bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0905

Paper Coating
setup typically used for low density polyethylene. One challenge
encountered with the use of biopolymers is the need to process the
material at lower moisture content than that typically acceptable
for polyethylene. Like PET and other polyesters, biopolymers (which
are typically bio-polyesters) can gain moisture when exposed to
ambient conditions. Moisture management is often a new area
of focus to most converters of LDPE. Another difference often
noted with biopolymer materials such as the DaniMer extrusion
coating resin is the lower processing temperatures than those
used when processing traditional polyolefin materials such as
LDPE. The ability to process at much lower temperatures enables
an additional cost savings when using biopolymers. With proper
training and instruction, most processing changes are recognized
as minor and require only slight adjustment in procedure.
The market success that DaniMer has enabled its customers to
experience with the first generation renewable-based, compostable
extrusion coating biopolymer has led to development of a second
generation formulation. Development of this second generation
material is in the final stages of commercial-scale validation with
cost reduction and broader operating parameters as the primary
new characteristics. Increased efficiencies in manufacturing
of the next generation material will translate into cost savings,
which along with broader processing and converting parameters
are expected to enable converters and brand owners to gain and
retain greater market share for coated paper articles that are
intended for single-use and short-term-use applications.
In response to requests from key market leaders, DaniMer has
recently developed a wax replacement coating. This proprietary
material is also made from renewable resources and is both
compostable and repulpable. Traditional wax coatings are
losing favor with paper companies and converters, due to large
fluctuations in consistency and price. Utilizing their Seluma
technology platform, the Danimer R&D staff has developed a
wax replacement material using renewable based monomers to
create a coating resin that can be used as a ‘drop in’ for existing
wax coatings of paper and other substrates. Early customer
evaluations confirmed that because the DaniMer material has
a higher stiffness vs. wax, a reduction in part weight or paper
thickness is possible resulting in significant overall package
savings.
Photos: International Paper
DaniMer continues to focus on cost-effective innovation in order
to serve brand owners and converters with a broad product portfolio
of biopolymer materials. DaniMer recently acquired the Procter &
Gamble intellectual property portfolio for a new type of biopolymer
known as polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA) and is commercializing the
technology via a new company identified as Meredian, Inc. It is
expected that Meredina PHA (scheduled for commercial-scale
production in 2010) will provide additional innovations in the area
of biopolymer technologies suitable for paper and paperboard
coatings as well as for other unique combinations of biopolymers
that will be offered through Meredian’s sister company DaniMer
Scientific.
www.danimer.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/09] Vol. 4 19