BASF biodegradable plastic passed the test under real-world conditions

(BASF) -- BASF compostable plastic Ecovio FS biodegrades within four weeks in an industrial composting plant. Bin liners made from Ecovio FS are strong and tear-resistant, even if the waste inside is wet. Liquid from tea bags or fruit leftovers does not seep through - reducing unpleasant odours and putting an end to laborious bin-scrubbing. Once full, the bag can simply be put out for collection with its contents.


The plastic's properties first underwent extensive investigation in pilot projects at composting plants in Germany, Canada and Australia. But would the new compost bags pass the test when used on a large scale? To find out, BASF and its project partners examined the bags under real-world conditions. The study took place in Bad Durkheim in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, from April to June 2011. Around 65,000 households each received ten Ecovio FS bio-waste bags free of charge, and could buy more if needed. Consultancy IBK-Solutions GmbH was responsible for analyzing the compost. ⌠The results were very positive, says Erhard Freunscht, the Bad Durkheim council member responsible for waste management. ⌠Residents really took to the new bin liners, as was clear from the number of bags put out for collection. And after around three weeks, the bags had biodegraded - a complete success from our point of view.


The key to Ecovio FS's outstanding compostability lies in its composition. The material comprises a partly petroleum-based, compostable plastic called Ecoflex FS, and polylactic acid made from corn starch. Polylactic acid, which is derived solely from renewable raw materials, tends to be brittle in its pure state. But when combined with Ecoflex, a flexible plastic is created that can be used to manufacture a variety of products, including bin liners. In the controlled conditions of an industrial composting plant - high temperature and humidity, defined oxygen levels - microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria break the plastic down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass. In other words, they transform the bag and the bio-waste into valuable compost.

Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.

MRC

(Sabic) -- At the CARTES & IDentification show SABIC's Innovative Plastics business today introduced two new breakthrough Lexan polycarbonate (PC) film technologies for identification (ID) cards that help simplify integration of additional security features needed to combat identity theft and counterfeiting. New Lexan SDCX co-extruded film and Lexan SC92E flexible hard-coated film provide solutions to the challenges of constructing ID cards and security documents with more and thinner layers and complex manufacturing.

Several years after SABIC's successful introduction of the Lexan Secure ID film portfolio, this expansion of its security product offerings with Lexan SDCX and SC92E high-performance films clearly demonstrates the company's commitment to identity protection technologies that benefit smartcard manufacturers and consumers alike.

Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.


MRC

(DSM) -- Based on its recent analysis of the TPC elastomers market, Frost & Sullivan recognises DSM Engineering Plastics (DSM) with the 2011 Frost & Sullivan Europe Green Excellence in Product Innovation Award for Arnitel Eco.

⌠This innovative and more sustainable partly bio-based thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPC) offers superior performance characteristics, notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Deepan Kannan. ⌠It is set to meet the increasing demand for more environment-friendly materials in a range of end-user applications.

This revolutionary material, launched in 2010, is partially made from rapeseed oil. With it, DSM aims to encourage end-users to reduce their carbon footprint by switching over to Arnitel Eco from petrochemical-based TPC elastomers.

Although designed for several applications including food packaging, automotive interiors, sports and leisure, furniture, consumer electronics and alternative energy, Arnitel Eco is currently used commercially for high temperature ovenable pan liners. Its application in M&Q Packaging Corporation's PanSaver ECO has resulted in a carbon footprint reduction of nearly 65 per cent.

Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.


MRC

(ICIS) -- The IQPC Plastics Packaging South Africa conference opened on Tuesday, with the focus on sustainability and an aim to look at Africa as a whole, all the while examining challenges in Africa, said event chairman Patrick Munyembate. ⌠It's time for Africa, said Munyembate. ⌠There is an emerging middle class, not only in South Africa but also Nigeria, Tanzania and Kenya. Africa has 1.2bn people and is growing. Nigeria alone has 185m people. However, independent consultant Munyembate also outlined the concerns over development in South Africa and Africa.

⌠The lack of proper infrastructure is a huge concern, he said. ⌠There is also a lack of local high-grade raw material production. We often have to import from the Middle East, India and China.
Africa's local polyethylene (PE) production, for example, is concentrated in a few countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Libya. Another concern is the lack of technical skills, Munyembate added.

Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.

MRC

(BASF) -- BASF has been honored with the German Diversity Award as ⌠Germany's Most Diverse Employer in the category large-scale enterprise. The prize is awarded by Henkel, the business consultancy McKinsey and the German business magazine Wirtschaftswoche. It honors employers, individuals and innovative projects that are especially committed to establishing a working culture of diversity.


After accepting the award, Saori Dubourg, President BASF East Asia Regional Headquarters said: ⌠Diversity and Inclusion is a strategic tool for BASF to focus our competencies towards future market demands. The award is therefore a big appreciation of our present efforts in this field and at the same time an incentive to become even better at it. Saori Dubourg was instrumental in setting up the global Diversity + Inclusion project back in 2008 and 2009.


Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.

MRC