BrightBio® LOIMU-D11 / Bio-based
What is this bio-based polyester?
A crosslinked polyester based on renewable natural building blocks and sidestreams with a 68% bio-based mass content. The key ingredients are bio-based polymers, mainly polylactic acid (PLA), soybean oil, and inorganic components. The soybean oil is sourced from an industrial sidestream of responsible and certified European fish feed production.
It is modified to enhance the material’s flexibility and impact properties.
The blue colour is generated from a fully natural pigment, originating from woad (Isatis tinctoria, a yellow-flowered European plant of the cabbage family).
The BrightBio® component includes inorganic siloxane, which is used in crosslinking for higher performance. This allows new biomaterial functionalities, while using renewable natural sources, generating environmentally benign solutions. The company offers additional materials, aiming for a higher bio-based content while maintaining materials performance.
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Material properties
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Tensile Modulus (MPa): 1440
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Yield Strength (MPa): 21.5
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Yield strain (%): 5.0
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Charpy Notched Impact Strength, -20°C (kJ/m2): 11.9
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Density (kg/m³): 1.24
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Melt Volume-Flow Rate (cm3/10min): 7.7
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Melt Flow Rate (g / 10 min): 9.8
Link to the technical data-sheet
Technical benefits
Thanks to the soybean oil component, the ductility and impact properties of this material are greatly improved in comparison with most rigid bioplastics including PLA. Its mechanical properties and processability are comparable to fossil-based plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The toughness of the material can be felt by bending the sample and testing the strength of the integral hinge.
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Look and feel
The material offers an interesting combination of properties. The general appearance is similar to polypropylene, but the size of the sample demonstrates that the shrinkage is much lower. All the small details of the sample are very sharp.
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Environmental benefits
The non-GMO soybean oil supports food production, as it is a local Finnish industrial sidestream of responsible European fish feed production. Use of sidestream materials contributes to the circular economy and reduces our dependency on virgin raw materials.
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Applications
Because of the improved mechanical properties this partly bio-based polymer can replace conventional fossil-based plastics such as polypropylene in many applications. The material can be used to make semi-rigid or flexible objects such as trays and containers. It can also be used for wintersport equipment and other products used in cold temperatures.
Why we chose this bio-based polyester
We like the improved properties of PLA, which allow the material to be used for a much broader range of applications.
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Why you should consider this material
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You need a tough material with a high percentage of renewable content.
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You need a material that retains its ductility at cold temperatures.
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About the manufacturer
Brightplus is a renewable materials manufacturing company from Finland. The company specializes in design and development of new functional properties for industrial biomaterial solutions. The company serves industries including packaging, construction, cosmetics, and consumer goods.​