Teknor Apex: Polystyrene/bioplastic hybrid lets molders add renewable content and obtain excellent performance

A new compound based on patented technology for blending plant-based starch with other polymers provides processors of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) with the opportunity to incorporate content from renewable resources in a variety of injection molded applications, it was announced today by the Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex Company.
 
Terraloy™ BP-18003A is a blend of thermoplastic starch (TPS) with HIPS, with up to 30% TPS content. As an alternative, Teknor Apex also offers a new masterbatch, Terraloy™ MB-18003A, with TPS content ranging up to 50%. Both products are for use in typical HIPS applications such as cutlery, disposable razors, and other consumer products.
 
"The new Terraloy products are the first polystyrene / starch blends that make it possible to effectively substitute for 100% HIPS in many applications," said Edwin Tam, manager of new strategic initiatives. "While starch acts like a filler in conventional blends with HIPS and is incorporated through techniques that cause a dramatic fall-off in physical properties, the proprietary technology employed by Teknor Apex for Terraloy products disperses TPS in the host polymer in a unique morphological form that minimizes property losses."
 
Terraloy BP-18003A compound is ready to process and requires no change in the tooling used for 100% HIPS processing. The recommended letdown ratio for the Terraloy MB-18003A masterbatch is 1:1.