Document 8DDVEY4LbQaEj7b995d42qZd

A Division of The Society of The Plastics Industry, Inc. TELECOPY TRANSMITTAL FORM TO: Dr. Leon Fishbein FROM: Roy T. Gottesman DATE: April 9, 1990 #/PAGES: 2 SUBJECT: Borden Biodegradable PVC Film plus cover COMMENTS: Lee: I received the following telefax from Hydro Polymers today and a copy of my response follows also. This is for your infor- mation should Mr. Baldwin contact you. I sent him only the Borden information but did not offer any information regarding formulation changes or plasticizer attack. Regards. Yirrunttacuui SPI-05531 Wayne Interchange Plaza II 155 Route 46 West Wayne, NJ 07470 (201) 890-9299 Fax 0(201) 890-7029 09/04/30 16 = 38 ((( HYl/RO kntf POLYMERS Vinyls Division TO; Ha Q.. \ GroxT^r^AvJ FROM: 4<5rtW QfL^kriNi It OATE: C^ _ 4* qo NUMBER OF PAGES: FAX MESSAGE 001 Hydro Potymars Ltd Vinyl* Division Ntwton Aydrff* Co. Ourtwm DL5 6A TEL: 032S30Q8W FAX: 0325 300IR6 TLX: 58322 <jLg^yv, flO... g - M ^ < 4x ^rfW^vyvw &*<- ^aw O--- - ^3 iSbr l n ~ *_ *v jttL, T&cr>rAa ^ v^L^ nA. L A-.> (t_ -Q 17-icL^. C . -(to <Oa^r^Ui2^------ C>j- tfO-O. Q V^U t-w <3-^ -S^v-c. ^iP-A^^^.cOaja3 \L~0_ C- V^^g^M^vJLry^ -5^. OVL <3_*x^ w^>9r <w^ ^ '4ovQ32l^-r- ---ya-g-cv <SkQ*-^-Q CjjL. k,, -- .. * v. {2^yxAlO~Q cS^-v. c-a-j'c-i--*-fia v*2^ 3. ~^L ^L-e [ E^a- 32__ Sl^uc SPI-05532 A Division of The Society of The Plastics Industry, Inc. Roy T. Gottesman Executive Director **** VIA TELEFAX **** April 9, 1990 To: Mr. John Baldwin @ Hydro Polymers RE: Biodegradability of Flexible PVC Film In response to you FAX of April 9, I am transmitting copies of all of the information we have concerning the Borden promotion of "biodegradable PVC Packaging Films." For further information, I would suggest that you contact Dr. Leon Fishbein of Borden Chemicals and Plastics, a member of the Viryl Institute Technical Committee. Contact information is as follows: Dr. Leon Fishbein Borden Chemicals and Plastics 1 Clark Street North Andover, Mass. 01845 FAX No. (508) 683-0463 The plastics industry in the U.S. has generally taken the position that biodegradation of plastics intereferes with recycling and recently environmentally activists groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund , Greenpeace, etc. have attacked so-called "biodegradable" plastics as a consumer hoax. I hope all of the above is helpful to you. SPI-05533 Wayne Interchange Plaza II 155 Route 46 West Wayne, NJ 07470 (201) 890-9299 NOV 29 '99 16;35 P.2 '4 t:::;-: *; ............ .................................. .... r1 ? OS 'aCvI^fEn^ -ii-i- ,>.^ i *.' * i> .vvul BIODEGRADABLE BIODEGRADABLE MEAT FILM PRODUCE FILM POULTRY FILM CHEESE & DELI FILM BAKERY FILM.PALLET WRAP.SEAL WRAP BIODEGRADABLE > BIODEGRADABLE ?MF-61 HY RMF-61 VF-71 VF 60M SPW-69 SFC-82 SSPW. FWF 86* CK-1 .BW-51 BWT-52* PS-26 PS-29.HW-225.SEAL WRAP IIODEGRADABLE. BIODEGRADABLE AEAT FILM PRODUCE FILM POULTRY " r- t * i v *-`m *. t \ d * r * j ii I /i NOV 28 '88 16; 36 _*"rWfff ''? i&s? t&Taestir miie*<je 2i6 73s 5739 SOROEN PACKAGING and IN0-'J$?fi!AL PRODUCTS CCMCit'C **0 il'fA*ur;0*Ui. :ivi$/OK Cf 80*0*M WC P.3 Dear Borden Packaging customer: 2 jh pleased to bring you significant news about Berdan*a j*vc packaging film*, An extensive study just completed has shown those films will biodegrade, which is one of the option* for dealing with the disposal of solid waste. As you know, Borden has long been the world leader in packaging films for use in supermarket* and institutional kitchen* with the familiar tradename* of Resinite and Sealwrap. In addition, we offer PVC filme for both pallet wrap and specialty food wrap applications. Borden maintains its position as world leader in stretch fUw# because of continuous attention to key variables in the manufacture of PVC film*, you will find that Borden films have uniform gauge, consistent wind and roll profile, even sealing and controlled recovery. Our films have served you well ovar the years by providing excellent keeping propertlee and adding a strong mernh*ndteing appeal to your products. We can infers you now that those cam* fin* films will not only continue to provide you with high quality performance, but that they are aleo biodegradable. In 19*8, Borden initiated a test program at Rutgers university to determine the biodegredability of our ?vc packaging films. These tests shoved that our films not only break down under attack by microbes found in common soil, but also that they have a significant degradation in just a few month* time. This is an important characteristic of Bcrden Pvc films and one that should pleaee you and your customers. We appreciate your continued use of Borden** environmentally friendly packaging filme. wjM/cmp william J, MiUer General Manager Sssinite Divteio.VBorden, Inc. SPI-05535 NOV 23 'S3 1S;3? P.4 TOR IKXfiOIAfB ftgLSMS Contact! Paul Hollenbeck (SOI) 686-9b91 TgJttt.J]tOajOftOffl V7NYI ROOPWIAP PtL>ta AR8 gTOPEfllUniatfr NORTH ANDCVtR, MASS., November 13, 1989, Scientist* t Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J\ have shown the feiSdegradability oi flexible vinyl foodwrap film* produced by the Resinite Division of tr.e Borden Packaging and industrial Products Division of Borden, Inc. The ftesinite Division, headquartered in North Andover, MA, is the leading U.5. supplier of foodwrap film* for supermarket use. Its three principal product!, all flexible polyvinyl chloride films are; Realnite brand RMF-61HY stretch film for wrapping red meats; Mesiwite brand VF-71 stretch film for wrapping produce; and sqalwrag brand stretch film for delicatessen end other food service uses. The Division also offers a wide range of related film types tailored for specialty foodvrap applications, as well as pallet wrap films. The Rasinite Rvc pallet wrap films are also biodegradable. According to William J, Killer, General Manager of tne Resinite Division, "We are pleased that ve can now assure supermarket and retail customers that along with providing excellent utility and value, our films are also biodegradable". "The Rutgers teefce show r.ot only that our film* break down SPI-05536 NOV 28 '88 16=38 P.5 under attack by microbes found in common soil," Mr. Mill** continued/ "but also that thay dagrade siglfiuantiy In juet * fw t months' tire, evon faster than the biodegradable plastic grocery s.vuks that have been recently doveioped.M Thu flutters test program was, initiated in August isss with Borden Ending. It was-conduct#*! independently with Or. Richard Sartha of ths Department of Biochemistry .and Microbiology as principal investigator. Three standard methods of measurement vers usod to quantify biodegradabilittyi weight loss, physical property deterioration and evolution of degradation products* Sorden, me. is a worldwide producer of foods, non-food consumer products, and packaging and Industrial products, with worldwide sales of 57. a billion in 19S8 expected to inereaee to about $7.7 billion this year* The company ranks number one in the world in pasta, wallcoverings, dairy, forest products adhesives ana polyvinyl chloride wrapping films, number two in salty snacks, and numbor one or two (nationally or regionally) in 23 tf.s. niche grocery products categories. *II SPI-05537 NOV 23 '99 19!39 P.6* Questions and Answers concerning the BiodcqradahiHtv o.g_RAsinita PVC Packaging films 1. vmAT DOXS BIOfiBOftAfiABL* KE&N? There has been much discussion s to a ue la factory 1* Ci nl of biodegredahility. Several committaos within fcb* American Hooiety for 'Jesting Materials l&t'FM) are ^csiveiy working to develop such a definition. They are noe expected to complete the work beCor* t.h* and of , 1990. Scientists agree that biodegradable materials are those thee, because of rheir composition, mxh susceptible to attack by microboa such as bacteria States have wrestled vita this Question as well. Section .401.70$ (4) (a). Florida Statutes, states that degradable materials aster being discarded must be capable of decomposing into notopottents other than heavy metals or other toxic substances after exposure to bacteria, !, WKA* MAXES BORDEN PVC FILM aiOD(UUU>AUtt Borden's flexible fvc films contain several ingredients that are assimilated by microbes. . M8Y IS IS1 IttPOKi'Attr THAT BCUfcGEiJ FVC ?ZLMS AMS axO&fifthn*flLE? CAN'T TUfcX B2 RECYCLED? Ywi. 3ui'cln FVC films can be recycled, Zr. cur manufacturing facilities film trim generated when Alit.Liuy rolls to site is recycled back into the proccsc. However, once their useful life as a package la cv*r nearly all flexible PVC film* Invariable become part of municipal waste. For example, PVC meat wrao this has been removed from tne tray gata tossed in the trash. Typically v!>.->.. packages <jo to a landfill. SPI-05538 \ ` V NOV 2.3 '8.9 16J.40 2-fS79&5ifa IILsPkseT 2lS 796 5700 4. Aa* COMPETITORS' PVC FILMS BlO08ORAiMJiLJiS7 The polywwrLr. film biodegradabiiity ftucy casing performed by Rutger* university 1ia. h**n in progress for rnura than a year. We did not include, any competitors' PVC rilffli In this study mu w* cannot say dwfim i Laly that their films ehow biodegradable properties. knowing what . ito about tha composition of their film* lead* ua to expect competitive PVC film* will show at least some microbial Activity. However, to be certain, thaise film* ahoule be subjected to the type of teati.ng performed in the Rutger* university study. S. HAY X SAVE A COPY OF THE RUTGER3 5TTJDY? Mot yet., .The study is still in progx*a* and is targeted for completion early 1930. Our. agreement with Rutgers University gives them the right tu publish and expect Dr. Richard Bartha, principal investigator, to do so. f. tiBY DOESN'T loadhaster biodegrade* Loadmaster is a polyolefin-based film that doesn't contain the type of ingredients that can be assimilated by microbes. Por this same reason, competitive polyolefin poultry films show little to no biodegradation. 7. ROW TART. DOSS BORJDEN FILM BIODEGRADE? Borden flexible PVC films show very rapid rates cf biodegradation. For example, the Rutgers study show* that several Borden films lose about 93% of their elasticity in three months soil exposure. Tn . that time, meat'filin' loses more than one third of its weight. a. WHAT IS TBS DIFFERENCE! BETWEEN MEAT FILM AND PLASTIC GROCERY SACKS Ah B10DSGRADARTI.ZTX? Borden's RRF-61 series meat films biodegrade at a substantially f*xter rate than the biodegradable grocery sacks teeted in the Rutgers study. Th<**e iiol.ywuhylan* sacks contain a modified starch tnat promotes microbial activity. Borden fl.lms do not uie starch. P'.'C'V SPl-05539 NOV 23 '39 16:41 0. WILL BORDEN PVC FILMS 3XODKULKAU& IN SANITARY LANDFILLS? Wany ef our iand.fi U wa/m 'designed, and are being operated in such a fashion that degradation of biodegradable materials la *nv*rely retarded. Excavation gf stmt unitary ianfiSiUs hays unearthed decades oi old newspapers th*l. are still readable. dot doge* grass clippings ihd many highly degradable items have been found Intact. 10. W71AT CHEMICALS DOES BORDEN FVU UiV OFF AS XT BXODECfclDSS? The work conducted by sn:*-r* was designed to not only measure the rate at wnich florden PvC films degrade, but also study the products uf the biodegradation of these films. Rutgers has identified carbon dioxide. biouiati* And PVC resin as the products of degradation of Borden iiimo. pvu resin is, of course, a non-toxin, inert material. This is important as any toxic products could contaminate tha* leachate eminating from lmlf 11.1ft. 11. WILL BORDEN CHARS THE RUTCERS STUDY WITH WC COmFUTITORS FOR THR GOOn OF THE UNITED STATES? Since ve.do not know* the total composition of competitive PVC films we cannot bo accolutely certain that the result* from rhe study can b* applied to these other films. The published report will, however, be available to all. 12. WHY DIDN'T BORDEN BBCXN A 3I0DHUHADABXL1T1/ STUDY BEFORE? . The .trend'to1 close down municipal sanitary landfills coupled with more recent city and* state legislative activity prompted Borden to examine its family of packaging films. Our own soil burial teste yielded some exciting result* leading us to commission Rutgers to undertake a large scale film biodegradable study. p'.a*. SPI-05540