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Bioplastics
New possibilities with bioplastics
New possibilities with bioplastics
Where can we initiate projects together?
Bioplastics are becoming increasingly important in technical applications. In some cases they have different properties than conventional plastics. The great variety of bioplastics therefore offers new opportunities for use in technical applications. For this reason, we would like to invite you to think about some potential starting points for the use of bioplastics in your products.
You are in demand!
We have been deeply involved with bioplastics for a long time. In our modern facilities, we have the option of producing semi-finished products from various bioplastics for you at the customer’s request. These include, for example:
- PLA
- Bio-PE
- PA11
- PA transparent
- TPE-A
- PA 4.10
- TPE-E
- PA 6.10
- TPS
- mineral-filled PLA
How can we improve your application?
How can we help you develop or improve your application using bioplastics that are biodegradable or made entirely or partially from renewable raw materials? Just use the contact form at the bottom of the page and send us a message.
What does ‘bioplastics’ mean?
A common market classification of bioplastics is the type of raw material and the question of whether the plastic is biodegradable or durable. Based on this, there are four categories (see diagram).
Classification of bioplastics
- Durable and bio-based: Plastics that are based on renewable raw materials, but are by definition non-biodegradable. For example: bio-PE and bio-based PET.
- Biodegradable and bio-based: Plastics that are made from renewable raw materials and demonstrate the property of biodegradability. For example: cellulose, PLA, starch blend and lignin blends.
- Biodegradable based on petrochemical raw materials: Plastics that can be biodegraded, but were made from fossil fuel-based raw materials. For example: PBAT, PBS, PCL
- Durable on the basis of petrochemical raw materials: This category includes traditional plastics. For example: PE, PP, ABS.
How is ‘degradability’ defined?
Plastics are said to be degradable if they decompose to water, carbon dioxide and biomass after a specified time, under defined temperature, oxygen and humidity conditions and in the presence of microorganisms or fungi.
Renewable raw materials:
Important renewable raw materials that are suitable for the production of bioplastics include:
- Starch or sugar as a raw material for:
- Lactic acids: sugar or starch is converted with the help of lactic acid bacteria.
- Bioplastic: PLA (polylactide)
- Fatty acids: These are obtained from the cells of microorganisms by the fermentation of products containing sugar or starch.
- Bioplastics: PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), e.g. PHB (polyhydroxybutenic acid)
- Lactic acids: sugar or starch is converted with the help of lactic acid bacteria.
- Cellulose: Cellulose-based plastics are produced from plant material by esterification, for example with acetic acid.
- Bioplastic: includes cellulose acetate. Also used as a filler, e.g. WPC (wood polymer composite)
- Vegetable oils such as castor oil: The relevant part of the castor oil is the ricinoleic acid that it contains. The oil is first refined and then converted into the desired monomers for polyamide production.
- Bioplastic: PA 6.10, PA 11
