Melt-blown compostable  polyester films with lignin, TAPPI JOURNAL March 2017

ABSTRACT: Compostable films for such uses as packaging and agricultural soil covering materials were first produced on commercial scale from blends of biodegradable polyesters and a modified kraft lignin. The lignin consisted of an industrial product isolated according to the LignoBoost process. The lignin modification involved homogeneous phase reaction with propylene oxide, and the films were melt-blown from a pelletized compound consisting of up to a 30% blend of lignin derivative with commercial biodegradable polyester. The 12–93 µm thick films combined the characteristics of lignin as modulus-building and environmentally degradable polymer with those of the strength-building thermoplastic polyester. Although the modified lignin paralleled the behavior of native lignin in wood by resisting rapid and full conversion to carbon dioxide in a simulated composting environment, two thirds of the film mass biodegraded within 12 weeks of composting, with the remainder turning into (humus-like) water-soluble solids and particles <2 mm in size. The lignin derivatives suffered from the release of trace amounts of malodorous volatiles containing reduced sulfur when subjected to melt-blowing. The objectionable odor was virtually unnoticeable in injection-molded solid parts.

Application: The use of kraft lignin as a contributing thermoplastic polymer component of melt-blown film and injection-molded products from sustainable resources with environmental compatibility helps the kraft pulping proCess advance toward a multi-purpose biorefining technology with increased income potential.

TAPPI conference proceedings and presentations, technical papers, and publication articles provide technical and management data and solutions on topics covering the Pulp, Paper, Tissue, Corrugated Packaging, Flexible Packaging, Nanotechnology and Converting Industries.

Simply select the quantity, add to your cart and your conference paper, presentation or article will be available for immediate download.