Additives/Masterbatches
Additives/Masterbatches Rigid packaging and plasticware are also enhanced with the use of PCL. The flexibility and crack resistance of biopolymer formulations can be improved by incorporating PCL even in very low amounts (1-5 %). End-use products can also be used at low temperatures due to the low glass-transition imparted by PCL. In commercial bag and film applications, PCL is generally used to enhance tear resistance and elongation properties [1]. Additionally, PCL has the potential to be used in agricultural film applications to tune the degradation rate. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Environmental Decision Memo and EA Revision Sheet for Food Contact Notification (FCN) 1761 allows the use of articles made from PLA or starch that have been modified with PCL for food contact applications, provided the composition of these articles falls within the memo’s guidelines. Specifications like FCN 1761 demonstrate the increasing value of PCL in a variety of bioplastics applications. PCL technology continues to be used in novel bioplastic applications that meet demanding biodegradability and performance characteristics that were once only achievable using petroleum-based feedstocks. PCL’s ability to formulate well with other compounds means customers can meet strict performance requirements and achieve tailored end-of-life product degradation with minimal impact on formulation cost or renewable material content. References [1] Zellner, L., Product Now, BioPla Journal, 2015, 57, 5. [2] Rydén, E. Biodegradable polycaprolactone as a mechanical property enhancer for bioplastics. Master Thesis, Lund University, 2015. [3] Li, G. Biodegradable blends of polycaprolactone with thermoplastic starch. PhD Thesis, University of Montreal, 2010. [4] Averous, L., Moro, L., Dole, P. and Fringant, C. Properties of thermoplastic blends : starch polycaprolactone. Polymer, 2000, 41, 4157. [5] Halley, P. J. and Averous, L. Starch polymers: from genetic engineering to green applications (1st Edition., p. 461) Elsevier Ltd, Amsterdam, 2014. [6] Duarte, A. M. T., Hugen, R. G., Martins, E. S., Pezzin, A. P. T. and Pezzin, S. H. Thermal and mechanical behavior of injection molded Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(ε-caprolactone)Blends. Mat. Res., 2016, 9 (1), 25. [7] Avella, M., Martuscelli, E. and Raimo, M. Properties of blends and composites based on poly (3-hydroxy) butyrate (PHB) and poly (3-hydroxybutyratehydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) copolymers. J. Mater. Sci., 2000, 35, 523. [8] Naranci, T., Vertischel, S., Chaganti, S. R., Morales-Gamez, L., Kenny, S. T., De Wilde, B., Padamanti, R. B. and O’Connor, K.E. Biodegradable plastic blends create new possibilities for end-of-life management of plastics but they are not a panacea for plastic pollution. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2018, 52 (18), 10441. [9] Lunt, J. Large-scale production, properties and commercial applications of polylactic acid polymers. Polym. Degrad. Stab., 1998, 59, 145. www.ingevity.com Relative Biodegradation, % Relative Biodegradation, % 100 Relative Biodegradation, % 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 100 Fig. 2 – Biodegradation of Capa 6800 under home composting conditions (ISO 14855, 28 °C). Data generated by OWS. PBAT and PLA are not believed to biodegrade at a significant rate under such conditions. 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cellulose Capa 6800 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Time, days Fig. 3 – Biodegradation of biopolymers under industrial compositing conditions (ISO 14855, 58 °C). Data generated by SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden. 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Cellulose Capa 6800 PBAT PLA 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Time, days Fig. 4 – Anaerobic biodegradation data for PCL performed at Fraunhofer UMSICHT. Cellulose Capa 6800 0 20 40 60 80 100 Time, days Table 2 - The hydrolytic stability of Capa 6500 and 6800 and other biopolymers, evaluated according to the OECD guideline 111, “Hydrolysiws as a function of pH.” Product Degradation after 7 weeks at 50 °C pH 2 pH 4 pH 7 pH 9 Capa 6500 10% degradation No degradation No degradation No degradation Capa 6800 10% degradation No degradation No degradation No degradation PLA > 90% degradation 75% degradation 75% degradation 75% degradation PBAT 50% degradation 45% degradation 45% degradation 45% degradation 26 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/20] Vol. 15
Additives / Masterbatches Pest repellent masterbatches now EU BPR approved It may not occur to you immediately, but many biobased plastics are vulnerable to pest attacks and can result in huge damage and losses to the application (cf. bM 04/2016). CTech Corporation, a pioneer company based in Mumbai, India, manufactures non-toxic aversive repellent masterbatches for a wide range of biobased plastic applications. The niche products manufactured by CTech include Rodrepel TM , an Anti-rodent and animal aversive repellent. Termirepel TM is an anti-termite and insect aversive repellent which has a broad spectrum in its action. It is effective against more than 500 species of invasive pests like bedbugs, termites, ants, cockroaches, beetles, etc. And finally Combirepel TM combines the mechanisms of Rodrepel and Termirepel. This type is an extremely low toxic, animal, insect, and bird aversive repellent. The products are based on plant-based chemistry. The expansion of ancient knowledge from Vedas and modern science of sustained release and encapsulation has resulted in the formulation of these unique, extremely low toxic and environment-friendly repellent products. The repellents are available in masterbatch form based on biodegradable plastics like PLA and are also offered as liquid masterbatch solutions for other compostable plastics. “Why kill when we can repel?” has been CTech’s ideology behind the innovation of these products. The mechanism works in a way so as to act as a deterrent disallowing the rodents or insects to damage the treated application and thus safeguarding the same; in the process also allowing for the safety of human health, target and non-target species and the environment. All C Tech products are globally trademarked. Extensive testing has been carried out for the products in real-life environments in different parts of the world and excellent results have been achieved. The biocidal repellent masterbatches are thermally stable at polymeric processing temperatures and do not leach out of the surface and are effective in low dosages. They can be used with various bioplastic applications to prevent pest attacks and increase their longevity. The masterbatches can be incorporated while manufacturing wires and cables, automotive wirings, bale wrap silage, packaging films, agricultural nets, soil retention sheeting, etc. Many soy based applications, for instance, have been attracting pests and the use of such repellent masterbatches can prove beneficial. CTech is committed to developing innovative, profitable, and environmentally safe products for the past 25 years. Recently, CTech received the European Union’s Biocidal Product Regulation (EU BPR 528/2012) approval for their biocidal product families and as such is the only company to have received such approval in the field of repellence. This regulation aims to improve the functioning of the biocidal products market in the EU, and the biocides are risk assessed for toxicity to humans and the environment before they are permitted to be placed on the market. The European Union adopted Guidelines in 2015 establishing that masterbatch with biocidal function needed to be authorized for use in the European Union. As such, masterbatch products containing aversive or repellent substances are considered as a biocidal product. Mother earth is constantly suffering from human originated problems like toxic products, industrial wastes, etc. Having realized this right at the outset, CTech has consistently evolved sustainable green practices in the development of these products. The active substances of the masterbatch products meet the regulatory guidelines and are sufficiently effective. Apart from the EU BPR, the repellent masterbatches are approved by various regulations across different countries. CTech Corporation can provide products to the exclusive needs of the end-user and its use with bioplastic based applications can prove as an efficient solution to the environment. MT www.ctechcorporation.com siepmannH / pixelio.de Bobby M / pixelio.de bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/20] Vol. 15 27
