JSR to launch new, highly tough Polylactic acid-based bioplastic: "BIOLLOY"*1
~ Shock resistance improved five-fold ~
10/26/2010
TOKYO - 26 October 2010 - JSR Corporation (President: Mitsunobu Koshiba) has announced the launch of "BIOLLOY", a bioplastic produced by combining together a thermoplastic resin with polylactic acid*2, a plant-derived material. "BIOLLOY" will be launched in November 2010 as a product of JSR's "environment and energy domain", which forms part of the company's strategic businesses.
"BIOLLOY" is a polymer alloy*3 which can be modified by changing the combination ratio of polylactic acid (a plant-derived material) between 5~80%, depending on product applications. Compared to existing and general plastics, shock resistance has been improved by approximately five times.
Bioplastics have the property of being carbon neutral, as the plant raw material absorbs carbon dioxide. Bioplastics are also gaining attention as a material which contributes to the conservation of petroleum resources.
However, compared with conventional petroleum-based plastics, the scope of applications was limited due to the lack in performance of the bioplastic, such as shock resistance and formability, as well as its poor appearance post-molding. In order to ensure shock resistance and formability, it is necessary to combine a petroleum-based plastic, but as these petroleum-based plastics do not interact well with plant-derived plastics, the mix proportion of the plant-derived plastic was often suppressed at below 50%. As a bioplastic expected to be effective in reducing environmental impact, there was a desire to increase the proportion of the plant-derived plastic.
The newly-developed "BIOLLOY" has improved compatibility with the petroleum-based plastic produced by JSR's own technologies and polylactic acid, a plant-derived material; which has led to a drastic improvement in post-molding appearance, as well as shock resistance and formability performance.
Compared to existing and general bioplastics, "BIOLLOY" has five times the shock resistance, and the "brittleness" which was considered a weakness of polylactic acid-based bioplastics thus far has been greatly improved.
In addition, depending on applications, the combination ratio of polylactic acid can be modified between 5~ 80%; and flowability suitable to the processing method can be achieved. This feature enables applications in various processing methods such as injection molding which is suited for molding complex shapes, blow molding method, extrusion and film. Recently, bioplastics are not only used in a variety of applications such as everyday goods, household articles such as detergent bottles and cosmetic containers, as well as food packaging; further and wider-ranging applications are expected. These include applications such as the main frames of home electrical appliances, OA devices, exterior components, and automotive interiors, where durability and shock resistance are necessary.
JSR will firstly begin sales of "BIOLLOY" which contain alloys of ABS plastics, and polyolefin-based plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Sequentially, there will de developments leading to sales of thermoplastic plastics. Manufacturing and coloring will be conducted within the JSR Group, and the company will stably supply high-quality products.
Additionally, the ABS plastic which has been combined with "BIOLLOY" is handled by Techno Polymer Co. Ltd., part of the JSR Group.
In order to provide higher added value to customers, JSR will continue to uphold the corporate philosophy of "Materials Innovation": "to provide new materials, and through their value strive to contribute to the realization of an affluent society (people, society and the environment)". By utilizing its original technologies, JSR will also strive to develop innovative materials and technologies to contribute to building a recycling-oriented society and to conserve the global environment.
*1: JSR Corporation is currently applying for a "BIOLLOY" trademark.
*2: Polylactic acid is a polymer synthesized by polymerizing the L-lactic acid monomer, obtained by fermenting the starch extracted from plants such as sugar cane, corn or potatoes. Also expressed as "PLA (Poly Lactic Acid)".
*3: A polymer alloy is a plastic produced by combining different polymeric materials together.
"BIOLLOY" is a polymer alloy*3 which can be modified by changing the combination ratio of polylactic acid (a plant-derived material) between 5~80%, depending on product applications. Compared to existing and general plastics, shock resistance has been improved by approximately five times.
Bioplastics have the property of being carbon neutral, as the plant raw material absorbs carbon dioxide. Bioplastics are also gaining attention as a material which contributes to the conservation of petroleum resources.
However, compared with conventional petroleum-based plastics, the scope of applications was limited due to the lack in performance of the bioplastic, such as shock resistance and formability, as well as its poor appearance post-molding. In order to ensure shock resistance and formability, it is necessary to combine a petroleum-based plastic, but as these petroleum-based plastics do not interact well with plant-derived plastics, the mix proportion of the plant-derived plastic was often suppressed at below 50%. As a bioplastic expected to be effective in reducing environmental impact, there was a desire to increase the proportion of the plant-derived plastic.
The newly-developed "BIOLLOY" has improved compatibility with the petroleum-based plastic produced by JSR's own technologies and polylactic acid, a plant-derived material; which has led to a drastic improvement in post-molding appearance, as well as shock resistance and formability performance.
Compared to existing and general bioplastics, "BIOLLOY" has five times the shock resistance, and the "brittleness" which was considered a weakness of polylactic acid-based bioplastics thus far has been greatly improved.
In addition, depending on applications, the combination ratio of polylactic acid can be modified between 5~ 80%; and flowability suitable to the processing method can be achieved. This feature enables applications in various processing methods such as injection molding which is suited for molding complex shapes, blow molding method, extrusion and film. Recently, bioplastics are not only used in a variety of applications such as everyday goods, household articles such as detergent bottles and cosmetic containers, as well as food packaging; further and wider-ranging applications are expected. These include applications such as the main frames of home electrical appliances, OA devices, exterior components, and automotive interiors, where durability and shock resistance are necessary.
JSR will firstly begin sales of "BIOLLOY" which contain alloys of ABS plastics, and polyolefin-based plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Sequentially, there will de developments leading to sales of thermoplastic plastics. Manufacturing and coloring will be conducted within the JSR Group, and the company will stably supply high-quality products.
Additionally, the ABS plastic which has been combined with "BIOLLOY" is handled by Techno Polymer Co. Ltd., part of the JSR Group.
In order to provide higher added value to customers, JSR will continue to uphold the corporate philosophy of "Materials Innovation": "to provide new materials, and through their value strive to contribute to the realization of an affluent society (people, society and the environment)". By utilizing its original technologies, JSR will also strive to develop innovative materials and technologies to contribute to building a recycling-oriented society and to conserve the global environment.
*1: JSR Corporation is currently applying for a "BIOLLOY" trademark.
*2: Polylactic acid is a polymer synthesized by polymerizing the L-lactic acid monomer, obtained by fermenting the starch extracted from plants such as sugar cane, corn or potatoes. Also expressed as "PLA (Poly Lactic Acid)".
*3: A polymer alloy is a plastic produced by combining different polymeric materials together.