Shape-changing structures (smart structures) are able to change their shape in response to external stimuli. The change of shape is self-induced and requires no artificial energy input. In view of the increasing demand for efficiency and resource conservation, shape-changing (smart) materials offer a sensible approach to integrating functionalities into a component without giving rise to additional energy and material costs. Even greater sustainability is achieved if the components are produced from bioplastics.

Prototype of a weather-sensitive smart facade system

Bioplastics for Shape-Changing Structures

Polylactid

Kunststoff Werkstoffe

Thermoplaste

Biokunststoffe

Additive Fertigung

Green Shape Changers

The K 2022 offered an immense range of innovations and application examples for – and with more – sustainable materials. Interestingly hereby was that bio-based versions were extremely popular.

Shoes made from waste gas: genetically modified bacteria produce ethanol from waste gas, which is then used to create plastic, e.g. for the Cloudprime shoes from On.

16:9

Thermoplastische Elastomere

Silikone

Messe K-Kunststoffmesse

kunststoffe-international.com

kunststoffe.de

Masterbatches

Additive

Polyethylen

Streifinger, Florian

Polyamide

Effektpigmente

Polypropylen

Faserverbundwerkstoffe

Andere Werkstoffe

Kunststoff-Rezyklat

Silikonkautschuk

Kautschuk / Elastomere

Is Bio the New Standard?

PLA’s elongation at break and impact strength stand in the way of its broader use. PLA copolymers look like a promising solution.

A view of the production of the PLA copolymer compounds: the proprietary process combines chemical synthesis of polymers and production of compounds in a single process.

Targeted Improvement in Elongation at Break and Impact Strength of PLA

Copolymer instead of  Plasticizer or Blend

The production of particle foams with low densities and at the same time high molding quality is difficult, so the development of foamed polymer blends could simplify the entire processing.

Blend

Partikelschäumen

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Verfahren

Schäumen / Reaktive Verarbeitung

Study of expandable PLA particle foams – Influence of the blend system on processability and properties

Textile structures can be equipped with shape-changing properties at all stages of their production. So-called 4D textiles are created.

4D materials are ideal for personalized medical technology such as orthoses.

Formverändernde Textilien, sogenannte 4D-Textilien, bieten beispielsweise für die Medizintechnik große Vorteile. Herstellen lassen sie sich mittels FDM-Druck.

From Static to Adaptive Products with 4D Textiles

Into the Fourth Dimension  with 3D Printing

Three solutions for increasing the productivity in the automotive, medical and packaging industries are presented by Tederic at K 2022 with the Neo injection molding machine series. T

The Neo·Ec combines electrical and hydraulic drives.

Spritzgießen

Mehrkomponenten-Spritzgießen

Spritzprägen

Spritzgießmaschinen

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Maschinen und Komponenten

Medizintechnik

Medizinprodukte

Applications in Three Key Sectors

At Interpack TotalEnergies Corbion exhibits its polylactide Luminy PLA. It is made from renewable biomass, which growth absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere.

Messe Interpack

Kunststoff-Recycling

Kunststoff-Aufbereitung

Packaging Made from Greenhouse Gases

Comprehensive resource efficiency means far more than the preservation of natural resources. It also includes the productivity factors of material, machine and labor. The plastics industry has made a great contribution to resource efficiency, but often finds itself on the defensive. Yet a knowledge of the various relationships involved provides enough material to go on the offensive with arguments illustrating the benefits of plastics technology. 

The Plastics Industry Needs to Adopt a Bolder Approach 

Elektrische Antriebe

Verbundwerkstoffe / Werkstoffverbunde

Trockner

Extrusion

Pultrusion

Nachhaltigkeit

Kunststoffverarbeitung

Resource Efficiency with  Plastics Technology 

Plastics packaging is one of the main contributors to the global waste mountain. To avoid potential environmental problems, biodegradable bioplastics are increasingly being used for this application. But what about the additives and colorants? A masterbatch producer provides the answer. 

Coloration with Biodegradable Color Masterbatches 

Sustainable Solution for Coloration of Bioplastics 

When bioplastics are involved, there is never a lack of questions and controversy: Which markets offer the long awaited breakthrough? In which technologies does it pay to invest? Or wait and see what comes of the financial crises, the shale gas boom and the return of cheap coal? Do laws like those for biodegradable tote bags provide the groundwork for investment decisions and market success? 

Challenges for Bioplastics 

New Ideas and Political Markets  

Bioplastics are considered to be eco-friendly and are currently used mainly for packaging and food contact applications. By optimizing the heat resistance of PLA-based systems, which can be achieved by targeted crystallization of semi-finished parts during the manufacturing process, the Fraunhofer ICT aims to enable their use in technical applications as well. 

Development of Materials Tailored to Process 

Environmentally-Friendly, Heat-Resistant Profiles 

Biome Bioplastics Limited, Southampton, UK, has launched a new material for the 3-D printing industry. Made from plant starches, Biome3D is a biodegradable plastic that combines easy processing and a superior print finish, while offering much higher print speeds. Developed in partnership with 3Dom Filaments, the new material was unveiled at the TCT Show 2014 in Birmingham, the leading event dedicated to 3-D printing, additive manufacturing and product development. 

Biome3D 

Biodegradable Plastic for 3-D Printing 

Fire protection for bio-based polymers and wood-plastic composites can ensure that renewable alternatives meet high-end industry requirements. But do proven solutions exist to maintain the improved environmental features with effective, more environmentally-friendly flame retardants? 

Concepts for a Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant Finishing of Bioplastics 

Flammschutzmittel

Bio-Based and Flame-Retardant? 

Thanks to its certified mass balance approach, BASF can adjust the content of biobased feedstock in its integrated raw material production system to customer demand using drop-in solutions. The more customers demand mass balanced products from BASF, the higher the content of biobased materials in BASF’s integrated chemical production system (BASF Verbund). The production of fossil fuel-saving products can thus be managed on the basis of consumption. In this way, virtually all BASF products can be manufactured by using the equivalent amount of renewable instead of fossil raw materials.  

Mass Balance Approach for Renewable Resources Saves Oil 

Biobased Feedstock in Integrated Chemical Production 

Terralene PP 2509 is a new polypropylene compound from FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Willich, Germany, partially based on renewable resources and optimized for injection molding applications. 

Terralene PP 2509 

Compound

Partially Bio-Based PP Compound for Injection Molding 

Röhm Is Developing Thermoformable PLA Films

The raw material used to produce Europlex Film LJ 21123/123 is derived from non-genetically modified sugarcane.

The new PLA films from Röhm are suitable for a wide range of applications, including food packaging. The raw material used for Europlex Film LJ 21123/123 is derived from non-genetically modified sugarcane.

Röhm is now also developing plastic films using renewable raw materials. The new product is being developed under the provisional designation Europlex Film LJ 21123/123 and is a transparent, high-gloss and stable film based on polylactic acid (PLA). Unlike many other films based on PLA on the market, this film has not been biaxially stretched and can therefore be thermoformed.

As the raw material production generates significantly lower CO2 emissions, films made from polylactic acid are more climate-friendly alternative to petroleum-based films. PLA films thus contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the end product.

The new film consists of certified, compostable PLA which meets the requirements for industrial composting as per the ASTM D6400 US standard and the EN 13432 European standard. If the PLA film is not disposed of correctly, its persistence is many times lower than that of petroleum-based films. Furthermore, PLA films do not release toxic materials upon decomposition.

<ul><li>bio-based and industrially compostable,</li><li>can be thermoformed at 55°C,</li><li>highly transparent, light transmittance of over 92%,</li><li> high tensile strength and good flexibility,</li><li>can be stamped and cut, and</li><li>can be printed on.</li></ul>

Upon request, development samples of the film can be provided in thicknesses of 53 μm to 500 μm and widths of 200 mm. The datasheet with its technical specifications and approvals is also available upon request.

Europlex Film LJ 21123/123 has a wide range of properties which make it suitable for various interior applications, such as high-quality packaging for food and non-food items, as well as decorative films for Insert-Mold decoration processes, or printed products like graphics panels. “Our experience in film extrusion enables us to produce PLA films with high optical quality. We would be delighted to talk to interested parties about their specific requirement profile for their applications,” emphasizes Herbert Groothues, Head of Film and Extrusion Development.

The bio-based film is also suitable for food packaging – which is subject to particularly stringent regulations – as it meets the requirements for plastics with food contact in the EU (EU Regulation 10/2011), the USA (FDA 21 CFR) and China (GB 9685–2016). Possible applications include viewing windows on cardboard packaging or thermoformed packaging with high demands when it comes to an aesthetic, high-quality product presentation.

The raw material used to produce Europlex Film LJ 21123/123 is derived from non-genetically modified sugarcane. The supplier has implemented an environment management system as per ISO 14001:2015 and is certified according to Bonsucro. Bonsucro is an association of producers and processors of sugarcane who have agreed on globally recognized standards for social, ecological and economic sustainability.

Röhm GmbH  

https://www.roehm.biz

 Europlex Film LJ 21123/123 consists of a renewable raw material and can be shaped flexibly.

2022-08-09 - Produkt Röhm

issue 04/2023

issue 03/2023

issue 02/2023

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