polymerguru

A biodegradable and compostable tulip sleeve is a new addition to Van der Windt Verpakking's range for the ornamental horticulture market. This introduction is Van der Windt's response to the growing interest in packaging made from renewable raw materials. As both the sleeve and the ink are compostable the sleeve can be put in the fruit and vegetable waste container along with the tulip stem trimmings.  This bio-based tulip sleeve is made from PLA (poly lactic acid) a renewable raw material extracted from corn. The material is also ideal for magazine outer sleeves and as a coating for hot and cold drinks cups. The tulip sleeve has been given the brand name 'Feel the nature'. PLA is suitable for packaging all types of flowers.  By purchasing the 'Feel the nature' sleeve Wesselman Flowers of Roelofarendsveen, the Netherlands, is investing in the environmentally-responsible processing of tulips. Every year Wesselman Flowers, under the name Tulpen.nl, s...

BASF has now extended its range of extruded polystyrene rigid foam panels (XPS) with an innovative product. The new insulation material is called Styrodur® HT (HT = high temperature). Its key feature is a heat distortion temperature of up to 105° Celsius (application limit temperature). This makes the foam suitable for all applications exposed to high temperatures and requiring the proven properties of Styrodur C: high compressive strength, low water absorption, resistance to rot and outstanding insulation performance. Like all of BASF's Styrodur C panels, the insulation panels can be recognized by their green color. Conventional XPS can be used at a temperature of up to 75°C. Styrodur HT stays dimensionally stable even with high ambient temperatures and with high solar radiation. BASF offers the new insulation material at nominal compressive strengths of 300 and 600 kPa. Styrodur HT is particularly suitable for inverted flat roofs subject to heavy loads, for insula...

Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, announced that it has achieved ISO 13485:2003 certification for the quality system that governs the production of its Solviva Biomaterials offered for use in implantable medical devices. The international quality standard facilitates harmonized medical device regulatory requirements for quality management systems applicable to medical devices and related services. ISO 13485:2003 is a quality standard that specifies certain quality system requirements to ensure consistent manufacturing, according to Judy Melville, Business Manager, Solviva products. "This achievement demonstrates our commitment to the medical device industry," said Melville. "It also reaffirms our position as a reliable supplier that is solidly focused on meeting the quality standards of our customers." Melville noted that a key element of the ISO quality standard is the use of validation methods to ensure consistent high-quality manufacturing. Solvay A...

A new report titled, "Global and China Biodegradable Plastics Industry Report, 2010" has been published by ResearchInChina. According to the report, starch-based plastic, PLA and PHA, accounting for 90% of the global consumption of biodegradable plastics in 2009, saw their capacity grow rapidly from 306,000 tons in 2007 to 695,000 tons in 2009, with an annual compound growth rate of 50.7%. However, biodegradable plastics only accounted for less than 1% of the global demand for plastics in 2009. Considering the unstoppable trend of biodegradable plastics replacing traditional plastics, the biodegradable plastics industry has huge market potential. Following the global trend, China's biodegradable plastics industry has developed rapidly. The biodegradable plastics capacity reached 80,000 tons in 2007, and soared to 150,000 tons in 2009, almost 100% more than that in 2007. However, in 2009, China's domestic consumption of bio-plastics was less than 8,000...

An innovative polypropylene -based compound from Borealis has enabled French car maker PSA to breathe new life into its best-selling hatchback, the 206. Launched in 2009, the Peugeot 206+ is the restyled outcome of its famous '206' model. In addition to several modifications to the interior and exterior applications, PSA Design modified in a unique and innovative way the front grill. While seeking to achieve a high quality metallic effect, PSA opted for a plastic in-mass solution which could deliver the same high-quality result as painting the grill.  PSA selected Borealis' Daplen™ EH104E-0515, a grade developed specifically for automobile exteriors. Daplen EH104E-0515 contains a special pigment which provides the same effect the car maker was looking for without the painting process. "The use of an in-mass metallic color for aesthetical parts requires a high-flow material in order to reduce the weld lines to a minimum," explains Thoma...

Polyvinyl chloride ( PVC )-based flooring materials contain toxic phthalate plasticizers harmful for the environment. As an eco-friendly alternative to floorings based on halogenated polymers, Michigan State University researchers have prepared renewably resourced biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) polymers, by reactive extruding PLA blends, citrate plasticizer (blend of citrate and derived vegetable oil) and a compatibilizer. This formulation has not only significantly enhanced the impact strength and elongation of polylactide, it can also be compounded with fillers (e.g. CaCO 3 ) and cellulosic materials (e.g. wood flour), thus making it an ideal replacement for halogenated flooring materials. PLA polymer material can be used as decorative and protective coverings on floor and walls; automotive, truck, and recreational vehicle components; reusable material-handling containers; shelving; agricultural and industrial bins and conveyors; trash and recycling recepta...

Everyone has heard that carbon dioxide is responsible for global warming. But the gas also has some positive characteristics. Researchers are now impregnating plastics with compressed CO 2 in a process that could lead to new applications ranging from colored contact lenses to bacteria-resistant door handles. CO 2 is more than just a waste product. In fact, it has a variety of uses: the chemical industry makes use of this colorless gas to produce urea, methanol and salicylic acid. Urea is a fertilizer, methanol is a fuel additive, and salicylic acid is an ingredient in aspirin. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen are pursuing a new idea by testing how carbon dioxide can be used to impregnate plastics. At a temperature of 30.1 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 73.8 bar, CO 2 goes into a supercritical state that gives the gas solvent-like properties. In this state, it can be introduced into polym...