VEnvirotech specializes in the production of bioplastic formulations from organic waste. Our products are primarily base bioplastics incorporating bio-based additives from sustainable sources. Our base bioplastics are PHA as well as other bioplastics like PLA in varying blends for specific applications.
In the case of PHA, extraction, and processing of the bioplastic use specialized bacteria strains, eco-friendly solvents, and optimized unit operations. In the case of other bioplastics and biomaterials used, the waste materials used undergo proper treatment to remove impurities and achieve the right consistency. VEnvirotech bioplastics are focused on 3 main plastic technologies; 3D printing, injection molding, and flexible films. Each bioplastic formulation is tailored to achieve the rheological and thermomechanical parameters required for optimal processing using targeted technology.
The following sections provide further information on the applications of our bioplastic formulations in each of these technologies.
In recent years, 3D printing has expanded the possibilities of production and prototyping beyond what can be achieved using conventional production methods. At the center of modern 3D printing technology is innovation using sustainable materials This is why VEnvirotech has focused on developing a dedicated range of bioplastics for 3D printing. The VEOfiber Premium 3D from VEnvirotech incorporates 30% fibers and minerals recovered from waste. It is uniquely formulated for 3D printing using FDM or FFF.
Whether you’re 3D printing biomedical parts such as prosthetics, or scaffolds or designing eco-friendly electronic parts, pieces of jewelry, or any of the numerous applications of 3D printing technology, VEnvirotech’s VEOfiber premium 3D is a bioplastic range specially formulated for 3D printability.
As the world increasingly demands eco-friendly products that not only are made from eco-friendly materials but also help solve global environmental problems, VEnvirotech has sought to address the problem of waste and plastic pollution by not only developing biodegradable plastics, we also have developed innovative ways to incorporate food wastes within our bioplastics.
VEOfiber premium 3D has been formulated with 30% natural additives obtained from food waste. You can choose from variations of VEOfiber premium 3D formulated using either bagasse, egg shells, or oyster shells as additives. VEOfiber achieves 3D printability using biodegradable and biobased material whereas many plastics make use of additives which often have an adverse environmental impact.
The challenge for any 3D printing plastic is to retain its properties throughout the processing where it experiences high shear and heating. The VEOfiber Premium 3D achieves this by not only its unique blend of base polymers but also by optimized incorporation of additives for optimum heat and shear resistance.
VEOfiber Premium 3D range also meets another key requirement of 3D printable materials of solidifying quickly enough upon being released from the 3D printer nozzle such that solidification happens quickly enough and the layers are strongly fused.
This range of 3D printable bioplastics is optimally formulated to achieve the hemorheological characteristics that avoid printing problems like flow blockage or inconsistent melt release.
The VEOfiber premium 3D incorporates 30% natural fibers and minerals that have been recovered from industries to achieve a biodegradable and compostable material with a 3D printing capability superior to that of PLA.
VEOfiber premium 3D grades with fibers from bagasse or mineral bioloads extracted from egg or oyster shells can be easily processed into 3D printing filaments. These filaments are well adapted for fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing which is the most common 3D printing technology.
Those in the injection molding industry will be familiar with the myriad of problems processors can run into when producing bioplastic products using injection technologies. Warped parts, specs, short shots, and poor ejection are only a few. Such clients understand the time and cost that can be saved by investing in a material that has been specially formulated for injection technologies.
VEnvirotech offers 6 different ranges of bioplastic formulations for injection technologies that meet the requirement for injection technologies like injection molding and blow molding.
Injection technologies can vary widely, with each product having different requirements. VEnvirotech offers consultation to clients where you can discuss your specific production needs with our team of experts.
Bioplastics can be injection molded in the same way as conventional fossil-derived plastics. However, since bioplastics are more prone to degradation during thermal processing, therefore bioplastics must be formulated to improve their heat resistance and shear resistance.
This is also similar to conventional plastics where additives are used to improve the melt viscosity and heat resistance of some plastics to ensure they survive the injection molding process.
It is also important that the settings of the injection molding machine are optimal to ensure the bioplastics are not degraded during production. The temperature is kept below the temperature at which degradation occurs in the bioplastic being processed.
The screw selection should ensure the feed, compression, and metering zone are well-matched to the bioplastic. If the metering zone is too long it could expose the bioplastic to unnecessary shear. If the compression zone is too long, it exposes the bioplastic to the melting temperature for too long and this could result in overheating and hence degradation.
VEnvirotech has improved on existing bioplastics and offers 6 different grades of unique bioplastic formulations for injection molding. These include the VEOfiber EcoPotatoPeel, VEOfiber inject blend BagasseEggshell, VEOfiber inject EcoEggshell, VEOfiber inject EcoOysterShell, VEOfiber inject EcoPaperCellulose, and the VEOfiber inject EcoBeerBagasse.
Each comes with manufacturer recommendations on injection molding. VEnvirotech’s team of experts are also available to offer consultation to aid you in selecting the right grade of our bioplastics that best suits your need. We also provide custom formulations outside of those listed in our product catalog to meet the need for specific applications.
The key challenge to the production and manufacture of flexible bioplastics has been the ability to produce bioplastics with properties that match the performance of conventional synthetic plastics.
With flexible packaging making up an estimated 26% of global plastics production, Catering to this market using bioplastics offers a sustainable growth path for the industry. VEnvirotech’s collection includes bioplastic grade targeted for producing flexible bioplastic products.
VEnvirotech has developed specialized strains of bacteria that have been carefully isolated to ensure optimal biosynthesis of the bioplastics. Highly efficient separation and purification processes ensure that the bio-based bioplastics are obtained in the purest form free of impurities that may affect the properties of the bioplastics, like their flexibility.
The stages that require heating such as evaporation and solvent recovery are carried out at the lowest possible temperature to prevent degradation of the bioplastics. VEnvirotech production process ensures consistency of properties like molecular weight, biodegradability, and elasticity.
Consistency is further achieved using our specialized bacteria employed in biomass pretreatment. This takes biomass waste containing a variety of food components and converts them into volatile fatty acids (VFAs). These VFAs can be more efficiently converted to bioplastics.
VEnvirotech has developed the VeoFiber film, a PLA formulation that is optimized for the production of biodegradable flexible films. It is compatible with most plastic film production processes like film casting and extrusion. The VeoFiber film is heat sealable, a great feature for packaging applications. It can be used in its translucent white form, however, it can also be easily colored.
VEnvirotech has a dedicated team of experts at our labs constantly innovating to expand the possibilities of bioplastics. Our bioplastics are available in different grades to meet a wide variety of applications and specifications.
We offer advisory on bioplastics for a variety of industry applications. We also provide key information in our product sheets on mechanical properties, biodegradability, and formulation.
VEnvirotech provides custom formulations outside of those listed in our product catalog to meet the need of specific applications.
Contact VEnvirotech today to order from our wide range of biodegradable and biocompatible bioplastics.