Thermoplastic Starch: A Green Material for Various Industries

As we begin to run out of landfill space and turn towards a greener way of living, we need to find new biodegradable materials which are recyclable and which can be disposed of efficiently. Thermoplastic starch is a newly developed biodegradable material made from renewable sources, which is optimal in view of sustainability. It has huge potential in various applications including packaging, controlled release and disposable products (e.g. drugs). It satisfies all EU environmental regulations and can also be safely applied to the food sector. This monograph introduces this new green material, which is available in abundance and can be created at a relatively low cost to different specifications. It brings together many important areas including production and applications of biopolymeric material, the fundamental knowledge and practical applications, and includes valuable experimental case studies, which can be directly used in industrial practice.
Literature which is scattered across many journals and websites is brought together to enable the reader to gain an understanding of this new material.


Preface
BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS AND THEIR PRACTICAL UTILITY
Natural Polymers
Polymers with Hydrolyzable Backbones
Polymers with Carbon Backbones
Practical Applications of Biodegradable Polymers
BLENDS OF NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC POLYMERS
Introduction
Starch in Blends with Polymers
Mechanical Properties of Starch/Polymer Blends
Compatibilizers
Conclusions
BIODEGRADABILITY AND COMPOSTABILITY OF BIOPOLYMERS
Definitions and Norms
Biodegradability of Starch–Based Products
Biodegradability of Polyesters
Photo–Biodegradable Plastics
Controlled Degradation Additive Masterbatches
Methods of Biodegradability Measurement
Environmental Aspects of Biopolymers
TPS AND ITS NATURE
Structure and Properties
Glass Transition Temperature
Mechanical Properties of Granulates
Conclusions
THE MELTING PROCESS IN THERMOPLASTIC STARCHES
Introduction
Melting Process
Influence of Plasticizers on Melting Behavior of Starch
Conclusions
EXTRUDERS
Introduction
Single–Screw Extruders
Pin Extruders
Closely Intermeshing Twin–Screw Extruders
Self–Wiping Twin–Screw Extruders
Non–Intermeshing Twin–Screw Extruders
Influence of Low–Viscosity Monomeric Feed
The Mathematic of Extrusion
Concluding Remarks
EXTRUSION–COOKING OF TPS
Process Stability
Specific Mechanical Energy
Conclusions
INFLUENCE OF PROCESS CONDITIONS ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TPS
Plasticizers
Extrusion of Thermoplastic Starch
Test Methods
Glass Transition Temperature
Tensile Strength
Impact Strength
Shrinkage
Conclusion
TPS FILM–BLOWING
Mechanical Properties of Films
Concluding Remarks
INJECTION–MOLDING
Screw Injection Molding
Injection–Molding Parameters
Injection Technology Use and Development Trends
Reinforced Injection–Molding
Application of Natural Fibers in Processing of Biopolymers
Chemical Modification of Fibers
INFLUENCE OF ADDITION OF FIBER ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TPS MOLDINGS
Theory of Reinforcements
Experimental Data on Fiber–Reinforced TPS
Critical Fiber Length
Mechanical Properties
Conclusions
STORAGE AND BIODEGRADABILITY OF TPS MOLDINGS
The Influence of Low Temperatures on the Mechanical Properties of TPS Moldings
Evaluation of Biodegradability of TPS Moldings
Concluding Remarks
SCALING–UP OF THERMOPLASTIC STARCH EXTRUSION
Introduction
Basic Analysis
Summary of Equations Used
Kinematic Similarity
Geometrical Similarity
Motor Power and Torque
Equal Average End Temperature
Similar Temperature Profiles
Similarity in Residence Times
Guidelines for Scaling

Leon P.B. Janssen is chairman of the department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. After his PhD at Delft University of Technology, he started working there and at the University of Delaware (USA).
He has authored over 200 scientific publications and 5 books. He is member of the Royal Dutch Society of Sciences and the Royal Institution of Engineers. He is a visiting professor of Harbin Institute of Technology (China) and of the University of Surabaya (Indonesia).

Leszeck Moscicki is head of the Department of Food Process Engineering of Lublin University of Life Sciences and Technology. After his PhD at Lublin Agricultural University he worked for four years at Wageningen Agricultural University after which he returned to Lublin. He authored and co–authored more than 150 scientific publications. He is a national delegate to International Association of Cerial Science and Technology, committee member of the Polish Academy of Science and several other Polish scientific and professional associations. He has been coordinator of several EU projects on processing of vegetable raw material.