Daily News

Italy’s Novamont, a world leader in the development and production of biochemicals and compostable bioplastics, announced today it has acquired BioBag Group, a Norway based leading supplier of low-impact solutions for waste collection and packaging.

On 20 November the European Commission launched a public consultation on the EU Taxonomy criteria for the two sustainability objectives: climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.

Meredian Holdings Group, Inc., doing business as Danimer Scientific and Danimer Scientific, Inc. formerly known as Live Oak Acquisition Corp. have announced that they have completed their previously announced business combination.

CHINAPLAS 2021, the Asia’s No. 1 plastics and rubber trade fair, themed “New Era · New Potential · Innovation for Sustainability”, will not only stimulate development in the industries, but also keep the momentum going in the exploration of business opportunities in the new era.

The results of the European Bioplastics’ (EUBP) annual market data update, presented today at the 15th EUBP Conference, confirm the continued dynamic growth of the global bioplastics industry.

Global bioplastic production is projected to rise to 2.43 million tonnes by 2024, according to European Bioplastics.

Nordmann, the international chemical distributor, assumes responsibility for sales and marketing of the Biofibre product range in a large number of European countries*. The partnership will begin with immediate effect.

PHA manufacturer Danimer Scientific announced today that it has agreed to a business combination that will result in Danimer becoming a public company. The company has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Live Oak Acquisition Corp., a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company.

The LEGO Group has announced it plans to invest up to US$400 million – covering ongoing costs and long-term investments – across three years to accelerate sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.

Total Corbion PLA, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and Corbion, announces its intention to build its second PLA plant with a capacity ramping up to 100,000 tons per annum.

EuropaBio’s General Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Andrew Topen as the new Chairman of the association.

Since the Closed Substance Cycle and Waste Management Act (KrWG) came into effect, every household in Germany must be connected to a bio-waste collection facility, as the expected approx. 5 million tons of bio-waste per year would otherwise not be returned to or removed from the value chain.

Consumers do understand value and proper end-of-life of compostable plastics, the association argues.

In response to the on-going Corona pandemic, European Bioplastics (EUBP) has decided to make this year’s EUBP Conference a virtual happening. According to the association, the online format will open the door for new discussions and opportunities for bioplastics.

GranBio, a 100% Brazilian industrial biotechnology company, and NextChem, a subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont announced a strategic partnership to achieve global leadership in the licensing of patented GranBio 2G Ethanol technology to produce cellulosic ethanol.

Bioplastics, plastics made from a biological feedstock, could be a renewable and more sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics. Unlike the vast majority of fossil-based plastics, many bioplastics are biodegradable, which could help provide a solution to the dizzying escalation in plastic waste seen across much of the world.

Italian bioplastics manufacturer Novamonthas been awarded B Corp Certification from the independent B Lab, and has thus joined a community of over 3,400 companies verified as ‘Benefit Corporations’ by the independent ‘B Lab.’

Last week, Kimberly-Clark introduced an ambitious new sustainability strategy for 2030, which includes a commitment to reducing waste and innovating new ways to give consumers the products they need with the smallest impact on the environment.

While there are a great many suppliers currently flocking to the market with 3D-printed face shields, the majority require long production times in mass production.

Francesco Degli lnnocenti of Novamont comments on the results of a study by Accinelli et al., recently published by Waste Management titled “Persistence in soil of microplastic films from ultra-thin compostable plastic bags and implications on soil Aspergillus flavus population “

An estimated 1.5 billion tyres are discarded annually worldwide. Reducing this number is a challenge for the automotive industry, governments, and policymakers. An alternative is to use bioplastics and recycled plastic...

European Bioplastics, the association, representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanna Dupont-Inglis as new Head of European Public Affairs. She assumed her position on 1 June 2020 and will be based in Brussels.

French bioplastics startup Lactips has raised 13 million euros in new capital in an investment round led by Bpifrance’s SPI (Société de Projet Industriel) fund, managed on behalf of the French Government as part of the Investments for the Future Program (PIA), and Diamond Edge Ventures (DEV), the innovation investment arm of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC).

To mark its 100-year anniversary Huhtamaki is donating EUR 3 million to global sustainability initiatives with a local impact. The company is acting today, educating for tomorrow and funding innovation for the future, making a difference where it matters most to help address global sustainability challenges and build circular economy initiatives.

On 16 January, the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment published a paper detailing the country's measures against plastic pollution.

Almost a year has passed since the European Parliament and the European Council adopted the Single-use Plastics Directive (SUPD) in summer 2019. In order to comply with the SUPD, Member States (MS) have two years to bring into force the necessary laws, regulations and administrative provisions. Now, with the deadline ending on 3 July 2021, we are almost at half time.

The report entitled 'From the Plastics Present to a Sustainable Future' reveals an immature innovation landscape for bioplastics that is ripe for change.

While the past few months saw event after event being cancelled or postponed, there is still one that is due to take place next month: the 13th International Conference on Bio-based Materials. This will be held ONLINE this year on 12–14 May 2020 – final programme available online.

Some 180 European politicians, business leaders, MEPs and environmental activists led by Pascal Canfin, Chair of the Environment Committee in the European Parliament have formed a European alliance for a green recovery from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month, scientists at the European Academies of Science (EASAC) produced a report warning that current efforts to resolve the plastics crisis are ineffective and misleading. Policymakers and industry must address conflicts in the whole system, from production to end-of-life.