The document discusses innovative natural fibre reinforced bio-composite granules for sustainable applications. It introduces GreenGran granules which can replace traditional plastics for sustainable uses, and SoGreen's polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules which are biodegradable alternatives for disposable applications. Examples of product development applications are provided for waterworks, electronics housing, and consumer goods. The benefits of these materials include being renewable, biodegradable, and providing good mechanical and thermal properties to replace oil-based plastics while being more sustainable. China is mentioned as a production location for these types of bioplastics.

1. Innovative Natural Fibre Reinforced Bio-Composite Granules
for Cradle to Cradle Solutions – China in our hands?
Cradle-to-Cradle
Martin H.B. Snijder
j
3th International Congress on Bio-based Plastics and Composites
April 20th –21st 2010, HANNOVER MESSE
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2. Introduction
Our world in the 21st century fundamentally differs
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from the 20th century:
• Economically due to
credit crunch
• Ecologically due to
climate change
• Geo-politically due to
rising energy needs
d
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3. The past – Waste equals waste
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Cradle to Grave
Take, Make, Waste!
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4. Paradigm shift needed
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“The world will not evolve past its
current state of crisis by using
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the same thinking that created
the situation.”
situation
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5. A new way of thinking: Cradle-to-Cradle
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Michael Braungart & William McDonough
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6. Two interdependent metabolisms
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Technical nutrients Biological nutrients
= =
technical recycling biological recycling
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7. The future - Waste equals food
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Cradle to Cradle
Take, Make, Generate!
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8. What is GreenGran?
 Production and sales natural fibre bio-composite
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granules for injection-moulding applications
 A
Agency for bio-degradable C2C plastic granules
f bi d d bl l ti l
for film-, foil-, foam- and glue applications
 Development of new bio-
composite grades:
• Oil-based matrices
• Bio-based matrices
• Recycle- and biodegradable
• FR-V0 and HH
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9. What and where
 Fibres used: h
Fib d hemp, fl
flax,
Marketing &
kenaf, jute, rami
Sales
R&D, (N-China)
 Plastics used: PP, PLA,
l d A Marketing
Marketing &
PHB & Sales
Sales
(EU)
(W-China)
 Both standard- and
h d d d Production,
tailor-made Marketing
& Sales
compositions (Asia)
 Master batches
 UL94 from HB up till
V0/5VB
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10. Sustainable NF/(bio)plastic granules  technical recycling
Natural Composite Injection Final product
fibres, granules moulding assembly
(bio)plastics compounding
Materials Component Product Product
re- re- re- demand &
processing processing processing use
Product End-of-life
collection & product
inspection
i ti disposal
di l
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11. Highlighting GreenGran’s product quality
g g g p q y
Our granules compete with engineering plastics:
 lighter, stiffer, equally strong
 Economic competitive
 Flame retardant
 From small to large objects
 Recycle-able or bio-degradable (C2C)
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12. Examples in product development: Waterworks
• Riverbank erosion
blockage
• Dyke reinforcement
• Artificial reef
• Fundament for
coral- and mangrove
growth
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13. Examples in product development: Waterworks
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14. Examples in product development: Waterworks
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15. Examples in product development: E&E housing
Housings of electrical appliances:
 GSM charger
 GPS
 Battery tray
 Replacement of FR-ABS
 Halogen-free FR additives
 UL94 from HB up till V0/5VB
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16. Examples in product development: Consumer goods
chairs
Cosmetic
containers
Toys
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17. Pro’s and cons
 Technical competition unfilled- vs filled- vs
reinforced plastic:
• Mechanical properties following 20-30% glassfibre (GF) reinforced,
20 30%
impact properties lower than most unfilled plastics
• Lower melt flow = lower throughput , unless nozzle is widened
 For economic competition with:
• Unfilled plastic: only by reducing weight or by following C2C
economics, or to market it as bio-based product
• Ch lk carbon, etc fill d plastics: id
Chalk, b t filled l ti idem
(Glass fibre reinforced) engineering plastics: OK
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18. Biodegradable PLA/PHB granules  biological recycling
Bio-refinery Plant
Starch Glucide
CO2 + H2O PHB’s
Biodegrade Substitute Plastics
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19. PHA Advantages for disposable applications
Source Renewable Polyester obtained from sugars’ fermentation
Mechanical Good Adjustable
Thermal
Th l Good
G d High
Hi h HDT
Processability Good Processable in existing production machines
Durability Good No degradation during usage
Bio- 3-6 months for fully bio-degraded into water &
Good
degradability CO2
Green Aspect Good Zero carbon emission.
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20. PHA Family
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PHBV P(3HB-co-3HV) ICI: Biopol, TianAn
PHBHx P(3HB-co-3HHx) Kaneka, TsingHua Uni.
PHBO P(3HB-co-3HO) P&G: Nodax (stopped)
P3HB P(3HB) Biomer
PHB P(3HB-co-4HB) SoGreen Metabolix
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21. PHA Family
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PHBV P(3HB-co-3HV) ICI: Biopol, TianAn
PHBHx P(3HB-co-3HHx) Kaneka, TsingHua Uni.
PHBO P(3HB-co-3HO) P&G: Nodax (stopped)
P3HB P(3HB) Biomer
PHB P(3HB-co-4HB) SoGreen Metabolix
Production in
Tianjin, China
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22. Performance Advantage of SoGreen’s PHB
Capability of producing varieties of copolymers, or compositions
copolymers compositions,
by adjusting polymerization ratios, thus having broad
application potential
Our PHB granules can be
used for making:
– films
– foils
– foams
– adhesives
– rubber additives
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23. Concluding …
For sustainable applications to replace
applications,
traditional engineering plastics by
bio-based alternatives  use
‘GreenGran’ NF/PP, NF/PLA/PHB
For disposable applications, to replace
traditional oil-based plastics by
bio-degradable alternatives  use
‘SoGreen’ PHB
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24. End of presentation
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 Thank you for your
attention!
 For more info:
– Contact us, f.i. via
info@greengran.com
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+31 (0)85 785 7501
– Through our website:
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www.greengran.com.hk
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