Plastic Packaging Products From China

COLUMBUS, OHIO (July 5, 2010) — New Polymer Systems Inc. in New Canaan, Conn. is commercializing a bio-based additive that not only lowers compound cost, but also improves performance. President Joachim Roesler also is seeking a manufacturing location for the product in the Midwest.

NPS has developed a new type of filler based on modification of lignocellulose fibers, which also occurs naturally within lignite coal. Unlike other bio-based fillers such as wood, grass, straw, rice hulls, NPS’ modified lignocellulose — marketed as Neroplast — stands out with high moisture-resistance and a tolerance for higher processing temperatures.

“Hydrophilic bio-fibers can be treated in other ways to become hydrophobic, but those processes tend to be more expensive, or degrade other characteristics,” explained Roesler, who spoke at the Ohio Polymer Summit 2010 in Columbus earlier this month.

The new product also helps improve physical properties of thermoplastics, including stiffness, tensile strength, and bending strength. Most parameters of compounded modified lignocellulose are similar to those of wood flour, which is consumed at an annual volume of 500,000 metric tons for the production of wood plastic composites.

The new filler can be mixed with polypropylene, polyethylene and polyamide, and the company believes more research will extend the use to other plastic resins.

Targeted applications include pallets, landscape, roofing, drainage pipes, and parts for the auto industry. The product is the only bio-based filler that’s sufficiently temperature-resistant to be blended with nylon, Roesler noted.

Due to the base material, the filler’s currently available color options are from dark brown to black. It can work as a substitute for carbon black.

In addition, the filler is less abrasive and significantly lighter than common mineral fillers, such as talc.

Since lignocellulose is low cost, abundant and renewable, the filler offers competitive price and eco benefits.

Moreover, the green technology has the potential to help accelerate the market acceptance of other bioplastics, Roesler added. The bio-based filler can lower the cost of bioplastic compounds while maintaining full bio-renewability. The filler has proven characteristics as a soil conditioner, useful when compounded with biodegradable resins.

Roesler said NPS and its German sister company have filed for U.S. and European patents for the new product, which will become available in large quantities in late 2010.

He is currently evaluating locations for its first manufacturing site. “It’ll be in the Midwest,” he told Plastics News. Roesler is also seeking location-specific public or private support.

From Nina Ying Sun
PLASTICS NEWS

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