Bio-degradable and injection moldable resin for PE/PP alternatives
A bio-degradable resin using PLA/PHB biopolymers, designed to replace traditional plastics like PE/PP in injection molding. This eco-friendly solution uses CO2 foaming to achieve low density for efficient recycling separation, maintaining FDA compliance for food contact.
Overview
This innovative bio-degradable resin provides a sustainable alternative to traditional PE/PP plastics, leveraging the properties of biopolymers like PLA and PHB. These materials are FDA-approved for food contact applications, ensuring safety and compliance. The resin's unique formulation allows it to be injection moldable and suitable for various applications. One of the key features is its reduced density, achieved through CO2 foaming, which enables the resin to float and separate easily in water-based recycling systems, enhancing recyclability.
Technical specifications
- Biopolymer base: Utilizes PLA and PHB, known for their biodegradability and FDA compliance.
- Density control: Achieves a density of less than 1 g/cm³ through CO2 foaming, crucial for floatation and separation in recycling processes.
- Melt flow index tuning: Enhanced with bio-based plasticizers like Acetyl tributyl citrate and Epoxidized Soybean Oil to fine-tune melt viscosity without compromising biodegradability.
- Production process: Includes twin-screw extrusion and pelletization, followed by injection molding to test moldability under various conditions.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 3, this resin technology has undergone initial proof-of-concept validation, focusing on optimizing biopolymer mixtures and processing methods. The next steps involve further process refinement and scalability assessment to advance toward commercial readiness.
About Lambton College
Lambton College is a career‑focused public college in Sarnia, Ontario, recognized for hands‑on, industry‑aligned applied research. Companies engage through three NSERC‑funded Technology Access Centres—the Lambton Manufacturing Innovation Centre, the Bio‑Industrial Process Research Centre, and the Digital Technology Lab—which provide contract R&D, prototyping, testing, and process optimization. Facilities include a BSL‑2 lab, a Natural Health Products lab, and the Canadian Extrusion Research Laboratory, with teams based on campus and at the adjacent Western Sarnia‑Lambton Research Park, enabling rapid validation and scale‑up alongside a major regional energy and chemical manufacturing cluster. Applied research is supported by funding from NSERC, Mitacs, the Ontario Centre of Innovation, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Research Fund, and FedDev Ontario programs. A dedicated commercialization function offers IP strategy and licensing support, augmented by resources from Intellectual Property Ontario.
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