Application News New
Application News New clear Mater-Bi packaging film for cosmetics overwrap Aethic, the London-based skincare company that launched Sôvée, world’s only scientifically proven ecocompatible sunscreen, is to be the first cosmetics company to use a clear packaging film specially developed by Italian MATER-BI manufacturer Novamont. The material is to debut with Aethic’s next production run of its sunscreens and face creams. The transparent thin film material used to protect packaged products from tampering and surface damage and to make them look shiny is now also available in an eco-sustainable version. The material was originally derived from cellulose and was biodegradable, yet the polluting effects of carbon disulfide and other by-products of the process used to make viscose made it less popular and other lower-cost petrochemical materials supplanted cellulose. Being based on an efficient use of renewable resources and presenting sustainable end-of-life options, MATER-BI packaging now represents an environmentally-friendly alternative to the existing products. The new MATER-BI grade developed for Aethic is in fact made from sustainably-sourced base ingredients, promoting the setting up of innovative agro-industrial value chains and the use of local raw materials cultivated on marginal land. Moreover, its production process adopts a “cascading” approach to biomass and has low carbon emissions and the end material is biodegradable and compostable according to the European standard EN 13432. Aethic initiated the collaboration after it had already adopted a sugar cane-derived material for its bottles. Says Allard Marx, CEO of Aethic: “I vividly remember holding a bio-plastic Mickey Mouse watch made from this material in my hand when consulting for Novamont in 1989. I never forgot the company and had recently heard that their material was now used for magazine wraps and disposable carrier bags. I asked them to develop a MATER-BI grade that would hold its fold, heatseal easily, be sustainable, biodegradable and look great. They promptly and successfully rose to the challenge. I am absolutely delighted that we can now protect our products responsibly.” MATER-BI is used successfully in a variety of other applications and Novamont’s revenues are in excess of EUR 145 million worldwide. Aethic’s skincare range is stocked at leading retailers and its Sôvée sunscreen was recently announced as the official sunscreen of UK’s America’s Cup challenger Land Rover BAR. Adds Alessandro Ferlito, Novamont Sales Manager: “Consumer brands like Aethic are the future. We have no choice but to take care of the only planet we have and Aethic leads the way in preventing damage to skin and the ocean. It is a pleasure to have developed this version of MATER-BI with them and we hope other cosmetics companies will soon follow their lead and adopt this material”. MT www.aethic.com | www.novamont.com Casing of the Fair Mouse based on PLA material developed by IfBB The IfBB, Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, Germany, developed a bio-based material for the Fair Computer Mouse project initiated by Nager IT, an association focussed on encouraging humane working conditions in the factories of the electronic industries by developing socially and environmentally sustainable electronics. The casing of the computer mouse is based on a PLA material that has been developed by a research team at IfBB in collaboration with Nager IT since autumn 2014. The main criteria for the new material was its sustainability as well as suitable technical properties. Currently 80 % of the material developed by IfBB is based on renewable resources derived from sugarcane. The research team said it will continue to optimise the material by increasing the bio-based content and exploring the use of residual materials. Products like the fair mouse hopefully raise public awareness and acceptance of bioplastics and sustainable and fair produced goods further. MT www.ifbb-hannover.de | www.nager-it.de 30 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/16] Vol. 11
Materials Sugars in wastewater become bio-based packaging After more than four years of research, the international consortium of the PHBOTTLE project has achieved the first worldwide prototype packaging made from a waste water derived bioplastic material – PHB – obtained from the organic matter, primarily sugars, present in the wastewater of the juice industry. Specifically, it is a bottle made from polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a polymer produced by bioproduction (microbial fermentation) in which certain bacteria use the sugars in the wastewater and synthesize this type of bioplastic. During the fermentative processes performed with the juice industry wastewater, it was possible to convert up to 30 % of the sugars contained in this effluent into PHB. Bioplastic PHB is already available in the market, but this is the first time PHB is obtained from the sugars in the wastewater of the fruit juice industry. The results of the R&D project PHBOTTLE, funded by the European Union, were presented in mid-April in Brussels/Belgium at an international workshop organized by AINIA Technology Centre and the European Fruit Juice Association (AIJN). The application of the latest advances in biotechnology, packaging technology, microencapsulation and compounding made possible the development of this innovative package. Moreover, this project demonstrated the value of organic waste from the juice industry as raw material to produce packaging for its products. Antioxidant-containing package as a result of microencapsulation The bioplastic material obtained has improved properties, such as antioxidants, which extend the shelflife of the juice. Concretely, microencapsulation technology was used to produce capsules with antioxidants such as limonene, which is an active compound present in orange peel. These capsules were incorporated into the PHB compound used to manufacture the final bottle, thus obtaining an active packaging whereby the antioxidant agent is slowly released, delaying the oxidation of the juice. Rice hulls to improve packaging strength In addition, other types of food industry waste were used to improve the strength and other mechanical properties of the material. Cellulose microfibers were produced from rice hulls and used to improve the rigidity of the packaging. From waste generator to beneficiary of a new bio-based package The PHB bottle prototype obtained was used to package the juice produced by the wastewater generating industry itself, thus providing an innovative and comprehensive solution to the problems of waste management and environmental impact of this sector. A solution for the future based on the circular economy. Furthermore, this bioplastic can be used in other industrial sectors such as cosmetics, ophthalmology, footwear, computer parts, pharmaceutical or automotive. Biodegradability and composting The various biodegradability and compostability tests carried out throughout this R&D project have shown that, under the study conditions, 60 % of the PHB bottle obtained is degraded over a period of 9 weeks. A complete biodegradation has yet to be shown. If this can be proven, the PHB bottles can be decomposed in composting plants, producing compost and CO 2 . The EU’s commitment for more sustainable packaging The PHBOTTLE project, coordinated by AINIA, is a pioneer in its field in the development of the Circular Economy concept promoted by the EU in its commitment for innovation and sustainable technological development, under the 7 th Framework Programme. It is composed of an international consortium that includes: the European Fruit Juice Association (AIJN), the Spanish company Citresa (part of the multinational Suntory), Logoplaste Innovation Lab (Portugal), Logoplaste (Brazil), Omniform (Belgium), Sivel Ltd (Bulgaria) and the company Mega Empack (Mexico) as well as the technology centres TNO (The Netherlands), Aimplas (Spain) and INTI (Argentina). The results of the PHBOTTLE project represent an innovative and sustainable response to the needs of the juice industry, thanks to the opportunities offered by new technologies and the development of new packaging materials obtained from organic sources as an alternative to oil. With these new applications the waste generator, in this case the juice industry, becomes the recipient of a new bio-based product. MT www.phbottle.eu/ bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/16] Vol. 11 31
