FAQs

A Friendly Catalyst to help you become an environmentally friendlier brand.

• Company

• 01
  What is PTT MCC Biochem?

  PTT MCC Biochem is a Thailand based international joint venture company between Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan) and PTT Public Company Limited (Thailand) with focus on delivering services and technological innovations in the bio-chemical industry.
  
  The headquarter is situated in Bangkok, Thailand with a plant in the Eastern province of Rayong, Thailand which will be in commercial operation by Q2, 2015.

• Product

• 02
  What is BioPBS™?

  Polybutylene succinate or PBS is a biodegradable semi-crystalline plastics. It is a soft and translucent polymer with heat deflection point of 90°C.
• 03
  Can BioPBS™ be processed on existing plastics processing machines such as extruder, injection molding machines and others?

  BioPBS™ can easily be used with existing injection molding machines and extruders. In case of blow film extrusion process, it is preferably processed through LDPE blown film lines.
• 04
  Which polymer possess similar properties as PBS?

  LDPE is similar to PBS.
• 05
  Is PBS from PTTMCC bio-based?

  PTTMCC produces both petro-based PBS (GS Pla™) and bio-based PBS (BioPBS™). We also have strong patent in producing bio-based PBS.
• 06
  What is the difference between GS Pla™ and BioPBS™?

  Both GS Pla™ and BioPBS™ have the same properties and processability. The only difference is their source material. BioPBS™ is derived from raw sugar, providing better carbon footprint than GS Pla™.
  
  PTTMCC licenses PBS technology from the Japan based Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC). MCC is currently producing petroleum-based PBS with tradename GS Pla™ (Green Sustainable Plastics), while PTTMCC is producing the eco-friendly bio-based PBS in Thailand using the tradename BioPBS™.
• 07
  What is the percentage of bio-content in BioPBS™?

  Our current level of bio-content in BioPBS™ is 50%. With the current production, we are converting succinic acid into bio-based succinic acid. When the bio-based 1.4-butanediol becomes commercially available, we will be targeting our 100% bio-content level for our BioPBS™.
• 08
  How is BioPBS™ produced?

  BioPBS™ is produced from the polycondensation of two main raw materials: succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol.
• 09
  What are the benefits of BioPBS™?

  • It is bio-based. That means BioPBS™ derives from natural sources such as corn and sugarcane.
  • BioPBS™ is compostable at room temperature within 1 year into biomass, carbon dioxide and water, a natural process which requires no additional treatment process.
  • Properties of BioPBS™ are alike those of LDPE. The material can be applied into many LDPE applications, such as filming, sheeting, extrusion lamination and spunbond.
  • BioPBS™ complies with food contact regulation under the European Union regulations (EC 10/2011). It passes OM6 condition, withstanding 100°C for 4 hours.
  
  Production of BioPBS™ is carried out with high standard. The consistency in product quality and properties are ensured in every batch of production.
  
• 10
  What are the benefit of BioPBS™ to the world?

  • A revolutionary material for the future of manufacturing : bio-based and compostable.
  • Derived from sugarcane which consumes CO2, generating less carbon footprint compared to petro-based PBS.
  • BioPBS™, alike other organic waste, is compostable into biomass, carbon dioxide and water through natural process and leaving no toxic as by-product.
  • Decomposing process of BioPBS™ requires no specialized composting facility.PBS with the thickness of up to 200µm. is compostable at 30°C, 90% RH.
  • PBS from MCC technology has been certified by the Biodegradable Product Institute for ASTM D6400 in North America, by Vinçotte for OK Compost (EN13432), OK HOME COMPOST marks in European Union, and by the Japan Bioplastics Association for GreenPla Mark in Japan.
  
  • BioPBS™ products, such as BioPBS™-coated paper cups do not require composting facilities for decomposition. Some applications, however, contain other types of biodegradable plastics which may not contain the same compostable properties as BioPBS™. If other components require composting facilities then the whole packages will have to be processed so. It is recommended to check instructions at the packages before selecting suitable disposal method.
  
• 11
  What are BioPBS™’s key properties compared to other polymers?

  BioPBS™ products possess high heat deflection temperature point (FZ91, FZ71) ~ 90°C. The material has high seal strength in heat sealing. Excellent with various applications, BioPBS™ is highly compatible with other polymers such as PLA. Through the rapid crystallization rate in its property, products made from BioPBS™ are suitable for a variety of processing methods such as film and sheet forming.
• 12
  What are the different properties in each grade of BioPBS™?

  • FD grade (PBSA - polybutylene succinate adipate) is copolymer grade with adipic acid for softer than standard PBS.
  • FD grade contains higher percentage of amorpohous structure, making it more tacky and having higher adhesion strength than FZ grade
  • Heat deflection temperature of FD grade is lower than FZ grade ~ 60°C. Glass transition temperature of FD is -40°C compared to FZ at -22°C.
  
• 13
  When will BioPBS™ be available?

  Commercial plant in Thailand is under construction and targeting commercial operation in Q2, 2015. Both petro-based PBS and BioPBS™ are available for trial and product development.
  
  Our salespersons are ready to service and provide you with information. Please contact at sales@pttmcc.com
  

• Applications

• 14
  What are possible commercial applications for BioPBS™?

  Paper lamination
  • Paper packaging
  • Sugar pouch
  
  Multi-layer bag
  • Coffee bag
  • Flour bag
  
  Film
  • Plastic bag
  • Mulch film
  
• 15
  Is BioPBS™ safe for food contact applications?

  Yes.
  
  PBS from MCC technology is listed in JHOSPA and complies with the European directive EC 10/2011. Migration test at OM-6 (100°C 4 hours) indicates that the material can be used for food contact applications at up to 100°C.
  
  BioPBS™ is suitable to contain hot beverage and food containers utensils.
  

• Properties/Compostability

• 16
  Will products made from BioPBS™ deform in containers during transportation?

  No, products made from BioPBS™ will not deform during transportation. The heat deflection temperature of BioPBS™ is higher than internal temperature of the containers during transportation.
• 17
  What are the official international standards for BioPBS™’s compostability?

  • OK Compost Certificate (Composting Condition at 60°C). Thickness (FZ91) 67 μm composts in 12 weeks (Period of dispose depends on thickness and condition).
  • OK Compost Home Certificate (at ambient temperature) Thickness (FD92) 85 μm composts in 180 days.
  • Ambient temp (30°C) Thickness 200 μm composts in 1 year.
  
• 18
  What is the shelf life of BioPBS™ product?

  Storage granule – Up to one year, under the recommendation that storage area avoids direct exposure to sunlight and hot storing condition.
  
  Finished product – For paper lamination, the shelf life of PBS-coated paper cup is up to 24 months.
  
• 19
  What are the special conditions during transportation of BioPBS™ product?

  None. BioPBS™ product can be transported by conventional means.
  
  Heat deflection temperature of the product is higher than ambient temperature of transportation’s storage therefore PBS applications/products do not deform during transportation even in hot climate. On the other hand, under low temperature, BioPBS™ product can withstand winter condition of regions in EU and US.
  
• 20
  Can BioPBS™ biodegrade in anaerobic condition?

  No. BioPBS™ is made up of natural composites and provides excellent biodegradability but the biodegradation process still requires oxygen to aid with decomposition. Microorganism is a crucial catalyst to convert our eco-friendly product into biomass, water and CO2.
• 21
  How do I dispose of BioPBS™ product after its usage?

  Roadside – BioPBS™ is compostable at room temperature and will completely decompose in 1 year so the product will compost left on roadside. However, we do not encourage our customers to litter in public spaces.
  
  Water – BioPBS™ does not completely compost in water.
  
  Sand – With lack of oxygen, humidity and exposure to sunlight, the decomposition process is slow.
  
• 22
  Is BioPBS™ compostable in industrial landfills?

  BioPBS™ is not compostable when buried in industrial landfills due to lack of oxygen.
• 23
  Are BioPBS™ products microwavable?

  This depends on the application of the product.
  
  Both BioPBS™ and LDPE have an approximate melting point of 120°C. Property-wise, the same caution when applying microwave to LDPE application is advised when applying microwave to BioPBS™.
  
  For safety, it is recommended that the customer test their need case by case.
• 24
  What is the heat resistance level of BioPBS™?

  BioPBS™ can withstand heat up to 100°C.
• 25
  Is BioPBS™ safe for food contact applications?

  Yes, food contact is one of the strongest BioPBS™ applications.
  
  BioPBS™ is listed in JHOSPA and complies with European directive EC10/2011. Migration test at OM-6 (100°C 4 hours) indicates that it can be used for food contact applications at up to 100°C.
  
  BioPBS™ is suitable for hot beverage and food containers as well as utensils.
  
• 26
  What is the official industrial classification of the raw material used to produce BioPBS™?

  Sugar produced in Thailand is categorized as food and suitable for industrial uses. BioPBS™ is not using raw sugar in food category.