For decades, scientists have been researching biodegradable plastic compounds that can be used in mechanically stressed components and even medical implants. The jury is convinced that the company Arctic Biomaterials Qy from Tampere is now remarkably close to this goal.
With its glass-reinforced, PLA-based ArcBioxTM compounds, the start-up founded in 2014 is pushing the boundaries of several parameters previously thought possible with PLA compounds into new spheres. The biodegradability according to DIN EN 13432 is certified by TÜV Rheinland.
The fact that even glass fibers can be composted is so far unique. The fibers developed by Arctic Biomaterials can be broken down into alkalis, salts and acids under the influence of microbes and enzymes. As certified by TÜV, it does not only work under industrial conditions, but also in domestic compost and even in the sea.
In interaction with the specially modified PLA matrix, the glass fibers ensure impact strength and bending elasticity values that are comparable to those of reinforced polyamide and polypropylene - the materials that have been typical for technical applications to date.
In addition, the PLA-based ArcBioxTM materials impress with a heat resistance of over 100°C, which is untypical for such compounds. Nevertheless, some of them can be processed in injection molding at mold temperatures of 30°C. Another special feature is the short cycle times, up to just 20 seconds. This makes the bioplastics from Tampere ideal for large-scale production by injection molding, for example of thin-walled tableware or stable compostable packaging. To date, long cycle times (often 40 seconds or more) for bioplastics have regularly represented a major hurdle here.
