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

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 

Avery Dennison introduces the first self-adhesive PE filmic labels with a face stock that includes more than 80 % renewable content and offer brand owners the opportunity to meet their target on renewable resources in packaging, while continuing to benefit from the functionality and performance of a regular polyethylene label. 

For Label Applications 

Simulation Verpackung

Bio-Based Polyethylene Films 

Scanfill AB, a subsidiary of Scandinavia’s biggest plastic material compounder Polykemi AB, launches the environmentally friendly Scanfill Bio materials which are 50 % mineral-reinforced with the polymer part originating from renewable resources. 

Scanfill Bio Materials 

Verpackungsmaterial

Environmentally Friendly Packaging Material 

Jelu-Werk J. Ehrler GmbH & Co. KG, Rosenberg, Germany, offers the toy industry a material that combines the advantages of wood and plastic. Like plastic, Jeluplast can be molded three-dimensionally and offers wide scope for design, yet it also possesses the positive attributes of wood. The bioplastic thus attains greater strength and rigidity than plastic, which increases toy safety. In its warmth, feel and smell, the new material closely resembles wood. 

Bioplastic for the Toy Industry 

Jeluplast 

In general, the low melt stability and lack of strain hardening of commercial polylactide (PLA) biopolymer render it unsuitable for making foams which, if they can be produced at all, are at best of low quality. However, even polylactide can be foamed if it is chemically modified in the right way. 

Expandable Polylactides Produced by Reactive Extrusion 

Schaumstoffe und Vorprodukte

Extrusion

Airy Standard Material 

Bioplastics are comparable to conventional materials, not only in terms of their mechanical properties. By adding simple mineral additives the fire protection of these materials is improved substantially. Different flame retardants were tested for a sandwich board from bio-based polyurethane with linen cover layers, and their performance has been proven. 

Fire-Protected Sandwich Panels Made from Natural Fiber-Reinforced Bio-Based Polyurethane 

Polyurethan

Flachfolien- und Plattenextrusion

Platten

Fasern

Good Fire Protection with Simple  Flame Retardants 

Royal DSM is extending its range of high temperature resistant bio-based polymers with the introduction of a new family of high performance polyamide 4T materials, partially produced from renewable resources, called ForTii Eco. These new materials fit with the growing need of faster, thinner and more sustainable devices in the electronics industry. 

High Temperature-Resistant and Bio-Based  

Elektronik

HV-Anwendungen / Hybridisierung / Elektrifizierung

High-Performance Polyamide ForTii Eco 

Particle foams based on renewable cellulose derivatives could be an alternative to oil-based expanded polystyrene. In the context of a development project, researchers demonstrated that cellulose-based particle foams can be produced with varying densities using conventional processing equipment. In addition, these materials do not require halogen-containing flame retardants. 

Particle Foams Made from Cellulose Esters for Large-Scale Production 

Baumaterial

Celluloseester, -ether

Polystyrol

Turning Trees into Foam 

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 07/2023

issue 06/2023

issue 05/2023

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