Preview Ecoflex and
Preview Ecoflex and Ecovio Among BASF plastic highlights, interpack visitors will find the biodegradable materials Ecoflex ® and Ecovio ® , the latter containing almost 50 % of PLA. Ecovio can be blended with the waterproof, tear-resistant and thermo-stable Ecoflex in any ratio. Both plastics can be processed on conventional film blowing lines and are used in carrier bags, waste bags, mulch films for agricultural purposes, laminates for packaging, breathable films for the hygiene sector or cling films. When Ecoflex, BASF’s biodegradable polyester based on petrochemicals, was refined to create Ecovio, the company incorporated PLA, thereby switching the biodegradable plastic over to renewable raw materials, so that the biodegradable Ecoflex became the biodegradable and biobased Ecovio. Both properties, i.e. biodegradability and its production using renewable raw materials, are sought-after properties in the global competition of materials. With its two polymer materials Ecovio and Ecoflex, BASF is among the leading suppliers of biodegradable plastics today. Through new developments BASF intends to further expand its position in a market that is growing by more than 20 percent every year. www.basf.com E13 NHH Biodegradable Plastics NHH Biodegradable Plastics Co. Ltd is focusing on the production of biodegradable plastics pellets. The resins include PLA, PBS, PHBV, PPC and PCL. If PLA has a higher proportion in a certain formula, it is classified as modified PLA series. The products have the ISO14855 certificate and it is guaranteed that the products comply with EN13432, ASTM6400 and FDA standards. NHH Biodegradable Plastics can offer modified PLA, PBS and PPC series of resins for injection moulding, extrusion, film-, bottle- grade and fiber-production. The company also offers OEM manufacturing arrangements in China for end products. The modified materials can reach 100°C heat deflection temperature. Shopping bags, that dissolve in hot water Biostarch Technology Pte Ltd, headquartered Singapore offers a cost-effective, EN13432 certified, OK Compost mark approved, 100% compostable biopolymer shopping bag solution and film for packaging. Biostarch products also meet the American ASTM-6400- 99 Standard for Compostable Plastics and Australian AS4736-2006 Biodegradable Standard. The unique biodegradable and compostable nature of the Biostarch film, which is made principally from the renewable resource corn starch, is demonstrated by its ability to be dissolved in hot water. The strength of the bags can be compared to conventional plastic bags. The bags are ideally suited for dry goods but tolerate short term exposure to moisture too. For supermarkets, retail and department stores, Biostarch Bags provide perforated Bio-Fresh bags on a roll for fruit and vegetables. Bio-Light is a lightweight bag for dry goods whereas Bio-Mist is ideal for moist/ refrigerated goods. A heavy duty flexi loop bag for dry goods is offered under the brand name Bio-Multi and Bio-Max is a grip hold bag ideal for retail outlets and department stores Biostarch film also available for plastic converters to manufacture bags to their own specifications. Biostarch film can be processed on conventional plastic bag manufacturing equipment with some adjustments. www.biostarch.com D09 www.nhh.com.hk C18 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/08] Vol. 3 11
Preview Translucent and Compostable PLA Blend for Substitution of PE The FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Willich, Germany offers two different product groups: Biograde ® types, based on cellulose for injection moulding applications, and Bio-Flex ® types, based on PLA, mainly for film applications. In cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute UM- SICHT, Oberhausen, Germany, FKuR has enlarged its existing product range by a translucent and compostable PLA blend for film applications called Bio-Flex 467F with universal application possibilities. The advantages of this new formulation lie in the good application opportunities as well as in the smooth processing on conventional polyethylene blown film lines without having to modify adjustments on screws, dies or take offs. The new blend stands out due to its high mechanical resistance along with good elongation. The obtained values are perfectly comparable to the values of HDPE. Moreover Bio-Flex 467F combines a silk-matt gloss with high transparency. By means of co-extrusion with other Bio-Flex compounds it is possible to attain impressive combinations of rigidity, elasticity and tear resistance, for example for deep-freeze packaging. Bio-Flex 467F has a share of nearly 40 percent of renewable resources. The direct contact with food is confirmed by a declaration of no objection issued by an independent testing institute. Bio-Flex 467F is also registered as compostable plastic according to EN 13432. DuPont Demonstrates Sustainability The DuPont exhibit will reflect the company’s multi-faceted offering of sustainable materials for the packaging industry. These include the creation of high performance packaging polymers, with a renewable content of at least 20 % by weight, which either meet or exceed the performance of equivalent petroleum-derived products. Two new resins for renewable packaging are to be launched at Interpack 2008. Biomax ® TPS, based on technology from DuPont’s alliance partner Plantic Technologies Limited, ranges in renewable content up to 90 %. Both thermoplastic starch-based sheet and injection-moulding grades are certified industrial compostable, while the sheet grades are also certified home, soil, and marine compostable. Potential applications include thermoformed packaging trays, rigid containers in the food, cosmetics & personal care industries, and formed articles intended for short-life and easy-disposal. Biomax PTT (PolyTrimethylTerephtalate) is a partially renewably-sourced, high-performance copolymer of 1,3 propanediol and terephtalic acid with polyester-like performance, suitable essentially for use in injection-moulded products targeted applications for the new resin include injection moldable containers and other parts where today polyesters are used. Biomax PTT can be characterised through excellent scratch and chemical resistance similar to PET and PBT. A further technology launch scheduled for interpack 2008 is the result of a joint development agreement between DuPont and French company Coldpack. Providing an alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) for temperature-controlled shipping of perishable goods and thermal sensitive products, the Coldpack concept is based on an inflatable heat barrier technology. Using DuPont Bynel ® adhesive resins and DuPont Surlyn ® for its outer- and inner layers, as well as a specially-developed grade of metalized Surlyn for its honey-combed structure, the inflatable airliner provides equivalent insulation and protection to EPS foam packaging, at reduced shipping and handling costs and with a reduced impact on the environment. An announcement of the winners of the 20th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, which since this year has a new focus on sustainability, maintains the theme of the DuPont. www.dupont.com E19 www.fkur.com C21 12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/08] Vol. 3
