Application News
Application News Disposable gloves Safety and hygiene have an increasingly high priority in modern society. When we leave the house we often wear mouth and nose protectors, but many also want to protect their hands from contact with viruses such as coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Disposable gloves could be a solution, but they would produce additional waste. The Polish company Plast-Farb Sp. Z.o.o. Sp. K. from Toruń, has given this matter some thought. The company produces packaging materials such as security and courier envelopes, bags and security tapes, both in conventional quality and in environment-friendly, compostable versions. Disposable gloves were previously not part of the manufacturer’s portfolio, but the global demand for protective equipment for personal use gave the company the idea of also making a contribution here. The machine fleet was expanded at short notice with a new machine that can produce disposable gloves. The company wanted to use a material that is industrially compostable, because more and more consumers want alternatives to conventional plastic products. That is why the Cologne, Germany-based company Bio-Fed was contacted. As a branch of Akro Plastic, Biofed is a specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. Depending on the requirements profile, its compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use – and completely or partially made from renewable raw materials. The material chosen was a film grade from Bio-fed’s M∙VERA ® portfolio which is not only industrially compostable but also has the necessary flexibility and strength for use as disposable gloves. While the production of the glove is a reaction to the global pandemic the company sees opportunity for further applications of the gloves after the situation normalizes. As the gloves combine requirements of hygiene and protection with environmental awareness they could be interesting for the retail trade or home gardening sector. AT www.bio-fed.com Myconoe: a canoe made of mycelium mushrooms Katy Ayers, a student at Central Community College in Columbus, Nebraska, USA, built a mushroom boat. Or more specifically a boat made from mycelium. Her canoe, going by the name of Myconoe, started as a climate change challenge from her college English instructor in 2018. In her research for renewable resources Ayers came across mycelium. Being an avid fisher she had always wanted a boat, so why not build one from mushrooms? As mycelium is both buoyant and waterproof it made good potential material for the project. She teamed up with Ash Gordan, owner of Nebraska Mushroom LLC, who was immediately up for the idea. Gordon offered her an internship to learn more about fungi while they built on the boat. It took two weeks in Gordon’s growing room, with 26° to 32° celsius and 90 to 100 % humidity, for the mushroom spawn to grow inside the wooden skeleton they had constructed. After drying in the sun the 2.5 meter long canoe weighed 45kg and was ready to go. It has since been taken to water three times, one time with an additional passenger. All in all the project cost around USD 500 including tools, equipment and, of course, the mushroom spawn. Mushrooms aren’t mainstream yet, but that might change. Big companies like Ikea and Dell have started to work together with Ecovative Design, who are based in New York, switching their packaging from styrofoam to mycelium based alternatives. However it is often the smaller stories like the Myconoe that catch the public eye. As for Ayers and Gordon, their success with their mushroom canoe has inspired them to experiment more. Their future plans focus on chairs and landscaping bricks, but so far nobody knows the limits of mushroom based products. AT www.scionresearch.com Photo by Katie Ayers 22 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/20] Vol. 15
4 3 2 1 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2024 All figures available at www.bio-based.eu/markets © 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% -Institut.eu | 2017 PBS(X) PA PET PTT PBAT PHA Adipic acid (AA) 11-Aminoundecanoic acid (11-AA) 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BDO) Dodecanedioic acid (DDDA) Epichlorohydrin (ECH) Ethylene Furan derivatives D-lactic acid (D-LA) L-lactic acid (L-LA) Lactide Monoethylene glycol (MEG) Monopropylene glycol (MPG) Naphtha 1,5-Pentametylenediamine (DN5) 1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) Sebacic acid Succinic acid (SA) PLA © -Institute.eu | 2020 PE Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/markets PVC EPDM PP PMMA PE Vinyl chloride Propylene Unsaturated polyester resins Methyl methacrylate PEF Polyurethanes MEG Building blocks Natural rubber Aniline Ethylene for UPR Cellulose acetate 2,5-FDCA Building blocks for polyurethanes Levulinic acid Lignin-based bolymers Naphthta Ethanol PET PFA 5-HMF/5-CMF FDME Waste oils Starch-containing Furfuryl alcohol polymer compounds Natural rubber Saccharose PTF Furfural Hemicellulose 1,3 Propanediol Lignocellulose NOPs Fructose PTT Terephthalic MPG acid Glycerol Starch ECH Plant oils p-Xylene SBR Fatty acids Castor oil 11-AA Glucose Isobutanol THF Sebacic Lysine PBT acid 1,4-Butanediol Succinic acid DDDA PBAT Caprolactame Adipic acid HMDA DN5 Sorbitol 3-HP Lactic acid Itaconic Acrylic PBS(x) acid acid Isosorbide PA Lactide Superabsorbent polymers Epoxy resins ABS PHA APC PLA OH OH O HO diphenolic acid O H 2N OH O 5-aminolevulinic acid O O OH O O levulinate ketal O OR O levulinic ester O O ɣ-valerolactone O HO OH O succinic acid O 5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Market and Trend Reports Institute for Ecology and Innovation UPDATE 2020 DATA FOR 2019 NEW UPDATE 2019 Commercialisation updates on bio-based building blocks Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers – Global Capacities, Production and Trends 2019–2024 Levulinic acid – A versatile platform chemical for a variety of market applications Succinic acid – From a promising building block to a slow seller Polymers Global market dynamics, demand/supply, trends and market potential What will a realistic future market look like? Production capacities (million tonnes) Bio-based building blocks Evolution of worldwide production capacities from 2011 to 2024 O OH O levulinic acid H N Pharmaceutical/Cosmetic Industrial Acidic ingredient for denture cleaner/toothpaste De-icer Antidote Engineering plastics and epoxy curing Calcium-succinate is anticarcinogenic agents/hardeners Efferescent tablets Herbicides, fungicides, regulators of plantgrowth Intermediate for perfumes Intermediate for lacquers + photographic chemicals Pharmaceutical intermediates (sedatives, Plasticizer (replaces phtalates, adipic acid) antiphlegm/-phogistics, antibacterial, disinfectant) Polymers Preservative for toiletries Solvents, lubricants Removes fish odour Surface cleaning agent Used in the preparation of vitamin A (metal-/electronic-/semiconductor-industry) Succinic Food Acid Other Bread-softening agent Flavour-enhancer Flavouring agent and acidic seasoning in beverages/food Microencapsulation of flavouring oils Preservative (chicken, dog food) Protein gelatinisation and in dry gelatine desserts/cake flavourings Used in synthesis of modified starch Anodizing Aluminium Chemical metal plating, electroplating baths Coatings, inks, pigments (powder/radiation-curable coating, resins for water-based paint, dye intermediate, photocurable ink, toners) Fabric finish, dyeing aid for fibres Part of antismut-treatment for barley seeds Preservative for cut flowers Soil-chelating agent Authors: Doris de Guzman, Tecnon OrbiChem, United Kingdom February 2020 This and other reports on the bio- and CO 2-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Authors: Pia Skoczinski, Raj Chinthapalli, Michael Carus, Wolfgang Baltus, Doris de Guzman, Harald Käb, Achim Raschka, Jan Ravenstijn January 2020 This and other reports on the bio- and CO 2- based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Authors: Achim Raschka, Pia Skoczinski, Raj Chinthapalli, Ángel Puente and Michael Carus, nova-Institut GmbH, Germany October 2019 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Authors: Raj Chinthapalli, Ángel Puente, Pia Skoczinski, Achim Raschka, Michael Carus, nova-Institut GmbH, Germany October 2019 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports THE BEST MARKET REPORTS AVAILABLE Bio- and CO 2 -based Polymers & Building Blocks Carbon dioxide (CO 2) as chemical feedstock for polymers – technologies, polymers, developers and producers Standards and labels for bio-based products Bio-based polymers, a revolutionary change Policies impacting bio-based plastics market development Comprehensive trend report on PHA, PLA, PUR/TPU, PA and polymers based on FDCA and SA: Latest developments, producers, drivers and lessons learnt and plastic bags legislation in Europe Fff Bio-based polymers, a revolutionary change Jan Ravenstijn March 2017 Picture: Gehr Kunststoffwerk E-mail: j.ravenstijn@kpnmail.nl Mobile: +31.6.2247.8593 Authors: Achim Raschka, Pia Skoczinski, Jan Ravenstijn and Michael Carus, nova-Institut GmbH, Germany February 2019 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Authors: Lara Dammer, Michael Carus and Dr. Asta Partanen nova-Institut GmbH, Germany May 2017 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Author: Jan Ravenstijn, Jan Ravenstijn Consulting, the Netherlands April 2017 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Authors: Dirk Carrez, Clever Consult, Belgium Jim Philp, OECD, France Dr. Harald Kaeb, narocon Innovation Consulting, Germany Lara Dammer & Michael Carus, nova-Institute, Germany March 2017 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Asian markets for bio-based chemical building blocks and polymers Share of Asian production capacity on global production by polymer in 2016 Market study on the consumption of biodegradable and compostable plastic products in Europe 2015 and 2020 A comprehensive market research report including consumption figures by polymer and application types as well as by geography, plus analyses of key players, relevant policies and legislation and a special feature on biodegradation and composting standards and labels Brand Views and Adoption of Bio-based Polymers Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) and Natural Fibre Composites (NFC) European and Global Markets 2012 and Future Trends in Automotive and Construction Bestsellers APC – cyclic Starch Blends Disposable tableware Biowaste bags Carrier bags Rigid packaging Flexible packaging Author: Wolfgang Baltus, Wobalt Expedition Consultancy, Thailand This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Authors: Harald Kaeb (narocon, lead), Florence Aeschelmann, Lara Dammer, Michael Carus (nova-Institute) April 2016 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Author: Dr. Harald Kaeb, narocon Innovation Consulting, Germany January 2016 This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports Authors: Michael Carus, Dr. Asta Eder, Lara Dammer, Dr. Hans Korte, Lena Scholz, Roland Essel, Elke Breitmayer, Martha Barthn This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at www.bio-based.eu/reports www.bio-based.eu/reports bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/20] Vol. 15 23
