Codex-UK ´Gebrauchsgegenstände´ 3. Juni 2008 / BMGFJ Renewable vs. Biodegradable New materials for packaging technology Michael Pitzl ofi – Department Packaging Titelformat bearbeiten Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology - ofi CROPACK 2010

2 An inconvient truth? Source:

3 Solution – Bioplastics?  Recent headlines: Coca-Cola Co announced the selective global roll-out of its new PET bottle made from up to 30 per cent plant materials such as sugar and molasses. Bioserie iPhone ® Case is really green!  Advertising slogan: Packaging without the guilt? Bioplastics Source:

4 New materials?  Before 1940 approx. 80 % of commercially available biodegradable plastic and its monomers were discovered and described  1938 Polyethylen  In the 70s: Oil crises (1973) Set point for further development  In the 80s: Oil crises (1980) – pilot plants for bioplastics Oxodegrable products – inhibited the further development? Source: NARAYAN R. et al

5 Definition of Bioplastic  Up to now not fixed (CEN/TC 249/WG 17 planed release 2010)  According to European Bioplastics: Plastic based on renewable resources Biodegradable polymers which meet all criteria of scientifically recognized norms for biodegradability and compostability of plastics and plastic products (EU: EN / EN 14995, US: ASTM D-6400, ISO 17088).  NOT oxodegradable! Source:

6 Definition of Bioplastic Biodegradable material based on renewable ressources Biodegradable material based on petrochemical ressources Non degradable material based on renewable ressources Non degradable material based on petrochemical ressources (OXODEG.)

7 Development of the market  Capacity t worldwide  Small market, but high growth rates up to 10 % Source:

8 Research > Development > Pilot Plant > Commercialization > World-scale Plant > Industrial production State of development Source: bioplastics Magazine 03/2007

9 Biodegradable materials  In general 4 materials commercially available Starch-based polymers Polylactic acid Polyhydroxyalkanoates Cellulose derivates Chitosan?  Polymer blends and composites Source: YU L. et al. 2006

10  Maize and/or potatoe starch in blend with polycaprolactones and other biodegradable esters  Europeas most common bioplastic Starch-based polymers Mater-Bi ® Source:

11  Plantic ® Starch from maize and hydroxypropyl, Plantic Technologies (AUS)  Solanyl ® Starch from potatoes, Rodenburg Biopolymers (NL)  Bioplast ® Starch blend, Biotec (DE)  Biopar ® Starch from potatoes and blends, Biop AG (D) Similar to PE (converting) Limited applications! Starch-based polymers Others Source:

12 Polylactic acid  Main producer: NatureWorks (US)  Other Producers: Hycail (FI), Toyota (J) and Uhde Inventa (D)  Glucose from maize or lactose from whey Source: LIM L.-T. et al. 2008

13  Ecovio ® 45 % PLA + Ecoflex ®, BASF (D)  Ecovio ® L-Foam 75 % PLA + Ecoflex ®, BASF (D)  Bio-Flex ® PLA + Copolyester, FKuR (D) Similar to PET and/or PS (converting) Sensitive to temperature! Polylactic acid blends Source: YU L. et al. 2006

14  Mirel™ Metabolix (US)  Biomer™ Biomer (D) Fermentation of starch, rape, plant residues, etc. Only Injection Moulding! PHB, PHV, PHBV,... Polyhydroxyalkanoates Source:

15 NatureFlex™ Innovia (UK) Cellulose derivates Source: Barrier coatings!

16 Thermal properties: Melting temperature Biopolymers comparable with conventional plastics Source: WEBER C. J Comparision

17 Oxygen transmission rate Biopolymers in the midfield Source: WEBER C. J Comparision

18 Water vapour transmission rate Biopolymers in the midfield Source: WEBER C. J Comparision

19 Transmission of UV-light Comparision

20 Food safety packaging material  Nearly all starting substances are listed  Migration values are below legal limits  No significant difference in microbial growth on packaging material  No desintegration during shelf life  Migrants from PLA are safe

21 End of life Composting? Source: WEBER C. J End of life

22 End of life Compsoting? Source: ENDRES H.-J End of life

23 Michael Pitzl Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology - ofi Brehmstraße 14a A-1110 Wien  +43-(0)  +43-(0) THANK YOU!