If you are not a die-hard vegan, you may not have thought about the fact that plastics can contain ingredients of animal origin (ADC, animal derived components). Actega DS offers its customers the option of making all plastic formulations suitable for injection moulding and extrusion processes vegan on request.
In addition to the general trend of more and more consumers being careful not to consume animal products, concerns have also arisen about the safety of animal products. ADCs This has led to an increase in demand for ADC-free plastics, such as Actega DS reports. According to the report, products of animal origin find their way into plastic raw materials primarily via additives that are intended to prevent them from sticking to metal surfaces during injection moulding or extrusion, for example. In typical Polyethylene The fatty acids found in the oil are around 100 to 200 ppm (parts per million) of a long-chain fatty acid obtained from melted bovine fat.
Vegan additives for various industries
But also lubricants that are injected directly into the Extruder or the Injection moulding machine applied may contain ADCs, as well as agents that neutralise the acid produced during the Polymerisation is formed. Actega DS offers a wide range of ADC-free additives, so-called TPE compounds, for various industries.
In addition, the Altana In addition, the companies belonging to the Group also offer biobased or biodegradable plastics without ADC content, which are increasingly in demand. Demand for these products is rising: While the global production of Bioplastics In 2015, it was just 3.952 million tonnes, in 2018 it was already 4.728 million tonnes. According to forecasts, global production is set to rise to 6.111 million tonnes by 2021. The share of bioplastics in the global market is expected to rise from 1.7 per cent in 2016 to 2.49 per cent next year
Bioplastics can also contain animal products
Bioplastics can also contain animal products, reports Actega DS. The Institute of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering at the Graz University of Technology developed a fundamental option for the first time in 2012, Bioplastics from slaughterhouse waste. According to the institute, a whole range of products can be produced, from simple packaging material to bioimplants that can be broken down by the body within a set period of time.
ADC-free Material formulations The use of bioplastics would be particularly suitable where there could be contact between the plastic and a filling material. This is often the case with food, drinks, cosmetics and medicines. Medical products are also sensitive in this respect. ADC-free Bioplastics were therefore particularly often used for Packaging solutions for the food and beverage sector. One example is food storage boxes whose sealing material does not contain ADC.
Acetga DS at the K 2019: Hall 8A, Stand F 11-3
