October 16, 2013 ---Solvay today announced the introduction of Ocalio™ cellulose acetate bio-plastic manufactured using wood pulp, an entirely renewable resource obtained from SFI(1) certified forests. This new and amorphous engineering bio-plastic is a non-toxic material.

Together with a bio-plasticizer, the bio-based content of Ocalio™ compounds is currently at 50 %(2).

Unlike many bio-plastics, Ocalio™, as a cellulose acetate bio plastic, only uses wood pulp. An entirely renewable resource and thus does not compete for food resources. It also has a much lower CO2 manufacturing footprint when compared to petroleum-based products.

With technical properties and performance more than comparable to oil-based plastics, Ocalio™ cellulose acetate compounds can not only replace applications made with engineering plastics such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) but also polycarbonates (PC).

“When compared with other bio-plastics, Ocalio™ plasticized cellulose acetate displays an exceptional balance of properties providing better mechanical and heat resistance, enhanced transparency and outstanding processability,” says Louis Cozzari, Business Development Manager Solvay Acetow. “It can be easily moulded and is designed for a wide range of consumer goods end-use such as containers for cosmetics and personal care, food packaging,electronic devices, toys and mobile phones.”

In addition to the beneficial range and balance of mechanical properties and ease of processing, Ocalio™ plasticized cellulose acetate displays excellent surface aesthetics such as a high gloss, smooth and silky tactile qualities and an exceptional depth of colour, for both opaque and transparent grades.

“Solvay has over a century of experience developing and manufacturing commodity and high performance specialty plastics and polymers and the addition of bio-plastics is a natural progression,” explains Marc Michels, Marketing Director Solvay Acetow. “Our company’s renewable chemistry platform studies the potential of bio-based chemistry with the objective of identifying opportunities for improving, advancing, and expanding Solvay’s existing product offering to meet consumer’s demanding expectations in an evolving society.”

Patents for cellulose acetate were first deposited by Solvay Acetow in 1911 - the year of the first Solvay Conference, prestigious meetings of the world’s leading scientists still held today. In recent years Solvay Acetow diversified its product portfolio based on its acetylation know-how.

Manufactured in Europe in back integrated and completely self-sufficient facilities, Ocalio™ cellulose acetate compounds will be commercially available in Q1 2014.

Solvay is exhibiting at K’2013 in Hall 6 Booth C61.

Source: Solvay