bioplastics MAGAZINE Issue 01/2023

dear readers

NEWS

nova-Institute’s take on the recently published EU proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation as well as the new policy framework for biobased, biodegradable, and compostable plastics

By 2050, the EU aims to be the first climate-neutral continent. Ambitious climate change reduction targets have been set for 2030 and the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan outlines key target policy areas to achieve a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular economy in Europe.

Bioplastics industry set to engage with political stakeholders on upcoming legislation

Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP) are highly attractive for various industries in demanding application fields due to their unique balance of rigidity, mechanical strength, and lightweight – also compared with conventional glass-fibre-reinforced plastics.

LyondellBasell (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Audi (Ingolstadt, Germany) recently announced a first-time collaboration to help close the loop for mixed automotive plastic waste.

nvironmental commitment is the new resolution for 2023, and Hyundai Motor Group (Seoul, South Korea) and Hyundai America Technical Center (HTCI) (Ypsilanti, MI, USA) showcase theirs by featuring Lingrove’s (San Francisco, CA, USA) innovative, high-performance, plant-based ekoa® in the Palisade concept vehicle as a luxury and interactive finish, at the Hyundai Open Innovation Lounge in Seoul, Korea.

Like any other, the world’s automotive industries have had to flex and adapt to the needs of a changing globe: Hybrid engine technology, environmentalism, fossil fuel crises have all played their part in very recent times and these issues blend in with the day-to-day trends in society and from the motoring public.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (Akron, OH, USA) recently unveiled a demonstration tire comprised of 90 % sustainable materials. This demonstration tire has passed all applicable regulatory testing as well as Goodyear’s internal testing.

Biotechnology company MycoWorks (Emeryville, CA, USA) recently announced its newest investor GM Ventures, the investment arm of General Motors (Detroit, MI, USA), and their long-term agreement to co-develop Fine Mycelium™ materials for potential use in a range of applications within automotive design. MycoWorks’ collaboration with GM marks the exploration of its entry into one of the largest end-use markets for leather and demonstrates the significant opportunity to create more sustainable materials for the automotive space.

According to the EU Climate Package: Fit For 55, Europe aims to become climate-neutral by 2050. The proposed regulations also aim at reducing CO2 emissions for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

ndependent Volvo spin-off and high-performance electric car manufacturer Polestar (both from Gothenburg, Sweden)has introduced BIOVYN™ in its brand-new Polestar 3 SUV. The new model, described by Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath as “defining the heart of Polestar in terms of size, luxury, ambition and design”, features innovations throughout the vehicle, including MicroTech seat upholstery which is made from Biovyn by Ineos (London, UK).

Heartland (Des Moines, OI, USA), is a material science company that engineers hemp fibres as additives for plastics. Their goal is to help brands and suppliers reduce the cost, weight, and carbon footprint of the plastics they use every day.

The need to get away from fossil resources has triggered the development of biobased thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethanes which can be used for applications in many sectors.

They’re durable, versatile, easy to make, and most critically, cheap for manufacturers and consumers alike: plastics, the material usually made from petroleum, and now the world’s most dominant textile fibre.

Sharon Keilthy is an environmental activist. Her activism is running the world’s first eco toy store, Jiminy Eco Toys, in Ireland. In this article Sharon shares her story, why toys need to change, her vision for toys’ sustainable future, and how we get from here to there – including what we all need to do (including you!) and debunking many common beliefs about sustainable toys.

The right communication is key

Wissner has been producing and distributing teaching and learning aids as well as educational games in the field of mathematics for schools, pupils, and children worldwide since 1976.

For Geomag (Novazzano, Switzerland) it’s important to prioritise the full environmental impact of its production of magnetic construction toys. It’s more than just using recycled materials and a marketing message. It began many years ago when the company reviewed and implemented their environmental policy.

In five years, all Schleich figurines will be recyclable or biodegradable

In August 2021 I published “Changing the World TOY BY TOY” [1]. Looking back I’d like to share my impressions and findings about what happened since then. To start, I would say 2022 was a year of contrasts.

World Alive – the Spanish toy company from Barcelona, best known for Aqua Dragons, their famous hatch’n’grow aquatic pets – have shifted to biobased materials thanks to an innovative collaboration with bioplastics developer Biofibre (Altdorf, Germany).

Miniland (Onil, Alicante, Spain) is placing its grain of sand in developing eco-friendly toys that are more respectful of the environment. Little ones will learn the importance of taking care of the planet we live on while having fun playing.

LEGO talks about the challenges of the toy industry

B4Plastics creates novel biopolymers from a huge toolbox of building blocks

Spent coffee grounds, renewed and upcycled for reuse, are a sustainable, versatile raw material with effective application in bioplastics.

Application News

Just as your passport contains information about you and where you have been, digital product passports contain a range of information to track products throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to end-of-life disposal. This offers a secure, transparent way to track and manage product information, allowing governments, regulating bodies, businesses, and consumers to identify and verify the quality and origin of products.

Amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (aPHA) isn’t widely known yet, but that is about to change. Corporate interest in addressing the problem of plastic waste is higher than ever, being driven by consumer demand and new regulatory requirements. The unique qualities of aPHA introduce new end-of-use scenarios for plastic, which has prompted industry leaders to consider it as a solution to the plastic pollution challenge more than they ever have before.

Published in bioplastics MAGAZINE