Hello and welcome to a new blog post on selecting bio-based ABS materials for consumer applications. In the first section, I provide you with an overview on what to consider when selecting a bio-based material in general, and in the second section I discuss the housing of a ballpoint pen made out of bio-based ABS from CHIMEI.
Selection of bio-based ABS plastic
When selecting a bio-based ABS plastic, consider its performance properties like impact resistance and temperature stability, its processability, and its end-of-life options, such as biodegradability or recyclability. You should also evaluate factors like cost, regulatory compliance (e.g., food contact), and sustainability claims using a method like a life cycle assessment (LCA) to ensure it meets your specific needs and environmental goals.
Performance and functionality
- Mechanical Properties: Compare the bio-based plastic's tensile strength, impact toughness, and ductility to conventional ABS to ensure it can withstand the application's stress.
- Thermal Properties: Evaluate its operating temperature range, heat deflection temperature, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to prevent warping and ensure it's suitable for the intended environment.
- Chemical Resistance: Determine if the bio-based plastic is resistant to the chemicals it will be exposed to. Some are sensitive to certain solvents, acids, or alkalis.
Processability
- Processing Methods: Check if the material is compatible with existing processing equipment, such as injection molding or 3D printing, and has a controllable melt behavior to reduce issues like warpage.
- Additives: Be aware that additives, like silica, can affect properties. For instance, silica can improve strength but may increase brittleness.
- Melt and Glass Transition Temperatures: Understand the material's specific temperatures for extrusion or printing, which will be different from fossil-based ABS.
Sustainability and end-of-life
- Bio-based content: Not all "bio-based" plastics are 100% derived from renewable sources. The bio-based content is an important metric, and certifications may require a minimum percentage to be considered eco-friendly.
- Biodegradability: Bio-based does not automatically mean biodegradable. Verify if the material is compostable or biodegradable and what the specific requirements are for degradation.
- Recyclability: Confirm if the material can be recycled and what infrastructure exists for recycling it.
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Use LCA to quantitatively compare the environmental impact of different bio-based options against each other and against traditional plastics across their full life cycle.
- End-of-life options: Bio-based does not mean biodegradable. Clarify the appropriate end-of-life pathway, which may include industrial recycling or composting, and ensure the necessary infrastructure exists in your region.
- Sustainable sourcing: Investigate the sourcing of the bio-based feedstock to avoid competition with food and water resources or negative impacts on land use and biodiversity.
- Supplier transparency: Work with suppliers and distributors that provide clear, detailed documentation on the formulation, sourcing, and environmental standards (like ISO 14001, REACH, or RoHS).
Business and market considerations
- Cost: Bio-based ABS is often more expensive than traditional ABS, though costs are expected to decrease as technology advances and production scales. Weigh the potentially higher material cost against the long-term value, including sustainability goals and customer demand.
- Supplier reliability: Ensure the supplier can provide a consistent and reliable supply of material. Factors like agricultural yields and refining efficiencies can affect the availability and price of bio-based feedstocks.
- Regulatory compliance: Confirm that the material meets all relevant regulations and standards for your application, such as FDA compliance for food contact or specific certifications for the automotive or electronics industries.
- Consumer perception: Consider how your customers will perceive the new material. Use certifications and clear communication to market the product's environmental benefits accurately and transparently.
Industry example - CHIMEI Ecologue™ Bio ABS Material for Ballpoint Pen Housing
Wen-long Hsu (許文龍) founded CHIMEI Corporation, a Taiwanese company that became a leading producer of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic, a versatile and durable material used in many products. Mr. Hsu was known for his business acumen and his commitment to social responsibility, which included prioritizing the welfare of his employees and funding the creation of the CHIMEI Museum. The history of CHIMEI ABS is therefore the story of a successful business built by Mr. Hsu Wen-long on a foundation of ethical business practices and a vision for social contribution.
At K Fair 2025 I was introduced to Mr. Yu-Ching Yang, Director of Sales Division from CHIMEI and he gave me a special gift: a ballpoint pen made out of bio-based ABS (Figure 1).
What makes it so special?
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| Figure 1: Ballpoint pen housing made out of Ecologue™ Bio ABS. |
It is made out of their Ecologue™ Bio ABS. Instead of fossil based feedstock, Ecologue™ Bio ABS uses bio-attributed feedstock, allowing for product carbon footprint (PCF) reduction of 122% compared to fossil based ABS (Figure 2). Such an impressive reduction is achieved by using biomass residues or wastes as the feedstock and enhancing circularity.
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| Figure 2: Emission comparison of fossil-based ABS vs. CHIMEI bio-based ABS. |
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