Other Plastic Films/Mat’ls

Technical Briefing on Plastics and the

Environment
Century Park Hotel, Manila
25 July 2008
Other Plastic

• Other. Use of this code indicates that the

package in question is made with a resin
other than the six mentioned previously, or
is made of more than one resin listed
previously, and used in a multi-layer
combination.
Other Plastic

• While the most well-known plastics are

those mentioned previously, there are many
other plastics that are in practical use in the
world today.
• The science of polymer chemistry has
enabled man to design plastics with specific
uses.
Other Plastic

• Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

– Electronic equipment cases (e.g., computer monitors,
printers, keyboards). .
• Polyurethanes (PU)
– cushioning foams, thermal insulation foams, surface
coatings, printing rollers. (Currently 6th or 7th most
commonly used plastic material, for instance the most
commonly used plastic found in cars).
• Polycarbonate (PC)
– Compact discs, eyeglasses, riot shields, security
windows, traffic lights, lenses.
• Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) (Saran)
– Food packaging.
• Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
(PC/ABS)
– A blend of PC and ABS that creates a stronger
plastic. :Car Interior and exterior parts
Other Plastic

• Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

– contact lenses, glazing (best known in this form
by its various trade names around the world,
e.g., Perspex, Oroglas, Plexiglas) fluorescent
light diffusers, rear light covers for vehicles.
• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (trade name
Teflon)
– Heat-resistant, low-friction coatings, used in
things like non-stick surfaces for frying pans,
plumber's tape and water slides.
• Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
(Polyetherketone)
– Strong, chemical- and heat-resistant
thermoplastic, biocompatibility allows for use in
medical implant applications, aerospace
mouldings. One of the most expensive
commercial polymers.
Other Plastic

• Polyetherimide (PEI) (Ultem)

– A high temperature, chemically stable polymer that does
not crystallize.
• Phenolics (PF) or ()
– high modulus, relatively heat resistant, and excellent fire
resistant polymer. Used for insulating parts in electrical
fixtures, paper laminated products (e.g. "Formica"),
thermally insulation foams. It is a thermosetting plastic,
with the familiar trade name Bakelite, that can be
moulded by heat and pressure when mixed with a filler-
like wood flour or can be cast in its unfilled liquid form or
cast as foam, e.g. "Oasis". Problems include the
probability of mouldings naturally being dark colours
(red, green, brown), and as thermoset difficult to recycle.
• Urea-formaldehyde (UF)
– one of the aminoplasts and used as multi-colorable
alternative to Phenolics. Used as a wood adhesive (for
plywood, chipboard, hardboard) and electrical switch
housings.
Polymer Production

• The two common ways to produce plastics:

– Addition reactions

– Condensation reactions:
Other Plastic

• Melamine formaldehyde (MF)

– one of the aminoplasts, and used a multi-
colorable alternative to phenolics, for instance in
mouldings (e.g. break-resistance alternatives to
ceramic cups, plates and bowls for children) and
the decorated top surface layer of the paper
laminates (e.g. "Formica").
• Polylactic acid
– a biodegradable, thermoplastic, found converted
into a variety of aliphatic polyesters derived from
lactic acid which in turn can be made by
fermentation of various agricultural products such
as corn starch, once made from diary products.
• Plastarch material
– biodegradable and heat resistant, thermoplastic
composed of modified corn starch.
Other Plastic

• The most commonplace plastics,

however, might well not be any one of
those mentioned above, on an
individual basis.
• As composites or multi-layer plastics,
laminates may arguably be the most
useful materials we encounter in our
everyday life.
Other Plastic

• Laminates come about when individual

plastic films are laminated to produce a
material which combines their dissimilar and
desirable properties together.
• Laminate packaging’s economy, light-
weight, high strength and ease of handling,
low volume storage and unrivalled
protection has yielded real savings.
Laminate Production

• Choice of input materials for lamination:

– Printability
• Glossy
• Clear and bright
– Structural strength
• High tensile or tear strength
– Barrier properties
• Water vapor
• Gas transmission
• Light transmission
Laminate Production

Other
Film/Foil/
Metallized Film

Printing
Lamination Curing Slitting
on Film

Film
Blowing
Delivery
Production of Laminates

• Printing
– Rotogravure
– Flexographic
Production of Laminates

• Lamination
– Dry (adhesive)
– Extrusion
Production of Laminates

• Slitting
• Bag-Making
• Metallizing
• Blown-Film Making
Product applications

• Food and beverage

– Biscuits and other snacks
– Food and soup mixes
– Juice drinks
– Processed meats, etc.
• Personal care
– Infant, feminine, adult care
– Shampoo, soaps
• Fabric and home care
– Detergent bars, powders
– Dishwashing liquids
• Pharmaceutical
– Single/multipack strips for tablets/capsules
– Push-through blister foil packaging
• Others
– Animal care
– Agricultural
Myths and Facts

• All laminates cannot be recycled?

– Apply plastics code properly: laminates with
the same polymer type can be included as
part of previous 6 types (OPP/CPP, PE/PE)
and reprocessed/recycled
Myths and Facts

• Nothing can be done except to

land-fill laminates?
– Melting oven development with DOST
Myths and Facts

• Nothing can be done except to

land-fill laminates?
– Asphaltic mix enhancer
Myths and Facts

• Nothing can be done except to

land-fill laminates?
– Recovery of stored energy value
• Cement Kiln Plant
• Tire Manufacturing Plant
The Utility of Laminates

• Laminates have enabled the most cost-

effective delivery of products and essentials
at the least price to the consumer
• Its high ratio of packed product volume to
packaging material is a logistical advantage
from pre-production inventory, through plant
to market transportation, to post-consumer
disposal
• The potential of biodegradables as
promoters of “throw-away” attitude
The Greatest Myths

• Other people should take care of my

garbage?
• People cannot learn discipline?
• People cannot be taught to do what is good
for them?
The Greatest Myths

• Other people should take care of my

garbage?
• People cannot learn discipline?
• People cannot be taught to do what is good
for them?
Disporving The Greatest Myth

• Responsible use and subsequent waste

management are the keys to proper
utilization of the earth’s resources
Thank You for Your Attention

We hope you do not leave feeling that

this briefing on plastics was a “waste”
of time!