Terratek BD Biodegradables
Biodegradable resins are capable of playing a key role on our path to sustainable plastic production. While they will never completely eliminate the problem of plastic waste (since they are not suitable for all product applications), biodegradables can nevertheless be an important tactic in reducing pollution and waste in some instances.
The ability to compost single-use and other disposable items ensures that plastic waste won’t remain on the planet for hundreds of years, reduces the amount of methane gas emitted from landfills and could help to prevent humans from needing to designate ever-larger parcels of land for trash disposal. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), between 22 and 43 percent of plastic consumed globally finds its way into landfills. Biodegradable resins could help to bring this number down, reducing one of the longest lasting impacts of our plastic use.
Since plastic waste has a tendency to end up in our parks, waterways and other sensitive ecosystems, it’s important to verify when shopping for biodegradable resins that “biodegradable” does not simply mean the capability to disintegrate into pieces invisible to the naked eye. True biodegradability means the ability to be broken down by bacteria of other organisms. Since the rise of green consumer preferences has many companies trying to cash in on environmental benefits, it’s important to verify that a material meets common industry criteria for actual biodegradability.
Composite biodegradable resins from Green Dot
Terratek® BD biodegradable composites are created from a proprietary blend of starch-based ingredients and other materials.
Compared to similar types of biodegradable resins, Terratek BD 4015 provides a cost-effective alternative for producing heat-tolerant, bio-based compostable products. Ideal for producing disposable packaging materials and containers, it can be used in the manufacture of virtually any number of injection-molded industrial and consumer products, including durable products that can be composted at the end of their lifespan.
Produced as smooth white pellets, Terratek BD 4015 can be conveniently processed, formed and colored by finished goods manufacturers in accordance with their respective product needs and specifications. In addition to enabling products to maintain their physical integrity under moderate to high heat conditions, Terratek BD 4015 also possesses outstanding mechanical qualities, including strength and a unique combination of rigidity and pliability.
Creating a more sustainable plastic
Learn how we’re meeting demand for more sustainable goods without sacrificing quality or cost.
Advantages and benefits of biodegradable resins
As with all of our materials, Green Dot realizes that environmental sustainability can never come at the expense of performance. That’s why we’re adamant that, along with our materials meeting the most common industry standards for full biodegradability, we’ve also made sure they’re heat-resistant, of comparable strength with alternative materials and present no major manufacturing hurdles.
These biodegradable resins are extruded or injection-molded in much the same way as traditional plastics. Processing temperatures are often lower than with traditional plastics, which can lead to energy savings. The particular physical characteristics of Terratek BD are highly customizable based on the ratio of the natural to synthetic biodegradable fibers chosen.
Terratek BD is:
- Made with materials that meet industry standards for fully biodegradable
- Uniquely tolerant to heat conditions ranging from moderate to high
- A rare combination of strength, rigidity and pliability
- Easy for processing and taking on desired shape and color characteristics
Food packaging, disposable cutlery and other single-use items are crying out for a material solution. Producing exclusively petroleum-based disposable products, given what we know today about fossil fuel extraction and its impact on the environment, is rapidly moving toward indefensible. Biodegradable resins are capable of stepping in to reduce this burden.
And product applications for biodegradable resins aren’t confined to situations where they’re single-use or disposable, either. In some cases, biodegradability lends a product a distinct functional advantage. This is often true in gardening and agricultural applications where a product may need to lend short-term support or to act as a temporary barrier. Mulch films and plant pots are examples of such products.
- Packaging for food and other products
- Organic waste containers
- Gardening and other agricultural applications
- A wide variety of injection-molded products
If you’re envisioning a biodegradable version of your product, we’re interested in discussing it with you. Click here to schedule a product consultation and we’ll talk about whether Terratek BD from Green Dot is the right material for your product.