Flexible Biodegradable
Flexible Biodegradable Polyester Preview Mitsubishi Chemical‘s GS Pla ® resin is a flexible type polyester offering most versatile properties along with good processing properties regarding all standard plastics converting technologies, such as extrusion, injection molding, blown film, lamination (extrusion-coating), etc. Other features are a high crystallization rate, superior heat-seal properties, excellent printability, and biodegradability according to EN13432. In combination with inorganic fillers, heat-resistance properties are improved up to about 100°C. Furthermore, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation is planning to utilize plant-origin raw materials. D.Albrecht@mc-e.de D12 Sugar Cane Trays from Roots Biopack Hong Kong based Roots Biopack is an innovative manufacturer of packaging in compostable materials (in accordance with EN-13424). The products are made from sugar cane fibres. Sugar cane renews itself several times a year. It is therefore no longer necessary to use fossil fuels in the production of suitable packaging. Roots’ products are compostable in accordance with DIN Certco 54-900 and EN 13424. This report confirms the biodegradability of the material in waste, soil and water. In addition, the products are FDA approved for the food industry. The (natural) appearance of Roots products provides an added value to the product to be packaged. The key properties of the material are: oiland water-repellent, acid-proof, temperatureresistant (oil 150°C, water 100°C, oven 220°C, freezer -25°C), suitable for use in microwave, oven and steamer, suitable for top seal, flow pack, MAP packaging and wrap. Roots is used in various food and non-food industries: for packaging meat products, fruit and vegetables, eggs, cheese, ready meals, snacks and lunch packages, as well as mobile phones and fragile equipment. Additionally, customer-specific forms of packaging can be chosen outside the standard range, printing is possible and the products can be combined with biocompostable film or foil. Innovative Films Based on Renewable Resources Since 1992 Wentus is successful in developing & marketing of films made from Bioplastics. Nowadays Wentus is the most experienced supplier for compostable films in the European marketplace. Sustainability is of great importance for Wentus when it comes to product development. By using renewable raw materials for the compostable WENTERRA ® - films the company emphasises just how important this is. All WENTER- RA-products are made of certified compostable materials; this offers a sensible alternative to the conventional films. The compostability is certified by the standard DIN EN 13432. It is the combination of Wentus‘ own formulations, printing and converting techniques that lead for tailor made packaging solutions to satisfy the requirements of the customers in non-food and food applications. Wentus can boast outstanding knowledge in castfilm and blown-film extrusion processes: during the last four decades the company was able to gain a wealth of experience in this converting technique. Innovative Products based on renewable resources - a future oriented strategy, which Wentus has already translated into successful products. www.wentus.de D15 www.rootsbiopack.com D05 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/08] Vol. 3 19
Preview Three-Layer Bioplastic Film maag is an innovative, plastics converting company based in Germany. The maag experts have gathered their in depth knowledge over the years converting bioplastics to modern packaging. Using bioplastics in packaging mean a challenge for packaging development by covering with the specific product needs and to carry out tailor made solutions with barrier-, peeling-, or resealable properties that matches the conventional plastic film structures and its behaviour. With their partner BAM consulting, maag have developed a new biogenetic packaging medium that fits to complex product needs and differentiated FFS applications. Inbedded in two different biogenetic substrates, the core of the three layer film is based on a Ceramis ® (SiOx) coated PLA film. The outer, temperature stable contact surface is made from NatureFlex NVR, the inner sealing medium is made from starch. This new multi-layered film will be converted to doypacks and used for different food and non-food applications. Added with a sprout, the doypack will be completed for liquid and pasty products. www.maag.de E16 Metabolix – Telles - Mirel Telles TM , a 50/50 JV of Metabolix Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), manufactures and sells Mirel TM bioplastics. Mirel is a family of high performance biobased plastics (Polyhydroxyalkanoates PHA) that are sustainable and completely biodegradable in a wide variety of conditions including soil, home cold compost, industrial compost, waste treatment facilities, septic systems, wetlands and marine environments. The Mirel bioplastic resin is produced from renewable resources (such as corn sugar) using a fully biological fermentation process, producing a versatile range of biobased plastics with excellent durability in use but that also biodegrade benignly in a wide range of environments. The target product applications for Mirel are packaging, including compostable bags; consumer goods, including cosmetics and gift cards; consumer electronics; agriculture and horticulture; and, marine and water applications. Mirel boasts excellent toughness, durability and heat and moisture resistance, maintaining full function and shape in hot (>120°C) or humid environments. Recently the company announced that it has initiated a program to develop an advanced industrial oilseed crop to produce bioplastics. Oilseeds are the primary feedstock for the more than 250 million gallons of biodiesel produced annually in the United States and the co-production of bioplastics promises to improve the economics of this crop industry. Simplicity, Science and the Future Plantic’s interactive stand should not be missed by anyone attending interpack 2008, as the company announced. The stand’s unlikely juxtaposition of simplicity, science and the future reinforces Plantic’s core values and demonstrates their leadership and innovation in the bioplastics market. Novel injection molded products will be provided for visitors to physically test Plantic’s excellent end-of-life properties, including its biodegradability, water dispersibility and home compostability. Showcasing their injection molded objects in addition to their thermoformed and film products supports Plantic’s recent starch-based biomaterials alliance with DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers. The global distributorship alliance with DuPont will see the two companies collaborate in the development and sale of renewably sourced polymers made from Plantic ® technology. Plantic is made from non-genetically modified renewable resources – corn starch. It is produced as extruded sheet or as resin granules and sold to a wide range of materials and packaging companies throughout the world. Using industry standard equipment, Plantic materials can be thermoformed, injection molded and used for film extrusion and blow molding, thereby effectively replacing petrochemically derived plastics in terms of function and performance. Plantic can also be formulated to work in conjunction with conventional plastics which is indicative that the potential for the technology is limitless. www.MirelPlastics.com C16 www.plantic.com.au C15/D14 20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/08] Vol. 3
