Novamont

All of the organohalogen compounds studied were commercial products obtained from various manufacturers and used as received. Only the DBDPO was purified further by recrystallization for some of the chromatography and thermal analysis experiments. Samples of antimony trioxide and antimony pentoxide were also obtained from commercial sources. The ultrapure antimony trioxide, bismuth trioxide, bismuth metal, antimony metal, dibenzofuran and diphenyl ether were all obtained from Aldrich Chemicals. The poly(propylene) (PP) resin was 0.7 mfi, food grade from Novamont and the poly(ethylene) was unstabilized, high molecular weight, HDPE from American Hoechst. 

A particular mention goes to Mater-Bi, produced by Novamont, who have revolutionised starch-based biomaterials for two decades. The commercial success of this biodegradable and biocompostable plastic relies on two main factors the scale economy that allows the reduction of costs, and the diversity of formulations to develop different end products (plastic bags, tableware, toys, etc.). More than 210 references in Chemical Abstracts are available on this (registered) keyword, and the number of patents related to different formulations and developments is also impressive. Mater-Bi can be essentially described as a blend of starch with a small amount of other biodegradable polymers and additives. The actual compositions are still known only by a very few people. 

During the same period, commercialization of thermoplastic starch polymer blends was pursued by Novamont, a division of the Ferruzzi Group of Italy.162-172 Their products, marketed under the trade name Mater-Bi, are typically comprised of at least 60% starch or natural additive and hydrophilic, biodegradable synthetic polymers.64,165 It is stated that these blends form interpenetrated or semi-interpenetrated structures at the molecular level. Properties of typical commercial formulations have properties similar to those in the range of low- and high-density PE. Blends of Mater-Bi products with biodegradable polyesters have been claimed for use as water impervious films.173... 

There are around thirty suppliers actively involved in the world biodegradable polymers market in 2005. The synthetic biopolymers market is dominated by large, global and vertically integrated chemical companies such as BASF, DuPont, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals. The starch and PLA sectors contain mainly specialist biopolymer companies such as Novamont, NatureWorks LLC, Rodenburg Biopolymers and Biotec, which were specifically established purely to develop biodegradable polymers. 

The leading suppliers are Novamont, NatureWorks, BASF and Rodenburg Biopolymers, which together represent over 90% of the European market for biodegradable plastics. 

Following the sale of the film business to Novamont in 2000, Biotec offers starch-based materials for foodservice products and pharmaceutical applications. 

Mater-Bi as produced by Novamont. Caprolactone limits moisture sensitivity, boosts melt strength, and helps plasticise the starch. 

Eastar Bio (now owned by Novamont) is also based on a co-polyester composed of terephthalic acid, adipic acid and 1,4-butanediol, but due to some special modifications the material properties are different. 

In 2005, there were very few biodegradable polymer production plants operating on a fully commercial scale. NatureWorks LLC, Novamont, Rodenburg Biopolymers and BASF are currently the only major operators with significant production capacity. Nevertheless, the world biopolymers market has shown significant growth during the last five years or so, albeit from a very small base. 

In 2005, the four leading European biodegradable plastics material suppliers BASF, Nature Works, Novamont and Rodenburg Polymers, have also agreed to submit their packaging materials and products for certification by Din Certco under EN 13432, and label their packaging products with the compostability logo to better inform consumers and retailers. 

Italian company Novamont has since emerged as the leading supplier of starch-based polymers. Novamont started its research activities in 1989 as part of the Montedison group and its Mater-Bi polymers were commercialised in 1990 with the opening of a 4,000 tonnes per annum plant at Terni in Italy. Novamont further consolidated its leading position in starch-based polymers in 1997 with the acquisition of worldwide patents belonging to Warner-Lambert and has continued to grow the business very successfully since then. 

Fortune Plastics is one of the top five plastic waste disposal bag manufacturers in the USA. In 2005, the company introduced COMP-LETE, a biodegradable and compostable waste disposal bag made from Novamont s Mater-Bi polymers. COMP-LETE has been certified by the US Biodegradable Products Institute. 

Novamont began its research activities in 1989 being then a part of the Italian chemical group Montedison. Since then, the company has invested over 60m in R D activities for its Mater-Bi family of biodegradable plastic materials, the acquisition of patents from Biotec GmbH Co KG and in the development of its latest biodegradable product, Mater-Foam . 

In September 2004, Novamont acquired the Eastar Bio technology of Eastman Chemical for an undisclosed sum. The deal includes all patents and technology rights but not production facilities or distribution channels. Eastman introduced its biodegradable polymer in 1997 and since then has invested more than 75m in the project. The resin is used commercially for single-trip disposable packaging, as well as for barrier films and waste-bin liners. Eastman has a 15,000 tonnes per annum production plant at Hartlepool in the UK, which was started up in 1999, for production of Eastar Bio products. 

The technology acquired from Eastman will enhance the market position of Novamont in polyester and starch-based polyester systems and will allow Novamont not only to complement its existing portfolio but also speed up the internal development of polyesters from renewable raw materials. 

Under the Mater-Bi trademark, Novamont produces different classes of starch-based biodegradable materials and blends of starch with synthetic polymers. Each class is available in several grades to meet the needs of specific applications. Classes include grades for film and sheet extrusion, injection moulding and foams. 

Injection moulding Mater-Bi can be injection moulded using normal injection presses, with cold runners or hot chamber injection systems. The maximum injection temperature is less than 200 °C. Novamont claims that about 10% of the scraps can be reused in injection moulding, which is about the same as traditional plastics. Mater-Bi can be coloured using the Mater-Bi-based, biodegradable masterbatches. 

Polytetramethylene adipate/terephthalate (PTMT) from Novamont... 

The three most prominent global suppliers of synthetic biodegradable polymers are BASF, Novamont, which acquired Eastman Chemicals Eastar Bio product portfolio in 2005, and DuPont. 

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