Mazda teams with Mitsubishi Chemical to develop bio-based engineering plastic grade: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. and Mazda have jointly developed a new grade of Durabio, a bio-derived polycarbonate engineering plastic suitable for molding large cosmetic automotive parts. Durabio is based partially on isosorbide, which in turn is derived from sorbitol, a widely available natural feedstock. Mazda has adopted the material for the front grill of its new CX-5 compact crossover. Previously, French automaker Renault adopted Durabio in the outer mask of the speedometer-tachometer combo used by the new generation Clio. The material’s transparent nature means it is highly colorable, with pigment dispersion in colored compounds of a level that obviates the need for painting. Further, impact strength and weatherability are said to be superior compared with 100% petroleum-derived engineering plastics, while high surface hardness imparts good scratch resistance.
OK compost certification now part of TÜV AUSTRIA Group: As of 1 December 2017, TÜV AUSTRIA Group is taking over the OK compost label from the independent Belgian testing institute Vinçotte. TÜV AUSTRIA Group will integrate the OK compost activities, including the Seedling certification, from Vinçotte into TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. The Seedling label and the OK compost label both exist for over 20 years and identify products that are industrial compostable. They can be applied to a wide variety of product groups, including plastic bags, films, and various packaging materials. With its broad product certification portfolio and its wide network of partners outside Europe, OK compost operates in more than 40 countries.
Novamont doubles production of biopolyesters: Novamont, one of the world leaders in the development and production of bioplastics, announced that by the end of the first quarter of 2018, the production capacity of the subsidiary MATER-BIOPOLYMER will have increased from 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes per year of ORIGO-BI, a family of high-value polyesters derived from monomers from veg
