Issue 02/2017

News
daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
European Parliament recognises the
contributions of bioplastics to a circular economy
European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, welcomes the positive outcome
of the European Parliament’s plenary vote ton March 14 th on the waste legislation proposal concerning the EU Circular Economy
Package. The vote of the Members of Parliament recognises the contributions of bioplastics to the EU circular economy.
The plenary’s vote on amendments of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive encourages Member States to support
the use of biobased materials for the production of packaging and to improve market conditions for such materials and
products. “This vote is an important milestone in strengthening the link between the circular economy and the bioeconomy in
Europe. Biobased and recycled materials are starting to be equally recognised as a viable solution to make packaging more
sustainable and reduce our dependency on finite fossil resources”, says François de Bie, Chairman of EUBP.
In line with its ambitious goals to increase recycling targets and waste management efficiency, the Plenary also voted for
amendments of the Waste Framework Directive that support a definition of recycling that includes organic recycling. A separate
collection of bio-waste will be ensured across Europe facilitated by certified collection tools such as compostable bio-waste
bags. In addition, the MEPs have voted to exclude mechanically or organically recyclable waste from landfills. “This will provide
an important boost to the secondary resource market within the EU. Bio-based mechanically or organically recyclable plastics
support circular thinking by lowering carbon emissions, helping to reach recycling quotas and keep valuable secondary raw
materials and renewable carbon in the loop”, says de Bie.
The vote sends a clear signal that re-use and recycling remain of paramount priority in the pursuit of an EU circular economy
while at the same time strengthening the biobased economy in order to replace fossil resources and to drive the transition to a
low-carbon, biobased economy. EUBP looks forward to continuing the dialogue on the upcoming negotiations in the European
Commission and the Council of the European Union and will work closely with European institutions and relevant stakeholders
to build a coherent and comprehensive framework for a circular bioeconomy in Europe. MT
www.european-bioplastics.org
Total Corbion PLA formally starts up operations
Total Corbion PLA has announced the official launch of its operations to produce and market PLA polymers. PLA is a biobased
and biodegradable polymer made from annually renewable resources.
As announced by parent companies Total and Corbion last November, the new company is a 50/50 joint venture headquartered
in Gorinchem, the Netherlands.
Total Corbion PLA’s world-class PLA polymerization plant, with a capacity of 75,000 tons per year, is currently under
construction at Corbion’s site in Thailand. The plant start-up is planned for the second half of 2018 and will produce a full
range of Luminy ® PLA neat resins: from standard PLA to specialty, high heat resistant PLA.
François de Bie, Total Corbion PLA’s Senior Marketing Director, noted that the start-up of operations marked an important
milestone for PLA. “Our commercial and technical teams are delighted to have two strong parent companies supporting the
future of bioplastics,” he said.
Corbion’s existing lactide plant has been transferred into Total Corbion PLA, as well as the existing Corbion bioplastics
commercial and technical teams, who will continue to market lactide and PLA resins and support current and future customers.
“In the fast-growing bioplastics arena, our new company is committed to supplying a versatile and innovative material that
is both biobased and biodegradable, bringing added value to customers and contributing to a more sustainable world for
ourselves and future generations,” said the newly appointed CEO of Total Corbion PLA, Stéphane Dion.
Biodegradable and industrially compostable, PLA is one of the first renewable polymers able to compete with comparable
existing polymers, combining unique functional properties like transparency, gloss and stiffness. PLA is currently used in a
broad range of markets, including food packaging, single-use tableware, textiles, oil and gas, electronics, automotive and 3D
printing. The PLA market is projected to exhibit an estimated annual growth rate of 10 to 15% through 2025. KL/MT
www.total-corbion.com
6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/17] Vol. 12