Review show review
Review show review K‘2007 the world‘s number 1 plastics and rubber fair In the last issue, we reported about the bioplastics related exhibits of a large number of companies, to be presented at K‘2007 in Düsseldorf Germany, from October 24 to 31, 2007. Together with this review, we try to give our readers a most complete overview about what K‘2007 offered in terms of bioplastics materials, machinery and applications. Arkema: Pebax Rnew Arkema unveiled latest innovations Well known for its many years of experience with Rilsan ® Polymaide 11 made from castor oil (see bM 01/2007) Arkema, Paris, France presented three new technical polymers produced from renewable raw materials. Pebax ® Rnew, a first range of thermoplastic elastomers based on the chemistry of polyamide 11 produced from castor oil, offers properties such as lightweight, flex fatigue resistance and elasticity return, over a wide temperature range. Biostrength TM , an innovative impact modifier for biodegradable PLA allows converters to process the biobased resins using conventional equipment. These additives also impart to this new polymer made from renewable raw materials the necessary mechanical, optical and aesthetic properties to fulfill the requirements of the main intended markets. Also from 100% renewable raw materials is Platamid ® Rnew, a new concept for thermoplastic hotmelt adhesives. A new grade has been developed to fulfill two new market needs: reduced emissions as per standard VDA 278, and eco-design by using raw materials from 100% renewable raw materials. The power of nature BIOPLAST GmbH from Emmerich, Germany, a subsidiary of the Sphere Group and Stanelco plc, presented BIOPLAST ® , a new generation of thermoplastic and completely biodegradable materials. Its range of five major products covers a wide number of rigid and flexible product applications. BIOTEC‘s expertise lies in the know-how regarding blending and modifying such resins to special compounds and blends, concentrates and masterbatches. The materials are certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 and DIN EN ISO 14001:2004. This certification is audited by an independent certification agency annually. www.biotec.de Hishiecolo pipes, which return to soil Biodegradable plastic pipes and fittings from raw materials such as PLA were presented by Mitsubishi Plastics Inc from Hiratsuka-City, Japan. The pipes offer the same strength and impact properties as Mitsubishi‘s vinyl chloride ‚Hishi Pipes‘, but they biodegrade and undergo hydrolysis from water and microbes living in the natural world. Potential applications are temporary pipes for short term use, pipes where retrieval is difficult and pipes in areas where the natural environment is a concern (rainwater ducts, etc.). Mitsubishi expect a variety of other uses to appear. www.mpl.co.jp Flexible PU-foam with 100% biobased polyol Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethanes from Nagaura, Japan presented flexible polyurethane foams with a polyol component made from 100% castor oil. The final polyurethane contains 70% polyol and 30% isocyanate. The main feature of this polyurethane foam is its low resilience property, which makes it ideal for use in pillows. Other polyurethane foams with a biobased content are rigid foams for insulation purposes. In these materials the polyol consists of 30% renewable raw materials. www.arkema.com www.mcpu.mitsui-chem.co.jp bioplastics MAGAZINE [07/04] Vol. 2
J.C. Grubisisch No rainforest to be cut for sugarcane production? bioplastics MAGAZINE reported about BRASKEM and the new bio-polyethylene based on ethanol from sugarcane in the last issue. However, once in a while people express their concerns about rainforests being uprooted for new agricultural space to grow sugarcane that is needed for the production of bio-ethanol. In a press conference at K‘2007, J.C. Grubisich, CEO of Braskem stated that in Brasil the rainforests are in the north of the vast country, whereas the sugarcane plantations are in the southeast. In addition, land and climate in the north – the rainforest area - isn’t appropriate for sugarcane production. At least for the time being, bio-ethanol production from sugarcane does not threaten the brasilian rainforests. www.braskem.com.br PLA Nanoalloy Toray Industries, Inc. presented a Polylactic Acid Nanoally with improved properties. A small amount of high performance polymer is finely dispersed at nanometer scale in PLA building a network structure. The new materials reach impact and heat resistance properties above those of PET, PS and even HI-PS. Potential applications are for example mobile phone charger or PC housings. Earlier this year Toray announced that it has successfully developed a plant fiber-reinforced PLA plastic with improved heat resistance, rigidity and moldability by compounding cellulose-based plant fibers with PLA. Able to withstand heat up to 150°C, which is the highest level in the world for biomass plastics, the newly developed plastic has double the rigidity of existing PLA plastics and has achieved significant reduction in the time required for molding. PLA - cast and biaxially oriented film equipment Review Brückner Formtec GmbH and Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG presented their equipment for converting thermoplastics including PLA into films. bioplastics MAGAZINE reported about cast film lines from Brückner Formtec in issue 01/2007. BOPLA (biaxially oriented PLA) films can be produced on machinery from Brückner Mashcinenbau (see page 25 in this issue). www.brueckner.com BASF polyamide 6.10 based on castor oil A material developed, produced and marketed by BASF over fifty years ago in the pioneering phase of engineering plastics is undergoing a renaissance. At K‘2007 BASF unveiled Ultramid ® BALANCE, a polyamide 6.10. This is based to the extent of about 60% on sebacic acid, a renewable raw material derived from castor oil. In the K-show preview we already mentioned Ecovio L foam materials based on of Ecoflex and polylactic acid (PLA). Ecovio L Foam’s content of PLA amounts to more than 75% in weight. According to the standard ASTM D6866 it has a “biobased content” of more than 75% as well. This number describes the amount of biobased carbon atoms. BASF is anticipating its first production-scale amounts by early 2008, so that Ecovio L Foam will be introduced into the market among select partners over the course of 2008. www.basf.com BASF: Eccovio L foam www.toray.com For details about the exhibits of the following companies, see bioplastics MAGAZINE issue 03/2007: A. Schulman GmbH Clariant International AG Biomer FkuR Kunststoff GmbH Fraunhofer Umsicht Grafe Advanced Polymers GmbH M-Base Engineering + Software GmbH Novamont S.p.A. PolyOne Telles (Metabolix) Roll-o-matic Sukano Products Ltd. FAS converting machinery see page 21 in this issue bioplastics MAGAZINE [07/04] Vol. 2
