Solutions 4 Plastic works with bioplastic suppliers globally.  Our hands-on technical experience in the processing of many different types of materials available today allows us to make the correct suggestions for the best use of new materials to manufacture new designs or to identify the best solution to replace traditional plastics.

 

Some of the materials we work with are as follows:

PVOH - a readily biodegradable, water soluble polymer which completely biodegrades in a composting environment, or in a dishwasher, a washing machine or even outside in the rain. This water soluble plastic can be designed to dissolve at predetermined water temperatures so that, although stable in use, once discarded it will dissolve and biodegrade without adverse environmental effect. PVOH can additionally be degraded using thermal, mechanical, photochemical, ultraviolet, biological and chemical processes. It has no harmful residues with PVOH films and packaging biodegrading ultimately to naturally occurring substances. PVOH is non-toxic and formulated products can maintain this non-toxicity by selection of appropriate formulating ingredients.

 

PLA based compounds - with high content of natural resource raw material and outstanding mechanical properties these materials have a wide processing window and can be processed on standard extrusion machinery with a high throughput. They can easily be coloured with Masterbatches based on PLA and printed without the need for corona treatment. Biodegradability and compostability has been certified by independent organisations.

 

Cellulose based compounds - these have been especially designed for injection moulding applications. Predominantly made from natural resource materials these materials have excellent heat resistance and are injection mouldable on conventional injection moulding equipment with multi-cavity moulds. In addition this material can be made into flat sheet or film suitable for thermoforming on conventional deep drawing machinery With properties comparable to polystyrene, rigid and transparent versions are available. In addition it is food contact approved and the biodegradation is certified by independent organisations.

 

PLA resin & films - Using resins such as those from Natureworks this biopolymer is well suited for a broad range of packaging applications including films, thermoformed food and beverage containers, coated papers and boards. This material has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and combines performance with environmental benefits.