If you need help getting a bioplastic or biodegradable plastic extrusion process set up, contact us! You can also check out the website for our packaging team.
Biodegradable Plastic Extrusion for Packaging and Other Applications
Biopolymer or bioplastic applications are very limited relative to the universe of all polymer applications. Being less than 1 % of the total for all plastic applications which is about 1 trillion pounds annually. The reason is that the cost is significantly higher than oil-based plastics (PS, PE, PP) and that development has been slow due to lack of suitable composting infrastructure and limits to scalability based on raw materials and capital costs of manufacturing. However, the growth rate in the use of bioplastics is large and consumer interest is even larger. But extrusion processing of these novel and new polymers is not trivial. This creates the need for manufacturing companies to reach out for a bioplastic consultant to assist them in bringing extruded biodegradable products to market. We fill this need.
The term "bioplastic" refers to biodegradable plastics and/or plastics derived from renewable resources (the definition from European Bioplastics). Interest in bio-materials has increased significantly due to concerns related to global climate change.
Considering the source/base of biopolymer we distinguish:
Compostable plastic is a subset of biodegradable plastic that will decompose in the conditions and time frames during composting process. Compostable plastics are always biodegradable. Biodegradable plastics are not always compostable. European norm is EN 13432, and USA norm is ASTM D6400.
Bioplastic market growth is an evolution – not a revolution. Growth is based on new companies, new materials and new capacities. Bioplastics are complementary to existing fossil-based plastics – offering new options based on societal and consumer trends & demands. Our team has worked on packaging and food service projects for bioplastic application development. The extruder for processing bioplastics into film and sheet is generally similar to that used for processing traditional plastics but may require modifications to processing conditions.
The major advantages that bioplastics applications bring continue to increase due to increasing environmental concerns such as:
The trend for biopolymer development is increasing and may accelerate in the future due to their environmental friendly ability to compost or even degrade in the natural environment.
The term "bioplastic" refers to biodegradable plastics and/or plastics derived from renewable resources (the definition from European Bioplastics). Interest in bio-materials has increased significantly due to concerns related to global climate change.
Considering the source/base of biopolymer we distinguish:
- natural polymers (PHA)
- modified natural polymers (viscose, methyl cellulose)
- synthetic polymers (PLA, polyesters)
Compostable plastic is a subset of biodegradable plastic that will decompose in the conditions and time frames during composting process. Compostable plastics are always biodegradable. Biodegradable plastics are not always compostable. European norm is EN 13432, and USA norm is ASTM D6400.
Bioplastic market growth is an evolution – not a revolution. Growth is based on new companies, new materials and new capacities. Bioplastics are complementary to existing fossil-based plastics – offering new options based on societal and consumer trends & demands. Our team has worked on packaging and food service projects for bioplastic application development. The extruder for processing bioplastics into film and sheet is generally similar to that used for processing traditional plastics but may require modifications to processing conditions.
The major advantages that bioplastics applications bring continue to increase due to increasing environmental concerns such as:
- global warming
- environmental pollution
- toxic effects of some residual monomers and additives are driving legislation and consumer “backlash” against conventional plastics.
The trend for biopolymer development is increasing and may accelerate in the future due to their environmental friendly ability to compost or even degrade in the natural environment.
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