This project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE programme co-financed by the ERDF

www.plastice.org

WP3 Case Study 6A Introduction of biodegradable

plastics in drinking straw production

Petra Horvat, National Institute of Chemistry

FIRST IDEA

• Introduction of biodegradable plastics in film/bag production

• This idea was then changed because of:

– To take a step away from biodegradable bags

– Lack of interest from the company involved

• -> introduction of biodegradable plastics in drinking straw production

BACKGROUND

• Drinking straw: disposable one-and-done, long history (first straw: 3 000 b.c.)

• Small -> produce a huge amount of trash that in most of the cases gets lost (60 mill. staws/day/world ≈ 60 t plast. waste/day/world)

• Very simple tool and always end up in the trash, on the floor, in the nature…

• Useful for disabled people, children, very popular in bars and fast food chains

Biodegradable Straws

• Offer the same convenience as the classic drinking straws

• No downside of the plastic waste issue

Clasic drinking straw

PLA-blend straw Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Straws_made_of_PLA-Blend_Bio-Flex.jpg

PROBLEM DEFINITION AND MAIN GOAL

• Production of drinking straws from biodegradable plastics is not well established in Slovenia – To ease the transition for small producers

• Plastics drinking straws present a huge amount of plastics waste that disappears – to reduce the environmental impact of those products

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FOOD CONTACT TESTING

Plastics/bioplastics comes in contact with foodstuff -> is it safe?

Health care! ->regulation: Council Directive 82/711/EEC and 85/572/EEC, EN 1189.

Samples: – 3PLA – 5 TPS *foil=product of the PLASTiCE project

Methodology: – FT-IR material characterization – Migration mimick actual use conditions:

• Article filling EN 1189-3 • Cell EN 1189-9 • Total immersion EN 1189-5

– Surface determination (regulative says: max level for overall migration: 10 mg/dm2)

MIGRATION CONDITIONS – overview – mimicking actual use conditions

3 % acetic acid: nonalcoholic drinks (including water) and fruit, salads,…

40 % Ethyl alcohol: alcoholic beverages with alcohol content up to 40 %

50 % Ethyl alcohol: alcoholic beverages with alcohol content up to 50 % and milk

40 oC 24 h = 1 day storage at room temperature

70 oC 2h = hot fill conditions

Up to 3 migration cycles

(3 = repeat use)

Sample Method Food simulant - T [oC]-t

[h]

Sample surface

/ Volume

[dm2/mL]

PLACup1 AF 3 % acetic acid – 40 - 24

1.97/250 40 % EtOH – 40 – 24

PLA_Deli_bowl AF 3 % acetic acid – 40 – 24 1.73/250

PLA_cup_2 AF 3 % acetic acid – 40 - 24

1.98/250 40 % EtOH – 40 – 24

StarchCup AF 3 % acetic acid – 70 – 2 1.76/250

Starch_bag_trash MC 3 % acetic acid – 40 – 24 2.34/190

Starch_bagcarrier MC 3 % acetic acid – 40 – 24 2.34/190

Starch_foil TI 3 % acetic acid – 70 – 2

1/100 3 % acetic acid – 40 – 24

RESULTS

VISUAL INSPECTION

• PLA at used migration

conditions no visual changes were detected

• Thermoplastic starch

– Bags

– Laminated cup ~

– Foil ~

OVERALL MIGRATION

• PLA overall migrations from

all samples into all simulants after first and third cycle are below level of detection

• Thermoplastic starch: – Laminated cup: 1 cycle

– Bags: , although they are

not intended for FC

– Foil:first cycle exceeds limits, third cycle

prewashed – lower overall migration, still exceeds the limit

Image source: http://www.vanderstahl.com/medical_pouch_sealers2/viu-visual-inspection-unit-old/

TEST PRODUCTION OF STRAWS – PEPI PLAST drinking straws, food containers, zip fastenings,

smart cards…

CONVENTIONAL

Material: PP

Heating: 170 – 200 oC

Screw rotation: 80/min

Production speed: 900/min

Straw mass: 1 g

Wall thickness: 0,10 mm

Adding hinges: NP

Stabile system

BIODEGRADABLE

Material: MaterBi CE01B

Heating: 150 – 180 oC

Screw rotation: 35/min

Production speed: 600/min

Straw mass: 1,4 g

Wall thickness: 0,12 mm

Adding hinges: NP

Stabile system – to prepare the system to work takes more effort

Temperature profile Introduction of melt

First part of the production line – melt goes from the extruder

Second part of the production line

PLASTiCEs first biodegradable straws

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

• Some processing adjustments: temperature, pressure, screw rotation, production speed

• Production of straws from biodegradable plastics is already well established elsewhere so Novamont could offer us the right material

• With experienced personnel, quality equipment and with a material intended for tested product implementing bioplastics (biodegradable plastics) is fast and simple!

Opposite as CS 3: No material for the exact use

Thank you!

Petra Horvat, NIC

petra.horvat@ki.si

www.plastice.org

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