![Bioplastics in injection moulding | ENGEL Picture shows symbolic image for bioplastics in injection moulding](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/973x648/45f690129d/nachhaltigkeit-biokunststoff-spritzguss-desktop.jpg/m/0x440/filters:format(webp))
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Bioplastics in injection moulding
New paths to greater sustainability
Bioplastics offer the opportunity to combine injection moulding with sustainable raw materials. ENGEL has years of experience in the use of bioplastics and offers support in processing them correctly, safely and sustainably. Get started now with ENGEL solutions and expertise.
![Bio-based and non-biodegradable bioplastics | ENGEL Image shows symbolic image for biobased and non-biodegradable bioplastics](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/542x542/599c2d3a74/nachhaltigkeit-biokunststoffe-nicht-biologisch-abbaubar-biobasiert.jpg/m/100x100/filters:format(webp))
Bio-PE, Bio-PA, WPC
Materials are biobased if they are produced entirely or partially from renewable biological resources. Biological resources include maize, potatoes, sugar cane starch and cellulose. The injection moulded component does not degrade naturally in the environment.
![Bio-based and biodegradable bioplastics | ENGEL Picture shows symbolic image for biobased and biodegradable bioplastics](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/542x542/66ee3a107c/nachhaltigkeit-biokunststoffe-biologisch-abbaubar-biobasiert.jpg/m/100x100/filters:format(webp))
PLA, PHA, PHB
These are bioplastics that are both biobased and biodegradable. Chemical processes enable the biodegradation of bioplastics. Microorganisms present in the environment convert the bioplastic into natural substances such as water or compost. The injection moulded component degrades naturally in the environment.
![Fossil-based and non-biodegradable plastics | ENGEL Picture shows symbolic image for fossil-based and non-biodegradable plastics](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/542x542/23cde00525/nachhaltigkeit-biokunststoffe-nicht-biologisch-abbaubar-fossilbasiert.jpg/m/100x100/filters:format(webp))
PE, PET, PP
Fossil-based plastics are conventional plastics that are produced from fossil raw materials (crude oil, natural gas) and do not decompose. They are not bioplastics. The injection moulded component does not degrade naturally in the environment.
![Fossil-based and biodegradable bioplastics | ENGEL Picture shows symbolic image for fossil-based and biodegradable bioplastics](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/542x542/280f092feb/nachhaltigkeit-biokunststoffe-biologisch-abbaubar-fossilbasiert.jpg/m/100x100/filters:format(webp))
PBAT, PCL
Alternative plastics that are biodegradable but produced from fossil sources such as crude oil or natural gas are categorised as bioplastics. The injection moulded component degrades naturally in the environment.
![Bianca Gubi | ENGEL Picture shows Product Manager Circular Economy at ENGEL](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/240x240/2a910ef10c/service-bianca-gubi.jpg/m/120x120/filters:format(webp))
Would you like to know what possibilities bioplastics offer you in injection moulding and how you can process them? Our experts will be happy to provide you with comprehensive expertise.
![Processing bioplastics in injection moulding thanks to flexible machines | ENGEL Picture shows various injection moulding machines from ENGEL](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/700x350/9689f7c19b/produkte-spritzgiessmaschinen.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Bioplastics can be processed on all ENGEL injection moulding machines. This means that you can use your own ENGEL machines to produce injection moulded components from alternative plastics. This enables flexibility in your production and avoids additional investment.
![Sustainable processing of bioplastics in injection moulding thanks to high-quality plasticising unit | ENGEL Picture shows corrosion-resistant plasticising component from ENGEL](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/700x350/a3109b6337/service-plastifiziereinheit-spritzgiessmaschine.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Corrosion-resistant plasticising components are essential for processing corrosive biomaterials. They ensure the longevity and safety of the system. It is also important to comply with the process parameters specified by the material supplier. Especially when it comes to the processing temperature. In order to achieve high quality with shear-sensitive alternative plastics, an optimised screw geometry supports the reduction of shear. The result: gentle processing of sensitive materials.
![Equalising the viscosity of bioplastics in injection moulding | ENGEL Picture shows application of iQ weight control on the ENGEL control unit](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/700x350/3be909fbab/digitale-loesungen-kunststoff-viskositaet.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Our digital solution iQ weight control precisely regulates the injection volume based on the pressure curve in the mould. This ensures optimum part quality during injection moulding, even if the viscosity of the bioplastic fluctuates.
![Processing alternative plastics in sandwich injection moulding | ENGEL Picture shows sustainable thin-wall packaging made from alternative plastic using sandwich injection moulding](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/1060x540/a739cd178c/produkte-duennwand-kunststoff-recycling.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Thin-wall packaging made from alternative plastics can be produced using sandwich injection moulding. One example is coffee capsules with a biodegradable PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) barrier. Multi-layer packaging offers perfect barriers against oxygen, moisture and humidity, thereby optimally preserving the freshness of the product.
![Processing bioplastics in injection moulding thanks to flexible machines | ENGEL Picture shows various injection moulding machines from ENGEL](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/700x350/9689f7c19b/produkte-spritzgiessmaschinen.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Bioplastics can be processed on all ENGEL injection moulding machines. This means that you can use your own ENGEL machines to produce injection moulded components from alternative plastics. This enables flexibility in your production and avoids additional investment.
![Sustainable processing of bioplastics in injection moulding thanks to high-quality plasticising unit | ENGEL Picture shows corrosion-resistant plasticising component from ENGEL](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/700x350/a3109b6337/service-plastifiziereinheit-spritzgiessmaschine.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Corrosion-resistant plasticising components are essential for processing corrosive biomaterials. They ensure the longevity and safety of the system. It is also important to comply with the process parameters specified by the material supplier. Especially when it comes to the processing temperature. In order to achieve high quality with shear-sensitive alternative plastics, an optimised screw geometry supports the reduction of shear. The result: gentle processing of sensitive materials.
![Equalising the viscosity of bioplastics in injection moulding | ENGEL Picture shows application of iQ weight control on the ENGEL control unit](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/700x350/3be909fbab/digitale-loesungen-kunststoff-viskositaet.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Our digital solution iQ weight control precisely regulates the injection volume based on the pressure curve in the mould. This ensures optimum part quality during injection moulding, even if the viscosity of the bioplastic fluctuates.
![Processing alternative plastics in sandwich injection moulding | ENGEL Picture shows sustainable thin-wall packaging made from alternative plastic using sandwich injection moulding](https://a.storyblok.com/f/136567/1060x540/a739cd178c/produkte-duennwand-kunststoff-recycling.jpg/m/700x350/filters:format(webp))
Thin-wall packaging made from alternative plastics can be produced using sandwich injection moulding. One example is coffee capsules with a biodegradable PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) barrier. Multi-layer packaging offers perfect barriers against oxygen, moisture and humidity, thereby optimally preserving the freshness of the product.