Potato Waste Globe

What are Solanyl® Biopolymers?

Solanyl® BPs are bio-based and biodegradable plastic resins used as a replacement for petroleum-based plastic resins, for the purpose of injection molding rigid objects.

Solanyl® BP is made from potato starch reclaimed from the food processing industry. Potato starch leaches out into the processing water and is usually lost to further processing. By reclaiming this starch, Solanyl Biopolymers not only solves a waste water issue, but also gains a renewable resource to be further processed into a bio-based plastic.
Using a patented process, potato starch is converted to a plastic-like resin that can be heated and shaped into a multitude of products through the injection molding process.

Solanyl BP has many benefits including:

  • Lower energy inputs to produce the biopolymers – 65% less energy compared to polyethylene production.
  • Lower energy inputs to manufacture bioplastic products made from Solanyl BP when compared to petroleum based plastics.
  • Biodegradable and compostable according to EN 13432 standards.
  • The raw material used to produce bioplastics is a renewable resource
The word Solanyl is from the name Solanum tuberosum, which is the scientific name for the common potato.

Biopolymer Biodegradability

Waste is a growing problem whether it is contained in our expanding landfills, or scattered as litter found on land or in our water system. Petroleum based plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Plastic is a versatile product that has reduced the weight of goods transported throughout the world but not all products require the resilience of plastic, especially disposable items.

Biodegradable plastics offer a solution to these problems by providing a light weight, semi-water resistant polymer that will degrade over time when exposed to microorganisms commonly found in soil.  Proper biodegradability is more than just breaking plastic products into smaller pieces. This is sometimes accomplished by adding components to petroleum based plastics that allow it to break down when exposed to light or water.
Although ‘out of sight, out of mind” makes people feel better, the fact remains that small pieces of petroleum based plastics can still cause problems in the environment. A much better solution is to use bioplastics that break down into its natural components through composting.
Solanyl Biopolymers are made from biological materials and decompose into biological materials leaving nothing behind except good nutrients to start the growing cycle again. Solanyl bioplastic granules are certified biodegradable and compostable according to the standards set by the European Union (EN 13432).

How long will Solanyl Biopolymers last?

Some things are not meant to last forever. Solanyl products lifespan can be adjusted in a variety of ways:

  • Formulation used – different formulations have different shelf lives; some are more water resistant, some break down rapidly.
  • Design of the product – thicker walled products break down slower.
  • Environmental conditions – wet versus dry applications.

For example, plant pots made from Solanyl Bioplastic will last six months in greenhouse conditions if using the thin walled 4 inch pot, but will last 2+ years as a promotional item.

Michael Tasker

There's nothing funny about pollution and global warming, we need to band together to stop negative climate change for the future generation. Join the movement.

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