Brazil: New Standard for
Brazil: New Standard for Biodegradable Plastic Packaging Since February 2008 Brazil has had a new standard for biodegradable plastic packaging. The new technical standard, covering ‘degradable and/or renewable plastic packaging’, is broken down into two parts: NBR 15448- 1 (Terminology) and NBR 15448-2 (Biodegradability and Composting). It is the result of an initiative by the Brazilian Technical Standards Association (ABNT) and the National Institute for Plastics Processing (INP - Instituto Nacional do Plastico, São Paulo, Brazil). The standard was developed and worded by a 70 member committee drawn from organisations, commercial companies, universities and laboratories. It can be ordered via the INP-website (see below). The responsibility of the manufacturer The onus of proof that a product, such as a plastic bag, actually contains biodegradable plastic, lies with the manufacturer. The second part of the standard sets out the minimum requirements with regard to such proof. Now it is possible, for example, to print on the packaging official technical information concerning its biodegradability. www.inp.org.br News Netstal present PLA Know-How at interpack At this year’s interpack the Swiss injection moulding machine maker Netstal underlines its competence in the area of processing plastics from renewable sources. Based on numerous processing and application-technical tests Netstal has gained much valuable experience in this field. At an Info Point set up for the purpose on the Netstal exhibition stand the visitors will learn more about the significance of processing the biocompatible material polylactide (PLA) on the basis of sample products. An environment-conscious production is possible by all means also in the area of injection moulding, starting from the selection of the raw material right to the finished article. At the world‘s biggest trade fair for packaging, the interpack, being held in Düsseldorf, Germany from April 24 to 31, Netstal presents itself with the translation of these developments that are so important now and in future. Visitors find Netstal in Hall 13, stand C73. bioplastics MAGAZINE features a special interpack show preview, focussing on the group exhibition “bioplastics in packaging” in hall 7a on pages 10 – 23. www.netstal.com Mirel-BioPlastics-Interpack.pdf 4/3/08 11:49:57 AM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K We look forward to meeting you at Interpack's "Bioplastics in Packaging" 2008. Mirel is a family of biobased, sustainable and biodegradable plastics that are environmentally responsible alternatives to a wide variety of petroleum-based plastics. Mirel bioplastics offers excellent performance characteristics for packaging applications: outstanding shelf stability heat and chemical resistance good surface finish stiffness and toughness ability to mold in a range of colors Mirel biodegrades in a wide range of environments including soil, home compost, industrial compost, and in both fresh and salt water. Mirel offers a responsible solution for the global environment and new materials for packaging. How’s that for an innovative idea? Learn more about Mirel at Interpack’s “Bioplastics in Packaging” April 24 - 30, 2008, Hall 7a Booth #C16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/08] Vol. 3
News Largest PHA Plant in China DSM Venturing, Heerlen, The Netherlands, the corporate venturing unit of Royal DSM N.V., recently announced that it has participated in a US$ 20 million financing round in Tianjin Green Bio-Science Co., Ltd (China). The proceeds will be used to build China’s largest manufacturing plant for Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in the Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA). The investment is in line with DSM’s ambitions to develop bio-based performance materials to meet customers’ growing needs for improved performance and environmental benefits at competitive costs. In parallel with the venture investment, DSM and TGBS intend to work together to create new business in biobased performance materials. The plant’s construction will commence in Q2 2008, and is expected to start production in early 2009. It will have an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons of PHA. www.dsm venturing.com. Bioplastics and Biodegradability – Q&A Europe’s plastics converters’ body, EuPC, has published a ‘Questions and Answers’ document on Bioplastics and Degradability. This factual brochure (downloadable PDF) gives answers to the most frequently asked questions on this subject. It follows the preparation of a detailed internal industry position paper issued to EuPC members in 2006, the fruit of co-operation with Plastics Europe. EuPC is the leading EUlevel Trade Association, based in Brussels, representing European Plastics Converting Industry. Its powerful European Plastics Network exists to support the beneficial use of plastics worldwide, especially providing plastics converting companies with a voice in the European Institutions. www.plasticsconverters.eu New Family of Thermoplastic Starch Blend Resins Cerestech, Inc., Montreal, Canada has announced the commercial introduction of several branded Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) Blends, called Cereloy TM , that deliver cost-effective, high property retention film and injection molded products with a substantially reduced Carbon Footprint relative to resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, biodegradable polyester or polylactide (PLA). The company is a technology development and licensing spinoff from the École Polytechnique of Montréal. Cerestech’s new line of Cereloy blends offer an optimal mix of cost, performance and sustainability, and are an ideal complement to current and future converter offerings. Large-scale orders and sample sizes are available to converters worldwide and end-use products featuring Cereloy blends offer converters significant advantages based on the technology’s innate ability to be tailored to meet specific performance requirements and resin grades. Products made in partnerships with leading film and injection molding companies have incorporated up to 30 % TPS while maintaining, and in some cases exceeding, mechanical properties of equivalent reference products made from polyethylene, polypropylene and compostable ASTM 6400 compliant resins. The high performance of the TPS Blends in plastic products has been achieved after several years of fundamental and applied research and development activities in partnership with commercial processors. Several new Cereloy resin grades are currently being launched for applications in film and injection molded products. The first commercial product is a blend from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and TPS: a new sustainable can liner being introduced by Pitt Plastics, Inc. Dr. Graham Chapman, president of Cerestech, believes that the time has come to offer consumers a better environmental solution. “Our Cereloy TPS blend can be used in a wide range of applications, from compostable, biodegradable bags, to any film, bags or products processed on conventional equipment. The ease of processing, the high property retention and attractive cost will make our TPS Blends a ‘musthave’ for leading edge plastics processors,” believes Dr. Chapman. www.cerestech.ca bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/08] Vol. 3
