Applications News
Applications News Biodegradable Key Fob and Trolley Token To help make even the weekly shopping as eco-friendly as possible, Publisearch srl has created a line of key fobs with built-in trolley tokens, all 100% biodegradable. Publisearch srl is the leading Italian provider of promotional items made from innovative materials. They have an internal business unit called Promogreen which is dedicated to the design and manufacture of items made from a very special bioplastic called APINAT ® . This unique bioplastic is also produced by an Italian company, API Spa, who are world leaders in the production of thermoplastic compounds. Apinat enables manufacturers and designers to create products with the same technical qualities and appearance as traditional plastics but which also play their part in safeguarding the environment. Apinat is the trade name of an innovative family of recyclable bioplastics which are biodegradable in an aerobic conditions in line with EN 13432, EN 14995 and ASTM D6400 standards. The material has the same characteristics of traditional thermoplastic elastomers and does not degrade in water or in air. The fun egg-shaped key fobs are available in a range of lively, non-toxic colours and the trolley token held inside is the same shape and size as a 1 Euro coin. MT Green Corrosion Inhibitor Film Eco-Corr ® is a biobased and biodegradable film utilizing Cortec’s patented VpCI ® technology. “It is the first 100 % biodegradable VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) film in the world, initiating a new era for 21 st century packaging!” says a press release by Cortec. This highly efficient product provides much better tensile strength, tear resistance and ultimate elongation than low density polyethylene (LDPE) films. It is certified to meet EN 13432 (Europe) and ASTM D6400 (USA), as well as heat and water stable and does not disintegrate or break apart while in use. Eco-Corr provides contact, barrier and Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI) protection for up to two years. It provides multimetal corrosion inhibitor protection and is improved replacement for non-degradable and nitrite - based VCI films. Once exposed to soil or compost conditions, this product will disintegrate rapidly and biodegrade completely to CO 2 , water and biomass within weeks, without contaminating the soil. It is nitrite and amine free. Metal parts packaged in Eco-Corr receive continuous protection against salt, excessive humidity, condensation, moisture, aggressive industrial atmosphere and dissimilar metal corrosion. The Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors vaporize and then condense on all metal surfaces in the enclosed package. VpCI reaches every area of a package, protecting exposed parts as well as hard to reach interior surfaces against micro-corrosion. This green alternative offers complete protection during storage as well as domestic and overseas shipments. Once put to use, Eco-Corr will remain effective with regard to mechanical strength until the film is placed in contact with material containing microorganisms, such as certain types of waste, soil, and compost. Eco-Corr meets NACE TM0208-2008 and German TL-8135-002 standards for corrosion protection. MT www.cortecvci.com www.apinatbio.com www.publisearch.it High tech equipment packaged in EcoCorr for export shipments. 28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/11] Vol. 6
Applications News Award Winning Carpet Bio-Based Ovenable Pan Liners DSM’s Arnitel ® Eco, a high performance thermoplastic copolyester (TPC) up to 50% derived from renewable resources (rapeseed oil), is creating higher value with lower environmental impact in the M&Q Packaging Corporation PanSaver ECO ® hightemperature ovenable pan liners. PanSaver pan liners are used in food preparation, cooking and holding, to prevent food from ‘baking-on’ and ‘burning-on’ to the pot or pan surface. PanSaver can also be used for cold storage. According to Michael Schmal, President at M&Q Packaging Corporation, PanSaver ECO is a true ECO+ bio-based alternative to conventional panliners: “Our current range of conventional pan liners already has a number of key benefits, the new PanSaver ECO panliners are extremely durable and environmentally friendly, able to withstand temperatures up to 204°C (400F). These liners not only help to improve food quality and yield, they also prevent food from baking or burning to the pot or pan, thus saving cooking and clean-up time, and leaving no food residue or waste.” For the production of PanSaver ECO, M&Q Packaging Corporation selected Arnitel Eco, a partly bio-based, high performance thermoplastic copolyester (TPC) from DSM. Arnitel Eco is the latest addition to the Arnitel family. Arnitel copolyester elastomers combine the strength and processing characteristics of engineering plastics with the performance of thermoset elastomers. First introduced in 2010, Arnitel Eco is designed to last a long lifetime under extreme conditions, making it highly suited for food related applications, as well as for use in automotive interior and exterior, applications in sports and leisure, furniture, consumer electronics and alternative energy. Paul Habets, Global Segment Manager for DSM Engineering Plastics, says: “There is a clear customer need for bio-based engineering plastics which combine performance with a reduced carbon footprint. Life Cycle Assessment calculations of Arnitel Eco show a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, cradle-to-gate, of up to 50% versus oil based thermoplastic copolyester elastomers.” Mr. Habets concludes: “In addition to its lower carbon footprint, Arnitel Eco adds value thanks to its unique performance.” MT DuPont Sorona ® , a renewably sourced environmentally sustainable polymer (PTT Polytrimethylenterephthalate), is now available for the commercial segment of the floor covering market. This innovative product named SmartStrand ® Contract was recently launched by Mohawk at the NeoCon’11 (North America’s largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors, June 13-15, Chicago) and won a Gold Award in the Carpet Fiber Category of the Best of NeoCon product competition. A game changer for the commercial carpet industry, SmartStrand Contract offers superior performance, durability and style, permanent stain protection, and color flexibility. DuPont Sorona is the brand name for triexta, a new fiber class designated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as having characteristics that clearly distinguish it from other fibers. First introduced for residential use in 2005, this next generation triexta fiber has been specially engineered for the unique needs of commercial spaces. Sorona contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients by weight. DuPont and Mohawk have demonstrated the recyclability of carpets made with triexta fibers. Recycled materials can either be turned back into new carpet products or utilized in other products. MT www.sorona.dupont.com www.mohawkflooring.com www.dsm.com. bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/11] Vol. 6 29
