CASE Student to Help Design Next Generation of Biodegradable Plastics

Eurothane Ltd won a CASE award, enabling them to access expertise, knowledge and facilities to help them create a new, greener form of polyurethane. The award will enable a student to work solely on this project for the duration of their PhD, forming a vital link between Eurothane and Aston University.

Eurothane Ltd is a company specialising in the manufacture of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU), principally used in injection moulding and extrusion. They hold a niche in the market for low volume, technically difficult formulations for companies in the automotive (e.g. Nissan) and leisure (e.g. Adidas and Nike) sectors and has a strong reputation for developing new materials for demanding applications. Eurothane supply products which end up in golf shoe spikes, tank tracks, plastic horseshoes and even car aerials!

The company have identified a significant market opportunity to develop a new environmentally friendly compostable and biodegradable TPU material for a wide range of these existing high tonnage applications and in new areas. The aim of the CASE project is to develop a compostable or biodegradable TPU material with suitable characteristics and properties to withstand both the harsh processing conditions and to deliver the in-service performance demanded by the end-use product.

Aston’s PPP Research Unit is one of the few academic centres within the UK that is able to offer expertise and research facilities to attend to the interdisciplinary needs of basic and applied polymer research, particularly in the application of additives and the modification of polymers for improving the performance of polymers during processing/manufacturing and in-service in terms stabilisation and for developing controlled degradation of polymers.

The extreme demands placed on the nature of the proposed new material presents enormous scientific challenges. Controlling stability during service followed by rapid degradability is a very challenging task. The synthesis of compostable and degradable TPU material will require new chemical strategies that would be able to deliver a material that possesses a highly controllable balance of properties that can withstand the harsh manufacturing processes and still retain the target in-service performance.

Working with Aston University to develop new technologies and processes can transform your business. To find out more contact the Business Partnership Unit on 0121 204 4242 or email [email protected]