Biodegradable thermoplastic

Like natural materials such as paper, cotton, and wood, Bionolle™ is stable in normal conditions but decomposes into water and carbon dioxide. Bionolle™ biodegrades in compost, activated sludge, soil, rivers, and oceans. When Bionolle™ is incinerated, the heat of combustion and the generation of carbon dioxide are about one half and two thirds of conventional polyolefins respectively. Conventional plastics remain in nature permanently at various stages and have caused many environmental issues. Additionally, separation and processing of plastics is costly and time consuming. We believe biodegradable plastic Bionolle™ is an effective tool in combating these global challenges.

Structures

Bionolle is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester polymerized from glycols and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids. The main molecular structure of this compostable and biodegradable resin is shown below:

H-[-0-(CH2)4-0- (CO- (CH2) m-CO-)-] N-OH

m=2: Bionolle™ 1000 series; m=2, 4: Bionolle™ 3000 series. Grades of Bionolle™ 1000 series are poly butylene succinate (PBS) and grades of Bionolle™ 3000 series are polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA).

Characteristics

Bionolle can cover a wide range of applications due to its range of properties. Low MFR (melt flow rate) grades can produce sheets, films, and bottles, while high MFR grades can be used for lamination extrusion, injection molding, and fiber extrusion. Grades containing long chain branches show high melt strength and are suitable for foamed products. The Bionolle™ 1000 series (PBS) shows high modulus and slow biodegradability while the Bionolle™ 3000 series (PBSA) shows low modulus and fast biodegradability. By blending the proper materials, rigidity and biodegradation speed can be controlled. Bionolle™ shows good resistance to water, aliphatic hydrocarbons, castrol oil, mineral oil, turpentine oil, salad oil, etc. However, Bionolle™ undergoes hydrolysis under acid and base conditions. Products made of Bionolle™ will show low oxygen permeability but high permeability to steam and alcoholic vapor. A small amount of oligomer remains in Bionolle™ and it could move to products' surface. For applications which plate-out causes problems, we produce purified grades which have # on the first character of the grade names (e.g., #1001 and #3001). By a purification process, the amount of oligomer in purified grades is about one-third of that in general grades.

Basic Properties

Items	Units	PBS			PBSA		PP	HDPE	LDPE
Density	g/l	1260			1230		900	950	920
Heat of combustion	KJ/g	23.6			23.9		43.9	46.0
H.D.T. (at 0.45 MPa)		97			69		145	110	88
Degree of crystallinty	%	35∼45			20∼35		56	69	49
Melting point (Tm)		114∼115			93∼95		164	130	108
Glass transition temperature		-32			-45		+5	-120	-120
Grade		1001MD	1020MD	#1903*	3001MD	3020MD
MFR (190℃, 2.16kg)	g/10min.	1.5	25	4.5	1.4	25	4 (230℃)	2	2
Crystallization temp.		75	76	88	50	53	120	104	80
Flexural modulus	MPa	660	640	690	320	340	1370	1070	180
Tensile yield strength	MPa	32	34	39	19	19	31	27	12
Tensile break strength	MPa	57	21	35	47	34	44	39	35
Tensile elongation	%	700	320	50	900	400	800	650	400
Structure	-	Linear		LCB*	Linear		Linear		LCB

Processability

Conventional forming equipment for polyolefins or with minor modification can be used for Bionolle™. The recommended processing temperatures are 160 - 230℃. Table 2 shows ranges of MFR, grades and applicable processing methods. Table 2 - MFR @ 190℃/2.16kg.

MFR	1000 seris	3000 seris	Applicable processing methods
1∼3	1001MD	3001MD	Blown film, mono-filament, blow molding, sheet, flat yarn
2∼9	1903MD	-	Foamed sheet, extrusion coating, uses for additive
20∼34	1020MD	3020MD	Injection molding, staple fiber

Caution

(1) Bionolle™ has not been approved for use in medical, cosmetic or food contact applications. Please be sure to contact our sales person in advance in case of using Bionolle™ for those applications. (2) Rates of biodegradation vary largely by the surrounding environment and Bionolle™ may undergo hydrolysis by moisture in the air. Consequently, the mechanical properties will be deteriorated. Customers and users are requested to make their own independent determination that the products are suitable for the intended use.