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Akansha Mishra

Ball point pens and biodegradable plastics can be friends- and this is now

One of our most disposable, yet indispensable day-to-day utility can be produced sustainably- in its complete form!


This biodegradable ballpoint pen is made from PLA (polyactide) plastics and recycled materials. PLA is another aliphathic polyester and is produced from fermentation of starch from crops, most commonly corn starch or sugarcane into lactic acid that is then polymerized.




ECO FACT: Biodegradable PLA plastics are made from natural plants such as starch/sugarcane/wheat that absorbs carbon dioxide from its raw materials unlike standard plastics which are made from petroleum.


PSM(plastarch material) is a thermoplastic resin. It is similar to PLA, PSM is made from plant starch however this plant starch is modified using enzymes and cellulose to make it more heat resistant, water repellent, oil-proof and less brittle.PSM enables us to reduce our dependence on petrochemicals as well as our energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Burning of PSM produces a non-toxic smoke and a residue which can be used as fertilizer as well as 2.6 fewer toms of CO2 compared with conventional plastic.


Soy ink is made of soybeans- a renewable source. Soy is affordable, economically viable and results in brighter and more vibrant colours. It is recyclable and paper is more easily recycled when printed with soy ink.

The entire pen can be made of biodegradable plastics- an outer barrel made of PLA, the nk chamber and spring made of plastarch (PSM) and soy ink. This makes PLA based ballpoint pens different from normal plastic pens due to their non-toxic and biodegradable properties.


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