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Frequently asked questions
What are NuPlastiQ BioPolymers?
NuPlastiQ is a revolutionary category of plastics that reduce fossil fuel-based plastic use and greenhouse gas emissions while also improving the functional performance of traditional plastics. Using our proprietary (and rather revolutionary) processes, we first produce a 100% natural, renewably resourced, plant based resin. We then combine it with popular plastics to produce a variety of unique, and highly beneficial, NuPlastiQ BioPolymers.
How many types of NuPlastiQ are there?
Pre-Blended
Using our proprietary EcoLogiQ Production Process, we first produce NuPlastiQ GP general purpose polymer, from which all of our compounded plastics are created. It's made from 100% natural, renewable, plant-based resources such as potatoes, cassava, and corn and is a USDA Certified Biobased Product.
In technical terms, GP is a polysaccharide-based polymer. By themselves, specific NuPlastiQ GP formulations are highly biodegradable, and will quickly and completely degrade in a home compost pile - in as little as two weeks. (Review the Technical Data Sheet, or TDS.)
Compounded
We offer three groups of polymers that are produced by our Eco-Alloy Reactive Extrusion Process, in which NuPlastiQ GP is compounded with plastics that are typically used in packaging, agricultural, and durables applications. In general, compounded NuPlastiQ BioPolymers are at least as strong and durable as their legacy partner resins are by themselves:
XP BioPolymers are typically compounds of GP with LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS and are used in applications such as flexible bags & pouches, jugs, handle bags, trash bags, and stretch films. (Learn more.)
XD BioPolymers are typically compounds of GP with ABS, PP, TPE, or rHDPE (recycled or recovered HPDE, including marine and ocean debris). They are used in applications such as rigid containers, footwear, toys, and consumer electronics. (Learn more.)
BC BioPolymers are typically compounds of GP with PLA, BPAT, or PHA. They are used in applications such as foodservice and retail containers, trays, cups, lids, plates, utensils, bags & sacks, agricultural & industrial films. (Learn more.)
Specific NuPlastiQ BC BioPolymers biodegrade in anaerobic or aquatic environments, should they happen to "leak out" of closed loop, Circular Economy - type recovery systems.
How do NuPlastiQ BioPolymers compare to similar resins that are made with starch?
When you mix oil and vinegar, you get a suspension. The oil is still the oil and the vinegar is still the vinegar. That's what most resins that include starch are like. For all intents and purposes, the starch is merely a filler, adding bulk and reducing the cost (and probably the strength, durability, and recyclability) of the original plastic resin.
Now, think about salt water. Instead of merely being a mechanical suspension, it's a chemical solution in which the water and the salt have formed a completely new liquid that has different properties than each of the ingredients alone. This is what happens when you combine NuPlastiQ GP BioPolymers with plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene. You get something completely different, hence the name of the compounding process: Eco-Alloy Reactive Extrusion Process.
What happens when you compound NuPlastiQ BC with other
compostable plastics?
When mixed with compostable plastics such as PLA or PHA, NuPlastiQ BC BioPolymers are designed to retain the compostability properties of the partner resin. In some cases, the presence of NuPlastiQ BC BioPolymers may actually speed up the composting process.
It sounds as if NuPlastiQ BioPolymers have many different performance and environmental characteristics. Is this true?
Stronger. More durable. Easy to downgauge. Recyclable. Compostable. There are various grades of NuPlastiQ resins tailored to provide these specific benefits. You can learn more about them on our Products page.
Tell me again about the difference between NuPlastiQ GP, and NuPlastiQ XP, XD and BC BioPolymers.
NuPlastiQ GP BioPolymers are produced from plant-based polysaccharides. They are then compounded (chemically combined) with other plastics to produce NuPlastiQ XP, XD, and BC.
Can all plastics that are mixed with NuPlastiQ GP BioPolymers be called NuPlastiQ?
If the polymers are produced by BioLogiQ or its approved compounders, the finished products can legally be called NuPlastic XP, XD, or BC. We're happy to work with other compounders to create suitable and appropriate naming solutions.
Do you have to change the ASTM recycling code (RIC) if a package includes NuPlastiQ BioPolymers?
We're very happy to say that the answer is NO! For example, a milk jug made of HDPE, which has a recycling code of #2, will still be a #2 if the HDPE is blended with NuPlastiQ XP BioPolymer. The same holds true for other plastics.
The only change, should the marketer of the final product wish to do so, would be to label this "HDPE+" rather than "HDPE." However, doing so is not mandatory, and is up to the marketer's discretion. (See ASTM D7611.)
Are NuPlastiQ BioPolymers compostable?
Blending specific NuPlastiQ BC BioPolymer grades with other compostable resins such as PHA, PBAT or PLA will result in plastic products that are compostable in industrial compost conditions that meet ASTM D6400 and/or EN-13432 standards.
In its uncompounded form, NuPlastiQ GP BioPolymers will degrade as fast or faster than cellulose or any other kind of bioplastic on the market today. NuPlastiQ GP has passed ASTM D6400 testing for industrial composting and is certified by Vincotte to pass the criteria established by EN-13432 for compostability. It is also USDA Certified BioBased Product.
Can blending with NuPlastiQ BioPolymers make fossil fuel-based plastics biodegrade?
One unexpected result of blending NuPlastiQ BioPolymers with conventional non-degradable plastic in a mono-layer film is that the entire Eco-Alloy (both the NuPlastiQ and the conventional plastic) will biodegrade if disposed in an environment that is rich in microorganisms.
Third-party test results show that 1 mil thick mono-layer films containing between 25 and 40% NuPlastiQ GP BioPolymer with 60 to 75% polyethylene will biodegrade more than 90% in just under 365 days (1 year) in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
Note that NuPlastiQ BC BioPolymers can be designed to biodegrade or compost when leaked out of a closed loop recycle system.
Are NuPlastiQ BioPolymers Shelf Stable?
Yes. We have test data indicating shelf stability for at least 3 years from production.
What products are using NuPlastiQ BioPolymers?
While many companies around the globe are commercializing NuPlastiQ BioPolymers for packaging and other applications, the most visible product we can talk about is fresh potatoes from Wada Farms, currently being sold at Walmart Supercenters and Sam's Clubs. The potatoes come in a NuPlastiQ XP BioPolymer bag called the Tater Made Sustainable Bag. Read about it.
How can I learn more?
