Application News Bio-PET
Application News Bio-PET Solar control window films Toray Plastics (America), Inc., the only United States manufacturer of polypropylene, polyester, metallized, and bio-based films, has developed a bio-based biaxially oriented polyester film for use in the manufacture of solar control window films for commercial and residential applications. New Lumirror brand BioView PET film is manufactured with Toray’s proprietary sustainable resin blends, which are made with approximately 30 % renewable feedstock. The new BioView bio-based film is a multi-layer structure with surface and optical qualities that are strictly controlled by Toray’s proprietary coextrusion technology. It is notable for its very low haze, excellent handling and processing characteristics, and high scratch resistance. BioView offers a performance that is equal to that of traditional solar window films during solar film manufacturing, installation, and use in technically demanding applications that require exceptional optical clarity. First PLA wine bottle Bodega Matarromera (Valladolid, Spain) has successfully completed the development of a new sustainable bottle for their wines. It is a packaging manufactured from PLA, and it is the first bottle manufactured with this material to reproduce the design of traditional glass bottles for wine, with some main advantages: it is lighter (50 grams) fully-recyclable and has a lower environmental impact in its manufacturing process. AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre (Valencia, Spain), has been subcontracted by Bodega Matarromera within this project to design the new sustainable bottles, as well as the preform mould and the blowing mould to produce them. In addition, AIMPLAS has also carried out the characterisation of the new packaging that, thanks to an inner coating with silicon oxide, has proven to offer a considerable improvement of barrier properties against different gases. This project has counted on the funds of the programme EEA GRANTS, funded by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as by the Ministry of Science and Innovation from Spain through CDTI. The research is framed within the company’s commitment with environmental sustainability, what will allow a differentiation and increase of competitiveness in new markets with a high environmental awareness as well, as the Nordic countries and specifically the Scandinavian airlines. MT www.aimplas.com | www.grupomatarromera.com Toray Plastics is a major producer of traditional films, made with or without UV protection, used for solar window film applications. The company has been on the leading edge of bio-based resin technology and plans to produce polyester film to be used in the manufacture of solar control window film that is made entirely of sustainable feedstock. A patent is pending for the new film. “This is a very exciting development for window film technology and for the commercial and residential building markets,” says Milan Moscaritolo, Senior Sales and Marketing Director of the Lumirror Division. “The construction industry continues to look for innovative ways to help developers reduce energy costs. Creating a film that lessens the impact on the environment, without sacrificing solar protection performance, was the natural next step in the evolution of the technology. The BioView film represents a perfect marriage between an environment-friendly film and an energy-saving application.” KL www.toraytpa.com 38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/16] Vol. 11
Application News Biobased sunglasses for Yokohama World Triathlon Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (MCI), headquartered in Toyko, Japan has developed MR-60, a plant-based high refractive index lens material for standard eyeglasses, by using a biomass-derived industrial isocyanate and a biomassderived polythiol as well as a non-metallic catalyst for polymerization. In 2014, MR-60 was certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a plant-derived product with a biomass of 57 %. Last year MCI was a sponsor of the World Triathlon Series Yokohama held in Yokohama, Japan, an event which aimed to “contribute to society through sports”. The event utilized the sustainability management system standard ISO 20121. In a joint development with Yokohama City MCI developed sunglasses made with MR-60 for athletes, referees and staff in the Executive Office of the Triathlon event. The sunglasses were produced in close collaboration with the SWANS program of Yamamoto Kogaku Co., Ltd., a company that has a history of designing sports products that offer comfort and performance, and Itoh Optical Industrial Co., Ltd., who have expertise in high-performance eyeglass lens manufacturing. Both companies accomplished the project in a real short period of time. Itoh Optical Industrial, who was involved in the lens development had to overcome challenges with the non-metallic catalyst being used for the lens material. However, together with Yamamoto Kogaku and Mitsui Chemicals the project could be successfully finished. Mr. Masakazu Honda of Itoh Optical Industrial said in MCI’s customer Journal MR View [1] that in addition to high functionality and high quality they were now also involved in looking at a low environmental burden. Yamamoto Kogaku has worked on numerous products in the field of sports eyewear with the brand called SWANS. Together with the other project partners, Yamamoto Kogaku also succeeded in mastering challenges such as the unknown drilling and cutting characteristics of MR-60 [1]. And the article in MR View continues that the project partners learned that “those taking part in a triathlon were earnestly looking for suitable sunglasses” and “the functions required of sports sunglasses are slightly different when running or riding a bicycle.” [1] By sponsoring the event, MCI not only provided plant-based sunglasses, but also appealed to the social/ethical activities of the Do Green initiative. MCI’s support was widely praised by the people involved in the triathlon. MT [1] MR View issue No7, September 2015, http://www.mitsuichem.com/special/mr/resources/img/mrview_v07_en.pdf www.mitsuichem.com Ikea’s alternative for polystyrene Looking for eco-friendlier packaging, the Swedish furniture and retail giant Ikea has recently announced their intention to use an organic, mushroom-based packaging for its flat-pack furniture and thus to move away from polystyrene foams. Developed by New York based company Ecovative, Mushroom ® Packaging is made using mycelium, or rather mushroom roots, which functions similar to the roots of other plants. Mycelium fastens the fungus to the ground and absorbs nutrients (cf. bioplastics MAGAZINE issue 01/2014). Already known for its use as a biobased building material, mycelium is beneficial because it grows quickly into a dense material, which can then be easily moulded into custom shaped packaging. For Ikea, the lifecycle of the material also plays a role. Joanna Yarrow, head of sustainability for Ikea told the Telegraph that Ikea was looking at introducing mycelium packaging because “a lot of products come in polystyrene, traditionally, which can’t be – or is very difficult to – recycle.” While polystyrene is a non-biodegradable plastic, mycelium packaging will biodegrade naturally within a few weeks, if disposed of properly in a dedicated composting environment. Ikea confirmed it was looking at working with Ecovative, who are leaders in the field for innovating with mushroom materials. MT www.ecovativedesign.com bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/16] Vol. 11 39
