close
close

Biopolymers.

Bioplastics are on the verge of broad market introduction, leaving the niche areas they have occupied in their infancy. The chemical and plastics industries have already invested several billion Euros in this new technology. They expect the new types of plastics to compete with conventional, petroleum-based plastics.

Biopolymers are processed into molded parts, semi-finished goods or sheets. Because of their degradation properties, biopolymers are especially suited for packaging, catering products, garden and landscaping products, materials for medical use and other short-lived products. Through reinforcement with fibers and metal hydroxides, biopolymers that are very pliable and flame-resistant are manufactured. Cellulose acetate (CA) is used as a base in the manufacture of umbrella handles, keyboards, steering wheels, toys, pens and other products.

Products made with polylactic acid (PLA) include sheets and molded parts, containers, cups, bottles and other consumables and are used in the construction industry, optics, automotive engineering as well as specialty medical and pharmaceutical items. Polyhydroxy-butyrate (PHB) and PHB blends find application in a wide palette of products, from glues to hard rubber. Besides these main groups, there are a number of initiatives for other renewable raw materials such as lignin, chitin, casein, gelatin, etc.

Biopolymers – historical overview.

Biopolymers are plastics that are synthesized from cultivated raw materials. These polymers are gaining in importance in times of increasing raw material costs and heightened environmental awareness. Macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, etc., which are formed by polycondensation reactions, occur naturally in nature.

Primarily, converted natural products are used for technical applications of biopolymers. These are polymers obtained by processing monomers or polymers found in nature. The plastic-like materials are created completely or largely from biopolymers and are modified using processes typically used for plastics.

Bioplastics differ from other organic materials such as wood-plastic composites that combine organic components (wood dust) with fossil plastics or bioplastics.

More Information

Polyamide SSP Polyamide Drying & Conditioning SAP Polyolefines Polycarbonate Bio-Polymers Polyoxymethylene Polybutylenterephthalate

Key Features

Process performance
  • Very gentle handling of pellets, no dust generation and therefore no product loss.
  • De-dusting with fluid beds.
More about key features

Process Description

Natural polymers are more narrowly identified as biopolymers if they are formed from naturally occurring monomers through biological polymerization processes. Primarily converted natural products are used for technical applications of biopolymers. These are polymers obtained by processing monomers or polymers found in nature. In particular, starch and cellulose derivatives play a major role in biopolymer applications.  
More about process description