Chemistry

Bioplastics such as PLA (polylactide) are now used in many areas - from food packaging to dowels or children's toys. Nevertheless, their share is still low compared to conventional plastics based on fossil raw materials. The same applies to composites, which have to exhibit certain properties and therefore consist of different plastics. Here, too, there are now partially or completely bio-based materials. Researchers at the IfBB at Hannover University of Applied Sciences now want to prove that bioplastics can also withstand high temperatures and stresses.

From offices to classrooms: Air filters have been booming since the outbreak of the pandemic. They can be used to remove virus-laden aerosols from rooms and thus reduce the risk of infection. Ideally, filter materials should also be environmentally friendly. For this reason, researchers from the Zuse community have taken a close look at nonwovens made of bioplastics as filter materials and examined them for filter performance and durability.

What remains after harvesting usually ends up in the biogas plant and is used for energy. The resulting fermentation residues are often taken as fertilizer in agriculture because of their high nutrient content. Researchers from the German Institute of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf have now shown that the recycling chain for fermentation residues does not have to end in the field, but that they can be further processed in industry as a raw material.

Household sponges, mattresses, car seats or insulating walls: it is hard to imagine everyday life without foams, whether hard or soft. However, the production of the petroleum-based material is not very environmentally friendly. Researchers at Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences think it's time for a change: Together with partners from seven countries, the team led by polymer chemist Sergiy Grishchuk wants to make foam and composite materials more sustainable.

Whether cream or lotion: natural cosmetics are in vogue. More and more manufacturers are therefore turning to natural ingredients to respond to the growing demand. BASF Care Creations is now launching a natural ingredient for skin care products. At the end of June, the Ludwigshafen-based company announced the launch of a new biopolymer called Hydagen Clean. It is designed to replace synthetic polymers in facial care, body care and styling products. According to the company, Hydagen Clean is made from 100% natural and renewable raw materials and is biodegradable.

One focus of the German sustainability strategy is the optimal use of raw materials in the sense of the circular economy. This includes the recovery of plastics made from fossil raw materials such as polypropylene (PP). Polypropylene contains the finite resource petroleum and is the second most important plastic of all. It is used primarily for packaging, but also in electronics and automotive engineering. However, PP is also a component of products such as carpets, which are made of composite materials and are difficult to recycle.

At the third edition of the Science Year discussion series "Karliczek. Impulse.", the spotlight was on industrial biotechnology and its little helpers. A free online talk entitled "Biotechnology makes it possible - innovations for greater sustainability" was held on June 16.

Popcorn is a popular snack - but that's not all. The grains could also be a new resource for replacing conventional plastic or Styrofoam. A team led by Göttingen researcher Alireza Kharazipour has spent ten years taking a closer look at popcorn grains to find out whether they are suitable for the production of new sustainable products. As a result, a process has been developed with which 3D molded bodies for various packaging can be produced from a popcorn granulate.