bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1201

ioplastics magazine Vol. 6 ISSN 1862-5258 

January/February 

01 | 2012 

Highlights 

Automotive | 10 

Basics 

Basics of PLA | 54 

... is read in 91 countries

FKuR plastics – made by nature! ® 

Enjoy a cold drink at our NPE booth! 

Transparent cups made from Biograde ® 

FKuR invites you to stop by Booth 57042 

at NPE 2012 to see our innovative 

& fascinating developments. 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH 

Siemensring 79 

D - 47877 Willich 

Phone: +49 2154 92 51-0 

Fax: +49 2154 92 51-51 

sales@fkur.com 

www.fkur.com 

FKuR Plastics Corp. 

921 W New Hope Drive | Building 605 

Cedar Park, TX 78613 | USA 

Phone: +1 512 986 8478 

Fax: +1 512 986 5346 

sales.usa@fkur.com

Editorial 

dear 

readers 

It was quite a shock last week, to read about ADM ending the Telles 

joint venture. I cross my fingers and hope that Metabolix soon find a 

new partner (or partners), and a new business model. 

Meanwhile, let’s have a look into this latest issue. ‘Automotive’ is 

in first place, as usual for the beginning of a year. In addition to 

a new episode in the life of my favourite racing car we present a 

number of interesting articles about automotive applications and 

other developments related to the automotive industry. 

‘Foam’ was also promised, but we are getting a bit short of news 

for this issue. Initially planned just for the ‘Basics’ article, PLA has 

become another real highlight in this issue. 

Here you will also find our NPE’2012 preview. After 40 years in 

Chicago this big North American trade show has moved to the 

Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Besides a 

preview, with brief notes about some of the exhibiting companies, 

we offer a detachable centrefold with a floor plan of the exhibition 

as a special service to all NPE visitors. If you are coming to the show 

be sure to drop in to the bioplastics MAGAZINE booth and say hello 

(booth # 58047). 

If you prefer Europe as the place to pick up the latest news and 

information on the innovations in our business, then please take 

a look at the recently published programme (page 6) for our 

2nd PLA World Congress on May 15th and 16th, 2012, in Munich, 

Germany. I sincerely hope to see you, either here or there … 

… and until then, we hope you enjoy reading bioplastics MAGAZINE 

Sincerely yours 

Michael Thielen 

Follow us on twitter: 

twitter.com/bioplasticsmag 

Be our friend on Facebook: 

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Register now! www.pla-world-congress.com 

2 nd PLA World 

C o n g r e s s 

15 + 16 MAY 2012 * Munich * Germany 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/12] Vol. 7 3

Content 

Materials 

New biobased plastic for technical applications ...... 24 

Transparent packing material from birch .......... 31 

Four-unit process technology for PLA manufacturing . 50 

Application 

The biological bearing material ................... 27 

Editorial ...................................3 

News ......................................5 

Application News ...........................40 

Suppliers Guide ............................62 

Event Calendar .............................65 

Companies in this issue .....................66 

NPE 

Show Preview .............................32 

Show Guide ...............................36 

01|2012 

January/February 

Foam 

PHBV foams and its engineered composites ......... 28 

Report 

BIOCORE – a biorefinery concept .................. 42 

Successful start in Thailand ...................... 52 

From Science & Research 

PLA nanocomposites ............................ 46 

Basics 

Basics of PLA .................................. 54 

Did you know ? 

Photovoltaic vs biofuels .......................... 58 

Interview 

Pilar Echezarreta ............................... 60 

Automotive 

BioConcept-Car .......................... 10 

Fuel line made of bio-PA 1010 ............... 13 

Bioplastics in automotive applications ......... 14 

PLA and carbon nanotubes .................. 18 

Automotive parts must be predictable ......... 20 

Rubber from dandelions for tyres ............. 22 

80% Bioplastic in Toyota SAI ................. 23 

Imprint 

Publisher / Editorial 

Dr. Michael Thielen 

Samuel Brangenberg 

Layout/Production 

Mark Speckenbach, Julia Hunold 

Head Office 

Polymedia Publisher GmbH 

Dammer Str. 112 

41066 Mönchengladbach, Germany 

phone: +49 (0)2161 6884469 

fax: +49 (0)2161 6884468 

info@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Media Adviser 

Elke Hoffmann, Caroline Motyka 

phone: +49(0)2161-6884467 

fax: +49(0)2161 6884468 

eh@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Print 

Tölkes Druck + Medien GmbH 

47807 Krefeld, Germany 

Total Print run: 7,200 copies 

bioplastics magazine 

ISSN 1862-5258 

bioplastics magazine is published 

6 times a year. 

This publication is sent to qualified 

subscribers (149 Euro for 6 issues). 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on 

chlorine-free FSC certified paper. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is read 

in 91 countries. 

Not to be reproduced in any form 

without permission from the publisher. 

The fact that product names may not be 

identified in our editorial as trade marks is 

not an indication that such names are not 

registered trade marks. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE tries to use British 

spelling. However, in articles based on 

information from the USA, American 

spelling may also be used. 

Editorial contributions are always welcome. 

Please contact the editorial office via 

mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. 

Envelopes 

A part of this print run is mailed to the 

readers wrapped in envelopes sponsored and 

produced by Minima Technologies 

Cover: Michael Thielen 

4 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/12] Vol. 7 

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News 

Telles JV is ending – Mirel shall go on … 

Metabolix announced on Jan. 12, 2012 that ADM has given 

notice of termination of the Telles, LLC joint venture for PHA 

bioplastics. Metabolix however, will remain committed to 

successfully commercializing PHA bioplastics, as Richard 

Eno, Chief Executive Officer of Metabolix points out. 

The effective date of the termination will be February 

8, 2012. Telles was established as a joint venture between 

Metabolix, Cambridge, Massachussetts, USA, and ADM, 

Decatur, Illinois, USA in July 2006. The joint venture sold 

PHA-based bioplastics, including Mirel and Mvera, in the 

USA, Europe and other countries. 

All Metabolix technology concerning PHA bioplastics that 

was used in the joint venture, including intellectual property 

rights, will revert solely to Metabolix. 

“Clearly, we are disappointed by ADM’s decision to withdraw 

from Telles. While this is a setback, we remain committed to 

successfully commercializing PHA bioplastics. Over the past 

few years, we now have proven the technology at industrial 

scale and believe that we now have the opportunity to launch 

this business with a different business model,” said Richard 

Eno. He continued, “We sincerely thank our customers, 

distributors, and partners for their interest in developing 

PHA-based solutions to address a growing market need 

for bioplastics. We will be evaluating alternate plans for 

commercialization and clearly wish to supply this growing 

market in the future.” 

Being asked by bioplastics MAGAZINE how such alternate 

plans could look like, Richard Eno responded:” Given 

Metabolix’s PHA intellectual property technology portfolio and 

longtime experience within the industry, we’re confident that 

we’ll be successful in finding a new option for manufacturing 

and commercialization. The Company has been in contact 

with potential partners who expressed interest – these 

include raw materials suppliers, manufacturers, industry 

players and customers. Metabolix will continue to engage in 

new partnering discussions and evaluate options to launch 

its PHA bioplastics business with a new model.” 

And he added: “The bioplastics market is growing at 20 

percent per year, and based on our experience, we can see 

where a PHA offering can participate in this growth – as is 

evidenced by the strong customer validation we’ve had for the 

product. Metabolix’s PHA technology platform is a valuable 

contribution to the industry, and as such, the Company plans 

to continue to focus on the development of PHA bioplastics. 

Metabolix is also developing biosourced industrial chemicals 

and a proprietary platform technology for co-producing 

plastics, chemicals and energy, from crops. We believe 

that Metabolix is positioned for growth, as the demand for 

biobased technologies 

continues to rise.” 

And finally, Eno is 

keen to: “... express 

my appreciation for 

the efforts put forth 

by the Telles and ADM 

Polymer teams, who 

have demonstrated 

the commercialization 

of PHA bioplastics at 

world scale. MT 

www.metabolix.com 

Richard Eno, CEO, Metabolix 

Rodenburg acquired Optimum 

Rodenburg Biopolymers BV, Oosterhout, the Netherlands, manufacturer of potato starch based Solanyl bioplastic compounds, 

has purchased Optimum BV, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, producer of FlourPlast biodegradable biopolymers. Details about 

the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Both products, Solanyl and FlourPlast, were developed with the German company Wacker Chemie from Munich. 

The acquisition enables Rodenburg to serve both the converter and the compounder markets with biopolymers. The raw 

materials for their Solanyl compound are based on reclaimed side stream starch from the potato processing industry. This 

is now complemented by Optimum’s proprietary FlourPlast biopolymer, based on grain-derived products, which can be 

directly compounded with existing biopolyesters. In addition, FlourPlast allows processors to fine-tune bioplastic or polyolefin 

formulations to achieve desired properties and reduce costs. Solanyl, available since 2004 can be used in injection moulding, 

sheet extrusion, thermoforming and blow moulding. It is sold as a compound, where as FlourPlast is sold as a pre-compound 

system. MT 

www.biopolymers.nl 

www.optimumbioplastics.com 


News 

bioplastics MAGAZINE presents: 

The 2nd PLA World Congress in Munich/Germany is the must-attend 

conference for everyone interested in PLA, its benefits, and challenges. 

The conference offers high class presentations from top individuals in the 

industry and also offers excellent networkung opportunities. Please find below the 

preliminary programme. Find more details and register at the conference website 




www.pla-world-congress.com 

2nd PLA World Congress, Preliminary Program 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 

08:00 - 09:00 Registration, Welcome-Coffee 

09:00 - 09:15 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Welcome 

09:15 - 09:45 Harald Kaeb, narocon Keynote Speech: Bioplastics - Future or Hype ? 

09:50 - 10:15 Udo Mühlbauer, Uhde Inventa-Fischer Latest developments in production of PLA 

10:15 - 10:40 Chae Hwan Hong, Hyundai-Kia Motors Development of Four Unit Process Technologies for PLA Manufacturing 

10:40 - 10:55 Q&A 

10:55 - 11:20 Coffeebreak 

11:20 - 11:45 Mark Vergauwen, NatureWorks The Latest in Ingeo Performance Developments 

11:45 - 12:10 Francois de Bie, Purac High Heat PLA for use in high performance fibers and other durable appl. 

12:10 - 12:35 Kevin Yang, Shenzhen Brightchina ESUN PLA 

12:35 - 12:50 Q&A 

12:50 - 14:00 Lunch 

14:00 - 14:35 Patrick Zimmermann, FkUR Modifying PLA to the next level 

14:35 - 14:50 Karin Molenveld, Wageningen (WUR) Strain induced crystallisation as a method to optimize PLA properties 

14:50 - 15:15 Daniel Ganz, Sukano PLA Masterbatch Technology – State of the art and latest trends 

15.15 - 15:40 Marcel Dartee, Polyone Additives / Masterbatches for PLA 

15:40 - 15:55 Q&A 

15:55 - 16:30 Coffeebreak 

16:35 - 17:00 Jan Noordegraaf, Synbra PLA particle foam 

17:00 - 17:25 N.N., Toray International Toray‘s modified PLA materials 

17:25 - 17:50 Mr. Shim, SK Chemicals title t.b.c. 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 

09:00 - 09:25 Karl Zimmermann, Brückner Latest Technology in Film Stretching 

09:25 - 09:50 Frank Ernst, Taghleef NATIVIATM – The BoPLA film for packaging and labelling applications 

09:50 - 10:15 Larissa Zirkel, Huhtamaki Innovative Concepts of Functional PLA Films 

10:15 - 10:40 Shankara Prasad, SPC Biotech Bio conversion of agriwaste to polylactic acid 

10:40 - 10:55 Q&A 

10.55 - 11:20 Coffeebreak 

11:20 - 11:45 Johann Zimmermann, NaKu Processing PLA (title t.b.c.) 

11:45 - 12:10 N.N., Ireland, t.b.c. Processing PLA (title t.b.c.) 

12:10 - 12:35 Mathias Hahn, Fraunhofer IAP Modification of PLA with view to enhanced barrier and thermal properties 

12:35 - 12:50 Q&A 

12:50 - 14:00 Lunch 

14:00 - 14:35 Steve Dejonghe, Galactic Building the recycling scheme for PLA 

14:35 - 14:50 Gerold Breuer, Erema Closing the loop on bioplastics by mechanical recycling 

14:50 - 15:15 Sebastian Schippers, (IKV) Recycling of polylactic acid and utilization of recycled polylactic acid 

15.15 - 15:40 Ramani Narayan, Michigan State University Positioning and branding PLA products from carbon footprint and end-of-life 

15:40 - 15:55 Q&A 

16:00 - 16:30 Panel discussion: End of life options 

(subject to changes, visit www.pla-world-congress for updates) 

6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/12] Vol. 7

News 

New plants to produce succinic acid and BDO 

BioAmber Inc. from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, a next 

generation chemicals company, and Mitsui & Co., Chiyodaku, 

Tokyo, Japan, a leading global trading company, have 

partnered to build and operate the previously announced 

manufacturing facility in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The initial 

phase of the facility is expected to have production capacity of 

17,000 tonnes of biosuccinic acid and commence commercial 

production in 2013. The partners intend to subsequently 

expand capacity and produce 35,000 tonnes of succinic 

acid and 23,000 tonnes of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) on the site. 

Bioamber and Mitsui also intend to jointly build and operate 

two additional facilities that, together with Sarnia, will have 

a total cumulative capacity of 165,000 tonnes of succinic acid 

and 123,000 tonnes of BDO. BioAmber will be the majority 

shareholder in the plants. 

Succinic acid and 1,4-BDO are used to make polybutylene 

succinate biopolymer (PBS), a biodegradable polymer that 

until now is made from petroleum. “The use of BioAmber 

Biosuccinic Acid enables the PBS biopolymer to be not only 

biodegradable, but also partially renewable and — more cost 

effective”, as Babette Pettersen, Senior VP Marketing & Sales 

of BioAmber explained to bioplastics MAGAZINE, “in addition, 

BioAmber also has a low-cost route to Bio-1,4-BDO, based 

on technology licensed from DuPont, that enables us to 

tranform biosuccinic acid into Bio 1,4-BDO. This will enable a 

100% renewable biopolymer (Bio-Succinic Acid + Bio-BDO).” 

One of the key issues with biopolymers to date has been 

lack of performance. PBS takes this to another level, and 

BioAmber‘s mPBS (modified PBS) enhances these properties 

further. Designed and formulated using BioAmber’s 

proprietary technology, their mPBS meets end-user 

requirements for higher performing, biodegradable plastics. 

The uniformity, performance and processability of mPBS in 

existing equipment has been confirmed by a number of end 

users, with applications ranging from foodservice cutlery 

and coffee cup lids to plates, bowls, straws and stirrers, 

through to durable applications in Automotive, Building & 

Construction... 

BioAmber and Mitsui plan to build and operate a second 

plant in Thailand, which is projected to come on line in 2014. 

The partners are currently undertaking a feasibility study for 

the Thailand plant with PTT MCC Biochem Company Limited, 

a joint venture established between Mitsubishi Chemical 

Corporation and PTT Public Company Limited. BioAmber 

and Mitsui & Co. also plan to build and operate a third plant, 

located in either North America or Brazil, which will be 

similar in size to the Thailand project. 

“Our goal is to play a leading role in the growth of renewable 

chemicals, as evidenced by our recent joint ventures with 

BioAmber in North America for biosuccinic acid and The 

Dow Chemical Company in Brazil for biochemicals,” said 

Masanori Ikebe, General Manager of Mitsui’s Specialty 

Chemicals Division. “We believe that biosuccinic acid and 

bio‐BDO will experience rapid growth over the next decade, 

and BioAmber’s technology leadership is an excellent fit with 

Mitsui’s strength across the supply chain,” he added. 

“BioAmber’s partnership with Mitsui & Co. is a strong 

endorsement of our technology platform,” said Jean‐ 

Francois Huc, CEO of BioAmber. “Mitsui is an ideal partner 

thanks to its long term commitment to renewable chemistry, 

its extensive reach into chemical markets and its strategic 

access to sustainable feedstocks. Mitsui also has the 

financial strength to support our expansion and help us 

compete internationally,” he added. MT 

www.bio-amber.com 

www.mitsui.com 

CHINAPLAS 2012 Grand Returns to Shanghai 

CHINAPLAS 2012 (The 26th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries), which is dedicated to showcasing 

the world-class cutting-edge plastics and rubber technologies, will grandly return to Shanghai and held at Shanghai New 

International Expo Centre on April 18-21, 2012. One of 11 theme zones the organizer has set up in order to highlight the 

development of each specialized area comprehensively by displaying their cutting-edge technologies, techniques and 

applications for various industries is dedicated to bioplastics. 

The Bioplastics Zone will be the second year established in CHINAPLAS 2012, expecting more than 40% increase in the 

area. With the growing global concern on green manufacturing, bioplastics is inevitably the focus in the plastics industry, with 

enormous potential in the market. As the international platform for advanced technology in the plastics and rubber industries, 

CHINAPLAS 2012 will introduce the world’s leading bioplastics suppliers and their products like PLA, PHA, PBS, PPC, PCL, 

PVA, TPS, PA and PTT. The renowned exhibitors include Cardia, Danisco, Ecomann, Esun, Hisun, Kingfa, Mirel Plastics, 

NatureWorks, Nuvia, etc. Highlighting advanced technology and latest development on bioplastics, the 4th International 

Conference on Bioplastics and the Applications will be held concurrently with CHINAPLAS 2012. Like the last edition held in 

2011, speakers from the leading bioplastics suppliers will be invited. Overseas and Chinese plastics associations will continue 

to support the conference. 

www.chinapasOnline.com 


News 

Congress unveiled two-figure 

growth in WPC production 

With nearly 300 participants from 21 countries and 30 

exhibitors, the 4 th German WPC Congress, Cologne (13 th -14 th 

December 2011) organised by nova-Institute once more lived 

up to its reputation as the industry’s leading European event. 

The European market for Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs) 

has been growing at an average annual rate of 35% since 

2005. Given the current levels of investment in expanding 

production and growing interest from both trade and 

consumers, the industry is optimistic about the future and 

expects continued growth in every sector in the coming years 

over the next few years. 

WPCs are predominantly used in applications that 

emphasise product characteristics such as great rigidity 

and low shrinkage (compared to pure plastics) and better 

durability and mouldability (than pure wood products). 

However, as prices for plastics rise, it is only a matter of a 

few years before WPC pellets are cheaper than pure plastic 

pellets (they are presently 20-30% more expensive) and can 

then conquer mass markets. 

Winners of the WPC Innovation Prize – 

Evonik, Möller and Werzalit 

The presentation of the ‘WPC Innovation Prize’, which was 

sponsored this year by BASF Color Solution Germany was 

awarded to three companies. The audience of the congress 

voted for their favourites out of a short list of six innovations. 

1 st place: Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany 

- PLEXIGLAS ® Wood PMMA-wood composite 

Together with Reifenhäuser, Evonik developed a pure 

PMMA-wood composite that could be used to produce directly 

extruded profiles. Evonik says that the new material ‘takes 

WPCs to a whole new level in terms of weather resistance, 

colour stability, dimensional stability and technical strength’. 

The 2 nd place went to Möller, Meschede, Germany for a new 

WPC noise protection profile and the 3 rd place was awarded to 

Werzalit, Oberstenfeld, Germany for their process technology 

for in-mould coating of injection-moulded WPC parts. MT 

www.wpc-kongress.de 

Coca-Cola signed agreements 

to develop 100% plant based bottles 

In Mid December 2011 the Dutch company Avantium, 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands announced an agreement 

with The Coca-Cola Company to further co-develop their 

YXY technology for producing PEF bottles. First milestones 

include the start-up of an Avantium PEF pilot plant last 

December. Avantium plans to initiate commercial production 

of PEF in about three to four years. 

The Coca-Cola Company at the same time announced 

multi-million dollar partnership agreements with two other 

leading biotechnology companies to accelerate development 

of the first commercial solutions for next-generation 

PlantBottle packaging made 100% from plant based 

materials. 

The Coca-Cola Company‘s first generation PlantBottle 

packaging is the only fully recyclable PET bottle made with 

up to 30% plant-based material available today. PlantBottle 

packaging is made up of two components: MEG (monoethylene 

glycol), which makes up 30% of the PET, and 

is already made from plant materials, and PTA (purified 

terephthalic acid), which makes up the other 70%. In the 

next step, PTA will be replaced with plant-based materials, 

too. 

Therfore, Coca-Cola signed agreements with Virent 

and Gevo, also industry leaders in developing plant-based 

alternatives to materials traditionally made from fossil fuels 

and other non-renewable resources. 

Virent, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, has a patented 

technology that features catalytic chemistry to convert plantbased 

sugars into — among others — bio-based paraxylene, 

a key component needed to deliver plant-based terephthalic 

acid. 

Gevo, Englewood, Colorado, USA is going develop and 

commercialize technology to produce paraxylene from biobased 

isobutanol. 

Since introduced in 2009, the 

Coca-Cola Company has already 

distributed more than 10 billion partly 

biobased PlantBottle packages in 20 

countries worldwide. MT 

www.thecoca-colacompany.com 

www.yxy.com 

www.gevo.com 

www.virent.com 


News 

New crystal clear bioplastic 

for injection moulding 

End of last year FKuR from Willich, Germany presented its further 

developments of the cellulose acetate based Biograde® products. The 

highlight of this development is Biograde® V 2091 which is a completely 

transparent injection mouldable grade that has been developed for 

thin wall parts with long flow paths. Along with its high transparency, 

Biograde V 2091 stands out due to its smooth and shiny surface. 

Moreover, especially for thin walled parts, it outperforms standard 

polystyrene (PS) as to flexibility and heat distortion temperature. 

With these extended properties, the product line Biograde sets new 

standards and allows for the realization of diverse applications within 

the electronic and household appliances sector. 

Plate and cup made from transparent Biograde 

V 2091 (Photos FKuR Kunststoff GmbH) 

www.fkur.com 

FKuR will present more details on 

their PLA activities at the 




Contact sales@fkur.com, to get a 

15% discount on the conference fee. 

organized by bM 

A truly globally diverse 

conference addressing the entire 

value chain. 

Experience networking and 

interactive events for real-time 

collaboration unlike any other. 

www.biopolymerworld.com 

Mestre-Venice, Italy, 23-24 April 

+1 858.592.6951 

Early Bird 

Discount Ends 

24 February 

Latest technology, future 

directions, & emergent trends 

that will leave you inspired. 


Automotive 

BioConcept-Car – 

New approaches into 

biomaterials 

By Michael Thielen 

The rear hatch made of 

flax and hemp 

The new ‘Bio-Rocco’ (Michael 

Thielen as passenger) 

The BioConcept-Car has become a true and faithful companion 

of bioplastics MAGAZINE. In our first ‚automotive issue‘ 

in early 2007 we introduced the Ford Mustang racing car 

with bodywork made of flax fibre reinforced linseed acrylate. In 

2009, during the Composites Europe trade show the next generation 

BioConcept-Car, a green Renault Mégane Trophy was shown 

and bioplastics MAGAZINE reported in issue 01/2010. Last autumn 

the current BioConcept-Car, in this case a Volkswagen Scirocco, 

was introduced on the famous German race track, the Nürburgring, 

and during this event I was invited to experience a lap in 

the passenger seat of the car. I must admit: “What an experience 

!” Thomas (Tom) von Löwis of Menar, head of the Four Motors 

racing team, drove me around the legendary Nordschleife (‘The 

green hell’) at up to 240 km/h (150 mph) — up and down the ‘Eifel’ 

hills and through one hairpin bend after another …. It was a great 

day. And after this experience I spoke with Tom von Löwis as well 

as with Prof. Hans-Josef Endres 1 , who consults for Four Motors 

with regard to the future use of bioplastics in the BioConcept-Car. 

On automanager.tv (an Internet platform) the editor and 

presenter Guido Marschall conducted an interview 2 with these two 

gentlemen. This article comprises parts of both these interviews. 

The Volkswagen Scirocco BioConcept-Car — in short the ‘Bio- 

Rocco’ — is a biodiesel driven racing car like its predecessors, but 

fuelled with a new generation of biodiesel, the so-called ‘NExBTL’. 

And it is becoming more and more sustainable. As a first step, the 

car was equipped with a rear hatch made of hemp and flax fibres. 

MT: What were the main reasons to convert the rear hatch to 

this special material? 

TvL: Besides the fact that we are trying to use as much biobased 

material as possible, lightweighting is an important issue. 

HJE: The topic of lightweighting is certainly important not only 

in order to win races, but also with a view to the fuel consumption 

and the exhaust emissions. But another very important fact here 

is the topic of resource conservation in terms of the materials 

used. We want to build highly efficient cars, however, not simply 

by using the resources that are available today. We also want 

to do this in 50 years from now. We want to apply plastics, with 

their fantastic properties, in the future, and also for demanding 

technical applications. Thus we need materials that do not 

depend on limited resources but are available even in the long 

term — and with the technical properties we need. 


Automotive 

The ‘Bio-Rocco‘ (Photo: Four-Motors) 

GM: Now, these new materials are not being developed in 

the first place with the aim of achieving new records in car 

racing, but motor sport offers the possibility of testing these 

new materials to the limit, and then to take advantage of 

these experiences for series production vehicles. Besides the 

fun that motor sport offers, this has been common practice 

for years, even in Formula 1. Which new insights are being 

collected with biomaterials used in motor sport today? 

TvL: One example is lightweighting, which we just 

mentioned. Let us compare this new version with a 

component in the first Mustang in 2006. The natural fibre 

reinforced material at that time was slightly heavier than a 

fibreglass material. Today, for example with the support of 

Professor Endres, the new hemp/flax version is almost as 

light as carbon fibre. 

HJE: We have learned a lot. Natural fibres in fact show 

similar, although different, properties from those of glass or 

carbon fibres. And subsequently the processing is similar but 

also different. Here questions had to be resolved, for example 

concerning the draping of a fabric. How does the weaving 

technology have to be adopted in order to optimise the 

draping behaviour? What is the optimum weight per area of 

a fabric so that the fabric can absorb enough resin and lead 

to an optimum final density? What about the compatibility 

(fibre/matrix adhesion) of the natural fibres and the resins? 

What are the resulting material properties of the composite? 

We are at the very beginning of an exciting learning process. 

GM: What kind of biomaterials are we talking about here? 

HJE: The natural fibres we are using are flax and hemp. For 

the time being we are combining these with petroleum based 

castable crosslinked resin systems because we wanted to 

concentrate first on the optimisation that we mentioned in 

terms of fibres and weaving. But in future steps we also want 

to look into resin systems based on vegetable oils, such as 

linseed or sunflower. For the thermoplastic materials we are 

looking at different technical bioplastics like bio-PA or new 

biopolyesters, and in future also at biobased polypropylene. 

GM: Which components in the racing car can be replaced 

by components made from biobased materials? 

TvL: I would not venture to say all, but most probably all 

those body parts that can be replaced in a racing car, such as 

the hood, left, and right doors, the rear hatch, the front and 

back bumpers, fenders etc. can all be made from these new 

natural fibre composites. 

MT: Are these natural fibre composites as stable as 

conventional ones? 

HJE: They can withstand the same loads as body parts 

made from fibreglass or carbon fibre, and one additional 

advantage is that they do not splinter in crashes. 

GM: And this is most especially desirable if we think about 

converting the material to series production vehicles. 

HJE: Yes, and they are lighter today than fibreglass parts, 

and only 30 percent of the weight of a steel version. In a small 

production series they can even be manufactured at a lower cost. 

Tom von Löwis, Hans-Josef Endres and Guido 

Marschall on automonager.tv (photo: automanager.tv) 


GM: For example in the field of electromobility consumers 

set great store on showing that they are doing good for the 

environment. Shouldn’t biomaterials offer the possibility of 

showing this particular property, i.e. of being ‘green’? Or is 

it still a ‘no-go’ to leave natural fibres openly visible in a car? 

TvL: For carbon fibre parts it is sexy to see the black fabric 

through the resin in an unpainted part. People want to see 

and show what high tech parts they have. We should take 

a similar approach. Make it visibly clear that we are using 

biobased materials — and be proud of it. 

Hans-Josef Endres and Tom von Löwis 

MT: And what comes next? 

HJE: In addition to the doors, fenders etc, we will look into 

three-dimensional parts such as mirror housings or parts of 

the dashboard. But here completely different thermoplastic 

processable bioplastics are needed. And even here we want 

to compete with petroleum-based materials in terms of 

quality, durability and cost. 

GM: Will all this also be suitable for mass production? We 

know from carbon fibre applications that it was not possible 

to convert the manufacturing processes easily to series 

production. Now we are getting there slowly, and step by step. 

HJE: Of course we see a chance here and this is a challenge. 

But we are only at the beginning of the development. In fact 

there are already quite a number of bioplastics in automotive 

applications today. These are parts in the interior such as 

hatracks, spare-wheel covers or parts of the instrument 

panel. All these can be manufactured with existing mass 

production techniques. However, most of these parts are 

invisible or covered. One of the next steps is to make exterior 

parts and visible parts. 

GM: Let’s talk about money. The OEMs and sub-suppliers 

are always interested in the cost factor. I assume these 

new materials are not cheaper than the conventional ones, 

otherwise the automotive industry would be applying them 

already. 

HJE: Well, you should not only look at the raw material cost 

but at the complete system. If we consider for example the 

‘end of life’, we know that in waste incineration glass fibres 

would create ash. Natural fibres, however, don’t leave behind 

so much ash but contribute to what we call ‘renewable 

energy’. If we look at the processing we see that glass fibres 

are more abrasive, whereas natural fibres are not abrasive. 

Thus the life-time of tools and dies is much longer. 

MT: In addition it can be observed that the cost of traditional 

plastics is rising with the increasing price of oil. So biobased 

plastics will become competitive in the mid to long term, 

and not only via economies of scale with larger production 

capacities. 

But after all this talking about materials and renewable 

resources, there is one more important target for Tom von 

Löwis and his team: They want to drive and win races with 

their BioConcept Car. Good luck for the coming season! 

www.fourmotors.com 

www.ifbb-hannover.de 

www.fnr.de 

1: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Josef Endres, IfBB, 

Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites, 

University Hanover, Germany. Supported by the 

FNR (Agency for Renewable Resources within the 

German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and 

Consumer Protection) the IfBB will assist Four 

Motors to develop more and more components 

made from biobased materials (natural fibres and 

bioplastics) for the BioConcept Car. 

2: We are grateful to Guido Marschall and 

autmomanager.tv for the permission to publish 

parts of their ‘auto-talk’ interview of Dec. 13th 

2011. www.automanager.tv 

Covergirl Christine also took a ride in the 

Bio-Rocco. She said: “Amazing, a ‘green car’ 

in the’green hell’ and with more biobased 

plastic parts it becomes even greener.” 


Automotive 

Photo: DuPont 

Fuel line made of bio-PA 1010 

The fluid transfer system supplier Hutchinson SRL, of 

Rivoli, Italy, has specified a DuPont Zytel ® RS polyamide 

grade based on PA 1010 for the production of 

fuel lines used with both diesel and biodiesel. The renewably-sourced 

long-chain nylon was chosen in preference to 

competitive grades of PA12 on the basis of its superior temperature 

resistance and long-term aging performance in biodiesel. 

The extruded, monolayer fuel line from Hutchinson is 

already in use on commercial new turbo and multijet diesel 

engines used on several Fiat vehicles, including the Fiat 500, 

Panda, Punto, Lancia Delta, Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta. 

As well as seeking to increase the use of renewablysourced 

polymers to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, 

automotive manufacturers, OEMs and materials suppliers 

are modifying engine and fuel systems to run efficiently 

on the latest generation of biofuels, including biodiesel. 

Components for such systems must resist the chemicallyaggressive 

biofuels, temperature extremes and mechanical 

stresses for the lifetime of the vehicle. This specific Zytel 

RS grade based on PA1010, which contains more than 60% 

renewably sourced ingredient by weight, offers properties 

typical of flexible polyamides with additional benefits such 

as superior high temperature resistance when compared 

to materials such as PA 12, high chemical resistance and 

low permeability to fuel and gases. It is suitable for a range 

of extrusion applications including fuel lines, hydraulic 

hoses, corrugated tubes, transmission oil cooler hoses and 

pneumatic tubes. 

“We were seeking a polymer for our fuel line application that 

was preferably renewably-sourced, for a more sustainable 

solution, and was able to provide the best aging stability in 

biodiesel,” explains Katia Rossi, development manager at 

Hutchinson. “We considered a number of flexible polyamides, 

including PA12 as they had previously been specified for similar 

fuel line systems, but material testing showed Zytel RS PA1010 

to meet our requirements. It combines, for example, superior 

temperature resistance to PA12 with the best resistance to 

biodiesel at high temperatures.” Data on aging performance in 

biodiesel was obtained by immersing the materials in the most 

common biodiesel – rapeseed methyl ester (RME) – at 125 °C 

(257 °F) for 1,000 hours and measuring retained mechanical 

properties. The B30 biodiesel used for testing is made up of 

30% biofuel from rapeseed and recycled vegetable oil and 70% 

standard diesel and is suitable for many diesel cars. 

By specifying the DuPont material for its fuel line for diesel 

engines, Hutchinson gains a longer-lasting solution that 

is also market leading in terms of its renewably-sourced 

content. “With more than 60% by weight, this Zytel RS grade 

based on PA1010 has one of the highest levels of renewablysourced 

content currently available for a high performance 

nylon,” confirms Mario Delbosco, development programs 

manager at DuPont Performance Polymers. The renewable 

carbon in PA1010 comes from sebacic acid, which in turn is 

derived from castor oil. 

The successful adoption of renewably-sourced Zytel nylon 

for the fuel line, which is already in commercial use on 

diesel-engined cars, has encouraged Hutchinson to extend 

the application to other automotive manufacturers in Europe 

and beyond as well as other fuel system applications. 

www.dupont.com 


Automotive 

Bioplastics in 

automotive applications 

By 

Daniela Rusu, Séverine A.E. Boyer 

Marie-France Lacrampe, Patricia Krawczak 

Ecole des Mines de Douai, Department of 

Polymers and Composites Technology & 

Mechanical Engineering, Douai, France 

Nowadays, polymeric materials represent approximately 20 % of the 

total weight of an automobile, in other words 100 to 150 kg/car. 

This substantial need in plastics, and recent economical and ecological 

issues such as the increasing crude oil price, accelerated depletion 

of fossil resources, together with the new regulations for controlling 

greenhouse gas emissions and management of the end-of-life of vehicles, 

has encouraged the automotive industry to develop, adapt or revive 

some long existing more eco-friendly plastic materials and biocomposites 

for their modern cars. 

Currently bioplastics cover a wide range of materials, from commodity 

thermoplastics up to engineering materials and thermosetting resins. 

Within these bio-based polymeric materials, some are already validated 

for different automotive applications: it is the case for some bio-based 

polyamides and bio-based polyurethane foams, but also for polylactic 

acid formulations and fabrics. 

Other bioplastics with potential/validated use in automotive industry 

are belonging to the class of bio-based polyesters and copolyesters, 

starch plastics, bio-based polyolefins and bio-based thermosetting 

polymers such as unsaturated polyester resins or bio-based epoxies (for 

more details see [1]). And even if some of their present features are not 

yet optimal for durable automotive applications, they could offer in future 

real alternatives for petrochemical plastics in modern cars. 

Taken from Handbook of Bioplastics and 

Biocomposites Engineering Applications 

edited by Srikanth Pilla – Wiley-Scrivener 2011 

(http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/ 

productCd-0470626070.html). 


Automotive 

The following shows three examples of bioplastics and vegetal fibre 

reinforced bioplastics to have an idea about the potential of these types of 

materials for automotive applications. 

Biopolyamides (Bio-PA) 

Polyamides (PA) are engineering thermoplastics that combine excellent 

mechanical properties, such as high mechanical strength and stiffness, 

wear properties, good heat resistance, together with chemical resistance 

to oils and solvents, dielectric properties, fire resistance, good appearance, 

and good processability. All these interesting features design them for 

high-end automotive applications, especially for under-the-hood car 

compartment. In fact, PA and PA composites represent about 10% of the 

plastics parts in modern cars. 

Until recently, the polyamides for car applications were petro-based, 

except the Rilsan ® PA 11 from Arkema, derived from castor oil, and already 

used for flexible tubing, mono-wall fuel lines and Rilperm ® multi-layer fuel 

lines, such as in ESD-Flex conductive fuel-pump module for General Motor 

car models, and for friction parts, quick connectors, pneumatic brake 

noses. 

Today, several other new bio-based polyamides appeared on the market, 

derived (at least partly) from renewable feedstocks such as castor beans 

and sugar cane. A recent example of an under-the-hood application of a 

biopolyamide, the DuPont Zytel ® RS, PA 6.10 (with 62.5% biobased carbon 

content), is the new automotive radiator end tank proposed by Toyota, 

Denso and DuPont Automotive consortium, and used in some 2009 Toyota 

Camrys vehicles. 

In appears that current and emerging bio-PA are promising new solutions 

for replacing the petrochemical polyamides, but also for extending the 

metal substitution in car applications, improving automotive comfort, 

design and insulation, and enriching the performances with fuel economy 

and reduced CO 2 

emissions. 

PLA and PLA-based composites 

While the biopolyamides already represent themselves as engineering 

polymers for high-end automotive applications, PLA is a rather new polymer 

in automotive applications and from some aspects, still in development. 

For long time, this aliphatic biodegradable polyester was intended only for 

biomedical and packaging uses, but in the last years, new PLA-improved 

materials were proposed for durable applications, such as transportation, 

electrical applications and electronics. 

Up to now, PLA fibers and fabrics were proposed for floor mats, in 

Toyota Raum and Prius cars (2003), and for canvas roof and carpet mats 

in Ford Model U (2003). The more recent Biofront stereocomplex PLA codeveloped 

Teijin & Mazda, is intended for automotive applications such as 

car seat fabric, as for Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid vehicle, but also 

floor mats, pillar cover, door trim, front panel and ceiling material. 

Vegetal fibre reinforced PLA is another class of green materials, with 

current and potential car applications. For instance, Toyota is already 

proposing automotive applications for PLA/kenaf biocomposites, such 

as the cover spare wheel on Toyota Prius and Toyota Raum (2003) or the 

translucent roof PLA/kenaf and ramie biocomposites on Toyota 1/X plug-in 

hybrid concept vehicle. 

Castor plant 

Accelerator pedal made from bio-PA 6.10 (prototype) 


However, the long-term properties of PLA-based materials intended 

for durable applications are to be validated over different time periods 

and aggressive environment conditions, before thinking to extend their 

automotive applications. 

Bio-based polypropylene (bio-PP) 

Petrochemical polypropylene (PP) is largely used in modern 

cars, and this is an important motivation for developing alternative 

greener materials with similar features, able to substitute it. Several 

attempts were made for obtaining bio-PP via bio-ethanol from 

different renewably feedstocks. For instance, Braskem and Novozymes 

announced a research partnership to develop large-scale production of 

green PP from sugarcane, a resin already obtained on laboratory scale 

(Braskem) and certified as 100% renewable. In the same time, Mazda 

is actively developing a bio-route for obtaining various PP and ethylenepropylene 

copolymers from cellulosic biomass. These new bio-based 

materials are intended in future to replace their petrochemical 

counterparts automotive applications such as (i) car bumpers and 

bumper spoilers, lateral siding, roof/boot spoilers, rocker panels, 

body panels; (ii) dashboards and dashboard carriers, door pockets 

and panels, consoles; (iii) heating ventilation air conditioning, battery 

covers, air ducts, pressure vessels, splash shields. 

In future, the new bio-based PP could also gradually shift the 

petrochemical PP from its biocomposites with natural fibers, in trim 

SusPack 

conference on sustainable packaging 

2012 

www.suspack.eu 

For the second time at the Anuga FoodTec, the conference 

„Sustainable Packaging - SusPack 2012“ is taking place from 

March 29th - 30th 2012. 

At the two-day conference (at Koelnmesse, Cologne) current issues 

and solutions for sustainability in the packaging industry will be 

presented and discussed. The focus is on bio-based packaging: 

Where and in what form have they been able to establish? What 

benefi ts do they bring? What has to be considered in the use? And 

fi nally, what innovations, trends and potentials are becoming evident? 

Topics 

new developments in bio-packaging 

End-of-life options 

overview over packaging market 

SusPack 2012: 

booking now on 


how to reduce food decay through new packaging solutions 

packaging from bio-based Polyethylen 

Call for papers & SusPack Award 

PLA based car seat fabric 

(photo: Mazda) 

parts applications in dashboards, door panels, 

parcel shelves, seat cushions, backrests and 

cabin linings, car disk brakes and even for exterior 

applications, such as the engine/transmission 

covers in Mercedes-Benz Travego Coach. 

General Conclusions 

Recent economical and ecological increasing 

concerns are offering strong motivations for 

substituting the well-known polymeric materials 

derived from fossil feedstocks and, in some 

cases, some metal materials with more ecofriendly 

materials from renewable resources, for 

a wide range of durable applications. 

More particularly, the green high-end polymeric 

materials are presenting a large potential for 

car applications and this trend is expected to 

grow over the next decades, knowing that the 

next-generation of vehicles will need to show 

enhanced efficiency in material use and increased 

technical and functional performances, while 

providing improved ecological footprint and less 

dependence on fossil feedstock costs. 

www.mines-douai.fr 

[1] Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites 

Engineering Applications, chapter “Bioplastics 

and Bioplastics and Vegetal Fibre Reinforced 

Bioplastics in Automotive Applications”, edited by 

Srikanth Pilla 

Take part and send your application to Ms. Lena Scholz, 

phone: +49 (0)2233 48 1448, e-mail: 

lena.scholz@nova-institut.de, by January 27 th , 2012. 

Organiser 

www.nova-institut.eu 

Partner 

www.anugafoodtec.de 

Do you have any questions 

concerning SusPack 2012? 

We are happy to help you! 

Mr. Dominik Vogt 

Tel.: +49 (0) 22 33 – 48 14 49 

dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de 


BIOADIMIDE TM IN BIOPLASTICS. 

EXPANDING THE PERFORMANCE OF BIO-POLYESTER. 

NEW PRODUCT LINE AVAILABLE: 

BIOADIMIDE ADDITIVES EXPAND 

THE PERFOMANCE OF BIO-POLYESTER 

BioAdimide additives are specially suited to improve the hydrolysis resistance and the processing stability of bio-based 

polyester, specifically polylactide (PLA), and to expand its range of applications. Currently, there are two BioAdimide grades 

available. The BioAdimide 100 grade improves the hydrolytic stability up to seven times that of an unstabilized grade, thereby 

helping to increase the service life of the polymer. In addition to providing hydrolytic stability, BioAdimide 500 XT acts as a 

chain extender that can increase the melt viscosity of an extruded PLA 20 to 30 percent compared to an unstabilized grade, 

allowing for consistent and easier processing. The two grades can also be combined, offering both hydrolysis stabilization and 

improved processing, for an even broader range of applications. 

Focusing on performance for the plastics industries. 

Whatever requirements move your world: 

We will move them with you. www.rheinchemie.com

Automotive 

PLA and carbon nanotubes 

Nanotechnology for automotive applications 

Conductivity (S/cm) 

1,4 

1,2 

1 

0,8 

0,6 

0,4 

0,2 

0 

By 

A. Tielas, V. Ventosinos, M. de Dios 

Plastic Product / Process Area 

Engineering & Development Department 

Galician Automotive Technological Centre 

(CTAG) 

Porriño, Spain 

PLA/CNT (7%) PLA/CNT (7%) 

Talc (10%) 

PP/CNT (7%) PP/CNT (7%) 

Talc (10%) 

Fig. 1. Conductivity measured by the Van der Pauw method 

of 15x15x2 mm polylactic acid (PLA) and polypropylene (PP) 

pieces filled with the same content of CNT. PLA pieces 

exhibit more than five times the conductivity of PP samples. 

R impact 

Impact 

R t=∞ 

Fig. 2. Resistance profile in a polymer/CNT sample 

during an impact. 

The continuous development of science is making possible 

the design of new materials with properties that were unthinkable 

a few years ago. The constant searching for lighter 

compounds, durable and compatible with the environment, has 

become one of the main goals of many researches today. In this 

sense, nanotechnology has quickly revolutionized the whole picture 

of current design of high added value materials due to the 

unique properties that those composites exhibit in fields as diverse 

as electronics, mechanics, optics or magnetism. 

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) perfectly illustrate all the benefits 

that nanotechnology can bring, especially in the manufacture 

of polymer based nanocomposites. This is due to, among other 

reasons, their high electrical and thermal conductivity, which 

are transferred to the polymer, even using relatively small loads 

of CNTs. Many studies are being carried out to optimize the 

fabrication of polymer/CNT compounds, especially to improve the 

dispersion of CNTs within the polymer matrix. 

The Galician Automotive Technology Centre (CTAG), through its 

Engineering and Development department in the area of plastic 

products, seeks to explore and exploit all the inherent advantages 

of joining together polymer science and nanotechnology. 

Committed to the need to preserve respect for the environment 

by using, as far as possible, renewable sourced materials, CTAG 

currently develops compounds based on polylactic acid (PLA) and 

CNTs intended for diverse applications. 

Indeed, one of the most interesting properties of PLA/CNT 

composites from the standpoint of the practical applicability is 

their electrical conductivity. It is known that internal CNT networks 

are formed beyond a given threshold concentration of filler, the 

point at which a great increase of the electrical conductivity of the 

material appears. The electrical behaviour of the polymer also 

largely depends on the degree of alignment and dispersion of CNTs 

within the polymer matrix. PLA favours the dispersion of CNTs due 

to its polar character, and, in fact, PLA/CNT compounds exhibit 

in the order of five times the conductivity of PP/CNT composites 

(Figure 1). 

It has been shown that an external factor that can alter the 

disposition of CNTs, further produces conductivity changes in 

the sample. This behaviour allows, for example, the detection of 

impacts, by conductivity measurements, on pieces made of this 

material. The potential applications are vast, from the dynamic 

monitoring of structural damage of key parts of a car, to the 

localizing and counting of impacts on the surface of an airplane 

fuselage (Figure 2). 

Based on the same principle, we have developed prototypes 

of smart pedals that can detect emergency braking situations 

and activate adequate safety measures in case of an imminent 


Automotive 

collision. Drivers react instinctively by contracting their bodies 

under impact danger situations, and this fact can reduce the braking 

efficiency just at the very moment prior to a possible collision. The 

conductivity of a pedal made of polymer/CNT composite depends on 

the pressure exerted over its surface, thus it is possible to predict 

risky braking scenarios and enhance the security profile of the 

entire car (Figure 3). 

An added advantage of PLA/CNT composites relies on their 

ability to act as electromagnetic shields. As many parts of an 

automobile, and generally many everyday electronic devices, have 

electronic circuits susceptible to emitting radiation, it is necessary 

to make use of materials of capable EM shielding in order to 

avoid interferences between them, and also for the provision of a 

radiation free environment that meets the current electromagnetic 

emissions legislation for health (e.g. UNE-EN 50083-212007). 

First results show the suitability of this kind of material for 

electromagnetic shielding purposes, to a certain extent due to their 

high conductivity, in the order of 1 S/cm (S=Siemens), which is in the 

range of semiconductors. 

Fig. 3. Fully functional prototype of a brake pedal 

sensitive to the pressure exerted 

Although the use of PLA offers many advantages, this material 

still does not meet the requirements of durability and resistance 

needed in the automotive industry. It remains a challenge to 

clearly understand the biodegradation mechanisms of PLA/CNT 

composites. Although there are numerous studies on the influence 

of the incorporation of CNTs over the degradation kinetics of the 

material, the role of nano-fillers over the structural stability of the 

composite is still unclear. Several factors, such as concentration 

and functionalization of CNTs, or the surface to volume ratio of 

the sample, have to be taken into account in order to minimize 

the degradation and maintain the added value of the nano-filled 

materials; nevertheless, much more effort should be made with the 

aim of better understanding PLA/CNT interactions. 

Nanotechnology offers a great variety of compounds allowing not 

only the enhancement of electric properties of the polymer, but also 

the optical, magnetic and mechanical ones. In the near future, and 

even at present, two important challenges must be faced. First, to 

try to better comprehend the behaviour of nanometric composites 

in order to control a large range of amazing new properties, and the 

most important, to take advantage of those properties, keeping in 

mind the necessity of producing environmental and health friendly 

materials for a sustainable progress. Although there remains 

much hard work to find the best way to combine renewably sourced 

polymers such as PLA with nanoscale structures, is a foregone 

conclusion that the partnership between polymer science and 

nanotechnology opens a new era of intelligent materials with 

astounding properties. 

www.ctag.com 


Automotive 

Automotive parts 

must be predictable 

Material and flow models for natural fiber reinforced injection 

molding materials for practical use in the automotive industry 

By 

Erwin Baur 

M-Base Engineering + Software GmbH 

Aachen, Germany 

Fig. 1: Automotive part made from natural fiber 

reinforced PP with 30% Sisal (Source Ford) 

For many years natural fibers (NF) have been considered for reinforcement 

of plastics. They show good mechanical properties 

and the principle qualification has been demonstrated in many 

projects. However, natural fibers are a relatively new type of material, 

unknown to the classical plastics industry. The producers of natural 

fiber reinforced plastics and even more the producers of fibers have a 

hard time to match all expectations of potential users concerning product 

information, support in design and processing, and predictability of 

products. Very interesting high volume application fields, like in the automotive 

industry, can not be served due to this lack. 

Natural fibers can be processed in many different ways, but 

considering the actual use of plastics in the automotive industry, injection 

molding applications seem to be most promising. Polyproylene would be 

the most likely matrix material, because it is already broadly used in 

relevant applications and its thermal properties allow the compounding 

with natural fibers. 

Today the automotive producers are strongly interested in the use 

of materials from renewable sources and a reduction of the carbon 

footprint of their products. The willingness to use bio materials has 

increased, even against well established concerns towards unstable 

qualities, challenging processing and small processing windows. In one 

point, however, the automotive designers do not like to compromise: 

every part needs to be predictable, which means the material must allow 

simulation of performance during processing/manufacturing and in the 

final use. All components must show complete theoretical proof that 

they meet product safety requirements and are fit for purpose through 

using digital simulation. This is a fixed, established procedure in the 

automotive industry to meet today’s development times. 

So far injection moldable natural fiber reinforced thermoplastics 

could not offer the requested predictability. A new project, coordinated 

by M-Base Engineering + Software GmbH, Aachen, Germany has been 

started in order to bridge this gap. During a phase of three years relevant 

models for the simulation of natural fiber reinforced materials shall be 

developed, material parameters shall be measured and the validity of 

the new models shall be proofed with a realistic serial part. At the same 

time the basic simulation parameters shall be identified for as many 

different natural fibers as possible, so the results can be used for future 

projects. 

This project aims to open the way to enable natural fiber reinforced 

plastics to be designed theoretically and simulated in the automotive 


Automotive 

i 

k 

 

Ti-1,i 

 

FHi 

Fig. 3: First results of flow simulation using 

specific mechanical properties of a natural 

fiber in a fountain flow. These patterns allow 

prediction of the most important effects 

during injection molding (Source: Tim 

Osswald, University of Wisconsin, Madison). 

Fig. 2: Mechanistic model for a single 

fiber (Source: Tim Osswald, University 

of Wisconsin, Madison) 

 

Fi-1,i 

 

THi 

 

Fc k,i 

 

Fi+1,i 

 

Ti+1,i 

industry and subsequently in other industries. This will 

give natural fiber reinforced plastics the same status as 

established conventional plastics when selecting materials 

and in the long term their use in the industry will grow. 

The project will consider all aspects of simulation, the 

mechanical calculations will focus on simulating crash 

response (including in total vehicle simulation), which is vital 

for most automotive applications. 

Meeting these aims means considering the process as a 

whole, especially the anisotropic mechanical properties have 

to be considered, which follow completely different laws, 

compared to classical glass fibers. The following tasks are 

necessary, in order to find an integrative solution, covering 

the complete process: 

• Establishing the micro-mechanical characteristics of 

natural fibers before and after processing 

• Deriving a suitable fiber orientation model 

• Modeling typical side-effects when using NF plastics 

(fiber damage, separation etc.) 

• Produce NF compounds and test pieces 

• Describing the rheological and thermal characteristics of 

NF compounds completely 

• Determining quasi-static and dynamic mechanical 

properties 

• Integrating the fiber orientation model with commercial 

flow simulation software 

• Scaling up compound production for selected materials to 

near-series level 

• Integrating material models with commercial CAE 

software, especially for processing and crash simulation 

purposes 

• Simulating a serial component 

• Producing the serial component and conducting extensive 

mechanical testing, including crash response 

During the project numerous combinations of several 

different PP matrix materials with natural fibers (Flax, 

Hamp, Sisal, Wood, Straw, Cellulose Regenerate) will be 

compounded and analyzed. The elementary mechanical 

properties of the fibers will be measured and incorporated 

into the flow models. Using special mechanistic models 

the flow behavior of the fibers during processing will be 

evaluated, including orientation, fiber damage and fiber 

matrix separation. Based on these first steps, new flow and 

orientation models will be incorporated into commercial 

injection molding simulation software, allowing prediction 

of the orientation in real parts. The orientation information 

will be used to determine the anisotropic mechanical 

properties of the parts. In addition to the fiber properties, 

the characteristic rheological and thermal properties for 

process simulation will also be measured for all compounds. 

Especially the viscosities curves will be challenging, due to 

fiber jamming in conventional capillary rheometers. 

The project partners offer a unique combination of 

expertise and equipment that is needed to fulfill these tasks 

efficiently: 

• Ford Research & Advanced Engineering, Aachen 

• IAC (International Automotive Components), Krefeld 

• LyondellBasell, Frankfurt 

• Kunststoffwerk Voerde Hueck & Schade GmbH & Co. KG, 

Ennepetal 

• Simcon Kunststofftechnische Software GmbH, Würselen 

• M-Base Engineering + Software GmbH, Aachen 

• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 

• Hannover Technical College, Institute of bioplastics and 

biocomposites, Hannover 

• Hochschule Bremen, Bremen 

• Technical University Clausthal, Institute of polymer 

materials and plastics, Clausthal 

• Deutsches Kunststoff Institut (DKI), Darmstadt 

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food, 

Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) via the Agency 

for Renewable Resources (FNR). 

www.m-base.de 


Automotive 

Even the rubber industry has felt the impact of a shortage 

of raw material and so is seeking alternatives to the supply 

of natural rubber from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. 

This tree grows very slowly and needs about 20 years before 

it yields its harvest. “Natural rubber is gaining in interest 

because of the price of oil”, says Dirk Prüfer, professor and 

head of department at the Institute for Plant Biochemistry 

and Biotechnology at the Wilhelms University in Münster. The 

amount produced today will hardly be enough to cover demand. 

As an alternative dandelions are possibly a solution. During 

World War II the Americans, Soviets and Germans were looking 

at such alternatives. The idea of using dandelions as a natural 

source of raw materials was initiated by the Soviets in the 

early 1930s. When the Japanese occupied South-East Asia the 

Russians and Americans started to look seriously at producing 

a natural product from dandelions. On the occupation of the 

region by the Americans the Germans were using the technology 

Rubber from 

dandelions 

Could Taraxacum koksaghyz 

be a future source of rubber 

for the tyre industry? 

Taraxacum koksaghyz 

(photos: Christian Schulze Gronover) 

Dandelion produces in its root, amongst other things, natural 

rubber, and can be successfully grown in wide areas of Europe 

which in other respects are not particularly fertile. If this were to 

be done on a commercial scale then the numerous existing wild 

species would have to be grown under agricultural conditions. 

In particular it will be a case of increasing the yield. 

A German group of six research partners have been working 

since spring 2011 on the methodical basis of a cultivation 

programme for Caucasian or Russian dandelion (Taraxacum 

koksaghyz). 

The project is being promoted by the German Federal Ministry 

of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) via the 

Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR). 

The first step in the research programme is the adaptation 

of existing biotechnical cultivation methods to dandelion 

cultivation. Alongside this the researchers want to obtain 

seeds in kilogram quantities. The Continental Tyre Company 

(Continental Reifen AG), an industrial partner of the group, is 

planning tests of the first natural rubber samples. 

In terms of cultivation the researchers, unlike in other 

European R&D projects on the same topic, are focussing on 

two year old plants. They expect to obtain, among other things, 

a higher potential yield in the second year. The disadvantage of 

a 2-year cycle is that the cultivation takes longer because only 

in the second year do the plants produce seed. For this reason 

the scientists want to use methods such as special analysis 

techniques to accelerate the process as much as possible. 

In February of this year, a new project, supported by the 

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) 

will be launched. The project partners are: Continental Reifen 

Deutschland GmbH, Synthomer, Südzucker AG, Fraunhofer 

IME & ICB, Aeskulap GmbH, University Stuttgart, Max-Plack- 

Institute for Plant Breeding, Julius Kühn Institut, LipoFIT 

Analytic GmbH. The goal is the sustainable development of 

dandelion as an alternative source to replace natural rubber, 

latex and inulin. Stay tuned - bioplastics MAGAZINE will keep you 

updated on this project. MT 


Automotive 

80% Bioplastic 

‘Ecological Plastic’ covers 

80% of new Toyota ‘Sai’ interior 

Toyota Motor Corporation has successfully used ‘Ecological Plastic’ to 

cover approximately 80% of the total interior surface area in the partially 

redesigned Japan-market ‘Sai’ gasoline-electric hybrid sedan. 

‘Ecological Plastic’ is Toyota’s collective name of plastics developed by the 

company for automobiles and that use plant-derived material and are more 

heat- and shock-resistant, etc., than conventional bio-plastics. 

www.toyota.com 

Toyota announced that they achieved 80% coverage through the use of 

a new bio-PET-based Ecological Plastic in the seat trim, floor carpets, 

and other interior surfaces that require a higher abrasion-resistance than 

could be achieved with an earlier Ecological Plastic used in other parts 

of the interior. Bio-PET means that 30% by wt. (the monoethylenegykol 

component) is derived from renewable resources, here sugar cane. Toyota’s 

new material dramatically outperforms other general bioplastics in terms 

of heat-resistance, durability, and shrink-resistance, and performs on par 

with petroleum-derived plastics, with cost of parts included. 

Ecological Plastic is considered by TMC to be instrumental to cutting 

CO 2 

emissions and to using less petroleum resources over the lifecycle of a 

vehicle, from manufacturing through to disposal. This is because the plastic 

uses plants, which absorb CO 2 

from the atmosphere as they grow, as a raw 

material instead of petroleum-derived plastics. Furthermore, the benefits 

of an environmental technology like Ecological Plastic are increased when 

used in mass-produced products such as automobiles. 

Total Ecological Plastic coverage 

approx. 80% of interior surface 

Toyota has been working on applying Ecological Plastic to automobiles 

since 2000. In May 2003, TMC became the first in the world to use bioplastic 

made from polylactic acid in a mass-produced vehicle when it introduced 

the material in the spare-tire cover and floor mats of the Japan-market 

‘Raum’ compact car. They achieved another world-first when it used its bio- 

PET Ecological Plastic in the trunk lining of the Lexus CT 200h released in 

January 2011. bioplastics MAGAZINE reported about these developments. 

The Japanese car manufacturer continues its proactive push in the 

development of new technologies and practical applications to further 

expand the use of Ecological Plastic in vehicle parts. MT 

New Ecologial Plastic coverage 


Materials 

New biobased plastic for 

technical applications 

Ratio of Plant-based content 

High 

Moldability 

By 

Masaya Ikuno 

Design for Environment Group 

Fuji Xerox CO. 

Kanagawa; Japan 

Conventional ABS plastic 

The former plastic 

The new plastic 

The new plastic 

The former plastic 

ABS plastic 

HB V-2 V-1 V-0 5V 

Flame retardance level (UL94) 

Alloy PLA plastics in the market 

Fig. 1: The new bio-based plastic’s position 

in the Japanese market of flame-retardant 

polylactic-acid-based plastics. 

Ratio of 

plant-based content 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

Impact 

resistance 

1. Introduction 

As the issue of climate change was discussed as one of the main agendas 

in the G8 summit and in the United Nations Framework Convention on 

Climate Change, the subject is now attracting attention around the world. 

Under these circumstances, the Japanese government promotes the use 

of the renewable resource ‘biomass’ through the ‘Biotechnology Strategic 

Scheme’ and the ‘Biomass Nippon Strategy’ policies. This is because 

the government focuses on the ‘carbon neutrality’ of biomass to prevent 

climate change and also aims to reduce the use of fossil resources by using 

biomass as a renewable resource. In response to the above two policies, 

the size of the Japanese market for biobased plastic is expanding gradually, 

although the speed is still far slower than expected by the government. 

In 2007, to be more environmentally friendly, Fuji Xerox developed a plantbased 

plastic (hereinafter referred to as former plastic) that represented 

an alternative to petroleum-based flame-retardant acrylonitrile butadiene 

styrene (ABS). This plastic was introduced for movable sections inside 

multifunctional machines and printers. Parts made of the former plastic 

were the first to acquire the Japanese BiomassPla logo (BP logo see Fig. 3) 

for multifunctional machines and printers. A BP logo is a certification 

provided to plastic products with a plant-based content of more than 25 

percent by weight by the Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA) (see bM 

02/02008). After that, this plant-based plastic has been progressively 

introduced for parts in new Fuji Xerox products. 

The former plastic, however, was a material with a biomass ratio 

(by weight) that is comparatively low for biobased materials because it 

consisted of a polymer alloy of polylactic-acid (PLA) and a ‘petroleumbased 

resin blend’. In recent years, to have customers use multifunctional 

machines and printers more safely, high flame retardancy (according to 

UL 94) has been required for some plastic parts. Flame retardancy of the 

former plastic was not high enough (rated V-2) to be introduced for such 

parts. 

Therefore, with a strong design concept to develop a high plant-content 

plastic without using rapidly depleting resources but by fully utilizing the 

experiences in developing the former plastic, Fuji Xerox succeeded in 

establishing the new formulation of biobased plastic that has a high plantbased 

content and high flame retardancy, and succeeded in introducing the 

plastic for use in movable sections inside multifunctional machines and 

printers. 

Flame 

retardance 

Flexibility 

2. Characteristics of the new plastic 

Heat resistance 

Fig. 2: Comparison of characteristics between Fuji 

Xerox’s new biomass plastic, the former biomass 

plastic, and conventional ABS plastic 

Fig. 1 shows the position of the new plastic in the Japanese market. The 

main characteristics of this plastic are a biobased content of approximately 

60 % and flame retardancy rated V-1 (UL 94). Since the biobased content 

is comparably high, the new plastic was the first in the multifunctional 

machine and printer industry to acquire the BiomassPla 50 logo, which is 

provided to plastic products with a plant-based content of more than 50% 

by wt. by the JBPA. 


Materials 

Fig. 2 shows the comparison between the characteristics 

of the new plastic with those of the former plastic and 

those of Fuji Xerox’s conventional flame-retardant ABS 

plastic. Although the new plastic holds the advantage in 

terms of biobased content and flame retardancy, some of 

its properties are inferior to those of the former plastic 

and those of the conventional ABS plastic. Collaboration 

between the material development department and 

the engineering design department led to an improved 

material so that it can now be used for those movable 

sections in multifunctional machines and printers. 

Fig. 3 shows the Drum Cover, which is one of the parts for 

which the new plastic is being used. Since it is a movable 

section, the evaluation must reflect its actual usage. The 

static and dynamic loads applied to this movable section, 

which is opened and closed for cleaning or replacement 

of parts by customers or service engineers, were closely 

examined. 

For example, it was predicted how often the part will 

be opened and closed, and opening and closing tests for 

several hundreds of times were conducted. By repeating 

such tests reflecting the actual usage of each part, it could 

be confirmed that there are no issues in practical use and 

Fuji Xerox was confident to introduce the new biobased 

plastic to products. 

3. Technology Summary of the New Plastic 

As is shown in Fig. 1, many of the PLA based materials 

in the market consist of polymer alloys of PLA and 

petroleum-based resins. This is because it is difficult to 

ensure flame retardancy and strength for plastics which 

only use plant-based resins (PLA) as its base constituent, 

compared to polymer alloys. 

Fuji Xerox overcame this issue by selecting effective 

phosphorous flame retardants and combining the flame 

retardants to achieve higher retardancy (rated V-1, UL 94) 

in the new plastic based on polylactic acid resin compared 

to that in the former plastic. To achieve high flame 

retardancy, it is necessary to include higher amounts of 

flame retardants, which generally have a negative impact 

on some of the properties of the plastic. Therefore, it was 

essential to develop a material that delivers high flame 

retardancy and still maintains the characteristics required 

for the plastic parts. 

Actually, a material based on the combination of 

only PLA and flame retardants would result in a plastic 

material with insufficient properties and it would be 

impossible to be used in a multifunctional machine. To 

ensure the strength of the plastic, the additives to increase 

the adhesion between the base resin and additives (Fig. 

4) were optimized, as well as the molecular weight and 

cross-linkage of the base resin to create a material that is 

highly resistant to impact (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6). By introducing 

this technology, eventually a plastic of high biobased 

content and high flame-retardancy was introduced for 

movable sections. 

Additive 

Before adding the new additive 

Fig. 3: Drum cover of Fuji 

Xerox copy machine 

Additive 

After adding the new additive 

Fig. 4: Comparison of adhesion of additives and base resin in 

plastic before and after adding the new additives 

High 

Flexibility 

Elongation at break % 

Five Five times times higher 

Low 

Before adding the new additives 

After adding the new additives 

Fig. 5: Comparison of flexibility before and after 

adding the new additives 


Materials 

Crack 

Before adding the new additive 

After adding the new additive 

Fig. 6 Surface impact test 

The result after dropping a 500 g iron ball 

from a certain height 

4. Mouldability of new plastic 

As is shown in Fig. 2, since the viscosity and thus the 

flow behaviour of the new plastic is improved compared 

to the former plastic and the conventional ABS plastic, 

it is possible to create thin plastic parts and reduce the 

weight of the parts. On the other hand, since polylactic 

acid resin is a crystalline resin, there are remaining 

issues such as demoulding and post-shrinkage 

after demoulding when compared to conventional 

materials. First successes in solving these issues were 

reached through collaboration with the manufacturing 

technology department so that the new plastic could be 

introduced to manufacture products. 

5. Future efforts for new plastic 

The new plastic was introduced as the improved 

type of the former plastic to be used for parts inside 

machines. Research is on-going to further improve 

its flame retardancy and properties to introduce the 

plastic to outside parts where flame retardancy rating 

of 5V (UL 94) is required. Fuji Xerox is also aiming to 

increase the bio-based resin content in a product. 

Currently, work is on-going on the environmentallyfriendly 

design of plant-based plastic parts from 

the material design phase, the moulding phase, the 

engineering design phase, and to commercialization 

by communicating with the related departments. The 

target is to develop plant-based plastic that is equivalent 

to conventional plastic in terms of properties, cost, and 

mouldability through closer collaboration with related 

members inside and outside Fuji Xerox to expand the 

use of environmentally-friendly plastic. 

Fuji Xerox has evolved the new biobased plastic 

from the materials it developed in 2007 with technical 

assistance from FUJIFILM Corporation aiming to not 

use petroleum-based materials. UNITIKA LTD. has 

also been cooperating in developing the system for 

mass production. 

wwwfujixerox.co.jp 


Applications 

The biological 

bearing material 

Plain bearing made of iglidur N54 

Polymer researcher and bearings specialist igus GmbH, 

Cologne, has developed a plain bearing material that 

is based on 54% renewable raw materials. About 90% 

of the material for the new ‘iglidur N54’ plain bearing consists 

of a partly biobased PA 6.10 which is made from 62% 

vegetable oil rather than finite crude oil. The company’s mechanically 

and tribologically optimised biological plastic is 

suitable for universal use in the low-load range: “Not only at 

K’2010 we observed a distinctive trend towards biopolymers“ 

said igus product manager René Achnitz, “so we asked ourselves 

how we could exploit the potential for the benefit of our 

customers?” igus thought that bioplastics could be an ideal 

solution to make environmentally friendly products such as 

the lubricant free plain bearings even ‘greener’. René Achnitz: 

“The new, lubricant-free ‘iglidur N54’” material joins 

our broad range of high-performance materials for general 

purpose, low-load applications and is a first serious step towards 

‘green bearings’.” As well as general mechanical engineering 

applications, igus mainly sees possibilities in consumer goods 

markets, for example furniture or other items of daily use. 

Ecological advantage of polymer bearings 

The new bio-bearing smoothly fits in with the company’s 

concept of developing environmentally friendly alternatives 

for more and more applications that currently work with 

lubricated metallic plain and roller bearings. On the one 

hand, ‘iglidur’ bearings help to protect resources and the 

environment due to the incorporated solid lubricants. 

Polymer bearings from igus do not require any oil and 

grease, are lubricant- and maintenance-free, which means 

no contaminants are released to the environment. In 

addition, they have a low weight in comparison with metallic 

options, leading to lower masses and thus reduced energy 

consumption. Furthermore, the energy balance for the 

production of plastics is significantly better than for metals. 

Whereas the energy from 15 litres of crude oil is necessary 

to produce 1 litre of aluminium, and 1 litre of steel requires 

11 litres of crude oil calculated on the same basis, the 

production of 1 litre of plastic only needs an average of 1.8 

litres of crude oil. According to igus, this value is expected to 

fall even further on account of the major progress currently 

being made in the field of vegetable oil based polymers. MT 

www.igus.de 

New ‘basics‘ book on bioplastics 

This new book, created and published by Polymedia Publisher, maker of bioplastics 

MAGAZINE will be available from early April 2012 in English and German language. 

The book is intended to offer a rapid and uncomplicated introduction into the subject 

of bioplastics, and is aimed at all interested readers, in particular those who have not 

yet had the opportunity to dig deeply into the subject, such as students, those just joining 

this industry, and lay readers. It gives an introduction to plastics and bioplastics, explains 

which renewable resources can be used to produce bioplastics, what types of bioplastic 

exist, and which ones are already on the market. Further aspects, such as market 

development, the agricultural land required, and waste disposal, are also examined. 

An extensive index allows the reader to find specific aspects quickly, and is 

complemented by a comprehensive literature list and a guide to sources of additional 

information on the Internet. 

The author Michael Thielen is editor and publisher bioplastics MAGAZINE. He is a 

qualified machinery design engineer with a degree in plastics technology from the 

RWTH University in Aachen. He has written several books on the subject of blowmoulding 

technology and disseminated his knowledge of plastics in numerous 

presentations, seminars, guest lectures and teaching assignments. 

110 pages full color, paperback 

ISBN 978-3-9814981-1-0: Bioplastics 

ISBN 978-3-9814981-0-3: Biokunststoffe 

Pre-order now for € 18.65 or US-$ 25.00 (+ VAT where applicable, plus shipping and handling, ask for details) 

order at www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/books, by phone +49 2161 6884463 or by e-mail books@bioplasticsmagazine.com 


Foam 

A 

B 

CO 2 

CO 2 

Photosynthesis/ 

carbon fixation 

Photosynthesis/ 

carbon fixation 

Figure 2: 

(a) Synthesis of PHBV by 

bacterial fermentation process; 

(b) Direct synthesis of PHBV in 

crop plants. Graphic according to 

Y. Poirier, Nature Biotechnology, 

Vol. 17, p. 960, 1999 

Propionic 

acid 

Starch 

Glucose 

PHBV 

Harvest & 

processing 

Fermentation 

Harvest & 

processing 

Threonine 2-ketobutyrate isoleucine 

Propionyl-CoA 

Acetyl-CoA Fatty acids 

PHBV 

PHBV 

Harvest & 

processing 

PHBV foams and its 

By 

Alireza Javadi 1,2 , Srikanth Pilla 2 , 

Lih-Sheng Turng 2,3 , Shaoqin Gong 1,2 

1 

Department of Biomedical Engineering, 

University of Wisconsin–Madison, WI, USA 

2 

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, 

Madison, WI, USA 

3 

Department of Mechanical Engineering, 

University of Wisconsin–Madison, WI, USA 

3HB 

PHBV 

3HV 

Figure 2: Schematic chemical structure of Poly 

(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). 

Introduction 

In the past few years, extensive research on biobased and 

biodegradable polymers has led to a better understanding 

of their properties and morphologies, as well as their 

structure–property relationship. Poly(hydroxyalkanoates) 

(PHAs), a family of linear polyesters produced in nature by 

bacterial fermentation of various renewable sources such 

as sugars, lipids, and alkanoic acids, are among the most 

promising biobased and biodegradable materials currently 

being investigated [1]. Among PHAs, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) 

(PHB) and its copolymers Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- 

hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) have attracted a lot of attention in 

the past two decades due to their unique properties. PHBV 

is either produced directly from plants or synthesized by 

microorganisms by consuming sugars in the presence of 

propionic acid (Figure 1) [2]. PHBV (Figure 2) is available 

commercially under various names including Tianan 

Biologic’s ENMAT Y1000P, Biomer’s Biomer L, and 

Metabolix’s Mirel. 

In spite of improved mechanical (e.g., toughness) and 

thermal properties compared to PHB, PHBV still exhibits 

some disadvantages including low strain-at-break, narrow 

processing window, slow crystallization rate, and higher cost 

as compared to petroleum-based synthetic polymers [3]. 

In order to tailor its properties and decrease its total cost, 

several approaches have been proposed such as forming 

blends or composites with biodegradable polymers, natural 

fillers, or inorganic fillers. 

PHBV-based polymer blends and composites have 

been extensively studied in order to reduce their material 

cost, improve their processability, and engineer their 


Foam 

Figure 3: Representative 

scanning electron microscopy 

(SEM) image of the tensile 

fractured surface of a 

component processed by 

microcellular injection 

molding. 

engineered composites 

mechanical (e.g., toughness) and thermal properties (e.g., 

degree of crystallinity) [4]. In order to fully utilize PHBV in 

diverse applications, improving its thermal and mechanical 

properties (such as brittleness and low strain-at-break) 

and employing economic processing techniques (such as 

microcellular injection molding [5]) is important. 

Processing 

Similar to other thermoplastics, PHBV processing can also 

be done using conventional polymer processing equipment 

such as twin-screw extruder, injection-molding machine, etc. 

However, due to its sensitivity to thermal degradation, it is 

critical that lower processing temperatures are employed. 

Since this is practically difficult to implement with conventional 

processing equipment, a special fabrication technology has 

been implemented by the authors in all of their work on 

PHBV. This unique processing method, called microcellular 

processing technology, is an environmental-friendly polymer 

processing method capable of mass-producing components 

with minimally compromised material properties while 

consuming less energy and materials, as compared to 

components produced by the conventional processes [6]. The 

microcellular process uses a supercritical fluid (either CO 2 

or N 2 

) which acts as a plasticizing agent thereby reducing 

the processing temperature of PHBV. Some of the most 

common types of microcellular processes available today are 

microcellular extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding. 

The microcellular process encompasses three major steps: 

gas dissolution, cell nucleation, and cell growth. Due to their 

unique properties, microcellular components (Figure 3) 

are particularly attractive for applications such as food 

packaging, automotive industry, sporting equipments, roof 

sheet insulators, microelectronic circuit board insulators, 

electronic wire insulation, and molecular-grade filters [37]. 

Properties 

One of the major drawbacks of PHBV is its poor thermal 

stability [7]. This co-polyester, similar to other types of 

polyesters, undergoes thermal degradation and hydrolysis 

which can lead to a reduction in molecular weight at 

temperatures above 170°C. Several methods such as 

incorporation of supercritical fluids (discussed above) [8], 

natural fibers (including kenaf fiber [9], pineapple fiber 

[10], and bamboo fiber [11]), and inorganic nanofillers [7] 

(e.g. organically modified nanoclay) into the PHBV matrix 

have been shown to improve the thermal stability of PHBV. 

Another significant drawback of PHBV is its brittleness 

which can be attributed to: (1) low nucleation density and 

a slow crystallization rate which leads to the formation 

of large spherulites [12]; (2) a logarithmic increase in the 

degree of PHBV crystallinity during storage time when more 

amorphous regions integrate into the crystalline regions, 

which will result in physical aging and a significant reduction 

in the impact strength [13]; and (3) circular and radial 

cracks inside the large spherulites which can act as stress 

concentration spots and promote the brittleness of PHBV 

[14]. To improve the mechanical properties of PHBV, several 

approaches such as blending with tough polymers (including 

poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) [4] and poly(butylene 

adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)) [5], and organic/inorganic 

nanofillers [7, 15] (including hyperbranched polymers and 

nanoclay) have been utilized to improve the PHBV’s strainat-break 

and toughness [15]. 


Foam 

Applications 

Owing to the fact that it has similar mechanical and 

thermal properties to polyolefins, PHBV is considered a 

promising alternative for fossil resource based polymers in 

the automotive, construction, agricultural, and packaging 

industries [16]. PHBV exhibits excellent barrier properties; 

thus, can be used in packaging and agricultural industries 

[17,18]. In the agricultural industry, PHBV is also used as a 

carrier for pesticides in order to achieve the controlled release 

of pesticides via PHBV biodegradation [18]. Additionally, due 

to its natural origin and microbial polymerization process, 

PHBV does not contain any catalytic residues, which makes 

it suitable for biomedical applications such as bone tissue 

engineering, cartilage tissue engineering, nerve guidance 

channels, intestinal patches, wound dressings, surgical 

sutures, and drug carrier systems [19]. 

Several research groups have blended PHBV with other 

biodegradable polymers such as PPC (polypropylene 

carbonate) [4] and PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) 

[5] to modify its mechanical, biodegradation, and 

morphological properties and to broaden its applicability in 

various industries. Also, natural fibers such as wood fiber 

[20], bamboo fiber [11], wheat straw [21], flax [22], abaca [22], 

jute [23], and coir fiber [24], which are cheap, lightweight, and 

abundantly available, have been incorporated into the PHBV 

matrix to tailor its mechanical properties and reduce its weight 

and production cost. Moreover, inorganic nanofillers such as 

nanoclays have been incorporated into the PHBV matrix to 

modify the mechanical and thermal properties of PHBV [25]. 

With the continuous development of new PHBV-based blends 

and composites and new processing technologies, an even 

broader range of applications are anticipated for biobased 

and biodegradable PHBV. 

References 

1. K.G. Satyanarayana, G.G.C. Arizaga, F. Wypych, 

Progress in Polymer Science, Vol. 34, p. 982, 2009. 

2. A. K. Mohanty, M. Misra, G. Hinrichsen, Macromolecular 

Materials and Engineering, Vol. 276, p. 1, 2000. 

3. S. F. Wang, C. J. Song, G. X. Chen, T.Y. Guo, J. Liu, 

B.H. Zhang, S. Takeuchi, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 

Vol. 87, p. 69, 2005. 

4. J. Li, M.F. Lai, J.J. Liu, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 

Vol. 98, p. 1427, 2005. 

5. A. Javadi, A. J. Kramschuster, S. Pilla, J. Lee, S. Gong, L. 

S.Turng, Polymer Engineering and Science, 

Vol. 50, p. 1440, 2010. 

6. S. Gong, L.S. Turng, C. Park, L. Liao, “Microcellular Polymer 

Nanocomposites for Packaging and other Applications,” 

in: A. Mohanty, M. Misra, H.S. Nalwa, eds., Packaging 

Nanotechnology, American Scientific Publishers, pp.144, 2008. 

7. M. Avella, E. Martuscelli, M. Raimo, Journal of Materials 

Science, Vol. 35, p. 523, 2000. 

8. M.J. Jenkins, Y. Cao, L. Howell, G.A. Leeke, Polymer, 

Vol. 48, p. 6304, 2007. 

9. M. Avella, G.B. Gaceva, A. Buzarovska, M.E. Errico, G. Gentile, 

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 104, p. 3192, 2007. 

10. S. Luo, A.N. Netravali, Polymer Composites, 

Vol. 20, p. 367, 1999. 

11. S. Singh, A. K. Mohanty, T. Sugie, Y. Takai, H. Hamada, 

Composites: Part A, Vol. 39, p. 875, 2008. 

12. G. J. M. Koning, P. J. Lemstra, Polymer, Vol. 34, p. 4089, 1993. 

13. G. J. M. Koning, A. H. C. Scheeren, P. J. Lemstra, M. Peeters, 

H. Reynaers, Polymer Vol. 35, p. 4598, 1994. 

14. J. K. Hobbs, T. J. McMaaster, M. J. Miles, P. J. Barham, 

Polymer, Vol. 37, p. 3241, 1996. 

15. P. J. Barham, A. Keller, Journal of Polymer Science Part B: 

Polymer Physics, Vol. 24, p. 69, 1986. 

16. L. Jiang, E. Morelius, J. Zhang, M. Wolcott, J. Holbery, 

Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 42, p. 2629, 2008. 

17. C.A. Lauzier, C.J. Monasterios, I. Saracovan, R.H. 

Marchessault, B.A. Ramsay, Tappi Journal, Vol. 76, p. 71, 1993. 

18. P. A. Holmes, UK Patent Application, Great Britain, 

2160208, 1985. 

19. C.W. Pouton, S. Akhtar, Advanced Drug Delivery Review, 

Vol. 18, p. 133, 1996. 

20. S. Singh, A.K. Mohanty, Composites Science and Technology, 

Vol. 67, p. 1753, 2007. 

21. M. 26, G. Rota, E. Martuscelli, M. Raimo, P. Sadocco, G. Elegir, 

Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 35, p. 829, 2000. 

22. N.M. Barkoula, S.K. Garkhail, T. Peijs, 

Industrial Crops and Products, Vol. 31, p. 34, 2010. 

23. A.K. Bledzki, A. Jaszkiewicz, Composites Science and 

Technology, Vol. 70, p. 1687, 2010. 

24. A. Javadi, Y. Srithep, S. Pilla, J. Lee, S. Gong, L. S. Turng, 

Materials Science and Engineering: C, Vol. 30, p. 749, 2010. 

25. G.X. Chen, G.J. Hao, T.Y. Guo, M.D. Song, B.H. Zhang, Journal 

of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 93, p. 655, 2004. 


Materials 

VTT Technical Research Centre, Espoo, Finland and 

Aalto University, Espoo/Helsinki, Finlandm have 

developed a method which for the first time enables 

manufacturing of a wood-based and plastic-like material 

in large scale. The method enables industrial scale 

roll-to-roll production of nanofibrillated cellulose film, 

which is suitable for e.g. food packaging to protect products 

from spoilage. 

Nanofibrillated cellulose typically binds high amounts 

of water and forms gels with only a few per cent dry 

matter content. This characteristic has been a bottleneck 

for industrial-scale manufacture. In most cases, fibril 

cellulose films are manufactured through pressurised 

filtering but the gel-like nature of the material makes 

this route difficult. In addition, the wires and membranes 

used for filtering may leave a so-called ‘mark’ on the 

film which has a negative impact on the evenness of the 

surface. 

www.vtt.fi 

Transparent plastic-like packing 

material from birch fibril pulp 

magnetic_148,5x105.ai 175.00 lpi 15.00° 14.03.2009 10:13:31 

magnetic_148,5x105.ai 175.00 lpi 75.00° 0.00° 45.00° 14.03.2009 10:13:31 

Prozess CyanProzess MagentaProzess GelbProzess Schwarz 

According to the method developed by VTT and 

Aalto University nanofibrillated cellulose films are 

manufactured by evenly coating fibril cellulose on plastic 

films so that the spreading and adhesion on the surface 

of the plastic can be controlled. The films are dried in a 

controlled manner by using a range of existing techniques. 

Thanks to the management of spreading, adhesion and 

drying, the films do not shrink and are completely even. 

The more fibrillated cellulose material is used, the more 

transparent films can be manufactured. 

Several metres of fibril cellulose film have been 

manufactured with VTT’s pilot-scale device in Espoo. All 

the phases in the method can be transferred to industrial 

production processes. The films can be manufactured 

using devices that already exist in the industry, without 

the need for any major additional investment. 

VTT and Aalto University are applying for a patent for 

the production technology of NFC film. Trial runs and the 

related development work are performed at VTT. 

K 

The invention was implemented in the Naseva – 

Tailoring of Nanocellulose Structures for Industrial 

Applications project by the Finnish Funding Agency for 

Technology and Innovation (Tekes) that is included in the 

Finnish Centre for Nanocellulosic Technologies project 

entity formed by UPM, VTT and Aalto University. 

Nanofibrillated cellulose grade used was UPM 

Fibrilcellulose supplied by UPM. 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

Magnetic 

www.plasticker.com 

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Show Preview 

NPE’2012 will take place April 1-5, 2012 at the Orange 

County Convention Center in Orlando, USA, after 40 years 

in Chicago. The improved economies and logistics of this 

new venue have encouraged many NPE’2012 exhibitors to bring 

more machinery to the show, much of it to be operated on-site, 

according to John Effmann of ENTEK Manufacturing Inc, who is 

chairman of NPE’2012. But not only machinery will be presented 

in Orlando. Besides conventional plastics NPE will again be 

a showcase and technology exchange for polymers derived from 

corn, castor beans, soybeans, potatoes, tapioca, and other natural 

resources. Again bioplastics will be one of the most interesting 

topics in this year‘s NPE‘2012, The International Plastics 

Showcase organized by SPI (The Society of the Plastics Industry). 

bioplastics MAGAZINE will not only be an exhibitor (please come 

and see us at booth 58047, South & North Halls) but will also offer 

a comprehensive show preview below (including a floor plan as a 

centerfold in this issue) and a show review in issue 03/2012. On 

our website you will find more bioplastics related info about NPE 

as we approach the show … 

Resirene 

The BIORENE ® family of Resirene are hybrid resins of 

PS or PP and thermoplastic starch, and they represent a 

biobased alternative to traditional plastics. The PS-Starch 

blend, Biorene HA-40 is ‘OK Biobased’ certified and be 

used to produce a wide range of everyday products, such 

as disposables, pen barrels, cutlery and the like. 

BIORENE resins deliver a competitive performance 

versus traditional plastics and can be processed in the 

same machinery as ordinary plastics. Another benefit 

is that Biorene uses lower processing temperatures, up 

to 50°F, thus enhancing productivity and saving energy 

costs. 

The benefits using Biorene: 

• Easy to process 

• Competitive performance 

• OK-Biobased certified 

(editor’s note:) However, Biorene products should 

not be marketed as biodegradable, as they content non 

biodegradable PS or PP 

www.resirene.com 

63027 South & North Halls 

Teknor Apex 

The Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex will be 

highlighting the following new products: 

High-impact, high-heat PLA: Enhanced PLA 

compounds overcome the inverse relationship between 

heat distortion temperature (HDT) and Izod impact 

strength that is typical in standard PLA. Injection molding 

grades provide up to two times the HDT and up to six 

times the Izod impact strength of standard PLA resins. 

Extrusion/thermoforming grades exhibit up to two times 

the HDT and more than four times the Izod impact 

strength. 

Compostable compound for blown film: A blend of 

thermoplastic starch (TPS) and biodegradable copolyester 

(PBAT) degrades more rapidly than the copolyester alone, 

broadening application possibilities for film products 

intended for composting. 

Additives for PLA: 

A series of pellet 

masterbatches with PLA 

carrier resins enhance 

the processing and enduse 

performance of PLA. 

The additives include 

products for increasing 

impact strength, 

enhancing melt strength, 

and serving as a release 

agent in molding and 

extrusion. 

www.teknorapex.com 



Show Preview 

IDES 

The IDES Prospector Plastics Search Engine includes 

84463 plastic material datasheets from 864 global resin 

manufacturers. At NPE 2012 IDES will be highlighting 

the bioplastics search functionality in their Prospector 

Plastics Database. The number of bioplastics listed in the 

system has grown tremendously and there are now nearly 

2500 grades that are biodegradable, include recycled 

content or are derived from renewable resources. 

Additionally, several bioplastics within the database are 

available for medical and healthcare applications. 

www.ides.com 


RTP Company 

Global custom engineered thermoplastics compounder 

RTP Company has received ‘USDA Certified Biobased 

Product’ labels for two of its PLA-based bioplastic 

specialty compounds through the USDA‘s BioPreferred 

Voluntary Labeling Initiative. Following the program‘s 

requirements, RTP Company‘s compounds were thirdparty 

tested in accordance with ASTM D6866 procedures 

and renewable biobased carbon content is reported as a 

percent of total carbon content. 

RTP 2099 X 121249 C Natural, is a 30% glass fiber 

reinforced PLA grade. Because the glass fiber component 

of this compound does not contain any carbon, this 

product has been certified to have a biobased carbon 

content of 99%. With tensile strength and flexural 

modulus properties exceeding those of 30% glass fiber 

reinforced polypropylene (PP) and comparable to 30% 

glass fiber reinforced polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). 

RTP 2099 X 126213 Natural, is a polylactic acid/ 

polycarbonate (PLA/PC) alloy with a biobased carbon 

content of 26%. With shrinkage, impact, and heat 

distortion temperature similar to many PC/ABS alloys 

www.rtpcompany.com 


Photo courtesy of Brooks Sports Inc. 

Merquinsa 

Merquinsa presents several commercial applications 

from large global brands applying Bio TPU from renewable 

sources (bio content from 20% up to 90% according to 

ASTM D6866). One example is Ford Motor Company’s 

use of renewable-sourced materials which prompted 

the selection of Pearlthane ® ECO for the Lincoln MKZ 

tambour console door. Other sports, footwear, automotive 

& industrial companies have adopted and turned to Bio 

TPU since then: Bio TPU is now a commercial reality 

globally. Merquinsa’s Bio TPU is used for example by 

Brooks Sports in running goods. 

The Bio TPU product portfolio includes UV-stabilized 

grades in a wide range of hardnesses for molding and 

extrusion applications: 

In addition, Bio TPU allows part weight reduction up to 

7%. From 80 Shore A up to 95 Shore A hardness, Bio TPU 

offers lower density, and thus, is a lower cost solution. 

See data below on standard petroleum-based Pearlthane 

vs. Renewable-sourced Pearlthane ECO TPU grades: 

Merquinsa was recently acquired by The Lubrizol 

Corporation. The Merquinsa products will be integrated 

into Lubrizol’s Engineered Polymers business. 

Leistritz 

Wide ranging twin screw extrusion technologies will be 

displayed at the Leistritz NPE 2012 exhibit. A partial list of 

what will be exhibited includes: 

A ZSE-50 MAXX twin screw extruder configured for both 

reactive and direct extrusion. The model as exhibited is 

particularly suited for the processing of biopolymers 

The ZSE-40 MAXX on display will be equipped with a 

new swing-gate strand die assembly. The co-rotating 

twin screw extruder is ideal for masterbatch and 

custom compounding production. The swing gate frontend 

assembly is ideal for processing shear sensitive 

bioplastics. 

In a special Lab-scale twin screw extruder display 

area Leistritz will display a nano-16 twin screw extruder 

system (particularly beneficial for processing biopolymer 

compounds in the early stages of development when 

material availability is limited to 100 grams or less), a 

ZSE-18 twin screw extruder: and a Micro-27 modular, 

multi-mode twin screw extruder. The co-/counterrotating 

feature of the Micro 27 facilitates wide ranging 

development efforts for biopolymer compounds. 

www.leistritz –extrusion.com 

5975 West Hall 

www.merquinsa.com 



Show 

Guide 

North & Shouth Halls 

Austin Novel Materials, North America 52059 27 

BASF 24000 8 

bioplastics MAGAZINE 58047 33 

Biopolymers & Biocomposites Research Team 62044 42 

Braskem 59042 38 

Braskem 22006 44 

Chase Plastic Services, Inc. 37027 19 

Chemtrusion, Inc. 30015 11 

DuPont 35013 16 

DuPont 57046 33 

Eastman Chemical Co. 39013 23 

Ecospan, LLC 58044 36 

EMS 35021 17 

Evonik Degussa Corporation 34023 15 

Evonik Degussa Corporation 55020 29 

Ex-Tech Plastics 33027 13 

Extrusa 59048 37 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH 57042 32 

FKuR Plastics Corporation 57042 32 

Hallink RSB Inc. 19013 5 

Heritage Plastics Inc. 19004 3 

IDES 34020 14 

Jamplast, Inc. 26033 9 

Jarden Plastic Solutions 57009 31 

Kal-Trading 36009 18 

Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd 19008 4 

Kureha America Inc. 21013 7 

LTL Color Compounders, Inc. 50020 25 

Mathelin Bay Associates LLC 61000 40 

Merquinsa North America, Inc. 29022 10 

Minima Technology Co., Ltd. 53048 28 

Nanobiomatters Industries, S.L. 50046 26 

NatureWorks LLC 57048 33 

Nexeo Solutions 61002 41 

Phoenix Plastics L.P. 38008 20 

PolyOne Corporation 15030 2 

PolyOne Corporation 39006 22 

Polyvel, Inc. 31022 12 

Purac 54048 28 

Resirene, S.A. de. C.V. 63027 43 

Rhe Tech Inc 60044 39 

RTP Company 39027 24 

SPI Bioplastics Council 60047 37 

Teinnovations Inc. (PSM Bioplastic) 19027 6 

Teknor Apex Company 58038 35 

TP Composites, Inc. 38023 21 

Tradepro, Inc. 13013 1 

United Soybean Board 55039 30 

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd 60042 38 

South Hall 

South Hall 

North Hall 

Entrance 

bioplastics MAGAZINE 

Food Court 

Not in the North & South Halls, but still active in bioplastics: 

West Hall 

Gneuss, Inc. 6685 

IndiaMART.com 1386 

Leistritz 5975 

Recycling Solutions 3687 

NPE /SPI 

Recycling 

Center

On this floor plan you find the majority of companies 

offering bioplastics related products or services, 

such as resins, compounds, additives, semi-finished 

products and much more. 

For your convenience, you can take the centerfold 

out of the magazine and use it as your personal 

‘Show-Guide’ . 

Shaping the 

future of 

biobased 

plastics 

www.purac.com/bioplastics 

Entrance 

North Hall 

South Hall 

South Hall 

Register now! www.pla-world-congress.com 

(Source: www.npr.org) 



15 + 16 MAY 2012 * Munich * Germany

Show Preview 

Purac 

New applications, new 

markets and improved product 

performance have always been 

the focus of Purac’s continuous 

innovation efforts and 

partnerships. At the NPE 2012 

Purac will present solutions for 

the heat-resistant PLA. High 

purity PLLA and PDLA are now commercially available. 

The technology offers the unique possibility to increase 

the heat-stability of PLA to reach 80 - 150 °C. D-Lactide 

can be used to develop a range of heat-resistant PLA 

products for plastics, films, fibers and foam applications. 

To learn more about this technology meet Purac team at 

the booth in the “What’s hot in the Plastics Technology” 

zone. 

PSM Bioplastic (Teinnovations) 

PSM Bioplastic, gives manufactures the flexibility to 

achieve a wide variety of environmental goals. 

PSM biodegradable resins (HL-300 series) are specially 

designed to be run as a standalone material where endof-life 

disposal is the primary consideration. These resins 

can be used to produce parts that are 100% compostable 

by ASTM standards (e.g. D6400, D5338). 

PSM bio-based resins (HL-100 series) increase the 

bio content of products traditionally made entirely of 

petroleum based plastic, while still remaining extremely 

cost competitive. Blending a high percentage of PSM with 

a small amount of conventional plastic, yields excellent 

results. But using even just a small amount of PSM 

Biobased material will add an ecologically friendly aspect 

to just about any product, and has very little impact on 

part cost, performance, and production. (editor’s note:) 

However, the material will not be biodegradable. 

All PSM materials have a very high temperature 

tolerance for demanding injection molding, 

thermoforming, and flexible film applications. 

www.purac.com 


SPI Bioplastics Council 

The SPI Bioplastics Council is the leading North 

American bioplastics group focused on the development 

of bioplastics as an integral part of the plastics industry. 

At NPE’2012 the SPI Bioplastics Council will be hosting 

the ‘Business of Bioplastics’ educational program on 

Tuesday, April 3 as part of SPI’s Business of Plastics 

Conference. The session, focused on the state of the 

industry, will include leaders from the bioplastics industry 

and U.S. government as well as a highly interactive panel 

discussion. 

In addition, representatives from the SPI Bioplastics 

Council will be in the booth to talk about the Council’s 

activities and its 2012 focus on education, awareness, 

communication and policy/government issues that are 

impacting the industry. 

www.psmna.com 


www.bioplasticscouncil.org. 



Show Preview 

Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research 

Team 

The Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research 

Team (BBRT) at Iowa State University will introduce 

new biorenewable plant containers developed for the 

specialty crop industry. The containers are a sustainable 

replacement for petroleum-based containers and degrade 

harmlessly when planted in a garden. This research 

was recently awarded a $1.9 million grant from USDA’s 

National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 

BBRT will also display other biobased materials 

including carbon fibers, self-healing biorenewable 

polymers, biobased coatings and plastics; and composites 

made from natural oils, fibers, and agricultural coproducts. 

BBRT promotes research and development of new 

formulations and processes for biorenewable polymers 

and composites. BBRT focuses on renewable oils 

polymerization, protein-based plastics processing, 

protein-based adhesives, and cellulosic-based 

composites. The team has a broad range of knowledge 

including polymer chemistry, characterization, and 

processing. 

www.biocom.iastate.edu 


Gneuss 

Gneuss is a specialist for filtration, processing and 

measurement technology. The patented Gneuss Rotary 

Filtration Systems enable fully automatic, process and 

pressure constant filtration. Gneuss Melt Pressure 

and Temperature Sensors are characterized by their 

extremely high precision, combined with a high degree 

of robustness. Both, Gneuss filtration and measurement 

technology have been applied for bioplastics such as PLA 

since several years. The patented MRS Multi Rotation 

System offers completely new possibilities with regard 

to the efficient degassing and extrusion of polymer melts 

and has been tested with PLA as well. 

LTL Color Compounders 

LTL Color Compounders is a custom color compounder 

of engineered thermoplastic resins including biopolymers. 

Standard product lines include ColorFast ® , ColorRx ® 

medical and non-biocompatible grade resins, Surlyn 

Reflection Series ® thermoplastic alloy, and EcoFast 

recycled compounds. Some markets served are electronics, 

lawn & garden, medical, personal recreational 

vehicles, automotive, optical, sports, and agricultural. 

LTL offers live customer service, no minimum orders, 

short lead times, and toll compounding. Labs are staffed 

with experienced color matchers and lab technicians, 

and lab extrusion equipment is available for customer 

trials. The company is ISO9001:2008 and ISO13485:2003 

certified. Dongguan LTL Color Compounders in China is 

ISO9001:2008 certified and their operation mirrors LTL’s 

US operation. In 2010 LTL celebrated its 20th anniversary, 

and they have many years of experience manufacturing a 

multitude of resins and color matching to their customers’ 

requirements. LTL‘s R&D department is continually 

developing new products, many of which are UL listed. 

www.ltlcolor-com 


NatureWorks 

NatureWorks, the world’s leading supplier and 

innovator of biopolymers, plastics made from plants, 

not oil, is displaying a host of extruded, thermoformed, 

injection molded, and spun bond and melt blow films, 

fibers, durable, and semi-durable products. Finished 

goods include everything from baby wipes to iPhone 

covers and food-service cutlery to deli containers. 

Since 2003, NatureWorks has been producing world 

scale commercial quantities of Ingeo biopolymer and 

working with the supply chain to develop best practices 

for conversion of these new grades of resin into the 

broadest possible range of products. The NatureWorks 

technical sales team will be on hand to answer questions 

from engineers, designers, product managers, and 

plant personnel about the latest in resin grades and 

developments in converting. There will also be information 

about the second Ingeo production facility scheduled to 

come online in 2015, feedstock diversity, and production 

volume increases. Visitors can compare the price stability 

aspects of Ingeo with petroleum-based polymers. 

www.natureworksllc.com 


www.gneuss.com 

6685, West Hall 


Show Preview 

FKuR 

Bioplastics specialist FKuR Plastics Corp. will be presenting a broad variety of biodegradable, 

biobased and natural fiber reinforced compounds. 

“During the last few months we have concentrated our development work on new 

formulations for injection molding and film applications“, says Patrick Zimmermann, 

Director Marketing & Sales at FKuR. ”These intelligent and tailor made compounds made 

from renewable resources enable our customers to capture new applications and markets“, 

explains Mr. Zimmermann. 

Besides the already well-established product lines Bio-Flex ® and Biograde ® FKuR will 

present new tailor-made green polyethylene compounds under the brand name Terralene, 

based on Braskems’ Green PE. 

www.fkur.com 


Minima Technology 

Minima Technology has expertise in biodegradable and 

100% compostable polymer applications with innovative 

compounding techniques and International certifications. 

Minima Technology has built its research and 

development center to include a broad range of mechanical 

options which give prospective clients flexibility when 

discussing environmental options. A family of likeminded 

companies in different fields of processing expertise 

assist Minima Technology with manufacture is required. 

The options available include: Extrusion, Printing, Resin 

Compounding, Conversion, Physical/Chemical foaming, 

Thermoforming, Blow Molding, Injection Molding. 

The core philosophy of the company is to find a relatively 

simple way of ‘Love Earth Directly’ as ‘along nature by 

nature’ is the best way, by means of biodegradable plastic 

to replace and minimize conventional Petrol-plastic to be 

continually impacting onto earth environment. 

The registered readers of bioplastics MAGAZINE get this 

issue in an envelope sponsored by Minima Technology 

and made from one of their film blowing grades. 

United Soybean Board 

Kansas State University Installs Soy-Based Turf on 

Athletic Facilities. The University installed about five 

acres of AstroTurf ® GameDay Grass, which features 

BioCel ® technology, a soy-based polyurethane backing. 

From professional-level to high-school sports, hundreds 

of teams in 42 states across America compete on more 

than 365 hectares (900 acres) of soy-backed AstroTurf. 

Soy-Based Composites Used in Waterless Urinals. Soy 

represents a versatile feedstock for any company looking 

to replace petrochemicals with environmentally friendly 

alternatives. Waterless Company represents an example, 

using soy-based products in their urinal products. 

Waterless offers urinals with up to 35% Envirez ® , a soybased 

resin from Ashland Chemical. 

Soy-Based Polyols Offer Green Gasket Options to Auto 

Industry. Soy continues to grow in its role in the automotive 

industry, with soy-based gaskets, in addition to soy foam 

in seats, soy plastics in body parts and other uses. The 

auto industry continues to look to soy-based products 

to provide sustainable products that meet or exceed 

the requirements and performance of petrochemical 

products. 

www.minima-tech.com 


www.soynewuses.org 


30 


NPE2012, the world’s largest plastics conference, exposition and 

technology exchange, blasts into Orlando, Florida USA this April 

to reshape the future of our industry! Showcasing more than 2,000 

exhibitors, NPE is the only global event that allows you to: 

See large-scale, running machines in action 

Explore more than 2 million square feet 

of solutions for every segment of the 

plastics industry supply chain 

Discover new and emerging technologies 

among hundreds of on-site demos every day 

Meet 75,000 plastics professionals from more 

than 120 countries 

Access hundreds of timely programs, from business 

development to the latest technical advances 

Connect with the entire lifecycle of the plastics industry 

And much, much more! 

REGISTER NOW AT NPE.ORG 

Co-located at NPE2012:

Application News 

Biocomposite canoe 

An all natural composite canoe designed and manufactured 

in the UK using flax fibre and a linseed oil based resin was 

be showcased at the recent Composites Europe trade show. 

The canoe has been built by Flaxland and is made from a 

flax fabric (Biotex Flax 4x4 Hopsack) supplied by Composites 

Evolution, Bridge Way, UK, and a UV cured bioresin (EcoComp 

UV-L) supplied by Sustainable Composites, Redruth, UK. It 

is constructed using a marine plywood and European pine 

frame that is covered using the Biotex flax material and then 

impregnated with the linseed based resin. 

Simon Cooper, owner of Flaxland, is a traditional boat 

builder with a strong interest in using all natural materials. 

“I became interested in the use of Flax as a sustainable crop 

for the production of oil and fibre to make a boat. I wanted 

to find new, novel, but natural materials, and in my search 

found the Biotex website” he explained. 

Flaxland trialled many flax fabrics and found that Biotex 

suited the needs of the project best. Owner, Simon Cooper 

felt that Biotex had good impregnation, wet out and very good 

tear strength which was equal to the synthetic materials 

allowing for a flexible yet strong canoe which could be been 

made without the use of a mould tool. 

Flaxland have made a total of seven prototypes so far, 

using both the Biotex Flax 4x4 Hopsack and Biotex 3H Satin 

weaves. The Hopsack version offers a resilient and durable 

canoe which has a net weight of just less than 12 kg and the 

Satin version gives a lighter weight option, at just 8 kg, for 

racing. 

The canoe is currently undergoing long term durability and 

water resistance tests and, according to Simon, has shown 

good results for over one year already. He is now looking to 

roll out the design to larger rowing boats. 

www.compositesevolution.com 

www.flaxland.co.uk 

www.suscomp.com 

Designer headphones 

with PLA 

Advertised as the World’s first recyclable designer 

over-ear headphones the Noisezero 0+ Eco edition 

headphones were recently introduced. The headphones 

were developed by British-born and Hong Kong based 

Designer Michael Young, in collaboration with music 

technology brand EOps (New York and Hong Kong) and 

marketed through the Paris/France based online store 

Colette. The Noisezero 0+ Eco edition are made from 

stainless steel, aluminium and PLA, all of which are 

recyclable. The headphones feature 50mm titaniumcoated 

HD drivers with a neodymium iron-boron magnet 

for a great sound without unwanted vibration. The PLA 

ear chambers and sheep leather ear pads improve the 

sound quality and give a unique feeling of comfort. The 

headphones are compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod 

and come with a microphone and a three-button remote 

module to control playback and volume. 

“The majority of all hard plastic parts including 

the earcup chamber, the mic housing, the cable plug 

are made of PLA,” as Michael Young told bioplastics 

MAGAZINE. And asked for his motivation to use this 

material he added that PLA is “eco friendly as it‘s 

made from renewable resources, it’s recyclable and its 

biodegradeable compared to traditional plastics like ABS 

that is not eco friendly.” 

Concerning his future plans, Michael Young said that 

he would like to try to use bio plastics as much as he can, 

but it is a little limited. Michael: “If we accept changes it 

is fine, for example, colors are harder to control, but that 

is ok — it‘s just a change. Production access can also be 

limited but more manufacturers are prepared to spend 

time with the process to make it work.” So Michael Young 

is absolutely willing to proceed onwards. MT 

www.michael-young.com 

www.eopstech.com 

www.colette.fr 


Application News 

New Cellulose 

Acetate for frames 

Mazzucchelli 1849, Castiglione Olona, Italy is a worldwide leader in the 

production and distribution of the plastic material traditionally used for 

the production of optical frames: Cellulose Acetate (CA). Mazzucchelli 

is the most important consumer of this polymer derived from Cellulose, 

derived from renewable sources widely present in nature. The process 

covers the treatment of two types of fibres: fibres from seeds (cotton) 

and fibres from wood (conifers and broadleaves). The company today is 

the most important manufacturer of Cellulose Acetate granules used in 

optical market and other industrial areas. 

Now Mazzucchelli introduced a new eco-friendly product: M49 ® , a 

new CA-material, for which an application of an International Patent has 

been filed. The new material is especially suited for the production of 

spectacle frames 

M49 is phthalate-free and is therefore compatible with other polymers, 

such as the polycarbonate or polymethylmetacrylate. Such plasticizers 

tend to migrate from CA into PC or PMMA resin of the glasses, making 

them hazy over time. 

Standard Acetate frame with 

Polycarbonate lenses, after the 

accelerated aging process 

M49 Acetate frame with 

Polycsrbonate lenses, after the 

accelerated aging process 

Biobiojoux 

Designer Lili Giacobino has launched her 

own business making jewellery out of kitchen 

cupboard staples such as flour, tapioca and 

chocolate. The 31year old entrepreneur 

turns the everyday items in our homes into 

individual, biodegradable and eco-friendly 

beauty accessories. 

From her tiny kitchen in Surbiton, UK, the 

Kingston University graduate creates eye 

catching earrings, bracelets and necklaces 

using food ingredients that are completely 

natural and skin friendly. Lili said: “I spent 

hours slaving over a hot stove – not to 

make tasty food but to create fantastic 

jewellery. People don’t believe me when 

I say I make earrings from potato flour – 

but I do. “I’m using ingredients that our 

mothers and grandmothers were familiar 

with. The jewellery is made from such 

simple ingredients that the end products are 

harmless to eat, good for your skin and look 

great when you wear them.” 

Lili’s creations are already proving popular 

among fashion conscious south Londoners 

thanks to her stall at the Greenwich Market 

on Fridays. One of Lili’s favourite ingredients 

is bio-glycerine which has been used for 

centuries in thousands of common items 

such as soap, desserts and cough mixture. 

Lili’s bio formula creates a bendy raw material 

which is also known under the expression 

‘bioplastic’ which takes a week to set before it 

can be crafted into a piece of jewellery. 

Exsocial worker Lili is originally from 

Switzerland and moved to the UK in 2008 

to study product and furniture design at 

Kingston University – MT 

www.lili-design.com 

The new material M49 has undergone exhaustive tests at specialized 

laboratories (OWS) and has been declared 100% biodegradable according 

to EN/ISO 14855. But M49 is also recyclable and can be re-worked with 

different technologies giving life to many other products. 

The natural derivation of M49 can also be ‘touched’ with a pleasant 

effect of ‘warm and silky’, which allows the user with a sense of luxury 

which can only come out from natural substances. 

The material can be manufactured with all Mazzucchelli technologies, 

and the working processes are the same as the traditional acetate sheet. 

It can be used in all the markets of fashion accessories, from frames to 

costume jewellery and design items. As far as the spectacle frames are 

concerned, M49 is compatible with all types of lenses. – MT 

www.m49.it 


Report 

biocore – a biorefinery 

Today, concerns linked to climate change and modern 

society’s excessive dependency on fossil resources are 

providing the necessary impetus for the transition towards 

a new economy that will use biomass as its primary 

source of carbon and energy. In this respect, biomass (plant 

and animal-derived resources alike) is completely unique, 

because it is the only naturally renewable energy source that 

can also supply carbon for the production of the chemicals 

and products that are vital for our daily life. 

The FP7 European project BIOCORE (BIOCOmmodity 

REfinery), managed by INRA (French National Institute for 

Agricultural Research), has been built to conceive and analyze 

the industrial feasibility of a biorefinery concept that will allow 

the conversion of cereal by-products (straws etc), forestry 

products and short rotation woody crops into 2nd generation 

energy, chemical intermediates, polymers and materials. 

The first challenge for Biocore is to demonstrate the 

feasibility of an advanced biorefinery operation that uses 

diverse biomass feedstocks. To achieve this, activities in 

Biocore are focusing on important areas, such as feedstock 

supply, using a case study approach, which accounts for 

variations in biomass type and annual availability, and 

transport logistics. Case studies are currently underway in 

several European regions and in India. 

From a technical point of view, Biocore is developing and 

optimizing a series of technologies to perform the different 

stages of lignocellulosic biomass refining and to extract 

maximum value and products from available resource. 

Regarding the initial extraction of the biomass components: 

cellulose hemicellulose and lignin, Biocore is using patented 

technology developed by CIMV S.A., Levallois Perret, 

France, a specialist in lignocellulosic biomass fractionation, 

which supplies the three components as separate, refined 

platform intermediates. To further transform these into 

useful products Biocore partners are focusing on a variety of 

chemical, thermochemical and biotechnological processes 

that will lead to the production of a wide range of products 

including 2nd generation fuels and other chemicals that 

can be used to make polymers (bio-PVC, bio-polyolefins, 

polyurethane, polyesters etc), detergents, food ingredients 

and wood panels. 

Beyond the development of individual processes and 

technologies, Biocore is also in the business of demonstrating 

the feasibility of value chains. Focusing on a certain number 

of mature technology that form part of the Biocore portfolio, 

pilot scale testing is being used to further establish industrial 

feasibility in conditions that are close to the market. 

Additionally, process engineering is being used to model the 

whole Biocore biorefinery process and to scope for process 

optimization, notably through unit operation integration, the 

reduction of energy consumption and the reduction and/or 

recycling of waste streams. 

Finally, beyond the performance of unit operations and 

manufacturing efficiency, tomorrow’s biorefineries will have 

to conform to all of the criteria of sustainability, which take 

into account environmental, economic and sociopolitical 

impacts. 

By 

Michael O’Donohue, Coordinator of Biocore 

and 

Aurelie Faure, European Project Manager, 

INRA Transfert, Paris, France 

Varied 

biomass 

Cereal byproducts 

Forestry waste 

Fractionation 

Hemicellulose 

Cellulose 

Intermediates 

Final products 

2 nd generation fuels 

Ethanol 

Thermoplastics 

PVC, polyolefins, 

polyurethanes, polyesters 

Chemistry 

Biotechnology 

Resins/Adhesives 

Food additives 

Detergents 

Application sectors 

Building Packaging Materials Energy 

SRC wood 

Lignin 

Wood panels 

Ethanol 

Adhesives 

and paints 


Report 

concept 

Residues of rice straw in the 

Punjab region (photo: courtesy 

Michael Carus) 

Therefore, Biocore researchers are analyzing the whole 

of the biorefinery process, from the production of the 

feedstock through to the ultimate use of the biorefinery 

products, using a variety of assessment methods in order to 

ensure that a comprehensive appraisal of the benefits of the 

Biocore concept will be available at the end of the project. 

Bioproducts and bioplastics 

In Biocore, white biotechnology and chemical technologies 

are major workhorses that form the basis of sophisticated 

integrated processes that will manufacture products for 

various market sectors. 

In particular, Biocore focuses on the production of 

key chemicals such as organic acids, aromatics and 

olefins. Those compounds are major building blocks for 

many commonly used thermoplastics (e.g. polyolefins, 

polyurethanes, PVC, etc.) which together represent 70% of 

the global plastic market. Additionally, Biocore will provide 

pipelines for 2nd generation biofuels, adhesives, resins and 

feed ingredients. 

70% 

PVC 

PET PE (HD 

and LD) 

PU 

Other 

PP 

PS 

PE: polyethylene (high 

and low density) 

PP: polypropylene 

PU: polyurethane 

PVC: polyvinylchloride 

PET: poly(ethylene 

terephthalate) 

PS: polystyrene 

The EU plastics resin market: Biocore activities focus on four 

of the ‘big five’ polymers (PVC, PET, PE and PP) that make up 

the EU plastics resins market. Together with polyurethane 

(PU) these represent 70% of this market. 

EREMA will present more details on 


2 nd PLA World Congress 


Contact marketing@erema.at, to get 

a 15% discount on the conference fee. 


Bio meets plastics. 

The specialists in plastic recycling systems. 

An outstanding technology for recycling both 

bioplastics and conventional polymers 


Report 

N° Organisation name Short name Country Organisation type 

1 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique INRA France Res 

2 Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus VTT Finland Res 

3 Energy research Centre of the Netherlands ECN The Netherlands Res 

4 Compagnie Industrielle de la Matière Végétale CIMV France SME 

5 Chimar Hellas AE Chimar Greece SME/end-user 

6 Arkema SA Arkema France MNI/end-user 

7 National Technical University of Athens NTUA Greece HE 

8 Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg IFEU Germany Res 

9 Katholieke Universiteit Leuven KULeuven Belgium HE 

10 Syral SAS Syral France MNI/end-user 

11 SYNPO, akciová společnost Synpo Czech Republic Res 

12 Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek DLO The Netherlands Res 

13 Chalmers Tekniska Hoegskola AB Chalmers Sweden HE 

14 Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry IWC Latvia Res 

15 INRA Transfert IT France Other 

16 The Energy and Resources Institute TERI India Res 

17 CAPAX environmental services CAPAX Belgium SME 

18 nova-Institut GmbH NOVA Germany SME 

19 Institut für Umweltstudien - Weibel & Ness GmbH IUS Germany SME 

20 Imperial College London Imperial United Kingdom HE 

21 Solagro Association SOLAGRO France NGO 

22 Szent Istvan University SZIE Hungary HE 

23 Tarkett SA Tarkett Luxemburg MNI/end-user 

24 DSM Bio-based Products & Services B.V. DBPS The Netherlands MNI/end-user 

The Team 

15 Research 

organizations, 

8 companies, 

1 NGO 

Regarding olefins, Biocore develops a portfolio of original 

processes and engineered microor-ganisms that produce 

ethylene, a polyethylene precursor and isopropanol, a 

precursor of propylene, which is the building block of 

polypropylene. Moreover, using pilot scale equipment and 

smart integration pathways for both biotechnological and 

chemical pro¬cesses, Biocore will demonstrate a cellulose 

to bio-PVC value chain. 

Development of Lignin-based Polymers 

When applied to wheat straw, the CIMV organosolv process 

provides a lignin fraction that is composed of linear polymers. 

Coherent with Biocore’s ambition to develop new ligninbased 

polymers, researchers from Synpo, Czech Republic, 

have developed a solvent-free method for the preparation 

of a polyurethane formulation. The integration of CIMV 

biolignin into a conventional PU formulation has provided 

elastomers with enhanced mechanical product properties, 

in particular increased tensile strength and toughness, with 

surface hardness being significantly increased. Synpo’s novel 

formulation, particularly appropriate for the manufacture of 

flooring materials and electrical appliances, constitutes one 

of Biocore’s first commercially-promising inventions. 

New bio-based PVC 

PVC is manufactured using ethylene, thus logically this 

well-known polymer can be produced partly from biomass. In 

Biocore, a combined research effort involving several partners 

is focused on the development of PVC from 2nd generation 

ethanol. In this process, ethanol is first dehydrated to afford 

ethylene, then the ethylene is converted into vinyl chloride 

monomers, which are finally polymerized to obtain PVC. The 

aim of work in Biocore is to first determine how the use of 2nd 

generation ethanol can influence the quality of the ethylene 

obtained, and also to establish the economic sustainability of 

the whole process, within the framework of a multiproduct 

refining scheme. 

In a further effort to make ‘greener’ PVC, Biocore 

researchers are also working on bio-based alternatives 

to DEHP, which is a widely-used additive that plasticizes 

PVC. Using biomass as raw material, chemists from DLO 

(Wageningen, The Netherlands) have synthesized a biobased 

phthalate, which is actually more efficient in making 

PVC flexible than DEHP. In tests, PVC containing 30% of the 

new plasticizer is about twice as flexible as PVC containing a 

similar amount of DEHP, without compromising the strength 

of the product. 

Biocore: Indian case studies 

Biocore aims to reveal how biorefineries can be 

implemented within defined local contexts. To achieve this, 

critical factors such as feedstock availability and logistics, 

but also social impacts and policy, will be examined and 

accounted for during the course of the Biocore project. 

Specific actions aim to critically analyze regional availability 

of lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks (straws, hardwood and 

SRC (short rotation coppice) wood) in different parts of Europe 

and India and optimize their supply for Biocore biorefineries in 

an economically-, socially- and environmentally-sustainable 

way. 

Bioenergy is an excellent opportunity for India and so the 

Biocore project aims to play a part in its development, by 

providing an analysis of how a biorefinery could work, and 

thus provide benefits, in India. To achieve this, the Indian 

case study will focus on rice straw, which is a major resource 

in India, and more widely in Asia. Currently rice straw is 


not exploited by Indian farmers, being burnt in the field, 

thus provoking significant environmental pollution and 

wasting precious biomass resources. The Energy and 

Resources Institute (TERI), the Indian partner of Biocore, 

will investigate feedstock provision potential at regional 

level and availability requirements, providing cost-supply 

curves for different scenarios in Punjab and Haryana. 

Evaluation of agronomical and environmental impacts and 

benefits related to the use of rice straw will be studied. As 

well as contributing to benchmarking studies and supply 

chain modeling, TERI will be active in the definition of the 

settings for a comprehensive sustainability assessment 

that will take into account social, legal and political 

factors, key points that will ultimately determine public 

acceptability and market diffusion of new technologies. 

To probe some of these aspects, a meeting was held in 

India in November 2011, at which Indian stakeholders 

(including policymakers, farmers and NGOs) and Biocore 

partners discussed biorefinery and exchanged views on 

the opportunities and hurdles that would characterize the 

implementation of a next generation biorefinery plan in 

India. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE will watch the development and 

keep the readers updated. 

Michael Carus of nova-Institute during the meeting in 

India, Nov. 2011 (photo: courtesy Michael Carus) 

O 

O 

O 

O 

www.biocore-europe.org/ 

www.international.inra.fr/ 

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) 



Figure 1: Principal steps in 

realization of PLA-gypsum 

AII-clay (nano)composites via 

melt-compounding technology in a 

co-rotating twin-screw extruder 

Drying all 

components 

(1) Gypsum AII 

+ clays 

(dry-mixing) 

(2) Gravimetric 

dosing 

PLA and AII - clay 

(3) Melt compounding in 

twin-screw extruder 

Leistritz type ZSE 18 HP-40D 

(ø=18 mm, L/D=40) 

(4) Granulating 

(granules for 

injection molding) 

PLA nanocomposites 

Tailored with specific end-use properties 

by 

Philippe Dubois, Marius Murariu 

Laboratory of Polymeric and 

Composite Materials 

Center of Innovation and Research 

in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP) 

University of Mons (UMONS) & 

Materia Nova Research Center 

Mons, Belgium 

The ‘green’ challenge: 

polylactide (PLA)-based (nano)composites 

Polylactide or polylactic acid (PLA) is currently receiving considerable 

attention for rather conventional utilizations such as packaging materials 

as well as production of textile fibers, and more recently PLA has attracted 

increased interest for technical applications as well. [1-3] Actually, novel grades 

of PLA and related high performance PLA-based materials with higher added 

value are continuously searched for engineering applications such as electronic 

devices, electrical accessories, automotive parts, household appliances, etc. 

Consequently, the profile of PLA properties need to be tuned up for specifically 

reaching the end-user demands, and the combination of PLA with micro- and/or 

nano-fillers together with either flame retardants, impact modifiers, plasticizers 

or even other (bio)polymers represents a straightforward and readily scalable 

technical approach [2-8]. 

It is worth noting that the University of Mons (UMONS), through both the 

Center of Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP) and 

Materia Nova center, has significantly contributed to the field of bio(nano) 

composites. This involvement is exemplified by the large panel of R&D activities 

and projects ranging from the fundamental/laboratory level to industrial scale 

production mostly performed by reactive processing (particularly reactive 

extrusion, so-called REx). Additionally, to allow the rapid implementation of novel 

products, UMONS and Materia Nova have recently created NANO4 S.A., a spinoff 

company specialized in production, functionalization, characterization and 

processing of nanofillers, incl. renewable biosourced nanoparticles, and their 

related masterbatches. Accordingly, NANO4 S.A. allows for the up-scaling of 

new bio(nano)composites characterized by specific end-use properties such as 

gas barrier, flame retardancy (FR), UV absorption, antibacterial action, tailored 

electrical behavior, etc. 



Two selected key-results, relying upon the original 

production of innovative bio(nano)composite materials 

using PLA as polyester matrix, with targeted applications 

in packaging, in textile fibers and in the field of engineering 

sector, are summarized hereinafter. 

350 

300 

250 

200 

RHR (kW/m 2 ) 

PLA 

PLA- AII - clay (nano(composites: 

Decrease of pRHR, 

higher ignition time ... 

Case study 1: 

PLA-gypsum-clay (nano)composites with 

specific flame retardant properties 

The traditional technology for the production of lactic acid 

(LA) leads in the formation of large amounts of hydrated 

calcium sulphate, i.e., for each kilogram of LA, about one 

kilogram of gypsum is formed as a by-product [4, 5]. In 

response to the demand for extending the range of PLA 

applications, while reducing production cost, it has been 

demonstrated that commercially available PLA can be 

effectively melt-blended with previously dehydrated gypsum 

(so-called CaSO 4 

β-anhydrite II (hereafter noted AII), thus 

the by-product directly issued from LA fabrication process 

[4]. For achieving high performance PLA composites and 

for preventing polyester chain degradation by hydrolysis, it 

is important to specifically use AII microparticles, which is 

actually formed by dehydration of gypsum hemihydrate at 

500 °C. 

These two products (PLA and AII) from the same source 

as origin can lead by melt-mixing to polymer composites 

characterized by remarkable thermal stability, high 

rigidity, good tensile strength and barrier properties even 

at high AII content (up to 40 wt%). Such performances 

could be ascribed to the fine microfiller dispersion and 

good interfacial characteristics. Moreover, like for other 

mineral-filled polymers, addition of a third component into 

PLA–AII compositions, e.g., plasticizers, flame retardants, 

nanofillers, has been considered in order to generate new 

PLA grades with specific end-use performances. It was 

discovered (WO 2008/095874 A1 and US 2010/0184894 A1 

patents: ‘Polylactide-based compositions’) that co-addition 

of dehydrated CaSO 4 

(AII form) and adequately selected 

organo-modified layered silicates (OMLS) triggers synergistic 

effects on PLA fire-resistant properties. [5, 6] Interestingly 

enough, the production of these ternary PLA-AII-OMLS 

bio(nano)composites, has been successfully conducted by 

melt-compounding in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder as 

illustrated in Figure 1. The different starting materials that 

were investigated are: 

• PLA, was supplied by NatureWorks LLC as PLA 3051D 

(M n(PS) 

= 112 000; M w 

/M n 

= 1.95; D-isomer = 4.3 %). 

• Calcium sulphate hemihydrate, the by-product obtained 

from lactic acid production process (d 50 

of 9 μm) was 

provided by Galactic S.A. Starting from this filler, 

β-anhydrite II (AII) was obtained by drying at 500 °C for 1 h. 

A natural calcium sulphate anhydrite (USG CAS-20-4, d 50 

of 

4 μm) kindly supplied by USG Company was also studied. 

This product was used only as alternative for gypsum from 

150 

100 

50 

PLA- 

AII - clay 

0 

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 

— PLA 

— PLA- 40% AII (9) - 3% B104 

— PLA- 40% AII (4) - 3% C10A 

Figure 2: RHR plotted against time: neat PLA compared to 

PLA- gypsum AII- clay (nano)composites (by courtesy, tests 

performed by Dr. Antoine Gallos –ENSC Lille) 

lactic acid production process and as microfiller of lower 

dimensions. 

• Bentone 104 (Elementis Specialties) and Cloisite 10A 

(Southern Clay Products, Inc.), two montmorillonite-type 

clays organo-modified with benzyl dimethyl hydrogenated 

tallowalkyl ammonium, respectively coined as B104 and 

C10A, were investigated as OMLS. 

Highly filled (nano)composites, i.e., PLA with 40 wt% in AII 

and 3 wt% in clay, were thus produced at semi-pilot scale 

in a twin-screw extruder (Leistritz type ZSE 18 HP-40D, 

Ø = 18mm, L/D = 40) and the so-produced granules were 

characterized using various techniques. Firstly, it is worth 

mentioning that the good thermo-mechanical performances, 

comparable to those of conventional filled engineering 

polymers, are ascribed to the excellent filler (AII and OMLS) 

dispersion throughout the polyester matrix as evidenced by 

electronic microscopy [4, 5]. By considering the high content 

in inorganics (e.g., 40% and 3% in micro- and nanofillers, 

respectively), these materials are characterized by good 

tensile strength (≈ 37 MPa), whereas the rigidity, i.e., Young’s 

modulus, is above 6300 MPa, that means an increase of 125% 

with respect to neat PLA (2800 MPa). 

Besides, as evidenced by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) 

these (nano)composites are characterized by improved 

thermal stability (e.g., following as criterion the temperature 

for 5% weight loss- T 5% 

), whereas DSC analyses attest for 

the preservation of principal thermal parameters with even 

some increase of the PLA crystallization rate, property that 

can be considered as very promising in the perspective of 

further applications. Remarkably, the co-addition of gypsum 

AII and OMLS largely improves the fire-resistance of PLA as 

evidenced by cone calorimetry testing (Figure 2). The time 

to ignition (t ig 

) is increased and the peak of maximum rate of 

heat release (pRHR) is reduced by almost 50% with respect to 

neat PLA. In addition, the horizontal fire test UL94 HB reveals 

a low speed of burning (29-31 mm/min) - corresponding to 

(a) 

Time (s) 



PLA 3051D 

PLA - 40% AII- 3% B104 

Residual specimens 

Figure 3 (A-C): UL94 HB fire testing: specimens (~3.1 mm 

thickness) of (a) neat PLA burning with dripping and without 

char formation; (B) PLA- 40% CaSO4 AII (9 μm) - 3% B104 

(nano)composites burning without any dripping and with 

intensive charring (as shown on the residue remaining at the 

end of the test (C)) 

HB classification (max. admissible value of 40 mm/min), 

together with the total absence of dripping and the formation 

of an intensive char (Figure 3). On one hand, the specimen 

samples based on either unfilled PLA or PLA filled only 

with AII (even at content as high as 40-50 wt%) burned with 

intensive dripping (continuous formation of burning droplets) 

and without charring. On the other hand, even if no flamed 

droplet was generated upon burning the binary PLA-OMLS 

nanocomposites, their burning rate increased preventing HB 

classification [5, 6]. Therefore, only the ternary PLA-AII-OMLS 

(nano)composites reached HB classification and displayed 

intensive charring attesting for the unique synergistic effect 

between the CaSO 4 

microfiller and organo-modified nanoclay. 

In relation to other key-properties, it is firmly believed that 

these novel PLA-based (nano)composites are perfectly suited 

for technical applications (e.g., electronic devices, electrical 

accessories, automotive parts, household appliances, etc.) 

due to their thermal stability and excellent processing ability 

evidenced using traditional techniques such as extrusion, 

injection and compression molding. 

A 

B 

C 

Case study 

2: PLA-ZnO nanocomposite films and fibers: 

anti-UV and antibacterial properties 

ZnO nanoparticles are well-known environmentally 

friendly and multifunctional inorganic additives that could 

be considered as nanofillers for PLA providing properties 

like antibacterial action or intensive ultraviolet absorption. 

However, ZnO as well as other Zn derivatives are known 

as very efficient catalysts in ring-opening polymerization 

of lactide but also in ‘unzipping’ depolymerization of PLA. 

Indeed, preliminary studies revealed that addition of 

untreated ZnO nanoparticles into PLA at melt-processing 

temperature led to severe degradation of the polyester 

matrix, i.e., drastic reduction of PLA molecular weight, 

resulting in a sharp reduction of their thermo-mechanical 

characteristics [7]. 

Noteworthy, to make PLA matrix less susceptible to the 

catalytic action of ZnO during the melt blending process 

and any subsequent film/fiber processing, various filler 

surface treatments with selected additives (stearic acid, 

stearates, (fatty) amides, etc.) were tested with relatively 

low effectiveness. Remarkably, ZnO surface-treated by 

triethoxy caprylylsilane (i.e., commercial grade Zano 20 Plus 

supplied by Umicore Zinc Chemicals) leads to PLA-based 

nanocomposites characterized by very good preservation 

of the intrinsic molecular parameters of PLA and related 

physicochemical characteristic features. Furthermore, 

the surface-coated ZnO nanoparticles proved to finely and 

regularly disperse within the polyester matrix as highlighted 

by TEM (Figure 4). 

Additionally, whatever the nature of the PLA matrix, 

i.e., spinning or extrusion grade, the nanocomposites 

filled from 1 to 3 % surface-treated ZnO show mechanical 

properties, e.g., a tensile strength in the range 55 - 65 MPa, 

at least comparable and even somewhat higher than those 

obtained for the neat polyester matrix [7]. Noticeable, these 

nanocomposites show the onset of thermal degradation 

(T 5% 

) at significantly higher temperature (from 20 to 40 °C) 

with respect to the samples containing untreated ZnO. Such 

improvements represent a real interest in the perspective 

of their utilization in production of films or fibers, and are 

mainly attributed to the effect of the –Si-O-Si-O- layers 

that cover the nanofiller surface and behave as a protecting 

barrier limiting the catalytic effect of ZnO able to promote 

unzipping of the nearby PLA chains. 

Interestingly, the related PLA-ZnO nanocomposite 

films as produced by compression molding or extrusion, 

proved to be characterized by very effective anti-UV action 

(Figure 5), in fact a total anti-UV protection is obtained for 

an amount of nanofiller as low as 1%. On another hand, 

PLA-ZnO nanocomposites have been also melt-spun and 

a highly efficient antibacterial protection on knitted fabrics 

was evidenced to both gram positive and gram negative 

bacteria [7]. 



Further prospects: 

PLA-based hybrid nanocomposites 

Other nano-reinforcements for PLA are under development, 

but the most extensively studied so far, remain natural clays 

(like montmorillonite, sepiolite and halloysite) or carbon-based 

nanoparticles, mostly carbon nanotubes (CNT) and expanded/ 

exfoliated graphite. As illustration, exfoliated graphite as 

nanofillers combine the lower price and the layered structure 

of clay nanoplatelets with the superior thermal and electrical 

performances of CNT, whereas other specific end-use properties, 

e.g., mechanical rigidity, lower coefficient of friction, better abrasion 

resistance, have been highlighted. Also, PLA-expanded graphite 

(EG) nanocomposites proved to be characterized by increased 

kinetics of crystallization as well as thermo-mechanical properties 

allowing the application of these materials at higher temperature 

[8]. Furthermore, co-addition of EG and CNT into PLA paves the 

way to hybrid nanocomposites characterized by an interesting 

set of properties: higher tensile strength and rigidity, improved 

FR, conductive electrical characteristics even in presence of tiny 

amount of CNT. Again, the extent of the nanoparticle dispersion 

throughout the matrix remains a challenge where adequate 

surface treatment and/or addition of interfacial compatibilizers 

represent the best tools to get rid of filler aggregation. 

Conclusion 

Following the recent expansion of bioplastics and in response 

to the demand for enlarging PLA applications, it has been 

emphasized that PLA can be effectively melt-blended with 

selected micro- and nano-fillers to produce novel bio(nano) 

composites. Successful up-scaling of laboratory results via 

continuous twin-screw extrusion technology has been achieved 

paving the way to industrial applications. In this contribution, 

two case studies are discussed: i) PLA filled with CaSO 4 

(AII) and 

selected organo-modified clays yielding high performance (nano) 

composites, and ii) PLA-(surface-treated) ZnO nanocomposites 

leading to nanocomposite films and fibers with specific end-use 

properties : anti-UV protection and antibacterial action. Based on 

these illustrations, very promising developments in the synergy 

aspects are clearly expected from the combination of nanofillers 

and more efforts are to be consented in this direction. 

90 

80 

0% Zn0 

neat PLA 

70 

1% Zn0 

60 

3% Zn0 

50 

40 

30 

on PLA films 

(0.2 - 0.3 mm thickness) 

20 

10 

PLA - ZnO 

Wavelength (nm) 

0 

200 300 400 500 600 700 800 

Transmittance (%) 

Figure 5: UV-vis spectra of selected samples of PLA-ZnO 

(silane treated) films compared to neat PLA evidencing total 

anti-UV protection 

Figure 4: TEM picture of PLA (spinning grade) -1% ZnO (silane 

treated) attesting for good nanofiller dispersion into PLA matrix 

http://morris.umons.ac.be/CIRMAP 

www.materianova.be 

Authors thank the Wallonia Region, Nord-Pas de Calais 

Region and European Community for the financial 

support in the frame of the INTERREG – MABIOLAC and 

NANOLAC projects. They thank all partners, especially to 

ENSC Lille and ENSAIT- Roubaix (France), for technical/ 

scientific support and helpful discussions, and all 

mentioned companies for supplying raw materials. 

CIRMAP acknowledges supports by the Région Wallonne 

in the frame of OPTI²MAT program of excellence, by the 

Interuniversity Attraction Pole program of the Belgian 

Federal Science Policy Office (PAI 6/27) and by FNRS- 

FRFC. 

References 

1. Platt D. Biodegradable Polymers - Market report. 

Smithers Rapra Limited UK, Shawbury, Shrewsbury, 

Shropshire, 2006. 

2. Madhavan Nampoothiri K, Nair NR, John RP. Biores. 

Tech. 2010;101:8493–501. 

3. Dubois Ph, Murariu M. JEC Composites Magazine 

2008;45:66-9. 

4. Murariu M, Da Silva Ferreira A, Degée Ph, Alexandre 

M, Dubois Ph. Polymer 2007;48(9):2613-8. 

5. Murariu M, Bonnaud L, Yoann P, Fontaine G, Bourbigot 

S, Dubois Ph. Polym. Degra.d Stabil. 2010;95:374-81. 

6. Dubois Ph, Murariu M, Alexandre M, Degée Ph, 

Bourbigot S, Delobel R, Fontaine G, Devaux E. 

Polylactide-based compositions. WO Patent 095874 Al, 

2008. 

7. Murariu M, Doumbia A, Bonnaud L, Dechief AL, Paint 

Y, Ferreira M, Campagne C, Devaux E, Dubois Ph. 

Biomacromolecules 2011;12:1762-71. 

8. Murariu M, Dechief AL, Bonnaud L, Paint Y, Gallos A, 

Fontaine G, Bourbigot S, Dubois Ph. Polym. Degrad. 

Stabil. 2010;95:889-900. 


Materials 

M 

Electrodialysis 

Feed Solution 

o 

E. Coli 

C 

o 

C C 

C C C 

o o o 

o 

H 2 

O 

Anode 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

Dilute 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

+ H 2 

O 

+ OH 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ Cathode 

+ 

+ 

Concentrate 

O 

O 

O 

O 

Biomass 

Fermentation 

A 

Separation / Purification 

B 

Conversion 

C 

Resin Manufacturing 

D 

Schematic diagram of (A) fermentation, (B) Separation and Purification, (C) Lactide Conversion and (D) PLA polymerisation. 

Four-unit process technology 

for PLA manufacturing 

www.hyundai.com 

By 

Hong, Chae Hwan 

Kim, Si Hwan 

Soe, Ji Yeon 

Han, Do Suck 

CAE & Materials 

Research Team 

Hyundai·Kia Motors 

Gyeonggi-do 

Uiwang Samdong, 

South Korea 

Polylactide (PLA) is one of the most important biodegradable and biocompatible 

polyesters derived from annually renewable resources. The most efficient method 

for preparation of PLA is ring-opening polymerisation of the dimeric cyclic 

ester of lactic acid, i.e. lactide. 

Fermentative production of the PLA precursor, lactic acid, offers the great advantage 

of producing optically pure L-or D-lactic acid depending upon the strains selected 

for fermentation. The optical purity of lactic acid is crucial for the physical properties 

of PLA. Though L-lactic acid can be polymerised to give a crystalline product (PLLA) 

suited to commercial uses, its application is limited by its low melting point. Complexing 

PLLA with poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA), however, raises the melting point thus presenting 

an attractive solution to the heat sensitivity of PLA. However, fermentation of sugars 

to D-lactic acid has been studied very little and its microbial productivity is not well 

known. Therefore, Hyundai·Kia Motors investigated D-lactic acid fermentation with a 

view to obtaining improved strains capable of producing D-lactic acid with enhanced 

productivity, and finally a maximum lactic acid production of 60 g/l was achieved. 

A fermentation-based process requires maintenance of a near neutral pH for high 

productivity and this necessitates the addition of alkali in most of the cases. Alkali 

addition produces a salt of lactic acid instead of lactic acid itself. To overcome this salt 

problem, the processes based on electrodialysis that do not require then addition of acid 

or alkali to convert lactate salts into lactic acid was tested. Electrodialysis technology 

(see picture) is based on electromigration of ions through a stack of cation and anion 

exchange membranes. Basically, it involves two steps. The first step called conventional 

electrodialysis (CED) separates and concentrates lactate salts. The second step called 

bipolar electrodialysis (BED) converts lactate salts into lactic acid. These two processes 

were adopted and D-lactic acid was produced. 

Lactide is prepared in a two-stage process: first, the lactic acid is converted into 

oligo(lactic acid) by a polycondensation reaction; second, the oligo(lactic acid) is 

thermally depolymerised to form the cyclic lactide via an unzipping mechanism. 

Through catalyst screening test for polycondensation and unzipping depolymerisation 

reaction a new method was developed to shorten the whole reaction time to 50% of the 

conventional method. 

Poly(L-)lactide was obtained from the ring-opening polymerisation of L-lactide. 

Various catalysts and polymerisation conditions were investigated resulting in the best 

catalyst system and the scale-up technology. 


Report 

75,000 tonnes/a Lactide 

plant (plant overview) 

Successful start 

New 75,000 tonnes 

lactic acid plant 

started operation 

By 

Lex Borghans 

Manager Corporate Marketing 

Purac, Gorinchem, the Netherlands 

Shirts with tie – supporting 

high heat fibers 

Purac, Gorinchem, the Netherlands, has successfully 

completed the construction of its new 75,000 tonnes/ 

year Lactide plant in Thailand. The construction of this 

EUR 45 million state-of-the-art plant started in March 2010 

and has recently been finalized. At the moment the plant is 

being commissioned and the first test runs have already been 

finalized. Several batches of high quality PURALACT ® Lactides 

have been produced and actual deliveries of Puralact to 

customers are scheduled to start early 2012. 

This investment is driven by the commitment of Purac 

and its parent company CSM to play a leading role in the 

development of the market for lactic acid based bioplastics 

(Poly Lactic Acid or PLA). PLA contributes, with commercially 

viable and readily available products, to a significantly lower 

carbon footprint compared to traditional fossil-based plastics. 

The PLA market is highly attractive as many Brand Owners 

are increasingly developing and launching sustainable 

products. The new plant will produce Lactide monomers for 

biobased resins and plastics, which will be supplied to Purac 

business partners in the polymer and chemical industry. 

The PLA polymers made from the Puralact L and Puralact D 

monomers aim at gaining a significant share of today’s 

plastics market and enables Purac’s partners to produce 

PLA with application temperatures up to 180 °C (266 °F). 

François de Bie, Marketing Director Bioplastics comments: 

“This new Lactide plant will take us to the next step in 

developing the PLA market, together with our partners. In 

addition, we have made good progress in our application 

development program for bioplastics. Based on our 

proprietary technology we have demonstrated the benefits of 

Purac’s PLA building blocks in demanding applications in the 

packaging, foam, fiber and consumer products industries.” 


Report 

Food containers – supporting 

high heat food tray 

in Thailand 

PLA homopolymer resin produced from Purac’s stereo 

chemically pure L-Lactide has recently been tested and 

validated in a range of high end applications. In the segment 

of fiber spinning, a technical performance comparison was 

made between a regular, commercial PLA fiber grade and a 

comparable Puralact L based PLLA homo-polymer. With the 

PLLA homo-polymer, fully-drawn yarn with excellent mechanical 

and thermal properties was successfully made, due to the 

significantly higher melting point of PLLA homo-polymer. The 

fast crystallization and high levels of crystallinity of the PLLA 

provide important benefits to physical properties of fibers and 

fabrics. 

75,000 tonnes/a Lactide plant (detailed visual) 

In close co-operation with partners in the packaging arena, 

a product formulation was developed based on blends of PLA 

homo-polymer resins i.e. Puralact based PLLA and PDLA. This 

blend was extruded into a sheet material and subsequently 

thermoformed on an industrial production line for applications 

such as hot food trays. This demonstrates that when using 

Puralact based PLA resin, it is possible to meet the high heat 

requirements typical for these type of applications. 

“The successful start up of our 75,000 ton Lactide plant marks 

another milestone in Purac’s commitment to the development of 

the PLA market” says Jeroen Jonker, Vice President Bioplastics 

at Purac, “We are now able to supply monomers that can be 

transformed into high performance PLA, whilst providing the 

scale and security of supply as required by the end use markets. 

I am particularly excited that we are increasingly able to attract 

customers in the high end markets, a clear confirmation of our 

high performance PLA strategy” 

www.purac.com 

Purac will present more details on 





Contact f.de.bie@purac.com at Purac, 

to get a 15% discount on the conference fee. 



Basics 

PLA (polylactide or polylactic acid) belongs to the group 

of biopolymers chemically prepared from biobased, renewable 

raw materials. In this class of materials PLA 

is today’s most important thermoplastic biopolymer on the 

market. PLA is an aliphatic polyester based on lactic acid, a 

natural acid, that is mainly produced by fermentation of sugar 

or starch with the help of micro-organisms. Lactic acid exists 

in two optically active enantiomeric forms, i.e., as L-(+)- or (S) 

lactic acid and as D-(―)- or (R)-lactic acid. 

STARCH, SUGAR, BIO- 

GENIC WASTE MATERIALS 

CONDITIONING OF 

SUBSTRATES 

Fermentation 

IsolATION 

MiCroorganismS 

InoCulATION 

LACTIC ACID 

ProduCt 

PROCESSING 

PLA 

MATERIAL 

Blending/ 

AdditivES 

PLA 

PolymeriZation 

SynthesIS 

LactidE 

(Source: [1]) 

Basics of PLA 

O 

O 

O 

O 

(R,R)- lactide 

or D-lactide 

(Source: Purac) 

By Michael Thielen 

This article is based on a chapter in the new book 

“Engineering Biopolymers” [1] as well as personal 

information of Sicco de Vos (Purac) and Andreas 

Grundmann (Uhde-Inventa-Fischer) 

O 

O 

O 

O 

(S,S)- lactide 

or L-lactide 

O 

O 

O 

O 

(R,S)- lactide 

or meso-lactide 

Polymerisation 

Most of the lactic acid today is being produced by 

fermentation. Here biological material is being converted 

with the aid of bacteria, fungal or cell structures, or by 

adding enzymes. However, to manufacture lactic acid and — 

in the next step — polylactide a certain amount of process 

engineering is necessary (see graph). The biological feedstock, 

this engineering as well as the purity of the lactic acid play 

an important role on the quality, the properties and not least 

the cost of the final PLA. In the last 10-15 years, mainly by 

optimising the process technology and the ‘economy of scale’ 

with larger manufacturing capacities, the price of PLA could 

be reduced significantly. Further significant reductions in the 

manufacturing cost seem possible in the future, especially 

when raw material costs are reduced, i. e., by the use of 

biogenic residues or wastes, such as whey, molasses, or 

wastes containing lignocellulose. 

In order to convert lactic acid into PLA, the lactic acid is in 

a first step prepolymerised to form small prepolymers by socalled 

oligopolycondensation and then depolymerised into 

cyclic lactides. This means two lactic acid molecules form 

a cyclic dimer, lactide, which, depending on the constituting 

isomers, can be a D-D-lactide, an L-L-lactide or a mesolactide 

(having one D and one L isomer). 

These lactides are then connected in a ringopening 

polymerization process, producing long, linear 

macromolecules: the PLA resin. This process can be 

performed using stirred tank cascades or horizontal reactors 

as they are known from polyester chemistry. The majority of 

the industrially relevant production processes for PLA have 


Basics 

in common that they are continuous melt processes, operated at high 

temperatures without the use of solvents. The capacity of such plants 

varies from 5,000 to 140,000 tonnes per annum. 

Apart from some exceptions, like clear film and fiber, virgin PLA resin as 

it exits the polymerization reactor, cannot be directly processed into final 

plastic products. Hence, as is usual with most plastics, virgin PLA resin is 

modified for specific applications by compounding with functional additives 

and/or by blending with other polymers (bioplastics or traditional, oil-based 

polymers). Such modifications have already resulted in PLA compounds 

with sufficient performance to replace PET, HIPS, PP and even ABS. In 

order to prevent the PLA pellets from sticking together during storage and 

transportation, virgin resin pellets are commonly crystallized. The resulting 

semi-crystalline, heat resistant granulate can be shipped around the globe 

without problems. In its crystalline state the chemical stability of PLA – 

and PLLA homopolymer in particular - is higher and its water absorption, 

swelling behavior, and rate of biological degradation are lower than those 

of amorphous PLA. 

PLA production 

For the production of PLA approximately 0.1 to 0.25 ha (in Europe rather 

0.2 to 0.5 ha) of agricultural area is needed for 1 tonne. For comparison, 

cotton requires almost 3x more land for the production of the same quantity. 

Hence, PLA exhibits very high land use efficiency and other comparisons 

can be found in [1, 2]. 

The world’s first large PLA production unit with a capacity of 140,000 

tonnes per annum began production in the USA in 2002. Industrial PLA 

production facilities can now also be found in the Netherlands, Japan and 

China. For example one Dutch company is going to expand their 5,000 

t/a capacity to 35 – 70,000 t/a. A recent announcement from China was 

about an expansion of their PLA capacity to 50,000t/a in 2013 from 5,000 

t/a currently. In Germany a 500 t/a industrial pilot plant started operation 

in 2011 and in Switzerland a 1000 t/a industrial pilot plant will become 

operational in the first quarter of 2012. 

Gattinoni Obama Dress 

100% NatureWorks Ingeo PLA 

(Picture: Gattinoni) 

Properties 

Advantages of PLA are its high level of rigidity, transparency of the 

film, cups and pots, as well as its thermoplasticity and good processing 

performance on existing equipment in the plastics converting industry. 

Nevertheless PLA has some disadvantages at the moment: as its softening 

point is around 60°C, the unmodified material is not suitable for the 

manufacture of cups for hot drinks. Modified PLA types can be produced 

by the use of additives like nucleating agents or impact modifiers, or by 

a blending PLLA and PDLA, the homopolymers of of L- and D- lactides 

(stereocomplexing), which then have the required morphology for use at 

higher temperatures (see bM 02/2008). A second characteristic of PLA 

together with other bioplastics is its low water vapour barrier. Whilst this 

characteristic would make it unsuitable, for example, for the production of 

bottles, its ability to “breathe” is an advantage in the packaging of bread or 

vegetables. 

Applications 

Transparent PLA is very similar to conventional mass produced plastics, 

like PS, PP, PET and PMMA, not only in its properties but it can also be 


Basics 

processed on existing machinery without modification. PLA and PLAblends 

are available in granulate form, and in various grades, for use 

by plastics converters in the manufacture of film, moulded parts, 

drinks containers, cups, bottles and other everyday items. In addition 

to short life packaging film or deep drawn products (e.g. beverage or 

yoghurt pots, fruit, vegetable and meat trays) the material also has 

great potential for use in the manufacture of durable items. 

Examples here are casings for mobile phones, possibly reinforced 

with natural fibres, desktop accessories, lipstick tubes, and lots 

more. Even in the automotive industry we are seeing the first 

series application of plastics based on PLA. Some Japanese car 

manufacturers have developed their own blends which they use to 

produce dashboards, door tread plates, etc. (see bM 02/2008). 

Fibres spun from PLA are even used for textile applications, 

because PLA offers several interesting benefits over the traditional 

polyester fiber material, PET, and cotton. On the market we can 

already find all kinds of textiles from articles of clothing through 

children’s shoes to car seat covers. 

Furthermore there are lucrative special markets, for example 

in medical and pharmaceutical applications where PLA has been 

successfully used for decades. From screws etc. that are slowly 

resorbed into the body, to nails, implants and plates made from PLA 

or PLA copolymers, the parts are used to hold broken bones in place 

as they heal. The PLA is broken down within the body and assimilated 

by the human metabolism, so saving the patient the problem of a 

second surgery to remove the previously implanted parts. 

[1] Endres, H.-J., Siebert-Raths, A.: 

Engineering Biopolymers, Hanser 

Publsihers, 2011 

[2] Patel, M.: Ökobilanzierung von 

Biopolymeren und biogenen Rohstoffen; 

4. BioKunststoffe (conference), Hannover/ 

Germany, 12-13 April 2011 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer will present more 

details on their PLA activities at the 




Contact andreas.grundmann@thyssenkrupp.com at 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer to get a 15% discount on the 

conference fee. 


End of life 

Basically PLA is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable, 

and can be incinerated for energy recovery and accelerated 

carbon recycling. However, copolymers or blends of polylactides 

are rapidly, slowly, or not at all biodegradable, depending on 

their composition, morphology, geometry, and not in the least the 

environmental conditions. Whilst PLA is actually quite stable under 

typical, dry, indoor conditions for years, it can be degraded under 

industrial composting conditions in a few weeks. Blends of PLA 

with non-biodegradable plastics, such as PLA/PC, are commonly 

not biodegradable let alone compostable, but that is also not the 

purpose of such a durable compound. This underlines the special 

diversity of this bio-based bioplastic that can be used in a form that 

rapidly degrades in industrial composting, or, if required, in a more 

durable composition that can be used for years and will most likely 

be recycled or incinerated in the end. 

As soon as significant amounts of PLA can be collected, recycling 

becomes feasible and worthwile. That is why for instance brand 

owners like Danone encourage their competitors to use PLA, in order 

to achieve a critical mass for recycling as soon as possible. Besides 

material recycling, where PLA is ground up and reprocessed into new 

products, also chemical (or feedstock) recycling is possible. Here the 

PLA is converted back into lactide monomers and lactic acid, and 

can be used for PLA again or for completely different purposes. 

www.ifbb-hannover.de 

www.purac.com 

www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com 



From the 

field to the 

wheel: 

Photovoltaic is 40 times 

more efficient than the 

best biofuel 

(source: shutterstock/alphaspirit) 

By Michael Carus 

Managing Director 

nova-Institute 

Hürth, Germany 

Solar radiation in Germany in gigajoules per hectare per year 

36,000 (+/- 10 to 12 % depending on region) 

Photosynthesis 

About 2% of 20,000 GJ per 

hectare and cultivation period: 

400 GJ per hectare per year 

Mechanical and chemical 

processes > Biofuels 

50 to 135 GJ per hectare 

per year (bioethanol, 

biodiesel, BTL) 

Degree of efficiency of 

distribution and combustion 

engine (fuel > wheel) 

About 35% 

18 – 47 GJ per 

hectare per year 

(bioethanol, 

biodiesel, BTL) 

Photovoltaic cell > national grid 

Total degree of 

efficiency about 10%: 

3,600 GJ per, hectare per year 

Inverter (DC > AC) 

Efficiency 90% 

Network losses: 6% 

Remainder for the car battery: 

3,050 GJ per hectare per year 

From battery to vehicle 

wheel 

Total efficiency about 60% 

1,800 GJ per 

hectare per year 

(solar 

electric car) 

The yield per hectare per year varies between a factor 

of 40 (BTL) and 100 (biodiesel) 

What will be the future of mobility? Which solution 

is both land-efficient and sustainable? On the one 

hand we have all different kinds of biofuels, like 

biodiesel, bioethanol and BTL (biomass to liquid), and on the 

other hand there is e-mobility sourced by renewable energy 

sources. 

Today we would like to compare the land efficiency, or the 

average energy yield per hectare for different biofuels, with 

that of a solar driven electric car - from the agricultural field 

to the car wheel. As a region we have chosen Germany just 

as an example. For most other regions the relationship of 

the results will not be so different - if there is more sun, the 

yield of the crops (as long they have enough water) and of 

the solar panels will increase almost in the same order. In 

regions with very long growing periods, or even two growing 

seasons per year, and sufficient water supply, the yield will be 

relative higher. 

In Germany the average solar radiation per hectare per 

year is about 10,000,000 kWh or 36,000 Gigajoules (GJ). This 

energy is used by the leaves of the crops as well as by the 

photovoltaic cell to transform and store energy. 

1) Biofuels 

The leaves of crops use the solar radiation by photosynthesis. 

The theoretical maximum conversion efficiency 

of solar energy to biomass is 4.6% for C3 crops and 6% for 

C4 crops (maize, sugar cane, miscanthus), the best yearround 

efficiencies realized are no more than 3% (Langeveld 

2010). So a realistic value of the photosynthesis in plant 

cells is about 2%, this is not very efficient. Because crops 

normally are only 100 – 150 days in the fields (spring and 

summer) the full yearly solar radiation cannot be taken into 



account – we have to reduce the 36,000 GJ to around 20,000 

GJ per hectare and growing period. That means that 400 GJ 

per hectare per year (2% of 20,000 GJ) are transferred to 

bioenergy in biomolecules. Further mechanical and chemical 

processing to biofuels will reduce the efficiencies and the 

yields significantly. In the range covering biodiesel from 

rapeseed/canola, bioethanol from wheat, and sugar beet to 

BTL (biomass to liquid) the energy yields are between 50 and 

135 GJ per hectare per year. That means that between 0.3 

and 0.7% of the solar energy is converted to biofuel. Finally 

the internal combustion engine has an efficiency of about 

35% (biofuel to wheel). 65% of the energy is lost as heat. This 

brings us a final yield of between 18 and 47 GJ per hectare per 

year or a total efficiency of between 0.1% and 0.2% related to 

the solar radiation of 20,000 GJ per hectare over the growing 

period. This does not look like the solution for the future! 

(biodiesel) more efficient compared to the system of energy 

crops plus a biofuel driven car! 

That is one reason why the nova-Institute thinks that 

biofuels are an intermediate technology that should be 

substituted by solar (and wind) energy in the next 20 – 30 

years. To switch from biomass to solar will set free huge 

amounts of land for other applications, such as bioplastics: 

we should rather use biomass for bio-based chemistry and 

materials which cannot be produced by sun and wind. 

Sources: 

Langeveld, J.W.A. 2010: Biomass availability. In: Langeveld et al. 

(editors): The Biobased Economy. Earthscan, London 2010. 

Remark: Where is the energy lost in the crop? 

Light-use efficiency of the average leaf of a crop is similar 

to that of the best photovoltaic (PV) solar cells 

transducing solar energy to charge separation 

(approx. 37%). In photosynthesis most of the 

energy is lost, being dissipated as heat during 

synthesis of biomass. (Langeveld 2010) 

2) Solar electricity 

Photovoltaic panels have a realistic efficiency 

of 10% as a yearly average today, and they work 

during the full year. The latest commercial 

systems have already efficiencies up to 15% and 

it is expected this will increase to 20 – 40% in 

the future. Today from the 36,000 GJ average 

solar radiation solar panels can earn 3,600 GJ 

of electricity (DC) and an inverter transforms 

this to AC electricity, suitable to feed into the 

national grid. Modern electrical inverters have 

efficiencies of ca. 90%. There are also losses 

in the grid, typically in Germany about 6%. 

Thus, of the original solar radiation about 3,050 

GJ reached the battery of the car. The system 

battery (ca. 65%) and electric motor (ca. 95%) 

have a total efficiency of ca. 60%. That means 

that finally 1,800 GJ are transmitted to the car 

wheel – or as a percentage of the solar radiation: 

5%. This is much better than with biofuels. 

Conclusion: Crops and solar panels are using 

the same source of energy to transform, via 

biofuels or electricity, into mobility, i.e. solar 

radiation. The photovoltaic panel and electric 

car system is 40 times (BTL) to 100 times 

iBIB 2012 

International Business Directory for Innovative 

Bio-based Plastics and Composites 

Pictures: nova-Institut, Sainsbury’s, Proganic 

For the 2 nd time worldwide: 

An entire overview of all suppliers of bio-based plastics and composites! 

In spring 2012 iBIB 2012 the second international directory of major suppliers of biobased 

plastics and composites will be published. Becoming an iBIB 2012 participant will 

enable you to reach about 50,000 potential industrial clients from all over the world. 

The print version will be distributed by the publishers and partners at trade fairs, 

exhibitions and conferences worldwide 

The PDF-version will be distributed widely by email and websides 

Online-database with detailed index to reach your supplier in a target oriented way 

iBIB 2012 : 250 pages – 100 companies, associations, R&D – 20 countries 

Book your page(s) now at: www.bio-based.eu/iBIB 

Deadline: 17 th February 2012 

In cooperation with 

www.bio-based.eu/iBIB 

Book now: www.bio-based.eu/iBIB 

Due to strong demand the new deadline 

for registration is: February 17 th 

Publisher 

nova-Institute GmbH | Chemiepark Knapsack | Industriestrasse 300 | D-50354 Hürth 

Dominik Vogt | Phone: +49 (0)2233 4814 – 49 | dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de 


Interview 

Pilar Echezarreta is a recognized Spanish architect. Recently 

she made some ‘inflatable architecture’ from 

film material made of Biolice, a bioplastic manufactured 

by Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients from maize flour 

using a unique process in the bioplastics sector. 

Pilar was born in Barcelona and lived in Mexico City for 

around 20 years. After graduating in Architecture, she studied, 

worked and lived between Paris, New York and Shanghai. 

Parallel to these activities she’s been working during the 

last 12 years in an on-going research project on inflatable 

structures with materials that are not usually considered 

for Architecture: air, paper, and plastics. Every unit is 100% 

handmade. 

How did you discover Biolice? What triggered the idea of 

using Biolice in your art ? 

During the month of December, you can buy in Paris 

decorative plastic bags that are used as decoration at the 

bottom of the Christmas tree. Once holidays are over, you can 

place the tree inside and throw the whole to the waste, all 

being biodegradable. During January you’ll find these trees 

dressed in gold [golden pearls] under the rain. When I had 

the opportunity to build an inflatable in Mexico, I decided to 

contact Biolice. To my surprise, Biolice was very supportive to 

my initiative and sent me the necessary amount of material. 

The use of biodegradable film gave a new scope to the 

design and construction: inflatable architecture can also be 

biodegradable! 

Pilar 

Echezarreta 

What makes Biolice unique for you? 

I guess it is very simple. Biolice is a noble material. If I can 

compare it to textiles, Biolice will be the silk of films. Biolice’s 

films have a great balance between weight, resistance, 

performance at warehouse, and color, and most important, 

it is biodegradable. 

Where did you show this kind of art? 

In Mexico City in 2009 the solo exhibition Golden Pearl and 

other prototypes proposed a colony of inflatable architectures 

built with polymer, one of them built real size with capacity 

for 8 people. The installation remained one month installed 

at the gallery. 

Later in 2010 I was invited by the Istituto Europeo di Design 

[Madrid] to teach the Air Workshop. The constraint I gave to 

the students was to build an inflatable structure out of 32 

golden bags. The final presentation was a performance in the 

Plaza de El Callao — one of the most crowded squares in 

Madrid 

The most recent construction was last November at the 

IV Festival Architecture and Performance, at Madrid. The 

project presented is a site specific unit called Assemblage 

with Air, an inflatable concert hall. The unit measures around 

20m long, by 5m high and 5m wide. 

If not confidential, can you tell us what is the next step with 

using bioplastics: working with ‘biosac by calcia’ bag, the 

innovative compostable cement bag, in order to find a link 

between architecture and raw materials for construction ? 

Being a rigid material, biosac makes me think in the use of 

paper in Architecture. Traditional Japanese architecture has 

impressive examples on this. We’re still on a study phase, and 

promise to keep you posted on the next biosac construction. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PDF 

This is an abridged version of a longer 

interview with Pilar Echezarret. 

The complete interview as well as 

more pictures can befound at 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/201201.pdf 

www.biolice.com 


Suppliers Guide 

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Showa Denko Europe GmbH 

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www.showa-denko.com 

support@sde.de 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH 

Siemensring 79 

D - 47 877 Willich 

Tel. +49 2154 9251-0 

Tel.: +49 2154 9251-51 

sales@fkur.com 

www.fkur.com 

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients 

ZAC „Les Portes de Riom“ - BP 173 

63204 Riom Cedex - France 

Tel. +33 (0)4 73 67 17 00 

Fax +33 (0)4 73 67 17 10 

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DuPont de Nemours International S.A. 

2 chemin du Pavillon 

1218 - Le Grand Saconnex 

Switzerland 

Tel.: +41 22 171 51 11 

Fax: +41 22 580 22 45 

plastics@dupont.com 

www.renewable.dupont.com 

www.plastics.dupont.com 

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu 

Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd 

No. 50 Qinshan Road, Jincheng 

Town, Lin‘an, 311300, China 

Tel.: +86 571 6106 2167 

Fax.: +86 571 6106 7360 

grace@xinfupharm.com 

www.xinfupharm.com 

1.1 bio based monomers 

PURAC division 

Arkelsedijk 46, P.O. Box 21 

4200 AA Gorinchem - 

The Netherlands 

Tel.: +31 (0)183 695 695 

Fax: +31 (0)183 695 604 

www.purac.com 

PLA@purac.com 

1.2 compounds 

API S.p.A. 

Via Dante Alighieri, 27 

36065 Mussolente (VI), Italy 

Telephone +39 0424 579711 

www.apiplastic.com 

www.apinatbio.com 

www.cereplast.com 

US: 

Tel: +1 310.615.1900 

Fax +1 310.615.9800 

Sales@cereplast.com 

Europe: 

Tel: +49 1763 2131899 

weckey@cereplast.com 

Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd. 

Gaotang Industrial Zone, Tianhe, 

Guangzhou, P.R.China. 

Tel: +86 (0)20 87215915 

Fax: +86 (0)20 87037111 

info@ecopond.com.cn 

www.ecopond.com.cn 

FLEX-262/162 Biodegradable 

Blown Film Resin! 

Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies 

4201 Woodland Road 

Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA 

Tel. +1 763.225.6600 

Fax +1 763.225.6645 

info@natur-tec.com 

www.natur-tec.com 

Transmare Compounding B.V. 

Ringweg 7, 6045 JL 

Roermond, The Netherlands 

Tel. +31 475 345 900 

Fax +31 475 345 910 

info@transmare.nl 

www.compounding.nl 

PolyOne 

Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 

Zoning de la Fagne 

5330 Assesse 

Belgium 

Tel.: + 32 83 660 211 

www.polyone.com 

1.3 PLA 

Shenzhen Brightchina Ind. Co;Ltd 

www.brightcn.net 

www.esun.en.alibaba.com 

bright@brightcn.net 

Tel: +86-755-2603 1978 

PSM Bioplastic NA 

Chicago, USA 

www.psmna.com 

+1-630-393-0012 

Jean-Pierre Le Flanchec 

3 rue Scheffer 

75116 Paris cedex, France 

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 23 00 

Fax: +33 (0)1 53 65 81 99 

biosphere@biosphere.eu 

www.biosphere.eu 

Grace Biotech Corporation 

Tel: +886-3-598-6496 

No. 91, Guangfu N. Rd., Hsinchu 

Industrial Park,Hukou Township, 

Hsinchu County 30351, Taiwan 

sales@grace-bio.com.tw 

www.grace-bio.com.tw 

1.5 PHA 

Division of A&O FilmPAC Ltd 

7 Osier Way, Warrington Road 

GB-Olney/Bucks. 

MK46 5FP 

Tel.: +44 1234 714 477 

Fax: +44 1234 713 221 

sales@aandofilmpac.com 

www.bioresins.eu 

Telles, Metabolix – ADM joint venture 

650 Suffolk Street, Suite 100 

Lowell, MA 01854 USA 

Tel. +1-97 85 13 18 00 

Fax +1-97 85 13 18 86 

www.mirelplastics.com 



3. Semi finished products 

3.1 films 

6. Equipment 

6.1 Machinery & Molds 

Tianan Biologic 

No. 68 Dagang 6th Rd, 

Beilun, Ningbo, China, 315800 

Tel. +86-57 48 68 62 50 2 

Fax +86-57 48 68 77 98 0 

enquiry@tianan-enmat.com 

www.tianan-enmat.com 

1.6 masterbatches 

Huhtamaki Forchheim 

Sonja Haug 

Zweibrückenstraße 15-25 

91301 Forchheim 

Tel. +49-9191 81203 

Fax +49-9191 811203 

www.huhtamaki-films.com 

Cortec® Corporation 

4119 White Bear Parkway 

St. Paul, MN 55110 

Tel. +1 800.426.7832 

Fax 651-429-1122 

info@cortecvci.com 

www.cortecvci.com 

FAS Converting Machinery AB 

O Zinkgatan 1/ Box 1503 

27100 Ystad, Sweden 

Tel.: +46 411 69260 

www.fasconverting.com 

PolyOne 

Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 

Zoning de la Fagne 

5330 Assesse 

Belgium 

Tel.: + 32 83 660 211 

www.polyone.com 

2. Additives/Secondary raw materials 

www.earthfirstpla.com 

www.sidaplax.com 

www.plasticsuppliers.com 

Sidaplax UK : +44 (1) 604 76 66 99 

Sidaplax Belgium: +32 9 210 80 10 

Plastic Suppliers: +1 866 378 4178 

Eco Cortec® 

31 300 Beli Manastir 

Bele Bartoka 29 

Croatia, MB: 1891782 

Tel. +385 31 705 011 

Fax +385 31 705 012 

info@ecocortec.hr 

www.ecocortec.hr 

Molds, Change Parts and Turnkey 

Solutions for the PET/Bioplastic 

Container Industry 

284 Pinebush Road 

Cambridge Ontario 

Canada N1T 1Z6 

Tel. +1 519 624 9720 

Fax +1 519 624 9721 

info@hallink.com 

www.hallink.com 

Arkema Inc. 

Functional Additives-Biostrength 

900 First Avenue 

King of Prussia, PA/USA 19406 

Contact: Connie Lo, 

Commercial Development Mgr. 

Tel: 610.878.6931 

connie.lo@arkema.com 

www.impactmodifiers.com 

Taghleef Industries SpA, Italy 

Via E. Fermi, 46 

33058 San Giorgio di Nogaro (UD) 

Contact Frank Ernst 

Tel. +49 2402 7096989 

Mobile +49 160 4756573 

frank.ernst@ti-films.com 

www.ti-films.com 

3.1.1 cellulose based films 

Minima Technology Co., Ltd. 

Esmy Huang, Marketing Manager 

No.33. Yichang E. Rd., Taipin City, 

Taichung County 

411, Taiwan (R.O.C.) 

Tel. +886(4)2277 6888 

Fax +883(4)2277 6989 

Mobil +886(0)982-829988 

esmy@minima-tech.com 

Skype esmy325 

www.minima-tech.com 

Roll-o-Matic A/S 

Petersmindevej 23 

5000 Odense C, Denmark 

Tel. + 45 66 11 16 18 

Fax + 45 66 14 32 78 

rom@roll-o-matic.com 

www.roll-o-matic.com 

The HallStar Company 

120 S. Riverside Plaza, Ste. 1620 

Chicago, IL 60606, USA 

+1 312 385 4494 

dmarshall@hallstar.com 

www.hallstar.com/hallgreen 

Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH 

Duesseldorfer Strasse 23-27 

68219 Mannheim, Germany 

Phone: +49 (0)621-8907-233 

Fax: +49 (0)621-8907-8233 

bioadimide.eu@rheinchemie.com 

www.bioadimide.com 

Sukano AG 

Chaltenbodenstrasse 23 

CH-8834 Schindellegi 

Tel. +41 44 787 57 77 

Fax +41 44 787 57 78 

www.sukano.com 

INNOVIA FILMS LTD 

Wigton 

Cumbria CA7 9BG 

England 

Contact: Andy Sweetman 

Tel. +44 16973 41549 

Fax +44 16973 41452 

andy.sweetman@innoviafilms.com 

www.innoviafilms.com 

4. Bioplastics products 

alesco GmbH & Co. KG 

Schönthaler Str. 55-59 

D-52379 Langerwehe 

Sales Germany: +49 2423 402 110 

Sales Belgium: +32 9 2260 165 

Sales Netherlands: +31 20 5037 710 

info@alesco.net | www.alesco.net 

NOVAMONT S.p.A. 

Via Fauser , 8 

28100 Novara - ITALIA 

Fax +39.0321.699.601 

Tel. +39.0321.699.611 

www.novamont.com 

WEI MON INDUSTRY CO., LTD. 

2F, No.57, Singjhong Rd., 

Neihu District, 

Taipei City 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. 

Tel. + 886 - 2 - 27953131 

Fax + 886 - 2 - 27919966 

sales@weimon.com.tw 

www.plandpaper.com 

President Packaging Ind., Corp. 

PLA Paper Hot Cup manufacture 

In Taiwan, www.ppi.com.tw 

Tel.: +886-6-570-4066 ext.5531 

Fax: +886-6-570-4077 

sales@ppi.com.tw 

MANN+HUMMEL ProTec GmbH 

Stubenwald-Allee 9 

64625 Bensheim, Deutschland 

Tel. +49 6251 77061 0 

Fax +49 6251 77061 510 

info@mh-protec.com 

www.mh-protec.com 

6.2 Laboratory Equipment 

MODA : Biodegradability Analyzer 

Saida FDS Incorporated 

3-6-6 Sakae-cho, Yaizu, 

Shizuoka, Japan 

Tel : +81-90-6803-4041 

info@saidagroup.jp 

www.saidagroup.jp 

7. Plant engineering 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH 

Holzhauser Str. 157 - 159 

13509 Berlin, Germany 

Tel. +49 (0)30 43567 5 

Fax +49 (0)30 43567 699 

sales.de@thyssenkrupp.com 

www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com 



8. Ancillary equipment 

10. Institutions 

10.2 Universities 

9. Services 

Osterfelder Str. 3 

46047 Oberhausen 

Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227 

Fax: +49 (0)208 8598 1424 

thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de 

www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de 

Institut für Kunststofftechnik 

Universität Stuttgart 

Böblinger Straße 70 

70199 Stuttgart 

Tel +49 711/685-62814 

Linda.Goebel@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de 

www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de 

narocon 

Dr. Harald Kaeb 

Tel.: +49 30-28096930 

kaeb@narocon.de 

www.narocon.de 

nova-Institut GmbH 

Chemiepark Knapsack 

Industriestrasse 300 

50354 Huerth, Germany 

Tel.: +49(0)2233-48-14 40 

Fax: +49(0)2233-48-14 5 

Bioplastics Consulting 

Tel. +49 2161 664864 

info@polymediaconsult.com 

10.1 Associations 

BPI - The Biodegradable 

Products Institute 

331 West 57th Street, Suite 415 

New York, NY 10019, USA 

Tel. +1-888-274-5646 

info@bpiworld.org 

European Bioplastics e.V. 

Marienstr. 19/20 

10117 Berlin, Germany 

Tel. +49 30 284 82 350 

Fax +49 30 284 84 359 

info@european-bioplastics.org 

www.european-bioplastics.org 

Michigan State University 

Department of Chemical 

Engineering & Materials Science 

Professor Ramani Narayan 

East Lansing MI 48824, USA 

Tel. +1 517 719 7163 

narayan@msu.edu 

University of Applied Sciences 

Faculty II, Department 

of Bioprocess Engineering 

Heisterbergallee 12 

30453 Hannover, Germany 

Tel. +49 (0)511-9296-2212 

Fax +49 (0)511-9296-2210 

hans-josef.endres@fh-hannover.de 

www.fakultaet2.fh-hannover.de 

Subscription 

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please fill in the form and fax to +49-2161-6884468 

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and mention the promotion code (see box below) 

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*If you return this form or subscribe online with promotion code before February 29, 2012, 

you‘ll get a nice daypack-rucksack. Every 10th new suscriber will get a watch. 


Events 

Event Calendar 

You 

can meet us! 

Please contact us in 

advance by e-mail. 

Feb. 20-22, 2012 

Innovation Takes Root 2012 

Omni ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando, Florida, USA. 

www.innovationtakesroot.com 

Feb. 28-29, 2012 

Solpack 1.0 

Munich, Germany 

www.solpack.de 

March 7-8, 2012 

Fachkongress „Future-Packaging I 

Verpackungstechnologien von morgen“ 

TFZ Technologie- und Forschungszentrum Wiener 

Neustadt (Österreich)- Vienna (Wiener Neustadt) 

www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/veranstaltungen/ 

future_packaging_i_verpackungstechnologie_morgen_188831. 

html 

March 13-14, 2012 

World Biofuels Markets 

Rotterdam, The Netherlands 

www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com 

March 14-15, 2012 

5th International Congress on Bio-based 

Plastics and Composites 

Cologne, Germany 

www.biowerkstoff-kongress.de 

March 20-22, 2012 

Green Polymer Chemistry 

Maritim Hotel, Cologne, Germany 

www.amiplastics.com 

March 21-22, 2012 

Plastics in Automotive Engineering 

Mannheim, Germany 

www.kunststoffe-im-auto.de 

March 27-30, 2012 

BioPlastek 2012 

An Interactive Forum on Bioplastics Today & Tomorrow 

Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, VA, USA 

http://bioplastek.com 

March 29-30, 2012 

Sus Pack 2012 

Conference on Sustainable Packaging 

Cologne, Germany 


April 1-5, 2012 

NPE 2012 

Orlando, USA 

www.npe.org 

April 18-21, 2012 

Chinaplas 2012 

Shanghai, China 

www.chinaplasonline.com 

visit bioplastics MAGAZINE 

at booth 58047 

April 19-20, 2012 

2 nd Congress on biodegradable polymer 

packaging 

Sala Aurea, Camera di Commercio, Parma (Italy) 

www.biopolpack.unipr.it. 

April 23-24, 2012 

Biopolymer World Congress 

NH Laguna Palace Hotel, Mestre-Venice (Italy) 

www.biopolymerworld.com 

April 25-26, 2012 

Durable Bioplastics 

Minneapolis, MN, USA 

http://infocastinc.com/index.php/Upcoming_Conferences 

May 8-9, 2012 

Bioplastics Compounding & Processing 

The Hilton Downtown Miami, Miami, Florida, USA 

www.amiplastics-na.com 

May 9-10, 2012 

5. BioKunststoffe 

Hannover, Germany 

www.hanser-tagungen.de/ 

May 10-11, 2012 

2 nd Congress on Biodegradable Poplymers 

Packaging 

Centro Congressi Fiera di Milano – Rho, Milano, Italy 

www.biopolpack.unipr.it/preregistration.htm 

May 14-18, 2012 

SPE Bioplastic Materials Conference 

Renaissance Seattle Hotel - Seattle, Washington USA 

www.4spe.org 

May 15-16, 2012 

2 nd PLA World Congress 

presented by bioplastics MAGAZINE 

Holiday Inn City Center, Munich Germany 


May 16-18, 2012 

SPE Bioplastic Materials Conference 

Renaissance Seattle Hotel, Seattle, Washington USA 

www.4spe.org 

June 13-15, 2012 

BioPlastics: The Re-Invention of Plastics 

Hilton - Downtown, San Francisco, USA 

www.BioPlastix.com 

June 19-20, 2012 

Biobased materials 

WPC, Natural Fibre and other innovative 

Composites Congress 

Fellbach, near Stuttgart, Germany 

www.nfc-congress.com 

Sep. 5-6, 2012 

naro.tech 9th International Symposium 

Erfurt, Germany 

www.narotech.eu 

Oct. 2-4, 2012 

BioPlastics – The Re-Invention of Plastics 

Caesars Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, USA 

www.InnoPlastSolutions.com 


Companies in this issue 

Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert 

A&O FilmPAC Ltd 62 

Aalto University 31 

ADM 3, 5 

Aeskulap 22 

alesco GmbH & Co. KG 63 

API S.p.A. 62 

Arkema 15, 43 45, 63 

Ashland Chemical 38 

AstroTurf 38 

Austin Novel Materials, North America 34 

Automanager.tv 10 

Avantium 8 

BASF 34 

BASF Color Solutions 8 

BioAmber 7 

BIOCORE 42 

Biomer 28 

Biopolymers & Biocomposites Research Team 34,37 

Biosphere 62 

BMBF 22 

BMELV 10, 21, 22 

BPI - The Biodegradable Products Institute 64 

Braskem 16, 34, 38 

Brooks Sports 33 

CAPAX environmental services 43 

Cereplast 62 

Chalmers Tekniska Hoegskola AB 43 

Chase Plastic Services, Inc. 34 

Chemtrusion, Inc. 34 

Chimar Hellas AE 43 

Chinaplas 7 61 

CIMV 42 

CIRMAP 46 

Coca-Cola 8 

Colette 40 

Composites Evolution 40 

Continental Tyres Germany 22 

Cortec® Corporation 63 

CTAG 18 

Denso 15 

Deutsches Kunststoff Institut 21 

DSM Bio-based Products & Services B.V. 43 

DuPont 13, 15, 34 62 

Eastman Chemical Co. 34 

Ecole des Mines de Douai 14 

Ecomann 51 

Ecospan, LLC 34 

EMS 34 

Energy research Centre of the Netherlands 43 

Eops 40 

Erema 6 43 

European Bioplastics e.V. 64 

Evonik 8, 34 

ExTech 34 

Extrusa 34 

FAS Converting Machinery AB 63 

FH Hannover 10, 54 

Fiat 13 

FkUR 6, 9, 34, 38 2, 62 

Flaxland 40 

FNR 10, 21, 22 

Ford 10, 20, 33 

Four Motors 10 

Fraunhofer ICB 22 

Fraunhofer IME 22 

Fraunhofer UMSICHT 64 

Fuji Xerox 24 

Galactic 6, 47 

Gattinoni 55 

Gevo 8 

Gneuss, Inc. 34,37 

Grace Biotech Corporation 62 

Hallink 63 

Hallink RSB Inc. 34 

Heritage Plastics 34 

Hochschule Bremen 21 

Huhtamaki Forchheim 63 

Hutchinson 13 

Hyundai-Kia Motors 6, 50 

IAC (International Automotive Components) 21 

IDES 33, 34 

igus 27 

Imperial College London 43 

IndiaMART.com 34 

Innovia Films 63 

INRA Transfert 43 

Institut for bioplastics & biocomposites 10, 21, 54 

Institut für Umweltstudien - 

Weibel & Ness GmbH 

Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique 43 

Institute for Energy and Environmental Research 

Heidelberg 

Iowa State University 34,37 

Jamplast, Inc. 34 

Jarden Plastic Solutions 34 

Julius Kühn Institut 22 

Kal 34 

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven 43 

Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd 34 62 

Kunststoffwerk Voerde Hueck & Schade 21 

Kureha America Inc. 34 

Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry 43 

Leistritz 33, 34 

Lili Giacobino 41 

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédient 60 62 

LipoFIT Analytic 22 

LTL Color Compounders, Inc. 34,37 

Lubrizol 33 

LyondellBasell 21 

M-Base Engineering + Software 20 

MANN+HUMMEL ProTec GmbH 63 

Materia Nova Research Center 46 

Mathelin Bay Associates LLC 34 

Max-Plack-Institute for Plant Breeding 22 

Mazzucchelli 41 

Mercedes-Benz 16 

Merquinsa North America, Inc. 33, 34 

Metabolix 5, 28 62 

Michael Young 40 

Michigan State University 6 64 

Minima Technology Co., Ltd. 4, 34, 38 63 

Mitsubishi Chemical 7 

Mitsui & Co. 7 

MODA 63 

Möller 8 

Nano4 46 

Nanobiomatters Industries, S.L. 34 

narocon 6 64 

National Technical University of Athens 43 

Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies 62 

NatureWorks 6, 34, 37, 

47, 55 

Nexeo Solutions 34 

nova-Institut 8, 16, 43, 

58 

43 

43 

16, 59, 

64 

Novamont 4 63, 68 

Novozymes 16 

Optimum 5 

OWS 41 

Phoenix Plastics L.P. 34 

Plastic Suppliers 63 

Plastic Technologies, Inc. 34 

plasticker 31 

Polyone 6, 34 62,63 

Polyvel, Inc. 34 

President Packaging Ind., Corp. 63 

PTT MCC Biochem 7 

PTT Public Company 7 

Purac 6, 34, 36, 62 

52, 54 

Recycling Solutions 34 

Reifenhäuser 8 

Renault 10 

Resirene, S.A. de. C.V. 32, 34 

Rhe Tech Inc 34 

Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH 63 

Rheinchemie 17 

Rodenburg 5 

Roll-o-Matic A/S 63 

RTP Company 33, 34 

Shenzhen Brightchina 6 62 

Showa Denko Europe GmbH 62 

Sidaplax 63 

Simcon Kunststofftechnische Software 21 

Solagro Association 43 

Southern Clay Products 47 

SPI (NPE) 32 39 

SPI Bioplastics Council 34, 36 

Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek 43 

Südzucker 22 

Sukano AG 63 

Sustainable Composites 40 

SYNPO, akciová společnost 43 

Synthomer 22 

Syral 43 

Szent Istvan University 43 

Taghleef Industries SpA, Italy 63 

Tarkett SA 43 

Technical University Clausthal 21 

Teinnovations Inc. (PSM Bioplastic) 34, 36 63 

Tekes 31 

Teknor Apex Company 32, 34 

Telles 3, 5 62 

The Energy and Resources Institute 43 

The HallStar Company 63 

Tianan Biologic 28 

Tianan Biologic 63 

Toyota 15, 23 

TP Composites, Inc. 34 

Tradepro, Inc. 34 

Transmare Compounding B.V. 62 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer 6,54 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH 63 

United Soybean Board 34, 38 

Universität Stuttgart 64 

University of Mons 46 

University of Wisconsin-Madison 21, 28 

University Stuttgart 22 

UPM 31 

Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus 43 

Virent 8 

Volkswagen 10 

VTT 31 

Wacker Chemie 5 

Waterless Company 38 

Wei Mon 57 

WEI MON INDUSTRY CO., LTD. 63 

Werzalit 8 

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery 28 

Wuhan Huali 26 

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu 

Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd 

34 62 





PLA is one of the bioplastics with the largtest market 

significance. The versatile bioplastics raw material is made almost 

completely from renewable resources. It is being used for packaging 

applications, for fibres in woven and non-woven applications. Even 

the automotive industry and consumer electronics are already 

applying PLA. Blending PLA with other bioplastics or other blendpartners 

as well as mixing it with natural fibres such as flax, hemp 

or kenaf broadens the range of applications even more. 

That‘s why bioplastics MAGAZINE is now organising the 2nd PLA 

World Congress. 

Experts from all involved fields will share their knowledge and 

contribute to a comprehensive overview of today‘s opportunities 

and challenges and discuss the possibilities, limitations and future 

prospects of PLA for all kind of applications. 

The 2 full-day-conference will be held on the 15th and 16th of May 

2012 in the Holiday Inn Munich City Centre Munich, Germany. 

The 2nd PLA World Congress is the must-attend conference 

for everyone interested in PLA, its benefits, and challenges. The 

conference offers high class presentations from top individuals in 

the industry and also offers excellent networkung opportunities. 

Register now: 

The conference will comprise 

high class presentations on 

• Latest developments 

• Market overview 

• High temperature behaviour 

• Barrier issues 

• Additives / Colorants 

• Applications 

• Reinforcements 

• End of life options 

Online registration is open at 


www.pla-world-congress.com Tel.: +49 (2161) 6884469

bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1201

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