UK to develop biodegradable plastics

THE UK’S Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is contributing grants towards two composites projects – one to develop biodegradable plastics and the other to produce recyclable plastics.

The Combine project, led by composite research and consultancy company NetComposites, is to receive £278 000 and will work on developing biodegradable plastics durable enough to be used in car doors and boat hulls. The researchers say that existing biodegradable plastics products are not strong enough for structural components as natural fibres are only available as short fibres for injection moulding or as random mats for compression moulding. The majority of natural yarns are also twisted, making impregnation with viscous thermoplastic resins hard.

During the 30-month project, hemp and flax fibres will be spun into continuous filaments to be woven into high performance fabrics. After being combined with bio-plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), parts will be produced using vacuum bag moulding and compression moulding. Case study components to be produced by the project include a marine wheelhouse roof and a mobile baby incubator.

The second project, FuturePlas, aims to develop stronger, lightweight recyclable plastics. Polymer fibres will be used to reinforce polymers, creating a product with superior strength, stiffness and impact resistance when compared to traditional plastics. The researchers note that self-reinforced polypropylene sheet has already been developed but say that applications of the material are limited and it is not easily moulded into complex shapes.

The project will create polymers that can be used for the production of high performance, lightweight complex components by injection moulding and compression moulding. Three case study components will be produced – an automotive front end module, an automotive door casing and an industrial safety helmet. The DTI is giving £316 000 to the project, which is also being headed up by NetComposites.

Combine; www.combineproject.org.uk
FuturePlas; www.futureplas.org.uk
NetComposites; www.netcomposites.com

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