05 | 2010

Materials
New
Biomaterial
BIOTEC Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH
& Co. KG located in Emmerich, Germany, have
added a new material with the brand name
BIOPLAST 200 to their product portfolio of biological natural packaging.
This is a completely new thermoplastic material which is 100% biodegradable
and does not contain any plasticizer. This new starch-based
plastic material is particularly suitable for blown film, sheet film and
profile extrusion, thus also for injection moulding. Unlike thermoplastic
starch (TPS), no plasticizers are added to the potato starch which is used
in its original native condition. This and the consistent abdication of raw
materials stemming from genetically modified organisms (GMO) result
in a material with features fully in line with the increasing
expectations of consumers and end users. Bioplast 200
is registered as a biodegradable material with Vinçotte
(No. O 10-406-A) acc. to EN 13432.
Depending on their thickness, products made from
Bioplast 200 are therefore also compostable. Of course
Bioplast 200 can also be disposed of in a conventional
way, e. g. in waste incineration plants. Due to the high
share of applied renewable, bio-based raw materials of
more than 40% the incineration of Bioplast 200 generates
by far less CO 2
than that of conventional, completely
petroleum-based products. Compared with polyethylene
(PE), more than 50% of climate relevant CO 2
emissions
are saved during the incineration of the material. The
product can be used without any pre-treatment for
flexographic and offset-printing. Its resistance to oils,
greases and water offers a large variety of applications.
Depending on the duration and the kind of application,
Bioplast 200 can also be used in contact with food. All
raw materials used are listed in the European Directive
2002/72/EC. Its lack of odour is a result of the use of
potato starch instead of corn starch.
Since 1992, BIOTEC Biologische Natur-verpackungen
has been developing thermoplastic materials under the
brand name Bioplast which are based on natural raw
materials. Initially designed as a development unit, the
company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers
of bio-compounds and blends. BIOTEC belongs to the
SPhere Group (France) and to BIOME Technologies
plc (UK), two of the most important companies that
manufacture, develop and distribute innovative
Biomaterials.
www.biotec.de
28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/10] Vol. 5