1. Bioplastics
William Kelly - June 20, 2016

2. W. Kelly Background
Working in Plastic Development since 1975 (GE Plastics, Amoco)
Biopolymer area since 1993 (EcoChem, Chronopol, Hycail BV, Cereplast, Natural Solutions)
Over 20 patents and patent applications
Commercialized numerous products – generating millions of $ in sales
Understand reactive extrusion and blending Technology
Currently - still consulting with several companies

3. Topics Bioplastics Trends / Market Bio Materials
Opportunities / Applications & Price Considerations

4. PCL is not a bioplastic – but is biodegradable
Bioplastic Defined
The term "bioplastic" refers to a biodegradable plastics and/or plastics derived from renewable resources (the definition from European Bioplastics)
Interest in bio-materials has increased significantly due to concerns related to global climate change.
PCL is not a bioplastic – but is biodegradable

5. Biodegradable plastics
Considering the source/base we distinguish:
natural polymers (PHA)
modified natural polymers (viscose, methyl cellulose)
synthetic polymers (PLA,polyesters)

6. Bioplastic Source/base: renewable or not renewable
Plastics: 265 M tons (2010) – Plastics Europe
Bioplastics: M tons
biodegradable (non renewable resources) t
plastics from renewable resources t
Source/base: renewable or not renewable
Material: biodegradable or not biodegradable

7. Biodegradable vs. compostable?
Compostable plastic is a subset of biodegradable plastic that will decompose in the conditions and time frames during composting process 
Compostable plastic is always biodegradable
Biodegradable plastic is not always compostable

8. What is compostable plastic?
Compostable plastic is one that meets all scientifically recognized standards of compostabilty  
regardless of the origin of carbon.
European norm
is EN 13432,
and USA norm is
ASTM D6400  

9. ASTM D6400 – Main Factors 1. Mineralization
90 percent conversion to carbon dioxide, water and biomass through the action of microorganisms
The same rate of degradation as other organic waste (ie. leaves, grass ...)
Time period of 180 days or less
2. Fragmentation
Not more than 10% of the original dry weight of test material shall fail to pass through a 2 mm fraction sieve.
3. The impact on the environment
No negative impact on flora and fauna

10. BioPlastic Industry Currenty
Account for < 1 % of Total Global Plastic Usage
Growth of BioPlastic expected to exceed 2.1 billion pounds soon
Biobased Building Blocks showing strong drive forward: BioAmber (succinic acid – used by PTTMCC BioChem in Thailand, sale office in USA), Novomer (polypropylene carbonate), DuPont / Tate & Lyle (1,3-propanediol), Genomatica (1,4-butanediol)
BioPlastic growth is an evolution – not a revolution. Growth based on new companies, new materials and new capacities.
BioPlastics are complementary to existing fossil-based plastics – offering new options based on societal and consumer trends & demands.

11. Development of bioplastics through history

12. Alternative Feedstock Developments
Based on Oil Price Instability. Several biopolymer companies are looking into alternative feedstocks
NatureWorks is planning to use non-food alternative feedstock from biomass in their new plant located in Thailand
BASF is looking into replacing one of their key raw materials it uses in production of its EcoFlex polyester resin (PBAT) with a biobased material. BASF produces Ecovio (Blend w/ INGEO PLA) to claim biocontent.

13. Bioplastics Growth Expectation
Regions supporting Composting and Environmental Concerns – Left Coast (CA, OR, WA). Driven by Green Products, Healthier Lifestyles, and Restoring the Environment.
Businesses reacting to Government Agencies, NGOs and Consumer Demand for Eco-Friendly Products
Ongoing Shift in Consumer/Corporate Behavior to Environmental Issues
Cone/Echo Global Corporate Responsibility Survey, 94 % of consumers would buy a product that has an environmental benefit and 76% have already purchased an environmental product in the past 12 months

14. World production capacity of bioplastics
by material type in 2011

15. Market share of bioplastics by application use in 2011.

16. What Is Fueling The Growth of Bioplastics?
Petroleum supplies are dwindling while demand for oil-based goods is rising
For every 4 barrels of oil used, only 1 new barrel is discovered.
Petrochemical-based plastics consume about 2.5 billion barrels of oil annually.
Supplies will run short within the next 20 to 100 years.
Governments and consumers are demanding action to reduce dependence on oil.
Increasing concerns over global warming, environmental pollution, toxic affects of some residual monomers and additives are driving legislation and consumer “backlash” against conventional plastics

17. Development of bioplastic market - main drivers
Technical properties and functionality is selling
High consumer acceptance (eco marketing)
Organic recycling is a cost-efficient, new recycling option
Promotes sustainability
Blends with Food & Organic Waste Programs
Available in select regions that have a program set up

18. For renewable resources, the rate of harvest should not exceed the rate of regeneration.
[For pollution] The rates of waste generation from projects should not exceed the assimilative capacity of the environment
For nonrenewable resources the depletion of the nonrenewable resources should require comparable development of renewable substitutes for that resource.
Herman Daly, 1990

19. Expected Bioplastic Growth by Type
Bio-PE (bio-polyethylene)
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)
Bio-PET (bio-polyethylene terephthalate)
Bio Starch Blends
Biodegradable polyester
Bioplastics Industry Overview Guide

20. Bioplastics Growth Challenges
Terminology confusion
Conflicting definitions – claims being made for products that fail to degrade under ASTM or European Standards.
Lack of infrastructure
Composting
Limited amount of funding available for bioplastics
Limited availability of biobased feedstocks
Tight supply of biobased chemicals
Cost of Finished Goods versus Existing Plastics (2x to 5x more)

21. Bioplastic – Niche Applications
Bioplastic / Marketing Strategy : Coke-Cola’s PlantBottle (but costs more than PET significantly)
Avantium’s PEF (polyethylene furanoate) which is a polyester similar to PET – JV with BASF announced
Do these materials Compost?
Are they able to be use in Existing Recycle Streams?
Costs Relative to PET?
Will These Win Customer Acceptance?

22. Marketplace Opportunities
Packaging: Foam containers, Food Service, cosmetic packaging
Fibers: Woven and non-woven, Textiles (spun fibers)
Construction and housing: Carpets, insulation, wood composites
Bottles, Medicine Jars, Personal Care
Films: Blown and Cast for Carrier Bags, Horticulture
Consumer Products: Toys, Electronics (housings)
Price Point for Market Entry - $1.50 to $2.75

23. Considering Price Points
Unmodified PLA sells for ~$0.80 per volume
PBS, PHA, PBAT sells in a range: $1.70 to $2.50 per volume
Price point for CAPA should be < $3.00
“Sell the Steak or Sell the Sizzle”
Modified CAPA products addressing Marketplace Opportunity may be priced to sell very competitively.

24. POLYLACTIC ACID Advantages Limitations Made from a renewable resource
Can be formed into containers and packaging for food and consumer goods
Can be compostable
Limitations
Low flexibility
Long mold cycle time
Low heat distortion temperature

25. PLA / PCL PLA / PCL studied extensively
PCL adds the rubbery phase, with its lower Tg
Elongation at break increase at > 60 wt. % PCL
Addition of small amount PLA-PCL-PLA tri-block copolymer will enhanced dispersion of PCL in PLA with significantly improved flexibility (~ 4 wt.%) allowing the addition of increased PCL
(Note – other ways exist to compatibilize and enhance properties)
Products and Applications of Biopolymers, by C Verbeek, p. 34

26. CAPA Application – Real Life
Issue: PLA brittle behavior and breaks on-line processing at PSI (Plastic Suppliers, Inc.)
Solution: adding about 5 wt.% CAPA 6800 to PLA pellets in line, resulting in reduced failures and less brittle behavior still maintaining optical clarity.
Circa 2006 – 2007 DaniMer Application

27. CAPA Application – Real Life
Opportunity: International Paper wanted a renewable resourced based biodegradable paper coating for their Cup Stock.
Solution: PLA by itself was not working due to flexibility issues and sealing behavior (made too many bad seals causing leaks). Special formulation made using CAPA FB100 plus additives was qualified and implemented at IP with very tight control over moisture.
DaniMer Application – circa

28. CAPA Application – Real Life
Issue: PLA will form Crystalized Fiber when drawn but will not tack to adhere to any other substrate.
Solution: Kimberly-Clark produced tri-lubed fiber with core 100 wt.% PLA and shell made from 95 / 5 : PLA / Capa 6800 – which would allow for tack – thus bonding to substrate.
Chronopol Application – circa 1998

29. CAPA Possibilities
Using CAPA (6800, 6500, or FB100) modification is possible
Adding PLA, and Minerals plus “Rx extrusion w/ additives” will lower costs
Numerous product possibilities – molding, extrusion, foam, fibers, paper coatings
Assuming from $0.15 to $0.35 per pound for Compounding and Packaging
Selling price based on Market Realities – large volumes may require lower price point
Sell Technical Solution versus Selling just Base Resin
Example Former GE Plastic (now Sabic) – Noryl : Base resin PPO but > 200+ modified forms sold, sales volume > 250 million pounds.
Their Exists Hugh Outside Twin-Screw Compounding Capabilities – that are Idle
Trellis Earth, MHG, Spectra Color – many others

30. CAPA Possibilities
CAPA 6800 plus PLA (INGEO 4032D) with small particle mineral plus PDLA polymer (Corbion) – will produce high heat composite materials exceeding 100 0C
Opens up more hot serve applications – food service
Potential Consumer electronics
Automotive possibilities
3-D printing
Technical Applications served by Engineering resins
Freezer Packaging – due to PCL low temperature Tg ( - 60 oC)
Many others not imagined as yet

31. “[Man] possesses a body shaped by physical, chemical and biological elements, and can only survive and develop if the ecological environment is favorable. Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity. “
Pope Francis – UN General Assembly in NY, Septemter 25, 2015

32. William Kelly Natural Solutions www.natsolu.com
Thank You
William Kelly
Natural Solutions