Interview with Sandra Pazes, sales Iberia and Latin America, and David Bertomeu, application technology from FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
Bioplastics represent a still small percentage with respect to traditional plastics. However, according to FKuR, one of the few manufacturers offering bioplastics optimized for all methods of processing and applications, its presence in the market is increasing. And also their applications. "Our products replace a variety of fossil standard plastic and it is possible to process them as their counterparts fossils in existing production machines", hold in this interview Sandra Pazes, sales Iberia and Latin America, and David Bertomeu, application technology from FKuR Kunststoff GmbH.
BioPlastics are mainly directed to packaging, but which new markets can be susceptible to use them?
Biodegradable bioplastics / compostable are intended for particular applications of short useful life as flexible packaging for fruits and vegetables, for example, disposable products, bags for organic waste, film for agriculture, etc. In these cases, the applications and the alternative pathway of waste through biodegradation management / composting complement each other in a logical way.
And in the case of longer life applications?
It becomes a greater emphasis on renewable resources. Saving fossil resources through the use of biomass which is regenerated and the possibility to contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions of greenhouse gases are the arguments in favour of these bioplastics. Exemplary applications are housings of electronic parts, technical applications, rigid containers for cosmetics... Bioplastics demand is constantly growing. For applications of short useful life the combination between biodegradability and renewable resource will be more important and longer shelf life products, origin renewable but non-biodegradable plastics will be the solution.
Taking into account that they are in contact with food, to what standards of quality are subjected?
FKuR bioplastics are certified according to the quality standards that also apply to conventional plastics. You are are, among others, with the rules in 10/2011, which is the regulation of plastic objects for food contact, as well as in 2023 / 2006 good practices of manufacture of plastic materials and articles intended for contact with food products. Addition, for markets outside Europe, our products are also in accordance with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) certification in the USA.
Are bioplastics in Spain enough implanted? Would that role with respect to other countries?
In absolute figures, comparing the use of bioplastics in total with the traditional plastics, we are still talking about a very small percentage of presence of bioplastics in the respective segments market. They are in a phase of transition from market niche to a general consumer market. In addition, in Spain, there is still much confusion about the terminology.
What do they mean?
Confusion with the exact meaning of terms like 'bioplastic', 'biodegradable' or 'compostable'. There is no standard definition for this term. Unfortunately, that has also caused companies that offer products that are advertised as 'biodegradable', but which in fact are not have been introduced into the Spanish market.
What they these companies actually offer?
Usually, additives that are announced as activators of the biological degradation of the conventional plastics such as PE. Such additives manufacturers, however, have not shown so far. According to our knowledge, none of these products can be certified according to recognized standards (in 13432 and in 14995). In the majority of cases, these additives cause the fragmentation of plastic, i.e. originate waste plastic invisible to the eye.
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FKuR produces high-performance bioplastics. Do products offered?
FKuR is a supplier of complete systems. We use all sources of raw bio and optimize them. Customers can choose between one of the broadest portfolios of bioplastics. Our strength is the specific optimization of our compounds according to customer requirements for achieving the best relation cost-benefit and adjust the characteristic profiles to the corresponding applications. We are of the few manufacturers that we offer bioplastics that are optimized for all methods of processing and applications. Our products replace a variety of fossil standard plastics and it is possible to process them as their counterparts fossils in existing production machines.
Put some example...
In the range of biodegradable plastics, our brand products Bio-Flex (for flexible products like film) and Biograde (for the injection moulding and thermoforming products) are the first choice. Under the Terralene brand, we sell plastics from renewable sources based on a green polyethylene of the Brazilian company Braskem. These products have the same characteristics than a conventional PE and are not biodegradable.
FKuR bioplastics
The desire to act in a sustainable way is one of the most important social needs of our time. "Our solutions offer customers a way to practice their individual sustainability goals", says the company.
As bioplastics from FKuR occur wholly or partially to renewable resource base, can be "a valuable contribution to the conservation of fossil resources". In addition, they are running, use vegetable-based plastics only released in the amount of CO2 that the plant has established itself in the form of carbon during its growth phase.
Depending on the product, some plastics company serve for long life applications, others are biodegradable, and break down naturally, in its non-toxic raw materials. These plastics biodegradable / compostable offer an alternative route of waste management. In this way, it is possible, for example, discarded food residue together with packing, whenever and wherever necessary. "The opportunity to allow an existing, product previously manufactured polymer fossil, a new positioning in the market, constitutes an additional advantage of plastics from renewable resource", says the company.
Plastics biodegradable / compostable today also have a number of properties that fossil plastics do not have. This includes, for example, a natural breathability. This makes them particularly suitable for certain applications and represents an added value for consumers.
Recently they have launched Bio-Flex F 6611, a certified material free of GMO. Tell us about this product and its applications.
Bio-Flex 6611 has been developed as a complementation to the existing product range and especially suitable for thermoforming and injection molding by injection. This product is composed of materials from renewable resources and is biodegradable. It is noteworthy that this degree of Bio-Flex has a temperature of thermal deformation of 130 ° C, which makes it ideal for applications that have to withstand high temperatures.
Bioplastics today also have applications in computer peripherals. Photo: Fujitsu.
Does your company also distributes PE green, made from sugar cane. What it is?
FKuR is the exclusive distributor in Europe of the Green polyethylene of the Brazilian company Braskem. It is a unique and revolutionary product that is produced from natural and renewable raw materials. The ethanol used to make Green PE is derived from sugarcane produced in Brazil. Each tonne of green polyethylene produced captures more than two tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Do note what other advantages?
Green PE is recyclable 100% using existing recycling processes and has the same technical characteristics and processability that polyethylene based on fossil materials. This means that Green PE does not require new investment in equipment or technical adjustments, which represents a clear advantage for the manufacturing industry. This PE is not biodegradable / compostable.
In the past, bioplastics are primarily destined for the extrusion of films. What applications currently have bioplastics that you manufacture?
Bioplastics biodegradable compostable we produce currently intended among other agricultural applications, products and packaging, tableware, disposable, organic waste bags, compostable, toiletries etc. shopping bags Applications for which the argument is saving fossil resources, are, for example, peripheral equipment of computer (keyboard, mice, etc.), desk, utensils and household, toys or technical applications.
Given the growing demand by consumers for more sustainable products, do is the growth of bioplastics insured? Do other factors conducive to this potential?
It is true that renewable resources are a finite resource, but are resources that regenerate. According to a publication of the Association European Bioplastics, there are different ways to ensure the adequate supply of renewable resources for the production of chemical products and vegetable-based plastics. These would be, among other things, broaden the base of raw materials, increase yields, and take advantage of land fallow for the production.
And there's space for everything?
Our planet has 3.3 billion hectares of natural irrigation land potentially arable. 1,500 Million hectares are used for the cultivation of crops, 100 million for residential areas, roads and railways (in hectares), 330 million for protected areas and 800 million hectares to forest land. This leaves approximately 570 million hectares of farmland in different geographical regions that can be used for production. Even in the European Union there are around 8 million hectares of land that could be used for the production of bioenergy and biomaterials.
Agricultural productivity in general is continuously increasing. In recent decades, agricultural producers increased their production. This is due to scientific advances, the optimization of production processes, application of machinery, fertilizers, plans, etc. It is assumed that the availability of land will not be the limiting factor for the expansion of the production of plastics of vegetable base (*).
One of the applications of short life of biodegradable bioplastics / compostable is the film for agriculture.
Do believe what features should enhance the bioplastic to resemble a conventional plastic?
Bioplastics from renewable sources such as Bio-polyamide, green polyethylene or Bio-PET have the same characteristics than their petrochemical counterparts. Biodegradable raw materials on the other hand, have a limited property profile and require some modification. Our expertise is in coupling polymers, additives and auxiliaries through our special 'compounding' process. We are in the position to produce biodegradable bioplastics / compostable with similar characteristics to the conventional plastics. In addition, by extrusion multilayer, lamination and metallization is possible to improve properties such as for example the of barrier.
The corporate commitment
In December 2012, FKuR Kunststoff GmbH has been certified as one of the first producers of bioplastics in accordance with the code of conduct GKV. The General Association of the plastics processing industry (Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie, GKV) is the organization that brings together the German plastics industry. Designed as a voluntary commitment, the code of conduct of the GKV is an agreement by which Member companies want to ensure compliance with global requirements for ethical and moral behavior, as well as the requirements of behavior in accordance with the laws of antitrust (enforcement). This also means the promotion of equitable and sustainable standards in dealing with suppliers and customers as well as employees. Certified businesses that are committed to environmental sustainability, the health and safety at work and the fulfillment of international standards such as the UN Charter for human rights, among others.
"The commitment to the code of conduct GKV was an important step to represent and to reaffirm our corporate philosophy", says the company.
FKuR is a company committed to the environment, are strategic measures which adopts the enterprise in this sense?
Strategic developments, we cooperate with the Institut Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Department of renewable resources, well known in Europe. This allows us to be always at the forefront of all new developments in relation to new sustainable raw materials. The consciousness of the oneness of the world is our biggest motivation and the basis of our daily work. As a company we are aware of our responsibility and our sustainable products provide a small and modest contribution to the conservation of resources and the maintenance of the ecological balance.
Will we see new applications in the future?
The fundamental development objective is to continually increase the proportion of renewable raw materials. The development of compounds for longer shelf life products and sophisticated technical applications are the focus of our current developments. Soon we will introduce new products along with our current portfolio in the German fair of plastics K2013.
(*) European Bioplastics, FAQ May 2011 Frequently Asked Questions on the Use of Agricultural Resources for Bioplastics Production, p. 4
