Europe & International
Europe & International Corrugated Bags & Specialities Uncoated Fine Paper Kraft Paper Bag Converting Coating & Release Consumer Flexibles interpack 2008 Bioplastics in Packaging 24. - 30. April 2008 in Düsseldorf Wir freuen uns Sie an unserem Stand Halle 07a Stand 7aD08 begrüßen zu können. www.interpack.com mondigroup.com Lösungen. Für nachhaltige Verpackungen. Mondi, ein weltweit agierender Hersteller von Papier und Verpackungslösungen nimmt eine führende Position in der Ent - wicklung von Verpackungen aus nach haltigen Rohstoffen ein. Unter dem Namen Sustainex bieten die Mondi Business Units Coating & Release und Consumer Flexibles ein umfassendes Produktsortiment an innovativen und biologisch abbaubaren Verpackungslösungen für den Food- und Non-Food-Bereich an. Das Portfolio von Sustainex beinhaltet neben den mit Biopolymeren beschichteten und laminierten Materialien auch unterschied - liche Biopolymer-Folien. Für weitere Informationen kontaktieren Sie uns unter info.sustainex@mondigroup.com.
Materials Chain Extenders Improve Processing of PLA Biopolymers Article contributed by Kirk Jacobs, Head of Additive Masterbatches , Dennis Haff, Product Manager, Chain Extenders, Clariant Masterbatches As the number of environmentally conscious consumers continue to grow into a transformative global force, the market demand for biopolymers also continues to increase. This, in turn, puts pressure on materials suppliers and processors to find ways to increase productivity and quality of biopolymer products, while simultaneously reducing scrap and cutting costs. Biopolymers can be easy to extrude and mold, but they are naturally low in melt strength, and are prone to degradation during processing. Recently, certain additives called chain extenders have been used successfully to improve rheological properties, and it looks like this technology can be used to help these remarkable polymers reach their full potential. One of the biopolymers that is already widely being used for packaging applications as well as for durable products is PLA. PLA can be formulated to be rigid or flexible and can be made with different mechanical properties suitable for specific manufacturing processes, such as injection molding, sheet extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, blown film, and fiber spinning, all these processes may be carried out by conventional techniques and processing equipment. However, one of the limitations of PLA is its processing instability. It is highly vulnerable to thermal, oxidative and hydrolytic degradation, all of which may occur during processing. The result of these degenerative effects is polymer chain cleavage that, in turn, results in loss of molecular weight and deterioration of rheological properties. Robust rheological properties are essential to successful forming, particularly in processes where high extensional and viscoelastic properties are required, such as for blown film and extrusion foaming. The other associated shortcoming of PLA is its low melt viscosity, which particularly affects successful foaming. Chain Extension Solutions for Blown Film The above mentioned processing limitations of PLA may be improved by the use of a chain extender, like CESA ® -extend offered by Clariant Masterbatches. 34 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/08] Vol. 3
