Biopolymers

Discover the full potential of biopolymers with our specialized color masterbatches and functional additives, designed to enhance new-generation bioplastics.

Combining Performance with Environmental Responsibility

Our biobased masterbatches are engineered to improve impact resistance, thermal stability, optical clarity, and add color in biopolymers. They are developed on compostable biopolymer carriers to support full biodegradability. Expanding the possibilities of compostable and biodegradable materials, our innovations make bioplastics viable across a wide range of products, from packaging to durable goods.

Where Our Products Make an Impact

PLA – Polylactic Acid
PEF – Polyethylene Furanoate
PHA – Polyhydroxyalkanoates
PBS(A) – Polybutylene Succinate (Adipate)

Developments in the Biopolymers Industry

The biopolymers industry is experiencing rapid growth and transformation, driven by advancements in technology and increasing environmental awareness. Various trends are emerging that are shaping the industry.

Increased Use of Biobased Certified Ingredients

In the plastics industry, there is a growing trend towards using biodegradable polymers for direct food contact packaging. This shift aims to reduce dependency on fossil-based materials. We can assist you in achieving the necessary mechanical properties for your biopolymer applications to meet end-use requirements.

Bioplastics Sorting and Recycling

Biodegradable and biobased plastic can be mechanically recycled without affecting the integrity of other plastic streams. The different types of biodegradable polymers are proven to be NIR-detectable, enabling separate sorting with NIR technology, used in most European material recovery and mechanical recycling facilities. Thus, these materials offer viable alternative end-of-life options. In addition, biodegradable polymers and their applications can also be chemically recycled.

Supporting Compostability with Our Biopolymer Portfolio

Benefit from seamless integration of bioplastics into your material with solutions that are based on a fully compatible biopolymer carrier. For each of our masterbatches and compounds, we disclose the biobased content in the technical data sheets (TDS). Our solutions are based on renewable material, preserving natural resources and enabling applications with a lower environmental impact. We also design our solutions according to compostability standards and regulations while keeping suitable end-of-life options in mind.

Collaboration and Innovation to Maximize Biopolymers

PHA Color Palette

As one of the few polymers that are both home-compostable and soil/marine biodegradable, PHA stands out in the market. To enhance its visual appeal, we provide a comprehensive PHA color palette and technical expertise tailored to the requirements of the material. Our formulations are designed with the specific end-of-life options of PHA in mind, offering design flexibility while preserving its unique properties.

BioPBS™

Our highly compatible masterbatches enhance BioPBS™ material blends, enabling them to outperform conventional plastics in food packaging and injection molding applications, such as coffee capsules. They provide excellent processability in films or injection molded parts. This material, alongside our dedicated formulation masterbatches, can also work very well for paper coating applications.

Masterbatch Innovations for PLA

NatureWorks

In collaboration with NatureWorks, we have developed tailored transparent Antiblock masterbatches for OPLA, engineered to reduce the coefficient of friction (COF) in highly oriented films. Our masterbatches offer various surface roughness options to ensure efficient film processing. This partnership, made possible with a new NatureWorks’ Ingeo™ PLA platform, has unlocked new application possibilities for biaxially oriented PLA (BOPLA) films. By combining our expertise in additive solutions with the advanced properties of Ingeo™ PLA, we are enabling the replacement of non-recyclable materials with high-performance, biobased, and compostable BOPLA films.

Total Corbion PLA

In collaboration with Total Corbion PLA, a technology leader in PLA resins, we launched a range of functional and optical masterbatches based on Total Corbion PLA's Luminy® neat resins, aimed at improving properties like impact, mold release, anti-static or anti-block for nested products. We join forces to further promote new PLA applications and market penetrations.

Pioneers for PEF Masterbatches

In a joint project with Avantium, we successfully developed Antiblock masterbatches for biaxially oriented PEF (BOPEF) films, toning agents for a glass-like appearance in PEF injection molded applications, and white masterbatches for PEF fiber applications.

This innovation is just one example of our pioneering mindset and devotion to develop masterbatches for PEF resins. By leveraging our expertise in additive and color masterbatches, we provide the market with fit-for-purpose innovative PEF solutions, facilitate the adoption, and accelerate the growth of bio-based polyester.

PEF is an excellent material for more environmentally friendly food packaging and beverage bottles compared to fossil-based virgin plastics. The material is mechanically resilient and can be processed at lower temperatures, reducing material and energy consumption. Overall, applications using PEF can enjoy a lower carbon footprint in comparison to its virgin counter types.

The recyclability of PEF was confirmed by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP). EPBP conducted tests that showed PET bottles containing PEF as a barrier layer do not negatively impact the PET recycling stream.

Our Regulatory Expertise

The landscape of industrial regulations is complex and varies internationally. With Sukano, you gain access to a team specializing in regulatory affairs and trained to navigate through global regulations. Thus, you can be sure your final product fulfills all applicable compliance requirements. Our experts provide professional guidance and advice to keep you ahead of new regulations and ensure your products remain relevant and competitive in the market.

With our biopolymer portfolio designed for biodegradability and compostabiliy, you ensure that your final applications comply with the requirements of the European and US compostability standard of packaging and end applications, EN 13432 and ASTM D6400. We support you in the certification process of your end applications and provide further information on our products to the certification bodies.

View our Regulatory Expertise

Explore Our Portfolio for Biopolymers

Color and Appearance

Slip, Antiblock & Release Modification

Physical Property Modifiers

End Application Modifiers

Processing Aids

Color and Appearance for Biopolymers

Benefit from full compostability and biodegradability in end applications through our PHA and PLA color palette, offering a range of vibrant colors, earth shades, clean whites, and NIR-detectable blacks. Further enhance the aesthetics of your biopolymers through Color Correction to neutralize the naturally yellowing tint of PLA, and Matting Agents for durable anti-reflective, satin or frosted surface finishes.

Discover our Products

Slip, Antiblock & Release Modification for Biopolymers

Switch from fossil-based plastics to PLA without compromising efficiency during processing and end-use. Our solutions prevent PLA from becoming sticky during processes like injection molding and thermoforming. Our Mold Release agents reduce demolding force, and our Slip/Antiblock additives minimize the tendency of films to stick, making demolding and denesting of applications easier.

Discover our Products

Physical Property Modifiers for Biopolymers

Enhance biopolymers’ properties to unlock new end-use possibilities. Our Impact Modifiers reduce the brittleness of biopolymers which prevents the risk of splitters in the material. Nucleating Agents improve thermal properties, allowing heat-stability of PLA of minimum 65°C, and our Foaming agents reduce material weight while maintaining stiffness for easy thermoforming.

Discover our Products

End Application Modifiers for Biopolymers

Enhance the performance of biopolymers in your end applications with our Antistatic masterbatches. Prevent dust accumulation and static charge build-up on your transparent and colored films, sheets, and injection molded parts. Our Antistatic masterbatches ensure that films and fabrics do not stick together or to processing equipment for improved productivity.

Discover our Products

Processing Aids for Biopolymers

Switch to biopolymers without sacrificing processing efficiency. While PLA inherently has slow processing and crystallization rates, our Nucleating Agents and IV Melt Enhancers broaden the processing window for biopolymers to enhance productivity. While our Nucleating Agents accelerate the crystallization process, our Melt Viscosity Enhancers improve the melt strength of PLA, allowing increased rPLA content in the end applications.

Discover our Products

Industry-Specific Expertise

Packaging

Fibers

Consumer Durables

Biopolymers in Packaging

Biopolymers can be engineered to exhibit properties similar to traditional plastics, making them suitable for packaging applications. Due to their biodegradability and renewability, they contribute to a lower carbon footprint in packaging. We offer a leading performance range of masterbatches designed to enhance functionality and processing of both thin and thick films and injection molded food packaging applications.

Explore Packaging

Biopolymers in Fibers

Our Antistatic masterbatches and Plasticizers improve performance and efficiency of nonwoven PLA textiles applications. While Antistatics prevent sticking of the web on the rolls and calendar during production to increase line speed, Plasticizers reduce stiffness and increase elongation of nonwoven for improved mechanical performance.

Biopolymers in Consumer Durables

Design toys, furniture, kitchenware, household appliances and more with a positive environmental impact. Our biobased colors and visual effects not only help make your durable goods stand out but also highlight your commitment to using renewable resources.

Explore Consumer Durables

Get in Touch with Our Experts!

Haven’t found what you were looking for? Our experts continuously work on new products, and we offer tailored products based on your material and application requirements. Contact us now!