Biopolymer Additive Impact Modifier Carrier Resin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biopolymer materials and blends are not suitable for forming rigid structures with desired impact resistance and depth-to-width ratios, which are essential for packaging applications.

Innovation Solution

The development of an additive for biopolymer articles, comprising an impact modifier, a polymer color concentrate, and a carrier resin, which are blended to enhance the impact resistance and processability of biopolymer sheets and molded parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If current biopolymer materials and blends are used to form rigid structures, then biodegradability is achieved, but impact resistance and depth-to-width ratio are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system by blending biopolymer (PLA) with impact modifier (ethylene copolymer) and carrier resin in specific ratios. This composite approach combines the biodegradability of PLA with the impact resistance of the ethylene copolymer, achieving both environmental sustainability and mechanical performance required for rigid packaging structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If current biopolymer materials and blends are used to form rigid structures, then biodegradability is achieved, but depth-to-width ratio within forming temperature window is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoiddepth-to-width ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the material parameters by introducing impact modifier and carrier resin to broaden the temperature forming window of the biopolymer blend. This allows the material to maintain adequate viscosity and formability across a wider temperature range, enabling precise control of depth-to-width ratios in thermoformed packaging while preserving biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If impact modifier and pigment/dye are compounded in carrier resin, then impact resistance is improved, but additive complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidadditive complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated additive system. The carrier resin serves as both the dispersion medium for the impact modifier and the pigment/dye, while also contributing to the overall blend compatibility. This merging approach delivers impact resistance and coloration simultaneously without requiring separate additive systems, thereby reducing process complexity despite the multi-component nature of the additive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2550320B1Additive for performance enhancement of biopolymer articles
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SONOCO DEVELOPMENT INC
  • EP2550320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2550320B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP2550320B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

Embodiments relate to an additive for a biopolymer article, a method for forming the additive and biopolymer articles and sheeting containing or formed using the additive. The additive includes at least one impact modifier between 10 - 90 weight% of the total weight of the additive; at least one polymer color concentrate between 5 - 50 weight% of the total weight of the additive; and at least one carrier resin between 5 - 50 weight% of the total weight of the additive.