Natural Plastics

Purac - a leading company in lactic acid based bioplastics - has sponsored the Perpetual Plastic Project to highlight how easily Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic can be recycled. PLA drinking cups were provided by Purac; intended for use at events where people can immediately recycle them into new products after use. The project is designed to educate people on the recyclability of bioplastic, in order to close the loop and promote a circular, biobased economy for future generations.

The Perpetual Plastic Project has successfully created a 'do-it-yourself', interactive 'Machine', which provides users with a small-scale demonstration of how easily PLA can be recycled: following the steps of cleaning, drying, shredding, melting and extrusion, before finally being remade into a new article. In this case, a 3D printer was used to create jewelry and small toys from the used PLA cups. The Machine is currently touring the Netherlands at numerous events, including the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, the Science Center NEMO in Amsterdam and the National Sustainability Congress in Nieuwegein.

The Perpetual Plastic Project is an initiative created by former TU Delft students.  Purac, together with GroenBeker, provided the PLA bioplastic drinking cups which accompanied the Machine. François de Bie, Marketing Director Purac Bioplastics, is pleased with the project: "This initiative demonstrates in a tangible, understandable way just how easily PLA can be recycled. Although PLA is still a relatively new material to the plastics industry, it promises to become widely implemented throughout a broad range of applications. It is therefore vital that we already start to think about how best to recycle these valuable materials. Thanks to the Perpetual Plastics Project, we can show people at events and festivals what can ultimately be achieved on a much larger scale'.

Purac has created a short video to highlight the project and the recyclability of PLA.  See purac.com/recycle to view the film.

Source: www.purac.com

Asia will have the largest capacity for bio-based PLA resins by 2020. Worldwide PLA capacity is estimated to rise from 182,000 metric tons a year in 2011 to 721,000 metric tons in 2020, with Asian capacity projected to be just under half, with more than 350,000 metric tons, according to research from Thailand’s National Innovation Agency and the Hürth, Germany-based Nova Institute GmbH, presented at a recent conference in Thailand.

North America currently dominates PLA production, accounting for two-thirds of global capacity with over 120,000 metric tons, and that’s projected to grow to about 200,000 metric tons by 2020.

“The incentives, the packages form the governments that have been set in place, is one part of [why Asian capacity will grow rapidly] ,” said Wolfgang Baltus, the senior project advisor for the Bangkok-based NIA, noting that Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries in the region have government support for bio-based materials of all sorts.

“It is also of course the raw materials they have here,” said Baltus, in a speech and interview at the Flexpo Bangkok conference, held Sept. 17-19, in Thailand. Flexpo is sponsored by Houston-based Chemical Market Resources Inc.

Baltus, who is part of a Nova Institute expert committee on bioplastics trends and helps the think tank estimate Asian production, said the figures will be part of an upcoming Nova report.

In his Flexpo presentation, he said the Asian domestic market demand for PLA remains weak, and that could mean that much of the added PLA production capacity in Asia will be exported.

Thailand is hoping to become a bioplastics hub. The country’s largest plastics maker PTT Chemical Public Co. Ltd., for example, last year bought a 50 percent of major American PLA maker Natureworks LLC, and the Thai government in 2008 began committing substantial research funding to bioplastics.

Natureworks currently makes 85 percent of the world’s PLA, and even with global expansions by others, will still likely have more than 50 percent of global capacity by 2020, Baltus said.

The research also showed that Chinese PLA resin production volumes “collapsed” between 2007 and 2011, as companies there had problems with the quality of their lactic acid, a key building block of PLA, Baltus said.

Chinese exports of PLA dropped from 4,400 metric tons in 2007 to 237 metric tons in 2009, and remained at those low levels in 2010 and 2011. That has boosted Chinese imports of PLA from about 1,200 metric tons in 2007 to 4,000 metric tons last year, he said.

Baltus said the report was developed with extensive interviews with more than 20 companies in the PLA production chain.

Source: http://www.plasticsnews.com

PCC (Plastics Color Corporation), a leading supplier of color concentrates, compounds and additive masterbatches for the plastics industry, today announced that they will begin marketing PCC’s SoluPLAs™ TN 920259 Blue Tint masterbatch. PCC originally developed the product for Ingeo producer NatureWorks, and will now market the product directly as a new grade within its SoluPLAs portfolio.

SoluPLAs TN 920259 is just one product in PCC’s line of PLA enhancements. SoluPLAs solutions extend PLA applications breadth in the market, with options for control and adjustment of PLA clarity, UV protection qualities, and noise reduction.

SoluPLAs biopolymer products are just one offering in PCC’s lines of sustainable polymer solutions. PCC manufactures its line of SoluPET ™colorants and other resins made partially from post-consumer regrind and also offers the SoluPur™ line of biodegradable polymers as part of its commitment to a sustainable future.

About Plastics Color Corporation

Plastics Color Corporation (PCC), headquartered in Calumet City, Ill., is a global provider of colorants, compounds, additive masterbatches and custom polymer solutions for an extensive range of markets including pharmaceuticals, medical, consumer goods and others. PCC supports virtually every type of manufacturing process and material. We engage our customers from concept to commercialization and help them develop new cutting-edge products that lead the market. PCC has more than 40 years’ experience in the polymer industry and operates fully-equipped product development laboratories and manufacturing facilities in California, Illinois, North Carolina, and Nanjing, China. PCC’s Illinois and North Carolina labs are certified by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, A2LA. PCC also provides testing and product development services through our Solutions Center in Asheboro, N.C. For more information, call (800) 922-9936 or visit www.plasticscolor.com.

Purac will be presenting biobased solutions for high performance Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) at Fakuma 2012, 16 - 20 October in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Fakuma 2012 is one of the most important exhibitions for the plastics processing industry worldwide, and will provide the forum for Purac to present its PURALACT^® Lactide innovations. These innovations open up new possibilities for producers seeking biobased alternatives to current fossil fuel based engineering plastics.

PLA now offers the possibility to replace PS, PP and ABS in those applications where heat resistance is a key requirement. Purac's technology can increase the heat stability of PLA to the range of 80 - 180 degrees Celsius.

Purac's solutions for high performance PLA for the injection molding and thermoforming industries unlock bioplastic potential for high temperature applications, such as microwavable food packaging and hot beverage cups, and also for durable applications in a range of high end markets, such as automotive, carpet, clothing and consumer electronics and appliances. PURALACT L & D based homopolymers - known as PLLA and PDLA - are the key to this improved heat performance and are now commercially available from Purac.

At Fakuma 2012, Purac will demonstrate its capabilities by presenting thin wall, thermoformed hot beverage cups produced from PURALACT based PLA which are able to resist the high temperatures associated with hot beverages like tea or coffee.

Source: http://www.purac.com

he Nova-Institute will soon publish the first results of a multi-client market survey of the international bioplastics market.

25 companies have developed production capacity at 30 sites worldwide of over 180,000t of polylactic acid (PLA), one of the leading biobased plastics. PLA is used mainly in packaging, but it also has a large number of other durable applications. The largest producer is NatureWorks, a company that is active in the USA and Thailand, and has a capacity of 140,000t/year. The other producers have a current capacity of between 1,500 and 10,000t/year.

According to their own forecasts, existing PLA producers are planning considerable expansion of their capacity to around 800,000t/year by 2020. There should be at least seven sites with a capacity of over 50,000t/year by then. A survey of lactic acid producers, the preliminary stage of PLA production, revealed that production capacity to meet concrete requests from customers that cannot yet be named could even rise to roughly 950,000t/year.

The results are derived from the most comprehensive international market survey of bioplastics to date, which was carried out in conjunction with renowned international plastics experts. The "Market Study on Bio-based Polymers and Plastics in the World" will be published in January 2013 and contains, along with a 300-page report, access to the newly developed "Bioplastics Producer Database".

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, sustainable bioplastics, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted the Company patent protection for high heat resistant polymer compositions having polylactic acid (PLA). USPTO-issued patent 8,222,320 expands Cereplast's growing intellectual property portfolio and protects the composition formulation invented by Cereplast Chairman and CEO Mr. Frederic Scheer and Mr. William E. Kelly of the Cereplast R&D team.

PLA has limitations in terms of melt strength and heat resistance, which has restricted its use for high temperature applications. In contrast, Cereplast's high heat PLA compositions can be industrially compostable and can retain their structural properties at temperatures greater than 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Scheer stated, "This new patent strengthens the Company's leadership position in the bioplastics industry by protecting our intellectual property, and is in line with our long-term growth strategy as we continue to create grades of bioplastic resin that meet the demands of the marketplace."

Source: www.cereplast.com

In Paris, at the summer Interfilière (7/8/9 July), the world’s leading fabric trade fair for intimatewear, beachwear and loungewear, RadiciGroup and Ritex SpA are launching a product that is both high-quality and eco-friendly: a lace fabric from Ritex SpA – an Italian company and European leader in lingerie embroidery, which has among its customers prestigious names such as Chantelle and La Perla, just to cite a few – manufactured using CornLeaf, a yarn made by RadiciGroup from Ingeo™ polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer, a 100% natural material made from renewable vegetable resources.

During the last few years, the fashion industry has made progress in its commitment to developing environmentally friendly products. There has been an increase in the number of big fashion brands that have become aware of not only the environmental impact of the fashion business but also the importance to get final consumers involved and increase their environmental awareness, so as to steer the fashion business towards sustainability. The new lace fabric manufactured with CornLeaf is an example of how RadiciGroup and Ritex SpA, with the collaboration of yarn twister Alcafil Srl, translate their commitment into concrete action on the front of sustainable innovation. The new product will allow the two Italian partners to meet the growing market demand for low environmental impact fabrics that do not compromise on high performance. 

CornLeaf yarn properties …
CornLeaf is a bacteriostatic solution-dyed yarn made of Ingeo™ polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer, a 100% natural material made from renewable vegetable resources. Because of its properties and the production process used, CornLeaf fully meets eco-sustainability standards, such as lower CO2 emissions and reduced water and energy consumption. Solution dyeing during the spinning stage means that the CornLeaf production process requires less water and energy compared to traditional dyeing and finishing. The yarn is available in a wide range of lightfast, wash-resistant colours. Antimicrobial functionality is achieved through the use of HEIQ materials, by incorporating a special silver micro-compound into the fibre. Furthermore, its effectiveness has been certified according to ISO 20743:2007 standards. The compound will not interfere with the compostability of the yarn. In brief CornLeaf combines the advantages of natural fibres with those of synthetics: light weight, tenacity, comfort, UV resistance and safety.

Fabric properties …
Thanks to the use of CornLeaf yarn, the Ritex fabric ensures the highest degree of sustainability together with excellent performance: light weight, softness, durability, excellent colourfastness and a bacteriostatic effect. Since the yarn is derived from a natural raw material, the fabric is anallergic and safe to the skin.

Source: http://www.radicigroup.com/

NEC Corporation has successfully developed a bioplastic with substantially higher heat resistance and strength (rigidity) than conventional bioplastics composed of polylactic acid (Note 1). The new bioplastic was achieved by reinforcing the polylactic acid with kenaf (Note 2) fiber, which is highly effective in the prevention of global warming. The superior heat resistance and strength of this bioplastic allows use in high-end applications such as electronic devices.

The newly developed bioplastic has the following features:

1) Thermal deformation temperature raised from 67C to 120C and bending modulus (Note 3) improved from 4.5 giga-pascal (GPa) to 7.6 GPa by reinforcing the polylactic acid material of a traditional bioplastic with 20% kenaf fiber, enabling strength and heat resistance properties exceeding those of conventional oil-based plastics used for packaging such as ABS resin and fiberglass-reinforced ABS resin.

2) No deterioration of vital characteristics such as fluidity and moisture resistance during polylactic acid formation.

These features not only enable use of bioplastic in high-end applications such as electronic devices, but also allow the development of value-added applications for kenaf fiber, which contributes greatly to the prevention of global warming.

Bioplastics composed of organic materials such as polylactic acid are currently in the spotlight as eco-friendly plastics that effectively utilize reproductionable biomass materials. However, bioplastics developed until now have been difficult to use in electronic devices due to inadequacies such as low thermal deformation tolerance and brittleness.

NEC has responded by successfully developing a bioplastic that features a thermal deformation temperature 1.8 times higher and a strength (bending modulus) 1.7 times higher than conventional polylactic acid bioplastics by reinforcing the polylactic acid with kenaf fiber.

Kenaf grows quickly and has the highest CO2 absorption capacity of any plant, thereby helping to prevent global warming, and until now has most commonly been used as a substitute for existing materials such as paper fiber and animal feed. This new development, however, will broaden the application range of kenaf into previously unexplored fields such as electronic devices. The kenaf fiber used by NEC in its development was supplied by Nature Trust Inc. (head office: Shibuya, Tokyo; president: Hirokazu Furukawa), the first company to successfully grow kenaf in bulk (in Australia), so NEC will have no problem maintaining a stable supply from this company once practical application commences.

NEC plans to realize practical application of the new bioplastic in electronic devices within the next two years, and will continue to enhance its research and development projects in this field.

Source: http://www.presstrust.com

Purac will be presenting groundbreaking heat resistant solutions for Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) at PLAST 2012 which will be held from 8-12 May in Milan, Italy.

At PLAST 2012 - one of the most important exhibitions for the plastics and rubber industry worldwide - Purac will present its recent PURALACT^® Lactide innovations. These innovations open up new possibilities for producers seeking high performance biobased plastic solutions.

Purac's solutions for improved heat resistant PLA for the injection molding, thermoforming, extrusion, foam and fiber industries unlock bioplastic potential for durable applications in a range of high end markets such as automotive, carpet, clothing and consumer electronics and appliances. PLA now offers the possibility to replace PS, PP and ABS in those applications where heat resistance is a key requirement.

PURALACT^® L & D based homo polymers - known as PLLA and PDLA - are the key to this improved heat performance and are now commercially available. Purac's technology offers the possibility to increase the heat stability of PLA to reach 80 to 180 degrees Celsius.

At PLAST 2012, Purac will demonstrate its capabilities by presenting thin wall thermoformed hot beverage cups produced from PURALACT^® based PLA which are able to resist the high temperatures that are associated with hot beverages like tea or coffee.

To learn more about this technology, meet the Purac team at booth A79 in Hall 11 or contact François de Bie.

Source: www.purac.com

Global custom engineered thermoplastics compounder RTP Company has expanded its line of polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic compounds to include impact modified grades suitable for select semi-durable and durable applications. These new compounds deliver enhanced impact strength and higher heat deflection temperatures than are possible with unmodified PLA resin, providing performance that is equivalent to traditional thermoplastics.

"RTP Company has developed bioplastic compounds with mechanical properties that are comparable to existing petroleum-based thermoplastics in terms of both function and processability," said Will Taber, RTP Company's Business Manager of Emerging Technologies. "Using our formulation and compounding expertise, RTP Company now has a full line of PLA-based compounds that allow bioplastics to be considered for broader use, giving product designers the ability to create eco-conscious products and meet end-use sustainability goals."

These new materials, available in both injection and extrusion grades, expand RTP Company's PLA-based product line -- which includes PLA alloyed with traditional thermoplastic resins and glass fiber reinforced PLA compounds -- to also include impact modified, nucleated, and mineral reinforced compounds. Varying levels of impact modification are available providing several combinations of stiffness and ductility. The compounds are available in both opaque and translucent versions and can also incorporate FDA compliant ingredients.

With impact modification, PLA compounds can achieve notched Izod impact performance as high as 30 times that of neat PLA, making it comparable to PC/ABS. High performance nucleators raise the heat deflection temperature up to 1.5 times, in degrees F, giving PLA bioplastic compounds performance similar to ABS, HIPS (high-impact polystyrene), and acrylic. "A unique feature of these compounds is their excellent balance of strength and stiffness," according to Taber.

PLA compounds are fully colorable and have bio-content as high as 95% depending on additive loading levels. Key applications include injection molded covers, housings, and structural components for appliance, consumer electronics, furniture, lawn/garden, medical devices, office equipment, sporting goods, tools, and toys.

The bio-based component of RTP Company's bioplastic compounds, PLA resin, is derived from renewable and sustainable resources. Additionally, its production consumes less energy and produces less CO2 than petroleum-based thermoplastics. Bioplastics are part of RTP Company's "Eco Solutions" product portfolio that includes compounds using bio-based or recycled-content resins, natural fibers, or halogen-free flame retardant and wear resistant additives. These products allow for a broad range of design and performance options to produce eco-conscious products.

Source:  http://www.rtpcompany.com

Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. Develops First Renewable, Plant-Based Plastic for Precious® Sticksters® Varieties.  New Packaging Supports Lactalis American Group Sustainability Commitment´.

Achieving a first for the snack cheese market, Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. has developed new, renewable packaging for Lactalis American Group, Inc. The new packaging is being produced for all varieties of Lactalis’ Precious® Sticksters® brands and features a revolutionary new film material made partially from plant-based plastic. This development is part of Clear Lam’s Project EarthClear™initiative.

The renewable Precious® Sticksters® package is made at Lactalis on horizontal form, fill and seal machines. The package, which holds individually sealed cheese sticks, is made from a lamination of plant-based, renewable plastic and an outer layer made from traditional petroleum-based plastic. This new material, which is 50 percent plant-based, generates up to 35.2 percent fewer greenhouse gases and uses up to 36.8 percent less energy than the conventional petroleum-based materials it replaces. Lactalis made the packaging change as part of its corporate sustainability commitment.

“We’re pleased to have partnered with Lactalis to help introduce this new, renewable package for Precious® Sticksters®,” said James Sanfilippo, president and CEO of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. “Clear Lam and Lactalis conducted extensive internal R&D and real-world testing to ensure this material met our rigorous standards for sustainability, durability and print quality.”

The finished bags perform well under typical distribution conditions and meet all FDA requirements for food use. It was very important to Lactalis that the finished materials had a lower carbon footprint and used less energy without losing production efficiencies or impacting product performance. High-speed sealing was a critical requirement.

“We achieved that and more with this new packaging,” said Frederick Bouisset, President and CEO of Lactalis American Group, Inc. “We believe that by adopting this new packaging, we are promoting a better future by reducing our energy consumption and environmental impact — a long-term goal to which we are fully committed.”

Clear Lam produces the proprietary bio-based layer used in the film from pellets and additives, then the finished film is shipped to a Lactalis production facility where its Precious® Sticksters® products are packaged on horizontal form, fill and seal machines.

Clear Lam’s renewable packaging materials are produced from plant-based bioplastics derived from Natureworks Ingeo™ PLA (polylactic acid) along with ingredients that enhance performance. These materials are part of the company’s Project EarthClear program and replace petroleum-based plastics with biobased ingredients developed to reduce the introduction of fossil carbon into the atmosphere.

For a decade, Clear Lam has invested extensively in research and development to commercialize new packaging technologies that minimize the impact on the environment. These efforts include three product lines developed for Clear Lam’s Project EarthClear program: Flexible and Rigid Packaging made from renewable raw materials, bioplastics, cellophane and paper (not petroleum-based feedstocks); Flexible and Rigid Packaging made with recycled plastic or paper; and Lightweighting Materials to eliminate heavy cans, bottles and jars. Today Clear Lam is one of the world’s largest extruders and thermoformers of plant-based Ingeo PLA.

To learn more about Clear Lam and the Project EarthClear program, please visit www.projectearthclear.com.

Source:  http://www.clearlam.com

Terraloy® Modifier from Teknor Apex Broadens the Processing Window of PLA in Clear Cast Film and Sheet for Packaging and Other Applications.

A new melt strength enhancer in masterbatch form increases the pull force that can be applied to polylactic acid (PLA) by 300 to 500% over a wide range of drawdown ratios, making possible higher throughputs in extrusion and thermoforming while reducing scrap rates, it was announced by Teknor Apex Company.

Terraloy® MB-90001A1 melt strength enhancer broadens the processing window of PLA in cast film and sheet for clear end products such as clamshell containers used in produce packaging, food service takeout, and other applications. At loading levels of 6 to 10%, the masterbatch dramatically increases the extensional force that can be applied to PLA during processing at drawdown ratios as high as 35:1.

“Poor melt strength has limited productivity in the processing of standard PLA and prevented use of the resin in certain applications,” said Edwin Tam, manager of new strategic initiatives for the Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex. “Besides overcoming these obstacles, the new Terraloy masterbatch disperses more efficiently and uniformly in PLA than additives that come in powder form and does not affect the clarity of neat PLA.”

Source:  www.teknorapex.com

By mixing 100% pure PLLA with 100% PDLA, a fast cycle and heat-resistant injection mouldable PLA with very good temperature and impact properties is made that far exceeds the properties of the individual polymers. With a Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) of 123°C Synterra® IM material performs much better than conventional PLA and the impact strength is comparable to that of ABS. After injection molding the IM material is able to withstand boiling water. With this development Synbra Technology sets a step in developing a new generation of high performance biopolymers.

The polymerization of the optical isomers PLLA and PDLA takes place at Synbra Technology in Etten-Leur, in a plant with a capacity of 5000 t / annum, which was commissioned early 2011.

Synbra Technology expects further growth in its PLA business as many brand-owners and retailers in Western Europe prefer to use bio-based and non-GMO PLA that is also heat-resistant.

Shortly after introducing its Synterra ® IM material, an injection mouldable high heat PLA, Synbra Technology was awarded at the Accenture Blue Tulip Awards at the RAI Elicium, in Amsterdam.

`This Blue Tulip Award in the category ‘Making more out of less’ is the ultimate reward for the entire team that participated in the successful development of our Synterra® IM grade, which is made from Cradle to CradleSM certified PLA,` said Peter Matthijssen, Commercial Manager of Synbra Technology.
In recognition of the purity of the raw materials used, the PLA of Synbra was Cradle to CradleSM certified by EPEA in Hamburg and is thus the first PLA in the world with this certification. Application of this PLA also improves various properties such as toughness and temperature resistance of several other bio-based recipes, in which PLA is an important constituent.

More information:     Synbra Technology bv

Via:  http://www.fluidsprocessing.nl/

Myriant Corporation today announced the successful development of its proprietary process for producing targeted bio-based chemicals, including succinic acid and both L(+) and D(-) lactic acid, from non-food, renewable, cellulosic feedstocks.

“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in our ability to continue driving the advancement and global use of cellulosic materials as the foundation for manufacturing of bio-based chemicals,” said Stephen Gatto, CEO and Chairman of Myriant Corporation. “We recognized early on that these renewable feedstocks were a critical component of the technology platform for our succinic acid and lactic acid programs.”

This development is an integral part of Myriant’s manufacturing and commercialization strategy. “We believe that Myriant’s ability to use non-food cellulosic feedstocks, as opposed to traditional food-based or petroleum-based feedstocks, gives it a critical global competitive advantage,” said Mr. Gatto. The ability to take advantage of these abundant low-cost feedstocks allows Myriant to roll out its succinic acid and lactic acid manufacturing platforms throughout the world, without being restricted to scarce availability and expensive food-based feedstocks. Furthermore, it provides stable feedstock pricing, which will enable Myriant to offer its customers long term price stability.

In 2009, Myriant was awarded $50 million from U.S. Department of Energy, which supports the company’s construction of its 30 million pound succinic acid facility in Lake Providence, Louisiana and the commercialization of its cellulosic succinic acid program. “The results achieved today testify to Myriant’s continued leadership in the manufacture of cost-effective bio-based chemical intermediates and builds off of Myriant’s core competency in industrial bio-technology,” added Mr. Gatto.

The use of cellulosic biomass, an abundant global resource, will provide a renewable feedstock manufacturing base for many next-generation, bio-derived products. The success of the biochemical industry is highly dependent on a cost-effective, high-quality, and functional supply of sustainable biomass feedstocks.

About Myriant

Myriant utilizes proprietary technology to advance the development of low-cost cellulosic sugars for the sustainable commercialization of high-value bio-based chemicals. In December 2010, Myriant broke ground on its 30 million pound commercial succinic acid facility in Lake Providence, Louisiana. The company’s D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant has announced agreements with Uhde GmbH for engineering, Davy Process Technology for the integration of Myriant’s succinic acid process with the Davy butanediol process for the production of bio-based butanediol, and PTT Chemical for the commercialization of Myriant’s technology in South East Asia.

Source:  www.myriant.com

The Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex Company will make three presentations at this month’s Biopolymers Symposium 2011, including a technical paper on the company’s innovative technology for resolving a long-standing property tradeoff that has limited the use of polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic.

Sponsored by IntertechPira, the Symposium will take place September 26-28 in Denver, CO. All three Teknor Apex presentations will be delivered by Edwin Tam, manager of new strategic initiatives. 

“The Teknor Apex technology for enhanced PLA eliminates a tradeoff between heat resistance and impact strength that has prevented use of the biopolymer in potentially important applications,” said Tam. “Recently we introduced two series of Terraloy® compounds based on different chemistries, one for injection molded items such as cutlery, and the other for thermoformed sheet products such as frozen food trays, restaurant takeout packaging, coffee lids, and microwavable containers.”

Tam will also serve as the instructor in a lead-off workshop called “Bioplastics 101” and present an overview of the U.S. bioplastics industry as part of a session on the business of biopolymers in the U.S. The session is being organized by the Bioplastics Council of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association. Teknor Apex is a member of the Council.

Plastic Suppliers, Inc. was awarded the Canadian 2578635 patent for “Polylactic Acid Blown Film And Method of Manufacturing Same.” The receipt of this patent further validates Plastic Suppliersʼ as the only true blown film manufacturer of bio-based products.

Plastic Suppliers has worked diligently to develop the technology behind this patent. The EarthFirst® products produced using this patent are currently being used in the flexible packaging, label, lamination and windowing markets.

About Plastic Suppliers:
Founded in 1949, Plastic Suppliers is both a manufacturer and distributor of plastic film substrates. Coupled with two manufacturing sites and three strategically located distribution centers across the United States and a European distribution center in Belgium makes Plastic Suppliers “Your Total Films Solution.”

Source:  www.plasticsuppliers.com

FDA-Compliant Terraloy™ BP-34001 Substantially Out-Performs Standard PLA and Yields 28 to 30% Shorter Molding Cycles than Previous ‘Enhanced-Performance’ PLA Resins

PAWTUCKET, RI, U.S.A., May 9, 2011: New technology developed by Teknor Apex Company has eliminated a property tradeoff that until now has limited use of polylactic acid (PLA) in injection molded semi-durable and durable applications requiring impact strength and heat stability, as well as in high-end disposable food service items such as cutlery, coffee lids, and containers for microwavable products, it was announced today by the company’s Bioplastics Division.

Shown are test samples of Terraloy™ BP-34001 PLA with enhanced thermal properties (bottom sample in photo) and standard PLA (top sample). At 140 ºC, standard PLA exhibits considerable heat distortion while sample from Terraloy compound is largely unaffected.

Compounding innovations by Teknor Apex have overcome an inverse relationship between heat distortion temperature (HDT) and Izod impact strength in PLA, creating a new series of compounds, Terraloy™ BP-34001, that provide up to two times the HDT and up to six times the impact strength of standard PLA resins. Previous work to enhance PLA performance beyond standard levels had generated resins with either higher HDT or greater impact strength—but not both in the same grade

In comparison with previous enhanced-performance PLA resins, the new Terraloy compounds also exhibit 28 to 30% shorter cycle times in injection molding and incorporate 10 to 30% more renewable resource-based content. Nearly all of the new Terraloy compounds comply with FDA requirements for food-contact applications.

“Terraloy BP-34001 Series compounds dramatically improve the heat and impact resistance of PLA while largely retaining the environmental benefit of this polymer as a bioplastic,” said Edwin Tam, manager of new strategic initiatives. “These innovative formulations promise to expand the applicability of PLA, making possible new uses in higher-heat food service items as well as consumer goods.”

In property tests, a typical grade in the new series, Terraloy BP-34001D, exhibits a heat distortion temperature of 112 ºC and Izod impact strength of 135 J/m. By comparison, approximate values for standard PLA are 65 ºC and 33 J/m. The new compound complies with FDA 21 CFR requirements and has a renewable content of 78%.

The base polymers for Terraloy BP-34001 products are Ingeo® resins supplied by NatureWorks LLC, noted Gregory J. Anderson, Teknor Apex technical manager. “Teknor Apex built upon research by NatureWorks to develop higher-performance PLA compounds,” Anderson said. “By discovering alternative formulations and compounding techniques, we succeeded in eliminating a chronic property tradeoff between heat resistance and impact resistance, while improving processability and reducing the petrochemical content,” Anderson said.

Ingeo® is a registered trademark of NatureWorks LLC. For more information about these PLA resins, visit http://www.natureworksllc.com.

Source: www.teknorapex.com

The inaugural ‘GPCA Plastics Innovation Awards 2011’ sponsored by TASNEE recognises advancement in the field of plastics with a positive impact on society Mohamed Al-Mady, Chairman of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) and SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO, honoured winners of the first GPCA Plastics Innovation Awards
2011 at a ceremony held  on 5th April at the Intercontinental Hotel  in Festival City, Dubai. The  inaugural awards were sponsored by TASNEE.

The GPCA instituted the award this year to encourage innovation in the plastics industry and honour companies which have achieved excellence in this field along with talented individuals. The winners this year contributed significantly to the sustainable development and innovation in the field of plastics.

Taghleef Industries from Dubai won the award in the Plastics and Environment category, for its BOPLA sustainable packaging film. The new packaging film solution for the flower industry is made of Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) resins, which is a bio-plastic obtained from the fermentation of sugars contained in various kinds of plants. Besides using 100% renewable raw materials, PLA is also fully biodegradable.

Thanks to the advantages of PLA instead of traditional films, the BOPLA film allows to achieve the same performance in terms of product presentation and protection compared to 

conventionally used films, whilst contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Once
composted, the bunch of flowers wrapped with Taghleef’s BOPLA film will become a fertilizer to grow new plants. The Jury was impressed about the entire development and commercialization  on a big volume scale.

The high-profile Jury that deliberated and selected the winners through a secret vote were  Dr. Moayyed I. Al-Qurtas, Vice Chairman and CEO, Tasnee; Mr. Moyyad Al Faresi, Business Director, Polyethylene, EQUATE Petrochemical Co.;  Mr. Laurence Jones,  Vice President / Corporate Support, Borouge;  Dr.  Mitchell Killeen,  Senior Director, LyondellBasell ;  Ms. Lyn Tattum, Publisher, Chemical Week;  Dr. Raed Al-Zubi,  CEO, Radius Systems, President of SPE, ME;  Dr. Ulrich Reiners,  MD, Executive Packaging; and  Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun,  Secretary General, GPCA.

About Taghleef Industries
Headquartered in Dubai, Ti has 6 production sites across the globe with a nominal capacity of  260,000tpy. Ti develops, manufactures and markets BoPP (bi-oriented polypropylene) and CPP (cast polypropylene) films for snacks, confectionery, bakery/biscuits, fresh produce packaging as well as for labelling and adhesive tapes. Ti offers a portfolio of high quality transparent, white voided and metallised films to its customers in more than 100 countries.             

Source: www.ti-films.com.

Trevira participates in the most important industry event for nonwoven manufacturers and end users not only with its established polyester specialties for hygiene and technical applications, but also with the first fibre developments made from PLA biopolymer (Ingeo™) which have been added to the company’s product portfolio in the frame of a master license by NatureWorks in 2010.

Trevira fibre production in Bobingen
© photo: Trevira GmbH

Sustainability is an increasinly important issue in all textile applications, also in the nonwoven sector. Polyester has many properties that from the outset make it a material that is compatible with the environment. It is non-toxic, gives off no gases, and is recyclable without difficulty and it can be easily used as fuel to produce energy. It is kind to the skin and suitable for use in the food industry or medical sector. Product certifications like Ökotex Standard 100 are an equally essential element of Trevira’s sustainability concept as the observation of the environmental and quality standards DIN ISO 14001 and DIN ISO 9001. Trevira’s range of ecological products is extended by the new Ingeo™ fibres which meet the needs of manufacturers and end users looking for a biological alternative for conventional fibers.

The range of staple fibres for nonwovens includes:

Bicomponent fibres for thermal bonding, used in hygiene products such as napkins and lady care, as well as in technical nonwovens, e.g. for insulation and filtration materials in the automotive sector.
Special types for hydro-entangled nonwovens. These are not only employed in the manufacture of wet and cosmetic wipes, but also increasingly in technical applications.
Short cut fibres for airlaid and wetlaid applications, e.g. hygiene products or the paper industry. A part of this range is also available as bicomponent fibres.
Flame retardant fibres, e.g. for insulation, filtration and also as filling fibres for bedding.
Customized fibres for special customer applications.

 PLA (Ingeo™) Fibres made from biopolymers
© photo: Trevira GmbH

Fibres made from biopolymers (PLA / Ingeo™):
The biodegradable (compostable) fibres made from renewable plant compounds are currently available in various versions. Trevira has produced first quantities of different fibre types applicable for spunlace, wet laid and carding applications. Possible end uses are wet wipes (e.g. cleaning cloths), hygiene products and technical nonwovens. The new fibres are currently in qualification processes at customers. Trevira envisages variety of applications in the nonwoven sector, mainly for hygiene products. In the near future, the company will also add a bicomponent fibre to its PLA product range.

Source: www.trevira.com

OKI Data Corporation, an OKI Group company specializing in the printer business, today announced it will introduce a bioplastic part consisting of at least 25% (by weight) of plant-based renewable biomass resources in all its printers and MFPs. Products manufactured from March 2011 onward will incorporate bioplastic, marking the first effort among OKI Group companies to use bioplastic in products.

OKI Data is currently active in 120 countries, selling approximately 1.1 million printers and MFPs annually. Today’s introduction of bioplastic is expected to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by three tons.

"Plant-based renewable bioplastics reduce environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions and the petroleum resources consumed," said Harushige Sugimoto, President of OKI Data. "OKI Data is proactively developing products and technologies to reduce environmental impact. The company has long considered using bioplastic in its printers and MFPs. However, compared to traditional plastic, bioplastics offer formidable challenges in the areas of flame resistance, strength, heat resistance, and formability."

The bioplastic announced today is based on polyactic acid, a plant-based renewable resource. It offers enhanced flame resistance, strength, heat resistance, and formability, as well as high transparency and ease of processing, qualities that allow use of the product to form elements ranging from exterior components to mechanical parts. It is widely used in stationery, electrical home appliances, and office equipment. Cost competitiveness and the procurability of this bioplastic for overseas manufacturing facilities were key factors in its selection.

OKI Data is firmly committed to reducing its CO2 emissions, having set a goal to cut emissions by 6% relative to 2007 levels by 2012. Introducing bioplastics is one of the ways it intends to achieve this goal. Where possible, the company plans to replace traditional petroleum-derived plastics with plant-based renewable bioplastics in its future printers and MFPs.

Source: www.okidata.com

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