Citation
(2011), "Blends of starch and recycled polypropylene enable processors to offer products with up to 95 percent “green content", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 40 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2011.12940cad.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Blends of starch and recycled polypropylene enable processors to offer products with up to 95 percent “green content
Article Type: New products From: Pigment & Resin Technology, Volume 40, Issue 3
New blends of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and polypropylene (PP) developed by Teknor Apex Company enable processors to incorporate high levels of both bio-based and recycled content into their products while obtaining physical properties comparable to those of virgin PP, it is announced recently by the Bioplastics Division.
The new blends are available in the Terraloy BP-13020 series of ready-to-process compounds, each with a combined 95 percent content consisting of TPS and recycled PP; and as Terraloy MB-13020 masterbatches, which can be let down at a 1:1 ratio in virgin PP for a combined 47 percent bio-based and recyclate content.
Teknor Apex manufactures the blends using a patented process that incorporates high levels of starch without the usual substantial falloff in the physical properties of the host polymer, noted Edwin Tam, Manager of Strategic Initiatives. “Many processors are looking for ways to help customers meet sustainability goals by incorporating ‘green’ content but are discouraged by the property tradeoffs often involved,” Tam said. “Our Terraloy products can help them meet sustainability goals while still obtaining performance comparable to those of standard polypropylene.”
Teknor Apex recommends the new blends for use in injection-molded consumer products, extruded sheet, profiles and tubing, and blow-molded jars and bottles.
Terraloy BP-13020 ready-to-process compounds are blends of 25-30 percent TPS and 70-75 percent PP, of which 70-75 percent is recyclate. Terraloy MB-13020 masterbatches have 35-50 percent TPS content and up to 50 percent recyclate. Customers can use the masterbatches in a 1:1 letdown with either virgin or recycled PP.
Data in the accompanying table show how two Terraloy compounds, based on homopolymer and copolymer PP, respectively, compare with virgin PP in terms of physical properties. Teknor Apex can custom formulate compounds to maximize specific properties such as impact strength or flexural modulus.