Bio-Polymers & New Materials: Polymers from Renewable Resources. April 2008

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Malcolm Harris
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1 Bio-Polymers & New Materials: Polymers from Renewable Resources April 2008

2 What are Bio-Polymers? Bio-Based or Bio-Sourced means that the product has been made from a biological (living) or renewable source, such as corn or sugar cane. Bio-Degradable means the product may be broken down by other living organisms, such as bacteria, that exist in nature. Being bio-based does not mean a material is bio-degradable. Being bio-degradable does not mean a material is bio-based.

3 Today & the Near Future Today New Resins PLA & PHA Combination Technologies Starch or Fiber + Polymers Modifications of Existing Materials PDO Future Basic Materials from Renewable Feedstocks Ethylene (and polyethylene), Polyurethane precursors, and Polyamide

4 Production of Polymers Feedstock Monomer Polymer Package

Historical Production of Polymers Petrochemical based

(C2), propylene (C3), and other basic building blocks.

5 Historical Production of Polymers Petrochemical based polymers have been made from monomers derived from oil or natural gas for the last 80 years. Large, integrated chemical complexes manufacture ethylene (C2), propylene (C3), and other basic building blocks. These basic hydrocarbon building blocks along with chlorine are used to make most of today s polymers. 5

6 Drivers of Change The cost of oil and gas have risen significantly over the last few years. Sustainability is increasingly driving both corporate and personal decision making. Alternatives to using oil or natural gas exist or are being developed today. 6

Sources of Carbon (Feedstock) Non-renewable

Gas new supplies of oil, gas-to-liquid (GTL)

coal-to-liquids (CTL) processes Chemical

Biochemical Conversion fermentation of biomass

7 Sources of Carbon (Feedstock) Non-renewable Carbon Renewable Carbon Biomass Oil and Natural Gas new supplies of oil, gas-to-liquid (GTL) processes Coal coal-to-gas (CTG) and coal-to-liquids (CTL) processes Chemical Conversion chemical conversion of biomass Biochemical Conversion fermentation of biomass Thermochemical Conversion biomass-to-gas (BTG) and biomass-to-liquids (BTL)

8 Production of Polymers Feedstock (Carbon Source) (such as Natural Gas, Oil, Corn, Soybeans, Sugar Cane) Monomer (such as Ethylene, Propylene, Lactic Acid) Polymer (such as Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polylactic acid) Package (such as Bottle or Pouch)

9 Bio-Based Sustainability Potential to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions But could also increase either or both Benefits must be confirmed via application-specific life cycle analysis Can not ignore impacts of farming Water use, eutrophication, habitat loss, deforestation Social impact Food supply & food prices Need for thorough Life Cycle Assessment including all impact categories

10 End of Life Potential contaminant in recycling Composting Potential new recovery method Most need industrial composting Systems need further development. Few facilities and almost no collection exist today Need curbside collection Collection impacts greenhouse gas emissions

11 Truth-in-Marketing for Bio-based materials Utilize resources to ensure truth-in-marketing of bio-based materials Measuring bio-based content Terminology of bio-based product and content Life Cycle Analysis standards ASTM D Standard Guide for Determination of BiobasedContent, Resources Consumption, and Environmental Profile of Materials and Products ASTM D a Standard Test Methods for Determining the BiobasedContent (Natural Range Materials Using Radiocarbon and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Analysis) ASTM D Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics ISO14040 standards for life-cycle-analysis ASTM D6400 Standard for Compostability ASTM D6868 Standard for compostable plastic coated paper products

12 Polylactic Acid (PLA) Made from renewable resources (corn) Can be composted under industrial compositing conditions

13 PLA Conversion Carbon dioxide and water Plants sugar (dextrose) manufacturing

14 Performance Fit for use in numerous applications Clarity and optics Form and stiffness provide opportunity to downgauge UV Stable Printability Limited heat stability (105 F) Emotional: Appeal to Consumer Makes them feel good about purchase decision Plant origins Environmental Made from plants Purchased renewable energy credits New disposal/recovery options PLA

15 Potential Applications for PLA Serviceware Consumer Goods Bottles Nonwovens Rigid Containers Home & Office Textile Flexible, Films & Coatings Apparel

16 Rigid Packaging Clear, opaque or colored food trays, clamshells and bowls Salad Bowls Bakery trays and clamshells Cold drink cups Lids Bottles and Containers Short shelf life dairy or juice Dry articles Flexible Packaging Shrink sleeves Labels Flow wrap Produce bags Lidding film Tamper bands Extrusion coated food service-ware Apparel & Textiles Home & Garden Current Uses of PLA

17 Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Made from renewable resources (corn) Also bio-degradable under appropriate conditions

18 PHA Given proper conditions, PHA will biodegrade back to nature at the end of its useful life. PHA can be used for everyday items.

19 PHA Bio-based Made from renewable resources (corn sugar) Biodegradable to Compostable Properties & Processability Easy processing with range of properties Range of modulus possible Heat and moisture resistance Dimensional stability Resistance to grease and oils

20 Potential Applications for PHA Agricultural and Horticultural Compost Bags Packaging Caps & Closures Detergent Sachets Foam Bags Electronics Consumer Goods Marine and Water

21 Propanediol (PDO) Made from renewable resources (corn) A monomer used as one of the building blocks to make PTT - poly(trimethylene terephthalate) The use of renewably sourced PDO results in a final polymer with 30-37% renewable content

22 The Future New technologies will bring new products to market and more existing polymers will be made from new raw materials Data-driven Lifecycle Analysis will extend the understanding of the benefits of bio-polymers

23 Polyethylene from Sugar Cane

24 Polyethylene (PE) Can be made from renewable resources (sugar cane) Not bio-degradable Same properties, processing, & performance as polyethylene made from natural gas or oil feedstocks because the polyethylene molecules are the same

25 Summary Polymers made from both traditional and rewewable feedstocks will play an important role in creating the packaging systems of tomorrow Polymer selection should be based on careful assessment of ALL performance criteria, including sustainability metrics determined using life cycle impacts

26 Contact Information For information on PLA, please contact Grant Braasch, Business Development Manager, NatureWorks LLC, , For information on PHA, please contact: Dan Gilliland, Business Development Director, For information on PDO, please contact Shanna Moore, dupont, For information on PE from sugar cane, please contact Jeff Wooster, Dow, For information on degradable and compostable products please contact Steve Mojo, Biodegradable Products Institute, Executive Director, For additional information on standards, please contact Charlene Wall, BASF, , Please visit the ACC website at

Ingeo Resin. Naturally Advanced Materials. Product Guide

Ingeo Resin. Naturally Advanced Materials. Product Guide Ingeo Resin Naturally Advanced Materials Product Guide INGEO GRADE OVERVIEW 2000 Series Extrusion/Thermoforming General purpose transparent extrusion grade. 2003D 2500HP Used as is or as part of a formulated