bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0905
bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0905
bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0905
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Paper Coating<br />
setup typically used for low density polyethylene. One challenge<br />
encountered with the use of biopolymers is the need to process the<br />
material at lower moisture content than that typically acceptable<br />
for polyethylene. Like PET and other polyesters, biopolymers (which<br />
are typically bio-polyesters) can gain moisture when exposed to<br />
ambient conditions. Moisture management is often a new area<br />
of focus to most converters of LDPE. Another difference often<br />
noted with biopolymer materials such as the DaniMer extrusion<br />
coating resin is the lower processing temperatures than those<br />
used when processing traditional polyolefin materials such as<br />
LDPE. The ability to process at much lower temperatures enables<br />
an additional cost savings when using biopolymers. With proper<br />
training and instruction, most processing changes are recognized<br />
as minor and require only slight adjustment in procedure.<br />
The market success that DaniMer has enabled its customers to<br />
experience with the first generation renewable-based, compostable<br />
extrusion coating biopolymer has led to development of a second<br />
generation formulation. Development of this second generation<br />
material is in the final stages of commercial-scale validation with<br />
cost reduction and broader operating parameters as the primary<br />
new characteristics. Increased efficiencies in manufacturing<br />
of the next generation material will translate into cost savings,<br />
which along with broader processing and converting parameters<br />
are expected to enable converters and brand owners to gain and<br />
retain greater market share for coated paper articles that are<br />
intended for single-use and short-term-use applications.<br />
In response to requests from key market leaders, DaniMer has<br />
recently developed a wax replacement coating. This proprietary<br />
material is also made from renewable resources and is both<br />
compostable and repulpable. Traditional wax coatings are<br />
losing favor with paper companies and converters, due to large<br />
fluctuations in consistency and price. Utilizing their Seluma<br />
technology platform, the Danimer R&D staff has developed a<br />
wax replacement material using renewable based monomers to<br />
create a coating resin that can be used as a ‘drop in’ for existing<br />
wax coatings of paper and other substrates. Early customer<br />
evaluations confirmed that because the DaniMer material has<br />
a higher stiffness vs. wax, a reduction in part weight or paper<br />
thickness is possible resulting in significant overall package<br />
savings.<br />
Photos: International Paper<br />
DaniMer continues to focus on cost-effective innovation in order<br />
to serve brand owners and converters with a broad product portfolio<br />
of biopolymer materials. DaniMer recently acquired the Procter &<br />
Gamble intellectual property portfolio for a new type of biopolymer<br />
known as polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA) and is commercializing the<br />
technology via a new company identified as Meredian, Inc. It is<br />
expected that Meredina PHA (scheduled for commercial-scale<br />
production in 2010) will provide additional innovations in the area<br />
of biopolymer technologies suitable for paper and paperboard<br />
coatings as well as for other unique combinations of biopolymers<br />
that will be offered through Meredian’s sister company DaniMer<br />
Scientific.<br />
www.danimer.com<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/09] Vol. 4 19