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BASF Biodegradable
Plastics Overview
Keith A. Edwards
Biodegradable Plastics NA Business Mgr
June, 2010
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Biodegradable
Compostable
Renewable
100% renewable carbon
Bio-based
>25% renewable carbon Fossil-based
Bio-Terms What do they mean?
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Degradable?
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Ecoflex: Enabling Biodegradable Copolyester
Optimization: Mechanical properties, processability, and biodegradability
Statistic copolyester based on:
- Terephthalic acid
- Adipic acid
- 1,4-Butanediol
Tailor made structures, modular system:
Replacing current acid monomers with renewable acids is feasible
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Overview of BASF Compostable/
Renewable Plastics
Ecovio

Ecoflex

and PLA Compound

Compostable
10-75% Renewable Content
Large range of properties
Ecoflex

Based on fossil carbon

* partially renewable grades
Compostable
Compound Enabler for
renewable materials
Compost 2 weeks 4 weeks
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Comparison of Polymers
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0 200 400 600 800 1000
Elong. at Break (%)
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Biodegradable Plastic Standard Plastic
LDPE
PCL
Ecoflex

HDPE
PBS
Starch
Ecovio

PS
PHB
PLA
PP
PET
Bioplastic Characterization
HIPS
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The Measuring of Compostability (biodegradability)
Essential to Safety
EN 13432
Greenpla
ASTM D 6400
D6868
Standards for compostable and biodegradable plastics worldwide
are growing in use and recognition.
BNQ
Europe
Japan
North America Canada
Specifications with Pass/Fail Criteria
Regions
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SPI Bioplastics Council
Definitions
Bioplastic Bioplastic
plastic that is biodegradable, has biobased content, or both.
Bio Bio- -based Content based Content
Fraction of the carbon content which is new carbon content made up of biological
materials or agricultural resources versus fossil carbon content. Biobased content
is measured following the procedures set by ASTM D6866.
Biodegradable plastics Biodegradable plastics
a plastic that undergoes biodegradation (a process in which the degradation
results from the action of naturally-occurring micro-organisms such as
bacteria, fungi, and algae) as per accepted industry standards.
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Marketing Claims
Not all degradables offer true biodegradation
Oxo-degradable/Fragmentable Plastics
Commodity Pricing
Processing like PE
Fragmentation only under ideal conditions
Not a solution to littering as claimed
Do not meet composting standards
Certified Biodegradable Plastics
Value Pricing
Processing almost like PE (same machine, different setting)
Niche applications
Meet composting specification
Meet Marine biodegradation specification
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End of Life
Only 4 Options for everything
Composting
Recycling
Landfill
Incineration
Litter
Reasons to Avoid
- Environmental Harm
- Unsightly
- Uncontrollable
Reasons to Avoid
- Emissions
- Capital Intensive
- Health Risk
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited Space
- Methane Emmissions
- Not Sustainable
- Environmental burden
- Costly to replace
Reprocess Reuse
X
X
Product Disposal
After Use
Reasons to Avoid
- Lack of Infrastructure
- Not $ Generating
- Education requirement
- Hard to engage public
Paper
34%
Yard Trim
13%
Food
12%
Plastics
12%
Metals
8%
Rubber/Tex
7%
Glass
5%
Wood
6%
Other
3%
MSW 2006
Source: US EPA
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Composting is Recycling
Organics are recycled by microbes
Licensed Composter
Accepts Food Waste
(n~239)
www.findacomposter.com
Managed, Controlled
Microorganisms
Eat Organic
Material
Pathogen-free Compost
Compost Added to Soil at
Farms and Gardens
Foods, plants
grown efficiently
Food Waste
Compostable
Plastics
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Compost is Highly Valuable
Strong scientific evidence that use of compost:
Increases infiltration and permeability of heavy soils,
thus reducing erosion and runoff.
Improves water holding capacity, thus reducing water
loss.
Supplies a variety of macro and micronutrients, thus
lowers dependence on fertilizers.
May control or suppress certain soil-borne plant
pathogens, thus lowers dependence on pesticides.
Can bind and degrade specific pollutants.
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The Major Value Proposition:
ZeroLandfill Concept
Products/Packaging that once had no recycle option get
to enter the Organics Recycling stream,
and not the landfill
Our
Customer
Brands
Here!
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Commercial Applications for
Biodegradable/ Compostable Plastics
Trash Can Liners
Netting
2 in 1 Shopping
Bags
Mulch Films
Food Packaging
Paper Coating
Shrink Films
Packaging
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Ecovio

bag:
Weight: 26g
Disposal:
Composting
Eco-Efficiency of Bags in Composting
Paper bag:
Weight: 53g
Disposal:
Composting
Ecovio

bag vs. Paper bag:

- 17% less CO
2
emisions throughout
the life cycle with Ecovio

- Savings of 160t CO
2
per 5 million
bags
End of Life Option: Composting
Eco-Efficiency Portfolio
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1,0
2,0
0,0 1,0 2,0
costs (norm.)
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Ecovio
Paper
5% significance
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Keith A. Edwards
Business Manager, North America
Phone: (513) 314-6359
Email: keith.edwards@basf.com
Christopher A. Bradlee
Market Development Manager, North America
Phone: 1-734-324-6867
E-mail: christopher.bradlee@basf.com
For More Information Contact