Bio-based additives industry definition
Auxiliaries, also known as additives, are an indispensable part of the polymer material industry. Bio-based auxiliaries refer to auxiliaries made from biomass or materials obtained through biological manufacturing as raw materials. Bio-based additives have the characteristics of green, environmental protection, low toxicity or non-toxicity, and renewable sources. They can replace fossil-based additives and effectively alleviate the shortage of resources. It is one of the important ways for sustainable development. The reference standard GB/T 39514-2020 "Definition, Terminology and Labeling of Bio-based Materials" can classify bio-based material additives into bio-based plasticizers, bio-based flame retardants, bio-based adhesives, and bio-based lubricants , bio-based cleaners, bio-based surfactants and other bio-based additives.
Bio-based plasticizers
A plasticizer is an organic substance that is added to a polymer to increase its plasticity, optimize its processing properties, and endow products with softness. Traditional plasticizers represented by phthalates are generally volatile, and when they penetrate or migrate out of the polymer, they will lose flexibility and affect product quality. And phthalate plasticizers are generally toxic, harmful to the reproductive system and have a carcinogenic risk.
Bio-based flame retardants
The mechanism of action of flame retardants: inhibiting the production of one or more elements when the material burns, so as to prevent or slow down the burning. Halogen-based flame retardants will produce toxic substances such as hydrogen halide and dioxin at high temperature, which are harmful to human body. Since 2006, European and American countries have begun to strictly restrict the application of halogen flame retardants. The reason why bio-based materials can replace halogen-based flame retardants: bio-based materials have high carbon content, polyhydroxyl structure, and excellent carbon-forming properties. Generally, biomass alone is used as a flame retardant, and the flame retardant effect of PLA is not good, so it needs to be modified or compounded with other flame retardants. However, when the addition amount exceeds 10%, when improving the flame retardancy of PLA, it will lead to the decline of mechanical properties and affect its performance.
