Summarized list of DIY/alternative biopellets

[ilovecoral]

brain sufficently melted! Thanks for all of the info. My wife thinks we're huge nerds, but hey what's new?

 

[ERICinFL]

I'm curious to know what the Airsoft Biodegradable BBs are made from. They are WAY cheaper than commercial aquarium products and if they're PHA or PCL, that would be the ticket! I'm going to try and contact a few manufacturers, to see what's in them. If I'm able to get a clear answer, I'll post the info.

 

[Easily Distracted]

I'm curious to know what the Airsoft Biodegradable BBs are made from. They are WAY cheaper than commercial aquarium products and if they're PHA or PCL, that would be the ticket! I'm going to try and contact a few manufacturers, to see what's in them. If I'm able to get a clear answer, I'll post the info.

That would be a good find. Fingers crossed.

 

[Acrotrdco]

I wouldn't bet on it, there're so many different types of BB pellets out there, most of them are dyed, and since PHA/PCL is a lot more expensive than normal plastic.

Perhaps some of them are made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but I really doubt any would be made of PHA/PCL.

 

[ERICinFL]

I wrote to a few different companies that make PHA and PLA pellets. So far, NaturePlast in France, (http://www.natureplast.eu) is the only company to reply. I basically asked, which of their products would be a good, solid carbon, food source for beneficial bacteria in the reef aquarium. Here is the email they sent me.

Dear sir,
I would like to thank you first for your interest in our company.

Following your mail I have joined technical data sheets our main injection grades of bioplastics;

· Our PLA grade certified GMO free (PLI005)
· PHA for injection (PHI 002)
· Biodegradable copolyester 100% biocompostable. (Naturally, no additives)(PBI003)
· Elastomer fully compostable as well.

All our materials are certified EN 13432 and are food approved.

We already work on this kind of application with French aquarium and they went for a PHA reference PHI002, I have joined a PLA grade PLI 005 because it has represented an important option for them. You could try both of them and give me feed back on your test result.
Our minimum quantity for test delivery is 25 KG and we do work with united state, you can be delivered within 3 to 5 days.

Best regards
Julien Antoncic

I have PDF files of the tech sheets and price lists and I'll be happy to forward them to anyone interested. Just PM me your email address and I'll get them to you. I posted the prices below, they're in Euros, but for a min. order of 25kg, it boils down to about $6 a pound for each, before shipping.

Price list in € / Kg NaturePlast September 2010
PLI 005 (Their PLA pellets)
Packaging Big bag
Volume 700 kg
100 tons per year 2.50
1 complete container 2.70
Less than 15 tons 2.90
Less than 12 tons 3.00
Less than 6 tons 3.20
Less than 3 tons 3.50
1 big bag 3.70
Digressive price from 100 to 700 kg
Less than 100 Kg 10.00

Price list in € / Kg NaturePlast September 2010
PHI 002 ( Their PHA pellets)
Packaging Bags
Volume 25 kg
100 tons per year 5.3
1 complete container 5.6
Less than 15 tons 5.8
Less than 12 tons 6.0
Less than 6 tons 6.2
Less than 3 tons 6.4
Less than 1 ton 6.6
Digressive price from 100 to 1000 kg
Less than 100 Kg 10.00

 

[DJREEF]

I wrote to a few different companies that make PHA and PLA pellets. So far, NaturePlast in France, (http://www.natureplast.eu) is the only company to reply. I basically asked, which of their products would be a good, solid carbon, food source for beneficial bacteria in the reef aquarium. Here is the email they sent me.

Dear sir,
I would like to thank you first for your interest in our company.

Following your mail I have joined technical data sheets our main injection grades of bioplastics;

· Our PLA grade certified GMO free (PLI005)
· PHA for injection (PHI 002)
· Biodegradable copolyester 100% biocompostable. (Naturally, no additives)(PBI003)
· Elastomer fully compostable as well.

All our materials are certified EN 13432 and are food approved.

We already work on this kind of application with French aquarium and they went for a PHA reference PHI002, I have joined a PLA grade PLI 005 because it has represented an important option for them. You could try both of them and give me feed back on your test result.
Our minimum quantity for test delivery is 25 KG and we do work with united state, you can be delivered within 3 to 5 days.

Best regards
Julien Antoncic

I have PDF files of the tech sheets and price lists and I'll be happy to forward them to anyone interested. Just PM me your email address and I'll get them to you. I posted the prices below, they're in Euros, but for a min. order of 25kg, it boils down to about $6 a pound for each, before shipping.

Price list in € / Kg NaturePlast September 2010
PLI 005 (Their PLA pellets)
Packaging Big bag
Volume 700 kg
100 tons per year 2.50
1 complete container 2.70
Less than 15 tons 2.90
Less than 12 tons 3.00
Less than 6 tons 3.20
Less than 3 tons 3.50
1 big bag 3.70
Digressive price from 100 to 700 kg
Less than 100 Kg 10.00

Price list in € / Kg NaturePlast September 2010
PHI 002 ( Their PHA pellets)
Packaging Bags
Volume 25 kg
100 tons per year 5.3
1 complete container 5.6
Less than 15 tons 5.8
Less than 12 tons 6.0
Less than 6 tons 6.2
Less than 3 tons 6.4
Less than 1 ton 6.6
Digressive price from 100 to 1000 kg
Less than 100 Kg 10.00

I would think that shipping would be what eats your lunch. Still, great work. This ought to help some folks out who want to do group buys.

DJ

 

[ERICinFL]

Yeah, shipping would be a killer. Hopefully, the three US companies I wrote to, will reply soon. It's been about a week.

 

[TheFishMan65]

I think it was Cliff that pointed me at some PLA for $31 kg (about $15 per pound) shipped from China. I can track the information down if anyone is interested. I think you had to buy 10kg minimum.

 

[rguyler]

I would be interested in a group buy if it becomes a serious topic. Even if shipping is high it would easily beat the price of the N/P pellets marketed for aquarium use.

 

[DJREEF]

I think it was Cliff that pointed me at some PLA for $31 kg (about $15 per pound) shipped from China. I can track the information down if anyone is interested. I think you had to buy 10kg minimum.

Yea, but would you be able to trust it. With all the crap they've pulled to this point, I don't think they can be counted on to deliver a toxin free product.

DJ

 

[TheFishMan65]

This is the shapelock type plastics. It is referred to as polymorph and is used a lot in DIY robot design as I understand. I would not think the recipe would be changing, but that is my opinion. I know some people are using them with good results.

 

[Acrotrdco]

Yeap, shapelock pellets are PCL, I think folks are looking for PHA pellets that can be bought at a lower price these days.

 

[ERICinFL]

I'll ask NaturePlast, what the S&H cost would be, for the min. 25kg. order. The US companies, have yet to reply to my inquiry.

 

[burnah]

anything went on in this? i would like to know whether the pha pellets from natureplast would really be what we want, if thats the case i would order some for testing...