Bioplastic Product & Biodegradable

The development will realize the use of bio-plastics in electronic products as well as contributing to environmental friendliness with main characteristics of the bio-plastic include the following:

(1) Top-level flame resistance (UL94 5V and UL94 V-0/ 1.6mm test piece thickness) has been achieved by the use of a safe inorganic material that absorbs heat during ignition.
(2) Other important properties such as heat resistance, moldability, and strength have been satisfied by the addition of special additives that improve these properties.

Bio-plastic
Plastics made of biomass-source, which can aid reduction of current environmental problems such as the increase of CO2 gas causing global warming and petroleum resource exhaust.

Polylactic acid
A type of bio-plastic made of corn, etc. This was the first bio-plastic to be mass produced. However, it has insufficient flame resistance and other properties to enable use in electronic products.

Flame resistance
Plastics used in electronic products require high flame resistance to prevent fire. The standard for flame resistance that is regulated by Under Writer Laboratories (UL) in the USA is widely adopted. The order of high flame resistance is 5V, V-0, V-1, V-2, NOT V-2 (UL94 session). General electronic products such as PCs and TVs require standards higher than V-1. Special products that generate heat with high temperature, such as projectors require 5V.

Flame-retarding additives
Additives which retard flaming after ignition. Halogen compounds such as organic bromine compounds and phosphorus compounds such as red phosphorus and phosphorus ester are widely used, but such halogen compounds generate toxic gases when burning. Also red phosphorus can generate toxic substances when burned, and phosphorus esters themselves are somewhat toxic and might cause biological damage after disposal. So in terms of safety these compounds are insufficient.
Source: NEC 

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1. Engineering Bioplastic