Starcla - Bio-based Bionolle resin

Starcla^TM is the newest member of Showa Denko K.K.’s (SDK) Bionolle^TMfamily; already launched into market. SDK is recognized globally as the inventor and producer of the industry’s best performing PBS, trademarked Bionolle^TMand Starcla^TM, a key component used in the production of bio-plastic products that include biodegradable mulch films and compostable bag applications.

Bionolle Starcla^TM is a bio-based environmentally friendly material which is completely biodegradable. Starcla^TM is a hybrid compound of Bionolle^TM, starch and PLA. Like all members of the Bionolle^TM family it is fully compliant with international biodegradability standards (ASTM D-6400 and EN 13432).
Apart from being biodegradable, Starcla^TM stands out due to its bio-based raw materials, derived from corn or other starches. Depending on the grade, Starcla^TM can be up to 60% bio-based. This greatly increases the value of this product.
Further plans to increase the bio-based proportion are underway.It can be used for various purposes instead of traditional polyethylene products because its film strength is higher than conventional polyethylene products (this enables production of an extremely thin film of 8µm) and has excellent printability.
Due to its biodegradable nature, Starcla^TM is the ideal resin for use in mulching films. Extensive research and experience has given SDK the opportunity to fine tune the recipe for a resin perfectly suitable for this application. As Starcla^TM biodegrades completely the higher initial costs are compensated by the savings in time and disposal costs compared to conventional mulching films.

Starcla^TM can be processed with any conventional blown-film machinery – requiring no further investment into existing production lines. Other applications include shoppers and compost bags.

Source: http://www.showa-denko.com