Page 46 - Plastics News March 2017

PRodUCT NEWS

New Bio-Flex Blends for home Teknor Apex launches

compostable films and packaging new glass fiber-reinforced

polyamide compounds
KuR – The bioplastics specialist has developed new
FBio-Flex blends for the production of low gauge films
which will biodegrade completely in garden compost at wo new glass fiber-reinforced polyamide compounds
low, variable temperatures. Vinçotte, based in Belgium, Tfrom Teknor Apex Company exhibit outstanding
has already issued OK Compost HOME certificates for these flame retardance and exceptional thermal stability for
grades. In addition, most of the new compounds meet the injection molded under-hood automotive components
requirements of Article 75 of the French Energy Transition such as engine covers, the company announced.
Law ("Loi sur la transition énergétique"). Since January Chemlon® 904-13 GVNH and 204-13 GVNH are glass-
2017, in the French retail sector, the use of plastic bags for filled nylon compounds with low halogen content that
fruit and vegetables, as well as at the cheese, meat and meet the UL-94 V-0 standard by passing the vertical
also fish counter was banned. However, bags made from burn test at a thickness of only 0.8 mm (0.031 in.).
home compostable bioplastic which contain a minimum Conventional halogenated compounds achieve this
amount of 30% renewable raw materials (and from 2025, degree of flame retardancy only with high levels of flame
60% renewable raw materials) are excluded from this ban. retardant and synergistic filler that make processing
difficult, yield poor surfaces, and increase product
All home compostable Bio-Flex density. In contrast, the new Chemlon compounds yield
compounds are regarded as a smooth surface, are 15% less dense than conventional
having outstanding moisture counterparts, and are readily processed for parts
resistance. This is a great with long flow paths or thin walls. Equally valuable
advantage when compared for under-hood applications is the thermal stability
with many other commercially of the new compounds, according to Jeff Schmidt,
available starch-based plastics automotive industry manager for the Nylon Division of
of this type. These biodegrade
rapidly but should only be filled
with dry contents. The range of
possible applications for these new compounds of FKuR
is wide and includes multi-purpose bags, as well as bags
for fruit and vegetable packing, mulching films and other
packaging. The product range currently comprises of
translucent and opaque grades. Bio-Flex FX 1803 (30%
biobased) as well as F 1804 and F 1814 (both 40% biobased)
grades are translucent, additionally Bio-Flex F 1814 offers
increased tear resistance. They are suitable for packaging
goods with printed IR codes as well as for visually attractive
packaging for all types of printed materials. Bio-Flex FX
1821 (10% biobased), FX 1823 (30% biobased) and FX 1824
(40% biobased) grades are all opaque. These opaque grades
show very good tear resistance and toughness. As pilot Teknor Apex. “Chemlon 904-13 GVNH is an especially
tests with customers have shown, bag thickness can easily high-temperature material, with a heat deflection
be down gauged to 8 μm with these new grades. The good temperature of 245 °C [473 °F] and a high degree of
processing properties using existing production facilities property retention at elevated temperatures,” noted Mr.
are similar for all Bio-Flex grades and are a characteristic Schmidt. “In fact, this compound provides a continuous
of FKuR compounds. use temperature that is much higher than specification.”

Plastics News | March 2017 46