnes in 2011. Current producers of bio-based polymers estimate that production capacity will reach nearly 12 million tonnes by 2020.
Bio-based polymers: Evolution of production capacities from 2011 to 2020
12
10
8
6
4
2
0 2011
2012
PLA
2013
2014
Starch Blends Polyolefins
PET
2015
2016
2017
PHA
PA
CA
PU
2018
2019
2020
PBAT
Content of the full report This over 360-page report presents the findings of nova-Institute’s year-long market study, which is made up of three parts: “market data”, “trend reports” and “company profiles”. The “market data” section presents market data about total production and capacities and the main application fields for selected bio-based polymers worldwide (status quo in 2011, trends and investments towards 2020). The “trend reports” section contains a total of six independent articles by leading experts in the field of bio-based polymers and plastics. Dirk Carrez (Clever Consult) and Michael Carus (nova-Institute) focus on policies that impact on the bio-based economy. Jan Ravenstijn analyses the main market, technology and environmental trends for bio-based polymers and their precursors worldwide. Wolfgang Baltus (NIA) reviews Asian markets for bio-based resins. Roland Essel (nova-Institute) provides an environmental evaluation of bio-based polymers, and Janpeter Beckmann (novaInstitute) presents the findings of a survey concerning Green Premium within the value chain leading from chemicals to bio-based plastics. Finally, Harald Kaeb (narocon) reports detailed information about brand strategies and customer views within the bio-based polymers and plastics industry. These trend reports cover in detail every recent issue in the worldwide bio-based polymer market. The final “company profiles” section includes 114 company profiles with specific data including locations, bio-based polymers, feedstocks, production capacities and applications. A company index by polymers, and list of acronyms follow.
PBS
-Institut.eu | 2013
Evolution of the shares of bio-based production capacities in different regions 2011
20%
2020
15%
14%
13%
North America
©
-Institut.eu | 2013
13%
18%
52%
55%
South America
To conduct this study nova-Institute developed the “Bio-based Polymers Producer Database”, which includes a company profile of every company involved in the production of bio-based polymers and their precursors. This encompasses (state of affairs in 2011 and forecasts for 2020) basic information on the company (joint ventures, partnerships, technology and bio-based products) and its various manufacturing facilities. For each bio-based product, the database provides information about production and capacities, feedstocks, main application fields, market prices and biobased share. Access to the database is already available. The database will be constantly updated by the experts who have contributed to this report. Buyers of the report will have free access to the database for one year. Everyone who has access to the database can automatically generate graphics and tables concerning production capacity, production and application sectors for all bio-based polymers based on the latest data collection.
Order the full report The full 360-page report contains three main parts – “market data”, six “trend reports” and 114 “company profiles” – and can be ordered for 6,500 € plus VAT at: www.bio-based.eu/market_study This also includes oneyear access to the “Biobased Polymers Producer Database”, which will be continuously updated.
Thermosets
BIO-BASED POLYMERS ©
“Bio-based Polymers Producer Database” and updates to the report
Asia
Europe
Quellen: FEDIOL 2010
AVERAGE BIOMASS CONTENT OF POLYMER
Cellulose Acetate CA 50% Polyamide PA rising to 60%* Polybutylene Adipate PBAT rising to 50%* Terephthalat Polybutylene Succinate PBS rising to 80%* Polyethylene PE 100% Polyethylene Terephthalat PET 30% to 35%*** Polyhydroxy Alkanoates PHAs 100% Polylactic Acid PLA 100% Polypropylene PP 100% Polyvinyl Chloride PVC 43% Polyurethane PUR 30% Starch Blends **** 40% Total companies covered with detailed information in this report Additional companies included in the “Bio-based Polymer Producer Database” Total companies and locations recorded in the market study * ** *** ****
PRODUCING COMPANIESUNTIL 2020
LOCATIONS 9 14 3
15 17 3
11 3** 4 14 27 1 2 10 19 114 133 247
12 2 4 16 32 1 2 10 21 135 228 363
Currently still mostly fossil-based with existing drop-in solutions and a steady upward trend of the average bio-based share up to given percentage in 2020 Including Joint Venture of two companies sharing one location, counting as two Upcoming capacities of bio-pTA (purified Terephthalic Acid) are calculated to increase the average bio-based share, not the total bio-PET capacity Starch in plastic compound
Suppliers Guide 1. Raw Materials
AGRANA Starch Thermoplastics Conrathstrasse 7 A-3950 Gmuend, Austria Tel: +43 676 8926 19374 lukas.raschbauer@agrana.com www.agrana.com
Showa Denko Europe GmbH Konrad-Zuse-Platz 4 81829 Munich, Germany Tel.: +49 89 93996226 www.showa-denko.com support@sde.de
Simply contact: Tel.: +49 2161 6884467 suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com
39 mm
Stay permanently listed in the Suppliers Guide with your company logo and contact information.
Jincheng, Lin‘an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China China contact: Grace Jin mobile: 0086 135 7578 9843 Grace@xinfupharm.com Europe contact(Belgium): Susan Zhang mobile: 0032 478 991619 zxh0612@hotmail.com Natur-Tec® - Northern Technologies www.xinfupharm.com 4201 Woodland Road Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA Tel. +1 763.225.6600 1.1 bio based monomers Fax +1 763.225.6645 info@natur-tec.com www.natur-tec.com
Corbion Purac Arkelsedijk 46, P.O. Box 21 4200 AA Gorinchem The Netherlands Tel.: +31 (0)183 695 695 Fax: +31 (0)183 695 604 www.corbion.com/bioplastics bioplastics@corbion.com
DuPont de Nemours International S.A. 2 chemin du Pavillon 1218 - Le Grand Saconnex 1.2 compounds For only 6,– EUR per mm, per issue you Switzerland can be present among top suppliers in Tel.: +41 22 171 51 11 the field of bioplastics. Fax: +41 22 580 22 45 plastics@dupont.com For Example: www.renewable.dupont.com www.plastics.dupont.com API S.p.A. Via Dante Alighieri, 27 36065 Mussolente (VI), Italy Telephone +39 0424 579711 www.apiplastic.com Dammer Str. 112 www.apinatbio.com 41066 Mönchengladbach Evonik Industries AG Germany Paul Baumann Straße 1 Tel. +49 2161 664864 45772 Marl, Germany Fax +49 2161 631045 Tel +49 2365 49-4717 info@bioplasticsmagazine.com evonik-hp@evonik.com www.bioplasticsmagazine.com www.vestamid-terra.com www.evonik.com Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd. No.33 Kefeng Rd, Sc. City, Guangzhou Sample Charge: Hi-Tech Ind. Development Zone, 39mm x 6,00 € Guangdong, P.R. China. 510663 = 234,00 € per entry/per issue Tel: +86 (0)20 6622 1696 info@ecopond.com.cn Sample Charge for one year: Shandong Fuwin New Material Co., Ltd. www.ecopond.com.cn ® 6 issues x 234,00 EUR = 1,404.00 € Econorm Biodegradable & FLEX-162 Biodeg. Blown Film Resin! Compostable Resin Bio-873 4-Star Inj. Bio-Based Resin! North of Baoshan Road, Zibo City, The entry in our Suppliers Guide is bookable for one year (6 issues) and Shandong Province P.R. China. extends automatically if it’s not canceled Phone: +86 533 7986016 three month before expiry. Fax: +86 533 6201788 Mobile: +86-13953357190 CNMHELEN@GMAIL.COM www.sdfuwin.com
www.facebook.com www.issuu.com www.twitter.com www.youtube.com
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GRAFE-Group Waldecker Straße 21, 99444 Blankenhain, Germany Tel. +49 36459 45 0 www.grafe.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
FKuR Kunststoff GmbH Siemensring 79 D - 47 877 Willich Tel. +49 2154 9251-0 Tel.: +49 2154 9251-51 sales@fkur.com www.fkur.com
PolyOne Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 Zoning de la Fagne 5330 Assesse Belgium Tel.: + 32 83 660 211 www.polyone.com
WinGram Industry CO., LTD Great River(Qin Xin) Plastic Manufacturer CO., LTD Mobile (China): +86-13113833156 Mobile (Hong Kong): +852-63078857 Fax: +852-3184 8934 Email: Benson@wingram.hk 1.3 PLA
Shenzhen Esun Ind. Co;Ltd www.brightcn.net www.esun.en.alibaba.com bright@brightcn.net Tel: +86-755-2603 1978 1.4 starch-based bioplastics
Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients ZAC „Les Portes de Riom“ - BP 173 63204 Riom Cedex - France Tel. +33 (0)4 73 67 17 00 Fax +33 (0)4 73 67 17 10 www.biolice.com
Suppliers Guide
BIOTEC Biologische Naturverpackungen Werner-Heisenberg-Strasse 32 46446 Emmerich/Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 2822 – 92510 info@biotec.de www.biotec.de
PolyOne Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 Zoning de la Fagne 5330 Assesse Belgium Tel.: + 32 83 660 211 www.polyone.com
www.earthfirstpla.com www.sidaplax.com www.plasticsuppliers.com Sidaplax UK : +44 (1) 604 76 66 99 Sidaplax Belgium: +32 9 210 80 10 Plastic Suppliers: +1 866 378 4178
2. Additives/Secondary raw materials
WEI MON INDUSTRY CO., LTD. 2F, No.57, Singjhong Rd., Neihu District, Taipei City 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel. + 886 - 2 - 27953131 Fax + 886 - 2 - 27919966 sales@weimon.com.tw www.plandpaper.com 6. Equipment 6.1 Machinery & Molds
Grabio Greentech Corporation Tel: +886-3-598-6496 No. 91, Guangfu N. Rd., Hsinchu Industrial Park,Hukou Township, Hsinchu County 30351, Taiwan sales@grabio.com.tw www.grabio.com.tw
Arkema Inc. Functional Additives-Biostrength 900 First Avenue King of Prussia, PA/USA 19406 Contact: Connie Lo, Commercial Development Mgr. Tel: 610.878.6931 connie.lo@arkema.com www.impactmodifiers.com
Taghleef Industries SpA, Italy Via E. Fermi, 46 33058 San Giorgio di Nogaro (UD) Contact Frank Ernst Tel. +49 2402 7096989 Mobile +49 160 4756573 frank.ernst@ti-films.com www.ti-films.com 4. Bioplastics products
Molds, Change Parts and Turnkey Solutions for the PET/Bioplastic Container Industry 284 Pinebush Road Cambridge Ontario Canada N1T 1Z6 Tel. +1 519 624 9720 Fax +1 519 624 9721 info@hallink.com www.hallink.com
PSM Bioplastic NA Chicago, USA www.psmna.com +1-630-393-0012 1.5 PHA
A & O FilmPAC Ltd 9 Osier Way Olney, Bucks. MK46 5FP Tel.: +44 1234 714 477 Fax: +44 1234 713 221 sales@bioresins.eu www.bioresins.eu
TianAn Biopolymer No. 68 Dagang 6th Rd, Beilun, Ningbo, China, 315800 Tel. +86-57 48 68 62 50 2 Fax +86-57 48 68 77 98 0 enquiry@tianan-enmat.com www.tianan-enmat.com 1.6 masterbatches
GRAFE-Group Waldecker Straße 21, 99444 Blankenhain, Germany Tel. +49 36459 45 0 www.grafe.com
Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH Duesseldorfer Strasse 23-27 68219 Mannheim, Germany Phone: +49 (0)621-8907-233 Fax: +49 (0)621-8907-8233 bioadimide.eu@rheinchemie.com www.bioadimide.com
NOVAMONT S.p.A. Via Fauser , 8 28100 Novara - ITALIA Fax +39.0321.699.601 Tel. +39.0321.699.611 www.novamont.com
Seemore New Material Tech Co., Ltd Zhe Jiang Overseas High-Level Talents Innovation Park, 998 West Wen Yi Road, Hangzhou, China MP: 86 - 13486379521 Email: 13486379521@163.com http://www.hzseemore.com
3. Semi finished products GRAFE-Group Waldecker Straße 21, 99444 Blankenhain, Germany Tel. +49 36459 45 0 www.grafe.com
Minima Technology Co., Ltd. Esmy Huang, Marketing Manager No.33. Yichang E. Rd., Taipin City, Taichung County 411, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Tel. +886(4)2277 6888 Fax +883(4)2277 6989 Mobil +886(0)982-829988 esmy@minima-tech.com Skype esmy325 www.minima-tech.com
3.1 films
ProTec Polymer Processing GmbH Stubenwald-Allee 9 64625 Bensheim, Deutschland Tel. +49 6251 77061 0 Fax +49 6251 77061 500 info@sp-protec.com www.sp-protec.com 6.2 Laboratory Equipment
MODA: Biodegradability Analyzer SAIDA FDS INC. 143-10 Isshiki, Yaizu, Shizuoka,Japan Tel:+81-54-624-6260 Info2@moda.vg www.saidagroup.jp 7. Plant engineering
President Packaging Ind., Corp. PLA Paper Hot Cup manufacture In Taiwan, www.ppi.com.tw Tel.: +886-6-570-4066 ext.5531 Fax: +886-6-570-4077 sales@ppi.com.tw
EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH Unterfeldstrasse 3 4052 Ansfelden, AUSTRIA Phone: +43 (0) 732 / 3190-0 Fax: +43 (0) 732 / 3190-23 erema@erema.at www.erema.at
Sonja Haug Zweibrückenstraße 15-25 91301 Forchheim Tel. +49-9191 81203 Fax +49-9191 811203 www.huhtamaki-films.com bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
57
Suppliers Guide 10.2 Universities
Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH Holzhauser Strasse 157–159 D-13509 Berlin Tel. +49 30 43 567 5 Fax +49 30 43 567 699 sales.de@uhde-inventa-fischer.com Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG Via Innovativa 31 CH-7013 Domat/Ems Tel. +41 81 632 63 11 Fax +41 81 632 74 03 sales.ch@uhde-inventa-fischer.com www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com
Institut für Kunststofftechnik Universität Stuttgart Böblinger Straße 70 70199 Stuttgart Tel +49 711/685-62814 Linda.Goebel@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de
narocon Dr. Harald Kaeb Tel.: +49 30-28096930 kaeb@narocon.de www.narocon.de
10.1 Associations
9. Services nova-Institut GmbH Chemiepark Knapsack Industriestrasse 300 50354 Huerth, Germany Tel.: +49(0)2233-48-14 40 E-Mail: contact@nova-institut.de www.biobased.eu
Bioplastics Consulting Tel. +49 2161 664864 info@polymediaconsult.com
ss ngre
BPI - The Biodegradable Products Institute 331 West 57th Street, Suite 415 New York, NY 10019, USA Tel. +1-888-274-5646 info@bpiworld.org
Michigan State University Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science Professor Ramani Narayan East Lansing MI 48824, USA Tel. +1 517 719 7163 narayan@msu.edu
European Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr. 19/20 10117 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49 30 284 82 350 Fax +49 30 284 84 359 info@european-bioplastics.org www.european-bioplastics.org
International Conference on Bio-based Materials
f-Ko stof
erk
iow
7. B
and Biocomposites University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover Faculty II – Mechanical and Bioprocess Engineering Heisterbergallee 12 30453 Hannover, Germany Tel.: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 22 69 Fax: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 99 - 22 69 lisa.mundzeck@fh-hannover.de http://www.ifbb-hannover.de/
10. Institutions
8. Ancillary equipment
Osterfelder Str. 3 46047 Oberhausen Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227 Fax: +49 (0)208 8598 1424 thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de
UL International TTC GmbH Rheinuferstrasse 7-9, Geb. R33 47829 Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany Tel: +49 (0)2151 88 3324 Fax: +49 (0)2151 88 5210 ttc@ul.com www.ulttc.com
8–10 April 2014, Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany
www.bio-based.eu/conference
HIGHLIGHTS FROM EUROPE: Bio-based Plastics and Composites – Biorefineries and Industrial Biotechnology This conference aims to provide major players from the European bio-based chemicals, plastics and composite industries with an opportunity to present and discuss their latest developments and strategies. Representatives of political bodies and associations will also have their say alongside leading companies. For the second time, the conference will count with a third day especially dedicated to the recent achievements in research & development. One highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the first running European Biorefineries and the state-of-art of Industrial Biotechnology. The 7th International Conference on Bio-based Materials (“BiowerkstoffKongress”) builds on successful previous conferences: in 2013 were 180 participants and more than 10 exhibitors represented. More than 200 participants and 20 exhibitors mainly from industry are expected!
Organiser
Venue & Accomodation
Entrance Fee Conference incl. Catering, plus 19 % VAT
www.nova-institute.eu 58
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
Contact
Kardinal-Frings-Str. 1–3, 50668 Cologne +49 (0)221 163 10 | info@maternushaus.de Dominik Vogt Exhibition, Partners, Media partners, Sponsors +49 (0)2233 4814-49 dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de
1st Day Conference 8 April 2014
2nd Day Conference 9 April 2014
3rd Day Conference 10 April 2014
475 €
425 €
400 €
775 € 725 € 950 €
3rd PLA World Congress 27 + 28 MAY 2014 MUNICH › GERMANY
is a versatile ve ersattile bioplastics biopllastics raw raw matemate erial from renew renewable wable res resources. sourrces It iss being bein ng u used sed for films an and nd rigid rig gid p packaging, ack kagin ng, for fibres bre es in woven wovven and and non-woven non-wovven applications. appllicattionss. Automotive A utom motiive in industry ndusstry and an nd co consumer onsu umerr electronics ele ectro onicss are e thoroughly tho oroughlyy investigating inve estig gatin ng an and nd e even ven alre already eady app applying plying g PL PLA. LA. New w me methods ethod ds of of polymerizing, polyme erizing, ccompounding om mpoundin ng orr ble o blending endiing o off PL PLA LA have broadened broa aden ned tthe he rrange ang ge off properties propertties a and nd thuss the e ran range nge of po possible ossible app applications. plica ation ns.
PLA
now ow Th That‘s hat‘s whyy bioplastics bioplasstics MAGAZINE is n rd organizing organiz zing the 3 P PLA LA W World orld Congress Congrresss on:
27-28 May 2014 in Munich / Germany Expertts fro Experts from om a all ll involved in nvolvved fieldss will sh share hare their theiir knowledge kno owled dge and contribute con ntribute to to a com comprehensive mprehenssive overview overv rview w of today‘s todayy‘s o opportunities ppo ortun nitiess an and nd ch challenhalle enges and discuss discu uss the the possibilities, posssibilities, limitations lim mitatiions and an nd future e prospects pro ospects o off PL PLA LA fo for or all alll kind kin nd of applications. app plica ations. Li Like ike tthe he first two congres congresses sses rd the he 3 P PLA LA World Worlld Congress Co ongrress willl also offer offfer exexcellent cellen nt ne networking etwo orkin ng oppor opportunities rtunitiess for all d deleele gates ga ates and spe speakers eakers ass we well ell ass exh exhibitors hibittors of th the he table-top tab ble-to op e exhibition. xhib bition n.
The conference will comprise high class presentations on
Call for Papers
› Latest developments
bioplastics biop plasttics MAGAZINE MAGA AZINE inv invites vites all e experts xpe erts worldwide w orld dwid de from fro om material mate eriall dev development, velop pme ent, processing pr rocesssing and an nd application ap ppliccatio on off PLA A to submit sub bmitt proposals pro oposals for for papers pape ers on the latest lattest developments deve elopmen nts a and nd iinnovations. nnovatio ons.
› Market overview
Please send your p proposal, ropo osal, inc including cluding sspeapea ker k er details details and a 300 0 word abstract abstrract to mt@b mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. biopllasticsm magazine e.com m.
› Additives / Colorants
looking oking g The e team of bio bioplastics oplasstics MAGAZINE iss loo fforward orw ward to se seeing eein ng yo you ou in Munich Munich. h.
› Fibers, fabrics, textiles, nonwovens
› O Online nlin ne reg registration gistration n will be a available vailable soon soon. n. Watch Wa atch out for th the he Ea Early–Bird arly–Bird discountt as w well well as spons sponsoring soring opportunities opportu unities at
www.pla-world-congress.com
organized by
› High temperature behaviour › Barrier issues
› Applications (film and rigid packaging, textile, automotive,electronics, toys, and many more)
› Reinforcements › End of life options (recycling,composting, incineration etc)
Events
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Event Calendar
the next six issues for €149.–1)
Fifth German WPC Conference
Special offer for students and young professionals € 99.-
10.12.2013 - 11.12.2013 - Cologne, Germany Maritim Hotel Cologne www.wpc-kongress.de/registration?lng=en
1,2)
Send a scan 2) aged 35 and below. your ID or d, car t den stu r of you ... of pro similar
8th European Bioplastics Conference 10.12.2013 - 11.12.2013 - Berlin, Germany InterContinental Hotel www.conference.european-bioplastics.org
Innovation Takes Root 17.02.2014 - 19.02.2014 - Orlando FL, USA Orlando World Center Marriott www.innovationtakesroot.com
World Bio Markets 2014 04.03.2014 - 06.03.2014 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands RAI Amsterdam www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com
BioPlastics 2014: The Re-Invention of Plastics 04.03.2014 - 06.03.2014 - Las Vegas, NV, USA Caesars Palace www.BioplastConference.com
5th International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites 06.03.2014 - 07.03.2014 - Valencia, Spain www.biopolymersmeeting.com/en/
Green Polymer Chemistry 2014 18.03.2014 - 20.03.2014 - Cologne, Germany Maritim Hotel, Cologne http://amiplastics.com
VDI Tagung: Kunststoffe in Automobil 02.04.2014 - 03.04.2014 - Mannheim, Germany www.vdi-wissensforum.de/
7th International Conference on Bio-based Materials
+
08.04.2014 - 10.04.2014 - Cologne, Germany Maternushaus www.bio-based.eu/conference
Polyester Sources 2014 06.05.2014 - 07.05.2014 - Duesseldorf, Germany www.petnology.com/conferences/upcoming-conferences/
or
Mention the promotion code ‘watch‘ or ‘book‘ and you will get our watch or the book3) Bioplastics Basics. Applications. Markets. for free 1) Offer valid until 31 Apr. 2014 3) Gratis-Buch in Deutschland nicht möglich, no free book in Germany
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
3rd PLA World Congress 27.05.2014 - 28.05.2014 - Munich, Germany www.pla-world-congress.com
Biobased Materials 24.06.2014 - 25.06.2014 - Stuttgart, Germany 10th Congress for Biobased Materials, Natural Fibres and WPC www.biobased-materials.com
You can meet us! Please contact us in advance by e-mail.
A Collaborative Biopolymers Forum for the Global Ingeo Community Orlando, February 17-19, 2014 innovationtakesroot.com Innovation Takes Root has assembled a worldclass roster of speakers for an in-depth program covering the latest innovations involving the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading biopolymer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ingeo.
Speakers Include
Plenary
- Kimberly-Clark - U.S. Green Building Council - European Bioplastics - Green Sports Alliance - GreenBlue
- Unilever - Lego - 3M - Kodak - Danone
Who Should Attend Moving from Niche to Mainstream
Market Focus Sessions
Expanding Durable Applications with Ingeo Compounds
- Brand Owners
- Process Engineers
- Researchers
- Product Designers
- Sustainability Managers
- Retailers
- Packaging Professionals
- Marketers
Performance Advances in Flexible Packaging Venue Cost Savings with Ingeo Food Serviceware
Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities available
Expanding the Focus in Rigid Packaging New Frontiers in Fibers and Nonwovens New Markets - 3D Printing and Beyond
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Companies in this issue Editorial Advert
Company
Editorial Advert
Fraunhofer UMSICHT
58
Gehr
31
Plasticker
12
Genomatica
6
Plastika Kritis
19
AJM
9
Getac techn. Corp.
32
Polyblend
33
Alpla
5, 6
AIMPLAS
Amarican Plastic Manufacturing
Arkema Assobioplastiche
Plastic Suppliers
Grabio Greentech Corporation
9
API
59
Grafe
18
58
Greenmas
32
59
Hallink
58, 59
59 40
PolyOne
58
President Packaging
59
Procter & Gamble 59
Heinz
6
PSM
Avantium
5
Helmut Lingemann
10
Qmilch Deutschland
21
Hobum Oleochemie
37
Rhein Chemie
becausewecare
30
Huhtamaki Films
11 59
Roquette
34
Beta Renewables
7
IK (Ass. of Plastic Packaging)
47
Saida
Biome
35
Innovia
36
Seemore New Materials
Bio-on
41
Inst. of Building Struct. and Struct. Design
34
ShanDong DongCheng
Biotec
23, 50
59
Institut for bioplastics & biocomposites
60
ISWA
34
60
19, 32
59 35, 59
Bauhaus Univ. Weimar
59
6
ProTec Polymer Processing
47
BPI - The Biodegradable Products Institute
59 59 32
Shandong Fuwin New Material Co
27, 58
Shanghai Disoxidation
33
Braskem
47
Kafrit
Shenzhen Esun Industrial
58
Bundesgütegemeinschaft Kompost
22
Kansas State Univ.
19
Showa Denko
58
C.A.R.M.E.N.
22
Kappler
36
Sidaplax
Can Tho Univ.
28
Kingfa
23
58
59
Siemens
37
Carnie Cap
9
Kuender
10, 39
Solvay
31, 42
Cathay Ind. Biotech
32
Kuraray
32
Supla
13, 38
Celanese
33
Lifocolor
32
Swiss Fed. Lab. f. Mat. Sc.+ Techn.
44
CHAMP
9
Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients
Synbra
36
Chomarat
34
M&G Chemicals
7
Taghleef Industries
Clear Choicew Housewares
9
Matrìca
6
Tecnaro
Coca-Cola
5
Meredian
7
Tecniq
36
Condensia Quimica
26
Meseguer
12
Texchem
30
Corbion Purac
10, 36, 39
Croda Coating & Polymers
58
Metabolix
43
Michigan State University
58
16 50
Danone
5, 6
Minima Technology
20
narocon
47
Natural Plastics
11
58
59 10, 12, 34
TianAn Biopolymer
DIN Certco DuPont
59
60
TPG
7
59
Uhde Inventa-Fischer
60
UL International
60
Univ. Modena + Reggio Emilia
8
Natur-Tec
12
Nestlé
6
Univ. Stuttgart IKT
Nike
6
Wei Mon
Ningxia Quinglin Shenghua
31
Weihenstephan Univ. App. Sc.
19
Wifag Polytype
5
EuPC (European Pl. Converters)
49
European Bioplastics
10, 46
60
5
28, 63
Novamont
6, 17, 23, 47
FKuR
5, 19, 23
2, 58
Novozymes
7
Wuhan Huali
FNR
37
Oerlemans
19
WWF
Ford
6
OWS
Fraunhofer IAP
37
Pharmafilter
Evonik Industries
nova-Institut
39, 57, 60
Univ. Pisa
26
ECM BioFilms
45, 59
58
15, 60
Ecoplas EREMA
59, 64
12, 28 11
26, 28 60 59
WinGram
58 35, 59 6
Xinfu Pharm
58
Zejiang Huju GreenWorks
31
2014
Editorial Planner Issue
Month
Publ.-Date
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Editorial Focus (1)
Editorial Focus (2)
Basics
01/2014
Jan/Feb
10.02.14
27.12.14
Automotive
Foams
Land use for bioplastics (update)
02/2014
Mar/Apr
07.04.14
07.03.14
Thermoforming (Rigid packaging)
Polyurethanes / Elastomers
Polyurethanes
Chinaplas & Interpack Preview
03/2014
May/Jun
02.06.14
02.05.14
Injection moulding
Thermoset
Injection Moulding
Chinaplas & Interpack Review
04/2014
Jul/Aug
04.08.14
04.07.14
Bottles / Blow Moulding
Fibre Reinforced Composites
PET
05/2014
Sept/Oct
06.10.14
06.09.14
Fiber / Textile / Nonwoven
Toys
Building Blocks
06/2014
Nov/Dec
01.12.14
01.11.14
Films / Flexibles / Bags
Consumer Electronics
Sustainability
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Editorial Advert
59 Agrana Starch Thermoplastics
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Company
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/13] Vol. 8
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Subject to changes
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