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BIOPVC™ Film
June 25, 2007
- This is a rigid PVC product made from normal PVC resin and formulation for calender line production but is not limited to calendering. Extrusion or other processes utilizing PVC formulations can be made biodegradable.
- Ingredients are added to the base formula to make the PVC film biodegradable.
- There are no adverse effects to physical properties in any (clear, color, white, sheet or roll) of the PVC products.
- The only shortcoming is in the clear film where a slight haze is seen.
- Performance of the biodegradable PVC film is the same as the standard PVC film.
- Under normal every day usage of the bioPVC™ film, the material maintains its integrity.
- It can get wet, be left on the shelf, left in a wallet, printed on, vacuum formed, cut, embossed and UV treated without breaking down.
- The biodegradation process begins only when the bioPVC™ film is introduced into an environment (compost, both commercial and home, trash dump, the ground, lakes, rivers and the ocean) that allows microorganisms, which break down matter, to come into constant contact with the bioPVC™ film. Once that happens the “special ingredients” attract the microorganisms that begin to break the hydrogen-carbon chain that exists in the PVC. Once the chain is broken, this allows oxygen to enter which will attach itself to the hydrogen and carbon creating H2O and CO2 or as we know it as water and carbon dioxide. The lone chlorine atom bonds to a hydrogen atom creating a very weak salt that does not have any adverse effect on the ecosystem. The biodegradation process works in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. So the absence of oxygen or water will not keep the bioPVC™ film from biodegrading. All that is needed are the microorganisms.
- Is this considered a petroleum-based product? Yes, this has always been the case for PVC film. PVC is derived from ethylene, which is gotten from either oil or natural gas. PVC like other petroleum-based plastics (Polyethylene, polypropylene and the like) has been notorious for going into landfills and staying intact for many many years. It simply will not break down. Now with the introduction of the bioPVC™ film that is no longer true.
- After the bioPVC™ film is broken down in 9 months to 5 years, all that is left behind is matter that can be easily worked into the soil or water that has no toxic effect. Ecotoxicological tests were performed according to ASTM and CE standards and found the bioPVC™ film to pass. Meaning there are no ecologically damaging toxic remains during and after the bioPVC™ film biodegrades.
- There is a patent pending for this formulation that covers all grades of PVC.
- Other applications for this product besides print grade film are packaging, Christmas tree, box folding, and many other grades where PVC is used.
- The bioPVC product can be fully recycled in the current waste streams. The biodegrading aspect will not affect any product made from the scrap.
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