US-based MGP, a grain and other plant-based ingredient solutions company, has developed Terratek BD, a new line of biodegradable composite resins. Meanwhile, bioscience firm Green Dot has also introduced a compostable bioplastic, a soft rubber-like material that has been used to make the BioCase phone cover.

MGP says that “among the most unique aspects and advantages” of Terratek BD is the product’s “unique ability to serve as a cost effective solution for creating heat-tolerant, biobased compostable products” compared to similar type resins.

Applications include a variety of injection-moulded industrial and consumer products such as disposable packaging materials and containers.

Terratek BD is produced at MGP’s facility in Kansas from a proprietary blend of wheat and corn-based products, as well as other compostable materials. Natural components derived from renewable grain sources make up the majority of the resins’ content by weight. The smooth, white, pellet-size resins can be easily processed, shaped and coloured by finished goods manufacturers, says MGP. The company also produces and markets Terratek SC, a starch-based bioplastic and Terratek WC, made from a combination of fine wood particles and recycled plastic materials.

On the other hand, Green Dot says its GDH-B1 is made from renewable plant based sources. It has been tested by NSF International to be safe from phthalates, BPA, cadmium and lead. GDH-B1 is the only soft elastomeric plastic verified to meet US (ASTM D6400) and EU (EN13432) standards for compostability.

GDH-B1 also has a lower melt temperature compared to petroleum based elastomers, reducing energy cost and shortening production cycle times. It has improved compatibility with other thermoplastic elastomers, and better printability, says the firm. GDH-B1 can be used with existing manufacturing equipment in the majority of plastic processing applications.

The company's initial product success is the market's first compostable soft plastic phone case. The BioCase is designed and manufactured by Green Dot. Over 100,000 units have been shipped since the products introduction in December 2011. The case is distributed internationally by Nite Ize. Green Dot is also supplying resin to toy maker BeginAgain Toys that has used it to make Scented Scoops, an imaginative ice cream play set and the Green Ring teether.

Green Dot's product development has been recognised by Bloomberg's Businessweek, who named Green Dot as one of the top 25 social entrepreneurs of 2012.

Green Dot Holdings was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. The company is led by CEO, Mark Remmert, a thirty year veteran of the plastics industry, who was formerly CEO of Styron Corporation, a US$5 billion wholly-owned Dow Chemical subsidiary.

US private equity firm Carlyle Group has paid US$4.9 billion to acquire DuPont Performance Coatings.

German chemicals firm BASF has set up a new research laboratory for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) in the US.

German automotive products supplier Mann + Hummel GmbH is expanding in China by acquiring Bengbu Haoye, a manufacturer of filters for the automotive industry.

US-based Emerald Kalama Chemical is building a facility to manufacture environmentally friendly materials in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, at the plant it acquired from DSM in 2010.

Mitsui Chemicals of Tokyo has established a company for functional polymeric materials in Shanghai’s Jinshan district.

Five years after Huntsman Polyurethanes teamed up with renewable resource-based polyol producer Alberdingk Boley to co-develop PU solutions for the coatings market.

Solvay Advanced Polymers is upping capacity for its Spire polyetheretherketone (PAEK) by 70% at its Panoli, India, plant.

In lieu of a growing lighter vehicles trend, Lanxess opens its first US$20 million worth production plant for high-tech plastics plant in Gasronia in the U.S. state of North Carolina, to help meet the increasing demand for premium, lightweight plastics.