Content Imprint 06|2015 Nov / Dec Films/Flexibles/Bags 14 New PLA films for packaging applications 15 Biobased PE film for label applications 16 A big step forward in PBAT polymerization 18 Plastic bags in Italy (Cover-Story) 3 Editorial 5 News 36 Application News 50 Glossary 54 Suppliers Guide 57 Event Calendar 58 Companies in this issue Materials 28 New biaxially oriented sheet product 30 Sunflower Power 32 The World’s first bioplastic from sewage Award 10 The winner of the 10 th Bioplastics Award Basics 46 Plastics made from CO 2 From Science & Research 40 From Corn to T-shirt 42 Stereoblock-PLA: Lab gimmick or competitive addition to the market? Consumer Electronics 24 Housings made of bioplastic 25 Biobased plastic smartphone screen 26 The Fair Mouse 27 Biodegradable displays for electronics Publisher / Editorial Dr. Michael Thielen (MT) Karen Laird (KL) Samuel Brangenberg (SB) Head Office Polymedia Publisher GmbH Dammer Str. 112 41066 Mönchengladbach, Germany phone: +49 (0)2161 6884469 fax: +49 (0)2161 6884468 info@bioplasticsmagazine.com www.bioplasticsmagazine.com Media Adviser Caroline Motyka phone: +49(0)2161-6884467 fax: +49(0)2161 6884468 cm@bioplasticsmagazine.com Chris Shaw Chris Shaw Media Ltd Media Sales Representative phone: +44 (0) 1270 522130 mobile: +44 (0) 7983 967471 Layout/Production Ulrich Gewehr (Dr. Gupta Verlag) Max Godenrath (Dr. Gupta Verlag) Print Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala Ltd. 1004 Riga, Latvia bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on chlorine-free FSC certified paper. Total print run: 3,500 copies bioplastics magazine ISSN 1862-5258 bM is published 6 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (149 Euro for 6 issues). bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in 92 countries. Every effort is made to verify all Information published, but Polymedia Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any losses that may arise as a result. No items may be reproduced, copied or stored in any form, including electronic format, without the prior consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in articies do not necessarily reflect those of Polymedia Publisher. All articies appearing in bioplastics MAGAZINE, or on the website www. bioplasticsmagazine.com are strictly covered by copyright. bioplastics MAGAZINE welcomes contributions for publication. Submissions are accepted on the basis of full assignment of copyright to Polymedia Publisher GmbH unless otherwise agreed in advance and in writing. We reserve the right to edit items for reasons of space, clarity or legality. Please contact the editorial office via mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. The fact that product names may not be identified in our editorial as trade marks is not an indication that such names are not registered trade marks. bioplastics MAGAZINE tries to use British spelling. However, in articles based on information from the USA, American spelling may also be used. Envelopes part of this print run is mailed to the readers wrapped in biodegradable envelopes sponsored by Kobusch, FKuR Kunststoff GmbH and Maropack GmbH & Co. KG. Cover Photo: Michael Thielen Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/bioplasticsmag Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine
daily upated news at www.bioplasticsmagazine.com News Metabolix presented new findings on PHA biopolymers in PVC applications Metabolix (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) recently announced its latest findings on the multifunctional benefits of biobased PHA copolymers in a range of applications for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and wood polymer composites. New research is leading to the development and commercialization of PHA biopolymer technology that improves processing and performance characteristics in a range of PVC applications including flexible, semi-rigid and wood polymer composites, particularly when high levels of fillers and PVC recyclate are incorporated. Among the findings, Metabolix has shown that its PHA biopolymers – highly miscible in PVC – can be used as process aids that act as both a lubricant and fusion aid with a resulting reduction in machine torque to increase ease of processing. The use of PHA also allows the increased use of mineral fillers, wood flour or PVC recyclate with improved properties of the final parts. Another key finding is that all of these performance and processing advantages can deliver significant cost improvements. “Our PHA biopolymers display a set of unique performance properties in PVC formulations and represent a significant innovation in the industry,” said Max Senechal, Metabolix’s vice president of strategy and commercial development. “Our PHA biopolymers offer a range of processing and performance improvements while also delivering an economic benefit to PVC converters and brand owners. We look forward to continuing to work with the industry to create new solutions for PVC applications in a diverse range of building materials.” Metabolix has taken its new PHA materials to the market and is working closely with processors and brand owners in a range of PVC applications. Metabolix is working closely with customers to commercialize its PHA biopolymers in PVC applications such as building materials, flooring, decking and railing systems, wire and cable, tubing, roofing and films, as well as in a variety of parts using recycled or reprocessed PVC. MT www.metabolix.com Greenwashing: Misuse of EU composting standard EN 13432 Lately, European Bioplastics (EUBP) has noticed an increasing malpractice by producers of fragmentation additives for conventional plastics referring to the European standard for industrial composting, EN 13432, when marketing their products. Yet such products do not fulfil the requirements of the EU norm for industrial composting of plastic products. Consequently, European Bioplastics considers this a severe case of greenwashing. Recent misuse cases comprise the outright false claim that additive-mediated plastics comply with EN 13432 (see image). In other cases, additive producers aim to piggyback on the good reputation of EN 13432 by referring to only parts of the standard, for example stating that “The plant growth test and the ecotoxicity effects have been studied with positive results above 100 % according the EN 13432”. European Bioplastics is therefore requesting all producers of additives claiming to make conventional plastics biodegradable either to fully comply with the standard EN 13432, or to cease making what can only be construed as deliberately misleading references. “If a standard is referenced, all aspects of it need to be fulfilled by the material or product. Should this not be the case, the reference is misleading. We urge all market operators to comply with communication standards according to the ISO 14020 series,“ stated François de Bie, Chairman of the Board of EUBP. Worried about the negative impacts on the environment of additive-mediated conventional plastics, which merely fragment into small pieces, the European Commission has discussed banning such technology in the past. Currently, the Commission is undertaking an assessment of the impact of oxo-degradable plastics on the environment, as these materials represent the foremost part of additive-mediated plastics. According to a recent amendment of the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste, the results shall be presented by 2017, at the latest. KL www.european-bioplastics.org. bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/15] Vol. 10 5
