ELIX Polymers Unveils NF-reinforced ABS Composite Apposite for 3D Printing

ELIX Polymers, among the leading specialists in ABS high performance materials, has introduced a new generation of natural fiber reinforced ABS. New ELIX ECO ABS-NF thermoplastic is highly suited for injection molding applications and specific extrusion processes, delivering a high aesthetical value to the final ABS-NF molded parts. Market applications include automotive and furniture markets. 

ELIX ECO ABS-NF can be processed without having to modify machines and offers a number of key benefits. These include high stiffness, heat resistance, low molding shrinkage ratios, low emissions and weight reduction when compared to glass fiber reinforced ABS. For example, ELIX ECO ABS-NF has a density of 1.12 compared to 1.15 for ABS-GF. The material has been also tested for 3D printing technology with impressive results, both in terms of processability and aesthetics. 

The development of ELIX Natural Fiber Reinforced ABS was undertaken under the auspices of the EEA and Norway Grants. This was the first time that a European ABS producer was given a European Grant for a project to investigate new sustainable ABS materials and composites. 

The EEA Grants and Norway Grants (eeagrants.org) represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to reducing economic and social disparities and to strengthening bilateral relations with 16 EU countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltics. 

Introducing the new generation ABS polymer composite, David Castañeda, Operations Director and responsible for new products and Business Development, said: “We believe that this new material offers a range of sustainability benefits that meet current industry trends. At the same time, it underlines ELIX Polymers’ commitment to the establishment of a more environmentally sustainable product portfolio and establishes our company’s position as a leading supplier of eco-friendly ABS materials.” 

David Castañeda added: “The introduction of this new generation material fully fits our key objective: to expand the company’s portfolio of materials for eco-friendly manufacturing, greater sustainability and health impact awareness.” 

Source: ELIX Polymers 

Forget Crude Oil Pricing; Compelling Reasons to Pursue BioMass Chemicals-to-Polymers Revolution: FEB 9-11

Just 5 years ago with oil at $150 a barrel, some stratagists were 
guestimating the world oil reserves depleting by 2050 and "Pursuit of Oil 
Independence" was the theme for most of the world. Today with crude at $45 
a barrel, is it fair to reverse the push for BioChemicals (vs 
PetroChemicals) ? Absolutely NO 
................................................................... 
Reason 1-of-3: ENVIRONMENT; 2016 Presidential Candidates Support This Issue 
BioMass based POLYMERS, CHEMICALS and FUELS will be the theme at this event 
and you will get updated on how traditional as well as newer polymeric 
materials are being developed from renewable “BioMass”, various types of 
“Wastes” and “Greenhouse Gases” vs traditional PetroChemicals; thereby 
revolutionizing the Sustainability & Environmental landscape like never 
before ! 

………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

More details @: 
http://www.BioplastConference.com

Metabolix Signs Stock Purchase Agreement with Aspire

Metabolix, Inc., an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics industry, announces that it has entered into a $20 million common stock purchase agreement with Aspire Capital Fund, LLC. Under terms of the agreement, Aspire has committed to purchase up to $20 million of Metabolix's common stock over a 30 month period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement relating to the transaction. Common stock may be sold from time to time at the company's option under a pricing formula based on prevailing market prices around the time of each sale. 

"The agreement with Aspire Capital provides us with a new way to access capital. Because we control the timing and pace of stock sales under the agreement, we can use this facility to opportunistically supplement other sources of capital as we continue to build our specialty biopolymers business over the next several years," said Joseph Shaulson, CEO and President of Metabolix. "We are pleased to welcome Aspire as a shareholder and look forward to having this additional flexibility in our capital structure." 

"We have been impressed with Metabolix's pivot from a commodity approach to one based on specialty applications for its high performance PHA biopolymer materials," said Steven G. Martin, Managing Member of Aspire Capital. "We look forward to providing Metabolix with access to additional capital to help support the successful execution of its business plan." 

Terms of the Aspire Capital Financing Agreement Include: 
Metabolix controls the timing and amount of all sales of common stock under the agreement 
Aspire Capital has no right to require any sale of shares by Metabolix, but is obligated to make purchases as Metabolix directs in accordance with the agreement 
There are no limitations on use of proceeds, financial covenants, restrictions on future financings, rights of first refusal, participation rights, penalties or liquidated damages 
Aspire Capital has agreed not to hedge or short Metabolix stock; and 
The agreement may be terminated by Metabolix at any time, at its discretion, without cost or penalty 
Metabolix plans to use the net proceeds from any sale of common stock under the agreement for general corporate purposes and working capital requirements. 

In connection with the transaction, Metabolix also entered into a registration rights agreement with Aspire Capital that requires Metabolix to file a registration statement covering Aspire Capital's sale of shares acquired under the agreement. Metabolix issued 300,000 shares of its common stock to Aspire Capital as a commitment fee under the purchase agreement. A more complete and detailed description of the purchase agreement and registration rights agreement is set forth in Metabolix's Current Report on Form 8-K filed today with the SEC. 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. 

Source: Metabolix 

BioMass CHEMICALS-to-POLYMERS Revolution; Las Vegas, FEB 9-11, 2016

Bio based materials finds it application in various industry in the recent days.From waste to various bio-monomer and bio-polymer have been produced as the producers finds various options of feedstocks which even leads carbohydrates into PLA and Crude palm oil to PHA and others. 
The world's first bioplastic touchscreen computer offers very good heat and scratch resistance with improved impact resistance and high dimensional stability. 

*BioMass for Sustainable Future* 

*Re-Invention of Polymeric Materials* 

We are pleased to announce our 6th conference on BioMass: 

*Polymers-Chemicals-Fuels* 



Las Vegas, USA, February 9-11, 2016 

*COMPELLING REASONS to ATTEND* 

On October 27, 2014, President Obama announced BIO-BASED materials as 
1-of-3 emerging technologies for U.S. competitiveness. Such actions by the 
Governments around the world & private sector leadership have renewed the 
spirit of innovation over the last 5-7 years in the field of Chemicals & 
Polymers based on BioMass vs traditional PetroChemicals. However, a recent 
decline in crude oil prices has dampened the enthusiasm to an 
"Unjustifiable Extent" 


Join us on a journey through the world of " 

*BioMass for Sustainable Future: Re-Invention of Polymeric Materials*" to 
witness the progress towards shaping the future of Chemicals & Polymers; 
there are compelling reasons to be a part of *BioMass revolution... 
regardless of the crude oil prices!* 


For Registration / Sponsorship / Program Details, call Innoplast Solutions 
@ (973) 446-9531or visit our conference website: 

*www.BioplastConference.com 


*Feb 9 - PM: Optional Pre-Conference Course* 


Introduction to BioPlastics: Orientation 101 

BioPlastics: a Crash-Course on State-of-the-Industry 


*Feb 10-11: Main Conference* 

Session I: 

*BioRefineries-the Next Mega-Industry: * 

*U.S. Government & Private Sector Leadership* 


Session II: 

*BioPolymer Formulations in MarketPlace Today: * 

*Engineered via Blends, Alloys & Modifiers* 


Session III: 

*Brand-Owners: * 

*Creating Market-Pull for Biobased Products* 

Session IV: 

*Renewable Building Block PLATFORMS for Traditional & Newer Polymers* 

- Polyolefins 
- Polyesters 
- Nylons 
- Polycarbonates 
- Polyurethanes 
- Thermosets 

Session V: 

*BioMass WASTE & Geenhouse GASES as Platform: Plastics, Polymer 
Intermediates & BioFuels* 

- PHA Plastic from Various Wastes 
- BioFuels from Various Wastes 

BASF and Genomatica Expand License Agreement for Production of Renewable BDO

BASF and Genomatica have expanded the scope of their license agreement for the production of 1,4-butanediol based on renewable feedstock (renewable BDO) using Genomatica’s patented process. The parties added certain countries in Southeast Asia to their initial agreement, which focused on North America. 

The license agreement allows BASF to build a world-scale production facility that will use the Genomatica process to manufacture renewable BDO. BASF has secured rights to allow production of up to 75,000 tons per year. Under the terms of the agreement, Genomatica will continue to advance its patented GENO BDO™ process technology for the production of renewable BDO. The process, which includes a single-step fermentation, can be based on dextrose or sucrose as renewable feedstock. It was agreed not to disclose financial details of the license contract. 

BASF has produced commercial volumes of renewable BDO, offering it to customers for testing and commercial use. The quality of this BDO is comparable to petrochemical-based BDO. BASF also expanded its portfolio by producing and offering Polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF®) made from renewable BDO. 

“We are happy to expand our license agreement with Genomatica to the dynamic Asia-Pacific region,” said Stefan Blank, President of BASF’s Intermediates division, and added: “we appreciate Genomatica’s openness to give BASF greater flexibility to add BDO from renewable feedstock to our portfolio and to respond to market requirements.” 

"We’re delighted to provide BASF with these additional license rights for our GENO™ technology,” said Christophe Schilling, CEO of Genomatica. “We look forward to seeing our technology deliver sustainability benefits to our business partners, and through them, to end-users of everyday products.” 

BDO and its derivatives are used for producing plastics, solvents, electronic chemicals and elastic fibers for the packaging, automotive, textile, and sports and leisure industries, among others. BASF currently produces BDO and BDO equivalents at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Geismar, Louisiana; Chiba, Japan; Kuantan, Malaysia; and Caojing, China. BASF announced it would increase its global capacities for BDO to 650,000 metric tons and for PolyTHF to 350,000 metric tons by the end of 2015, and beginning of 2016, respectively. 

Source: Genomatica 

Primary structural component of A350 cabin doors are made with PEEK polymer

Airbus Helicopters is replacing aluminum in a fitting in the aircraft door of the Airbus A350-900 with a high-modulus, carbon fiber-reinforced high performance polymer. 

The brackets, now manufactured from Victrex PEEK 90HMF40, has been developed by Airbus Helicopters and is in serial production for commercial use after receiving the relevant component qualification. The successful substitution of metal has resulted in a 40% reduction in weight and costs. The injection-molded polymer solution replaces the higher cost manufacture of the bracket machined from an aluminum block. 

The fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) structure of the A350 XWB’s aircraft door uses an outer skin coupled with a bracing structure on the inside. A fitting, now manufactured from PEEK thermoplastic, connects the outer skin to points on the internal bracing structure. The two components form a box-type support structure to exploit the maximum geometrical moment of inertia. 

By using the carbon fiber reinforced high performance PEEK polymer instead of the aluminium previously used, Airbus Helicopters has successfully manufactured an equivalent component that provides a range of benefits. Weight and production costs have each been reduced by 40%. In addition, joining the PEEK component, instead of an aluminum component, to a thermoset makes drilling much easier. Optimized carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) drills improves the quality of the holes compared with the previous solution. 

Specified by Airbus, Victrex PEEK 90HMF40 easily withstands the moisture that continuously accumulates inside aircraft doors, whereas aluminium, which is prone to corrosion, needed a special surface coating to prevent corrosion. 

In the aerospace business, the “design and build” process, e.g. development in accordance with a given specification, is a possible option for producing structural components. In this process, the developer has additional freedom in matters such as the selection of materials. 

“90HMF40 is a special high performance thermoplastic which is also suitable for load bearing structural components as now used for the first time in the Airbus A350-900 and therefore in regular airline operations. This first application is certain to be quickly followed by others”, explains Uwe Marburger, Aerospace Business Development Manager at Victrex. Operating worldwide, the UK-based company has over 35 years’ experience and offers not only solutions based on polyaryletherketones (PAEK), but also consistent product quality, as well as security of supply. 

Aerospace designers and manufacturers benefit from the use of Victrex PEEK 90HMF40. This high-performance polymer with high-modulus fibers (HMF) is based on the Victrex 90-Series polyaryletherketone, which is primarily used in very thin-walled injection molded components. High strength components can be manufactured from this free flowing, easily processed material. Its properties cannot be matched by those of the standard grades. For example, 90HMF40 has up to 100 times longer fatigue life and up to 20% greater specific strength and stiffness than aluminum 7075-T6 under the same conditions. 
Source:VICTREX 

KU Leuven Researchers Develop Tech. to Produce PLA from Maize

Biodegradable drinking cups or vegetable wrapping foil: the bioplastic known as polylactic acid (PLA) is already a part of our everyday lives. And yet, PLA is not yet considered a full alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics, as it is costly to produce. Researchers from the KU Leuven Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis now present a way to make the PLA production process more simple and waste-free. Their findings were published in Science. 

The bioplastic PLA is derived from renewable resources, including the sugar in maize and sugarcane. Fermentation turns the sugar into lactic acid, which in turn is a building block for polylactic acid. PLA degrades after a number of years in certain environments. If it is collected and sorted correctly, it is both industrially compostable and recyclable. In addition, PLA is biocompatible and thus suitable for medical use, for instance in absorbable suture threads. PLA is also one of the few plastics that are suitable for 3D printing. 

However, PLA is not yet a full alternative for petroleum-based plastics due to its cost. The production process for PLA is expensive because of the intermediary steps. “First, lactic acid is fed into a reactor and converted into a type of pre-plastic under high temperature and in a vacuum”, Professor Bert Sels from the Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis explains. “This is an expensive process. The pre-plastic – a low-quality plastic – is then broken down into building blocks for PLA. In other words, you are first producing an inferior plastic before you end up with a high-quality plastic. And even though PLA is considered a green plastic, the various intermediary steps in the production process still require metals and produce waste.” 

The KU Leuven researchers developed a new technique. “We have applied a petrochemical concept to biomass”, says postdoctoral researcher Michiel Dusselier. “We speed up and guide the chemical process in the reactor with a zeolite as a catalyst. Zeolites are porous minerals. By selecting a specific type on the basis of its pore shape, we were able to convert lactic acid directly into the building blocks for PLA without making the larger by-products that do not fit into the zeolite pores. Our new method has several advantages compared to the traditional technique: we produce more PLA with less waste and without using metals. In addition, the production process is cheaper, because we can skip a step”. 

Professor Sels is confident that the new technology will soon take hold. “The KU Leuven patent on our discovery was recently sold to a chemical company that intends to apply the production process on an industrial scale. Of course, PLA will never fully replace petroleum-based plastics. For one thing, some objects, such as toilet drain pipes, are not meant to be biodegradable. And it is not our intention to promote disposable plastic. But products made of PLA can now become cheaper and greener. Our method is a great example of how the chemical industry and biotechnology can join forces”. 


Source: KU Leuven