help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
(OP)
Hi all, I am a long time lurker,I found a lot of useful tips on this forum. I signed up since I need to tap your vast knowledge on a specific topic
I need to find a good biopolymer to reduce the life-cycle carbon footprint of something very similar to Plastic Laboratory Bottles
http: //www.sks- science.co m/plastic- laboratory -bottles-p -5787.html
My idea is to offset the higher cost of PLA or PHBV (are they the right polymers, do you know of more suitable) by blending it with a traditional polymer like PP or PE, and use a cheap filler, for instance talc, to achieve the mechanical properties needed
is it the right way?
how much the carbon footprint would be reduced, I found 40% for pure PLA comapared to PE, is it right?
Thanks a lot
Cheers Paolo
I need to find a good biopolymer to reduce the life-cycle carbon footprint of something very similar to Plastic Laboratory Bottles
http:
My idea is to offset the higher cost of PLA or PHBV (are they the right polymers, do you know of more suitable) by blending it with a traditional polymer like PP or PE, and use a cheap filler, for instance talc, to achieve the mechanical properties needed
is it the right way?
how much the carbon footprint would be reduced, I found 40% for pure PLA comapared to PE, is it right?
Thanks a lot
Cheers Paolo





RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
You already have excellent properties so no extra fortification is necessary, infact diluents may be added to reduce cost.
Regards
Pat
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RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
There is no Global Warming much less any proof that mankind has affected temperatures. CO2 has never in history increased temperatures. The temperature always increased after the temperature went up for the last 100 000 years or more.
On top of that, you need a full LCA to tell which polymers are best for the environment and I'll bet you the answer is that PE and PP are best.
So, if you want to hurt the environment and trade in playing on people's warm and fuzzy feeling by peddling plastics that make no sense then welcome to the worlds of politics and marketing (not science).
If you really must pursue this avenue then I would blend the PLA with PET or PC because they have similar polarity and will be compatible. Blending with PE or PP will not give good properties because the two won't mix with PLA or PHB.
Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem
www.phantomplastics.com
Consultant to the plastics industry
RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
yes I must go down that route, I will check blends of PET and PLA
I didn't know about Nylon 11, I will check
Thanks
RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
Atofina or whatever they call themselves this week is the only source.
I am not sure that the CO2 produced in growing, extracting the oil and polymerising the castor oil might not be more than producing some cheaper commodities.
You may very well lose interest when you see the price.
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
Cheers Paolo
RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
I think it will be a blend of PLA and PET then
any other advice that crosses your mind?
Cheers Paolo
RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem
www.phantomplastics.com
Consultant to the plastics industry
RE: help on chosing the right biopolymer for packaging
Cheers Paolo