Succinity at K 2016 – Biobased Succinic Acid as Enabler for Bioplastics Growth

Succinity, the Joint Venture between BASF and Corbion that is dedicated to the commercialization of Succinity Biobased Succinic Acid®, will be exhibiting at K 2016 in Düsseldorf. The focus of Succinity’s activities around the fair will be on the growing market of biodegradable and/or biobased plastics.  Succinity will be present at the booth of Corbion in Hall 5, stand B22.

Succinity Biobased Succinic Acid – an important intermediate for bioplastics
Biobased Succinic acid (BBSA) is one of the most important building blocks for the growing bioeconomy. One of the salient advantages is its versatility which leads to a broad range of applications in the plastics industry and beyond. Succinity BBSA is based on a proprietary fermentation process developed by BASF and Corbion that allows usage of renewable feedstocks, such as glucose, sucrose and glycerol, and in the future also its production from second generation renewable feedstocks. Besides the flexible use of biomass, the elaborated process also provides a product of the highest purity in a very efficient manner without major waste streams. This biochemical process enables a significant improvement of the material carbon footprint of succinic acid and its applications in comparison to conventional petrochemical products.

Polybutylene Succinate – an innovative biopolymer for the bioplastics toolbox
Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) is a biopolymer that can be made up to 100% biobased by copolymerizing Succinic Acid and 1.4-Butanediol (BDO) obtained from renewable resources. PBS features a balanced property profile and its properties are easily modified and complemented by means of copolymerization and blending/compounding with other biopolymers or fillers. Due to its eco-profile and its high versatility, Bio-PBS is gaining increasing attention in the framework of the growing bio-based economy. Mostly used as a blend partner in combination with other bioplastics such as PLA, it plays a major role in the development of new bioplastic products. Application examples include food packaging, food service ware, single use coffee capsules, agricultural products (mulch films), but also durable applications, e.g. composite materials for automotive.

For K 2016, Succinity is publishing an information brochure about the characteristics, compound possibilities and applications of PBS that will be available online on our website and in Hall 5, stand B 22 at the fair.

Polyurethanes (PUR) based on BBSA – enabling biobased content and new functionality
Another application area with growing interest in BBSA as a raw material is Polyurethanes (PUR). Polyester polyols based on succinic acid can be an interesting alternative to petrobased components, e.g. polyester polyols based on adipic acid. BBSA enables PUR grades with a high biorenewable content (depending on the PUR grade) that can be additionally increased by usage of other bio-renewable raw materials, for example renewable BDO. This creates significant savings in the material carbon footprint of the end products which vary according to application and alternative materials. Furthermore, BBSA-based polyester polyols can be of interest due to differentiated material characteristics. This is the reason why BBSA is interesting for numerous PUR applications, for example hot melt adhesives, PUR coatings systems and TPU in footwear or automotive applications.

Succinity - Partnering up for success
Succinity and its partners are showcasing a number of bioplastics projects based on Succinity BBSA during K 2016 at the Corbion stand: Corbion and Succinity are promoting a model biopolymer compound of PLA and PBS that offers strong heat resistance, balanced mechanical properties, biodegradability and a high biorenewable content. The blended properties of PLA and PBS are interesting for various applications, such as food service ware, food packaging and coffee capsules. 

BASF has recently announced the expansion of its certified compostable biopolymer ecovio® range with ecovio® IA and ecovio® TA. These new grades enable thin wall applications with a thickness of only 0.3mm while still being strong with an outstanding dimensional stability and high heat resistance. Their high heat deflection temperature furthermore makes them suitable for any product with a hot phase in the lifecycle, such as hot fill. The grades are particularly suitable for the production of single-use items in value chains with mixed waste streams that cannot be easily separated. Succinity BBSA enables a high biobased content for these new product grades.

At the fair, Succinity is exhibiting various finished product samples, for example biobased coffee capsules and pens.

Source: http://www.succinity.com