30 November 2006 – BASF is working on opening up a new avenue in its renewable polymer portfolio with a research and development programme in polyhydroxy fatty acids, especially poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). Speaking at an innovation symposium in the last few days, Dr Arnold Schneller highlighted the potential of the material.
“PHB, a semi-crystalline polyester, is the only naturally occurring polymer suitable for polymer processing above the melting temperature of 180ºC,” he told delegates at the event.
The material’s property profile lends itself to blending with another polymer, the company’s biodegradable polyester Ecoflex having proved itself to be an ideal partner in this respect, he noted.
“Moreover,” Dr Schneller continued, “by adding suitable substrates to the nutrient solution in the fermentation step it is also possible to produce copolymers.”
BASF has previously announced that it is combining its Ecoflex material with PLA in its Ecovio product. The use of PHB represent a different approach.
