NonOilen®: Made for a Cleaner Environment
Autor: prof. Ing. Pavol Alexy, PhD. – PANARA, a.s.
NonOilen® is an ecological alternative which can be used in various applications as a replacement of the commonly used plastic materials made from oil. It is a progressive 100% biodegradable material from renewable resources. The name NonOilen® was created by connecting of three words – NON – OIL – Environmental. Its main message is to say, “it is possible without oil”. NonOilen® is a polymer mixture that never becomes a waste, as it turns into biomass at the end of its life.
In the production of the NonOilen® bioplastic, an uncompromising, full-eco approach was chosen. The basic raw materials for the production of NonOilen® come exclusively from renewable sources, polymeric basis is created mainly by PLA, PHA, especially PHB and its copolymers, alternatively thermoplastic starch (TPS) can be applied. Organic additives (if they are used), are all fully biodegradable and compostable as well. Every product of NonOilen® bioplastic is fully compostable in industrial compost. Special types also decompose in home
compost or in the soil.
NonOilen® does not negative impact on the natural activity of the compost and does not pollute it. It is a part of a naturally occurring carbon cycle. NonOilen® materials decompose in the same way as other natural materials. The decomposition is a result of a biochemical action of microorganisms in compost or soil. Unlike the bioplastics available on the market, NonOilen® actually decomposes into water, non-fossil carbon dioxide and biomass in a biologically active environment without leaving microplastics in the environment. With it, we foster the idea of „giving back to nature what we taken from it“ foster the idea of „giving back to nature what was taken from it“.
As one of the few ecological substitutes for plastics, NonOilen® is fully recyclable in material recycling system, which will make it possible to extend its life cycle. Unlike classic synthetic plastics, material recycling in the case of NonOilen® is a truly sustainable solution, as the non-recyclable rest of NonOilen® can be composted without negative impact on the environment, thereby closing the life cycle of NonOilen® where it began – in the soil. It is a fully sustainable ecological solution in the field of new ecological materials.
Manufacturers do not have to adapt to the properties of NonOilen®, this material is modified according to processing requirements. Thanks to this, the spectrum of compostable
products can be really varied. In our opinion, this approach leads to sustainable solutions that bring positive results quickly, efficiently and in accordance with the requirements of today’s market.
NonOilen® application
Good processing properties and highly variable physical and mechanical properties turn NonOilen® into a widely applicable polymer material everywhere, where ecology and protection
of the environment is of importance. It is an ideal replacement for plastics with a short life span for various consumer segments ranging from conventional packages such as sacks, bags, blisters, secondary industrial and consumer packages, food industry packages and various consumer industry products to sophisticated materials for medicine and tissue engineering. With an appropriate combination of the NonOilen® blend composition together with technology of its manufacturing, it can act either highly rigid or highly flexible materials.
NonOilen® is suitable for standard plastics processing technologies, such as:
- injection moulding
- production of films (blow, cast)
- thermoforming
- 3D printing
- blowing of hollow products (EBM, IBM)
- technical fabrics (especially for agricultural applications)
- extrusion
- melt spinning
- melt pressing
- non woven-fabrics
- laminating
- production of boards
NonOilen® is very well processable by injection moulding. It can be used for production of various products like cups, toys, cutlery, bottles, bowls and etc. (Figure 1.)
For special applications, such as the gastro segment, NonOilen® can offer a material that provides the end products with a very good shape stability under elevated temperatures up to 100°C, special grades up to 120°C. This allows to design NonOilen® products for re-usable applications with the possibility of sanitation in industrial dishwashers. There are special
types of NonOilen® with very good water and oxygen barrier properties designed for packaging of foods which are sensitive to oxidation and humidity.
For processing of NonOilen®, no special equipment is needed. NonOilen® is supply in the form of pellets that are processable by conventional technologies designated for thermoplastic polymers processing. For processing of NonOilen® by injection moulding the following is recommended: Melt temperature should not exceed 190°C, optimally it should range from 155 to 165°C (barrel) and 175°C on the nozzle. Mould temperature in range between 30 and 70°C is recommended depending on the material composition and product geometry. If homogeneity of the melt is not perfect (unmelted pellets), higher back pressure on the barrel is recommended, rahter than higher temperature. Hot runner is also recommended.
Nonoilen® is a registered trademark of Panara, a.s. The company of Panara is the owner of patents and industrial know–how based on which he develops and manufactures a wide range of Nonoilen® materials at his production plant in Nitra, Slovakia, with a total capacity of more than 4 200 tons.
The environmental vision of Panara is focusing on development and production of new ecological plastics. Its goal is to replace the largest possible share of the commonly used plastics from fossil resources.
You can watch the presentation here: YouTube kanálu JAN SVOBODA s.r.o.
