July 2, 2010 - Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. and Teijin Limited announced today their joint development of a highly heat-resistant polylactide (PLA) molding compound made 80% from plant-based renewable feedstock and providing significantly reduced molding cycle time of around half that of conventional PLA compounds.
From this month, Panasonic Electric Works will begin selling the new material as its MBA900H PLA molding compound for use in the housings of cell phones and other mobile devices and digital consumer electronics. The initial goal is 1,000 tons of annual production by fiscal 2012 ending in March 2013.
The bioplastic used in the MBA900H is Teijin's BIOFRONTTM, a highly heat-resistant PLA with a melting point of at least 210°C, which is significantly higher than that of conventional PLA. BIOFRONTTMalso shows better hydrolytic stability and achieves semi-crystallization in just 20-25% of the time required with conventional PLA.
Panasonic Electric Works successfully developed the MBA900H molding compound using its proprietary compound-design and production technologies. The new material has been proven in testing conducted by the company to shorten molding cycle time by roughly half compared to conventional PLA compounds.
Efforts to shift from oil-based to biomass-based plastics are increasing as companies look for ways to help protect the global environment and create sustainable societies. Bioplastics, for example, are being used increasingly in consumer electronics, automotive interiors and other areas, but conventional PLA has low heat resistance and limited injection-molding capability because of its longer molding cycle time. Molding compounds have been developed by mixing PLA with oil-based plastics, but attaining the desired levels of heat resistance and moldability has required a high ratio of oil-based plastic.
The MBA900H solves these problems as a molding compound that combines high biomass ratio with superior heat resistance and moldability.
Teijin will continue to accelerate its cultivation of new applications and markets for BIOFRONTTM, which already is used in clothing, interior goods, automobiles and consumer electronics. Teijin aims to mass produce some 5,000 tons of BIOFRONTTMin fiscal 2011, and then eventually several tens of thousands of tons of this advanced bioplastic.
