PAWTUCKET, RI, U.S.A., May 19, 2010: With the recent development of color concentrates for use with PHBV bioplastics, Teknor Color Company now provides fully bio-based colorants for the four most widely processed bio- and petrochemical-based biodegradable resins, the company announced today.
Each of the concentrate series is now in commercial use, is classified as a bio-based material in accordance with ASTM D6866, and meets ASTM D6400 requirements for composting in an aerobic facility (see table).
The Teknor Color bio-based product range includes concentrates with four different carrier polymers that are compatible, respectively, with these four biodegradable resin families:
● PHBV. The newest series of color concentrates developed by Teknor Color Company were formulated for this subclass of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastic family. PHBV is polyhydroxyl butyrate / valerate.
- PHB. In 2009, Teknor Color collaborated with Telles to develop color concentrates for use with that company’s Mirel™ PHB (polyhydroxyl butyrate) bioplastics, part of the PHA class.
- PLA. Teknor Color introduced concentrates for use with polylactic acid bioplastics in 2008 and has since supplied colorants for a wide range of PLA applications.
- PBAT. For use with this petrochemical-based biodegradable copolyester, Teknor Color now offers concentrates with either bio-based or petrochemical-based carrier resins.
One noteworthy recent application of a Teknor Color concentrate for use with Mirel resin is the green clip of the new Paper Mate® biodegradable pen and mechanical pencil.
“Today Teknor Color supplies manufacturers of biodegradable products ranging from can liners to food service ware to writing instruments, and we are developing new formulations to broaden the range of bioplastic resins with which our concentrates can be used,” said John Wood, technical manager. “Through synergy with our sister business, the Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex, we are technologically well positioned to be a leading source of colorants for what promises to be a vast and diverse bioplastics sector in the plastics industry.”
### MIREL is a tradename for bioplastics from Telles, a joint venture of Metabolix, Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Company.
