Page 22 - Plastics News August 2022

Green Dot Bioplastics Introduces 9 New Compostable Hanwha Delivers Carbon-
Resins Fiber-Reinforced Hydrogen

Tanks To Shell

anwha Solutions has joined
HShell’s efforts to build exten-
sive hydrogen refueling infrastruc-
ture in California. The Korean com-
pany will help accelerate California’s
energy transition and decarboniza-
tion initiatives by supplying the oil
major with high-pressure hydrogen
tanks for transport within its net-
work of stations.
Hanwha Solutions’ hydrogen tank
manufacturing subsidiary, Hanwha
Cimarron, said it finalized a pur-
reen Dot Bioplastics, a developer that have a faster rate of biodegradation
Gand supplier of bioplastic materials in ambient composting conditions and chase order with Shell to provide its
for innovative, sustainable end-uses, the functional performance that the Neptune tanks, which are Type IV
has expanded its Terratek BD line with market demands.” high-pressure hydrogen tanks. The
nine new compostable grades that target The five new film grades are compostable carbon-fiber-reinforced, 2,000-liter
capacity vessels can store hydrogen
single-use and packaging applications. starch blends that require no tooling at a pressure of 517 bar, the highest
The expanded offering for film extrusion, or process modifications when run on pressure level among Type IV tanks.
thermoforming, and injection molding is traditional blown or cast film equipment. Another strength of the Neptune
in line with Green Dot Bioplastics’ goal Among them are Terratek BD3003, tanks is their anti-buckling tech-
to achieve faster rates of biodegradability, which exhibits high puncture resistance nology, which allows the hydrogen
in ambient conditions, while meeting the inside to be fully extracted without
growing sustainability demands of brand and tear strength and is heat-sealable like causing any internal damage to the
linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
owners and consumers. tank. Typically, Type IV high-pres-
film.
These new compostable materials are an sure tanks must reserve 10% of total
integral part of the company’s extensive Terratek BD3300 is a stiff, high-modulus contents to prevent the tank from
bioplastics portfolio which includes material with high-heat resistance and shrinking during storage, which re-
biocomposites, elastomers, and natural overall properties similar to high-density duces transport efficiency. However,
fiber-reinforced resins all produced (HDPE) polyethylene film. Neptune tanks have proven their sta-
at the company’s newly expanded The film grades deliver faster rates of bility, receiving certificates from the
US Department of Transportation
manufacturing facility in Onaga, KS. biodegradability for home composting, for transportation efficiency and the
“This launch culminates our extensive industrial composting, and soil American Society of Mechanical En-
development of a new category of biodegradability. gineers (ASME) for storage usage.
compostable materials for single-use They are suitable for applications Hanwha Cimarron’s supply of hy-
applications and packaging markets,” including produce bags, bubble wrap, drogen tanks will support Shell’s
says Mark Remmert, CEO. “We’ve agricultural films, and other lawn and efforts to extend its hydrogen refu-
successfully developed unique materials garden packaging. The film materials eling network across California.

22 PLASTICS NEWS August 2022