AdvanTech Plastics is currently experimenting with a variety of biodegradable plastics, which it sees as the “green” new future for the plastic injection molding industry.
First some background: Plastics, unlike other materials like paper or glass, are difficult and/or expensive to recycle. While many plastic items contain the word “recyclable” or include the familiar “triangular chasing arrows” icon signaling recycling-ability, the truth is many are still not recycled. Instead, these plastics end up incinerated, in landfills, or worse yet, in waterways and oceans.
The reason is the complex molecular structure of plastics, (as opposed to paper and glass), and the fact that there are so many different kinds. And while paper and even glass will biodegrade relatively quickly in landfills, (if they’re not recycled), traditional plastics, such as PET, PE, PS, PVC, Nitrile, Rubber, Latex, Phenol and PP, will not breakdown underground for thousands of years, in some cases.
But change is here: many plastic resin manufacturers are now offering biodegradable varieties. One exciting new development is a plastic resin additive known as ENSO Restore, which is introduced into the resin production process. Advantages include:
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Cost Effectiveness
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Easy to implement
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Landfill biodegradable, from microbes
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Does NOT breakdown when it’s not supposed to, i.e. before it is consumed
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FDA compliant and safe for food contact
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No degradation in physical properties or shelf-life
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Recyclable
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D5526, ASTM, ASTM D5988, ASTM D5511, ASTM D5988 and BMP (Bio-Methane Potential) biodegradation
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Biodegrades in both anaerobic (no oxygen) and aerobic (oxygen) environments
While ENSO Restore is an additive to traditional plastic resins, ENSO Renewal is a fully renewable biopolymer used as a standalone plastic or as a polymer replacement for PP or PE.
This ASTM D6400 certified bio-resin is:
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Fully-renewable resin
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Manufactured from agriculture waste processes
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70% lower carbon footprint over PE
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FDA compliant/food-contact safe
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Stand-alone resin or blendable with 40% PE
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Compostable in factories or home
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ASTM D6400
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Marine-degradable (as a stand-alone resin)
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Wildlife-safe
These two ENSO products are just the tip of the “green” iceberg: there are many more earth-friendly resins extant, and more on the way. AdvanTech will continue to research and, when practicable, implement these revolutionary new plastics.