Enhancing heat, impact resistance of bioplastic

Teijin Limited announced that it has developed technology to significantly enhance the heat and impact resistance of PLANEXT, the company’s high-performance bioplastic.

The technology modifies the molecular design of PLANEXT to achieve greatly improved heat resistance with a glass-transition temperature of 1200C, as well as superior resistance to impact.

In addition, a separate proprietary flame-retardant technology enables PLANEXT to achieve top-level flame retardancy of UL94V-0 at 1.6mm.

Teijin will develop markets for PLANEXT as a strategic bio and next-generation transparent material with new applications in the electronics, architecture and exterior fields, starting with the Japanese market. Annual production capacity at the company’s Matsuyama Factory in Ehime Prefecture, Japan is expected to expand to 3,000 tons within a few years.

PLANEXT is an eco-friendly bio-polycarbonate made with bio-content based on isosorbide from corn-starch and other plants. In addition to excellent moldability and durability, it is superior to oil-derived polycarbonates in terms of surface hardness (pencil hardness rank: H), weather and chemical resistance, and light transmission of 92%. With its newly enhanced heat and impact resistance, PLANEXT is now an ideal material for a much wider range of applications than ever before.

NIke Dunk SB MID