ecovio® Biologically degradable solutions for extrusion applications Blown film applications Cast / flat film applications (e. g. thermoforming) Extrusion coating of paper and cardboard Table of contents Bild ecovio® – certified biodegradable and bio-based 4 - 7 Characteristics of ecovio® 8 -11 Product portfolio 9 General characteristics 10 Processing of ecovio® 12 - 17 General information regarding processing 12 Extrusion processes (general) 13 Blown film extrusion 14 Extrusion coating 15 Cast / flat film extrusion 16 General Information 18 - 27 Processing and post-treatment 19 Safety precautions 20 Quality assurance 21 Delivery, storage and aging 21 Services 22 Glossary 23 Literature references 23 3 ecovio® – certified biodegradable and bio-based ecovio® – A HIGH QUALITY, VERSATILE BIOPLASTIC FROM BASF THAT IS CERTIFIED BIO-BASED AND BIODEGRADABLE Not biodegradable Biodegradable Based on renewable Bio-PE, Bio-PA, Bio-PUR, PLA, PHA resources Bio-PP Fossil-based PE, PP, PVC PBS Source: Hans-Josef Endres, Technical Bio-polymers, 2009. What are bioplastics? Biodegradable plastics can be broken down by microorganisms. In the process, the microorgan- The term “bioplastics” comprises two different isms emit enzymes which break down the polymer groups of products: “bio-based” and “biodegrad- chains of the plastic into smaller molecular compo- able” plastics. nents. These are subsequently absorbed by bac- teria and fungi, metabolized and, in the process, Bio-based plastics are wholly or partially derived converted into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. from renewable raw materials. For example, this Biodegradable plastics can, but do not have to be, material group includes polylactic acid (PLA), poly- produced based on renewable resources. hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) as well as the partially bio- based plastic ecoflex® FS from BASF. Bio-based The biodegradability does not depend on the materials can also be simultaneously biodegrad- raw material, but solely on the chemical structure able. This is the case in the examples mentioned and the physical properties of the plastic. There above. In contrast, bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) is an are biodegradable plastics developed especially example of a bio-based, yet non-biodegradable for decomposition under conditions of industrial plastic. composting. In addition, these can be degraded in a backyard compost or soil. Depending on the application, this differentiation is important (e. g. bio garbage bags vs. mulch film). Respective cer- tificates help with the orientation (see the following paragraph). 5 Certification according to international standards Confirmed by third-party test institutes Practical tests The biodegradability of ecovio® was confirmed by ap- Practical tests in industrial composting systems show proved, independent institutes based on clear test criteria. that thin-walled extrudates made of ecovio®, such as For example, a certified, industrially degradable plastic bags or thermoformed cups, can be degraded in as early has to be tested with respect to biodegradability, disin- as four to eight weeks. tegration (physiological decomposition), ecotoxicology (impact on flora and fauna) and chemical composition. Suitable for direct contact with food Only a material that fulfills all requirements is certified and All ecovio® types comply with the requirements of the Eu- may be labeled industrially degradable. Similar certifica- ropean Ordinance on Foodstuffs as well as the US-Amer- tion processes exist for materials which can be degraded ican Food Stuffs Regulations. Therefore, they may be in the backyard compost or soil. suitable for food packaging. Please see our respective certificates for the precise status of the Food Stuffs Reg- ulations, which can be requested from your local BASF rep- resentative or at Plastic Safety ([email protected]). ecovio® offers various product qualities, as well as, comply with the following international standards: Industrial composting 2 6 7 $ 3 % 0 , &,& / 2 ( & =LYPÄJHJVUPS[\V*VT\UL.LZ[VYL 3VJHSLSLTVKHSP[nKPJVUMLYPTLU[V LYHJJVS[HKLPYPÄ\[P European American Italian Biodegradation in soil Standard EN Standard ASTM 6400 Certification CIC Japanese European Standard EN 13432 Backyard composting Standard Australian Standard AS 4736 ecovio® … a ready-made plastic compound suitable for the contact with food certified compostable and biodegradable printable and has excellent sealing properties partially bio-based can be utilized on conventional processing machines 6 The extrusion of blown and flat film as well as extrusion High performance and biodegradable coating of paper and cardboard are the main fields of application for ecovio®. Therefore, the possibility of prod- Products made of ecovio® are as efficient and resilient ucts to be manufactured from ecovio® are very versatile. during their service life as conventional plastics. Thus, a thermoformed yogurt cup made from ecovio® has the same material properties as its polyethylene equivalent. An innovative mix of tried and proven The product characteristics are designed in a way that ingredients the products biodegrade only after their use, e. g. under industrial composting conditions. With ecovio®, BASF offers a certified compostable plastic with bio-based components which can be All types of ecovio® in many forms of application were adapted according to the customer’s requirements. registered according to the US American Standard ASTM ecovio® consists of the biodegradable BASF plastic D 6400 and the European Standard DIN EN 13432 for ecoflex® and polylactic acid (PLA). compostable and biodegradable polymers. Paper articles coated with ecovio® PS1606 may also be certified for composting. ecovio® for a variety of extrusion applications ecovio® provides versatile application options as a thin, and many more. One particular advantage is the fact flexible blown film, thermoformable flat film, extrusion that ecovio® can be processed on conventional ma- coated substrate on paper and cardboard or as plastic chines for the production of biodegradable films and film. Such applications can be found in packaging produc- coated paper and cardboard products. tion, disposable crockery sector, agriculture, horticulture Bags Thermoformed products Extrusion coated products Mulching films 7 The characteristics of ® ecovio ecovio® – A COMPOUND MADE OF ecoflex® AND PLA FOR A VARIETY OF FILM AND EXTRUSION COATING APPLICATIONS Product portfolio ecovio® F/ FS/ FT Films or extrusion coated applications made of ecovio® F, FS and FT were specifically developed ecovio® benefit from an optimal balance of stiff- for blown film extrusion. ecovio® FS/FT is charac- ness and toughness. Depending on the extrusion terized by its greater bio-based component. process, the viscosity can be flexibly adjusted – from medium to high melt strength. ecovio® types are offered as ready-to-use compounds. ecovio® T/ TA The most important fields of application of ecovio® ecovio® T and TA were especially developed for include films for bags, packaging and agricultural, cast/flat film extrusion and subsequent thermo- as well as thermoformed and extrusion coated arti- forming. ecovio® TA is characterized by greater cles for the consumer and catering segment. thermal stability. BASF provides a broad product portfolio of various ecovio® types with different bio-based components, ecovio® PS as well as mechanical and thermal properties. All types are distinguished by excellent sealing and ecovio® PS was especially developed for the certified biodegradable/compostable properties. extrusion coating of paper, cardboard and other substrates. Our technical experts are happy to support you in the selection of suitable types for your particular application. 9 General characteristics Blown film extrusion Cast-/flat film extrusion Extrusion coating The advantages of ecovio® F/FS/FT The advantages of ecovio® T/TA The advantages of ecovio® PS Flexibility Excellent strength and stiffness Good sealing properties Elasticity High impact strength good Good printability Good sealing properties Heat resistance up to 94 °C Good barrier properties Good printability perforation (TA types) (moderate for steam, oxygen) Tear resistance Good processing properties on for mineral oils and aromas Tensile strength conventional flat film extrusion systems Good sealing properties Extrusion coated applications Blown film applications Good printability Predominately coated paper and Bio waste bags cardboard applications such as Shopping bags Cast / flat film applications Drinking cups for hot and cold Fruit and vegetable bags beverages, paper plates Mulching films Predominately thermoformed Wrapping paper, e. g. for fresh Packaging films products such as food (cheese, meat, fish) or Drinking cups snacks Bowls & lids Sugar and salt sachets Capsules Grass and foliage bags Catchment trays for fats and spreads Deep freeze containers 10 Overview ecovio® types for blown film applications ecovio® ecovio® ecovio® ecovio® ecovio® ecovio® ecovio® ecovio® Types / Solutions Sector F2332 FS2312 F2223 FS22C3 F2224 F23B1 FT2341 M2351 Thickness 30 30 30 30 30 25 25 12 Bio component* % 16 46 28 55 40 9 34 9 EN 13432 ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü certification Backyard - - - - - ü (24 µm) ü (53 µm) ü (24 µm) composting Properties** Young’s modulus MPa 330/180 430/190 760/350 780/260 1100/600 260/130 270/160 260/130 MD/TD Tensile strength MPa 37/39 31/35 47/43 39/28 47/40 25/25 24/21 25/20 MD/TD Elongation at break % 540/600 380/670 450/600 400/560 440/350 480/570 340/610 180/380 MD/TD Tear resistance Nm 800/550