Page 60 - Plastics News November 2019

proDuCt news

Genpak and Danimer Scientific RadiciGroup launches Radilon®

partner for biodegradable NeXTreme
containers

uring K 2019the Radici Group is introduced its
Dnewest offering Radilon® NeXTreme, together with
ood packaging company Genpak has partnered with
Fbiopolymer manufacturer Danimer Scientific to other recent solutions that have been developed in
develop new biodegradable food container line. The response to the increasingly demanding requests from
new line of containers GenZero will help to reduce the global markets. Radilon® NeXTreme is a polyamide
environmental impact of non-biodegradable packaging. material capable of withstanding long-term exposure
Danimer Scientific will supply biodegradable resins for to high temperatures. “Radilon® NeXTreme was
the production of GenZero. Genpak president Kevin Kelly initially developed
said: “Innovation is a core foundation of our manufacturing f o r auto m o tiv e
philosophy and it has driven the development of some applications, for
of our most durable and sustainable packaging items. which it is well
“Partnering with Danimer Scientific provides us with the suited as it features
cutting-edge material we need to take the next step in exceptional heat
our dedication to our purpose statement of advancing ageing resistance in
innovative packaging to enhance the human experience.” air at 230°C,” said
GenZero food containers will integrate Danimer Scientific’s Erico Spini, global
biopolymer Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) as one of marketing manager
the resins. A team of researchers from the University of
Georgia (UGA) and members of the UGA New Materials of RadiciGroup High Performance Polymers. “After
Institute evaluated the plant-based Nodax PHA. The that, we developed a grade on the same polymer
material was confirmed to be a ‘reliable biodegradable base for extrusion of technical filaments for industrial
alternative to traditional petrochemical plastics’. Danimer applications under very severe use conditions.” Two
Scientific CEO Stephen Croskrey said: “Plastic is a universal grades of Radilon® NeXTreme are offered for the
material used in countless everyday products, especially automotive sector: 35% glass-fibre reinforced (RV350HHR
in the food and beverage industries. So, it is imperative 3800 BK) and 50% glass-fibre filled (RV500HHR 3800
to broaden the conversation around the type of items we BK). Typical applications for these materials are air
suction system components requiring considerable heat
resistance. “Our third grade, Radilon® NeXTreme HSW
100 NT, for the extrusion of technical monofilament,”
Mr. Spini added, “has already been successfully
tested both in the extrusion process and in specific
applications where high heat resistance is required
(professional brushes for industrial use, brushes for
metal cleaning as a replacement for natural tampico
fibre and professional brushes for hairdressers).Having
production plants on 3 continents makes RadiciGroup a
global company, with the added strength of vertically
can make with biodegradable materials. “That is why we integrated polyamide production,” stressed Cesare
are excited to work with Genpak in creating an entirely Clausi, global sales manager of RadiciGroup High
new type of eco-friendly food packaging option.” Earlier Performance Polymers. “Being part of RadiciGroup
this year, disposable foodservice manufacturer WinCup allows us to create strong synergies, from R&D to
used Danimer Scientific’s Nodax PHA to launch a new line recovery of production waste, and a strategic approach
of straws and stirrers called phade. to sustainability.”

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