BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS
Renewable raw materials gaining increased importance / Focus on the end user / Continuing cost pressure due to weak sales / International Emap conference / Current developments
The topic of renewable raw materials is playing an increasingly important role, especially in conjunction with biodegradable materials. This was one of the trend statements made at the international “Biodegradable Plastics 2002” conference, which was organized in Frankfurt at the end of last year by Emap Conferences (GB-London EC1R 0DA; www.ebc.emap.com).
The ready availability and relatively low material costs of renewable raw materials, such as maize or potatoes, constitute decisive advantages. This is why clear priority must be given to “bio” materials, stressed Atussa Sarvestani of natura Verpackungs GmbH (D-48432 Rheine), which belongs to the eurea group (www.eurea.de). The comparatively high production costs still encountered in some cases are generally due to the limited production capacities. When questioned about the cost, Karl Rabago, head of the Sustainability Alliances Division of Cargill Dow LLC (CDP, Midland, MI 48674 / USA; www.cargilldow.com) pointedly countered: “How much do you want to buy?”
Dr. Harald Käb of the Interessengemeinschaft Biologisch Abbaubare Werkstoffe e.V. (IBAW, D-83024 Rosenheim; www.ibaw-ev.de) also considers it necessary for greater attention to be paid to renewable raw materials in product development. The significance of the product´s biodegradability at the end of its life cycle should not be underestimated, particularly for countries faced with a rapidly growing waste problem.
All in all, a large number of products in biodegradable materials have now been successfully introduced onto the European market. And, in Great Britain, Italy and Switzerland, they have already become established in the supermarket chains. In Germany, it is expected that the rather sluggish sales of biodegradable packaging and other products will pick up following the assessment and publication of the results of the model project in Kassel. And it is now time for the corresponding regulations to be amended, says Käb. Biodegradable materials are entering a phase where the methods and feasibility have been proven, and the focus must switch to the end user.
Biodegradable materials in brief
Constant expansion in “Mater-Bi” at Novamont
With the third production line at its Italian Terni facility, Novamont SpA (I-28100 Novara; www.materbi.com) has increased capacity for its “Mater-Bi” bio-plastic to 20,000 t/y. Plans have already been drawn up to double capacity by 2004 / 2005 in order to satisfy demand worldwide. Over the past two years, Novamont has invested EUR 14m in capacity expansion, in the acquisition of a Biotec GmbH & Co KG business unit (D-46446 Emmerich; www.biotec.de) and in the development of its latest biodegradable product, “Mater-Foam”.
Cargill Dow´s “NatureWorks” bio-polymer in Taiwan
Cargill Dow LLC (CDP, Midland, MI 48674/USA; www.cargilldow.com) has concluded an exclusive agreement with Taiwan´s Wei Mon Industry Cn. Ltd (WMI) on the marketing of packaging products made of “NatureWorks” PLA material. The material, which comprises primarily maize, is to be marketed in Taiwan under the name “Nature Green”. In view of the country´s increasing problems with plastic waste, the government is working on new environmental guidelines banning the use of disposable products made of plastics, starting with bags and tablecloths made from fossil raw materials.
Autobar expecting increased sales of PLA packaging
The British packaging producer Autobar (GB-Middlesex TW8 0DY; www.autobar.com) has predicted a twelve-fold increase in sales of non-flexible, biodegradable PLA-based packaging by 2006. In 2002, the company produced 500 t PLA packaging, alongside 200,000 t packaging in PS, PE, PP and PET. The figure for PLA packaging is set to rise to 2000 t for 2003. New material grades with improved barrier properties are currently under development.
Procter & Gamble: “Nodax” soon in series production
Over the next two years Procter & Gamble (www.pg.com) is intending to launch commercial production of its “Nodax” biodegradable plastic for medical and hygiene applications. Application tests with the material, which is broken down by microorganisms in water, are planned to start shortly. “Nodax” differs from degradable PLA materials in that it can be broken down by bacteria without prior hydrolysis.
PTE from genetically-modified colibacteria
According to a report in the “Nature Materials” technical journal, microbiologists at the University of Münster (www.uni-muenster.de) have implanted genes from the genome of two other bacteria in the “Escherichia coli” gastro-intestinal bacterium in a test. The modified Coli bacteria produced polythioester (PTE) on a special culture medium. This sulphur-containing polymer has a structure that is similar to the natural bio-polymer, polyoxoester. PTE can be formed with equal ease but offers greater heat resistance and is probably antibacterial, making it suitable for medical applications in theory. Production of marketable PTE by this process is still a long way off, however, on account of the costly make-up of the culture medium.
The ready availability and relatively low material costs of renewable raw materials, such as maize or potatoes, constitute decisive advantages. This is why clear priority must be given to “bio” materials, stressed Atussa Sarvestani of natura Verpackungs GmbH (D-48432 Rheine), which belongs to the eurea group (www.eurea.de). The comparatively high production costs still encountered in some cases are generally due to the limited production capacities. When questioned about the cost, Karl Rabago, head of the Sustainability Alliances Division of Cargill Dow LLC (CDP, Midland, MI 48674 / USA; www.cargilldow.com) pointedly countered: “How much do you want to buy?”
Dr. Harald Käb of the Interessengemeinschaft Biologisch Abbaubare Werkstoffe e.V. (IBAW, D-83024 Rosenheim; www.ibaw-ev.de) also considers it necessary for greater attention to be paid to renewable raw materials in product development. The significance of the product´s biodegradability at the end of its life cycle should not be underestimated, particularly for countries faced with a rapidly growing waste problem.
All in all, a large number of products in biodegradable materials have now been successfully introduced onto the European market. And, in Great Britain, Italy and Switzerland, they have already become established in the supermarket chains. In Germany, it is expected that the rather sluggish sales of biodegradable packaging and other products will pick up following the assessment and publication of the results of the model project in Kassel. And it is now time for the corresponding regulations to be amended, says Käb. Biodegradable materials are entering a phase where the methods and feasibility have been proven, and the focus must switch to the end user.
Biodegradable materials in brief
Constant expansion in “Mater-Bi” at Novamont
With the third production line at its Italian Terni facility, Novamont SpA (I-28100 Novara; www.materbi.com) has increased capacity for its “Mater-Bi” bio-plastic to 20,000 t/y. Plans have already been drawn up to double capacity by 2004 / 2005 in order to satisfy demand worldwide. Over the past two years, Novamont has invested EUR 14m in capacity expansion, in the acquisition of a Biotec GmbH & Co KG business unit (D-46446 Emmerich; www.biotec.de) and in the development of its latest biodegradable product, “Mater-Foam”.
Cargill Dow´s “NatureWorks” bio-polymer in Taiwan
Cargill Dow LLC (CDP, Midland, MI 48674/USA; www.cargilldow.com) has concluded an exclusive agreement with Taiwan´s Wei Mon Industry Cn. Ltd (WMI) on the marketing of packaging products made of “NatureWorks” PLA material. The material, which comprises primarily maize, is to be marketed in Taiwan under the name “Nature Green”. In view of the country´s increasing problems with plastic waste, the government is working on new environmental guidelines banning the use of disposable products made of plastics, starting with bags and tablecloths made from fossil raw materials.
Autobar expecting increased sales of PLA packaging
The British packaging producer Autobar (GB-Middlesex TW8 0DY; www.autobar.com) has predicted a twelve-fold increase in sales of non-flexible, biodegradable PLA-based packaging by 2006. In 2002, the company produced 500 t PLA packaging, alongside 200,000 t packaging in PS, PE, PP and PET. The figure for PLA packaging is set to rise to 2000 t for 2003. New material grades with improved barrier properties are currently under development.
Procter & Gamble: “Nodax” soon in series production
Over the next two years Procter & Gamble (www.pg.com) is intending to launch commercial production of its “Nodax” biodegradable plastic for medical and hygiene applications. Application tests with the material, which is broken down by microorganisms in water, are planned to start shortly. “Nodax” differs from degradable PLA materials in that it can be broken down by bacteria without prior hydrolysis.
PTE from genetically-modified colibacteria
According to a report in the “Nature Materials” technical journal, microbiologists at the University of Münster (www.uni-muenster.de) have implanted genes from the genome of two other bacteria in the “Escherichia coli” gastro-intestinal bacterium in a test. The modified Coli bacteria produced polythioester (PTE) on a special culture medium. This sulphur-containing polymer has a structure that is similar to the natural bio-polymer, polyoxoester. PTE can be formed with equal ease but offers greater heat resistance and is probably antibacterial, making it suitable for medical applications in theory. Production of marketable PTE by this process is still a long way off, however, on account of the costly make-up of the culture medium.
10.04.2003 Plasteurope.com [14803]
Published on 10.04.2003