Additives Sneaky peaky
Additives Sneaky peaky creatures depriving bioplastics Biopolymers are derived from a living source. The first of two different types of biopolymer types is synthesized directly by an organism (examples are DNA, RNA, proteins, and polysaccharides). The second type is produced in a synthetic chemical reaction from biological reactants. The second type includes most of the biopolymers used to make biobased plastics. The markets for biobased plastics are growing in virtually all parts of the world and one side effect of this growth is facing difficulties due to the activities of rodents and insects. Humans are battling with pests since the anthropocene period. The rise of civilization led to the rise of technology that helps to live the life more easily. However, pests like certain rodents and insects are making our life hard to live. We don’t want to forget that in their natural habitats all species including rodents and insects are part of a natural equilibrium. However, within the scope of this article we look at rodents and insects that are ubiquitous also in our modern human habitats. They cause nuisance in our day to day life. They don’t discriminate between a house, agriculture field, any size of business or any industrial plant. These pests pose a threat to our livelihood resulting into manifold destructions The numbers are interesting; 40 % of mammal species found on earth are rodents. Termite colonies eat nonstop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This results in billions of dollars in damage every year. Bioplastics are being used for a myriad of applications such as in the field of packaging, catering products, agriculture, horticulture, consumer electronics and automotive applications. And it seems, that certain rodents and insects particularly like biobased plastics. It is therefore not surprising that these uninvited guests cause a lot of damage to many applications made from biobased plastics such as wires, cables in the telecom, signaling, power supply, gas pipeline sector, agricultural films, automotive fuel lines, consumer appliances and various other applications. Insects and rodents go hand in hand; the entry of termites paves the way for rodents. Talking about homes, offices, schools, factories, railways all these places have one thing in common which is the presence of some plastic element in that place. Insects like termites, red ants, raspberry ants, secrete a very potent formic acid. This formic acid is capable of dissolving even the hardest of plastics. With rodents, their propensity to sharpen the two pairs of evergrowing incisors makes them gnaw at anything hard. During gnawing, the incisors grind against each other, wearing away the softer dentine, leaving the enamel edge as the blade of a chisel. This ‘self-sharpening’ system is very effective and is one of the keys to the enormous success of rodents. They can survive in the worst possible conditions too. Their success is probably due to their small size, short breeding cycle, and ability to gnaw and eat a wide variety of foods. Shutterstock, Smith1972) The aromatic odour of plastics, the bright colour and their smooth texture, attract insects and animals towards them. Currently used methods of dealing with these annoying rodents and insects are the use of extremely toxic and potentially dangerous rodenticides like Zinc phosphide, chlorophacinone and diphacinone, all of them posing a serious effect on human health as well. That is why C-Tech Corporation from Mumbai, India, tried to go for an environment friendly solution. The company wanted to stop taking undue risks posed by the use of toxic rodenticides and opt for a better and greener solution which will be non-toxic and harmless to the non-target species. Combirepel is a nontoxic, non-hazardous, non- dangerous and environment friendly product developed and offered by C-Tech Corporation to repel rodents and insects, instead of killing them. The product is a result of smart technology and green chemistry. Combirepel is an additive to be blended in plastics and it is made from proprietary essential oils and vegetal extracts. When used with biodegradable and compostable plastics, it does not affect the compostability and does not leave any toxic or hazardous traces behind. Thus it will be effective in keeping these creatures away from appliances, homes and cars. The product is available in form of masterbatches and can be blended into plastics in extrusion or injection moulding processes. It can also be applied to the surfaces in the form of liquid concentrate or lacquer solution. Combirepel has a long shelf life and is compliant with RoHS, RoHS2, and REACH and is FIFRA exempted. C-Tech does not aim at disturbing the ecosystem designed by nature. The products is definitely an effective solution for controlling and managing the problems and threat posed by rodents and insects in all bioplastic applications. C-Tech Corporation’s motto is “Live and let live” and they state they’d undertake all steps to live by it. www.ctechcorporation.com | www.rodrepel.com www.combirepel.com | www.termirepel.com 38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/16] Vol. 11
Market study on Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers in the World Capacities, Production and Applications: Status Quo and Trends towards 2020 Summer special: Buy the current market study and trend reports and get new market data for free in January 2017 Bio-based polymers: Worldwide production capacity will triple from 5.7 million tonnes in 2014 to nearly 17 million tonnes in 2020. The data show a 10% growth rate from 2012 to 2013 and even 11% from 2013 to 2014. However, growth rate is expected to decrease in 2015. Consequence of the low oil price? million t/a Bio-based polymers: Evolution of worldwide production capacities from 2011 to 2020 20 actual data forecast The new third edition of the well-known 500 page-market study and trend reports on “Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers in the World – Capacities, Production and Applications: Status Quo and Trends Towards 2020” is available by now. It includes consistent data from the year 2012 to the latest data of 2014 and the recently published data from European Bioplastics, the association representing the interests of Europe’s bioplastics industry. Bio-based drop-in PET and the new polymer PHA show the fastest rates of market growth. Europe looses considerable shares in total production to Asia. The bio-based polymer turnover was about € 11 billion worldwide in 2014 compared to € 10 billion in 2013. http://bio-based.eu/markets © 15 10 5 2011 -Institut.eu | 2015 2% of total polymer capacity, €11 billion turnover 2012 Epoxies PE 2013 PUR PBS 2014 CA PBAT 2015 PET PA 2016 PTT PHA 2017 PEF 2018 Starch Blends EPDM PLA 2019 2020 Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/markets The nova-Institute carried out this study in collaboration with renowned international experts from the field of bio-based building blocks and polymers. The study investigates every kind of bio-based polymer and, for the second time, several major building blocks produced around the world. What makes this report unique? ■ The 500 page-market study contains over 200 tables and figures, 96 company profiles and 11 exclusive trend reports written by international experts. ■ These market data on bio-based building blocks and polymers are the main source of the European Bioplastics market data. ■ In addition to market data, the report offers a complete and in-depth overview of the bio-based economy, from policy to standards & norms, from brand strategies to environmental assessment and many more. ■ A comprehensive short version (24 pages) is available for free at http://bio-based.eu/markets To whom is the report addressed? ■ The whole polymer value chain: agro-industry, feedstock suppliers, chemical industry (petro-based and bio-based), global consumer industries and brands owners ■ Investors ■ Associations and decision makers Content of the full report This 500 page-report presents the findings of nova-Institute’s market study, which is made up of three parts: “market data”, “trend reports” and “company profiles” and contains over 200 tables and figures. The “market data” section presents market data about total production capacities and the main application fields for selected bio-based polymers worldwide (status quo in 2011, 2013 and 2014, trends and investments towards 2020). This part not only covers bio-based polymers, but also investigates the current biobased building block platforms. The “trend reports” section contains a total of eleven independent articles by leading experts Buy the most comprehensive trend report on bio-based polymers – and if you are not satisfied, give it back! Order the full report The full report can be ordered for 3,000 € plus VAT and the short version of the report can be downloaded for free at: www.bio-based.eu/markets Contact Dipl.-Ing. Florence Aeschelmann +49 (0) 22 33 / 48 14-48 florence.aeschelmann@nova-institut.de in the field of bio-based polymers. These trend reports cover in detail every important trend in the worldwide bio-based building block and polymer market. The final “company profiles” section includes 96 company profiles with specific data including locations, bio-based building blocks and polymers, feedstocks and production capacities (actual data for 2011, 2013 and 2014 and forecasts for 2020). The profiles also encompass basic information on the companies (joint ventures, partnerships, technology and bio-based products). A company index by biobased building blocks and polymers, with list of acronyms, follows.
