center for bioplastics and biocomposites (cb2) – call for ... call for proposals.pdfxaim to solve...

Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (CB2) – Call for Proposals 2021 Projects Released 6/24/2020, 2-page proposals due 8/7/2020

Guidelines for Participation as an Investigator The National Science Foundation Industry & University Cooperative Research Center program is a vehicle for encouraging formal, topical relationships between academic institutions and industry collaborators. Research projects that make a good fit to the program and to the CB2:

Address any of the request-for-proposal topics from the IAB (Industry Advisory Board) “seed concepts”. Also included are the TWO LIFE forms that detail the general interest in the seed concepts from the IABAim to solve an applied problem on an aspect of the bioplastics or biocomposites supply chain. ReviewCB2's research thrust areas online.May be of particular interest to one industry partner, but preferably of broader significance.Build off collaborative projects you have had with potential members in the past.Highlight the unique capabilities and expertise of affiliated faculty.Offer precompetitive, but compelling solutions to difficulties the industry must overcome to advance.

Please note that the authors of the seed concepts are identified and PIs are highly encouraged to work with them in order to strengthen proposal development process.

A select number of projects will be selected for podium presentations at the fall planning meeting to be held November 17-18, 2020. The location is tentatively WSU in Pullman, WA. Faculty members can submit an unlimited number of project synopses for project concepts. The format is an executive summary and can be viewed using this link. The IAB will narrow the field to the most compelling projects from an industry standpoint. The CB2 call for proposals is open to all faculty members at the CB2 university sites. Collaborative projects with multiple faculty members and across campuses are encouraged. The PI’s are required to attend the six month and 12 month review meetings as well as submit progress reports at three and nine month periods into the research and have monthly conference calls with their selected mentors from the IAB.

Submission Instructions To submit a proposal for the CB2 all 2020 meeting, please upload your proposal by August 7, 2020 using this link: https://ndstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_74B5DnSFtLZ20y9. A decision on which proposals will be selected for a presentation at the fall meeting will be announced on September 11, 2020.

Funding per project should range from $40,000 to $60,000 of direct cost per year with a typical project duration of one year. Projects requiring more than one year of funding must submit new proposals for additional years. The original proposal may indicate that additional years are planned, but should only detail year one. Allowable costs include, but are not limited to the following: tuition, stipend, faculty salary, undergraduate salary, benefits, travel (international and domestic and should include one to two trips to the IAB meeting), materials, laboratory fees, and equipment. Please note, there are no indirect costs allowed in the project budgets.

https://ndstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_74B5DnSFtLZ20y9

https://www.ndsu.edu/centers/cb2/research.html

https://www.ndsu.edu/centers/cb2/research.html

https://ndstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKmY9kXbawl672t

SEED CONCEPTS

For 2021 Projects

SC-01 Author: Md Arifur Rahman, Ralph D. Maier Affiliate: BASF Corporation Title: Toward Odor-free and Color Neutral Lignin Seed concept: Lignin as the second most abundant biopolymer in nature, yet to find its niche in the polymer industries. Although the polyphenolic structure of lignin brings many important functionalities, odor and color have become two most limiting factors toward their applications in many areas. The colorable and odor-free lignin-based polymer composites have the potential to bring sustainable solution to many products in the market. Numerous research work reported the use of lignin as a filler, antioxidant, polyol or process stabilizers for polymers. Very few research works reported the technical routes to tune color and odor of lignin. Reynolds et al. used supercritical CO2 extraction of volatile organic compounds or esters of fatty acids from lignin and reduced the odor of lignin1. In addition, oxidation of lignin in alkaline pH or enzymatic treatment of lignin were also found to minimize the odor of lignin2. However, it is still important to find an industrially viable pre-treatment method to reduce or eliminate the odor of lignin. Similarly, very few notable research works can be found on tuning color of lignin. While the structural contribution of lignin to its dark brown color is not well known, the treatment or modification to reduce the dark brown color leads to the denaturation of lignin. For example, Wang et al. used UV irradiation to reduce the dark color of lignin which also led to significant change in the structure of lignin3. The challenge is to develop a one-step method to reduce odor and color while maintaining the structural integrity of lignin. In order to overcome the challenges to bring industrially viable solutions to produce odor-free and color neutral lignin, the technical pathways would include the understanding the effect of different sources and extraction methods on the odor and color of lignin. In addition, non-destructive methods to treat lignin to reduce colors and odor need to be identified. Analytical techniques such as odorimetry and GC/Mass Spectrometry would be useful to quantify the odor and colorimetric measurements to quantify the color reduction of lignin. The technical risk associated with the treatment of lignin could be the denaturation of lignin. In addition, eliminating the odor completely from lignin can be very challenging. The proposed concept will generate scientific understanding of non-destructive methods to produce odor-free and color neutral lignin. In addition, the success of the proposed concept can help the industries to bring many sustainable lignin-based products in the market.

References: 1. Reynolds, Wienke, et al. "Odor-Free Lignin from Lignocellulose by Means of High-Pressure Unit Operations: Process Design, Assessment and Validation." Chemie Ingenieur Technik 88.10 (2016): 1513-1517. 2. Kalliola, Anna Katariina, et al. "Reducing the content of VOCs of softwood kraft lignins for material applications." BioResources 7.3 (2012): 2871-2882. 3. Wang, Jingyu, et al. "Reduction of lignin color via one-step UV irradiation." Green Chemistry 18.3 (2016): 695-699. SC-02 Author: Clay Bunyard Affiliate: Kimberly Clark Title: Benchmarking Marine/Soil-Degradability of Materials Biodegradable materials if designed appropriately can enable managed waste disposal (composting, digestion) of single-use products/packaging and potentially mitigate impact of unmanaged disposal in the environment where waste infrastructure is inadequate. By 2021, SAPEA will provide a scientific point of view on criteria applicable home composting, soil and marine degradability and there is potential in the next 5+ years that regulatory standards will be developed for soil or marine degradability which will have implications on what materials we can use in the future. Soil/marine degradability studies have been conducted for some materials, however the environmental conditions and form factors of the materials make the studies difficult to compare. As there is a significant lack of study related to the more challenging marine degradability, it will be the proposed focus for this work unless IAB members indicate otherwise that soil degradation needs to be a focus for proposal development (it is reasonable to hypothesize that most marine degradable materials will also be soil degradable). Benchmarking a range of materials with potential for marine-degradability using common conditions will allow for assessment of suitability for

mitigating environmental leakage risks and guiding material development and selection. Materials in the study would be prioritized based on interest to CB2 members, the specific research questions targeted for study, and sample limitations of the particular biodegradation methods used for study. Potential materials could include PHA, PLA, PBS, PBAT, regenerated cellulose, natural fibers composites of biodegradable plastics, thermoplastic starch blends, and cellulosics (natural fiber and regenerated cellulose). Marine degradability would be conducted via one of two general approaches, either lab or field testing using a common form factor suited for rapid screening. The lab testing approach would include aerobic biodegradation (ASTM D6691) with potential follow-up Raman analysis to assess if micronization of the material occurred. Alternatively, field testing could be conducted to monitor physical integrity changes, disintegration and mass loss over time. Supporting Companies: Futamura, RWDC SC-03 / SC-06 / SC-16 Author: Kelly Williams, Alex Yahkind Affiliate: Futamura, Akzonobel Title: Developing bio-based and/or biodegradable functional water-based or energy curable coatings Despite the success of bio-based materials in packaging, there remains a need for sustainable bio-based packaging coatings. In order to address the lack of bio-based packaging coatings, industry advisory board (IAB) members from Futamura, WestRock, Medtronic, GC International and AkzoNobel combined ideas and seed concepts to develop bio-based renewable coatings for flexible film, laminate, paper, and paperboard applications. Herein, we propose the development of radiation curable (UV and/or electron beam (EB)) bio-based polymers and/or oligomers that can be used in low-VOC solventborne, waterborne, and/or solvent free coating applications.

The key requirements of the development project are the creation of polymeric and/or oligomeric resins or blocks having a crosslinking functionality that is UV/EB reactive (vinyl, epoxide, oxetane, vinyl ester / acrylate, thiol, and/or acetoacetate). The initial resin should be composed of building blocks such that the resin glass transition temperature (Tg) is preferably greater than 20oC prior to crosslinking. The expected application methods for the coatings are spray, roll coater, and Flexo having up to 10 billion cubic microns (BCM) anilox over print (overprint varnish (OPV) applications).

This proposal is aimed on the designing of the bio-based radiation curable polymers and oligomers, but not the coatings resulting from such resins. Once the resins are developed, the IAB teams will have the required tools to formulate bio-based coatings for their individual needs. The major performance requirements for the fully formulated coatings are expected to be chemical resistance, humidity and moisture resistance, low volatile organic content (VOC), acceptable odor, matte or gloss finish, heat resistance up to 121oC, and compostability per ASTM D-6400 and EN13432. Additionally, the formulated coatings should not contain potential migration analytes that would cause regulatory concerns (indirect food contact). Finally, the fully formulated coatings must handle standard web/film forming processes employed in packaging production (reference coatings can be provided). SC-04 Author: Fred Briones Affiliate: Native American Fiber Program Title: Hemp, bio-based material supply chain (from start to finish) within rural America, specifically within American Indian business structures and land. Topic: Hemp, bio-based material supply chain (from start to finish) within rural America, specifically within American Indian business structures and land. Problem: Hemp and other bio-based product supply chains often require several national and international corporations and actors which creates supply chain networks that are vulnerable to oil prices, market prices/disruptions, transportation costs, and more recently, pandemic disruptions. Creating supply chains that are wholly within the United States with resources based in some of the most rural parts of this country would create stronger rural economies, more reliable supply chains and products, and can be adjusted to meet the needs of American companies and people. Methodology: To establish a product supply chain for the production of hemp, biobased material in partnership with an American Indian corporation on American lands to determine the efficiency, effectiveness and resiliency of the production and supply chain. Tribes have special designations that tax-free-trade zoning, land bases, man power to create a reliable supply chain, and we would include the third arm of opportunity for supply chain establishment.. Hemp material/fabric can be the first test product. Other natural value added potentials include; 1. Cannabidiol (CBD) - resin for structural adhesives 2. Hurd – source of fiber for bio-plastic materials 3. Fiber – bio-composite PPE and other filtration uses. Approach: 1. Determine one production cycle timeline and product with a member of the CB2 community. 2. Engage with Tribal

entities in the Native American Fiber program to determine who is most willing and able to begin production. 3. Establish product and production specifications. 4. Determine terms of engagement that includes the use and cost of Tribal benefits such as tax free zoning and engagement of Tribal workforce. 5. Establish capital sharing structures to ensure supply chain flow. SC-05 Author: Hart Haugen Affiliate: Sherwin Williams Title: Compare the Cost and Environmental Impact of total Greenhouse Gas Generation of Biobased Materials Compared to Petroleum Counterparts Seed Concept: Much focus has been placed on decomposition of the biobased materials. This is important to our world. Also important are the questions from industrial customers asking for a reduction in carbon footprint. Biobased alternatives are often more costly than their counterparts. Upon investigation, emission assessment is more complex than a simple test and should utilize a total Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Raw materials, such as monomers for polyester and acrylic polymers, made from the production of biomass often require fertilizers, a nitrous oxide emission, worse than CO2. Fossil fuels are utilized to produce the fertilizer, grow the bio-based material, transport to produce the biobased product. Whether a bio-based product is better or not depends on the specifics of the situation: the type of biomass, the country of production, agriculture techniques used, production efficiency, and other factors. Having seen a Life Cycle Assessment, LCA appears to provide a better understanding of technologies that produce lower emissions and overall footprint. Understanding the “big picture” could be useful in educating customers in the value proposition of a more costly system. This project should consider biobased monomers, to produce polyester and acrylic resins, that also have petroleum derived counterparts. Looking at a full LCA, should also consider the monomer use in the production of the respective polymers. An IAB member suggested that the information collected should be used to form a database, propagating polymer synthesis with lower environmental impact. SC-06 / SC-12 / SC-13 Author: Alex Yahkind, Hart Haugen Affiliate: Akzonobel, Sherwin Williams Title: Biobased Functional Building Blocks, for Synthesis of Coatings with Extended Exterior Durability; The combination of SC-12, SC-6 and SC-13 This concept is to create biobased building blocks for use in a durable coating system that will exhibit an increased Life Cycle using rigid monomers or oligomers to synthesize the polymers and crosslinkers used in the binder system. Rigid monomers can be short chain length, heterocyclic, aliphatic or aromatic compounds. Aliphatic monomers and oligomers are preferred. Rigidity can also be introduced in the polymer by reducing the distance between monomer linkages especially linkages with low rotational mobility. Examples of rigid monomers are multifunctional monomers derived from furan, isosorbide or isobornyl methacrylate. Coating color stability is essential therefore monomers or oligomers should be of low color and not readily discolor upon exposure to heat or light. Adhesion to numerous substrates is highly desired. The concept should result in a crosslinked coating system with high renewable content. It is open for 1K or 2K waterborne, solventborne or 100% solids systems. Crosslinkers can be existing or a new biobased material. High solids or 100% solids systems may require reactive diluents to minimize viscosity increase and maximize crosslink density. Biobased reactive diluents are desirable. Specialty biobased coalescent solvents may be required to induce film formation. It can be beneficial if the coalescing materials react into the binder matrix, reducing the VOC of the coating system. Areas of application include Automotive, Heavy Machinery, Coil, Aerospace and others. The coating should be able

to survive at least 5-year weather exposure in South Florida with minimal loss of gloss, DOI and discoloration. Longer duration than 5-years is preferred. Artificial weathering requirements will be provided when needed. Also contemplated is the possibility of using this binder system in reaction injection molding applications. We are asking for the development of the biobased building blocks and resultant polymers capable of meeting these durable coating requirements. To look at the full life cycle, provides understanding of a complete picture of the environmental impacts. The longer a coating survives, the greater the reduction is emissions from raw material development, new coating manufacture, transportation, application and cure. SC-07 Author: Mark Remmert Affiliate: GreenDot Bioplastics Title: Replace ASTM D6400 CB2 should develop a new testing protocol to replace ASTM D6400 or EN13432. These current tests for biodegradability of plastics are too slow and too expensive. The cost and time commitment for these tests are a significant barrier to creating new biodegradable plastic applications. The test conditions for D6400 are arbitrary and notoriously unpredictable and not highly reproducible. By contrast, traditional petrochemical plastics are routinely tested by ASTM standards that are cheap, fast, and reliable. For example, UL flammability tests, NSF child safe standards, or USP VI for plastics, can be completed in hours, for a few hundred or thousand dollars. The bioplastics industry is hurting itself by adhering to such complicated and expensive test protocols. SC-08 Author: Jake Popp Affiliate: Medtronic Title: Recyclable Medical Packaging The goal of this proposal would be to identify a recyclable, non-sterilized medical packaging which can adhere to the requirements of the US and OUS medical device regulations. As a medical device company, we must adhere to many US and international regulations regarding package information, size, etc. Unfortunately, through the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, we’ve found that the current solution of adhering regulatory compliant labeling to a recyclable box renders the package not fit for recycling. By identifying a white packaging material which is appropriate for medical device packaging, is able to have a printed label, remains recyclable and has a stable shelf life, and can be easily folded from flat into a carton, it could have a significant impact on the amount of medical device waste generated. SC-09 Author: Nate Torterella Affiliate: John Deere Title: Bio-based core-shell impact modifiers to increase toughness of composites and adhesives. Description: Core-shell impact modifiers are critical to improving energy absorption mechanisms in brittle polymers such as epoxies. They can be added in concentrations up to 15 wt% of the total composition. Synthetic products like Kane Ace from Kaneka, are manufactured using petroleum resources. It would be interesting to see if the rubber core and acrylate shell can be manufactured using bio-derived sources.

SC-10 Authors: Jacob Brutman, Charlie Tazzia, and Ralph D. Maier Affiliate: BASF Corporation Title: Biocomposites for sustainable shock absorption Seed Concept: Shock absorption materials are a large market in the US, with applications from sports to construction and automotive, representing millions of pounds of materials. Many of these applications are intended for relatively short lifetimes (1-10 years), particularly in the athletic industry. Materials used for shoes, pads, helmets, and various

construction materials are not typically recycled and thus, are either incinerated or end up in the environment post-use, posing a potentially serious and long-term environmental hazard. Some materials are currently produced via downcycling existing materials (e.g. carpet and turf rebond), representing an end-of-life application which inevitably poses an environmental risk. Thus, the need for a competitive sustainable alternative is paramount. The materials used for these applications must meet various requirements around shock absorption and longevity. The materials must be able to perform at optimal performance for a few years in the case of sports equipment (1-3 years) while various construction and automotive materials must last much longer (≥10 years). Shock absorption properties are of paramount importance. In the sports industry, shock absorption prevents injury to athletes. In the construction and automotive industries, they help to maintain structural integrity, which in-turn, prevents potentially life endangering situations. Various existing sustainable polymers (e.g. polyesters, polyurethanes) could be studied for their potential in these applications, particularly as it relates to inclusion of biobased fillers/fibers for improvement of mechanical properties, cost reduction, and environmental impact reduction. Novel polymers could also be explored, particularly to improve shock absorption and reduction of environmental impact. Specific applications require different modes of shock absorption and research in this area may help to establish a better understanding of the polymer-structure–shock-absorption relationship. Knowledge gained would allow member companies to add sustainable alternatives to their existing shock absorbing material portfolios. Other member companies could use the resulting materials in their product lines. SC-11 This seed concept was withdrawn by the author after feedback from the first round. SC-12 This seed concept was merged with SC-06 SC-13 This seed concept was merged with SC-06 SC-14 Author: Mark Remmert Affiliate: GreenDot Bioplastics Title: On-Site Composting Industrial composting has proven useful for managing organic waste in some areas. But the industrial process is cumbersome, expensive, and requires massive infrastructure. Also, the environmental footprint of collecting, sorting, hauling, and handling organic waste is huge, and potentially unnecessary. CB2 could develop technology, processes, and equipment to enable residential and institutional composting. If residences, apartments, restaurants, schools, hospitals, malls, etc., could compost on-site it would relieve a tremendous burden on municipal waste facilities and tremendously reduce the environmental footprint associated with waste handling. Today, you can buy a home composter from Vita Mix for $299. There should be an opportunity to scale that technology to handle neighborhoods, office parks, and other institutions. On-site composting would dramatically drive demand for compostable food service and packaging plastics. SC-15 / SC- 17 Author: Jake Popp, Tina Tosukhowong Affiliate: Medtronic, GC Innovation America Title: Retortable biopolymer for high barrier packaging in food and medical applications According to many research studies, the global food industry is undergoing a massive transformation in line with changing consumer interests. The rise of ready-to-eat food consumption shows an increasing adoption of on-to-go lifestyle. To enable this trend, the ready-to-go packaging requires to undergo heating and sterilization process at a minimum of 120C during preparation and sterilization. Moreover, to preserve shelf life, it also requires gas and moisture barrier properties. To respond to this change, the packaging manufacturers are seeking innovative packaging solutions, and retortable packaging seems to be one of the best solutions for this. Similarly, packaging material for medical devices are required to undergo sterilization, often by ethylene Oxide, hydrogen peroxide, steam or various other means. As they are intended to kill harmful microorganisms, they are

harsh by nature, rendering many materials not suitable for packaging. By developing a packaging material which is environmentally sustainable, capable to withstand different sterilization methods and has a multi-year shelf life, it would have a benefit to the medical device industry. Normally, the retort cup/pouch packaging consists of at least two-four layers. The inner layer that is in contact with food or medical device serves as a heat seal surface and provides strength and flexibility. The middle and outer layers provide barrier properties and printing ability, respectively. Incumbent retortable plastic material for food and medical packaging is such as polypropylene. To provide an additional oxygen barrier in food packaging, the barrier film such as EVOH is often used as a middle layer and attached to polypropylene via a tie layer. Although this type of retortable packaging provides several satisfactions, the waste management issues is a big problem. The development of biopolymers to be used in retortable packaging can solve this problem. This seed concept is to develop the biopolymer solution for retortable packaging that could meet the level of the barrier properties and also heat resistance. These properties are known to be the challenging of research when it comes together. For example if a multilayer configuration is to be used, how to ensure adhesion of several layers over a wide range of temperatures? Several applications of single used plastic require these essential properties, but have yet to be commercialized. By launching this solution, we could go beyond the limit and can bring environmental friendly material to the market.

Items Based materials - Bioplastic materials, in could be PLA, PBS, PBAT or others that could be

processed with extrusion cast, cold forming and thermoforming. An example of bioplastics that can sustain high temperature includes crystalized PLA. - The solution could be either single layer or multilayer .

Target application Total solution for barrier food and medical packaging. PI should consider various construction that can be retorted and sterilized by different methods.

Possible Sterilization method

Steam sterilization: 120oC Up to 150oC (30 minutes) Ethylene oxide sterilization (up to 70C, 80% humidity, up to 10 hrs) Gamma irradiation (hours) Electron beam sterilization (minutes) Hydrogen peroxide sterilization

Oxygen barrier per packaging

Food packaging: 0.002 cc/package.day Etylene oxide process: need to allow EO to pass through

Moisture barrier per packaging

Food packaing: max 0.1 g/m2.day

Significant properties related to processing and end use application

Food packaging: 1) Heat resistance suitable for retort and microwave condition. 2) Fully biodegradable 3) 18 months shelf life

Medical Packaging: 2 years stable shelf life Other …. Allow labels to be printed on surface

SC-16 This seed concept was merged with SC-03

SC-17 This seed concept was merged with SC-15

SC-18 Author: Tina Tosukhowong Affiliate: GC Innovation America Title: Marine compostable additives for bioplastics. Overview: The quantity of marine waste is increasing in the oceans worldwide. Flexible plastic packaging is the most prevalently found marine plastic pollution. When the plastic bags enter the oceans, they have the tendency to float because of entrapped air. In that condition, the plastic bags will not degrade. In the ocean, plastic waste injures and kills fish, seabirds, sea turtle and marine mammals. Regarding the public concern of the plastic waste in the ocean, more customers are looking for marine degradable plastics to be alternative materials for their products. However, few marine degradable materials are existing in the market, e.g.,TPS, PHA and Cellulose. Moreover, most of them are applicable in a limited application regarding their mechanical properties and short shelf life. This seed concept is focusing on the development of “Marine compostable additives” for bioplastics. This additive should act as a catalyst or co-catalyst to initiate and/or accurate the degradation of the bioplastics only when they expose to the ocean.

LIFE Form Review

CB2: Seed Concepts for 2021 Projects (Virtual Meeting) - May 13th, 2020

New Proposals: Level of InterestTitle VI I I w/ C NI A

(SC-01) Toward Odor-free and Color Neutral Lignin 4 12 2 8 7

(SC-02) Benchmarking Marine/Soil-Degradability of Materials 14 9 2 4 6

(SC-03) Developing Bio-Based and/or Biodegradable Functional Wa ... 13 13 1 3 3

(SC-04) Hemp, Bio-based Material Supply Chain (from start to fi ... 13 15 3 1 3

(SC-05) Compare the Cost and Environmental Impact of Total Gree ... 7 9 3 9 6

(SC-06) Polymerizable Bio-based Rigid Building Blocks 13 10 3 3 8

(SC-07) Replace ASTM D6400 4 6 3 8 8

(SC-08) Recyclable Medical Packaging 3 7 2 3 12

(SC-09) Bio-based Core-Shell Impact Modifiers to Increase Tough ... 5 12 1 5 8

(SC-10) Biocomposites for Sustainable Shock Absorption 5 14 3 2 6

(SC-11) Compostable Binder Fibers 5 9 3 3 12

(SC-12) Biobased Functional Anticorrosive Barrier Coatings with ... 10 2 2 5 12

(SC-13) Bio-based Reactive Diluents and Coalescents 7 5 3 3 9

(SC-14) On-Site Composting 11 9 2 7 5

(SC-15) Sterilizable Medical Packaging 3 8 0 5 11

(SC-16) Bio-based UV/EB Curable Coatings 8 6 3 4 11

(SC-17) Retortable Biopolymer for High Barrier Packaging 10 15 1 3 3

(SC-18) Marine Compostable Additive for Bioplastics 9 9 2 8 6

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-01) Toward Odor-free and Color Neutral Lignin

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Md Arifur Rahman and Ralph D. Maier (BASF Corporation)

Level of InterestVery Interested - 4

Interested - 12Interested with Change - 2

Not Interested - 8Abstain - 7

Summary of Responses to IAB Comments

Very Interested• potentially general idea. Eric and I have the expertise Response 1: Thanks. Let us stay connected. -Arif_BASF

• What are the applications you need for colorless lignin? Response 1: e.g. Film and sheet applications -Arif_BASF

• Very important topic! Response 1: Agree. -Arif_BASF

Interested• Are you interested in an enzymatic route or physio/chemical route. Response 1: Sure. Interested to learn more about the approach. Note that we are looking for a

physical, one step route to pre-treat lignin and process, for example in the extruder. Since BASFis a polymer producer. -Arif_BASF

• Very interesting idea. Would it be ok to impart another desirable odor or color? And, are thereany requirements for properties?

Response 1: We are looking for odor free and color neutral option. But open to learn your idea

about imparting another color or odor. We do not want lose the OH functionality of lignin.-Arif_BASF

• As this research promotes use of lignin, we are interested in general. Removal of color and odorwill open up applications. If edible may be used as a filler material.

Response 1: Very interested to learn more about your ideas to overcome these challenges.

-Arif_BASF

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• The benefits of an increased understanding of the mechanisms of eliminating odor in lignin canfind many relevant industrial applications of interest.

Response 1: Exactly. -Arif_BASF

• this is a century-old challenge. I am wondering if this can be combined with Dylan Cronin'swork?

Response 1: Agree with you. But sadly no industrially viable solutions. I will be happy to learn

how we can continue in an ongoing project or in separate project. -Arif_BASF

• I would like to see more technical detail on what new processes will be used to achieve thegoals of color reduction. The characterization of the resulting processed lignin will be a big partof the project and an appropriate plan will be needed for this evaluation.

Response 1: Right. The analytics will be very important part of the work. -Arif_BASF

• There are several PIs at UGA who can provide ideas towards this front. Sudhagar Mani andothers. -- Jason Locklin

Response 1: Good to know. Thanks. -Arif_BASF

• Color removal from streams derived from natural materials is a general need. Lignin has aunique color profile and needs, and I support study in this area. I'm also interested ifdevelopments in this area would translate to other types of streams, such as fermentationproduct streams, etc.

Response 1: Fantastic! I think having you on board to do such research would be an excellent

idea. -Arif_BASF

• Choice of lignin source will be important to consider. Lignin derived from existing supplychains and feedstocks should be prioritized. Softwood and hardwood lignins of course, but alsolignin from ag residue that is collected at a processing site like peanut or soy hulls would begood too.

Response 1: Thanks for suggestions. You are right, the existing supply chains and feedstocks

should be prioritized. -Arif_BASF

• Lignin is a broad classification of material. First question is there one particular source or typeof lignin that would be of highest priority? Second question is that there are lignin-related purechemicals pure chemicals that could be extracted from biomass (ferulic acid for example) - suchextracts would be color-free if pure. Would such an approach be of interest?

Response 1: At this point, we keep it general and open to learn how source or extraction

methods influence the colors or odor in lignin. But if you have any suggestions please let usknow.We would like to focus on lignin rather any derivatives from it, at this point.Thanks. -Arif_BASF

Interested with Change• Would be of interest but cost of modification need to know. Response 1: Right. the cost of modification will eventually affect the cost of products.

-Arif_BASF

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• Have you considered the hydrogenated derivative of ferulic acid (hydroferulic acid) forcopolymerization with compostable polyesters? Note differences in reactivity of alkyl versusaryl acid and alcohol, respectively, even if one were to conjugate this compound to othercompounds (i.e. ethylene glycol dimer with hydroferulic acid).

I think the base polymer of lignin must be deconstructed to afford clear or white polymer (orperhaps UV photobleached, but side reactions will be numerous).

Response 1: Right. Probably, controlled denaturation of lignin is necessary to reduce color or

odor. Please let us know your thoughts. Thanks. -Arif_BASF

Abstain• Appreciate the context.

Would it be possible to have some example applications in mind? Response 1: Film and sheet applications.

Thank you. -Arif_BASF

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-02) Benchmarking Marine/Soil-Degradability of Materials

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Clay Bunyard (Kimberly Clark)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments ClayBunyard's Response: a) Define the breadth of the study. Single year or multi-year with

multiple investigators? What about modeling? b) What are we trying to understand? Myperspective: compare a wide range of materials (including novel CB2 materials) and if theydegrade relatively quickly and in a way that does not create microplastics or toxic byproducts ineither soil/marine environments. More detailed studies required to get at the microplasticsquestion, what microbial communities are involved, etc. than just following a â€œstandardâ€•set of test conditions. c) What test conditions? Standards do exist but with unmanaged disposalwe will need to think beyond standard tests, particularly for marine. UGAâ€™s expertise canhelp define the best conditions.

Very Interested• I'd be interested in seeing this as a big multi-site/center wide project, ~$150 or more for budget

shared by 2-4PI. Response 1: Great, I think there is a lot of opportunity for PIs to create model materials for

evaluation to help us learn quickly on how different materials and composites behave in theseenvironments. -Clay Bunyard

• Is the concept for a testing and benchmarking study? Or a design and use of materials projectto guide industry use?

Response 1: In the area of soil, and particularly marine-degradability we need to ground

ourselves on how the materials behave in those environments, particularly marine so that wecan later guide industry use. As an example, do they create microplastics that could be harmfulfor sea life? Does blending or composites of highly marine degradable materials withcompostable materials help the overall degradability of the blend? (I've seen some studies thatindicate it could.) The science is evolving around that plus the methods for evaluating marinedegradability. Once we understand some basics we can then we can provide guidance on whatmaterials have the lowest risk for particular single-use applications. -Clay Bunyard

• much needed and good fit for UGA/NMI's capabilities. a lot of efforts that this work would tieinto related to single-use packaging that, inevitably, escapes collection. This is a building blockproject!

Response 1: Yes! "building block project" is a great way to describe this. The results of this

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should be able to lay the foundation for future material development and selection for marketswith poor infrastructure now, and are evolving towards an infrastructure that can processbiodegradable materials. -Clay Bunyard

• This is very important and i really like the idea of benchmarking with different materials. Weat UGA have tripled our capacity in evaluating biodegradation with another 800K investment inequipment resources over the past few months. We would love the opportunity to work on this.-- Jason Locklin

Response 1: Definitely agree. -Clay Bunyard

• This is an important area of fundamental research. Benchmarking current candidates, andtesting active design concepts to promote degradation in soil and marine should both beincluded.

Response 1: Yes, I agree, thanks for the feedback. -Clay Bunyard

• I like the focused goal and direct applicability of the proposal. Response 1: Thanks for the feedback -Clay Bunyard

• Much more definition of unique benchmarking/measurements must be defined. Aren't thereexisting standards for measuring? Is the idea to establish a new one for these resins?

Response 1: I was thinking benchmarking materials against each other using a standard form

factor and conditions. That is what is challenging now with comparing marine degradability inthe literature, the range of test conditions, material forms, etc. vary significantly. -Clay Bunyard

• We need a comprehensive database like this. Thanks for proposing it! Response 1: Yes, I think this will help significantly on material selection where soil/marine

degradability could be a concern. -Clay Bunyard

• Overlap between project with single use plastic. Great to include hurd.

Interested• We are generally interested in biodegradable, biobased polymers. This seed looks very

appropriately addresses the market needs.. Response 1: Yes, I think this will allow us to gauge the full spectrum of biodegradability for

materials and material blends. -Clay Bunyard

• Are there certain ASTM standards you want to be used for this study? Response 1: There are established methods for soil and marine degradability but I think they

would need to be modified for the purpose of this study. Additionally, I would say there is nota general consensus on how meaningful the marine degradability tests are today. So I thinkabout this as a screening study initially that will allow us to dive deeper into what is actuallyhappening with these materials (i.e. do they create microplastics) -Clay Bunyard

• Like the suggestion as this data is much needed.

I am assuming you would be interested in also what the optimum conditions are to degradethese materials to a desirable form.

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Response 1: Yes, but I would frame it slightly differently. Since we are talking aboutunmanaged disposal in soil and marine environments, we have no control over creating theoptimal conditions so we would want to know the range of conditions under which they readilybiodegrade to see if that range matches with the environments they might be exposed to. Theevaluation of the range of conditions might be a later stage of the project versus the initial (thatwould depend on the PI proposal) -Clay Bunyard

• Interested in new biodegradable polymer development? Response 1: I see this as guiding our ability to develop new materials. Because CB2 is heavily

into new material development, I think this is a great opportunity to work some of these newmaterials into this study, like the modified xylans or fiber composites. -Clay Bunyard

• We have the capacity and interest, and such a testing requires a simultaneous multiplexingexperiment (respirometry, disintegration, toxicity, etc.) that requires normalization of themicrobial consortia by time and location (i.e. organisms that decompose such materials taken atthe same time, from the same place, and screened all at once). One may not control all thevariables in microbiota due to Darwinian evolution rules, but one may control time and placeand scale of the experiment.

Several new material not on your list may also be benchmarked. Response 1: Yes, due to the complexity that is why I'm thinking at least the first stage of this

might be a screening study. And frankly I don't know what is easy or difficult for PIs to workinto the initial battery of experiments. What can we learn initially through a first pass, and thenselect materials down from there to better understand the fundamentals of what is going on. I'dlove to think through the hypotheses to test. -Clay Bunyard

Interested with Change• The project has a great industrial merit. The scope is very broad. The question is how does this

differ from the existing ASTM method. When we introduce different shape and thickness,would the result be reproducible?

Response 1: Some version of the ASTM test for soil degradability could be used with a

standardized form factor for the material. I think we would want to focus on assessing theinherent biodegradability of a range of materials first under these conditions and then thinkabout considerations of thickness and shape after that. Marine degradability is morecomplicated with respect to what standardized tests to use (some have been withdrawn) andwhat conditions that need to be evaluated. Locklin's lab has done some aerobic marine waterbiodegradation testing so I think we can start there with protocols that are meaningful. -ClayBunyard

• I would be interested in using modeling and available data sets to screen the materials andpredict/recommend materials biodegradability. Or team up with an experimental group tomodel their finding for create a frame work for better future designs.

Response 1: Yes, it would be great to think through how to get more predictive in how we

would expect materials to degrade, maybe with machine learning or other appropriate methods. Do we have expertise in that within the center? -Clay Bunyard

Not Interested• The project seems aimed at benchmarking existing materials for marine degradability. Although

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this is important as it relates to plastic pollution, I wonder if this type of project will be able toachieve realistic technical goals within a one year time frame. (Degradation testing is slow)

Response 1: I think this is a potentially a multi-year project depending on the level of

complexity and to what extent we want to understand what is actually happening (e.g. creationof microplastics, understand more about the microbial communities involved). But I think wecan make some hypotheses on timeframes for cut-off points particularly thin sheets ofmaterials. A material that takes 2 years to degrade in a marine environment is not a goodcandidate and I'm sure we could exclude much earlier in that timeframe. -Clay Bunyard

• Lot of understanding is already there, it is more appropriate to identify proper test methodsbefore we get into the bench marking study.

Response 1: I would agree there is understanding for a very narrow range of materials. The

"best test method" is going to be a moving target for marine degradability as no widely agreedupon standard exists. That is why it is important to gather some more basic understanding ofwhat is actually happening, particularly with respect to generation of microplastics - and that islikely what governing bodies will want to know to assess materials are appropriate or not andhaving a short timeframe. There is significant gap in understanding of this. -Clay Bunyard

Abstain• If broader project, consider assessing toxicity of incomplete breakdown products. Response 1: Makes sense. thanks for the suggestion. -Clay Bunyard

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-03) Developing Bio-Based and/or Biodegradable Functional Water-Based or

Energy Curable Coatings

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Kelly Williams (Futamura)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments KellyWilliams's Response: Thanks to everyone for the comments and questions. I believe the

sites involved with CB2 are well-suited to add a spark to the market for the development of newmaterials. I believe the world is well-underway into the next era of making called "The NewMaterials Age" where we learn to use what nature has already made and refined and to use it insmarter ways to build the products we need to sustain 7.8B every day. Coatings are animmensely important part of this new era. I will add that the way we make flexible packagingtoday is flawed and will inevitably change. We no longer need a windshield of polyester film tomake a stand up pouch of trail mix. We can surface print and use functional coatings to do thesame job.

Very Interested• We have been working on UV curable resins based on various oils (soy, cottonseed, hemp) that

could be biodegradable or be made biodegradable and address this need (Webster, NDSU). • Interesting concept. Biodegradable and Biobased coatings market is huge. • Overlap in project for the need of farm based ag. • There is lot of push for this kind of coating especially in hybrid products where current coating

are limiting in end of life of solution so this project can be very important. • I like this one in that it could have applicability to a wide range of uses and industries. • We have several ideas that could be developed into a proposal, based on materials that could be

selected from a range of developmental states. • will help to provide some further metrics that are targets: for example cure times and line

speeds. helps to focus on types of chemistry we can use and limitations.

There are many PIs at UGA that would contribute: Dr. Minko, White, Locklin, and others.

Interested• Huge unmet needs in this area.

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• Very compelling prompt. • for context- what existing biodegradable functional water-based or energy curable coatings are

there? • Would you like them to be also home compostable? • Good project and right format to tackle. It will be important to reach broadly out to the IAB to

collect materials challenges/unmet needs to focus on • Interesting initiatives. Would be interested to see if existing low cost polymer material such as

starch, PBS, can be functionalized and make into water based coating. • Great project and strong focus on supply chain reorganization, but this project will require a

strong industry lobby to convince government leadership to realize capitalistic ideals of suchmaterials. Also, advocates for such materials that are not subsidized (unlike the large subsidiesfor corn and other crops) would be needed if new materials are to compete.

Keep pushing the needle in this space.

Interested with Change• I would be more interested in biodegradable coatings rather than just bio-based. More

specificity with respect to the material sets that would be investigated is needed. The specifictechnical requirements of the coatings will need to be determined at the beginning of theproject.

Additional Comments• Will be very much interested in this proposal. This research will benefit the raw materials and

coatings producers, and the end users

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-04) Hemp, Bio-based Material Supply Chain (from start to finish) w/in Rural

America, specifically w/in American Indian Business Structures and Land

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Fred Briones (Native American Fiber Program)





Very Interested• Green Dot would be happy to help support this project. Response 1: thank you for your comments. At one time I was working with your sales staff to

create pellets for us however the pandemic hit. Your staff was very kind and friendly. -FredBriones

• This whole area is wide open and needs a lot of work done to build a good infrastructure aroundindustrial hemp that will only increase in volume.

Response 1: We get the same feeling that there is lots of demand therefore we are trying to

create the infrastructure within tribal communities -Fred Briones

• Recent legislation changes in Georgia have really accelerated the interest in hemp relatedresearch. There are multiple groups at UGA that have started programs and interest. I thinksome collaboration between groups (like Chad Ulven at NDSU) could collaborate with UGAPIs to do something that one sit alone cannot. - Jason Locklin

Response 1: Pre-plastics the majority of US textiles was hemp based. Today with the

legalization of hemp several large land based tribes strongly feel this is the time to recreatehemp industry. -Fred Briones

• Hemp is an amazing source to meet our daily needs. We should be using the entire stalk tomake the products we need everyday.

Response 1: So many things can be made from hemp and this is why we need university

research and testing for large manufacturing. -Fred Briones

• We can contribute to resin development for adhesives/composites and have extensiveexperience with high performance bio-based resin technology that can be applied to hemp(Webster, NDSU).

Response 1: It would be beautiful to see the natural CBD resin replace plastics entirely. -Fred

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Briones

• Very interesting topic for John Deere. This includes the planting, care, and harvesting of hemp,as well as application of hemp in our equipment.

Response 1: Thats is a great idea which fits perfect into a farm to factory model. -Fred Briones

• Very supportive of trying to find ways to get access and assess hemp for our applications. Myguess is we would have to pick a more refined scope for the project.

Response 1: Our project scope revolves around single use plastic replacements specifically

cutlery in tribal casinos. However the entertainment industry has slowed down therefore tribesare investigating the potentials of a hemp bio composite PPE. -Fred Briones

• What are the major hemp fiber properties you are looking for? Higher glucan chain length,bigger DP etc...??

Interested• There are similar tropes with Kelly Williams' project for bio-materials. Great project and strong

focus on supply chain reorganization as well. This project will also require a strong industrylobby to convince government leadership to realize capitalistic ideals of such materials.Similarly, advocates for such materials that are not subsidized (unlike the large subsidies forcorn and other crops) would be needed if new materials are to compete.

We absolutely need your voice and representation for our strong-willed leaders that supportsuch a renewable capital exploitation.

• I think this is a great initiative! • Much more project/scope definition would be required before we would fully support. • We would be very interested to partner with a tribe in the Southeast to evaluate Hemp-based

feedstocks. • Can see using hemp oil for doing monomers, polymers and polymeric materials • Logistics of hemp harvest/processing is one of the big gaps to realize goal. Good chance to

reach out to additional PI at the sites to help address. • Good reasons to support this valorization of Hemp fibers. • I am not completely clear on what the framework of the research would be. The pitch seems

somewhat nebulous, which is not always a bad thing at this early stage, but I am unsure whatthe true focal point is for the proposed initiative.

• Supply chain issues for natural materials such as hemp is a barrier to commercialization for my

company. For this proposal, identification of a more specific starting point (material, use, etc)will be critical. It may be difficult to address all of the proposal concepts in a one-year project.

• Could be interesting to explore hemp based products as it is emerging as next big agro basket.

Interested with Change• A broad scope for a one year project that would require a lot of different people from different

disciplines. Can you narrow the focus a little? Also, there are some business objectives that Idon't believe this center is focused on.

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• Need to narrow the scope. Perhaps a project with the resins or fibers? • Would like to see the scope refined to something a manageable size for a PI to investigate

within the funding limits.

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-05) Compare the Cost and Environmental Impact of Total Greenhouse Gas

Generation of Biobased Materials Compared to Petroleum Counterparts

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Hart Haugen (Sherwin Williams)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments HartHaugen's Response: Thank you for all of your comments. There is a need for more data so

we can have better understanding of environmental impact of our decisions. The initialemphasis should be monomer comparison, the simplest objective. Examples could compare abiobased acrylic monomer compared to it's fossil fuel counterpart. More complex exercise willbe LCA assessment in polymers.

Very Interested• LCAs can be complex with a lot of assumptions and the more data we have to help make

informed decisions, the better. Response 1: Thank you, I agree we need so much more data. -Hart Haugen

• It is important to have a life cycle perspective when design products towards sustainability. Life cycle assessment can not only help marketing, public informing, but also help identifyingbottleneck and refining design process especially for the selection of materials/processes thathave less environmental impacts. I would also like to expand this idea to include broader socialeconomic aspect of biobased materials since they promote economic development not only inthe urban centers but also rural areas.

Response 1: I totally agree with expanding the concept to increase the level of social

understanding. -Hart Haugen

• Even at this stage, more specific project scope should be provided. Materials? Total variables toconsider within the mfg and transportation processes, etc..

Response 1: My specific scope would be related to the production of biobased coatings as

compared to a petroleum counter part, however I think it is important to collect data and wouldwelcome other suggestions. -Hart Haugen

• These kinds of guidelines and assessments can be very valuable if they are done honestly,objectively, transparently. But if they are slanted or driven to favor one material over another,then they serve as a significant barrier to entry and in fact can be a restraint of trade and anticompetitive.

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Response 1: I agree. -Hart Haugen

• This proposal covers a large area of materials. Narrowing it down to a specific subset ofbiobased materials can help increase the quality and effectiveness of the study.

Response 1: The thought would be to start with the building blocks or monomers. There are

several biobased and fossil fuel equivalents. -Hart Haugen

Interested• I would be interested in development of a raw material "cheat sheet" which gives a rough

side-by-side comparison of different materials so we have good visibility to the tradeoffs ofdifferent materials. I can provide an example of what I'm talking about. - Clay Bunyard (KCC)

Response 1: I like the idea of a "cheat sheet" Knowledge of the best path forward prior to

starting development will have long-term benefits. -Hart Haugen

• Agreed, important to look at the big picture. Would be interested if there are specific materialsto evaluate.

Response 1: I would start comparing monomers then expand to polymers. -Hart Haugen

• I think this is critical as the costs of producing these bio-based products are higher as pointedout by Hart.

Response 1: I think costs will come down as processes are perfected. Commercial success is

needed to drive optimization. -Hart Haugen

• Another very good opportunity to build a multi-site collaboration and would likely be mostimpactful as a large multisite project with multiple PIs and requisite budget to enable thecollaboration

• This project would increase the interest from other faculty at UGA who are more focused on

LCA and TEA. i am supportive of this project for that reason on top of the ones that Hartdescribed.

Jason Locklin • Information could be very helpful to support business cases in general, and potentially

specifically if we choose examples.

Interested with Change• From a ghg perspective, the structure of bio-based materials may be zero from a carbon

standpoint, but are often not zero-carbon in their making. I agree we need more work in LCAand this space.

From a big picture standpoint, we need to consider not only ghg cost, but impacts to naturalresources from non-degradable plastics killing wildlife. The magnitude and cost of this problemis not fully understood (i.e. influences on the fish stocks) by year 2050, there will be 1 kg ofplastic for 1 kg of fish.

Response 1: I like that you are looking at the larger picture. As more considerations are

brought forward, their inclusion will help to educate all on the complexity and possibly aid inchange. -Hart Haugen

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• This seems somewhat unbounded unless I am misunderstanding. I think it is vitally importantfor this type of understanding to be a part of each project that is conducted in CB2 (regardingthe footprint and impact of the processes that are a part of each project), but I am unsure how tocreate a project unto itself on this core concept.

Response 1: Being new, I may not fully understand the project dynamics. Is LCA part of each

project consideration? I would start with the comparison of building blocks (monomers)comparable materials from biobased and petroleum sources. As a second step move topolymers. -Hart Haugen

• Perhaps focus on specific applications as the devil is in the detail?

Would need more resolution on the starting material in order to be meaningful- virginfeedstock, recycled, industrial ag, waste material, regenerative ag?

Response 1: The thought was to understand raw materials made from biomass compared to

fossil fuels, start with monomers then move to polymers. -Hart Haugen

Not Interested• This can be very product specific based on the life cycle of that particular product. There has

been studies done in this space and might be useful to pull data from literature to see where westand.

Response 1: I have seen some information in the literature. If you would be willing to share

information, it would be greatly appreciated. -Hart Haugen

• Would be a lot more beneficial if the PI can provide examples of what to be compared. Not allmaterials are created equal, so it's not possible to conclude without selecting model examples.

Response 1: An example could be the comparison of biobased acrylic monomer to fossil fuel

counter part. There are many more. Materials don't need to be exactly identical but materialsshould provide equivalent performance. -Hart Haugen

• LCA's are critical to understanding the benefits and drawbacks of bio-based materials. Thatsaid, they are expensive and time consuming to carry out. Every specific material will requiretheir own analysis, so I don't see how a project can be structured to get at a more generalizedpicture.

• not interested

Abstain• I like this project but abstaining since it is outside my company's area of

involvement/experience. Completely agree with you that trading one evil for another is not theanswer. We need complete rethinking of sustainable solutions.

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-06) Polymerizable Bio-based Rigid Building Blocks

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Alex Yahkind (Akzonobel)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments AlexYahkind's Response: Thank you for all suggestions. I specially appreciate comments

related to other potential uses of these materials

Very Interested• We have lignin extract technologies in development that are ideal for epoxy resins Response 1: These technologies will be interesting to evaluate in BPANI packaging coatings. I

would be interested to discuss it further -Alex Yahkind

• I am not in a position to speak to what research into this topic might exist today, but I am veryinterested in the many potential industrial applications of such a technology.

Response 1: The industrial applications include, but not limited to the automotive, wood,

packaging and industrial coatings -Alex Yahkind

• Can you be more specific on the "rigid" building blocks. Are you interested in exploringcarbohydrate-based feedstocks?

Response 1: Most of the proposed uses of bio-based materials in the coatings are based on a

very low Tg monomers derived from the oils. We would be interested in the polymerizablebuilding blocks based on the monomers with Tg above 20C -Alex Yahkind

• Very nice. Would be interested in the alignment with the medical device proposals. Response 1: Something that we certainly can consider. I would like to discuss it further for the

potential synergies -Alex Yahkind

• "Blocks" mean NOT the monomers, is it correct? Response 1: That's correct. Our interest is in the building blocks based on the rigid monomers

-Alex Yahkind

• Any particular type of polymer? Response 1: At this point we are open to suggestions (acrylics, polyesters, epoxies, latexes,

PUDs, etc) -Alex Yahkind

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• This is great project and wondering if it can be combined with SC-03? Response 1: Potentially. The goals of each proposal should be discussed for the possible

synergies -Alex Yahkind

• Very nice topic and hopefully the goal is to have a drop-in replacement for petroleum-basedcomponents. What percent bio-content are you anticipating?

Response 1: Various companies have the different definitions of the green coatings. It is not

very well defined. I would like to see the bio-content of 20- 25% + -Alex Yahkind

Interested• general interest. Response 1: Thank you for your interest -Alex Yahkind

• This may be combined with other coating related seed concepts. Response 1: Potentially. The proposals should be reviewed in more details for the synergy

-Alex Yahkind

• We have non-CB2 projects in this space. We may talk about these materials at a later date. Response 1: I will be interested to hear what you have to offer -Alex Yahkind

• I would like to see more specificity on what new materials/building blocks will be used for theproject. We have had previous projects in the center on high Tg acrylic materials (Kessler) forthis application space. There is also a lot of prior art in this general area.

Response 1: The Kessler work predates AkzoNobel participation in CB2. The polymerizable

BB building blocks for the polyesters and alkyds (diols, acids), acrylics and latexes, PUD's (OHfunctional polyols), epoxies -Alex Yahkind

• Consider natural soy and/ or corn-based binders as well. Response 1: As long as these are rigid, high Tg materials -Alex Yahkind

• ideal for university connections. Response 1: Fully agree -Alex Yahkind

Interested with Change• It would be helpful if PI can provide key desirable properties that the new building blocks have

to possess, so that the problem is not too broad. Response 1: Bio-based, rigid, polymerizable blocks for the use in a variety of the coatings for

the exterior and interior applications. The specific properties of the coatings will depend on thefinal application (automotive, industrial, Deco, packaging ). At this point we don't want to limitthe potential use -Alex Yahkind

• Hemp create block that tested and approved that will be used for HUD construction. Response 1: I will be interested to learn more about it -Alex Yahkind

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• Interested if bulk plastics, e.g. polyurethanes would be in scope, CASE (adhesives, sealants,elastomers) and foam

Response 1: I don't see any reasons why the applications should be limited only to the coatings

-Alex Yahkind

Not Interested• There are lots of rigid bio-based building blocks. Specific properties or unmet needs should be

selected to focus on either using existing known monomers to meet goal, or if there is a gaptarget developing a monomer with a specific targeted property or set of properties

Response 1: The proposal is related to the polymerizable building blocks, not to the monomers

-Alex Yahkind Response 2: The proposal is related to the polymerizable building blocks, not to the monomers

-Alex Yahkind

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-07) Replace ASTM D6400

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Mark Remmert (GreenDot Bioplastics)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments MarkRemmert's Response: The feedback suggests that industry stakeholders recognize the

problems with ASTM D-6400 as the default test and certification for the compostability ofbioplastics. It is slow, expensive, subjective, and not highly predictable. The feedback alsoindicates the need for a shorter term test that can be used as a predictive tool. Bioplastics usersneed an internal test that can be used to predict the outcome of longer term certification tests. One possible research area might be the use of other analytical tools to predict the outcome ofD-6400 in a much shorter time frame. Another possible area of research could be thedevelopment a definitive list of Generally Regarded as Biodegradable polymers and plastics.

Very Interested• Would you envision members of CB2 join the ASTM division who oversees this category of

standards? Otherwise how would you see trying to implement something that is developedthrough CB2?

Response 1: CB2 could join the ASTM committee as an authoritative expert. Or CB2 could

issue "friend of the court" type briefings and recommendations. CB2 taking a position atASTM would likely have a major influence. -Mark Remmert

• Interesting idea. If a more rapid test could be developed this would greatly accelerate ourinternal efforts. Even if a new test couldn't be used for certification, it would greatly help inevaluating new materials performance.

Response 1: Plastic developers and users usually have the ability to do internal testing before

submitting for certification. Whether simple mechanical and physical property testing, up tomore complicated toxicology or end-use testing, the developer usually has some range findingtools to determine the likelihood of passing the certification. The industry needs those tools ifthe use of bioplastics is to accelerate. -Mark Remmert

• ASTM D6400 (EN 13432/ASTM D5338) is slow and expensive, which includes OECD 208and local metal regulation testing too, among others.

I like the idea of the GRAS analogue, generally regarded as biodegradable, GRAB list.However, biology will be heavily influenced by any one compound in a resin at any one level.(i.e. for every additive material in a resin, or each layer to a structure is added, each must betested at the rate of natural systems (time and temperature).

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Our current project "Investigation of the Enzymatic Degradability of Glycolic UrethaneLinkages Using Chromophore Probes" is exactly this, looking for faster ways to vet structuresfor microbial degradation.

Response 1: I like the GRAS analogy as well. Nobody questions that paper is biodegradable.

Sure, there are things you can do to paper that make it less degradable, but the underlyingmaterial is biodegradable. Same with agricultural products, fibers, fillers. Nobody willquestion whether corn stalks, cotton fabric, or sawdust are biodegradable. We have enoughknowledge and testing data to say with certainty that PLA, PBS, PBAT, etc., are biodegradable. CB2 could work to make that list a de-facto industry standard; just has Johns Hopkins hasbecome the de-factor clearinghouse for COVID-19 statistics, or U of Michigan has forconsumer sentiment data. -Mark Remmert

Interested• Is there way to get a new standard adopted by ASTM & ISO ? If itâ€™s not adopted by one of

these 2 organizations I donâ€™t see how it ever gets used . • It would be a good idea to develop such a protocol. What kind of testing and evaluation period

is reasonable? Relative to what it takes currently. I really don't know how long it takescurrently.

Response 1: It currently takes 180 days. Far too long to use for initial screening and option

development. A good benchmark would be other typical plastics test protocols. Most ASTMtests can be performed in hours, days, or weeks - not months. -Mark Remmert

• Does this project need to be under a certain ASTM commitee for final approval as an ASTM? • Nice idea but can have regulatory hurdles. Testing bodies may need to bring on board at some

point. Response 1: Testing bodies of course involved if external certifications but tests for internal

range finding could be done outside ASTM. -Mark Remmert

• This is a very intriguing idea. I am apprehensive about "generally regarded as biodegradable"but definitely would like to discuss this further tomorrow. I do agree that the requirements forcertification are cumbersome and need to be revised. We can work with BPI and others to havethis discussion as many of our IAB are on their board.

Jason Locklin

Interested with Change• Most of the testing labs can recommend a screening test that you can do in place of the full test,

which is just a shorter time-frame assessment. I'm interested if we can validate some screeningtests, to what extent we can extrapolate the results of them so you can leverage the shorter testsfor research purposes.

Response 1: This might be the crux of the research. Determining how to take other tools and

shorter term test methods and extrapolate them to predict longer term results. -Mark Remmert

• Not clear what the direction or path to improvement would look like. Can this be refined or atleast discussed?

• I like this and know the issues VERY well. BPI is also working on this (new standards

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harmonized globally). I think there is something here but want to dialog on it with JasonLocklin and Evan White to see if it can be reshaped.

Response 1: ALL input is welcome, needed, and will definitely improve the concept. -Mark

Remmert

Not Interested• While this initiative can have a big impact on the industry, it might be very difficult to get to

industrial consensus of what the method should be. The ASTM method was developed to beconsistent with the European standard. It might be difficult to implement changes.

• I could see developing screening methods so that one can prioritize what materials to move

forward with ASTM D6400 but would think that changing an ASTM method would requirestakeholder involvement within an ASTM group.

Response 1: I am thinking that many CB2 IAB members are significant stakeholders in ASTM

groups. -Mark Remmert

• Unrealistic project. Composting is not for everyone especially if you live in San Francisco. this why its important to develop compostable products

Abstain• Not into policy work

Additional Comments• Perhaps a similar effort for biodegradation like Tiped has worked on for endocrine disruption

http://www.tipedinfo.com/ ?

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-08) Recyclable Medical Packaging

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Jake Popp (Medtronic)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments JakePopp's Response: Thank you for your consideration and feedback. I'd be happy to have a

deeper discussion with anyone regarding the use and needs for our products.

Very Interested• We have another non-CB2 project that addresses this directly (non-autoclavable strucutres that

are compostable with high barrier and good printability). I welcome a discussion later with us atUGA and the industry consortia involved on this project.

Response 1: Very nice. I'd be interested to learn more. Thank you. -Jake Popp

Interested• What experimental work do you envision being performed? Or do you foresee this project just

involving researching all potential recycling streams available which might be a good fit foryour needs (i.e. matchmaker)?

Response 1: This would be at the open end of the funnel to start for sure, however it'd be ideal

to have some testing of some candidate product. We could consult with internal experts toalign the testing in some way to standard requirements. -Jake Popp

• I'm not sure if this project will be broadly applicable to the larger group of companies in thecenter, but it could be potentially useful to 3M in our medical products area.

Response 1: I agree. Applicable to many companies. -Jake Popp

• Would you prefer a paper-based product? Response 1: My only concern with paper based products would be the potential to release fibers

or particulate. Polymeric materials are most common in our industry. -Jake Popp

• Our technology may be applicable. Response 1: I'd be happy to learn more. -Jake Popp

• a big challenge is what it takes to service into this market. Suitable packaging would take years

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to get approved. I like this one because medical waste is a closed loop managementopportunity.

Response 1: Yes, the regulatory environment is a challenge. However, I don't think we even

have a return on investment calculation. If we were to take into account the weight some of ourtenders put into the environmental aspect (Kaiser Permanente for example), maybe there wouldbe something there to tip the scales. -Jake Popp

Interested with Change• What is the typical material you use, so we have a better idea what we are up against? Response 1: It does depend upon the device, however polypropylene boxes which house a

smaller, device specific tray is common. -Jake Popp

• Not clear if this is a cardboard box or plastic package. Response 1: Generally plastic is currently preferred for this application due to stability, rigidity

and cleanliness. -Jake Popp

Not Interested• I think we'd need to think about an aspect related to this concept that could be applied more

generally across the center. Response 1: I agree, it is relatively focused, however it does have clear requirements from an

industry point of view and is a relatively high bar. If we were to find something that fit ourneeds, I think it's use could be widely applicable. -Jake Popp

Abstain• Policy is hard Response 1: Agreed. However we don't have much work in this space to show the opportunity

to help drive policy change. -Jake Popp

• Is there a way to increase focus? What requirements are the most challenging to meet?

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-09) Bio-based Core-Shell Impact Modifiers to Increase Toughness of

Composites and Adhesives

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Nate Torterella (John Deere)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments NateTortorella's Response: Thank you for all of the feedback and comments. I think this

concept has merit based on all of the literature and patent activity around the topic oftoughening polymers with core-shell impact modifiers.

Very Interested• Definitely a strong need for such a project with many exciting new additives to explore! • Would you be able to provide specs to meet? Response 1: Yes, I will work directly with the team to specify attributes of the impact modifier

and the application. -Nate Tortorella

• Core/shell impact modifiers are the most affective technology for improving ductility at low wt% loadings in rigid thermoplastics and coatings. In PLA these are very effective. Biobasedand/or compostable core/shell materials are not readily available.

Response 1: I didn't realize how widespread core/shell impact modifiers were! -Nate Tortorella

• We would like to develop a proposal on this. Response 1: Great! I think there is a lot of potential and believe that many companies will be

very interested. -Nate Tortorella

Interested• 3M also uses core shell tougheners in many industrial products, so the concept is interesting to

me. However, this area is typically driven by performance and cost, so I would have moreinterest if a new toughener has even better performance as well as being more sustainable.

Response 1: I agree and it may be possible to develop better performance given the unique

molecular weight distributions and functionalities of biobased polymers. -Nate Tortorella

• Interesting idea. Would be curious to learn more about target matrix materials.

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• Possible extension of the PLA toughening work? the polyglycerol/polyacrylated epoxysoyplatform should provide the functional chemical handles to develop a material that fits theneeds

Interested with Change• Why does this need to be bio-based? Is the polymer to be reinforced also bio-based? Response 1: The impact modifiers today are typically based on polybutadiene, polyacrylates,

and other petroleum-based polymers. The polymer to be reinforced may or may not bebio-based. I'd like to leave this open to the PI to decide. -Nate Tortorella

Not Interested• He didn't articulate his proposal well enough to comprehend project vision Response 1: I kept the proposal short and general so that the professor or PI can customize the

concept to their skills and lab equipment. -Nate Tortorella

Additional Comments• does this overlap with the BASF shock absorbing project enough to combine? Response 1: This may have synergies with the BASF project in addition to Akzo Nobel

coatings concepts. The impact modifiers are used in many resin systems that require lowtemperature impact resistance. -Nate Tortorella

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-10) Biocomposites for Sustainable Shock Absorption

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Jacob Brutman, Charlie Tazzia and Ralph D. Maier (BASF Corporation)





Very Interested• Seems very similar to the project proposed by John Deere... perhaps the two could be combined

under one common theme? Response 1: The ideas are certainly similar, however, the other concept appears to focus

primarily on impact-modified plastics, and this is on shock absorbing materials which aregenerally softer and made from pads, foams, and gels. -Jacob Brutman

• Our technology might be useful here. Response 1: Thank you, we look forward to potentially collaborating. -Jacob Brutman

• Great concept. This idea can translate into many applications, assuming you could replaceexpanded PP and PE as well as supplement petroleum-based urethane foams.

Response 1: Absolutely. Products created could be used in sports, construction, automotive, etc.

There are many possibilities. -Jacob Brutman

Interested• Is the desirable product biobased PU foam? Response 1: In some instances, yes. Though other materials are utilized in these areas. -Jacob

Brutman

• We are interested in the seed focus area in general. Response 1: Thank you, we look forward to collaborating with CB2. -Jacob Brutman

• Seems like this is focused on impact-modified plastics and could be related to SC-09. Response 1: It is somewhat related, though it seems this is more focused on shock absorption

(e.g. foams, pads, and gels) rather than impact modified plastics (e.g. nylon, TPU). -JacobBrutman

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• I like this idea as there is a major need for these "semi-durable" uses. projects like this will alsohelp to bring in other companies to CB2 that currently are not involved.

Response 1: Thank you, we are glad that you like the idea. -Jacob Brutman

• Interesting proposal, if a mechanism could be identified that would narrow the scope of theconcept to something appropriate for the center (~12 project duration) by faculty this wouldmake a great project.

Response 1: I am sure we can work with the center to narrow this down if need be.

Alternatively, project proposals would likely need to be narrower in any case. -Jacob Brutman

• I could see a lot of applications where this property would be very useful. Response 1: We are glad that you see the value in this seed concept. -Jacob Brutman

Interested with Change• We have other projects in this space. We are willing to open a future discussion about such

materials. Response 1: Thank you, we look forward to discussing it with you. -Jacob Brutman

• Not sure what sustainable mean here? More durable or environmentally sustainable? Response 1: In this case, we are referring to reduction in their environmental impact, ideally

through sustainable feedstocks and allowing for biodegradation. -Jacob Brutman

• Can we adapt to make more broad and consider single use packaging/shipping materials thatrequire similar performance?

Response 1: I think we could certainly include it; however, we believe this would be better

suited for another seed concept. -Jacob Brutman

Abstain• What material is currently in use? Response 1: Many different materials are currently in use. Material varieties are foams, pads,

and gels. Polyurethane is very common in this area. -Jacob Brutman

• I agree with the thinking here. There is an enormous volume of durable goods "stuff" made thathas no end-of-life but landfill. I wonder if this can be combined with SC-09?

Response 1: It could be combined, though we think they should remain separate as SC-09 is

focused more on plastics and this is more focused on pads, foams, gels, and rubbers. -JacobBrutman

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-11) Compostable Binder Fibers

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Clay Bunyard (Kimberly Clark)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments ClayBunyard's Response: Potentially will need to broaden beyond nonwoven applications and

also consider a number of different activation temperatures. Need more details to define whatthose applications would be. Based on responses looks like we might be able to learn from thefiberglass insulation industry. Vegetable oil-based materials, polysaccharides, PLA, PBS incombo with other natural materials were suggested as starting points.

Very Interested• I wonder if the bi-component PLA/PBS would be a good system to try. Response 1: Perhaps? PBS has a Tm in the general range. -Clay Bunyard

• Great opportunity for vegetable oil based materials or polysaccharides. Lots to draw from in thefiberglass insulation industry. Very addressable with tech in the center or simple modificationsof existing biobased materials.

Response 1: Great to hear, would love to know more. -Clay Bunyard

Interested• General interest in compostable fibers.. • Project could have good connections with university research. • Do you think lignin could be a potential candidate if it can be modified to be not so brittle? • Need more projects that merge polymer and coating science with pulp/paper/nonwovens. I

wonder if this could be expanded? • would be good to know acceptable materials properties and processing windows. The 125 C,

likely developed because that is what works for PE. this would help develop the appropriateresin. Jason Locklin

Interested with Change• Interested in compostable binder material that can have broader application beyond non-woven. Response 1: Yes, I am also interested in other compostable adhesive binder materials like

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latexes, for example, but that felt too broad for one project to me. I think we would need todetermine what range of process conditions we would want the binder material to work within.-Clay Bunyard

• An attractive idea. I wonder whether we could cast the net a bit wider, e.g. target a fewactivation temperatures. This would open up the number of applications and substrates for abroader base of supporting companies.

Response 1: Yes, I think would be a good idea. Maybe a base heat activated shell polymer that

can be modified to adjust the activation temperature, or a range of polymers with differentactivation temperatures. It would be great if we could keep the core fiber the same. -ClayBunyard

• Binder fibers are something NatureWorks is very active in with PLA constructions. Combinations of existing bioplastic and degradable materials might fit the need being asked.

Response 1: Good to hear. Based on other comments it would be good to know the range of

conditions that PLA could be adapted for. -Clay Bunyard

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-12) Biobased Functional Anticorrosive Barrier Coatings with Exterior

Durability

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Hart Haugen (Sherwin Williams)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments HartHaugen's Response: Thank you for all of your comments. The concept idea was to develop

an advanced coating where increasing it's life cycle would allow the use of higher cost rawmaterials while reducing the carbon foot print required though multiple reapplication. Theconcept utilized both biobased materials and LCA methodologies which was confusing tosome.

Very Interested• A simple life cycle assessment will test the hypothesis by looking at the environmental burden

of different life cycle stages and processes. Cost of extended durability can be also evaluated. Response 1: I like the idea of being able to screen technologies at the beginning of the

development process. -Hart Haugen

• Thre is research activity on this biobased anticorrosives work. I can provide some links to thescientists.

Response 1: Thank you, I look forward to reviewing the their work. -Hart Haugen

• I would have an interest in working on this (Webster, NDSU). What would be the costconstraints?

Response 1: Longevity will reduce the cost constraints. High performance systems are sold at a

premium. -Hart Haugen

• similar to comments as the other one by Hart. PIs at UGA involved in LCA would be veryinterested in this project. Jason Locklin

Response 1: Excellent, thank you for your interest. -Hart Haugen

• Our technology and/or approach may be useful here. It would be great to partner with a TEAgroup to combine technology with life cycle analysis.

Response 1: Excellent, I look forward to learn more about your technology. -Hart Haugen

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• How about different plant-based biopolymer blended coating? Response 1: Ideas or approaches are not limited, provided the desired results are generated.

-Hart Haugen

• A life cycle impact can be easily done to evaluate the benefit of extended life span and theenvironmental cost associated with it.

Response 1: I look forward to learn more. -Hart Haugen

• Defining a benchmark is needed. Response 1: American Architectural Manufacturers Association is an example of an agency that

has specifications for extended durability. This is dominated by fluorinated materials howeverthere is acrylic technology that will exceed requirements. -Hart Haugen

Interested with Change• The proposal should be more specific Response 1: Not knowing the possibilities within biobased materials, my hope was to leave the

topic open enough for novel considerations. -Hart Haugen

• If the goal is extreme durability, I see less need for the material to be bio-based or evencompostable. The proposal seems to be more about the life cycle of a product rather than thematerial itself (i.e. in a transportation application).

Response 1: Our customer's are interested in biobased materials. The thought was to give PIs

the ability to think outside the box. Increasing a product's durability, lengthening the LifeCycle, can reduce overall Life Service Cost of the product even though initial raw materialcosts are much greater. -Hart Haugen

Not Interested• I'm not clear on scope. Is it an LCA project or a coatings project? Response 1: The project is a coatings project, justifying increased raw material costs through

longer life cycle. -Hart Haugen

Abstain• What is the weakest link in a biobased coating that effects durability? Is it different than in a

petroleum based coating?

Additional Comments• Our LCA/TEA team at NDSU is very interested in partnering up with another group on this

proposal. Response 1: Thank you! -Hart Haugen

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-13) Bio-based Reactive Diluents and Coalescents

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Alex Yahkind (Akzonobel Coatings)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments AlexYahkind's Response: Thank you for the valuable suggestions. The combination with other

coatings related proposals can be considered. However, the topic is already large as is

Very Interested• I would be interested in working on this, especially the latex coalescent aspect (Webster,

NDSU). Response 1: Thank you, Dean. Looking forward to discuss it further -Alex Yahkind

Interested• What types of materials will be used for this project? Diluents are typically very inexpensive so

this may be a challenge to meet all of the specific requirements including cost. Response 1: The replacement of petroleum based products with bio-based in the coatings is

always presents cost challenge. Many of the end users are becoming increasingly interested inthe green products and will consider the price premium. -Alex Yahkind

• Consider some natural non-edible, plant-based proteins as coalescence agents/compounds. Response 1: Absolutely! If non-edible materials can be used, that will provide the additional

benefit to a value proposition -Alex Yahkind

• Good proposal. Response 1: Thank you -Alex Yahkind

Interested with Change• Can end-of-life be added to the scope? Response 1: It's something to consider -Alex Yahkind

• Would you please provide more information on ideal properties that the solvents have to have?Is this for solvent-borned or waterborne system? What's the target binder resin system?

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Response 1: It can be solvent or water based. The BB reactive coalescents for example, should

reduce MFFT of the latex while being the polymerizable non-VOC compound -Alex Yahkind

• Very interesting and the need is clear. Great idea, but not totally aligned with our work. Wouldsolvent-free (including water) reactive coatings work on existing equipment? Would Akzonobelconsider investing in re-tooling how such films are made?

We are open to a further conversation in this space. Response 1: Yes, the idea is to have coatings that can be applied using the existing equipment.

The paint film application was not included in this proposal. However, paint films (100%solids) are produced by AkzoNobel today -Alex Yahkind

Not Interested• There are lots of biobased coalescents and diluents. What key challenges remain? What

performance do the plethora of molecules that have been commercialized lack? Is this primarilya cost problem? Are the existing biobased solutions are too expensive? Need specificperformance targets and/or unmet needs.

Response 1: There are not many BB reactive diluents and coalescents that we are aware of. Can

you give the specific examples? -Alex Yahkind

Abstain• for context- What are the most common diluents and coalescents? Response 1: Liquid diols, low visc oligomers are used as the reactive diluents

Petroleum based solvents are mostly used as the coalescents -Alex Yahkind

• Could be combined with coating related projects

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-14) On-Site Composting

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Mark Remmert (GreenDot Bioplastics)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments MarkRemmert's Response: This is a very broad, and far reaching project. It would garner a lot

of interest outside CB2 and could help bring in many new IAB members. The researchprobably needs to be broken into several smaller projects. One project may be simplyidentifying which materials (both plastic and non-plastic) are the best candidates for on-sitecomposting. Another project could be quantifying the interaction between mechanical,physical, chemical, and environmental, processes which aid in the composting process. Another project might be to look at physical forms of bioplastic applications (i.e. films, moldedparts, sizes, shapes) and their impact on the ability to lend to on-site compostability.

Very Interested• I agree there is a great need for composting equipment at the proposed scale. Response 1: As consumers we can all understand the need and the benefit. I think most people,

both scientists and lay people, think this should not be so difficult. We all see composting inaction every time we forget to take the trash out! But as scientists we need to help develop andrefine the tools to make this a practical application of the materials and processes.-MarkRemmert

• Great proposal. • Cost of recycling is a big obstacles for sustainability. Distributed composting might be a way

to reduce environmental impacts. • Was always interested in this idea. Would have a tremendous economic and environmental

impact. • Great idea! As a consumer, I am always interested in it. Donot like to trash my organics all the

time. • This is a fantastic idea, but we need help from industry to push government bodies to promote

such infrastructure reworking. Municipal tax basis such as stormwater and waste waterreclamation fees may need to be leveraged to realize this goal. Besides, we pay for g2g (fueland transport and labor) in these bills every month. I have an idea to discuss later.

• A great proposal. Would be interested in combining modeling and experiments to analyze and

recommend optimized designs with environmentally-friendly and cost-effective energy use

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implications for neighborhoods.

Interested• Looks like many good reasons to develop a new standard (ASTM or ??)

biodegradable-Bioplastics! • An interesting idea that could be relevant for many substrates. Which ones do you have in

mind? • It is an interesting idea to make compositing more generally available. This looks like a multi

year project to me since it would be a major task to develop a new method and complete testingalong the way.

Interested with Change• what are you actually asking that we do here? it sounds like better education and marketing

around existing materials. what is the actual research project of interest? • I'm very interested in this from for enabling small scale distributed infrastructure. I would think

broader than composting, and consider other biological processing technologies to enableprocessing of the organic material. Also need to define what scale this would be implementedat. Residential building or neighborhood makes sense to me, but not home units.

Response 1: I can envision this most easily started at facilities that can control all of their

in-bound supplies. Restaurants, theme parks, sports stadiums, office buildings, schools,institutions, can all control the plastic materials like food service items, packaging, fooddelivery, etc. It would be easier for them to put in place a composting system that incorporatedbiodegradable plastics along with the food waste. -MarkRemmert

Not Interested• Out of scope for this center. Likely overlaps with other IUCRCs • This is a project that would require substantial industry and government funding and involve

numerous industrial, commercial, and logistics entities. This would be equivalent to the workbeing done on "The MRF of the Future" being funded by many large brands.

• Doesn't seem to be the best use of CB2 resources.

Additional Comments• It could be interesting to learn about the efficiency of such composting system. • Additional comment - I'm not sure if this is a good fit with the center if it involves new

processing equipment development but it would be good to hear from the PIs if it could be.

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-15) Sterilizable Medical Packaging

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Jake Popp (Medtronic)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments JakePopp's Response: Thank you for your consideration for this challenging environment.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to talk more.

Very Interested• Sustainable packaging is much needed. Response 1: We agree. -JakePopp

• I suggest that if this seed concept moves forward that assembly/sealing of the new materialwould be evaluated. Perhaps a Phase II.

Response 1: Very good point. That would be important to consider in conjunction with the

sterilization technologies to consider. -JakePopp

Interested• Perhaps can be combined with SC-17? Response 1: Agreed. There does seem to be some alignment there. -JakePopp

• I would be interested in this project as we use sterilization for many of our medical products. • I envision that neutron bombardment or ethylene oxide sterilization will dominate over

autoclaving sterilization for such materials. Could you specify the specific time, temp,chemical, and radiation conditions your company would target?

Response 1: For my business, currently ethylene oxide is predominant, however the industry is

being pushed away from that. Steam sterilization is sometimes used, but not often. Gammasterilization or hydrogen peroxide based sterilization techniques are becoming widely used. I'msure that we could obtain some common sterilization parameters based on legacy products.-JakePopp

• Very interesting unmet need. Today we are using unfriendly materials and an unfriendlyprocess. Definitely a move in the right direction.

Response 1: Thank you. We hope to at least see if there is a way to move the needle. -JakePopp

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Abstain• Has anyone looked at ozone or UV or microwave technology for this application? • Is it predictable what sterilization technique would be used for an application or does the

material need to be able to perform w/ all sterilization techniques? If allowed to be focused,perhaps focus initially on a certain sterilization technique- hydrogen peroxide or steam?

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-16) Bio-based UV/EB Curable Coatings

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Alex Yahkind (Akzonobel Coatings)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments TedCanterbury's Response: Thank you for the feedback!

Very Interested• Could this be combined with SC-03? Response 1: Certainly. Waterborne, solventborne, or solvent-free UV-curable coatings could be

investigated. -Ted Canterbury

• We've been working extensively with sucrose esters and they are amenable to UV curing viacationic (epoxy) or free radical (vinyl functionalized). We have also functionalized lignin withradical curable functional groups that could also be explored (Webster, NDSU).

Response 1: The NDSU team has made significant contributions to the field and we are

definitely interested in building upon that research. Functionalized lignin would expand theresearch into non-food and/or waste biomass sourced materials. Letâ€™s discuss it in moredetail. -Ted Canterbury

• OPV can be added to the list. Response 1: Great point. Overprint varnishes (OPV) would be an excellent application area for

this low-energy low-temperature curing technology. -Ted Canterbury

• Our hemicellulose team at UGA would be very interested in applying some of our substrates toUV curable coatings.- Bree

Response 1: Excellent! We would love to see work performed on non-food or waste-stream

bio-based materials. -Ted Canterbury

Interested• We need bio based packaging but what fiber sources will be used. Response 1: The proposal mainly focused on the coatings applied to the packaging. -Ted

Canterbury

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• General Research Curiosity! Response 1: UV curing is a very promising and fascinating technology. -Ted Canterbury

• I am interested in the general area. However, we have seen projects like this before in thecenter. What is new about the materials in this proposal that make it more likely that successwill be achieved?

Response 1: I think it is important to understand the benefits and limitations of bio-based

materials and employ them where they can flourish. Furthermore, UV/Visible/electron beam(EB) curing technology is advancing rapidly. There are many new photo-catalysts,photo-initiators, and photo-initiator combinations reported. Using non-food feedstocks inrapid-curing low-VOC coatings would be an added benefit. -Ted Canterbury

• Can this be combined with the other coatings SC's? Agree on this being an area of need in themarket.

Response 1: Yes, SC-03 is a good example. There are potential synergies between the two

proposals. Glad to hear confirmation of the market need. -Ted Canterbury

Interested with Change• Key part of project should be to consider end of life. Ideally if the center is going to develop a

new thermoset system, it needs to fit a circular economy mindset and allow composting.Possible extension of xylan work?

Response 1: End-of-life studies are important, but this is a rather separate proposal. -Ted

Canterbury

• He needs to work on his sales pitch. He's smart but needs more energy. Response 1: Thank you! I will certainly work on the energy and salesmanship! -Ted Canterbury

• Would Akzonobel be interested in solvent-free coatings (including water-free, non-dispersionor emulsions)? We are open to such discussions.

Response 1: Yes, we are very interested in high solids (solvent free) and low-VOC waterborne

coatings. Letâ€™s discuss it further. -Ted Canterbury

Not Interested• Perhaps this can be combined with SC-03? Response 1: I agree, that would be a good fit. -Ted Canterbury

Abstain• Like the seed concept.

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-17) Retortable Biopolymer for High Barrier Packaging

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Tina Tosukhowong (GC Innovation America)





Very Interested• Seems to be possibly very aligned with the medical device packaging needs. Response 1: Iâ€™ll be interested to collaborate with SC-15 or combine the concept with

SC-15. I think we face similar challenges to make the packaging sustaining high temperatureand providing oxygen and water vapor barrier to keep long shelf life. -Tina Tosukhowong

• We are interested in sterilizable high-temperature packaging materials. Better if these materialsare edible!

Response 1: Edible material is currently not our requirement. But customers would certainly

worry if any additives would leach into the food, which could cause changes in colors or tastes.-Tina Tosukhowong

• Nature provides clues here when it comes to polymers that can survive 120C, 30 min in 100%RH air. We can discuss later.

• Like this seed concept although it is not my area of expertise. Would a combination of paper

and plastics desirable? Response 1: The paper itself would be problematic for water barrier property. However, there

are various starch-based barrier film in the market that we have come across. They are goodoxygen barrier, but adhesion to structural bio-based PLA has been an issue. -TinaTosukhowong

• How about plant-based derived polymers for packaging? Response 1: We are open to that. We don't have any bio-based and biodegradable solution that

meet high temperature and good oxygen barrier currently. -Tina Tosukhowong

• i think this seed is very interesting and might build off of some of the other projects we havehad in the past. i think providing a detailed specification would help PIs respond with theappropriate materials (temperatures/processing, barrier properties, shelf life, etc.)

Response 1: Sterilization temperature: 120oC for about 15-20 minutes

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Oxygen barrier: 0.002 cc/package-dayMoisture barrier: -.1 g/m2-dayPreferred shelf life: at least 1 yearFully biodegradableMicrowavability: not required but will be a plus -Tina Tosukhowong

• With many years of expertise in coextrusion and multilayer packaging, I am very interested towork on this. Is it possible to share what polymer pairs you are thinking of? Also, I agree thatconfined crystallization kinetics in a multilayer polymeric system would be viable route toimprove the barrier properties. However, may interfere with the recyclability?

Response 1: Customers aren't targeting recyclability at this point, since existing recycle process

typically reject food-contaminated plastics from their process.We are open to PLA , PBS, PBAT and other biodegradable polymers. We cannot find anybiodegradable oxygen barrier layer that would work laminate well with the high heat PLA.-Tina Tosukhowong

• Tuning biodegradability for performance in a packaging application is a very interestingconcept

Response 1: Thank you. -Tina Tosukhowong

Interested• Can this one be combined with SC-15? Both pertain to more sustainable high-performance

solutions. The work on one should translate to the other. Response 1: Would be happy to combine and collaborate with Jake. -Tina Tosukhowong

• Interested in heat resistant bio-plastics Response 1: Thank you! -Tina Tosukhowong

• packaging is inn high demand • Interesting seed concept. Scope could comprise building blocks as well as additives to address

the issue. Response 1: For additive, we have to make sure that it doesn't migrate into the food and causing

any health/safety, oxidative, or color change issue. -Tina Tosukhowong

• A formidable challenge • Likely multiple projects in succession to address overall challenge. It would be good discuss as

a group in a follow up session to figure out how to focus this into specific smaller projects toaddress the key gaps.

Response 1: We have tried to break it down into testing structural material for high heat and

looking at the barrier film for oxygen barrier. We were able to find solution for each layer. Butwhen we try to combine them, they delaminate at high temperature. So I think material designand compatibility have to go together. -Tina Tosukhowong

Interested with Change• It's not clear to me if this is focused on just bio-based or biodegradable. If it is biodegradable,

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we would be interested in multilayer barrier films. Response 1: bioidegradable -Tina Tosukhowong

Additional Comments• Of the 4 layers, which ones already have a biobased option. Are you looking for the packaging

to be either compostable or recyclable? Response 1: We are focusing on compostible solution as our customers realized that most of the

food packaging even if it is made of recyclable material like PP, they don't get recycled. Oncethey are contaminated with food the Material Recovery Facility would reject them.We have found solution for the structural material, such as PLA. We have found solution forbarrier films, such as those made from starch. However, these layer don't adhere together well.The starch swell and delaminate at sterilization condition. -Tina Tosukhowong

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (SC-18) Marine Compostable Additive for Bioplastics

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Tina Tosukhowong (GC Innovation America)





Very Interested• This would be a great solution to lots of current problems. Response 1: I agree. Thank you for your comment! -Tina Tosukhowong

• Marine Compostables fits into the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation family goals. • Both your projects have good forecasting of next generation materials. Again, we work in this

space and welcome future discussion.

What is the level of interest of GC Innovation America in redesigning supply chains for suchniche materials (i.e. low kT/annum)? besides a few kT may go far with very thin architectures.

Response 1: Not sure if I understand the question. I would have thought that if there's a good

additive to make existing biodegradable polymers such as PLA, PBAT, PBS become marinedegradable, the demand for such additives will be huge. The demand for PLA, PBAT, and PBShave been growing every year. We believe that in the long run, if we make marine compostablesolution available, customers will continue to adopt and the market will continue to grow. -TinaTosukhowong

• I think that this could be combined with other projects focused on evaluating renewablefeedstocks (cellulose, hemicellulose etc) for biodegradable plastics. This would be well suitedfor several teams at the UGA NMI. - Bree

Response 1: Happy to discuss -Tina Tosukhowong

• Would they have to be physically blended additives? What about main-chain insertions? Response 1: The additives should be incorporated by extrusion or reactive extrusion. As a

manufacturer, we hope not to modify the main polymerization process since it could impact themolecular weight and many other properties. -Tina Tosukhowong

Interested

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• The topic is interesting to us at USDA. Response 1: Thank you! -Tina Tosukhowong

• If this turns into a project, I suggest that changes in the materials to satisfy the primary intentare also tested for welding/sealing performance implications.

Response 1: That's a good suggestion. -Tina Tosukhowong

• As a large portion of plastics ended up in ocean, it is important to develop materials can bedecomposed in marine environment.

• Interesting but could be challenging. UGAs expertise in this field might be beneficial. Response 1: Would be interested to collaborate -Tina Tosukhowong

• An interesting seed concept. Do you classes of additives in mind that may work? Response 1: We want to stay away from oxo-additives. Can starch or cellulose material be

made compatible with PLA, PBAT, PBS and helps accelerate the degradation? -TinaTosukhowong

Interested with Change• This is an interesting idea, but sounds too much like oxo-additive which i know is not the

intent. also, title of marine compostable is not accurate. marine degradable additive might bebetter.

Response 1: Certainly agreed that we need to stay away from oxo. And yes, let's call it marine

biodegradable. -Tina Tosukhowong

• Specific triggers to start degradation are holy grail in this field. Good blue sky target, might beable to pull from some of the PEN polymer concepts that are being explored.

Not Interested• In my opinion, although development of plastics that will degrade in marine environments is a

positive aspiration, I think preventing of waste from entering into the ocean in the first placewill be a more practical solution.

Response 1: I agree. Collection system has to be there. But we live in a world that's not perfect.

In areas prone to flooding, hurricane, typhoon, you name it, things overflow out of landfills andend up in the ocean. A lot of stuffs we put in our recycle bins, don't get recycled once theybecome contaminated. Here in the US, many of our recycled plastics historically got shippedoversee for people in other countries to sort, recover, and recycle. But a very high fractions ofthose plastic eventually ended up in landfills and eventually come back out to the ocean. I thinkwe have to continue to find ways to offer marine biodegradable plastic to the consumers. -TinaTosukhowong

• Personally, I don't think this can be achieved. It would make more sense to develop newfamilies of materials that are easier to break down in marine environments than to addsomething in hopes it will make it happen faster.

Response 1: As a material producer, it takes a decade to develop and scale up new material.

Then there is an additional time it takes to educate customers how to use it. As I mentioned

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before, each new polymer has it's own characteristics. PLA is rigid and brittle like PS. PBS isflexible like PE. And when customers need something in between, they compound manybio-degradable polymers to get to the final property they desired. I strongly believe that thefuture will have multiple bio-polymers coexist with each other to provide property that can suitthe end applications. We hope to be able to make these biobased polyester biodegrade fasters inthe marine environment to be safe for marine life. -Tina Tosukhowong

• This feels analogous to oxo-degradable additives, which are problematic for creation ofmicroplastics. If it was something that could safely accelerate the biodegradability of analready marine-degradable or compostable material and avoid the creation of microplastics thatcould be interesting to study.

Response 1: We definitely have to avoid oxo-catalysts that cause problem. -Tina Tosukhowong

• This feels analogous to oxo-degradable additives, which are problematic for creation ofmicroplastics. If it was something that could safely accelerate the biodegradability of analready marine-degradable or compostable material and avoid the creation of microplastics thatcould be interesting to study.

Abstain• As a starting point, does it make sense to focus on a biopolymer that is already in use in

commerce and is compostable?

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LIFE Form Review

Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites () - November 5th, 2019

New Proposals: Level of InterestTitle VI I I w/ C NI A

(N.1) Investigating Root Cause and Reduce Fogging Behavior of N ... 4 4 2 8 3

(N.2) Investigation of the Enzymatic Degradability of GlycolicU ... 8 6 0 2 5

(N.3) Bioplastics and Biocomposites for Ultrathin and Stretchab ... 5 3 2 6 5

(N.4) Synthesis and Characterization of a Series of Biobased an ... 1 5 5 5 6

(N.5) Plant OilBased Latex Adhesives 3 7 2 4 4

(N.6) Postconsumer Biocomposites for Injection Molding Applicat ... 2 8 3 4 5

(N.7) Processing Waste Materials and Nano Cellulose to be Used ... 1 6 1 6 7

(N.8) Mechanical, fogging and UV stabilizing characterization o ... 3 4 2 6 6

(N.9) Moisture sensitivity of PLA/PBS blends during Ultrasonic ... 4 3 1 4 10

(N.10) Bioderived and Biodegradable Polyesters Similar to Polye ... 2 5 6 2 6

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LIFE Form Review


Project Updates: Progress RatingsTitle GP OnC NC OffC A

(C.1) Towards Biobased ABS 12 8 0 0 2

(C.2) Pen Polymers - Next Generation Bottles and Packaging Mate ... 5 7 1 0 8

(C.3) Unsaturated Diacids for the Synthesis of Bio-enhanced Nyl ... 1 13 2 0 5

(C.4) Performance Evaluation of Natural Fiber-Basalt Hybrid Com ... 7 7 0 0 6

(C.5) Lignin-Derived Compounds for the Production of Polyuretha ... 6 7 1 0 7

(C.6) Unlocking the Potential of Biodegradable Xylanbased Polym ... 9 7 3 0 3

(C.7) Nanocellulose Fibrils (NCF) Based Coating to improve barr ... 5 8 1 0 6

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (C.1) Towards Biobased ABS

Phase: Project Update

Project PI: Eric Cochran (ISU)

Progress RatingsGreat Progress - 12

On Course - 8Needs Change - 0

Off Course - 0Abstain - 2

Summary of Responses to IAB Comments EricCochranISU's Response: We hear the message loud and clear that we need an answer for

the impact on biodegradation. We commit to adding this to the project scope. We're grateful forthe positive feedback and excited to to some PLA product development and also extend thePAESO-enabled reactive extrusion strategy to PBS.

Great Progress• Very market viable keep going forward ! - Jim Preston (RheTech LLC - )

Response 1: Thanks for the encouraging feedback! -Eric Cochran (ISU)

• Excellent project, excellent progress. I would really like to see this project continue with the 3Dprinting work, but also with an IAB selected application example as well. Key to movingforward will be understanding the cost of the PAESO.

- Erik Hagberg (ADM - )

Response 1: We are very interested in any application that the IAB is interested in and welcomesuggestions. The current production cost for PAESO (or Biomag) system is ~$1/lb. -MichaelForrester

Response 2: We would love to hear your ideas. Our objective is to see this technology moveinto the market. The PAESO materials raw materials are ~0.75/lb and manufacturing process isstirred tanks at atmospheric pressure and < 80 C. PAESO is currently produced in 300 gallonbatches at the ISU pilot plant. https://iastate.box.com/v/paehoso-usb-tap-2019 -Eric Cochran(ISU)

• Really great progress over the past couple of years. I like the future direction into 3d printingapplications. Has there been any attempt to look at biodegradation/compostabiity of the blends?

- Kevin Lewandowski (3M Company - )

Response 1: Not yet but this is one of the topics that we are incredibly interested in looking at.Our expectation is that the compostability will be no worse than bulk PLA and there is evidencein literature that soybean-oil additives can actually improve degradability. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: I agree with Michaelâ€™s response. -Eric Cochran (ISU)

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• Previous preparation method for toughened PLA was criticized as expensive by some industrymember. Has the chemistry been improved?

- Tony Sun (GC Innovation America - )

Response 1: Previously we were working with PLA-PNBA copolymers. These involve somemore expensive chemicals, but more importantly require modifying/adding extra processes tothe way PLA is produced. This method moves the modification downstream to thecompounding process, and is as simple as mixing the PLA pellets with the biomag rubber andthen compounding. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: The diblock copolymer compatibilizers we focused on in Year 1 and part of Year 2have been set aside, largely due to these concerns. The cost basis of PAESO is ~$1/lb andproperty modification occurs through reactive extrusion rather than solution processing. -EricCochran (ISU)

• Great progress, would like to see in the next steps is understanding the short-term chemicalresistant properties.

- Hart Haugen (The Sherwin-Williams Company - )

Response 1: This is interesting to us as well. We would expect that the chemical resistance to besimilar to PLA, but there may be ways that we can tune this to provide more resistance. Eitherway this will be somethin that we examine. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: I would be happy to discuss specifics with you. -Eric Cochran (ISU)

• Incredible progress and very well presented. - Drew Geda (Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc - )

Response 1: Thanks for the kind feedback! -Eric Cochran (ISU)

• If possible conduct some composting studies. - Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )

Response 1: We are very interested in doing so. We will be delving into the literature to findsome basic studies that we can do in our lab. We may also approach some professionalbiodegradability/compostability labs to perform some of these studies. -Michael Forrester

• like to see some rheology work done to understand the impact on melt strength of PLA. Alsolike to see biodegradation study on modified PLA

- Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: The melt rheology is work that we intend to do. We are also very interested in thebiodegradation and will be a topic that we study. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: Please be sure to follow up with me and I will share what we have and can planspecific experiments you would like to see. -Eric Cochran (ISU)

• Great work. Evolve Golf is interested in molding both the PLA and PBS approaches. - Ben Maloy (Evolve Golf - )

Response 1: We'd be excited to work with you on this. We're very keenly interested indeveloping applications for this project. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: We would be happy to sample you. We may be able to run an injection moldingdemo for you as well. -Eric Cochran (ISU)

• The direction is understood, but the original title is misleading. You need to look more of theimpact aspect as originally stated and address the long range life of the product. (weathering,long term mechanical properties) It looks like a foundation as been started and now we need to

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show more for transition into products. - Kenneth Carter (John Deere - )

Response 1: Impact modification continues to be a focus. We proposed 3D printing filament asa demo product; weâ€™re open to other suggestions for product development -Eric Cochran(ISU)

On Course• Cost and scale up issue. - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: The cost of Biomag is around ~$1.00/lb. We are loading the Biomag at 10%weight. This makes this one of the most cost effective PLA additives on the market and wouldprovide a product that actually had a lower cost than ABS. As for scale up, we are currentlycoating the PLA pellets in the Biomag then compounding in an extruder. This is an approachthat can be easily scalled using existing capital equipment. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: To add onto Michaelâ€™s response, we manufactured 12 tons of PAESO at ourpilot plant this year for demonstration purposes in a separated United Soybean Board fundedproject. Please see https://iastate.box.com/v/paehoso-usb-tap-2019 -Eric Cochran (ISU)

• Very interested in the PBS modification/improved crystallization rates. What would be theanticipated outcome for end-of-life (industrial/home composting)?

There is a lot of global interest in PBS as the PE-replacement as the sealant film in flexiblepackaging but one of the challenges is toughness/impact/tear strength - that can be extruded ona blown film line. If there is potential to run on such a line, I can help get it tested in alaminated package.

- Kelly Williams (Futamura - )

Response 1: We don't have the studies on the compostability of the Biomag material yet. Weexpect it to be quite compostable, but this will be one of the areas we study. We're veryinterested in potential applications, and what we find is that there is a lot of room to tuneproperties so providing additional toughness/impact/tear strength to PBS is definitely somethingthat we can study and if we have a significant supply of PBS we can easily produce 10+ kg ofcompounded material for blown film/laminated packages demos. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: We envision a home compostable composite. This will need to be verified -EricCochran (ISU)

• Very nice tensile bar samples of this polymer. Interesting that you are not trying to make abio-derived ABS, but instead are trying to mimic the performance attributes of ABS. I fearthat the 3D printer filament focus may be a derailing direction from the original ABS-likeapplication potential. Not sure you should try to put this new polymer through the channels thatPLA are currently dominating -- would rather see comparisons to existing ABS applications. Scope definitely needs to include biodegradability considerations.

- Kellie Ballew (Shaw Industries Group, Inc. - )

Response 1: My understanding is that there are formulators that have been able to make niceblown films - the problem is they embrittle over time. Our target on the PBS track is to firstdemonstrate stable mechanical properties - we can then add melt strength modifiers or workwith an IAB company that has in-house formulating expertise (e.g. 3M, Natureworks or GCI)-Eric Cochran (ISU)

• Interesting approach to modify PBS w/ encouraging results

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- Ralph Maier (BASF - )

Response 1: Thanks! -Eric Cochran (ISU) Response 2: Thanks! -Eric Cochran (ISU)

• Looking forward to impact results. Notched and Gardner. Interested in the lower temperaturelimits and rate of deformation effects.

- Jed Randall (NatureWorks LLC - )

Response 1: Further impact tests are the top on the que of tests to perform. We would definitelybe intereted at lower temperature limits as well as we expect that the addition of Biomag willimprove the low temperature performance. Rate of deformation as well as heat deflectiontemperature are tests that are also in our que. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: I would love to hear your ideas for other product development demos that wouldbe more impactful (pun intended?). We commit to biodegradability investigation if funded -EricCochran (ISU)

Response 3: I would love to hear your ideas for other product development demos that wouldbe more impactful (pun intended?). We commit to biodegradability investigation if funded -EricCochran (ISU)

• Clearly we can't lose sight of the biodegradability capabilities of this material development.Currently, it seems secondary in consideration.

- Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

Response 1: We agree that the biodegradability is a significant concern. Based on the IABresponse, I believe that some preliminary biodegradability tests will be one of the firstobjectives of the project. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: We commit to biodegradability investigation if funded -Eric Cochran (ISU)

Abstain• What properties of ABS are you trying to address and assess with PBS? - Saskia van Bergen (WA State Department of Ecology - )

Additional Comments• Would also like to see some thought on end of life and degradability of the materials. - Erik Hagberg (ADM - )

Response 1: We agree and based on the IAB response, a preliminary biodegradability studyshould be one of the first things we study. -Michael Forrester

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (C.2) Pen Polymers - Next Generation Bottles and Packaging Materials


Project PI: George Kraus (ISU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments GeorgeKraus's Response: Thanks for the many useful and positive comments. We are

enthusiastic about this project opportunity. Let us know if you see opportunities to collaborate. EricCochran's Response: Programmable end-of-life is a big deal - and it's going to be one of the

next "big things" as we search for solutions to the plastics waste problem. Nobody wants abiodegradable truck bumper - but tomorrow's plastics may have switches built into them thatmake that bumper perfectly chemically recyclable. This project is an opportunity to develop anddemonstrate this principle.

Great Progress• Great end of life possibilities. - Hart Haugen (The Sherwin-Williams Company - )

• Very encouraging progress with a huge potential list of applications - Drew Geda (Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc - )

Response 1: Thanks. We look forward to connecting with CB2 companies -George Kraus

• I like what you are doing from the material aspect. Now, how can we take this an applicationstage for end use. What is the processing aspect, the long term mechanical properties.

- Kenneth Carter (John Deere - )

Response 1: We're envisioning materials like this to be used in applications where immediatebiodegradation may or may not be desirable. Single-use packaging where longer shelf life isindicated, or plastic parts that are normally used for a few months and then discarded.Mechanical property-wise, we'd like to start with similar processing and performancecharacteristics as PET -Eric Cochran

• There has been great progress in production and evaluation of copolymer properties of the newPEN monomers. The new direction for degradable linkages is interesting and is worthy of moreexploration. It may be challenging to get high molecular weight with these new phenolicmonomers, so I am curious about the anticipated strategies that will be attempted inpolymerization.


Response 1: We have routinely been able to achieve >30 kDa in the PEN-based monomer

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systems by forming the ethylene glycol diester, followed by transesterification, followed bysolid state polymerization. With more thermally labile monomers the first approach will be toform PET oligomers, and then upgrade the molecular weight using the thermally labile repeatsequences. Proper catalyst selection and likely the use of activated acid groups will be needed.-Eric Cochran

• Agree establishing an end of life strategy for these type of materials as a key project goal. Focuson mechanicals and the degradation are key.


Response 1: Agree. -George Kraus

On Course• LOOKS LIKE LOT OF WORK (SELECTIVE CLEAVAGE/HYDROLYSIS) IS PROPOSED.

STUDYING THE BARRIER PROPERTIES ALSO MAY TAKE LONGER THAN ANYEAR.

- Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )

Response 1: Selectivecleavage should readily be done in a year. -George Kraus Response 2: We have access to a whole suite of Mocon gas (O2, CO2, H2O) instruments.

Barrier property measurement will not be a barrier to project execution. -Eric Cochran

• Good progress on preparation of materials. Good to see toughness and barrier improvements. Looking forward to results on selective hydrolysis cleavage. Which metals and catalystsystems are being proposed for this work?


Response 1: we will use metals that readily connect with bidentate ligandsso as to maximizeselectivity. We will begin with zinc, cobalt and lithium. -George Kraus

• Want to see barrier and rheology testing done to understand the bigger property spectrum - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: Agreed. -George Kraus

• Very creative idea with promising early results. Project looks at raw materials, mechanicals andrecyclability which is a promising approach.


Response 1: Thanks. We see a lot of opportunities here once we have achieved proof ofprinciple. -George Kraus

• I wonder why selective cleavage is needed and how you see that scaling? Will highly specificrecycling processes need to be developed for this one type of material or can a chemicalrecycling platform be developed that is compatible with this type of material and otherpolyesters?

- Clay Bunyard (Kimberly-Clark Corporation - )

Response 1: We think that this could be generalizable. The dihydroxy dialed will be readilyseparated from the PET oligomers and it can be re-used -George Kraus

Needs Change

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Abstain

Additional Comments• If there is leakage, does the metal complexation help with biodegradation or does it result in the

generation of microplastics? - Saskia van Bergen (WA State Department of Ecology - )

Response 1: We intend to re-use the materials from the selective cleavage. -George Kraus

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (C.3) Unsaturated Diacids for the Synthesis of Bio-enhanced Nylon-6, 6


Project PI: Nacu Hernandez (ISU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments MichaelForrester's Response: In general the IAB response has made some very valuable points.

The main focus of the next years project should be the degree of water uptake on thecopolymers as well as the effect that the water uptake has on the mechanical properties.Additionally, if we examine different functional groups we can react to the unsaturate weshould focus on pendants that predominately decrease the water uptake/effec that water has onthe material.

Great Progress

On Course• I'm very curious as to the hygroscopic testing and results - better or worse then Nylon 6/6 - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

Response 1: We are interested too and this will be one of the first topics we examine. -MichaelForrester

Response 2: While the presentation didn't highlight this aspect of the project (excited about theunexpected toughening effect we discovered), the exploitation of the unsaturated site to yieldintrinsically hydrophobic (or flame retardant, etc) specialty PA66 was and continues to be themotivation for looking at C16:1 etc. -EricCochran

• ADM would be happy to discuss possibilities around sourcing long chain diacids. - Erik Hagberg (ADM - )

Response 1: That would be greatly appreciated. -Michael Forrester

• HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO CONDUCT THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES? THEBUDGET TOTALS MORE THAN $60k.


Response 1: This is a fair point. Predominately we would be interested in demonstrating proofof concept reactions that can substitute antimicrobial-type molecules. In general, I believe theIAB has made the point that the main focus should be on other properties rather than pendantmodification and thus will be the main point of study. -Michael Forrester

Response 2: Budget is $60K - the line items need to be adjusted to match. -EricCochran

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• Need to get some comparison done with other biobased nylons - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: This is a very good point and for future meetings/updates we will provide literaturedata as well. -Michael Forrester

• Recommend to investigate chemical resistance and moisture uptake. Influence of C16 level onmelting point will be crucial in defining practical use.


Response 1: We agree and will be one of the first points of the study next year. -MichaelForrester

• I suggest focusing on basic properties and processing for some duration prior to any work onFR or antimicrobial. The long diacid effects on water swell, mechanicals, barrier,crystallization, drawing properties during processing, transition temperatures, etc...


Response 1: Agreed. The basic properties will be the main focus of the project. Once these areunderstood/optimized we will look at pendant chemistry to improve properties based on whatinterest the IAB has. -Michael Forrester

• Exciting project, but concerned about desire to add (3) functions that could be contradictory tothe bio-benefits. Would personally discourage any considerations for crosslinkability, flameretardancy (unless limited to non-halogenated), and anti-microbial properties. Each of theseare unfavorable toxicity impacts on an otherwise "green" development.


Response 1: These are fair points and to begin with the project would study basic propertieswith an especial focus on water uptake and effect of water on performance of the materials.-Michael Forrester

• ? Moisture I like the reduction of intake, but what does it do the mechanical aspect.. ?Oxidation from a processes aspect. This is a concern that needs to be addressed if it goinginto the real world with variation in molding. The end use needs to be reviewed versus realworld.


Response 1: We agree, especially with the oxidation. We don't have all thecomposition/moisture/property relations yet but it will be one of the first things we examine.-Michael Forrester

• Long chain diacids can be made by metathesis of long chain unsaturated reagents (undecenoicacid, which is biobased) followed by hydrogenation. This intermediate could be used to makelarger amounts of an unsaturated monomer. I am concerned that this type of work withsaturated components has already been studied in the literature. I think the unique aspects ofthis program are more related to the unsaturated monomers, so further optimization ofpolymerization seems to be the key to make progress.


Response 1: We have actually performed some of the long chain unsaturate synthesis in the laband would be capable of producing enough material; however, this takes significant time & costand would likely take away some of the ability to do work that is meaningful to the center. Youare correct there is some literature with these long chain saturate diacids; however, not muchhas been done to copolymerize them with Nylon 6,6. Additionally, what data does exist is

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usually limited to some DMA, DSC, and GPC. Instron is rare and Charpy/Izod is not wellrepresented in literature due to very small availability of long chain diacid. Availability hasimproved dramatically recently and we believe it is worth looking at both the saturate andunsature diacids. -Michael Forrester

• I agree with some of the questions that were asked aloud that water absorption, thermal andchemical resistivity and density are some very interesting characteristics that I would like to seefurther explored.

- Drew Geda (Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc - )

Response 1: We agree and this will be the initial area of study. -Michael Forrester

• Great target for the polymer replacement. Moisture uptake and heat aging results will be greatfor the next steps.

- Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: I especially appreciate the idea of studying heat aging as this will especially berelevant to the unsaturated diacids. -Michael Forrester

Needs Change• Is there a cheap source for long chain diacids? - Tony Sun (GC Innovation America - )

Response 1: There are commercial sources for diacids and acid/ols (which can be upgraded todiacids). I do not have market prices for these materials; however, they are becoming moreindustrially relevant which should drive the cost towards affordable. -Michael Forrester

• Industrial sources of diacids are needed - Alexander Yahkind (AkzoNobel - )

Response 1: There are industrial sources of these materials and we will be working on makingrelationships with some of these companies to provide a supply of material. -Michael Forrester

Abstain• You should contact Tim Hopkins from Cathay Bioploymers. He is out of Michigan as their

sales/development manager. They only make diacids and are looking at diacids as buildingblocks for biopolymer synthesis. 313-254-0777, [email protected]


Response 1: Thank you. This information is very helpful. -Michael Forrester

Additional Comments• Interested in the group modifications for the specialized function of flame retardance but it

sounds like achieving hydrophobicity is a more immediate challenge. - Saskia van Bergen (WA State Department of Ecology - )

Response 1: We agree and will be the initial focus of the project. -Michael Forrester

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (C.4) Performance Evaluation of Natural Fiber-Basalt Hybrid Composite Panels


Project PI: Vikram Yadama (WSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments VikYadama's Response: Major takeaway from comments provided by IAB are:

1. Conduct a thorough rheological analysis in continuation project, which we are planning on.2. Examine the fracture at the interface between the matrix and fibers using micrographs, whichwe plan to do as well.3. There is interest in including PA in the blend which we proposed in a new proposal. It willhelp with performance, including reduction of emissions perhaps due to its low permeability.4. Evaluate the influence of MAPP well, which we intend to do.5. Compare against GF composites of similar formulations. We plan to do this by surveying theliterature more thoroughly.Based on these comments, we will add a few tasks that are possible to attain in continuationproject. Thank you!

Great Progress• Just curious.. how does the fiber sizing compound would impact the composite failure or

fracture initiation. Our previous studies showed that the sizing compound provided forfracture/shearing points.Great progress and potential for applications.


Response 1: That is a good question. We will be analyzing the SEM micrographs of fracturedsurfaces to understand the failure mechanisms. Since basalt fiber has very high strength, wespeculate that we will still notice failures at the interface at higher stress levels. This is probablyone reason why toughness improves when BF is mixed in with MAPP. PP tends to stretch morebefore eventual failure, probably still by a combination of fiber pullout and matrix extension ora combination. All speculations of course and we hope that SEM analysis will help us tounderstand these failure mechanisms better with improved interaction due to addition of MAPP.-Vik Yadama

• Your statement on Warp needs to be reviewed. Where you are going with PP is criticalespecially for weight reduction with increased performance. You have a lot of data that looksgreat, but is the long term effect on the material properties, weathering, impact, etc. Checkout some papers written by Kenrich Corp. on the Coupling agents for PP.


Response 1: You are correct, we should evaluate the weathering and impact resistance as well.

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Time and resources permitting, we would like to conduct some limited testing onweathering/aging effects using a UV weathering chamber. We will definitely check out thepapers you suggested. Thank you. From previous literature and from the present study, wefound influence of MAPP on PP helps us to get improved properties along with weightreduction. Also, we are still continuing the water absorption properties to understand thereaction of blends to water. -Vik Yadama

• Has the work been done to optimize the new formulations with the BF sized for PP? I know thatwas a more recent development, and I am curious if the interaction between the MAPP and thenew sized fibers and PP are well understood. I think the sound deadening performance is veryinteresting and is a great next step.


Response 1: Not a lot of work has been done to research what proportion of sized BF isappropriate based on specifications of a given application, as well as the interaction between theMAPP and the new sized fibers and PP. In our work, using the mixture model we havedeveloped, we will be conducting numerical optimization to evaluate a suitable blend of sizedBF/HF/MAPP in PP matrix. We have a reasonable understanding of the influence of MAPP onimproving the interaction between PP and sized BF. Based on our results, 5% MAPPsignificantly helps if there is no hemp fiber. However, with inclusion of hemp fiber, our studiesshow that roughly 3% of MAPP is appropriate to achieve a good interaction. We will validatethe results by producing specimens using numerically optimized formulation and evaluatingtheir performance. After validation and confirming appropriate formulation for specific end usebased on IAB input, we will produce panels for third party evaluation of sound deadeningperformance. -Vik Yadama

• Lots of data. Excellent plan. Very excited about basalt fibers. - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: Thank you! -Vik Yadama

On Course• Continuing development programs for materials should - in my opinion, include comparative

assembly performance evaluations. Strength tests alone and appearance evaluations are notsufficient for consideration of bringing the material to the marketplace. How do these new and modified materials respond to current and traditional assemblymethods?


Response 1: Yes, you are absolutely correct. I don't know that answer to your question, but Iwould speculate that these modified materials would respond similar to glass and carbon fiberssince the matrix is still the same. However, we should verify this. This would also involveevaluating fastening or joining properties. If awarded, we plan to discuss this issue with ourmentors to see what preliminary evaluations can be conducted to see how they respond tocurrent and traditional assembly methods. -Vik Yadama

• Good progress on testing different properties. - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: Thank you. -Vik Yadama

• Viscosity charts should be on log scale for easier comparison. Rheology properites will be veryimportant for processing. It would be good to see comparisons on the rheology to glass fiber.

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Also would like to see knit line strength comparisons to comparative glass fiber systems. Wetting of the matrix to the fiber, role of MAPP and bonding during fracture is of interest.


Response 1: Thank you for your question and feedback. We agree that rheological propertieswould be very important and useful to processes these new materials. Therefore, one of ourobjectives in continuation is to study rheological behavior in depth. Thank you for yoursuggestion about knit line strength analysis. Perhaps we can do these tests by taking specimensfrom the prototype part made by the IAB member, such as Ford. Based on your suggestion,perhaps some limited tests on fiber pull out testing with long BF BF strands in PP with differentratios of MAPP would be interesting to examine the matrix-fiber interaction. Thank you foryour suggestion regarding log scale for viscosity charts. -Vik Yadama

• Very promising results in PP. Would like to see a study in PA-based materials. With the rightsizing, could longer fibers (12 mm) be pursued?


Response 1: Yes, that would be interesting. Mafic showed a lot of interest in working with us toevaluate sizing for different polymer matrices. We will talk to both Mafic and Sudaglassregarding sizing for PA. Long fibers would be interesting, but it depends on how will thislength will be maintained during production of pellets. We hope to answer some of thesequestions in continuation project. -Vik Yadama

• Would like to see comparative data against traditional glass-filled polymers for reference. Veryinterested in the use of hemp "filler" in this blend.


Response 1: Yes, we will do that for sure. We are surveying the published data to get rightcomparison data and make sure we compare apples to apples. If any of the IAB members couldprovide data from their testing of glass fiber + PP + MAPP, we would appreciate it. -VikYadama

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (C.5) Lignin-Derived Compounds for the Production of Polyurethane Plastics and

Foams


Project PI: Dylan Cronin (WSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments DylanAmir's Response: Thank you to the IAB members for their informative feedback and

offers of support. Moving forward, it is clear that one of the major topics of interest is acomprehensive analysis of the economic benefits and feasibility of ligninâ€™s use in this work. Particularly regarding a comparison between lignin-based polyurethane materials and existingalternative bio-based polyols. We have devised this as Task III for the second year of theproject.A further point raised on several occasions was the existence of comparative data between ourlignin-based polyurethane foams and current commercial compositions. Each of thecompositions prepared by our team have been analyzed in terms of their density, rigidity andthermal conductivity.

DylanAmir's Response: Our goal moving forward is to further prepare a catalogue of differentlignin-based foam compositions which can be applied to a range of different commercial needs. This will involve the quantification of ranges for these characteristics, such that we can assureour materials conform to specific performance requirements.

Great Progress• Keep up with the good work! - Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )

Response 1: Thank you. -Dylan & Amir

• would love to see this nice building up of knowledge create an extension to novel materials thathave an end of life for being compostable and could be used in single use packaging.

have done any work on how to select the lignin and lignin quality/molecular characteristics aswell as the source? In particular, agri waste sources/grasses.


Response 1: We agree. If this work were to be combined with a biodegradable and sustainablysourced isocyanate then there is the possibility of producing single use products with end of lifecompostability. The current polyurethane foam formulation is however designed for more highvalue applications with a relatively long service life under repetitious use. That is a great point. We have conducted initial investigations regarding the impact of the lignin

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source and the manner of extraction. While a more comprehensive study of both is required,our initial investigations show that the biomass source does not appear to significantly impactthe PU materials obtained, which is beneficial for consistency in production. The extractionmethod however appears to have more impact, which is what we had hoped to observe giventhat our deep eutectic extraction process was hypothesized to be beneficial compared totraditional lignin extraction techniques.We have studied lignins from 6 biomass sources. -Dylan & Amir

Response 2: In terms of lignin characteristics we think the molecular weight of ~1000g/mol,with adequate hydroxyl groups is ideal for this application. -DylanAmir

• From another perspective, you have done great work. But what is the smell factor of the endproduct with different bio-stem sources. What is the bio recycle aspect of the material. Also,you need to look at the value stream for the material.


Response 1: That is an interesting question. We have not performed any testing that couldquantify this effect, however based on my experience with lignin, the material has a consistentcharacteristic â€˜earthyâ€™ smell. There is the risk of the smell of sulfur if Kraft lignin wereto be utilized, however this is not the intention of our work. We also expect our DES lignin tobe of higher stability and lower volatiles content, due to the nature of its production process.The biodegradability of the material has not yet been quantified, however this is something wewish to pursue in the future. It is our hope that with increasing lignin content biodegradabilitywill increase, as a result of breakdown by white-rot fungi. The utilized DES lignin maypotentially reduce the polyol cost. A detailed TEA analysis is planned for the second year ofthis project. -Dylan & Amir

• The mechanical performance of these resultant foam formulations (including odor and fogging)are what appear to be the most compelling. It would be interesting to see how well the foamsthat have been produced to this point line up with a sample range of technical data fortraditional PU foams being used in semi-rigid applications today.


Response 1: Thank you for the comments and suggestions. Such a comparison of our productsversus current commercial materials is being investigated and unfortunately was omitted fromthe presentation for the sake of brevity. Not surprisingly, lignin content increases the densityand structural rigidity of commercial polyurethane foam compositions. However, with the useof DES lignin and oxypropylation, the results are promising, compared to the literature. Theoxypropylation process will be optimized in the second year toward maximizing flexibility. Acomprehensive evaluation will be made against commercially available PUs and a range ofapplications will be identified based on the range of density, flexibility and other mechanicalproperties. We also plan to include a comparative study for the odor evaluation in lignincontaining foams. -Dylan & Amir

• Need to focus on the following items;Wet heat agingOdor/FoggingYieldCost Big picture (lignin utilization, replacement of current materials which is not environmentallyfriendly.

- Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: Thank you, great points. We will ensure to pay significant attention to these topicsmoving forward. -Dylan & Amir

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On Course• This is GC Innovation. One of PTTGC subsidiaries, Vencorex, is in the PU business. If you are

interested in looking into aliphatic diisocyanate, i.e. HDI and IPDI, we can help make an intro. - Tony Sun (GC Innovation America - )

Response 1: That would be greatly appreciated. Moving forward it would be very beneficial tohave a greater understanding of the commercial polyol and isocyanates we are using. To datethis has been difficult due to the trade secret nature of these products. -Dylan & Amir

• In addition to the specific details of this project, this presentation referred to the economic'opportunity' related to the development and testing - which is key to essentially all of our work.Well done!


Response 1: Thank you, we agree that this was a significant point to draw attention to. -Dylan& Amir

• I think a key to this project is the comparison of the lignin based polyols to existing vegetableoil based polyols (cost, performance, etc). This will be key to understanding the valueproposition of the technology.

Can the modification process use ethylene oxide instead of propylene oxide? (Primary versussecondary alcohols)


Response 1: Thank you, we agree that this will be an important aspect of our techno-economicanalysis process.Yes, the alkyl grafting process could be achieved in numerous different ways. Anotheralternative would be to use glycidol, which will result in simulataneous alkyl addition andincrease in hydroxyl number (a pertinent characteristic of PU chemistry). -Dylan & Amir

• Good to see progress and samples. Looking for charts capturing properties and modeling. Areyou able to share any rough economics for how competitive a lignin based PU would be? Is theoxypropylation and any clean up steps expected to be quite expensive?


Response 1: Thank you. Regrettably, several charts describing characteristics such as density,rigidity and thermal conductivity were omitted from the final presentation for sake of brevity. Unfortunately we are not yet in a position to confidently comment on the economics of thisprocess. However, we are essentially devising a â€˜drop-inâ€™ polyol whose feedstock is abyproduct of other industries (pulp and paper, and the emerging biorefinery industry), so it isreasonable to expect at least a comparable (or lower) cost.Regarding the oxypropylation process, fortunately it is highly efficient and if performedcorrectly produces no side-products. There are no additional significant considerationsregarding waste production. -Dylan & Amir

• Interesting project, exploring feasibility w/ lignin-based PU foam. Can specific applications beused as product profiles for a target priented development or is this project in a exploratoryphase, i.e. what can we do with lignin-based polyols in PU?


Response 1: Lignin-based polyols have the potential to partially replace current commercialpolyols for the production of polyurethane foams. This means that we could theoreticallyapply lignin-based PUs across the same range of applications the PUs are currently applied.

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The determining property here is rigidity. Semi-rigid foams will be applied in cushioningproducts, while rigid foams will be applied in thermal/sound absorption, light structuralreinforcement applications, and niche markets such as flotation devices and surfboards. -Dylan& Amir

• Great presentation, thank you. Please forgive my ignorance, but how does this project provideadditional commercial market value against existing bio-derived polyols already used? Doeslignin provide different properties or utilize a non-used waste stream? Good luck on continuedwork.


Response 1: Thank you. The primary motivation for applying lignin in this work is to utilizealternative waste streams. That being said, lignin may also prove advantageous with regards tostructural property impacts, biodegradability, and thermal/U-V stability. -Dylan & Amir

Needs Change• Have you done a cost analysis? - Matt Terwillegar (Danimer Scientific - )

Response 1: To date a significant cost analysis has not been conducted, however given the factthat the lignin is produced as a waste material of other industries it is expected to be at leastcomparable to existing commercial approaches. We intend for this assessment to be a majoraspect of future work. -Dylan & Amir

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (C.6) Unlocking the Potential of Biodegradable Xylanbased Polymer Materials


Project PI: Breeanna Urbanowicz, Maria Pena, Nataraja Yadavalli, Sergiy Minko (UGA)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments BreeannaUrbanowicz's Response: Based on the comments from the IAB, the overarching

takeaways were that 1) the scope of the project is a bit broad 2) we need to provide validationof whether these materials are biodegradable, and 3) we need to continue to be open to newfeedstocks. Our Year 1 project was very focused on building a xylan library, functionalizingthat library, and then evaluating the properties of the materials. We have largely kept on trackwith our original deliverables and have made some additional and necessary advances/changes.For example, we realized that functionalization methods for C6 glycopolymers were notworking on C5s, and thus rapidly and temperarilly pivoted our research efforts and developednew modification techniques.

BreeannaUrbanowicz's Response: This may have broadened our scope, but paid off in the longterm due to the wide applicability of this method to hemicellulose feedstocks. Now we arefocusing on using this technique to do focused modification of the glycopolymer library andcharacterization of the resultant films and composites for both their materials properties andbiodeconstruction. Together with building the glycoform library, generation of this data formultiple glycopolymer and monomer feedstocks represent our major deliverables. In terms ofthe library construction, one of the key aspects of this particular research focus is that it is neverreally complete and we plan to continuously add, characterize, and evaluate new feedstocks.

Great Progress• Very high quality presentation, solid project progress! - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

Response 1: Thank you for the appreciation. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• Very interested in project in term of using these materials for bioplastic modification, coatingand adhesives for packaging applications.


Response 1: Thank you for your interest. We are hoping that our technology makes a significantimpact in the market share of renewable, biodegradable bioplastic products. -BreeannaUrbanowicz

• I like the progress since my last review last fall. The advancement made from the film aspectshow a lot of potential in the real world. Can it be biodegradable? Looking at it from a feedwrap aspect and the use of farm waste to complete the circle of life aspect.

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Response 1: We believe the xylaurethane (modified xylan) and mannurethane (modifiedmannan) materials are biodegradable considering only few primary and secondary alcohols onthe each polysaccharide chain are modified with octane side groups creating an amphiphilicmolecule. These polysaccharides undergo biodegradability similar to their native forms whilebeing suitable for packaging applications with better barrier function.As part of this workflow, we are planning to prepare our materials as coatings onNatureFlex(Trade mark) films as an initial biodegradable scaffold provided by our industrialpartner â€œFutamura Groupâ€•. The NatureFlex grade packaging materials are proven to bebiodegradable in waste water environment and also anaerobic digestion. We plan to study thebiodegradability of our materials on these scaffolds on hand and and expand these experimentswith others. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• Excellent progress since last update. Interested in involvement with this project. - Hart Haugen (The Sherwin-Williams Company - )

Response 1: Thank you, we are looking forward to further discussions with members of theIAB regarding routes that we can take to improve our project. Please get in touch with us andwe would be pleased to work with you and add new members to our mentorship team, as theirinput and support has been invaluable. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• Very interesting materials and the chemistry. Try to reduce the overall process steps andassociated costs. Great potential for applications! Green Process and materials...Are these films biodegradale? Will you be looking at thebiodegradability of the films?


Response 1: Thank you for sharing our excitement! We have submitted a second proposal incollaboration with Jason Locklinâ€™s group at UGA to study the biodegradability of ourmaterials in detail (N.2 below). We are also preparing to make coatings of our materials onbiodegradable NatureFlex films provided by our industrial partner (Futamura Group) to studythe coating degradability in similar processes.(N.2) Investigation of the Enzymatic Degradability of GlycolicUrethane Linkages UsingChromophore Probes -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• I continue to think this project is a great example of the types of breakthrough innovations thatCB2 needs to be doing.


Response 1: Thank you for the positive response! This has been a great multidisciplinary teamendeavor that is really starting to bear fruit. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• Excellent project because of how broadly applicable it is to IAB members - Kelly Williams (Futamura - )

Response 1: Thank you so much. One of our goals at the onset of the project was to engage IABmembers in our research. We think it has worked out on both the feedstock and applicationfronts, which is very exciting. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

On Course• Very interesting work ! - Jim Preston (RheTech LLC - )

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Response 1: Thank you for the positive support! We are very excited about our progress.-Breeanna Urbanowicz

• this seems like a very ambitious scope - Drew Geda (Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc - )

Response 1: We agree that the scope of the project is quite ambitious. Our Year 1 project wasvery focused on building a xylan library, functionalizing that library, and then evaluating theproperties of the products. As with most projects, our scope evolved as we realized the need todevelop new functionalization methods for C5 glycopolymers. Further, we also put additionalemphasis on working not just with native plant glycopolymers, but taking advantage of theavailable and abundant sources of industrial feedstocks from IAB partners. Now that we havegenerated materials from several hemicellulose-derived starting materials, including those fromboth xylan and mannan, we are in the process of evaluating their properties in line and on trackwith our year 1 goals. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• The proposed project remains very broad. I would suggest more focus, especially for a one yearproject. This could be on the feedstock side or the evaluation of a narrow set of applications.


Response 1: We agree that the scope of the project is broad. Our Year 1 project was veryfocused on building a xylan library, functionalizing that library, and then evaluating theproperties of the materials. Early on, we came to realize that functionalization methods for C6glycopolymers were not working on C5-based glycopolymers, and thus refocused all of ourefforts on method optimization for that process in Y1Q2. This was not anticipated in theoriginal proposal as we had been successful with cellulose modification. However, thedevelopment of these new modification techniques resulted in the preparation and submissionof new IP for CB2 and we have now shown that it is broadly applicable to C5 and C6-substrates(XYLAN-BASED POLYMER MATERIALS FOR BIOPLASTIC APPLICATIONSâ€•(Docket 222105-8320); Inventors: Nataraja Sekhar YADAVALLI, Breeanna URBANOWICZ,Maria PENA, Sergiy MINKO). Now we are focusing on using this technique to do focusedmodification of the glycopolymer library and characterization -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• Follow-on development should also include seal/weld testing as is used in most packagingapplications.


Response 1: Thank you for the valuable advice. We are currently evaluating the adhesiveproperties of xylo-urethane and manno-urethane films via simple film peel tests on differentsurfaces such as glass, fabric, NatureFlex etc. Our preliminary observation indicates that thesefilms are bonded well on glass and wafer substrates. Further work is in progress to createcoatings on fabrics and NatureFlex films. In the following stage, we have planned to analyzethe adhesive/bonding strength between films and/or substrates via peel tensile test. We willpresent our results during the next report and/or mentorship meeting. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

Needs Change• Partnering with CB2 partners for relevant waste streams seems reasonable - to an extent. I'm

not sure of the details, but recommend that the major sources of xylan and waste streamscontaining xylan are included beyond specific needs of CB2 partner waste streams. It would be good to not abandon the idea of library building, as this is laying basic groundworkfor long term research.


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Response 1: If you know of any good sources of xylan and or waste streams of xylan that wehave not considered or included herein, please let us know. We are continuously working tobuild a well-characterized glycoform library, and has been an ongoing effort throughout thisproject, that is happening but may not receive enough fanfare. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

• With the limited time frame, the research would be best served by developing a few keydeliverables and targets. The scope seems very broad and identifying at least some targetapplications or properties would help focus the work.


Response 1: The glycoform library will be expanded with different hemicelluloses (xylans andmannans) from new plant sources available in-house, collected from external, and industrialsources. The four carbamates mentioned above will be characterized in detail for coatings, andpackaging applications. Thermal properties of these materials will be tuned and established by means of DSC, and TGAWe will evaluate the suitability of these carbamates for preparing blends and composites withindustrially valuable bioplastic materials such as PHA, Latex and their feasibility to integratewith industrial processesAdhesive properties of xylo-urethane and manno-urethane will be evaluated through simplepeel test, and tensile peel testsPackaging films of xylaurethane and mannaurethanes will be prepared with differentcomposites and the barrier properties of the films will be establishedStructures of xylo- and manno- urethane will be confirmed by 2D-NMR. -BreeannaUrbanowicz

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (C.7) Nanocellulose Fibrils (NCF) Based Coating to improve barrier properties of

Packaging Films


Project PI: Sudhagar Mani (UGA)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments SudhagarMani's Response: Thank you so much for the constructive comments and interest in

the project. Your comments are highly valuable and make the direction of the project useful tothe industrial members. We will use your comments to redirect some of the approaches to thesurface modification and coating material for multi-layer packaging applications. Based on yoursuggestion, we will consider beyond Chitosan polymer, especially PHA and PLA as othercompatible sources as part of the project.

Great Progress• Perhaps you can use oxalic acid (instead of acetic anhydride) with chitosan. Our experience

with acetic acid is not so good, but the dicarboxylic acid is better. - Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )

Response 1: Thank you so much for the suggestion. We used acetic acid as a basis to compare.We will use the oxalic acid with Chitosan. -Sudhagar Mani

• We should focus on more nano cellulose-based products. High value added materials. - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: It is of our interest to look for high value-added materials. Thank you so much forthe motivation and support in building high-value products. -Sudhagar Mani

On Course• We see this being used for coatings developments that provide hydrophobicity without

mitigating the end of life design, e.g. compostability. - Kelly Williams (Futamura - )

Response 1: Thank you. We will be testing the hydrophobicity properties exhibited from bothcellulose nanofibrils and cellulose crystals as well. We will also test the compostability of theformulations. -Sudhagar Mani

• Since some versions of nanocellulose fibers are already commercially available (out of Japan), Ithink novel approaches to chemical modification or end use applications will be more useful in

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this project. - Kevin Lewandowski (3M Company - )

Response 1: Thank you. We are in this project focussing on the chemical modification that notonly reduces the environmental impacts but also enhancing the surface properties. -SudhagarMani

• There has been lot of research done in nano-cellulose space for barrier properties. Like tounderstand more on how different the current approach is and how it can be more industriallyviable.


Response 1: The earlier studies focussed on using nanocellulose as reinforcing agents withother bio-based and conventional polymers as blends. On the other hand, the barrier propertieswere focused on tempo-mediated nanocellulose that uses a significant amount of causticchemicals that under-performs in the life cycle analysis study to assess environmental impacts.One of the key industrially relevant challenges is due to a low concentration of nanocellulose.In addition, the intensive chemical treatments for surface modification is also challenging forindustrial use. We envision to develop formulations that exhibit both barrier properties frommechanically treated nanocellulose and improve environmental sustainability. In addition, weare also taking into consideration from the industrial perspective, how this formulation addsvalue, minimizes processing steps and practical. -Sudhagar Mani

• Nice presentation, thank you. I would like to better understand why the direction to considercross-linking this material? My concern is that this could negatively impact biodegradability orcompostability of the packaging film. Additionally, I have a question about not only the lifecycle impact from an environmental standpoint, but would suggest considering toxicityconsiderations as well. Best of luck on your work.


Response 1: Thank you for the suggestion. We will discuss this with you further on thecomment. We will perform the preliminary LCA on the cross-linking agent and literature toaddress this challenge. We will change the direction as suggested that would improve theenvironmental impacts. -Sudhagar Mani

• Foundation for the material is set and moving forward. Remember the more you crosslink thebase material, the harder it will be to process for the packaging industry. Extrusion andforming will need to be evaluated beyond a base material foundation.


Response 1: Thank you for the advice and recommendation from the industrial processingaspects. We will consider the alternative options -Sudhagar Mani

• I didn't get a feel for how practical the processing is that was proposed. Some further detailswould be helpful to complement the properties.


Response 1: Thank you. We intend to use the water-based coating and followed by drying. Wewould be happy to discuss with you further. My email is [email protected] -Sudhagar Mani

Needs Change• Project feasibility is not demonstrated - Alexander Yahkind (AkzoNobel - )

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Response 1: Thank you for the comments. We intend to formulate the mixture of nanocelluloseand other polymers that would be used as a thin layer or coating on the material surfaces. Ourinterest is the develop water-based coating materials that would exhibit both the hydrophobicityand barrier properties. Please let me know if you have a concern to discuss further. My email [email protected]; -Sudhagar Mani

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.1) Investigating Root Cause and Reduce Fogging Behavior of Natural Fiber

Filled Thermoplastics

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Ali Amiri, Chad Ulven (NDSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments AliChad's Response: Based on the great feedback during Q&A and comments through LIFE we

would expand on the evaluation and linkage of fogging, odor, and VOCs if our project isfunded. In addition, we would include the evaluation of a second natural filler (i.e. wood) to seethe influence of differences in constituent make-up. Finally, we would include a pre-packagedPP vs a neat PP to see stabilizer influence on the behavior of these composites as well. It mightturn out that removing very small percentages of low molecular weight natural polymers (inPPMs) will reduce the fogging to an acceptable level of industry standards.

Very Interested• Add another natural fiber like ground wood to the study if possible. - Jim Preston (RheTech LLC - )

Response 1: We appreciate this suggestion and would like to pursue wood as a filler as well ifour study if funded. This will allow us to evaluate two different natural fillers with differentconstituent make-up to help determine root cause of fogging. -Ali & Chad

• You need to look at other material fillers in order to establish a baseline for the fogging. Dealing with one substrate limits your DOE aspect of the project. Ali & Chad, you need tolook at other materials to see what is the main contributor of the fogging.


Response 1: We agree that adding another natural filler is important for the study and if funded,would expand to include wood as suggested by another member. -Ali & Chad

• Please look at the surface hydrophfilicity and hydrophobicity of the final composite. This is acritical factor in the fogging process.Good proposal!


Response 1: Yes, we appreciate this comment. Measuring the contact angle of the moldedcomposites can easily be accomplished and would be another indicator of fogging potential.-Ali & Chad

• Great target for the overcome.This is one of the big problem for sustainable composites. Please

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also consider the odor and VOC issue as well. - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: Thanks for the comment. Yes, we believe odor and VOC are closely linked withfogging behavior, so we would definitely include as part of our test matrix if funded. -Ali &Chad

Interested• Again, the implications of assembly - post molding, don't seem to be factored into the project. - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

Response 1: We appreciate this comment. We have experience welding basic lap joints withnatural fiber composites, but we have not considered the potential implications on fogging. Wewould be happy to include some welded specimens in the fogging experiments if our project isfunded. -Ali & Chad

• I agree with the suggestion to utilize a second natural filler material with a dissimilar woodcontent as a means to better evaluate the root cause for the fogging phenomenon. Using cost aswell as composition is a great idea for selecting this second filler.


Response 1: We really like this comment and would definitely include wood as a second fillerto evaluate if funded for this project. -Ali & Chad

• Role of antioxidants should be considered early on as they may have an adverse effect bythemselves on VOCs, fogging etc. The choice of a resin stabilized with an AO that will affordminimal contribution to fogging is recommended.


Response 1: We appreciate this comment and if funded for the project would be interested inevaluating some PPs that are pre-packaged vs those that are not to see what influence if anythey would have on the final results. -Ali & Chad

Interested with Change• The effect of the coating should be included - Alexander Yahkind (AkzoNobel - )

Response 1: We appreciate this comment and do feel it would be important to include effect ofcoating in potentially a year 2 follow-on project. We believe in a one year project thatexpanding to include a complete stack-up would hinder progress in determining the exact rootcause of fogging, odor, & VOC from a basic natural fiber composite substrate. -Ali & Chad

• Identification of the root cause will be interesting. What components are leaving the compositeseems important across broader applications. Are health / exposure concerns are a 2nd tier ofthe need in addition to fogging and odor?


Response 1: Yes, we do believe that fogging, odor, and VOCs are linked and as such wouldexpand our test matrix to evaluate if funded. -Ali & Chad

Not Interested

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• Do not align with my industry need and also seems narrow in scope. - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: Based on the comments during Q&A we would expand on the evaluation andlinkage of fogging, odor, and VOCs if our project is funded. In addition, we would include theevaluation of a second natural filler (i.e. wood) to see the influence of differences in constituentmake-up. Finally, we would include a pre-packaged PP vs a neat PP to see stabilizer influenceon the behavior of these composites as well. -Ali & Chad

• we are struggling to see how the treatments deleted will change the fiber structure significantlyenough to remove the residual chemical composition to impact the end result. NAOH treatment(mercerization) is a well known technology. The scope of this work seems to be the precursorto develop testable scientific hypothesis for which to propose a CB2 project for funding.


Response 1: We agree that the treatments we suggested are well documented and known forimproving mechanical performance, but we could not find any study on their influence onfogging, odor, or VOCs. We also agree that removing such small percentages of certainconstituents through these treatments might not reveal the root cause for biocomposite fogging,so we really appreciate and would embrace the suggestion to include another filler such aswood with a different constituent make-up to help identify root cause of fogging. In addition,testing a pre-packaged PP with stabilizers vs neat PP would allow this project to be moreapplied and relevant for industries needs. It might turn out that very small percentages of lowmolecular weight natural polymers (in PPMs) will reduce the fogging to an acceptable level forindustry standards. -Ali & Chad

• Not applicable to my industry, but wish you well on the project.


Response 1: Thanks! -Ali & Chad

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.2) Investigation of the Enzymatic Degradability of GlycolicUrethane Linkages

Using Chromophore Probes

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Evan White, Breeanna Urbanowicz, Jason Locklin (UGA)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments JasonLocklin's Response: These are really great suggestions and comments. We plan to focus

initially on the laminate adhesives and overprints in the packaging space. It would really benefitthis project to have several mentors from the packaging supply chain, and any that focus onenzyme technology. Many of the comments that show interest in developing these tools forhigh throughput screening of other classes of materials are something we are very interested in,particularly with regards to other heterocyclic (like polycarbonates) and also bio based PUmaterials.

Very Interested• blown away at how you have taken the seed concept that we discussed in May that might be too

large for a CB2 study and turned it into a widely clever way to rapid screen. To us, this is afundamental project that builds real core foundation of science for which many years can bebuilt upon (science/engineering) and expanded (markets/applications.)


Response 1: developing the diagnostic tools for high throughput screening is the strategy wewant to take, better than the shotgun or needle in a haystack approach. -Jason Locklin

• Seems like this could inform development of PU-based elastomers as well? - Clay Bunyard (Kimberly-Clark Corporation - )

Response 1: This is exactly correct. The aim is to develop the high throughput screening toolsthat will allow us to look at a variety of PU materials, with both hard and soft segments! wehave also thought about screening urethane/urea/biuret and other linkages and how these impactcompostability. -Jason Locklin

• This is a good proposal , results can be translated to degradation of several other polymers- thathas to be the focus. Capable team!


Response 1: Exactly correct. Honestly, the same tools can be easily developed to look at esters,carbonates, amides, and other heterocyclic polymers. -Jason Locklin

• This seems to be broad initially (big project) but to look at the different types of polymers for

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bonding is exciting. PU bounding of multi layer film would be very beneficial and would bebetter from the composite aspect. keep moving forward.


Response 1: The small molecule probes are extremely easy to synthesize and evaluate. Thisallows us to do some high throughput screening, and we are excited to get started. -JasonLocklin

• Very interesting project with high relevance. BASF would be interested in supporting/advisingthe PI during the course of the project.


Response 1: Thanks! Like I mentioned, BASF currently has the only BPI certified compostableadhesive on the market, EPOTOL, and this is polyester polyol based. I am very curious toinvestigate how we can improve the lamination properties of this material with differentisocyantes that still satisfy compostability standards, along with developing other materials (hotmelts, cold seal adhesives) that will also satisfy compostability standards. -Jason Locklin

• Looks like a great project which can have multi-functional benefits. Also like to see if this canbe expanded to biobased PU material development.


Response 1: Very interesting comment. We have thought about isocyanates from aliphaticdiacids and even did some work with the glutarate diacids conversion through Curtiusrearrangement of the acid chlorides. To achieve fully bio based polyurethanes. Actuallywriting this, you have me interested in trying to use furan and other aromatic diacids to generatebio based aromatic precursors also! -Jason Locklin

• Thank you for the presentation. This research could be particularly interesting to the flooringindustry that uses urethane-based topcoats and adhesives over wood. Just a thought on how tomake wood flooring actually compostable. Happy to discuss our current chemistries ifinterested. Best luck, KB (Shaw).


Response 1: This is exactly correct. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. -Jason Locklin

Interested• Can you elaborate on the methods that will be used to identify candidate enzymes? Is the

intention to perform enzyme evolution as part of thus study? - Erik Hagberg (ADM - )

Response 1: One of our original strategies was to work with Proteus and Novozyme to acquirethe (more than 50) commercially available hydrolases (mostly esterases and a few amidases)that are extracted from E. coli strains as MODEL enzymes. From the initial screening, we canthen examine combinations of enzymes, and fusion enzymes that we can construct in house. The real goal is achieving the high throughput tools, which will allow us to screen hundreds ofcombinations rapidly. -Jason Locklin

Response 2: "strategies was to work" means "our original strategy is to work with..." -JasonLocklin

Response 3: To build on the the prior responses, enzyme evolution is a very valuable approach,however it is better suited once we have used the HTP methods on the larger enzyme library toperform a primary selection and focus in on high value candidates. -Breeanna Urbanowicz

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Not Interested• Although conceptually interesting, I don't see a strong connection to our companies interests,

especially in a short to medium time frame. - Kevin Lewandowski (3M Company - )

Response 1: thanks for the comment! -Jason Locklin

Abstain• Well presented and it is easy to see and conceptualize the routes and benefits of this research,

despite the scope. - Drew Geda (Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc - )

Response 1: thanks. in this space, more high throughput screening methods are needed. -JasonLocklin

Additional Comments•

Are there opportunities for connections to high throughput tox screening?https://emt.oregonstate.edu/users/robert-tanguayhttp://tanguaylab.com/

- Saskia van Bergen (WA State Department of Ecology - )

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.3) Bioplastics and Biocomposites for Ultrathin and Stretchable Film

Applications

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Reza Montazami (ISU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments RezaMontazami's Response: Thanks to all IAB members for their insightful comments. The

one point that was perhaps not conveyed carefully on my side is that while PLA and PBS areproposed as starting materials, we are open to studying other/additional materials as thepolymer matrix. One potential approach is to use LLDPE as the base matrix to address cost andstretchability concerns. While our deliverable is in line with the needs of the membercompanies and the market, materials and methods can be tuned based on IAB's insight andinput, to better achieve our common goals.

Very Interested• I would try PBAT and PBSA also - Matt Terwillegar (Danimer Scientific - )

Response 1: Thanks, we can surly try these materials. -Reza Montazami

• Potential applications! Test (assess) comparability of the films.. Do you plan on doing anybiodegradation studies? What are the potential additives/crosslinkers?


Response 1: Thank you. We are planning on compostability testes. The first additives we areplaning to study are:trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinateand1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate

Both are selected based on literature. We can study others based on IAB's input. -RezaMontazami

• Environmental benefit and extra revenue for farmers to utilize agave fibers. - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: Agree! -Reza Montazami

• Very broad impact potential across many industry partners, including my company. Wouldrecommend including biodegradability & compostability testing to your scope. I'm not certain

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if you mentioned that. - Kellie Ballew (Shaw Industries Group, Inc. - )

Response 1: Thank you. Glad to hear that. We are planing compostability studies. I had that onmy slides but perhaps missed mentioning it. -Reza Montazami

Interested• This is a very relevant Project subject and a well done presentation. - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

Response 1: Thank you. -Reza Montazami

• Big task to match a mLLDPE performace versus cost and performance. How are you going toadjust the mechanical testing to actual final product in use (stretched and elongation aspects)? How is the filler going to help the structure of the product after stretching? Big task!!


Response 1: Thank you. I totally agree that this is a great challenge; yet, it doesn't discourage usfrom tackling it. The fillers are expected to form interconnects are molecular level to prevent mechanical failure.Similar to low density cross linking. -Reza Montazami

Interested with Change• Polymer processing was not discussed. For this to be practical it would probably have to be a

blown film. I would like to know what potential strategies will need to be used with respect topolymer formulation and processing in order to make this a successful project.


Response 1: Thank you for great comment. Initially we are considering roll-to-roll processingof the films. This may be changed based on IAB's input. -Reza Montazami

• I see some fundamental technical challenges in the proposal in achieving the requiredperformance of existing films. Need more robust technical approach first to modify thebiopolymer itself.


Response 1: Thank you for your insight. I really appreciate more details and guidance on this.Also, worth mentioning that PLA and PBS are proposed as initial materials to be studied, wecan certainly study other materials based on IAB's input. -Reza Montazami

Not Interested• The project seems very close to the ABS project in concept. - Erik Hagberg (ADM - )

Response 1: Thank you for your comment. -Reza Montazami

• Low interest - too far away from our core technologies. - Ralph Maier (BASF - )


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• While the need is large, and worthy of project work, it is not clear the technology for"softening" PLA and PBS is appropriate to make PLA and PBS accomplish the task. Thebackground work on the additives was not presented in enough detail to picture this having anyshot at working. Starting with softer, stretchier materials like PBAT, PBSA or low crystallinityPHA may make more sense.


Response 1: Thank you for your insight. PLA and PBS were mentioned as starting points.Based on IAB's input we can certainly study other/additional materials. -Reza Montazami

• Not clear how price will be comparable with PE - Alexander Yahkind (AkzoNobel - )


• The challenge I have with this is not related to the science, but moreso around the fit with thecompostable stretch films in a larger circular economy. There are already concerns related tocompostable packaging being contaminates for traditional polyolefin-based packaging recyclingstreams. I would want to see this applied to some other application area that might allow forbetter fit with recovery and end-of-life options.


Response 1: Thank you for your comment. Valid concern. -Reza Montazami

Abstain

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.4) Synthesis and Characterization of a Series of Biobased and Biodegradable

Long Fatty Chain Polyesters Potentially for Substitute to Low Density Polyethylene

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Hui Li, Armando G. McDonald (WSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments HuiLi's Response: First, PI would express his great gratitude for having him to present his

proposal in this yearâ€™s IAB meeting and all comments and questions by IAB.PE has been a huge societal and environmental problems due to its notoriously lowbiodegradability. Alternatives need to be developed indispensably and urgently. In currentproposal, we aim at synthesizing polyesters out of long chain monomers; Optimized polyesters(with high mechanical properties) will perform biodegradability property based upon ASTMG160, which would provide important data and where can ultimately show the essence ofreplacing LDPE; Blown films will be subjected to mechanical testing and comparison with acommercial LDPE; Applications: food packaging, bags, and mulch, etc

MichaelForrester's Response: Due to the overlap between N4 & N10 the Li group (WSU) andthe Cochran group (ISU) are submitting a shared proposal. More details can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L76sKdUZTj-BesMObXX2fHXqgz9J-RFq9pSsSQFtghA/edit

Very Interested• Looks like a good proposal, well planned study, including the biodegradability studies. - Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )

Response 1: Really appreciate your kind comment and support! -Hui Li

Interested• is there Freedom to Operate? - Kelly Williams (Futamura - )

Response 1: Yes, definitely we can tune the monomers used to cope with interests from IABmembers perspectives. -Hui Li

• Great presentation and from the comments you can see the big impact potential. However, Ithink that you could clarify that the leaders in industry could put forward consumer-facingproducts that utilize your innovative solution as a means to "shut off the tap" of global plastic

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waste. Definitely focus on biodegradability over biobased.... - Kellie Ballew (Shaw Industries Group, Inc. - )

Response 1: Appreciate your comments. I was meant to mention that though in terms ofshutting off the tap or replacing the plastic waste! -Hui Li

Interested with Change• The proposed monomer sets to be used are well known and heavily explored in the literature. It

was not clear from the proposal what novel results are to be expected from this study. I wouldhave liked to see more specificity around the proposed materials sets and what will beunexpected compared to the literature. Also the polyester polymers will be significantly moreexpensive relative to standard polyolefins, so their practicality may be limited for packaging.


Response 1: Agree! 1.More and more monomers (long chain diols and diacids) could bedeveloped through chemical and/or bioengineering protocols, so our proposal will focus onmaking high mechanical properties polyesters (high molecular mass), with optimizing thereaction conditions: such as reaction time, temperature, vacuum and amount of catalysts(p-TsOH and Pb2O3). We would also work with IAB members like ADM to narrow down tomore interesting diols and diacids to cope with IAB interests. Again, unexpected results wouldbe possibly low molecular mass, which will be a major focus. -Hui Li

• Interested, but you need to define the outcome needed for you project. The bigger picture willbe cost or value stream that you will be competing against. Remember, most of those bags thatyou discussed are recycled today. Bio-degrading will need to be your driver. (ocean waste)


Response 1: Thank you for your comment! Outcomes would be focused on synthesizeoptimized polyesters (with high mechanical properties)and like you suggested, will performbiodegradability property based upon ASTM G160, under soil and moisture condition, whichwould provide important data and where can ultimately show the essence of replacing LDPE.Furthermore, thin films will be fabricated. -Hui Li

• Nice proposal, with the key motivation of reducing plastic waste. Consider focusing onbio-degradability only (and not necessarily on bio-based). This may give you a lower cost of thefinal product and increase probability of success.


Response 1: Thank you! Will definitely focus on biodegradability development and testingunder real soil condition (ASTM G 160). -Hui Li

• Need better proposal to deal with the technical challenge and cost performance balance. PBS isalready a commercial polymer available which is based on the proposed mechanism. Needmore fundamental understanding around MWD and long chain branching to mimic LDPE typepolymer.


Response 1: Couldn't agree more! PBS is one of successful polymers with the same mechanism.We will focus on generating high molecular mass polyesters with optimizing reactionconditions, catalysts (Pb2O3 and p-ThOH). -Hui Li

• ADM can provide a variety of long chain fatty acids and diols to support this work. We areactively working on new low cost technology to access these monomers from sustainable

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sources. - Erik Hagberg (ADM - )

Response 1: Really appreciated for your kind support! We work with ADM to narrow downmore monomers to cope with the company's interest!a -Hui Li

Not Interested• Not economically feasible. Much more expensive than PE - Alexander Yahkind (AkzoNobel - )

Response 1: Thank you very much for the comment! This is a reality so far. But we wouldcompensate with other merits such as biodegradability and high performance. -Hui Li

• Do not believe a straight polyester will ever match polyethylene. Also, price will be a hugeissue

- Matt Terwillegar (Danimer Scientific - )

Response 1: Thank you very much for the comment! This is a reality so far. But we wouldcompensate with other merits such as biodegradability and high performance. -Hui Li

• This needs to have a targeted application that can results in a better value proposition. - Clay Bunyard (Kimberly-Clark Corporation - )

Response 1: We target to synthesize high mechanical properties which can endure highstretching need in terms of film application (packaging and bags, even agricultural mulch). -HuiLi

• I do not necessarily agree with the cost-proposition being a firm non-starter, but I do believethat the scope of this project is slightly nebulous at this point (monomers being a wide rangewith different fundamental characteristics).


Response 1: Thank you for the comment! More and more monomers (long chain diols anddiacids) could be developed through chemical and/or bioengineering protocols, so our proposalwill focus on making high mechanical properties polyesters (high molecular mass), withoptimizing the reaction conditions: such as reaction time, temperature, vacuum and amount ofcatalysts (p-TsOH and Pb2O3). We would like to work with IAB members like ADM to narrowdown to more interesting diols and diacids to cope with IAB interests. -Hui Li

• Matching properties and price of PE with long chain fatty esters is a nearly impossible task in2019. The problem of PE in litter worthy problem to tackle as it is massive. The startingmaterials and the process of polymerization of the long chain polyesters will not allow price tomatch PE. Focus on a different short term goal, such as what would be the property advantageof these polyesters vs. what is available today, such as PBAT, PHA, PBS, PBSA. What are theshortcomings that limit what is available today? Can you visualize a process and feed stockthat can compete with the above? It is not obvious from the presentation that this proposalcould leapfrog these technologies.


Response 1: Thanks for the comment! The current proposal will synthesize a series oflong-chain polyesters with HIGH mechanical properties comparing with some successfulpolyester abovementioned. Achieving high molecular mass of the long-chain polyester wouldbe a hurdle, but is a major goal of the current proposal. -Hui Li

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Abstain• Need to connect to some example applications. - Saskia van Bergen (WA State Department of Ecology - )

Response 1: We would like to use as packaging materials, bags, even agricultural mulch, whichwe would potential working with big companies like Walmart, Amazon, and agriculturalsectors in State of Washington, since we have built collaboration with Amazon and the PI is anExtension specialist which will endow him to work with farmers in Washington moreconveniently. -Hui Li

• Impressive goal with global impact. This is the type of project that CB2 should pursue. - Ben Maloy (Evolve Golf - )

Response 1: Thank you for the comment! We strive to synthesize alternative bio-derived andbiodegradable polymers to PE. -Hui Li

Additional Comments• An additional comment here. Not every brand will pay more for disposable biodegradable

packaging if no infrastructure exists to actually compost it or degrade it in a managed fashion. Collection infrastructure would be needed, and if that exists it could enable recycling oftraditional polyolefin packaging.


Response 1: Thank you for your comment! We develop biodegradable polyesters and they willcompost anyways, which will reduce the extra collection infrastructure endeavor? -Hui Li

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.5) Plant OilBased Latex Adhesives

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Andriy Voronov, Ghasideh Pourhashem (NDSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments AV's Response: Thank you for your all great useful comments. One thing that I would like to

emphasize is that this proposal targets new adhesive materials which will be greener(biodegradable and less toxic) AND perform better that currently existing petroleum-basedcounterparts. The replacement level is to be based on merit, and, perhaps, will vary fromsubstrate to substrate. Good thing is that the existing monomer library (as well as ability toexpand it) allows to tune performance (adhesion strength, hydrophobicity, mechanicalproperties) in order to this technology be indeed applied on multiple substrates. Learning aboutenvironmental impacts (especially, from scaling up perspective) is an important synergisticcomponent of the proposed work.

Very Interested• Like to see how these latex can be used for packaging industry for glue and adhesive as well as

a coating material. Especially interested in evaluation of paperboard as a substrate. - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: Thank you for your comment. I think that paperboard is indeed the type ofsubstrate where the proposed materials will perform at high level. -AV

• In addition to adhesives, there may be additional applications as more environmentally friendlybinders in a variety of products.


Response 1: Thank you for the comment. -AV

• Great presentation, Dr. Voronov. Super excited to collaborate with you on this work in anycapacity that we can provide. As discussed, will provide you a prioritized list that correspondsto the substrates we provided. I do think there is broad industry demand for bio-basedemulsion adhesives that compete with the acrylics. Please let me know what else you mightneed from Shaw and we will do our best to support your work. Kellie Ballew


Response 1: Thank you, Kellie, for the support ! Appreciate it very much. -AV

Interested

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• Great Project! Well laid out and presented. It has value across multiple markets. - Kenneth Carter (John Deere - )

Response 1: Thank you for your comment. -AV

• could this be used then for pressure sensitive adhesives in the label market? There is a definiteneed there. There is only 1 certified compostable adhesive on the global market today. Alsocold glues, hot melts, and cold seal/cohesives are needed.


Response 1: Thank you for your comment. Intuitively, long fatty acid fragments being includedin the chain in repetitive manner (macromolecules) might make pressure sensitive adhesiveapplication realistic. Thank you for the direction to think ! -AV

• Just academic curiosity. Appears to be a well thought proposal. - Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )


Interested with Change• Not sure I see a strong fit with biodegradability here, but I do see a good fit with renewably

sourced materials which is considerably important as well. - Clay Bunyard (Kimberly-Clark Corporation - )


• What problem is being solved? Is there a target performance improvement? What are thelimitations of current commercial veg oil derived coatings and adhesives?


Response 1: Thank you for your comment. We target high performance adhesives that willperform efficiently on multiple substrates, and be made from renewable resources. Replacementof petroleum-based counterparts by keeping or improving performance. Making the adhesivesproduction and application more environmentally friendly. New uses and new markets for theabandon plant oils. -AV

Not Interested• Do not believe the adhesive market will support a green adhesive. Bio degradable, perhaps. Bio

derived, doubt it - Matt Terwillegar (Danimer Scientific - )

Response 1: Thank you for the comment. I agree with you. We do not claim 100% bio basedadhesives to be developed. Based on merit, we do target â€œgreenerâ€• material, where plantoil-based components inclusion contributes to both an improved performance and providesbiodegradability, at the same time. Besides, we think that presence of plant oil-based fragmentshelps for the adhesive material to be more universal in terms of the substrates to be applied.-AV

Abstain• Does your life cycle considerations assess toxicity? - Saskia van Bergen (WA State Department of Ecology - )

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Response 1: Thank you for your comment. Yes, it accesses toxicity of life cycle. Toxicity of thenew material made will need to be tested. -AV

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.6) Postconsumer Biocomposites for Injection Molding Applications

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Reza Montazami (ISU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments RezaMontazami's Response: Thanks to all IAB members for their insightful comments. In

summary, we are very happy to see the enthusiasm among the member companies and are eagerto pursue this opportunity to make an impact on the market of sustainable products. Insightfrom IAB members has always been a great help to us and highly appreciated. As always, ifthere is any suggestion from the IAB that strengthens the project, we are ready to adopt it andrevise our approach.

Very Interested• What post consumer recycled resins are you proposing to use and which fibers? Ink adhesion is

an important consideration for us. - Ben Maloy (Evolve Golf - )

Response 1: We will start with PP and PLA, filled with agave fibers, lignin, or cellulose. Thematrix and fillers will be changed/modified to optimize properties. Ink adhesion can be improved if needed. -Reza Montazami

• Creating 100% sustainable materials. Excellent target... - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: Thanks -Reza Montazami

Interested• The assembly performance of these new materials - as compared to the materials they are

intended to displace, is not part of the project 'measurables'.

I think it should be. - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

Response 1: Thank you, great comment. We can certainly include such assessments. -RezaMontazami

• We share the project goals to develop commercializable green products and processes. To beused in building construction, the cost of the material will be a major deterrent/factor apart fromlong-term durability under cyclic weathering conditions.

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Response 1: Thank you for this information. Will make sure to consider cost for buildingapplications. -Reza Montazami

• You have a lot of homework to look at. What PP or PE are you going to use out of the 30,000types. Are you going to look the injection molding process, (L/D, Screw design, Compressionratio, Transitions stages, MI variation) to name a few. I like the idea, but its bigger than youthink.


Response 1: Thank you for your comment. More details are provided in the proposal. In case ofmaterials, we usually go by specific sample/materials suggested by our advisory companies.This is something we have been doing for the past four years, and while acknowledging thechallenges, we believe we are well situated to deliver what we have proposed. -RezaMontazami

• Great presentation and proposal. I am curious, a large amount of work went into the previousproject in pretreatment development for agave fibers in PP, has any similar work been donewith the other proposed natural fillers or is there a plan to incorporate this type of work as a partof this project?

either for 'cleaning' the materials to improve interstitial behaviors and odor performance, orfunctionalizing the materials.

Thank you again. - Drew Geda (Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc - )

Response 1: Thank you. Yes, we have done work, at smaller scale compared to PP-Agave fiber,with PS, LLDPE, HDPE,... and cellulose, lignin, and talc fillers. Agave fibers are processed (cleaned) and functionalized in some cases. A complete odor studies for agave fibers is done in our group. Let me know if you areinterested in the outcomes. -Reza Montazami

Interested with Change• This project will continue the use of off the shelf/known materials. Regardless of the technical

outcomes, there are issues with supply chain of many natural fillers which will not be addressedby this project. Also, what possible intellectual property will be possible since the combinationsof materials are known?


Response 1: Great question. We do a significant amount of processing on the materials (mainlyfillers) to make them meet the needs. This includes sugar removal cycles for natural fibers,surface modification, etc. These processes deem to be patentable. -Reza Montazami

• Will you include technology to compatibilize the various natural fillers to each type of matrix? - Jed Randall (NatureWorks LLC - )

Response 1: Yes, although it was not mentioned in presentation, in the proposal we haveincluded more details of such studies. For instance, agave fiber is heavily processed beforeintegration. -Reza Montazami

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• Nice proposal! I recommend to focus on applications that are currently in line with the matrixmaterials/substrates. For example, using polyolefins in aircraft interiors will not pass the OSUheat release test. Automotive applications, you ay want to look at engineering plastics inaddition to polyolefins.


Response 1: Thank you, great comment. -Reza Montazami

Not Interested• Would like to see additional ag wastes, residues added to the plan. - Erik Hagberg (ADM - )

Response 1: Thanks for your comment. This can be added base on the input from the IAB, iffunded. -Reza Montazami

Abstain• Injection molding applications are not in scope for my company. Thank you for the

presentation. - Kellie Ballew (Shaw Industries Group, Inc. - )

Response 1: Thank you. -Reza Montazami

Additional Comments• Can you address the commercial availability of the the proposed post consumer recycled resins

and fibers?. Agave was mentioned frequently in your presentation but it is my understandingfrom conversations with IAB members that Agave is difficult to source at commercial scale.

- Ben Maloy (Evolve Golf - )

Response 1: Great comment, that is correct for our applied research scale experiment weheavily rely on IAB's recommendation of materials and sources. Agave fibers are produced inlarge scale, yet as you mentioned, are not supplied regularly. With IAB's insight, we will bemore than happy to adopt new resins and fillers. -Reza Montazami

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.7) Processing Waste Materials and Nano Cellulose to be Used in Concrete for

Strength and Durability

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Somayeh Nassiri, Karl Englund, Hui Li, Michael Wolcott (WSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments SomayehNassiri's Response: Thank you all for your comments and feedback. Based on the

comments, we can work with several IAB members to find a reuse application for their sidestreams in building materials. Our innovation in using cellulose nano fibers will set us apartfrom other empirical research on the use of waste in concrete, and increase chances of asuccessful scalable recycling process.

SomayehNassiri's Response: The novelty of this work is in using cellulose nano fibers toaddress the issue of poor or no bond between recycled materials and the paste matrix. Thenanofibers will fill the gaps by creating nucleation points for more cement productdevelopment. This innovative use of these nanofibers can open a new research line for their inconjunction with recycled materials in concrete.

Very Interested• We have a number of cellulosic waste products that might fit with this work. Great opportunity

for cellulosic manufacturing waste. - Clay Bunyard (Kimberly-Clark Corporation - )

Response 1: Great. Yes, this will be a great opportunity for reuse of cellulosic waste materials.Thank you for your comment. -SomayehNassiri

Interested• Academic curiosity.

What type of cement, Type I, II or III? Suggestion: US Army Corps did a lot of work on thiskind of project. Look at their reports. One of the problem we faced was thetemperature/weathering conditions. Matching thermal expansion and curing/hydrationtemperature was a challenge.Palling could be an expected problem.


Response 1: Thanks for the comment. We use Type I/II which is the most commonly used inconstruction industry. Are you referring to work with cellulose fibers or nano fibers? there is abig difference in performance. Our experience with nano fibers shows great promise with nocompromise in the curing/hydration. I will certainly look into work by US Army Corps reports.Thank you. -Somayeh Nassiri

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• Fine presentation with great research. - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

• This seems like a novel and viable use for IAB members waste materials, by aiding thecompatibility of waste and concrete with CNF. The IAB adding an industrial slant to thisproject would set it aside from other other existing research in this area.


• Thank you for your presentation. I am happy to share with you the waste streams that areavailable from my company to consider in your research. Carpet fiber has long been used inthis application, for reference. Kellie Ballew (Shaw)


Response 1: Great. I look forward to hear more about your waste streams. Yes, I agree recycledfibers from carpet have shown great potential for concrete. Thank you. -Somayeh Nassiri

• Objective is not clear. What is the novelty of this research? - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: The novelty is in using cellulose nanofibers to fill in waste materials and concreteinterfaces with dense and strong cement hydration products. These nanofibers were used inconcrete before-for instance Purdue studies- but using them as activators and strength booster inconjunction with recycled materials was not studied before. Specifically, the nanofibers willincrease density, reduce porosity and bridge microcracks that mostly initiate from interfaces.The objective of the research is to develop a reuse application for waste but maintain orincrease the strength of the new concrete by using cellulose nanofibers. -Somayeh Nassiri

Interested with Change• Interested more in using waste material as reinforcement as that has direct impact on reducing

plastic waste - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: Great. We can use plastic waste in different forms depending on the type andavailability. -Somayeh Nassiri

Not Interested

Abstain• Great idea. Area of concern: Adhesion as a result of COe. Moisture uptake on some of the

materials. oil uptake on some polymers. - Kenneth Carter (John Deere - )

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.8) Mechanical, fogging and UV stabilizing characterization of injection molded

hybrid biobased fiber/basalt fiber reinforced PP/PA6 blended composite material

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Vikram Yadama, Bharath K. Nagaraja, Tom Jobson (WSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments VikYadama's Response: My major take-away is to combine parts of this proposal with the

continuation proposal. Specifically, we should combine addition of PA6 to the blend andconduct emission analysis when exposed for long periods to UV and changes in temperature.My other take away is to consult with IAB to decide on what type of PA to use. Thank you.

Very Interested• Be careful on the type of nylon that you will using along with the type of PP. Your PA

moisture uptake will be critical when it come the barrier aspects of the nylon.. What type ofUV test are you looking at? This will change the material and fading dramatically along withadditional outgassing.


Response 1: Thank you for the comment. We will consult IAB to determine the type of Nylon.PA6 is what we are proposing. Any suggestions would be appreciated if you disagree. We arethinking of conducting limited tests in Atlas UV condensation weathering chamber to evaluatetheinfluence of UV exposure following the guidelines in ASTM D4329 and D5870. But mostlyexamine the degradation to UV in the chamber that we built when placed directly in sun. Thisway, we can also collect any emissions due to outgassing. -Vik Yadama

• Love basalt fibers. Excellent presentation. We should combine the basalt fiber projects. - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )

Response 1: I agree. Thanks. -Vik Yadama

Interested• This was a solid presentation.

Could some element of this project be merged with the previous project discussion that is also

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focused on studying the fogging problem? - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )

Response 1: Yes, I think combining blending of PA6 and evaluation of emissions whenexposed to UV and high temperatures would be a good idea in my opinion. -Vik Yadama

• Surface hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity is a major player in fogging process, particularly onsurfaces like windshield.Surface treatment with some bioproteins may help with fogging.


Response 1: Interesting comment. What we are proposing will evaluate the emissions and notreally how much fogging will occur. However, limited tests probably should be done to alsoevaluate fogging and correlating the results with emissions collected. I need to understand moreabout treating with bioproteins as I don't know enough about it. -Vik Yadama

• There are a lot of compelling ideas here. I do believe it is best to combine these efforts with theprevious work that is being proposed for renewal. It will take some brainstorming to determinewhat factors are the most important to focus on if the projects are to be combined and stillscoped for a single 12 month project.


Response 1: Yes, I agree. -Vik Yadama

Interested with Change• Combine with C4 is your best chance to fund the work. - Jed Randall (NatureWorks LLC - )

Response 1: Sounds good. Thanks. -Vik Yadama

• Very nice proposal. If combined with the other proposal (N-1), please keep the PA compositeportion and the influence on VOC.


Response 1: Thanks, that would be our preference. -Vik Yadama

Not Interested• Too narrow focus - Alexander Yahkind (AkzoNobel - )

Response 1: Yes, it does seem like a narrow focus, but I think it could have huge implications.Especially an understanding of emissions and their concentrations. -Vik Yadama

Abstain• Does not have direct impact on my industry but can be useful to other IAB members - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Additional Comments• Like the identification of some of the volatiles using NIST library. - Saskia van Bergen (WA State Department of Ecology - )

Response 1: Thanks, I think this will really help to identify the emissions. -Vik Yadama

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.9) Moisture sensitivity of PLA/PBS blends during Ultrasonic and FDM welding

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Lokesh Narayanan, David Grewell, Chris Hartlage, Leo Klinstein (NDSU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments DavidGrewell's Response: Thanks for all of the comments. While I understand that welding

and additive manufacturing is not directly related to many companies, it maybe that thesetechnologies touch nearly every member company directly or indirectly. Thus, the newknowledge building on the existing knowledge on welding of plastics will accelerate theadoption of bioplastics and biocomposites. The assembly of assembly methods enable productdevelopment.

Very Interested• Immediate results for immediate problem - Matt Terwillegar (Danimer Scientific - )

Response 1: Thanks -David Grewell

• Great presentation with strong relevance. - Bill Reed (Branson Ultrasonics - Emerson - )


• Excellent presentation and great background. We can learn a lot from this project. - Alper Kiziltas (Ford Motor Company - )


Interested• A lot of work has been done on the injection molding process and then welding of these

material. The aspect of FDM is very open pending the material and the environment(amorphous versus semi-crystal material. PHA should be reviewed.


Response 1: This is true and we have published many papers on welding of PLA and PBS butthere is little information on the effect of moisture. Thus, this is one of the last importantaspects that is not well defined.

The FDM of PLA and PBS (possibly PBS) is attended to improve the overall mechanical

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properties of the base material and also help increase in the properties of the 3D printed parts.-David Grewell

• Want to understand the impact on sealing dissimilar interfaces such as cellulosic substrate - Rahul Bhardwaj (WestRock - )

Response 1: Not sure what the comment is focused on, but the developed knowledge should beapplicable to other materials. -David Grewell

Interested with Change• Include both crystalline and amorphous PLA as benchmarks. - Jed Randall (NatureWorks LLC - )

Response 1: This will be possible and will lean on Natureworks for direction on particulargrades -David Grewell

Not Interested• Very interesting proposal, but not in line with our technology, hence low level of interest. - Ralph Maier (BASF - )

Response 1: Understandable -David Grewell

Abstain• We currently don't work in this area. - Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )

Response 1: Understandable -David Grewell

• Not relevant for my industry. But I do have a question about why there are only (3) RH levelsconsidered if moisture is such a process variable. Recommend a more thorough DOE on that.


Response 1: We can increase the 4-5 levels, but because we have to rely on developing aprotocol (time / temperature) for each level and the experimental error can be significant, wehope to have a wide spread between the values. -David Grewell

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LIFE Form Review


Project: (N.10) Bioderived and Biodegradable Polyesters Similar to Polyethylene

Phase: New Proposal

Project PI: Eric Cochran (ISU)




Summary of Responses to IAB Comments MichaelForrester's Response: We thank the IAB for their feedback. One of the main comments

that stands out to us is whether we are targeting industrial vs soil/marine compostability. Ibelieve that we should target the latter. It is a loftier goal; however, if achieved it could offsetthe additional cost associated with the material. Before we can achieve this end goal we need tounderstand what length the repeat unit has to be to get LLDPE like properties and whetherapproaching that carbon length still provides biodegradability. This will provide the informationnecessary to determine what applications these materials will be suitable for.

MichaelForrester's Response: This is our key differentiator - using difunctional carbon sourcescurrently commercially available (C6, C9, C12, C16, C18, C36) we will systematically explorehow thermal/mechanical properties evolve towards linear polyethylene while simultaneouslyquantifying the effect on compostability/degradability.

MichaelForrester's Response: Due to the overlap between N4 & N10 the Li group (WSU) andthe Cochran group (ISU) are submitting a shared proposal. More details can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L76sKdUZTj-BesMObXX2fHXqgz9J-RFq9pSsSQFtghA/edit

Very Interested• ADM can provide a wide variety of diols, diacids and lactones to support this work. ADM is

actively working to develop a new low cost technology to access these molecules fromsustainable sources.


Interested• No specific comments. May be combined with the other proposal. Perhaps you can collaborate

with UGA on biodegradability. - Veera Boddu (NCAUR, USDA - )

• Big challenge ahead of you. Same as N4 proposal in some ways. I agree on theBio-degradable aspect, but it need to defined for the end user and application.


Response 1: Our approach is to first answer the question - how does the carbon chain length

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impact material properties? At what point does the melting temperature approach PE? At whatpoint do we see similar processing behavior? Do we need C36 or is C18 good enough? Howcompostable is the material at C18 vs. C9? Does industrial compostability remain to higherchain lengths than home compostability (probably!)? These questions must be answered beforea rational product development program could be started for this material system. -MichaelForrester

• good project guys - Kelly Williams (Futamura - )

Interested with Change• Several similar proposals on making biodegradable polyesters to replace polyethylene.

Combine these proposals into one - Alexander Yahkind (AkzoNobel - )

• Ambiguous at the moment. Needs more details - Matt Terwillegar (Danimer Scientific - )

• The two polyester proposals are very similar. The synthetic route to monomer makes it acertainty that the materials will be expensive. The real comparison with these polymers is notPE, it is all the other existing biodegradable polymers that are already available.


Response 1: PE, by an order of magnitude, comprises the largest market segment of polymerconsumption. The plastic waste problem will not go away until we find alternatives. Thealternative must first exist before we can address its cost. This project is unique in that we willsystematically approach the evolution of material properties and loss of compostability as thechain length increases. While many have suggested that because the limit of n to infinity in thepolyester system is the same as linear polyethylene, no one has actually determined what finitevalue of n is required for this approximation to hold. At that value of n, how muchbiodegradability remains? Answering these questions is critical to understanding if this afruitful direction for solving the grand challenge of PE replacement. -Michael Forrester

• Very nice proposal, please align with proposal N.4 to clarify how the proposals complement orsynergize.


• Would like to see more detail around the approach especially understanding the thefundamental structure property relationships. How different it would be than the existingpolymers like PBS and PBSA


Response 1: PBS & PBSA are shorter polyesters and thus will be stiffer and have lowerelongation than longer chain polyesters. Crystallization is also much slower than what would beexpected for long chain polyester. If LDPE or LLDPE properties are desired than longer chainPE is more likely to provide these properties. -Michael Forrester

Not Interested• Understanding how to achieve PE like properties with alternate materials is a useful scientific

endeavor. Need to have a clearer focus on the design for end of life. Select either industrialcompostable or soil/marine.


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Response 1: We should focus on soil/marine compostability. This is a harder goal to reach;however, would provide more benefit and will help to offset some of the cost. Prior to doingthis however, we need to understand what chain length we have to approach to get LLDPE-likeproperties and what effect that has on the biodegradability. We will answer this question in thisproject - by the time we use a long enough carbon chain to get the property similarity, whereare we at in terms of compostability? This sets the table for future development withwell-defined application targets to be met through rational design principles. -Michael Forrester

Abstain• Thank you for your presentation. How does this work differ from the proposal N.4 for

biodegradable polyesters. This is very important work, but not something that is directlyimpactful to my industry.


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