Polyolefin-Based Plastics

Polyolefin plastics are essentially polymers that are composed out of hydrocarbon molecules. These are typically obtained from fossil fuel that is, petroleum. After a relatively simple heat treatment in a refining (distillation) process, specific distillate fractions, being hydrocarbon 

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ASTM D 6662 Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards ... 

Polyolefin-Based Plastics from Biomass-Derived Monomers... 

Specification for Polyolefin-based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards, American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2007. 

M. Pracella, D. Chionna, R. Ishak et al., Recycling of PET and Polyolefin-based Packaging.. . by Reactive Blending, Polym.-Plastics Technol. Eng. 43(6), 1711-1722 (2004). 

Birk, S. Ibeh, C.C. Plastics in fuel cell applications an in-lab developed and fabricated molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) electrolyte matrix support with polyolefin-based binders. 57th Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Plastic Engineers, 1999 Vol. 2, 2629-2633. 

Details are given of the range of Intercide fungicides and bactericides from Akzo Chemicals for use in plastics. Factors affecting the performance of these products are discussed, and test methods for the assessment of biocidal activity in plastics are described Anew approach to protection is offered in the nature of the formation of biocidal surfaces for which Akzo also produces grades of Intercide, and further product developments are described which include the biocidal protection of polyolefins based on zinc pyrithione. 

Cellulose based plastics and certain PVC formulations are vulnerable to attack from microorganisms. Specific biocides are targeted at particular organisms and can be more precisely defined as bactericides, fungicides, etc. Antimicrobial additives are now widely used in polyolefin kitchenware and bathroom accessories to act in defence of substances coming into contact with the polymer. EUROPEAN COMMUNITY EUROPEAN UNION UK WESTERN EUROPE... 

The property envelope of polyolefins has been expanded by the direct synthesis, in the reactor, of novel alloys and blends with a balance of properties not possible ftom conventional, third-generation catalyst polymerization. Such advances in Ziegler-Natta polymerization technology show that polyolefin-based resins can continue to provide the most cost-effective solutions for a wide and ever-increasing range of plications in the global plastics market. 

Fay JJ. Stabilization of polyolefin based wood plastic composites. WPCs 2006, conference proceedings. Executive Conference Management 2006. 

Lehmann K, Malacari PE. Polyolefin based compounds scratch resistance guaranteed by functional alliance of talc and additive used. TPO Global Conference, conference proceedings. Society of Plastics Engineers 2008. 

The book addresses the most important biopolymer classes like polysaccharides, lignin, proteins and polyhydroxyalkanoates as raw materials for bio-based plastics, as well as materials derived from bio-based monomers like lipids, poly(lactic acid), polyesters, polyamides and polyolefines. Additional chapters on general topics - the market and availability of renewable raw materials, the importance of bio-based content and the issue of biodegradability - will provide important information related to all bio-based polymer classes. 

Basic stoichiometry teaches that for every 100 kg of polyolefin (polyethylene, PE polypropylene, PP) manufactured, a net 314 kg of CO2 is released into the environment at its end of life (100 kg of PE contains 85.7 kg carbon and upon combustion will yield (44/12) x 85.7 = 314 kg of CO2). Similarly, PET contains 62.5% carbon, which results in 229 kg of CO2 released into the environment at end of life. However, if the carbon in the polyester or polyolefin comes from biomass feedstock, the net release of CO2 into the environment is zero, because the CO2 released is sequestered in a short time period by the next crop or biomass plantation (Eigure 14.2). Thus, the fundamental value proposition for bio-based plastics arises from this intrinsic zero material carbon footprint and not necessarily from the process carbon footprint, which may be equal to or slightly better than current processes. 

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