SPE Library

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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Recycling

Various topics related to sustainability in plastics, including bio-related, environmental issues, green, recycling, renewal, re-use and sustainability.

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF METALLOCENE POLYETHYLENE IN HEAVY DUTY SACKS

Abdelhadi Sahnoune, November 2011

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.

Modeling Container Shelf Life & Top Load Performance

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.

NEW STRUCTURAL BIOCOMPOSITES FOR CAR APPLICATIONS

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.

OPTIMUM FLOURPLAST: CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BIOPLASTIC INDUSTRY. PROCESS STRUCTURE PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS OF A NOVEL BIOPLASTIC POLYMER COMPOUNDING SYSTEM

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.

PRELIMINARY FAILURE EXAMINATION OF A TOOL USED IN TYRE WASTE RECYCLING - CASE STUDY

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.).

PVC – Moving Up to the Next Level

Stuart Patrick, November 2011

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.

Renewable Based High Performance TPU

J. Santamaría, November 2011

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.

Surface Modification Techniques for Optimizing Adhesion to Automotive Plastics

Rory A. Wolf, November 2011

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.

SYNTHESIS OF ELASTOMERIC PHENOLIC RESINS WITH IMPROVED TOUGHNESS AND FLEXIBILITY

Cardona F. | Fedrigo J., November 2011

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).

THE EFFECT OF COMPOSITION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND PROPERTIES OF PC/ABS/ORGANOCLAY NANOCOMPOSITES

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.

UPGRADING PERFORMANCE OF RECYCLED POLYAMIDE WITH ZEMAC®

Ashok M. Adur, November 2011

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.

Bioplastic nano-reinforcement extracted from phormium leaf fibers

Carlo Santulli, Marco Monti, Jose Maria Kenny, Elena Fortunati, Luigi Torre, Debora Puglia, November 2011

Cellulose nanofibers from a native New Zealand plant are extracted for use as fillers for biodegradable polymers.

Post Consumer Recycled Plastics in Electronic Products

James Drummond, October 2011

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

Removing Barriers to Create a Better World

John Bradburn, October 2011

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

Marine Biodegradation of PLA, PHA, and Bio-additive Polyethylene Based on ASTM D7081

Joseph P. Greene, October 2011

Topics: Introduction • Marine Pollution • Biodegradable Plastics Definitions • Biodegradation Results: – Compost testing – Marine testing • Conclusions

Improved Recycling of Difficult to Process Materials.

John Capece, October 2011

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.

A Comparison of Technologies to Recycle Mixed and Dirty Plastics

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.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Bio-Fibers, Mineral and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Andrew Hopkins, October 2011

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.

Unique Performance Characteristics of New, Durable, Biobased Polyamide and Copolyester

Jim Conkey, October 2011

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.

Advancements in Marine Biodegradable Bioplastics

Robert Whitehouse, October 2011

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.