Biopolymers
To address the world’s sensitivity to the overuse of fossil-fuel based plastics, IFG has implemented a core strategy to develop an industry-leading range of more sustainable plant-based staple fibre solutions.
Rising to the rigorous performance requirements achieved by polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene, IFG has invested extensively into the research, trialling and development of a new generation of alternative renewable plant-based fibres. These fibres meet and can exceed the stringent demands of the market, whilst working with the challenges and complexities associated with biopolymers.
IFG are now able to supply a market-leading range of biopolymer derived fibres, including PLA and PBS.
PLA
Our melt-spun PLA staple fibres are more commonly developed for packaging and thermal seal paper applications, in addition to outdoor ground covering, erosion protection and filtration. These fibres are industrially compostable which is a huge advancement in this field.
Developed on our industrial scale pilot line at our R&D center in Linz, our current range of PLA fibres provide a truly sustainable alternative for use in highly technical applications.
Typical Fibre Characteristics
| Fibre characteristics | 1,7 dtex (1,5 den) |
2,2 dtex (2,0 den) |
2,8 dtex (2,5 den) |
3,3 dtex (3,0 den) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre cross section | round | round | round | round |
| Fibre diameter µm | ~ 14 | ~ 15 | ~ 16 | ~ 18 |
| Tear strength cN/tex | > 20 | > 20 | > 20 | > 20 |
| Elongation at break in % | > 30 | > 30 | > 30 | > 30 |
| Melting range °C | 165 – 175 | 165 – 175 | 165 – 175 | 165 – 175 |
| Specific density g/cm³ | 1,2 – 1,3 | 1,2 – 1,3 | 1,2 – 1,3 | 1,2 – 1,3 |
PBS
Our melt-spun PBS fibres are under development for increasingly more applications, due to their biodegradable properties.
Developed in tandem on our industrial scale pilot line at our R&D center in Linz, we continue to work with development partners and customers to provide biodegradable solutions to meet the expectations of modern society.
