{"id":11322,"date":"2021-01-29T06:05:09","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T12:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=11322"},"modified":"2021-04-01T15:32:26","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T21:32:26","slug":"pe-thermoplastic-biopolymers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/11322\/pe-thermoplastic-biopolymers\/","title":{"rendered":"Thermoplastic Biopolymers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ColorfulBiopolymers provide an important tool for sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, allowing mankind the ability to begin reversing global warming, as well as to improve our overall global environmental footprint. \u00a0As polymer scientists learn more about how to leverage the performance properties that nature has already discovered, we expand our ability to make lighter and stronger vehicles, more bio-compatible medical devices, plastics that biodegrade when released back into nature and less toxic monomers to our environment.\u00a0 The following is a brief review of several of the most commercially significant biopolymers, with emphasis on thermoplastics.<\/p>\n

Polyamide 11<\/h3>\n

The chemical process of creating the Polyamide 11<\/a> biopolymer begins with castor oil, which typically contains between 84-94% ricinoleic acid. Castor oil is first transesterified with methanol to yield methyl ricinoleate. Methyl ricinoleate is then \u201ccracked\u201d to create heptaldehyde and methyl undecylenate. The methyl undecylenate is then hydrolyzed to release methanol and undecylenic acid.\u00a0 At this point, hydrogen bromide is added across the double bond of undecylenic acid to form the 11-bromo derivative followed by displacement with ammonia to form 11-amino undecanoic acid. \u00a0In a final step, 11-amino undecanoic acid is then homo-polymerized to form Polyamide 11, leading to a 100% bio-based polymer.<\/p>\n

The unique 11-carbon chain yields a crystallinity profile that is very high in hydrogen bond density (chemical structure below). This contributes to a high performance resin with higher melt point, lower fuel and gas permeability, improved impact properties and lower environmental footprint compared to the more traditional Polyamide 12<\/a>. Polyamide 11 is typically more flexible, has better dimensional stability & better impact properties versus typical short chain polyamides such as Polyamide 6<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Polyamide<\/p>\n

Polyamide11 is easy to process, using most processing technologies (extrusion, extrusion blow-molding, injection molding, 3D printing, powder coating and rotomolding). The polyamide11 matrix accommodates countless additives and filling agents, such as plasticizers, stabilizers, colorants, lubricants, impact modifiers, glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc. Polyamide 11 has a wide range of working temperatures (-40\u00b0 C to +130\u00b0 C).\u00a0 A table of general properties of Polyamide 11<\/a> versus Polyamide 6<\/a> are provided in the table below. High temperature, transparent or flexible derivations of Polyamide 11 are also available from suppliers, such as Arkema<\/a>.<\/p>\n

General properties of\u00a0Polyamide 11<\/a>\u00a0versus\u00a0Polyamide 6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nDensity (g\/cm3)<\/td>\nFlexural modulus (MPa, dry)<\/td>\nFlexural modulus (MPa, conditioned)<\/td>\nElongation (%)<\/td>\nWater absorption (%, 23\u00b0C\/50%RH)<\/td>\nMelting point (\u00b0C)<\/td>\nTg (\u00b0C)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nylon 11<\/td>\n1.03<\/td>\n1100-1300<\/td>\n1000-1200<\/td>\n300-400%<\/td>\n0.8<\/td>\n189<\/td>\n42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nylon 6<\/td>\n1.14<\/td>\n2200 – 2400<\/td>\n1100 – 1300<\/td>\n300%<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n210-220<\/td>\n48-60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

As a thermoplastic polymer, Polyamide 11 is recyclable but is not biodegradable. \u00a0Pragati<\/a> is a sustainable castor initiative founded by Arkema, BASF, Jayant Agro-Organics LTD and Solidaridad, that partners with farmers in India where the majority of global castor beans are grown. The goal of the program is to help farmers improve yields and reduce environmental impacts, thus helping cultivate castor beans effectively and ecologically.<\/p>\n

Polyamide 11 biopolymer is used in footwear, sporting equipment, ski components, textiles, brushes, automotive, medical, metal coatings, wire and cable jacketing, and electrical components. Due to its low water-absorption and subsequent dimensional stability as a result of this attribute and combined with heat, chemical and burst resistance and flexibility, Polyamide 11 is also used widely in tubing applications such as fuel lines, hydraulic hoses, air lines catheters and beverage tubing.<\/p>\n

Bio-Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polyfuranoates<\/h3>\n

\"Bio-Polyethylene<\/p>\n

Polyethylene terephthalate<\/a> biopolymer is an incredibly useful material, that has improved the state of humanity. It keeps our food fresh and allows for lightweight packaging that allows products to be shipped cheaply with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. It is used to package and construct medical devices, fabrics and threads.\u00a0 PET is under our bare feet in our carpet as we walk across the room.\u00a0 It makes up the fibers in our clothing, keeping us warm and wicks water away when we sweat.\u00a0 It is used to keep us comfortable in the form of fiber-filled pillows and furniture cushions.\u00a0 It is used to make films for electronic and oxygen barrier applications.\u00a0 There is no question that PET is a fantastic plastic that has made our lives better in many ways.<\/p>\n

Coca Cola introduced PlantBottle\u2122 technology in 2009,\u00a0making it the world\u2019s first fully recyclable PET plastic bottle\u00a0produced using ethylene glycol derived from sugar cane. The ethylene glycol, supplied by India Glycol, and copolymerized with terephthalic acid, provided their PET bottles with 30% biorenewable content, and resulted in no change to the biopolymer\u2019s chemical structure or properties. Coca Cola today claims that the CO2<\/sub> reduction benefit provided by this bio-PET since its launch in 2009 is equivalent to removing nearly 1 million vehicles from the road.<\/p>\n

\"Dasani<\/p>\n

In 2012, Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company, H.J. Heinz Company, NIKE, Inc. and Procter & Gamble announced the formation of the Plant PET Technology Collaborative. This collaborative has sponsored a variety of research efforts aimed at making the terephthalic acid portion of the PET biorenewable, as well as the ethylene glycol.<\/p>\n

The most notable efforts towards replacing petroleum-based PET with PET biopolymer include:<\/p>\n