The biggest controversy
The biggest controversy in my opinion is the discussion about crude oil or natural gas (L5). A horrifying image is created about crude oil, but per definition crude oil as well as natural gas or coal are pure products of nature and are organic polymers. Of course these products were formed millions of years ago, and we cannot form them today, we can only find and acquire them. Conclusion Based on some ideas from the Dutch philosopher H. van Riessen (1911) [5] we can summarise: “More than one material can fulfil the purpose of the product. At the same time the customer is not interested in the material or the technology used to make the product. He is only interested in the performance and a fair quality/price ratio”. For example, green polyethylene is just polyethylene with a biomass input into the process, to create interest for customers, or even to achieve the necessary properties for the product. So, bioplastics are just one group within so many plastics groups and types, with special features. Modern customers need useful products, but indeed, they are becoming more and more aware of the influence of products on the environment and nature. But in my opinion it is wrong to build up a bad name for other plastics, following bad eco-marketing - “Still using plastic?”. Who would pay the resulting damage for plastics in total? References: [1] Čatić, I. at all.: Draft of the basic systematization of inorganic and organic macromolecular compounds, ANTEC 2011, Society of Plastics Engineers, Boston, May, 2011, p. 2012-2017. [2] Van Krevelen, D. W.: Properties of Polymers (3rd ed.), Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1997. [3] scifun.chem.wisc.edu/CHEMWEEK/POLYMERS/Polymers.html. [4] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer. [5] Eekels, J.: Some Historical Remarks on the Philosophy of Making and Design, ICED 95, Prague, August 22-24, 1995, 36-43. * The main basis of new systematisation is that polymers can be inorganic or organic. All plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics Fig.1: Suggested new systematisation P • organic product of synthesis (e.g. polyethylene fibres and thermoplastics matrix) • organic product of synthesis and cultivated products (e.g. thermoset matrix and jute) • organic product of synthesis and inorganic polymers (e.g. thermoset matrix and glass fibres) • organic product of synthesis and metals (e.g. metallic reinforcement agent and plastics matrix) • inorganic-organic polymers (e.g. polymer-zeolite hybrid) • organic-inorganic polymers [e.g. poly(organosiloxanes)] • organic xxx + organic basic polymer (xxx and proteins) • organic polymer – organic non-polymer (e.g. poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and lipide) • hybrid product (e.g. made by injection moulding) P Composite materials and composite products Hybrids materials and products P Composed materials and composed products L7 P P Metals • steels, Al-alloys, etc. Inorganic non polymeric substances and materials Thermoplastics • polysilazanes Elastomers: e.g. polysiloxanes Inorganic synthetic polymers (non-living) Thermosets • PF, UP, PUR, ect. Organic synthetic polymers (from non-living) Fossil Plastic Thermoplastics • PE, PVC, PS, PA, ect. Elastomers • vulcanized rubber • thermoplastics rubber Chemically modified biopolymers from natural and cultivated products (from living) Bioplastic E. g. oils P Inorganic substances and materials Organic substances and materials L6 T Controlled reactions inorganic Controlled organic synthesis Controlled Biosynthesis T Artificial technology P Non-living organic natural product (e.g. natural gas) Living organic natural products L5 P Phytopolymers (e.g. wood) Animal polymers (e.g. bones, skins) P Biopolymeric organisms (microorganisms and macroorganisms) L3 P Natural: • native metals: gold, mercury • metal ores Natural: • clay • mica (glimmer) • zeolites Natural: • proteins • nucleic acids • polysaccharides Natural P P Other natural inorganic macromolecular compounds (non-polymers) Natural geopolymers (Natural inorganic polymers) Natural organic polymers Other natural organic macromolecular compounds (e.g. lipids) A B C D Natural inorganic macromolecular compounds (Non-living natural products - minerals) Natural organic macromolecular compounds (Living natural products – living organisms) T Geological processes of non-living Biosynthesis (Synthesis of Living) P Macromolecular compounds (substance) L0 T Matter Natural technology T General technology Levels L4 L2 L1 46 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/11] Vol. 6
PRESENTS THE SIXTH ANNUAL GLOBAL AWARD FOR DEVELOPERS, MANUFACTURERS AND USERS OF BIO-BASED PLASTICS. Call for proposals Enter your own product, service or development, or nominate your favourite example from another organisation Please let us know: 1. What the product, service or development is and does 2. Why you think this product, service or development should win an award 3. What your (or the proposed) company or organisation does Your entry should not exceed 500 words (approx 1 page) and may also be supported with photographs, samples, marketing brochures and/or technical documentation (cannot be sent back). The 5 nominees must be prepared to provide a 30 second videoclip More details and an entry form can be downloaded from www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/award The Bioplastics Award will be presented during the 6th European Bioplastics Conference November 22/23, 2011, Berlin, Germany supported by
