Biopolymers & degradables take center stage.

Plastics made from renewable resources and/or biodegradability and compostability will be major themes in the materials exhibits at NPE. More than a dozen booths will feature such materials and more will offer additives and processing equipment tailored for biopolymers. Some 39 companies, government agencies, and industry consortia will make conference presentations on the subject. Here are a few of the new products to be highlighted:

* Cereplast Inc., Hawthorne, Calif., will introduce two new starch-based compounds: Compostable 5001 for foam sheet extrusion and thermoforming into food trays and containers; and Compostable 3000 for blown film. Also new are two 70130 PP/starch blends--Hybrid 101, offering good impact resistance for durable applications; and Hybrid 103 with high flow for injection molding.

* Felix Composites, Saint-Hubert, Que., is a producer of TPEs that is now making "oxo-bio-degradable" compounds of PS and PE and also biodegradable compounds of 40% starch and 60% PE or PP.

* Kureha America, Inc., Naperville, Ill., is introducing its Kuredux polyglycolic acid (PGA). PGA is a naturally occurring and biodegradable chemical, but Kuredux is derived from natural gas. As we reported in May of last year, it is a high-barrier material suitable for use in multilayer PET bottles. Kureha is building a plant in West Virginia that is due on line next year.

* PSM North America, a new venture of Teinnovations, Warrenville, Ill., is introducing "plastarch" material (PSM), a thermoplastic starch compound made by PSM Hong Kong. Some compounds and sheet are also produced in the U.S. PSM is available in several grades for injection molding, foams, extrusion/thermoforming, and blown film. The newest grade, PSM HL-301, is designed to be run as a stand-alone resin for blown film.

* Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., will introduce its new bioplastics division and its first products based on Cerestech's thermoplastic starch (TPS) technology. Teknor has exclusive worldwide rights to produce blends of TPS and bioplastics like PHA or PLA, as well as polyolefins. Its first commercial products will be TPS with LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE. Fully biodegradable blends are in testing.

* Telles will show off injection molding and sheet extrusion grades of its Mirel PHA bioplastic. Its commercial plant is expected to be running this fall.

* Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of China is introducing to the U.S. its poly-butanediol succinate (PBS). It is fully biodegradable and is based on succinic acid, a naturally occurring fermentation byproduct (present in wine and beer) and butanediol (based on petrochemicals). PBS is used in agricultural and packaging films, bags, boxes, bottles, and molded medical parts and disposable tableware.

[phone] * www.cereplast.com

[phone] * www.felixcomposites.com

[phone] * www.kureha.com

[phone] * www.psmna.com

[phone] * www.teknorapex.com

[phone] * www.mirelplastics.com

571-63807828 * www.xinfupharm.com