The SPE Library contains thousands of papers, presentations, journal briefs and recorded webinars from the best minds in the Plastics Industry. Spanning almost two decades, this collection of published research and development work in polymer science and plastics technology is a wealth of knowledge and information for anyone involved in plastics.
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Various topics related to sustainability in plastics, including bio-related, environmental issues, green, recycling, renewal, re-use and sustainability.
The substitution of plastic for more traditional
materials stems from its reliability and affordability.
However, with the heightened awareness on
sustainability, plastic from fossil sources are sometimes
perceived to adversely impact the environment. In an
effort to address this issue, a detailed life cycle
assessment of heavy duty sacks made from metallocene
polyethylene (mPE) has been completed. The sacks are
used in packaging powdered products for the
construction industry. The results show that these sacks
have several positive attributes and in many instances,
may be a preferred alternative from a sustainability
perspective. In fact, in manufacturing, transportation
and handling mPE sacks are shown to consume
significantly less energy and emit less greenhouse gas
than paper-based alternatives. Additional environmental
benefits will be discussed.
Scott W. Steele | Sumit Mukherjee | Mark Rule, November 2011
The use of performance modeling is becoming
more and more critical to the packaging industry.
This trend is driven both by lightweighting efforts
and the need to shorten package development
times. The primary driver for reducing the amount
of material used in packaging is cost reduction,
with environmental positioning an ancillary
benefit. However, it is critical to not compromise
the shelf life or creep performance of the package,
particularly in regions of the world with
temperature extremes.
This paper will explain key elements necessary
for precise modeling of package shelf-life
performance. The mathematical models
considered are M-RULE® Container Performance
Model and Virtual Prototyping™ Software. Some
examples of how computer modeling has been
applied to optimize package performance will be
discussed.
Jiying Fan | Elias Nassiopoulos | James Brighton | Alain De Larminat | James Njuguna, November 2011
Recently advances in research and manufacturing techniques of biocomposites have allowed the car manufactures to use bio-composite in various applications. Biocomposites are fast emerging as viable alternative to traditional materials due to their low cost, lightweight, good mechanical performance and biodegradable properties. ECOSHELL project (Development of new light high-performance environmentally benign composites made of bio-materials and bio-resins for electric car application) proposes to achieve a full bio-composite made of high performance natural resins matrices, resulting in the use of totally natural, environment friendly composites, with enhanced strength and bio-degradability characteristics designed for the electric car.
Jeroen J.G. van Soest | Arthur J.A.A. van der Meijden | Nolan J. Leenards,, November 2011
This paper describes an outline of the structural features (using SEM, WAXS and other advances techniques) and various properties of products containing compatibilised thermoplastic flour (i.e. Optimum FlourPlast). Grain or cereal flour or even purified starches are them self not thermoplastic materials [1]. The thermoplastic flour (TPF) is made from an unique combination of natural based grain (by-) products and a novel compatibilising polymer system making it a thermoplastic material, which can be processed on standard plastic processing machines. The TPF is as such shown to be highly compatible with natural or petrochemical based biodegradable aliphatic (co-) polyesters and various polyolefins such as polypropylene. In such combinations it is shown that it improves processing conditions and enhances the properties of the end formulation (compounds). By making different combinations of the various grades of the TPF (i.e. building block system of precompounds) with other polymers it will be shown that it is possible to obtain a range of products with different properties and good functionality. This made it possible to process the components into products suitable for various applications such as injection molding, extrusion and thermoforming, and film blowing and casting.
A.Maragiannis | D. Papageorgiou | C. Medrea | Stasinopouloi-Uddeholm, November 2011
Tyres consist of synthetic rubber | metals and linen.
Tyre waste decomposes after hundreds of years | and its
presence is detrimental for the environment. Standing
water | trapped into tires may be a permanent pollution
source | while tyre waste next to a forest increases the
possibility of fire. European legislation imposes the
recycling of tyre waste | which includes the following
three steps: shredding in strips | cutting strips in small
pieces | and powder production from the pieces. At the
last stage magnets remove the metallic pieces | while
centrifugal screens remove the linen. Metals are sold to
the steel industry as scrap | linen is used in limekiln as a
combustion material and the rubber flakes are used in
numerous applications (e.g. road surface construction,
concrete additives | mouse pads | etc.).
The papers from the most recent IOM3
conference, PVC 2011, are used as the basis
for this paper.
The PVC market is reviewed on the basis
of Europe’s environmental challenges with
management options being reshaped by global
megatrends.
The cost competitiveness of PVC
products, energy saving from using PVC
products and increasing recognition of our
sustainable development progress can only
serve our industry well into the future.
The Voluntary Commitments of the past
ten years (Vinyl 2010) and the next ten years
(VinylPlus) are reviewed.
Examples of educational initiatives in the
UK to improve perceptions are also
highlighted.
The company Merquinsa SL | located in
Barcelona | Spain | produces classical
polyurethane as well as new (ECO)
polyurethane based on several raw materials
from renewable sources. This particular study
was based on biogenic oil as primary renewable
source for TPU.
A new family of thermoplastic
polyurethanes (TPU) is presented. This new
TPU series has application for polyurethane
adhesives | polyurethane for extrusion | and
injection molding markets. A full range of
vegetable plant-based sources derived from
bifunctional polyols has been developed. The
reaction of these polyols in the TPU
formulation allows new TPU with a renewable
content ranging from 30% to 90% by weight.
Compared to the standard petrochemical-based
grades | the new ‘green-TPU’ shows better
hydrolytic resistance | and maintain equivalent
mechanical properties like first-class
thermoplastic polyurethanes. Merquinsa will
present the latest results for its ECO-TPU
range | based on different renewable raw
materials.
Automotive plastics with a low polarity, such as PE,
PP, TPO, POM, PUR and PTFE typically require
surface treatment when decoration is required.
Metallic surfaces may also require cleaning to
remove low molecular weight organic materials
prior to decoration. Once the above-mentioned
interior and exterior grades of substrate surfaces are
cleaned and activated, printing, gluing and painting
are possible without the use of adhesion-promoting
primers. This paper describes the latest innovations
in three-dimensional surface treating technology for
plastics finishing which address the need to advance
adhesion properties, increase product quality, and
achieve environmental objectives within the
automotive industry. These innovations include
advanced thermal and non-thermal discharge
treatment processes for raising the polarity of
surfaces to be painted, bonded, decorated,
laminated, printed, or to have tape applied.
Novel phenolic resins (PF) with improved fracture
toughness and flexibility properties were synthesised and
evaluated. A first modification consisted in the
copolymerization of Phenol with a natural renewable
component (Cardanol) during the synthesis of PF resins
(CPF). An increases in the content of Cardanol resulted
in a proportional increases in the flexural strength and in
the fracture toughness together with a decreases in the
flexural modulus of the cured CPF/PF blended resins.
Further increased plasticizing and toughening effect was
observed by the blending of the CPF/PF resins with propylene glycol (PG).
Marianna I. Triantou | Petroula A. Tarantili, November 2011
In this study | blends based on poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) were prepared and studied | in an attempt to explore the performance of mixtures deriving from recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The modification of ABS and ABS/PC blends via the incorporation of reinforcing fillers | such as organic modified montmorillonite nanoparticles (OMMT) | was also explored and its effect on the structure and properties was evaluated.
Polyamides are widely used in many applications. There is a vast amount of recycled polyamide coming from the carpet and textile and other industries. Due to degradation and loss of viscosity, this recycled polyamide has reduced performance and limited its use. The unique chemistry of alternating copolymers of ethylene and maleic anhydride provide several advantages for upgrading recycled polyamide. This paper discusses the results obtained with compounding prime grade polyamide as well as recycled polyamide with the addition of small quantities of this copolymer and specific property improvements for applications in injection molded compounds.
Closed Loop Inkjet Cartridge; Recycling Program: – Cartridges torn down and 100% recycled – Recycling/Cleaning partners – PPO/PS resin is collected – Cleaned and recompounded – Compounding partners – Reintroduced into new ink cartridges
All manuf. sites will have a wildlife habitat certification or
equivalent (where feasible) • GM will utilize 125 MW of renewable energy sources • Reduce energy intensity by 20% (baseline 2010) • Reduce carbon intensity by 20% (baseline 2010) • Reduce total waste by 10% (baseline 2010) • Reduce water intensity by 15% (baseline 2010) • Reduce VOC intensity by 10% (baseline 2010) • 100 mfg. sites and 25 non-manufacturing sites are landfillfree
Common Issues With Recycling Heavily Printed Materials: Printing inks contain binders and additives that emit gases when heated to required melt temperatures. Gases and other contaminants enter melt and
often result in poor quality pellets.
Dr. Brian Coleman and Dr. Seetha Coleman-Kammula, October 2011
US EPA waste plastics data show that in 2010: A total of 31 million tons of plastic waste was generated making up 12.4 % of total MSW. Only 8 % of this waste was recovered for mechanical recycling. The rest most likely goes to landfills as dirty and soiled plastic.
Embodied energy values were determined for bio-fibers, mineral and glass fiber using data
obtained from recently published technical papers. This data, together with other LCA and
actual physical property data was used to explore the comparative performance and
environmental footprints for a wide range of reinforced polypropylene composites. The data
show that RheVision® bio composite materials present competitive and useful physical
performance coupled with improved environmental impacts.
Plant oil based derivatives have been noted in polymer chemistry dating back to the fist
developments of polyamides in the 1940's. In the world of elastomers, natural rubber has
always been plant based. Today the use of bio mass derivatives has gained new attention given
the quest to reduce the dependence of polymer production on petroleum sources. One notable
monomer is sebacic acid derived from caster oil and used in polyamides. The advantage this
monomer brings to the resulting polymers is not its Green Character alone. First, it can be
applied to standard polymerization processes already in place for making the petroleum based
relatives. This is a key aspect in bringing new bio based polymers to market at scale and cost
effectively. Second, it imparts unique performance characteristics that differentiate the
resulting polymers from their petroleum based relatives. This allows them to fill true
performance gaps in their polymer families. We will examine the performance characteristics of
PA 410 relative to the existing range of polyamide demonstrating that unique features (and
ultimately - economic value) beyond Green Character can be realized.
The erosion of our coastlines and estuaries is a problem that is getting some help from an
unlikely source – bioplastics. Restoration is achievable through sound planning, use of advanced
environmental practices, and understanding the importance of natural habitat in both the
water and surrounding land. However, advances in bioscience can help achieve these goals.
We will discuss how the properties of bioplastics make the material a suitable solution for
manufacturing marine-related products. Certain bioplastics have the unique ability to
biodegrade in marine and freshwater environments, in accordance with ASTM D7081 for
marine-biodegradable non-floating plastics. This standard specification, along with the standard
method ASTM 6691 for determining aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in the marine
environment, was developed at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and
Engineering Center (NSRDEC) in Natick, Massachusetts, with support from the U.S. Navy and
the Waste Reduction Afloats Protects the Sea (WRAPS) Program.
This session will explain what is required to meet the standards for the biodegradation of
water-resistant yet marine-biodegradable bioplastics. The presentation will also discuss how
bioplastics safely biodegrade in marine environments, highlighting the types of commercial
product applications that are ideal for these new materials.
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Any article that is cited in another manuscript or other work is required to use the correct reference style. Below is an example of the reference style for SPE articles:
Brown, H. L. and Jones, D. H. 2016, May.
"Insert title of paper here in quotes,"
ANTEC 2016 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA May 23-25, 2016. [On-line].
Society of Plastics Engineers
Available: www.4spe.org.
Note: if there are more than three authors you may use the first author's name and et al. EG Brown, H. L. et al.
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