The special products department of Boehringer Ingelheim KG (D-55216 Ingelheim), manufacturers of the world famous blowing and nucleating agents "Hydrocerol" has come to an agreement with Showa Highpolymer Co Ltd, Tokyo, to sell the biologically degradable polyester resin "Bionolle" in Germany. "Bionolle" is stable in the atmosphere, in the same way as wood or paper, but decomposes in the presence of microorganisms, e.g. during composting, in moist soil, or blended with sewage sludge. According to the company, the material has processing characteristics similar to those of polyethylene. Physical properties are similar to PET. At present only injection moulding grades of "Bionolle" are on offer. Film and blow moulding grades are under development. Up to now Boehringer Ingelheim's existing biodegradable "Resomer" resin has been a market success. Major application areas have been in medical applications.

READER SERVICE: Brochure / datasheet "Bionolle" (in German): PIE-No. 35623 - Publication "Hydrocerol - Ihr Partner für geschäumte Kunststoffe": PIE-No. 35618.