JSR Corporation (President: Mitsunobu Koshiba) has announced that significant improvements in key properties and characteristics have been achieved for its polylactic acid-based bioplastic, “BIOLLOY”. The material is showing good results in thin wall applications, which will enable lighter weight product and lead to a reduced cost of ownership for end users.<\/b><\/p>\n
The newly-developed “BIOLLOY” has improved compatibility with a petroleum-based plastic produced by a combination of JSR’s own technologies and polylactic acid, a plant-derived material, which has led to a drastic improvement in post-molding appearance, shock resistance and formability performance. Compared to existing bioplastics, “BIOLLOY” has five times the shock resistance and greatly improved strength, eliminating the “brittleness” that was considered a weakness of conventional bioplastics. These feature improvements are expected to reduce the amount of resin needed allowing for lighter-weight moldings and a reduced cost of ownership.<\/p>\n
In addition, depending on the application, the combination ratio of polylactic acid can be modified between 5~80% allowing users to achieve a flowability suitable to their processing method, such as injection molding, which is suited for molding complex shapes, blow molding, extrusion and film. Bioplastics have most recently been used in a variety of applications such as everyday household goods including detergent bottles, cosmetic containers, and food packaging.<\/p>\n
Implementation into a wider range of applications is expected, including main frames of home electrical appliances, OA devices, exterior components, and automotive interiors where durability and shock resistance are necessary.<\/p>\n
JSR has begun sales of “BIOLLOY” which contain alloys of ABS plastics, and polyolefin-based plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Subsequent developments leading to sales of thermoplastic are expected.<\/p>\n
Manufacturing and coloring will be conducted within the JSR Group to insure the consistent supply of high-quality products. The ABS plastic, which has been combined with “BIOLLOY”, is handled by Techno Polymer Co. Ltd., part of the JSR Group.<\/p>\n
Bioplastics have the property of being carbon neutral, as the plant raw material absorbs carbon dioxide. Bioplastics are gaining attention as a material that contributes to the conservation of petroleum resources. By utilizing its proprietary technologies, JSR will also strive to develop innovative materials and technologies that contribute to building a recycling-oriented society and to conserving the global environment.<\/p>\n