The commitment with the ambient balance and the social responsibility is, currently, indispensable requirement for what companies conquer credibility in the market and strengthen your brand along with the public. Sustainable practices, able to spend fewer natural resources and ensure a sustainable balance, are increasingly valued by people.
Many researches are developed for plastic to be a sustainable product to meet the environment's demand for friendly products. This article presents some sustainable raw materials developed starting with plastic, such as bioplastic and green plastic.
Know what is bioplastic or biopolymer
The plastics produced from renewable fonts, such as sugar cane, are popularly known as bioplastic and biopolymer. Although these products have physical property resemblance and chemical of conventional polyethylene, they are biodegradable and able to capture CO2 and assist in reducing greenhouse gases.
Vale observar que o bioplástico e o plástico biodegradável são dois conceitos parecidos, porém diferentes. Enquanto o bioplástico é produzido a partir de fonte renovável, como cana-de-açúcar, milho, batata e beterraba, o plástico biodegradável é capaz de se degradar e gerar água, CO2 e biomassa.
For bioplastic production, the sugarcane ethanol undergoes dehydration, forming ethane, which is polymerized and transformed in polyethylene. In sequence, this bioplastic goes to the third-generation company for the production of plastic products.
A principal raw material for the production of this type of plastic is sugarcane. So, Brazil has an important role in this market because it is the world's largest producer.
Welcome to the era of green plastic
Braskem, the Americas' big thermoplastic resin manufacturer, started in 2010 the first polyethylene certified by 100% renewable source, the green plastic.. Produced from ethanol, which makes with sugarcane, the green plastic could be 100% recycled.
In 2017, Braskem developed green polyethylene, a compound with a high renewable content, which could use in the Rotomolding. Subsequently, identified market demand for a more sustainable solution in rotational molding products, the petrochemical worked in the resin research.
Green polyethylene allow to produce parts for general application, from toys to accessories for the agricultural industry. These products may soon contain more than 50% green plastic in their composition and guarantee greater assistance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2017 February, Braskem opened a complete rotomolding laboratory in the Center of Technology and Innovation of Triunfo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, which includes a Rotoline machine of commercial size and investment of R$1,7 million.
Chair line with green plastic
Match sophistication in design with ecologic corrects practices is the chair Jet and Pac's proposal, resulting from the partnership between Braskem and Tramontina. The products are produced with green plastic made from sugar cane. This material has the same resistance, durability, and weight as the plastic derived from fossil sources.
Image source: Tramontina / Dino.com.br / Leroy Merlin
Sustainable lawn
Braskem and German Polytan were the hockey fields suppliers, produced from the green polyethylene "I'm greenT" for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, that would in 2020. The Japanese city was the first to organize an edition of the Olympic Games with carbon neutralization, using green technologies.
Image source: Leroy Merlin / Green Technology
LEGO Group adopts green plastic
Green polyethylene, made from sugar cane, is used in botanical elements by the Danish company, known for its blocks of assembling miniature pieces of trees, shrubs, and leaves are part of the collection.
Image source: LEGO
