25 March 2008 BASF s latest biodegradable plastic material Ecobras is a blend of the firm s Ecoflex aliphatic aromatic co-polyester and a vegetable polymer derived from corn flour.
This contrasts to BASF s launch of its Ecovio material, created by blending Ecoflex and polylactide acid (PRW.com, 28 November 2005).
The new material has been developed by BASF Brazil together with the Brazilian subsidiary of Corn Products International and has 50% naturally reoccurring material content - as opposed to 45% for Ecovio.
Corn Products makes use of the 60% amide content of corn to create amylopectin and amylose glucose polymers used in Ecobras. This was revealed in a presentation made at the Brazilian Polymer Association last year by Leonora Novaes of BASF Brazil.
BASF Brazil said that the Biological Products Institute (BPI) in the USA has conferred the right for products made in Ecobras to carry its compostable logo , since the materials meet its requirements and those of the ASTM D6400 standard.
Presentations by BASF in Europe have still referred just to Ecoflex and the Ecovio blend. However, BASF Brazil has presented all three products including Ecobras in presentations made in Latin America, stating that Ecobras has been developed specifically for the region. The product was officially launched onto the Brazilian market last year.
Brazilian media suggested last year that Brazilian masterbatch producer Bevi Plastic is expected to produce the material, which should be supplied from Brazil to the entire Latin American region.
This contrasts to BASF s launch of its Ecovio material, created by blending Ecoflex and polylactide acid (PRW.com, 28 November 2005).
The new material has been developed by BASF Brazil together with the Brazilian subsidiary of Corn Products International and has 50% naturally reoccurring material content - as opposed to 45% for Ecovio.
Corn Products makes use of the 60% amide content of corn to create amylopectin and amylose glucose polymers used in Ecobras. This was revealed in a presentation made at the Brazilian Polymer Association last year by Leonora Novaes of BASF Brazil.
BASF Brazil said that the Biological Products Institute (BPI) in the USA has conferred the right for products made in Ecobras to carry its compostable logo , since the materials meet its requirements and those of the ASTM D6400 standard.
Presentations by BASF in Europe have still referred just to Ecoflex and the Ecovio blend. However, BASF Brazil has presented all three products including Ecobras in presentations made in Latin America, stating that Ecobras has been developed specifically for the region. The product was officially launched onto the Brazilian market last year.
Brazilian media suggested last year that Brazilian masterbatch producer Bevi Plastic is expected to produce the material, which should be supplied from Brazil to the entire Latin American region.
