Confirming the Breakdown Rate of Petroleum-Based Degradable Plastics
Convex Plastics, October 21st, 2009
Convex Laboratory Manager Crystal Pope and Convex Technical Manager Andrew Sheerin with the recently modified FTIR machine.
By adding a propriety additive such as Convex Plastics’ re~solve (also known as EPI), most forms of standard petroleum-based plastic packaging can be altered to breakdown within just a few months – rather than 1000s of years.
The challenge, however, is to ensure that enough additive has been put into the plastic film to ensure it breaks down within a reasonable timeframe.
The recent purchase of an additional component for their Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) machine has enabled Convex to start developing this testing at their Hamilton plant. Convex has already developed phase one of the testing, which analyses film by destroying it. Phase two non-destructive testing is expected to be available within the next few months.
Convex Managing Director, Owen Embling says the new machine component is a major step forward in his company’s development of re~solve degradable films.
Owen says, “We previously had to get all this testing done in Europe so being able to do it in-house will speed up the development time for new products. It will also allow us to provide further value to our customers by testing different oxo-biodegradable additives to check how well they work. We are getting an increasing number of requests for degradable plastic so it’s important for us to be able to evaluate the pluses and minuses of all the available options so we can provide our customers with the best possible product offerings and advice.”
The FTIR machine uses surface compound analysis to identify the chemical bonds in plastic films. This allows Convex to quickly and accurately determine what type of plastic it is, if it contains an oxo-biodegradable degradable additive and, if it does, how long the film will take to break down under controlled conditions.
Oxo-biodegradation occurs when a proprietary additive, such as EPI (marketed by Convex Plastics as re~solve) causes petroleum-based plastic to oxidize when exposed to oxygen, heat, sunlight or mechanical stress. The polyethylene molecules break down into smaller molecules, which are digested by microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria, leaving only water, carbon dioxide and biomass, which are all natural substances.
Convex has already developed several degradable re~solve products for clients, including magazine wraps and carry bags.
Owen says, “Although the films are not sourced from non-renewable materials, and are therefore not the ideal environmentally friendly packaging solution, it is often all a company can achieve within their budget – and re~solve films do deliver some significant environmental benefits when compared to normal plastics. They also exhibit the same strength characteristics as normal polyethylene films and can be recycled in normal recycling outlets.”
re~solve samples are now available from Convex Plastics. You can obtain a sample by contacting Convex Technical Manager Andrew Sheerin at: Ph. 07 847 5133, Mob. 021190 3898, Email. andrew.s@convex.co.nz.