ADBioplastics has presented its latest solutions for single-use products, manufactured with its compostable bioplastic PLA-Premium, for various sectors from the industry such as food, cosmetics, agriculture or consumer goods at the fair NPE 2024, which took place from May 6 to 10 in Orlando, Florida, United States.
Among the latest success stories, a cosmetic applicator, which was manufactured with PLA-Premium bioplastic with the aim of being an alternative to applicators made with plastics of fossil origin.
During the development of this product, the manufacturing cost and injection molding cycle times have been kept under control. This applicator was processed with conventional equipment with the aim of being a substitute for PP (polypropylene) applicators, also achieving desired characteristics such as: adequate mechanical properties, in terms of flexibility and resistance, and a high-quality finish.
Another great novelty is the BioLoop Band filament, twistband closure (flexible wire, generally made of aluminum or steel, covered with a layer of plastic, used to secure the closure of products) which has been presented for the first time at the NPE 2024 fair and is an innovation in single-use applications in sectors such as food, agriculture and consumer goods.
This filament is used as alternative to twistband closures with or without a metal core made of PVC (polystyrene chloride) or LDPE (low density polyethylene) commonly used as closures for packaged products such as sliced bread or other consumer goods such as toys and electronic products (cables , extension cords, etc.). In the agricultural sector, it is used for tying fruit and vegetable crops, helping to ensure correct support in Guyot pruning methods, this style of pruning being one of the most widely used in grape production for the wine sector. The mix of conventional closure materials is polluting to the environment and difficult to recycle given its size and composition.
The BioLoop Band filament, made of PLA-Premium bioplastic, presents some competitive advantages such as a saving up to 55% less material than the conventional twistband with a metal core for the same number of meters, the recyclability of the material (as it can be thrown into the organic waste container), the respect for the environment of the material (it does not contaminate fertile soil), its elongation with heat (allowing the healthy growth of vines in agriculture) and its impact and torsion resistance, allowing repetition of the twist multiple times.
In addition to the most innovative solutions, ADBioplastics has shown other examples of its range of products, such as 3D filament spools, bottles, jars, candle holders, single doses, flowpack, clamshells, caps, film, etc., which cover many of the sustainability needs. from companies in sectors such as food, cosmetics, medicine, 3D printing, the textile industry or consumer goods.
Products made with PLA-Premium bioplastic are compostable and biobased, and improve the mechanical properties and processability of virgin PLA. The material comes from natural sources such as sugar cane and corn and disintegrates in just 3 months under industrial composting. Proof of this is the certificate OK Industrial Compost, granted by the certifier TÜV Austria.
These compostable solutions align with the sustainability goals of countries like the United States, which, under the administration of President Joe Biden and in order to promote American biotechnology and biomanufacturing, have set a goal of replacing 90% of plastics from fossil sources to bio-based alternatives over the next two decades.
The goal is to meet 30% of US chemical demand from biomanufacturing over 20 years. The Department of Energy's Plastics Innovation Strategy program covers several areas of research, including expanding work to recycle or recycle plastic waste, with an emphasis on multi-component plastic waste that are currently not recycled. Within this strategy, it is proposed to redesign plastics to improve properties at the end of their useful life, such as recyclability and compostability.
