Materials Biobased Super-glue Plant-based particles and water form an “eco” super-glue P lant-based cellulose nanocrystals have remarkable inherent properties, and when combined with water, a powerful adhesive is formed that competes in strength with Superglue, without the need for toxic solvents. In a study published in Advanced Materials [1], researchers at Aalto University, the University of Tokyo, Sichuan University, and the University of British Columbia have demonstrated that plant-derived cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can form an adhesive that fully integrates the concepts of sustainability, performance, and cost which are generally extremely challenging to achieve simultaneously. Unlike Superglue, the new eco glue develops its full strength in a preferred direction, similar to “Peel and Stick” adhesives. When trying to separate the glued components along the principal plane of the bond, the strength is more than 70 times higher when compared to the direction perpendicular to that plane. All of this means that just a single drop of the “eco” glue has enough strength to hold up to 90 kg weight but can still be easily removed by the touch of a finger, as needed. As Dr Blaise Tardy from the Aalto Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems puts it, ‘The ability to hold this amount of weight with just a few drops is huge, especially from a natural plant-based solution’. These kind of properties are useful in protecting fragile components in machines that can undergo sudden physical shock such as high-value components in microelectronics, to increase the reusability of valuable structural and decorative elements, in new solutions for packaging applications, and – in general – for the development of greener adhesive solutions. Furthermore, compared to the current approach of making high-strength glues that can involve complex and expensive routes, the team has demonstrated that their solution is just taking biobased particles sources from plants (with a comparatively negligible cost) and just adding water. Since curing time is associated with evaporation of the water phase (2 hours, currently), it can be controlled, for instance, with heat. Aalto Professor Orlando Rojas says, ‘Reaching a deep understanding on how the cellulose nanoparticles, mixed with water, to form such an outstanding adhesive is a result of the work between myself, Blaise Tardy, Luiz Greca, Hirotaka Ejima, Joseph J. Richardson and Junling Guo and it highlights the fantastic collaboration and integration of knowledge towards the development of an extremely appealing, low-cost and safe application’. Blaise Tardy:” Good, green packaging with bad glue still renders the packaging bad”. Moreover, the prospects for worldwide utilisation (in a EUR 40 bn industry) is quite attractive given the ever-increasing production of cellulose nanocrystals seen across the globe, as supported by incentives in the framework of the circular bioeconomy. Dr Tardy adds, ‘The truly exciting aspect of this is that although our new adhesive can be sourced directly from residual biomass, such as that from the agro-industry or recycled paper; it outperforms currently available commercial synthetic products by a great many measures’. MT [1] Tardy, B. et al: Exploiting Supramolecular Interactions from Polymeric Colloids for Strong Anisotropic Adhesion between Solid Surfaces, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.201906886 www.aalto.fi 12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/20] Vol. 15
Masterbatch News Clariant to sell its masterbatches business to PolyOne Clariant (headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland), a focused and innovative specialty chemical company, announced end of last year that it has agreed to sell its entire Masterbatches business to PolyOne (headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio, USA). The transaction values the Masterbatches business at USD 1,560 million. As previously communicated, the proceeds from the intended divestments of Clariant’s non-core businesses will be used to invest in innovations and technological applications within the core Business Areas, to strengthen Clariant’s balance sheet and to return capital to shareholders. As a consequence of the divestment of the Masterbatches business, as well as the anticipated divestment of the Pigments business by the end of 2020, Clariant’s Board of Directors is proposing an extraordinary cash distribution of CHF 3.00 per share to the Clariant Annual General Meeting to be held on March 30, 2020. Subject to a positive vote of Clariant’s shareholders, the extraordinary distribution of approx. CHF 1 billion will be paid out post the closing of the divestment of the Masterbatches business. The deal with PolyOne comprises two separate transactions. The global Masterbatches business is sold in a deal valued at USD 1,500 million. Separately, the sale of Clariant’s Masterbatches business in India has been approved by Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited’s Board of Directors and is valued at INR 4,260 million or approx. USD 60 million. Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited is listed on the stock exchanges in India with Clariant AG holding a 51 % controlling stake. The closing of both transactions is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Clariant’s Masterbatches business offers color and additive concentrates and performance solutions for plastics. Clariant’s Masterbatches help to enhance the market appeal or end-use performance of plastic products, packaging or fibers. In the financial year 2018, the total Masterbatches business generated sales of around CHF 1.181 billion. MT www.clariant.com | www.polyone.com BASF presents new colour masterbatches In response to limited resource availability and greenhouse gas emissions, three approaches are currently being pursued to make plastics sustainable: while compostable biopolymers are a biodegradable option, bioplastics based on renewable resources provide a non-fossil alternative to conventional polymers and recyclates pursue the goal of multiple use of valuable already produced plastics via the circular economy. Each of these three alternatives poses individual demands on colourization and additivation. With the introduction of the Sicolen ® B biobased masterbatch, the comprehensive Colors & Effects ® portfolio now includes a solution for each of these three approaches. BASF Color Solutions GmbH (Cologne, Germany) complements its Sicoversal ® B, a certified biodegradable masterbatch for colouring compostable plastics, as well as Sicolen and Sicovinyl ® , established concentrates for colouring recycled polyethylene and PVC. With these four products, all three ecological alternatives to conventional plastics can be coloured in an environmentally friendly manner, without the respective advantages – compostability, renewable raw material or circular economy – being limited by the addition. Biobased masterbatch Sicolen B The polyethylene carrier system of Sicolen B is based on sugarcane. It therefore consists of renewable raw materials that originate from a proven responsible cultivation that protects rainforest and biodiversity. This carbon-neutral polyethylene base reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional products and saves scarce resources such as crude oil. For customers, the colouration of fossil or biobased polyethylene with Sicolen B allows the polymer base of their products to be upgraded by reducing their ecological footprint. The compliance with legal requirements as well as the acquisition of certificates regarding the bio-value of plastic products are simplified and favoured. In this way, Sicolen B promotes the use of renewable and recyclable biopolymers through the possibility of environmentally friendly and the same time economical colouring for numerous polyethylene applications. In addition to a range of six Sicolen B standard colours, the development of tailor-made organic-based Colours & Effects masterbatches supports the exchange of currently used products with the biobased version. MT tinyurl.com/basf-MB bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/20] Vol. 15 13
