Extrusion International 5-2022

24 Extrusion International 5/2022 INDUSTRY NEWS Expanded Line of Compostable Resins for Packaging and Single-Use Applications Launched PPS Delivers Increased Transmittance and Toughness in Laser Welded Applications  Green Dot Bioplastics, a leading developer and supplier of bioplastic materials for innovative, sustainable end-uses, has expanded its Terratek® BD line with nine new compostable grades that are targeted for single- use and packaging applications. The expanded offering for film extru - sion, thermoforming, and injection molding is in line with Green Dot Bioplastics’ goal to achieve faster rates of biodegradability in ambient conditions, while meeting the grow- ing sustainability demands of brand owners and consumers. These new compostable materials are an integral part of the company’s extensive bioplastics portfolio which includes biocomposites, elastomers, and natural fiber-reinforced resins all produced at the company’s newly expanded manufacturing facility in Onaga, Kan. “This launch culminates our exten - sive development of a new category of compostable materials for single- use applications and packaging mar- kets,” said Mark Remmert, Green Dot Bioplastics CEO. “We’ve success - fully developed unique materials that have a faster rate of biodegradation in ambient composting conditions and the functional performance that the market demands.” The five new film grades are com- postable starch blends that require no tooling or process modifications when run on traditional blown or cast film equipment. Among them are Terratek ® BD3003 which exhib - its high puncture resistance and tear strength and is heat sealable like lin- ear low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film. Meanwhile, Terratek ® BD3300 is a stiff, high-modulus material with high heat resistance and overall properties similar to HDPE film. The film grades deliver faster rates of biodegradability for home composting, industrial compost- ing, and soil biodegradability. They are targeted for a range of appli- cations including produce bags, bubble wrap, agricultural films, and other lawn and garden packaging. The film materials are completing third-party certification by TüV Aus - tria, a leading European certifying agency. Green Dot’s new compostable of- fering also includes three new ther- moforming grades which provide a range of properties including clarity. Other grades provide higher heat performance and greater flexibility for applications such as food service packaging, takeout containers, deli packages, and straws. The thermo- forming grades are also completing final certification by TüV Austria. Two injection molding grades round out the new compostable of- fering. Green Dot Bioplastics, Inc. www.greendotbioplastics.com  Polyplastics, a leading global sup- plier of engineering thermoplastics, is finding successful use of polyphe - nylene sulfide (PPS) in laser welded applications such as automotive parts thanks to materials with enhanced capabilities. The company offers DU- RAFIDE® PPS 1130A1 which delivers greater transmittance and tough- ness and facilitates laser welding in a range of applications. Laser welding is a joining method that offers a long list of advantag- es, but it has been difficult to actu - ally use with PPS due to its low laser transmittance and related mass pro- duction issues such as a narrow pro- cessing window. Polyplastics’ linear- type DURAFIDE ® PPS is characterized by its white natural color, as opposed to the reddish-brown natural color of competitive crosslink-type PPS materials. That gives it superior laser transmissibility (light transmissibility in the infrared region) and makes la- ser welding possible. DURAFIDE ® PPS 1130A1 provides approximately a 6% improvement in laser transmittance which results in a wider processing window for a broad range of welding conditions. The ma- terial also delivers an approximately 28% improvement in toughness ver - sus standard grades. This exceptional toughness is important for initial strength and durability. DURAFIDE ® PPS 1130A1 also offers strong dimen- sional stability, low warpage, and chemical resistance.