Galactic The bioplastic which Galactic produces is poly lactic acid (PLA) which is 100% biodegradable and can be produced from fully renewable resources such as sugar cane, sugar beet, wheat, maize and cellulose. The resulting polymer can be used for a number of applications including automotive parts, clothing/textile fibers, food packaging etc. The production process is as follows: 1. Preparation of the monomeric unit which is lactide (including separation and purification) 2. Ring opening polymerization of lactide to form poly lactic acid Galactic’s goal is the make PLA into the base raw material in green chemistry development NatureWorks This company produces a class of materials called InGeo which is a portfolio of PLA performance materials. There are 6 classes of InGeo, namely: - 2 Series: a thermoplastic resin with applications in food packaging and containers. Transparents. Used mostly for extrusion and thermoforming. 2 available grades: - 2003D → used for mostly formulated blends on conventional extrusion equipment - 2500HP → Viscous and designed to crystallize during processing. - 3 Series: designed for injection molding applications. Used for plastic cutlery, electronics casings, outdoor gardening items - 3001D → unlubricated, high flow grade - 3052D → lubricated, high flow grade - 3100HP → medium viscosity for medium flow injection molding applications - 3251D → lubricated, ultra-high flow grade - 4 Series: for applications related to oriented films, card stock and graphic arts. There are different types on offer for different applications - 4032D → high heat film - 4043D → general purpose film - 4044D → reactive extrusion grade - 4060D → heat seal layer for film - 6 Series: designed to be drawn into fibers for mono and multifilament products - 6060D → amorphous low melt for staple fiber - 6100D → for extrusion into mechanically drawn staple fibers or continuous filament for use with conventional fiber spinning and drawing equipment - 6202D → staple fiber spunbond for nonwovens, non-dyed fiber applications - 6252D → designed for meltblown products for use with conventional and high pressure die meltblown equipment - 6400D → industrial mono and multifilament products - 6752D → Sheath polymer for spunbond applications - 8 Series (8052D): to be converted into an expanded foam sheet which has great mechanical properties (strength, lightweight, and suitable for food packaging). - 3D series Currently InGeo produces lactic acid by use of plants such as corn, cassava, sugar cane and sugar beets. The current R&D goal is to use microorganisms to convert greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4 into lactic acid (thereby skipping the plant step). Then, the lactic acid is transformed into lactide, which then undergoes polymerization. This entire process produces 80% less greenhouse gases and uses 52% less non renewable energy than traditional polymers. Nova Institute SPLASH - Sustainable Polymers from Algae Sugars and Hydrocarbons (2012-2017) This project run by nova Institute researches and develops the use of two types of green algae, namely Botryococcus braunii and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (to which the polysaccharide producing gene from Botryococcus will be transferred). This is to develop a new bio based method for production of polyesters and polyolefins and to turn this into an efficient industrial sector. The algae exudes: adipic acid from galactose, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid from glucose, rhamnose and fucose, 1,4-pentanediol from rhamnose and fucose, ethylene from ‘green naphtha’, propylene from ‘green naphtha’. These building blocks are then converted to new condensation polymers such as poly(ethylene-2,5-furandioate) (PEF) and poly(1,4-pentylene adipate-co-2,5-furandioate). These can be used for a wide variety of applications such as packaging material and fibers for ropes and nets. Things to add Add logo of naturworks to the chemical structure of poly lactic acid Add that its both bio-based and biodegradable Make 2 slides out of the biodegradable slide List applications on another slide ● Suitable for a variety of applications such as: ● Extrusion and thermoforming, injection molding, fiber drawing for mono- and multifilament products, expanded foam sheets and 3D printing and even heat resistant (up to 110 degrees Celsius) applications ● Production is very sustainable ● Renewable resources to produce lactic acid: sugar cane/beet, maize, lignocellulosic biomass ● R&D into capturing atmospheric carbon (methane, carbon dioxide) for lactic acid production (InGeo by NatureWorks) ● The process employed by NatureWorks compared to traditional polymer synthesis procedures: ● ● 52% less non-renewable energy sources ● Emits 80% less greenhouse gases *These values are as according to the NatureWorks website, and as far as we know have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal
