BASF develops biodegradable plastic

BASF announced the development of its first biodegradable plastic.
BASF’s Ecovio is made from 45 per cent polylactic acid, a material obtained from corn. The remainder is from BASF’s existing biodegradable plastic Ecoflex, which is derived from petrochemicals.
BASF plans to market Ecovio in Europe next spring and to launch the product in Asia and North America in 2006.
Ecovio can be used to produce flexible films from which biodegradable carrier bags or other packaging can be made. Items such as mobile phone housings and yogurt cups can be produced if other components are added to Ecovio.