VIBA Laboratories have developed some innovative masterbatches based on bio-polymers.Nowadays the growing interest in ecological problems, such that of environmental preservation and that of reduction of CO2 emission, has led some sectors engaged in the transformation of plastics to a partial conversion to positive innovations.
A widespread fame has been gained by PLA, bioplastic of natural origin which comes from 100% annually renewable resources, coming from sugars extracted from corn. Let’s imagine a polymer derived from renewable resources instead of oil, a polymer offering much more disposal options and which therefore turns out to be considerably environmentally friendly if compared to oil based plastics.
It is not pure imagination: sugar is extracted from corn and is then fermented to create lactic acid which is then transformed into the new bio-polymer called Polylactic Acid (PLA). It is now ready to be used for packaging, for the production of bottles, shoppers and of many other items of daily use.
Being derived from plants and not from oil, its production requires a reduced energy consumption (-68%) and emission of harmful gasses. Anyway its features are equivalent to those of polymers having a different origin: in fact it offers a considerable gloss and clarity equally to polystyrene, a great resistance to tensile strength, to oils and odours. Let’s not forget its excellent heat sealability at high temperatures just like that provided by polyolefin resins.
In order to face these increasing demands VIBA Laboratories have developed some innovative masterbatches based on bio-polymers. Such new range is suggested for many different uses offering masterbatches such as Vibatan Pla Nucleating Agent 03413, which has been created to meet the growing request of the market to use masterbatches having a Polylactic Acid support and to be used for the transformation of bio-polymers.
Or Vibatan Pla Blue Antiox 97838 which increases the polymer thermal stability during processing and helps to keep under control the yellowing caused by thermal exposures. The presence of the bluish agent contrasts the high yellow index which is typical of the neutral Polylactic Acid and gives the end product a bluish shade that leads to a more attractive look of the same.
VIBA is in the position to supply coloured masterbatches having "taylor made" shades , but in particolar which comply with the current Regulations on composting and biodegradability (UNI EN 13432:2000).
