polymerguru

The UK's innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, has awarded a grant to a consortium led by Biome Technologies; to investigate a bio-based alternative for the oil derived organic chemicals used in the manufacturing of  bioplastics. The research will be undertaken by the group's bioplastic division Biome  Bioplastics,  one of the UK's leading developers of natural plastics, in conjunction with the University of Warwick's Centre for Biotechnology and Biorefining. The £150,000 grant is part of the Technology Strategy Board's 'Sustainable high value chemical manufacture through industrial biotechnology' technical feasibility competition, which funds projects that apply sustainable bio-based feedstocks and biocatalytic processes in the production of chemicals. The Technology Strategy Board has identified the potential of industrial biotechnology to help the chemical industry move away from a dependency on fossil resources to a bioeconomy ba

Effectively immediately, Mercedes, a leader worldwide in the manufacture of automobiles, will be using the adhesion promoter from Evonik Industries in several of its mass-produced models. Although it is used inside the vehicle and thus concealed from view, the VESTAMELT®-based hybrid component performs an important job. The aluminum tubing connects both A-pillars together and supports the entire dashboard — from the steering wheel to the glove compartment. These elements used to be welded or screwed together with metal connecting plates, a stable solution, but one that involves more weight. By contrast, VESTAMELT® X1333-P1, a co-polyamide, covers the aluminum tubing and joins the holding brackets made of fiberglass-reinforced polyamide 6 of the individual components to the tubing by means of an injection molding process based on melt-bonding. When this adhesion promoter is used, component weight can be dramatically reduced by up to 20% compared to conventional solutions. "To

Metabolix, Inc., an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on delivering sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Tianjin GreenBio Materials Co., Ltd. ("GreenBio"), a biomaterials company based in Tianjin, China. Under the terms of the agreement, Metabolix will distribute GreenBio's SoGreen™ heat shrink film in Europe and will be the exclusive distributor in the Americas. In addition to a distribution relationship, Metabolix and GreenBio have also signed a supply agreement for PHA biopolymers. Under the arrangement, GreenBio will supply PHA resins to Metabolix, which will extend the range and availability of the Company's PHA products. "Tianjin GreenBio has developed a heat shrink film based on PHA biopolymers. This product complements our product slate aimed at film and bag applications and we expect will be of interest to customers in the U.S. and Europe seeking biobased

Zoltek Corporation and Thermoplast Composite GmbH of Germany announced that they are working together to develop and improve carbon fiber thermoplastic tapes and other carbon fiber thermoplastic products, based on Zoltek fibers and using TCG innovative process technologies, for structural applications for automotive and other industries. Co-developed carbon fiber thermoplastic tapes produced by TCG were on display at this year's JEC Composites Show. These thermoplastic tapes, manufactured with Zoltek's Panex® 35 carbon fiber and using TCG's patented process technology, have the ability to be used as the primary reinforcement in structural parts or as localized reinforcement for injection molding applications. Strategic placement in localized areas in combination with injection molding processes produce low cost, structurally optimized composite parts with the potential to be used for seat backs, front end carriers, bumpers, doors, and other automotive components with co

Three new thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) wire and cable compounds from Teknor Apex Company combine the rubber-like durability and flexibility valued by hospital and clinical professionals and the high degree of purity required for meeting stringent medical standards, the company recently announced. Teknor Apex will introduce the compounds at Interwire 2013, April 22-25, (Booth 406). Medalist® 8421, 8431, and 8451 elastomers can be used for insulation, jacketing, and molded fittings and connectors. They have Shore A hardness levels of 92, 69, and 82, respectively, a flammability classification of HB (UL-94), and a maximum continuous operating temperature rating of 105 °C (UL-1581). The three compounds retain high levels of tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation after autoclave, gamma irradiation, and EtO sterilization. They are resistant to the cleaning solutions commonly used in medical facilities. The new TPEs are analogs to specific Elexar® non-medical wire and cab

Powered by sunlight, microalgae are tiny biofuel generators that soak up carbon dioxide to produce energy-rich lipids, which are showing promise as a potential source of clean energy. Maximizing lipid production is the focus of many research efforts, but the material remaining after lipid extraction has caught the attention of Md. Mahabubur Rahman Talukder and his co-workers at the A*STAR Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences. Currently, this 'lipid-depleted biomass' is either burned for energy, or simply discarded as a waste product. Talukder and his team have developed a process that turns this material into a valuable chemical feedstock. The researchers have pioneered a two-step biochemical process that converts lipid-depleted biomass into lactic acid. This substance is in increasing demand as a feedstock for polylactic acid (PLA), a biopolymer with numerous medical applications, ranging from surgical sutures to orthopedic implants. The high cost of raw materials u

Natureplast, a French company specialized in bioplastics, has developed with its daughter company, Biopolynov, a brand new range of bioplastics made from non-food resources. Established in late 2006, Natureplast is still the only company in Europe to supply European industries with bio plastics produced throughout the world. Natureplast's expansion led us to expand expertise with the creation of Biopolynov in 2010, the first research and development laboratory in Europe dedicated to bio plastics. This new division aims to modify and improve bio plastics' properties according to a functional book of specifications. For more than ten years, the bio plastics market has been experiencing strong growth (20% per year). This growth comes from the continued development of new materials/additives and the creation of new production units throughout the World. However, today's bio plastics materials cannot always fulfill market demand. To resolve this lack, Biopolynov deve