Understanding Biopolymers

A growing challenge for the chemical industry is the replacement of Oil derived chemicals and polymers with greener substitutes. These Bio Alternatives include biodiesel, bioethanol and biopolymers such as Tencel, Dupont's Sorona and Polylactic acid. Tencel is wood pulp based whereas  Sorona  and Polylactic acid are currently  corn based natural polymers but ongoing research promises the possibility of other feedstocks.

Polylactic acid can be used for

• Fully biodegradable synthetic polymers
• Biomedical sutures, stents, dialysis media and drug delivery devices
• Food Containers
• Bottles
• Food packaging films

MSG has vast experience with synthetic polymers such as PET, Polypropylene, polyethylene, Polyurethanes and polyamides (nylon) and this expertise is directly transferable to these new Biopolymers.

MSG can measure

• End groups.
• Mn, Mw polydispersity
• block or random identification
• Composition molar or weight/weight
• Initiator identification
• Additives
• Co-monomer identification
• Contaminant identification
• Thermal properties

All this involves the many disciplines MSG has to offer. This PAN MSG approach ranging from Vibrational, NMR, Mass Spectroscopy, Separation Science to Surface analysis means that we can provide a unique characterisation service.