Ecovio®  L BX 8145 - BASF Corporation - 

Ecovio® L BX 8145 is our new biodegradable film product containing renewable resources. It is basically a compound of our biodegradable copolyester Ecoflex® F BX 7011 and polylactic acid (PLA, NatureWorks®). Because of the PLA content Ecovio® L BX 8145 consists of 45 % of renewable resources. Ecoflex® F BX 7011 is the coherent phase in the structure of Ecovio® L BX 8145 transferring the beneficial film properties of Ecoflex® F BX 7011 into the new film product:

Our new Ecovio® L BX 8145 exhibits the following properties compared to PE-LD:
- Translucent, semi-crystalline structure with DSC melting points in two ranges: 140 - 155 °C (PLA) and 110 - 120 °C (Ecoflex® F BX 7011)
- High strength, stiffness and failure energy (dart drop)
- High, but controllable water vapour transmission rate (WVTR)
- High melt strength:
-- MVR (190 °C, 2.16 kg): < 2.5 ml/10 min.
-- MVR (190 °C, 5 kg): < 6.5 ml/10 min.
- Good thermostability up to 230 °C
- Good processability on conventional blown film lines, e.g. for PE-LD, PE-MD
- Down gaging to 15 µm possible, typical thicknesses: 20 - 120 µm
- Weldable and printable in 8 colors by flexo printing

Ecovio® L BX 8145 exhibits an excellent compatibility to other biodegradable polymers e.g. in dry blends with Ecoflex® F BX 7011, PLA or aliphatic biodegradable polyesters (e.g. Polycaprolactone PCL, Polybutylenesuccinate PBS or Polyhydroxyalkanoates PHA), if their MVR is close to the MVR of Ecovio® L BX 8145. Because of the moisture sensitivity of PLA at melt temperatures in the order of 170 - 180 °C we have to assure a maximum moisture content of below 1000 ppm prior to film blowing.

The processing of Ecovio® L BX 8145 on extrusion lines depends on the formulation, the extrusion technology and processing conditions. Trials are always recommended to assess the quality of the final product. Ecoflex® masterbatches have to be used as required to tailor the slip and antibloc properties of the final product as well as the barrier to water vapour. Detailed information concerning our Ecoflex® masterbatches will be sent upon request.

Ecovio® L BX 8145 fulfils the requirements of the European standard DIN EN 13432 for compostable and biodegradable polymers, because it can be degraded by micro-organisms. The biodegradation process in soil depends on the specific environment (climate, soil quality, population of micro-organisms).

Ecoflex® L BX 8145 is one of the few biodegradable plastics, which complies in its composition with the European food stuff legislation for food contact (EU: Directive 2002/72/EC). Specific limitations and more details are given on request. The converter or packer has to check the suitability of the article for the application.

Form supplied and storage:
Ecovio® L BX 8145 is supplied as pearl- or cylinder-shaped pellets in 1 t big bags. Temperatures during transportation and storage may not exceed 70 °C at any time. Storage time in an unopened bag may not surpass 12 month at room temperature (23 °C).

Quality Control:
Ecovio® L BX 8145 is produced as a standard material in a continuous production process according to DIN EN ISO 9001: 2000. The melt volume rate, MVR, at 190 °C, 5 kg, according to ISO 1133 has been defined as specified parameter for quality control. A certificate of the MVR value can be provided with each lot number (5 t) upon request. Other data given in our literature are typical values, which are not part of our product specification
for Ecovio® L BX 8145.

Applications:
Ecovio® L BX 8145 has been developed for the conversion to flexible films using a blown film process. Typical applications are packaging films, hygienic films, carrier bags and compost bags. In view of numerous factors influencing functionality and shelf life of Ecovio® films and finished articles made thereof the production parameters have to be tested by the converters before utilisation. Additionally sufficient field tests are required to ensure the right functionality of the articles made from Ecovio® L BX 8145.