Showa Denko to start producing bio-based biodegradable plastic

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Showa Denko KK said Friday it has succeeded in producing biodegradable polyester resin Bionolle on a commercial scale using bio-derived succinic acid at its Tatsuno Plant in Hyogo Prefecture.

Bionolle, which can be fully decomposed after use into water and carbon dioxide, has been used in compost bags and mulch films. To reduce CO2 emissions and better protect the environment, Showa Denko has worked to use bio-derived raw materials. Specifically, the company has developed the volume production technology for Bionolle that uses succinic acid made from starches or sugars. This means that about 50% of main raw materials for Bionolle are now bio-derived. As for Bionolle Starcla, in which starch is mixed with Bionolle, the ratio can be increased to about 70%. Both of Bionolle and Bionolle Starcla have been certified compostable by OK Compost and DIN CERTCO according to EN13432.

The product is being test-marketed to some customers, including Natur-Tec, a division of Northern Technologies International Corp, a U.S.-based global bioplastics products manufacturer. The company is already using conventional grades of Bionolle for certain high-volume consumer goods packaging applications developed by Harita-NTI Ltd, its joint-venture in India.