Industrialization of new biodegradable engineering plastics

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Industrialization of New Biodegradable Engineering Plastics Author/Source: Sinochem News Network Date: May 25, 2020 Clicks: 4 On May 19th and 21st, the new biodegradable copolyesters PBST and PBAT, developed by Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company of Sinopec, were put into industrial production using 10,000 tons– scale polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) manufacturing facilities. This marked a breakthrough in making conventional materials more environmentally friendly within the engineering plastics industry, and it contributed to the advancement of the industrialization of biodegradable materials both domestically and internationally. Yizheng Chemical Fibers built a new PBT production line using the continuous esterification method and refined terephthalic acid (PTA) as raw material by introducing advanced technology; through adaptation, absorption of knowledge, and innovation, it has since established two more domestic production lines, with an annual production capacity of 150,000 tons. The product structure has been organized into 24 categories, including fibers, modified materials, optical cables, fiber-type products, films, low-melting-point materials, and elastomers. Through collaborative efforts among industry, academia, and research institutions, Yizheng Chemical Fibers is accelerating the development of production technologies as well as market applications for the new biodegradable copolyester materials PBST and PBAT, in order to seize new opportunities in the competitive landscape of the engineering plastics industry. Since the beginning of this year, Yizheng Chemical Fiber has made accelerating the industrialization of PBST and PBAT key priorities in its scientific and technological efforts. It has established a collaborative working mechanism that brings together experts in areas such as scientific research and development, production technology, safety and environmental protection, as well as analysis and testing. This project was designated as part of the “100-Day Action Plan for Achieving Results,” and as a result, the \"last mile\" toward industrial production was successfully overcome. Analysis of the test data shows that the key quality indicators for PBST and PBAT have met the expected goals. PBST and PBAT are copolymerized thermoplastic biodegradable plastics formed during the PBT polymerization process by incorporating new monomers. They combine the excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties of aromatic polyesters with the biodegradability of aliphatic polyesters; under composting conditions, they can be converted into water and carbon dioxide. They are among the most actively researched biodegradable plastics currently, as well as those with the best market application prospects. They can replace conventional materials such as polyolefins and polyesters, and are widely used in areas such as disposable daily items, packaging materials, and agricultural films. They represent an important approach to addressing the problem of plastic \"white pollution\".