Daily News

In the run-up to K 2019, the VDMA is conducting a series of interviews with key players in the industry. The focus of each is the circular economy. Here, the VDMA talks to Arne Festerling, Sales Manager at ENTEX Rust & Mischke GmbH

Biome Bioplastics revenues for the first half of 2019 are up by 50% due to increased sales of existing products and the launch of new materials. The company has raised £1.3 million via a placing on the AIM market to fund further growth and development.

Russian petrochemical giant TAIF JSC Group and Bio-on have released a joint statement announcing TAIF’s plans to produce PHA bioplastic at a site in Tatarstan are indeed going forward.

Total Corbion PLA, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and Corbion, officially inaugurated its 75,000 tonnes per year PLA bioplastics plant in Rayong, Thailand on Sept. 09, 2019. The world’s second largest PLA plant is located on the same premises, right next to a lactic acid plant of Corbion. It was finished in mid 2018 and commissioned end of 2018. As of yet, the PLA plant has produced nearly 20,000 tonnes of PLA.

In the current efforts to develop an LCA methodology for bio-based polymers by the JRC, fundamental problems must be confronted if an equal and fair comparison is to be made between the environmental effects of bio-based polymers and those of petrochemical polymers, write four scientists from Germany's nova Institute in an open letter to the JRC.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a way of making organic polymers from the fragrant molecules in conifers and fruit trees. The technique, developed for 3D printing applications, could lead to a new generation of sustainable materials for use in biomedical applications or prototyping.

Total Corbion PLA will be exhibiting at K 2019 together with parent company Total, where it will highlight its Luminy® Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) portfolio and the most recent application innovations. The Luminy® PLA portfolio includes both high heat and standard grades and is used in a wide range of markets, from packaging to durable consumer goods and electronics.

Bio-on SpA, the Italian manufacturer of a PHA material which is marketed under the brand name of Minerv-PHA, has been named the “Best Bioplastic Company of 2019” by Bioplastics News. The award was in recognition of the fact that Bio-on ‘hit the news with so many innovations that they have set a new benchmark, a new record’.

Poorly healing wounds and severe scarring are more than just a cosmetic problem; they can significantly impair a person's mobility and health. Empa researchers have now developed a foam that is supposed to prevent excessive scarring and help wounds to heal quickly. An essential ingredient: the yellow ginger tumeric.

Braskem and Ledesma, the leading producer of natural agroindustrial products, have collaborated on the development and commercialisation of Ledesma +Bio, a line of 100% sustainable notebooks made entirely from sugarcane.

Hemp, Inc., a global leader in the industrial hemp industry, announced today the Company began processing hemp products for bioplastic to help fill the growing demand for sustainable products and enters third natural product venture.

Polyurethane experts from Huntsman are taking part in Foam Expo Europe this September - Europe’s largest trade fair and conference for the technical foam manufacturing supply chain. At the exhibition, Huntsman will highlight the wide range of innovative polyurethane-based foam solutions it provides, focusing specifically on mobility, comfort and construction applications.

Water brand Dasani is poised to introduce a string of sustainable packaging innovations in support of The Coca-Cola Company’s global “World Without Waste” goal, with which the company aims to make its bottles and cans with an average of 50 percent recycled material by 2030.

BioLogiQ, Inc., a bioplastic resin manufacturing company specializing in sustainable plastic products made from renewable resources has appointed Steven Sherman as President & Chief Operating Officer, NuPlastiQ with responsibilities centered around the global commercialization and production scale-up of its NuPlastiQ BioPolymers and BioBlend Resins, the company announced.

Tomatoes are the world’s most-grown vegetable for the food processing industry. Polyethylene mulch films are commonly used to increase yield by controlling weeds, soil temperature and water usage. As complete removal after harvesting is well-nigh impossible, non-degradable PE film residues find their way into the soil and accumulate there.

Finnish producer of self-adhesive label materials UPM Raflatac has become the first label material producer to bring a new wood-based polypropylene film material into the market. The UPM Raflatac Forest Film™ label material has been developed in collaboration with UPM Biofuels using UPM BioVerno naphtha, a 100 percent wood-based solution originating from sustainably managed forests.

The company is progressing its technologies towards commercialization. “Overall, Avantium remains confident to deliver on the strategic objectives.”

Since the LEGO Group launched its first bricks made of plant-based polyethylene last year, the sustainable bricks have increasingly been included in new LEGO sets. The Treehouse contains the highest number of sustainable bricks ever in a LEGO set and is another important step to fulfill the LEGO Group’s sustainability ambitions.

GO!PHA, the Global Organization for PHA is a member-driven, non-profit initiative with as aim to accelerate the development of the PHA-platform industry. The platform looks to be filling a need: one month after its official incorporation on July 13, 2019, its membership has already grown to 25.

A Lucozade Ribena Suntory-backed edible, plastic-free packaging innovation is taking a step closer to a commerial roll-out – thanks to newly secured UK Government funding.

The University of Minnesota (USA) has been awarded a $20 million grant renewal from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research in the NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers focused on discoveries of the next generation of environment-friendly plastics. The funding also includes an educational component to build awareness of the environmental impacts of plastics.

As the automotive industry focuses on more sustainable manufacturing, Sicomin, the leading supplier of eco-resins, has announced a replacement for petroleum based materials with the launch of its new bio-based epoxy resin aimed specifically for HP-RTM processing techniques.

Since the launch of renewable and compostable NatureFlex films in 2003, Futamura has helped hundreds of leading retailers and ethical brand owners on their sustainable packaging journey. Not only certified for home and industrial composting, NatureFlex also offers outstanding technical performance.

Innovative businesses creating green alternatives to plastic bottles, cosmetic beads and synthetic materials are being backed by new funding from the UK government and Sky.

Eco-friendliness, favorable government policies, renewable raw material sources, and high acceptance from consumers are driving growth in the global bioplastics market. While Europe accounts for more than two-fifths of the total market share and is expected to maintain its lead status, AsiaPacific is expected to register the largest growth rate with a CAGR of 20.4% through 2024.

JBA’s Bioindustry Award 2019 has been presented to Kaneka and RIKEN researchers for the development of a PHBH polymer biodegradable on soil and in seawater.

While fashion may not be the most obvious place to look for sustainable choices, this industry, too is increasingly aware of the need for better choices. From biobased shoes and eco-cotton to sustainable dyeing and production options, eco-friendliness today has definitely come into fashion.