Category: Bioplastics

Marine degradable biopolymers PHA 23.03.2023

Marine degradable biopolymers PHA

-Bluepha launches commercial PHA portfolio

After six years of development and research work, China-based biotech company Bluepha, a China-based biotech company, celebrated the launch of its first portfolio of marine degradable biopolymers at a festive 1 March event. At the event, the company presented its Bluepha PHA, together with information about its properties and applications. As well, the company discussed the production processes developed, the facilities constructed and its innovative ‘Biohybrid’ technology.

PHA is a natural polymer occurring in the cells of a wide range of microorganisms, where it serves as a storage of carbon and energy. Microorganisms produce PHA using biomass as fermentation feedstock. Bluepha has developed an industrial process for its mass production. The company markets its PHA under the Bluepha name, or 蓝晶™ in Chinese.

Bluepha built and commissioned its first industrial-scale production facility, called BioFAB1, in 2022 in Yancheng. With this first 5000 tonne/year unit, which is staffed by a team with international experience in biomanufacturing, a solid basis could be laid for the stable supply of PHA. Marine degradable biopolymers PHA

The BioFAB1 is a ‘green factory’ in which use has been made of advanced technologies and approaches, such as magnetic levitation and the reuse of recycled water to minimise the energy and resources consumed. The company also announced that plans were on the table for the construction of BioFAB2. This facility will have a total production capacity of 25,000 tonnes of Bluepha resins per year.

Bluepha have developed two grades for commercial use: one, called BP350, a flexible grade with a high comonomer content; the other, BP330, is a rigid grade with a low comonomer content. The resin can be produced using different typoes of biomass as feedstock; currently, sustainably sourced plant oil, is used. Both grades are certified to have 100% biobased carbon content by TÜV Austria.

The resins are available in powder and pellet form and can be used alone or in blends.

Bluepha PHA is biodegradable in ‘all typical artificial and natural environments’, the company stressed during the presentation. In the tests conducted by Belgian test lab OWS, complete degradation in home composting conditions was achieved by both grades in 10 weeks; the marine degradation tests resulted in 90% biodegradation in 16 weeks for both grades, a result that is very close to cellulose. Marine degradable biopolymers PHA

“Today everyone is a victim – and a participant – in the current environmental crisis. We are in a paradox of plastics,” said Dr. Teng Li, president of Bluepha. “Six years ago, we asked ourselves if there was a way out of this paradox. We believe there is. We started Bluepha to address the paradox of plastics.”

At the presentation, Bluepha also unveiled its new ‘Biohybrid’ technology, which will allow the company to gradually transition to the use of third-generation carbon sources to produce its resins. Third-generation sources comprise greenhouse gasses, including carbon dioxide and industrial waste gas.

Blupha’s Biohybrid technology, combines the use of mixed feedstocks – carbon dioxide from the air and plant oil – to synthesise Bluepha. Marine degradable biopolymers PHA

The pilot to test Bluepha production based on Biohybrid technology has been completed. Over the next 24 months, Biohybrid-based Bluepha resins will become available in larger quantities. The company says that current efforts are directed at increasing the proportion of carbon atoms in Bluepha PHA derived from greenhouse gases. The aim is to increase the proportion from 10% to 20% by 2027, ultimately reaching  100%.

Even more importantly, said Bluepha CEO Dr. Haoqian Zhang, Biohybrid is a ‘fundamental technology’ that can be applied to almost any bio-manufacturing process. In the future, therefore, it could serve to manufacture a range of sustainable chemicals and materials.

“We went deep to find solutions said Teng. Marine degradable biopolymers PHA

“And our solution is a gift of nature…that has been in nature for billions of years. What we did is find a way to mass produce it.”

“It can be integrated into countless scenarios to add remarkable sustainability benefits,” added Zhang. “It’s only limited by your imagination.”

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Marine degradable biopolymers PHA

Plastic packaging – Recycling – MEG 22-03-2023

Mushroom Could Replace Plastics 07-03-2023

Mushroom Could Replace Plastics

-Remarkable Mushroom Could Replace Plastics In Everyday Products

Researchers have found that a certain mushroom could replace plastic as a raw material for a myriad of everyday products. A Feb. 22 study published in Science Advances expounded on the capability of the Fomes fomentarius mushroom to yield a wide range of materials with different properties.

  1. fomentarius becomes hoof-shaped as it ages, gaining it the nickname “hoof fungus.” The mushroom has been branded the “tinder fungus” as it is easily combustible and has been used to start fires for thousands of years.

The researchers scrutinized F. fomentarius using advanced imaging techniques and mechanical strength tests to study each layer and assess their potential uses. They found that it possesses different material properties ranging from soft and sponge-like to tough and woody.  Mushroom Could Replace Plastics

The mushroom has three layers with distinct properties that could each be useful in different ways. First, there’s a very tough outer crust that could be used to make impact-resistant coating for windshields. There’s also a soft middle layer that could replicate leather, whereas the third inner layer is similar to wood.

Using their analysis, they created a prototype set of headphones using the threadlike structure, called mycelium, that makes up a fungus.

The paper mentioned that “in the future, [F. fomentarius] could also be used to create a new class of ultra-lightweight high-performance materials.” According to the technology website Verge, products made with the mushroom would be biodegradable and could be recycled at the end of the product’s life to make a new item.

They noted that studying the molecular structure of this mushroom and others could pave the way for these biodegradable materials to become “a more sustainable building block of [people’s] lives.”  Mushroom Could Replace Plastics

Surf’s up with boards made from mushrooms

Since plastic made from fossil fuels end up in landfills and waterways due to being difficult to recycle, products made from F. fomentarius and similar mushrooms could help cut down on the mountains of waste discarded by humans.

Aside from the researchers responsible for the Feb. 22 study, surfboard designer Steve Davies is also looking at the possibility of mushrooms being used to make surfboards. The 23-year-old from Wales has been developing innovative materials made from mycelium, the root-like structures found in mushrooms.  Mushroom Could Replace Plastics

Davies’ foray into fungi began when he was still a design student working on his final project at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He set out to find a solution to the environmental impact of surfing, given that boards are made of material that does not easily degrade.

Davies used mycelium to act as a glue between a natural skeleton structure that he formed in a mold.

“It sounds a little bit crazy, but it’s a way to get away from polystyrene, polyurethane and resin boards that can sit in a landfill and not decompose for hundreds to thousands of years,” he explained. “There are over 400,000 boards made every year. Of these, 80 percent are not sustainable.”  Mushroom Could Replace Plastics

When surfboards made of polystyrene disintegrate, they may go into the ocean and bio-accumulate. Humans may end up ingesting polystyrene plastic.

Source:

courtesy of NATURALNEWS

by Belle Carter

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Mushroom Could Replace Plastics

Credit : Natural News

Enzymatic technologies – Indorama IVL 06-03-2023

Biotransformed packaging 27-02-2023

Biotransformed packaging

-Toppan and Polymateria release Biotransformed packaging

Toppan and Polymateria release ‘Biotransformed’ packaging that can return to nature harmlessly in just 176 days – a new speed record! – Polymateria and Toppan Specialty Films have released packaging which fully biodegrades leaving no microplastic and toxins behind. – Data released today shows that biotransformed packaging can return to nature in record time – 176 days.  Biotransformed packaging

The revolutionary technology does not affect the mechanical or aesthetic qualities and allows plastic to be recycled for a pre-determined amount of time via a time-set feature. – Biotransformation technology will help push boundaries in the plastics industry, propelling the switch to more sustainable materials across the value chain in India.

A new breakthrough by sustainable plastic innovator Polymateria in partnership with Indian plastic manufacturer Toppan Specialty Films (TSP), has seen plastics commonly used in the packaging industry biotransform in under 4 months and return to nature in just 176 days, leaving no microplastics or toxins behind. It’s the fastest-ever full biodegradation of biaxially oriented (flexible) polypropylene which is used in food and cosmetic packaging.  Biotransformed packaging

The result was achieved using Polymateria’s innovative biotransformation technology, which is set to play a significant part in reducing plastic pollution in India and around the world. Polymateria also worked with one of the world’s largest confectionery manufacturers to create rigid plastic packaging armed with biotransformation technology, which was measured to fully biodegrade in 230 days, breaking a previous record of 310 days.

These twin breakthroughs mean that common packaging from candy wrappers to cigarette packaging could be made biodegradable – with important impacts on the 11 million tons of plastic waste which reach the ocean every year[1].

The first prototypes of biotransformed plastics developed through the partnership between Polymateria and Toppan were verified by the fully accredited AIMPLAS

Technological Institute of Plastic laboratory in Spain, which tested the plastics under the ISO 17556 standard for biodegradability. Mr Niall Dunne, CEO of Polymateria said, “I’m delighted to be announcing our record-speed biodegradation here in India given the leadership role the country is playing on tackling plastic pollution.

In a market the size of India, multiple solutions will be needed and our technology provides an additional route by making plastic fully biodegradable in the ambient environment. Biotransformed packaging

Working with sustainability champions like Toppan gives me great hope that by coming together the industry will rise to the challenge.” Mr Manohar Kumar, CEO of Toppan Speciality Films said, “We are delighted to see the record-speed biodegradation achieved by combining our plastic packaging with Polymateria’s technology.

We are already seeing huge interest in our sustainable biodegradable packaging in India and look forward to working with some of the country’s most well-known brands as it gets widely rolled out.”

Products using Polymateria’s technology can be recycled, but if they escape into nature, they will biotransform into a bioavailable wax.

The wax then attracts microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, which safely digest it and return it to nature without harm. Biotransformed packaging

Biotransformation technology will be part of the solution to the global problem of plastic pollution, and Toppan is leading the way in adopting innovative technologies which can be brought to scale rapidly.

This technology has the potential to significantly boost the sustainability of the packaging industry, in conjunction with other measures including improved waste management systems, consumer education and further innovative ideas from both government and the private sector. Biotransformed packaging

Time is running out to tackle plastic pollution, with some projections suggesting there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050[2].

Governments and businesses across many sectors need to work together to create a cleaner future.

ENDS NOTES TO EDITORS

About Polymateria’s Biotransformation Technology Plastic with Polymateria’s technology is made for recycling, however, if it escapes into the natural environment and is exposed to natural elements such as sun, air, moisture and heat, it will biotransform into a bioavailable wax.

The wax attracts microorganisms like bacteria and fungi which safely digest it and return it to nature without harm. Biotransformed packaging

Biotransformation technology is integrated into plastics at the point of manufacture, meaning there is no need for CAPEX investment and solution can be scaled immediately by plastic producers around the world.

Furthermore, plastics with biotransformation technology look and feel exactly like conventional plastic for their entire service life, offering manufacturers, both a convenient and sustainable solution without compromising on quality.

About Polymateria Polymateria aims to utilise scientific advancements to address the issue of plastic pollution. Biotransformed packaging

Established at Imperial College London, the company has become the first entity to demonstrate, through scientific evidence, that the most prevalent sources of unmanaged plastic waste can be returned to nature without generating microplastics, negatively impacting the ecosystem or disrupting recycling processes on a large scale.

As a result of its efforts to promote circularity and combat plastic pollution, Polymateria was honoured as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer in 2021.

About Toppan Toppan Specialty Films is a global leader in the development and production of specialty and value-added films (majority PP based) with strong focus on providing sustainable solutions of clearly differentiated quality used in flexible packaging of food, confectionery and fast-moving consumer goods, as well as in industrial packaging.

The company is known for its innovative, sustainable solutions that help customers meet their packaging needs while reducing their impact on the environment.

Biotransformed packaging

Toppan and Polymateria release ‘Biotransformed’ packaging

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Nylon textile – Acrylic-resin old-car 25-02-2023

Packaging sustainable solutions 14-02-2023

Packaging sustainable solutions

-Revolutionising packaging with innovative, sustainable solutions in India

Control Print Limited has announced a joint venture with V-Shapes S.r.l., an innovative supplier of sustainable single-dose sachets and manufacturer of packaging machinery based in Bologna, Italy, enabling it for the first time to bring this cutting-edge technology to the Indian market. Packaging sustainable solutions

This joint venture combines Control Print’s expertise in coding and marking technology with V-Shapes’ innovative packaging machinery with “Snap then Squeeze” technology to produce Recyclable/Biodegradable single-use packets for a wide range of products including liquids, viscous and powdered content.

V-Shapes has developed patented unit-dose packaging machines in collaboration with Siemens, designed to create an easy-to-use system with “Snap then Squeeze” technology that requires only three fingers to open a sachet without cutting & tearing.

This visionary packaging machine developed by V-Shapes is intended to reduce the environmental impact of packaging.  Packaging sustainable solutions

The single-portion pouches are easy to open, hygienic and safe to use, making them ideal for food, cosmetics, medicines, pharmaceuticals and chemical products.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with V-Shapes,” said Shiva Kabra, joint managing director of Control Print Limited. “Their ingenious packaging machinery and commitment to sustainability align perfectly with our values and mission. We are excited to offer our customers a complete solution for branding, coding, and packaging their products. We look forward to seeing this partnership’s positive impact on the packaging industry in India.”

“We are very excited to be partnering with Control Print,” said Christian Burattini, CEO of V-Shapes S.r.l. “Their coding and marking technology expertise will be a valuable asset to our company.  Packaging sustainable solutions

We look forward to working together to provide customers with a complete solution for their packaging needs. Control Print and V-Shapes are committed to working together to provide the best possible eco-friendly packaging solutions to Indian companies.”This partnership will allow Control Print to offer manufacturers a complete solution for packaging and coding their products, from the initial design to the final product and will also enable CPL to expand its reach in the Indian market and provide customers with a broader range of recyclable packaging, technologically advanced packaging machinery and a complete range of coding solutions. Packaging sustainable solutions

V-Shapes has also created two new substrates, reNEW oX-100 and reNEW oX-500, equipped with high-barrier capabilities and certified by Interseroh as 100% recyclable. These substrates have received extremely high ratings for detection, sorting and recycling in the industrial waste system.

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Packaging sustainable solutions

Car battery – Recycled plastic 13-02-2023

 

Seasoning for bioplastics 13-02-2023

Seasoning for bioplastics

-Seasoning for bioplastics makes chemical sense

Cream of tartar does the trick

Adding seasoning to food often vastly improves the result. And now, a team of researchers from Korea and the Nordic countries has shown that what goes for dinner, apparently also goes for biobased, biodegradable plastics.

A study published in the ACS journal Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering under the title Toward Sustaining Bioplastics: Add a Pinch of Seasoning reports that adding seasoning to the recipe for biobased, biodegradable plastics can boost the strength of the polymer to a measurable degree. Seasoning for bioplastics

Biodegradable polymers, by their very nature, tend to lack strength, as they are built to disintegrate. As the researchers pointed out, the more easily these materials break down, the flimsier they are, tearing apart from the slightest pressure. “The thermomechanical performance requirements of consumer products are required to match the nondegradable plastics; consequently, the development of commercially available biodegradable products has reached its current nonevolving state,” they wrote.

While additives could provide a solution, traditional petroleum-based products slow down degradation and can be off-putting for consumers who prefer natural, biologically sourced ingredients.

The scientists theorised that what works for food might well also work for biodegradable plastics. They experimented with the use of seasonings such as citric acid and cream of tartar – the latter being a well-known solution for creating thick, stable egg whites and whipped cream, for example. Seasoning for bioplastics

Jeyoung Park, Dongyeop Oh, Hyeonyeol Jeon, Jun Mo Koo and their colleagues then seasoned a biodegradable bioplastic called poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) with fruit-derived tartaric acid or citric acid to discover whether adding either of these could improve the plastic’s mechanical properties.

Their findings bore out their theory. As they wrote: “The developed “seasoning” brings the properties of PBS, one of the most underwhelming biodegradable and biorenewable polymers, to a new level.”  Seasoning for bioplastics

The researchers created seasoned PBS by first heating succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol with small amounts of either tartaric or citric acid. Then, they added titanium(IV) butoxide and dried the products. In tests, the two new films stretched more than twice as far before breaking and let through less oxygen compared to pure PBS.

Compared to ‘unseasoned’ PBS, the new materials could be successfully used for bags or food packaging, say the researchers. Both materials were stronger than many conventional biodegradable plastics and some petroleum-based products.

One potential downside is that it took the new additive-containing polymers slightly longer to break down in water compared to pure PBS over 14 weeks, though that could be beneficial for food packaging applications in humid environments.

The approach using ‘seasoning’ is relatively simple and straightforward and will enable traditional PBS to be transformed into a biodegradable plastic that ‘overcomes the current limitations and transcends the boundaries of nondegradable products, such as active food packaging and fishing nets, while strategically minimising changes to existing production facilities and processes’. Seasoning for bioplastics

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Seasoning for bioplastics

Solid-State-Batteries – Bio-plastics 11-02-2023