Issue 02/2016
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ISSN 1862-5258<br />
Plant based Material for<br />
Eyeglass Lenses | 39<br />
March/April<br />
<strong>02</strong> | <strong>2016</strong><br />
Basics<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 11<br />
Design for Recyclability | 44<br />
Highlights<br />
Thermoforming / Rigid Packaging | 12<br />
Marine Pollution / Marine Degradation | 16<br />
Preview<br />
... is read in 92 countries
Editorial<br />
dear<br />
readers<br />
The first focus topic in this issue is Marine Pollution / Marine Degradation. We<br />
are all aware of the tremendous pollution of our oceans and waterways by plastic<br />
debris. And I assume we also all agree that the most obvious thing to do is to ensure<br />
no plastics end up in the oceans (or better still, in the environment at all),<br />
whether by preventing littering or improving waste management in general.<br />
It’s a problem that’s been a topic of endless discussion, with enough having<br />
already been said on the subject to fill any number of volumes. In this issue<br />
of bioplastics MAGAZINE we attempt to focus on the issues surrounding the<br />
biodegradability of certain plastics. Do biodegradable plastics offer potential<br />
for a solution – or at least for certain aspects of the problem? As I’m sure<br />
this topic will spark controversy and open up debate, we’re kicking off the<br />
discussion with this issue. Please feel free to send us your comments and<br />
views on the topic.<br />
In the Basics section, we cover the question: “What needs to be considered<br />
when designing a plastic product, in order to facilitate easy recycling at<br />
the end of its useful life?” For a comprehensive overview, we have included<br />
both conventional plastics and bioplastics with their particularities.<br />
If you are curious about what we were excited about in our first issues<br />
ten years ago, just flip to page 45, where we continue the new “blast from<br />
the past” series.<br />
And we’re launching yet another new series of articles under the title<br />
“Brand-Owner’s perspective on bioplastics and how to unleash their full potential”<br />
. See p. 33, where Michhael Knutzen of Coca-Cola shares his thoughts with us.<br />
Have you already downloaded our App for smartphones and tablets? Just go to<br />
Apple-Appstore or the Android Google Playstore and search for bioplastics. During<br />
our anniversary year, all our content can also be downloaded for free. This means that<br />
you can read bioplastics MAGAZINE and follow us on twitter on your mobile devices –<br />
wherever you are.<br />
The call for proposals for the 11 th Global Bioplastics Award (see page 55) is open!<br />
Please send us your suggestions: if you have seen or heard about any eligible services<br />
or products in the market that you really liked, whether your own or someone else’s,<br />
we’ll add these to our long list. The 11 th “Bioplastics Oscar” will be presented during<br />
the 11 th European Bioplastics Conference on November 29 th in Berlin, Germany.<br />
And finally, we’d like to remind you of our 4 th PLA World Congress in Munich,<br />
Germany on May 24 th and 25 th . The programme is now complete and may be found on<br />
page 10.<br />
We look forward to seeing you at one of the many upcoming events, and until then,<br />
enjoy reading bioplastics MAGAZINE.<br />
Sincerely yours<br />
Michael Thielen<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 11<br />
ISSN 1862-5258<br />
Plant based Material for<br />
Eyeglass Lenses | 39<br />
March/April<br />
<strong>02</strong> | <strong>2016</strong><br />
Basics<br />
Design for Recyclability | 44<br />
Highlights<br />
Thermoforming / Rigid Packaging | 12<br />
Marine Pollution / Marine Degradation | 16<br />
Preview<br />
... is read in 92 countries<br />
Follow us on twitter!<br />
www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag<br />
Like us on Facebook!<br />
www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 3
Content<br />
Imprint<br />
<strong>02</strong>|<strong>2016</strong><br />
March / April<br />
Thermoforming /<br />
Rigid Packaging<br />
12 Thermoforming and easy peel films<br />
14 a-PHA modified PLA for thermoforming<br />
Marine Pollution /<br />
Marine Degradation<br />
16 Plastics, biodegradation,<br />
and risk assessment<br />
18 Designing for biodegradability in ocean<br />
environment<br />
21 PHA – truly biodegradable<br />
22 Trash is mobile<br />
24 UNEP Report on biodegradable plastics<br />
& marine litter<br />
26 Statement of Open Bio to the UNEP report<br />
Report<br />
8 Bioplastics.online,<br />
finding the right bioplastics<br />
Events<br />
10 4 th PLA World Congress, programme<br />
28 Chinaplas Showguide & Preview<br />
Materials<br />
32 The 100 % bio-PET/polyester approach<br />
Analysis<br />
34 Breaking down complex assemblies<br />
From Science & Research<br />
40 HMF from chicory salad waste<br />
Basics<br />
42 Bioplastics packaging:<br />
design for a circular plastics economy<br />
44 Design for recyclability<br />
10 Years Ago<br />
45 IBAW industry association becomes<br />
European Bioplastics<br />
3 Editorial<br />
5 News<br />
33 Brand Owner’s View<br />
38 Application News<br />
46 Glossary<br />
50 Suppliers Guide<br />
53 Event Calendar<br />
54 Companies in this issue<br />
Publisher / Editorial<br />
Dr. Michael Thielen (MT)<br />
Karen Laird (KL)<br />
Samuel Brangenberg (SB)<br />
Head Office<br />
Polymedia Publisher GmbH<br />
Dammer Str. 112<br />
41066 Mönchengladbach, Germany<br />
phone: +49 (0)2161 6884469<br />
fax: +49 (0)2161 6884468<br />
info@bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
Media Adviser<br />
Florian Junker<br />
phone: +49(0)2161-6884467<br />
fax: +49(0)2161 6884468<br />
f.junker@zuendgeber.com<br />
Chris Shaw<br />
Chris Shaw Media Ltd<br />
Media Sales Representative<br />
phone: +44 (0) 1270 522130<br />
mobile: +44 (0) 7983 967471<br />
Layout/Production<br />
Ulrich Gewehr (Dr. Gupta Verlag)<br />
Max Godenrath (Dr. Gupta Verlag)<br />
Print<br />
Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala Ltd.<br />
1004 Riga, Latvia<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on<br />
chlorine-free FSC certified paper.<br />
Print run: 3,700 copies<br />
(plus 1000 copies printed in China for<br />
Chinaplas): Total print run: 4,700 copies<br />
bioplastics magazine<br />
ISSN 1862-5258<br />
bM is published 6 times a year.<br />
This publication is sent to qualified<br />
subscribers (149 Euro for 6 issues).<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in<br />
92 countries.<br />
Every effort is made to verify all<br />
Information published, but Polymedia<br />
Publisher cannot accept responsibility<br />
for any errors or omissions or for any<br />
losses that may arise as a result. No<br />
items may be reproduced, copied or<br />
stored in any form, including electronic<br />
format, without the prior consent of the<br />
publisher. Opinions expressed in articies<br />
do not necessarily reflect those of<br />
Polymedia Publisher.<br />
All articles appearing in bioplastics<br />
MAGAZINE, or on the website www.<br />
bioplasticsmagazine.com are strictly<br />
covered by copyright.<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE welcomes contributions<br />
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accepted on the basis of full assignment<br />
of copyright to Polymedia Publisher<br />
GmbH unless otherwise agreed in advance<br />
and in writing. We reserve the right<br />
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office via mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com.<br />
The fact that product names may not be<br />
identified in our editorial as trade marks<br />
is not an indication that such names are<br />
not registered trade marks.<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE tries to use British<br />
spelling. However, in articles based on<br />
information from the USA, American<br />
spelling may also be used.<br />
Envelopes<br />
A part of this print run is mailed to the<br />
readers wrapped in I’m Green<br />
bio-polyethylene envelopes sponsored<br />
by FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Willich,<br />
Germany<br />
Cover<br />
Photo: shutterstock/BestPhotoStudio<br />
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daily upated news at<br />
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
News<br />
France supports biobased & home-compostable bags<br />
European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, welcomes the approval of the<br />
French implementation decree on single-use plastic bags, which was published by the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable<br />
Development and Energy last week on 1 February <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
“The decree sets out clear requirements for the reduction of single-use plastic bags in favor of biobased, biodegradable and<br />
home-compostable bags. This is an important measure and supports the efforts of EUBP to emphasise the essential role of<br />
bioplastics for the circular economy in Europe,” says Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of EUBP.<br />
In September last year, the French government notified the European Commission and its 27 EU colleague nations of its draft<br />
decree (décret) restricting use of plastics carrier bags in France. The decree, as part of the new law on Energy Transition and<br />
Green Growth, was intended as the instrument to implement the obligations on plastics bags that had been adopted by the<br />
French Assemblée Nationale to implement the EU requirements, and stated:<br />
“The decree defines the conditions for the application of the legislative provisions of the Environmental Code, aiming to ban<br />
the marketing of disposable plastic bags, with the exception, for bags other than carrier bags, of compostable bags that can be<br />
disposed of with household composting waste and which entirely or partially consist of bio-sourced materials.”<br />
On 21 December 2015, the European Commission formally issued a detailed letter to the French government objecting to<br />
parts of its draft decree to restrict the use of single use plastics carrier bags. As of 1 February, however, an implementation<br />
decree setting out the requirements and conditions in greater detail has been approved and will come into effect on 1 July<br />
<strong>2016</strong>. The decree applies to single-use carrier bags below a thickness of 50 µm, which will have to meet the requirements of<br />
the French standard for home composting and feature a biobased content of at least 30 %. The minimum biobased content<br />
will increase progressively to 40 % in 2018, 50 % in 2<strong>02</strong>0, and 60 % in 2<strong>02</strong>5. Appropriate bioplastics materials have been readily<br />
available on the market for quite some time, and manufacturers are eagerly waiting in the wings.<br />
Christophe Doukhi-de Boissoudy, president of French association Club Bio-plastiques comments: “We welcome the<br />
mobilisation of public authorities in order to finally achieve such a measure. It will allow biobased and biodegradable plastics<br />
stakeholders to harness the benefits of their research efforts to develop new biodegradable and compostable plastics that<br />
reduce our dependency on oil. The decree will help to reduce the plastic bags pollution as well as to revive economic activity for<br />
French plastics converters, as 90 % of fruit and vegetable bags are currently being imported.”<br />
The law makes France one of the first European countries to take concrete measures on plastic bags in favor of biobased and<br />
compostable bags in an effort to comply with the European Directive to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic bags. It<br />
also underpins the benefits of separate collection of organic waste with biodegradable and compostable bags. The draft decree<br />
was amended to take the notions of the European Commission and the French State Council into account.<br />
“We expect the French decree to serve as an example for European legislation and to contribute to the increased demand of<br />
sustainable bioplastic solutions,” von Pogrell concluded. KL<br />
www.european-bioplastics.org<br />
Corbion PLA plant in Thailand<br />
Corbion has announced in early March that after completing the pre-engineering stage of its proposed 75,000 tonnes per<br />
year PLA polymerization plant in Thailand on schedule, the project is now moving into the basic engineering phase.<br />
The new plant will be located in Thailand, Rayong Province, at the existing Corbion site and will produce a complete portfolio<br />
of PLA polymers, ranging from standard PLA to high-heat resistant PLA. The company announced the project in 2014, citing<br />
strong customer interest in PLA as the motivation behind the investment, although at that time, Tjerk de Ruiter, CEO of Corbion,<br />
stressed that “we will only commence with this investment if we can secure at least one-third of plant capacity in committed<br />
PLA volumes from customers”.<br />
The pre-engineering phase commenced in 2015, after “the necessary technical and financial validation for such a plant” had<br />
been secured.<br />
Construction, which is expected to require capital expenditures of approximately EUR 65 million for the PLA plant and<br />
EUR 20 million for the lactide plant, is expected to start later this year with a targeted start-up in the second half of 2018.<br />
Additionally, Corbion will expand its existing lactide plant in Thailand by 25,000 tonnes per year. With this expansion the<br />
company will be able to serve both its own PLA plant and current and future lactide customers. The lactide expansion will also<br />
enable the production of a wider range of lactides than is currently possible.<br />
Corbion’s pre-marketing activities continue and a portfolio of PLA resins is commercially available for technical validation.<br />
Corbion will also continue to explore strategic opportunities as part of its PLA growth strategy. KL<br />
www.corbion.com<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 5
News<br />
daily upated news at<br />
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
NatureWorks: methane as third-generation feedstock<br />
The new USD 1 million 771 m² (8,300 sqft) laboratory at NatureWorks world headquarters (Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA) is<br />
the latest milestone in the company’s multi-year program to commercialize a fermentation process for transforming methane,<br />
a potent greenhouse gas, into lactic acid, the building block of Ingeo PLA biopolymer. It includes the hiring of six scientists to<br />
staff the new facility.<br />
The methane to lactic acid research project began in 2013 as a joint effort between NatureWorks and Calysta Energy, Menlo<br />
Park, California, USA, to develop a fermentation biocatalyst. In 2014, laboratory-scale fermentation of lactic acid from methane<br />
utilizing a new biocatalyst was proven, and the United States Department of Energy awarded USD 2.5 million to the project. In<br />
<strong>2016</strong>, the opening of the new laboratory at NatureWorks headquarters marks another major advancement in the journey from<br />
proof of concept to commercialization.<br />
“A commercially viable methane to lactic acid conversion technology would be revolutionary,” said Bill Suehr, NatureWorks<br />
Chief Operating Officer.<br />
“It diversifies NatureWorks away from the current reliance on agricultural feedstocks, and with methane as feedstock, it<br />
could structurally lower the cost of producing Ingeo. It is exciting to envision a future where greenhouse gas is transformed<br />
into Ingeo-based compostable food serviceware, personal care items such as wipes and diapers, durable products such as<br />
computer cases and toys, films for wrapping fresh produce, filament for 3D printers, deli packaging, and more.”<br />
Based on the research collaboration between NatureWorks and Calysta, NatureWorks hopes to subsequently develop a<br />
2,223 m² (25,000 sqft) pilot plant in Minnesota by 2018 and hire an additional 15 employees. Within the next six years the<br />
company is looking at the possible construction of a USD 50 million demonstration project. It’s conceivable that within the next<br />
decade NatureWorks will bring online the first global-scale methane to lactic acid fermentation facility. KL<br />
www.natureworksllc.com | www.calysta.com<br />
Avantium and BASF: JV to make PEF<br />
BASF and Avantium announced in mid-March that they have signed a letter of intent and entered into exclusive negotiations<br />
to establish a joint venture (JV) for the production and marketing of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), as<br />
well as marketing of polyethylenefuranoate (PEF), based on this new chemical building block.<br />
The JV will use the YXY process ® developed by Avantium in its laboratories in Amsterdam and pilot<br />
plant in Geleen, Netherlands, for the production of biobased FDCA. It is intended to further develop<br />
this process as well as to construct a reference plant for the production of FDCA with an annual<br />
capacity of up to 50,000 tonnes per year at BASF’s Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium. The aim is to<br />
build up world-leading positions in FDCA and PEF, and subsequently license the technology for<br />
industrial scale application.<br />
FDCA is the essential chemical building block for the production of PEF. Compared to PET,<br />
for instance, PEF is characterized by improved barrier properties for gases like carbon dioxide<br />
and oxygen. This can lead to longer shelf life of packaged products. Due to its higher mechanical<br />
strength, thinner PEF packaging can be produced, which means less material is required. This<br />
makes PEF particularly suitable for the production of certain food and beverage packaging, for<br />
example films and plastic bottles. After use, PEF can be recycled.<br />
“With the planned joint venture, we want to combine Avantium’s specific production technology<br />
and application know-how for FDCA and PEF with the strengths of BASF,” said Dr. Stefan Blank,<br />
President of BASF’s Intermediates division. “Of particular importance is our expertise in market<br />
development and large-scale production as an established and reliable chemical company in the<br />
business of intermediates and polymers,” Blank added.<br />
“The contemplated joint venture with BASF is a major milestone in the development and<br />
commercialization of this game-changing technology. Partnering with the number one chemical<br />
company in the world, provides us with access to the capabilities that are required to bring this<br />
technology to industrialization,” said Tom van Aken, Chief Executive Officer of Avantium.<br />
“The joint venture will further strengthen the global technology and establish the market<br />
leadership for FDCA and PEF. With BASF, we plan to start production of FDCA to enable the first<br />
commercial launch of this exciting bio-based material and to further develop and grow the market<br />
to its full potential.” KL/MT<br />
www.avantium.com | www.basf.com<br />
6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
News<br />
CO 2<br />
-based building block<br />
for PEF<br />
Stanford scientists have discovered a novel way to make PEF<br />
from carbon dioxide (CO 2<br />
) and inedible plant material, such as<br />
agricultural waste and grasses as a low-carbon alternative to PET.<br />
“Our goal is to replace petroleum-derived products with plastic<br />
made from CO 2<br />
,” said Matthew Kanan, an assistant professor of<br />
chemistry at Stanford. “If you could do that without using a lot of<br />
non-renewable energy, you could dramatically lower the carbon<br />
footprint of the plastics industry.”<br />
The scientists focused on the development of polyethylenefuranoate,<br />
or PEF. The properties of PEF, including their<br />
advantages over PET have been described manifold in bioplastics<br />
MAGAZINE. However, the plastics industry is trying hard to find a<br />
low-cost way to manufacture it at scale. The bottleneck has been<br />
figuring out a commercially viable way to produce the precursor<br />
FDCA sustainably.<br />
Instead of using sugar from corn to make FDCA, the Stanford<br />
team has been experimenting with furfural, a compound made<br />
from agricultural waste that has been widely used for decades.<br />
But making FDCA from furfural and CO 2<br />
typically requires<br />
hazardous chemicals that are expensive and energy-intensive to<br />
make. “That really defeats the purpose of what we’re trying to<br />
do,” Kanan said.<br />
The Stanford team’s approach has the potential to significantly<br />
reduce greenhouse emissions, Kanan said, because the CO 2<br />
required to make PEF could be obtained from fossil-fuel power<br />
plant emissions or other industrial sites. KL/MT<br />
http://news.stanford.edu/news/<strong>2016</strong>/march/low-carbon-bioplastic-030916.html<br />
Hybrid technology to<br />
make biobased nylon<br />
Engineers at Iowa State University have found a way to combine<br />
a genetically engineered strain of yeast and an electrocatalyst to<br />
efficiently convert sugar into a new type of nylon.<br />
Previous attempts to combine biocatalysis and chemical<br />
catalysis to produce biobased chemicals have resulted in low<br />
conversion rates. That’s usually because the biological processes<br />
leave residual impurities that harm the effectiveness of chemical<br />
catalysts.<br />
The engineers’ successful hybrid conversion process is<br />
described online and as the cover paper of the Feb. 12 issue of<br />
the journal “Angewandte Chemie International Edition”.<br />
“The ideal biorefinery pipelines, from biomass to the final<br />
products, are currently disrupted by a gap between biological<br />
conversion and chemical diversification. We herein report a<br />
strategy to bridge this gap with a hybrid fermentation and<br />
electrocatalytic process,” wrote lead authors Zengyi Shao and<br />
Jean-Philippe Tessonnier, Iowa State assistant professors of<br />
chemical and biological engineering who are also affiliated with<br />
the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center<br />
for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) based at Iowa State. KL/MT<br />
www.news.iastate.edu/news/<strong>2016</strong>/<strong>02</strong>/08/biopolymers<br />
IKEA to move away<br />
from fossil plastics<br />
IKEA SUPPLY AG and Newlight Technologies have<br />
announced that they have entered into a supply<br />
collaboration, and technology license agreement<br />
that will supply IKEA with AirCarbon from Newlight’s<br />
commercial-scale production facilities and enable IKEA<br />
to produce AirCarbon thermoplastic under a technology<br />
license.<br />
Under the agreement, IKEA will purchase 50 % of<br />
the material from Newlight’s 23,000 tonnes per year<br />
plant in the United States, and subsequently IKEA has<br />
exclusive rights in the home furnishings industry to use<br />
Newlight’s carbon capture technology to convert biobased<br />
greenhouse gases, first from biogas and later<br />
from carbon dioxide, into AirCarbon thermoplastics for<br />
use in its home furnishing products. Both the companies<br />
will work together to identify and select the low cost<br />
carbon sources and development of the technology to<br />
use a range of renewable substrates, with a long term<br />
goal to develop capacities up to 453,000 tonnes per year.<br />
The AirCarbon plants are initially intended to run using<br />
biogas from landfills as their sole carbon feedstock<br />
inputs, with expansion into other AirCarbon feedstocks<br />
over time, such as carbon dioxide.<br />
Minh Nguyen Hoang,<br />
Category Manager<br />
of Plastics at IKEA of<br />
Sweden says: “IKEA<br />
wants to contribute<br />
to a transformational<br />
change in the industry<br />
and to the development<br />
of plastics made from<br />
renewable sources.<br />
In line with our<br />
sustainability goals, we are moving away from virgin fossil<br />
based plastic materials in favor of plastic produced from<br />
renewable sources such as biogas, sugar wastes, and other<br />
renewable carbon sources. We believe our partnership<br />
with Newlight has the potential, once fully scaled, to be<br />
an important component of our multi-pronged effort to<br />
provide IKEA’s customers with affordable plastics products<br />
made from renewable resources.”<br />
Added CEO of Newlight, Mark Herrema: “IKEA’s<br />
partnership with Newlight marks an important shift in<br />
how the world can make materials: from fossil fuels to<br />
captured carbon, from consumption to generation, from<br />
depletion to restoration. IKEA is a leader in the concept<br />
of harnessing its operations to improve the world, and<br />
we are proud to be a part of that effort.”<br />
IKEA’s long-term ambition is for all the plastic material<br />
used in their home furnishing products to be renewable<br />
or recycled material. The company is starting with their<br />
home furnishing plastic products, representing about<br />
40 % of the total plastic volume used in the IKEA range.”<br />
KL/MT<br />
www.ikea.com | www.newlight.com<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 7
Report<br />
Bioplastics.online,<br />
finding the right bioplastics<br />
In the recent years there have been many developments worldwide in the field of bioplastics, both in biodegradable polymers<br />
and in biobased polymers and of course combinations of both. Many new exciting applications have been launched and the<br />
forecasts for biobased applications are looking extremely positive.<br />
Helian Polymers, based in Venlo, The Netherlands is a company specialized in the field of masterbatches, bioplastic<br />
compounds and materials for 3D Printing. Since 2003 Helian Polymers has been active developing both additives and<br />
compounds for bioplastics.<br />
This combined knowledge has led to the start of the company colorFabb, today a leading producer of 3D printing filaments<br />
from various engineered biopolymers, with great experience in online ordering and supplying systems with a sophisticated<br />
infrastructure.<br />
A new development of Helian Polymers is the soon to be launched online material platform called bioplastics.online. This<br />
web based platform is intended to support potential users of bioplastics to select the ideal type for a certain application and at<br />
the same time offering the opportunity to order initial quantities for test runs. On the other hand, it supports material suppliers<br />
to offer their various types and grades and – backed by Helian Polymer’s infrastructure – get initial test quantities supplied to<br />
interested customers.<br />
bioplastics.online will feature a wide variety of both biodegradable polymers and<br />
compounds as well as biobased polymers and composites. The focus of this platform<br />
is to bring initial ordering quantities to the market in a fast and transparent way, by<br />
partnering up with the leading manufacturers of bioplastics worldwide.<br />
The interactive website offers support to select the right bioplastic for a certain<br />
application using various categories and filters and eventually order small lots of<br />
25/50/100 kg for trial purposes. The materials will be send worldwide with DHL or<br />
UPS, including molded sample plaques (cf. photo) of the ordered materials.<br />
bioplastics.online is planned to go live mid of May this year. bioplastic MAGAZINE<br />
supports this new and unique initiative platform and acts as media partner. MT<br />
www.bioplastics.online<br />
8 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
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Bioplastics, the association representing the<br />
interests of Europe’s bioplastics industry.<br />
Bio-based drop-in PET and the new polymer<br />
PHA show the fastest rates of market growth.<br />
Europe looses considerable shares in total<br />
production to Asia. The bio-based polymer<br />
turnover was about € 11 billion worldwide<br />
in 2014 compared to € 10 billion in 2013.<br />
http://bio-based.eu/markets<br />
©<br />
15<br />
10<br />
5<br />
2011<br />
-Institut.eu | 2015<br />
2% of total<br />
polymer capacity,<br />
€11 billion turnover<br />
2012<br />
Epoxies<br />
PE<br />
2013<br />
PUR<br />
PBS<br />
2014<br />
CA<br />
PBAT<br />
2015<br />
PET<br />
PA<br />
<strong>2016</strong><br />
PTT<br />
PHA<br />
2017<br />
PEF<br />
2018<br />
Starch<br />
Blends<br />
EPDM<br />
PLA<br />
2019<br />
2<strong>02</strong>0<br />
Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/markets<br />
The nova-Institute carried out this study in<br />
collaboration with renowned international<br />
experts from the field of bio-based building<br />
blocks and polymers. The study investigates<br />
every kind of bio-based polymer and, for the<br />
second time, several major building blocks<br />
produced around the world.<br />
What makes this report unique?<br />
■ The 500 page-market study contains<br />
over 200 tables and figures, 96 company<br />
profiles and 11 exclusive trend reports<br />
written by international experts.<br />
■ These market data on bio-based building<br />
blocks and polymers are the main source<br />
of the European Bioplastics market data.<br />
■ In addition to market data, the report offers a<br />
complete and in-depth overview of the biobased<br />
economy, from policy to standards<br />
& norms, from brand strategies to<br />
environmental assessment and many more.<br />
■ A comprehensive short version<br />
(24 pages) is available for free at<br />
http://bio-based.eu/markets<br />
To whom is the report addressed?<br />
■ The whole polymer value chain:<br />
agro-industry, feedstock suppliers,<br />
chemical industry (petro-based and<br />
bio-based), global consumer<br />
industries and brands owners<br />
■ Investors<br />
■ Associations and decision makers<br />
Content of the full report<br />
This 500 page-report presents the findings of<br />
nova-Institute’s market study, which is made up<br />
of three parts: “market data”, “trend reports”<br />
and “company profiles” and contains over 200<br />
tables and figures.<br />
The “market data” section presents market<br />
data about total production capacities and the<br />
main application fields for selected bio-based<br />
polymers worldwide (status quo in 2011, 2013<br />
and 2014, trends and investments towards<br />
2<strong>02</strong>0). This part not only covers bio-based<br />
polymers, but also investigates the current biobased<br />
building block platforms.<br />
The “trend reports” section contains a total of<br />
eleven independent articles by leading experts<br />
Order the full report<br />
The full report can be ordered for 3,000 €<br />
plus VAT and the short version of the report<br />
can be downloaded for free at:<br />
www.bio-based.eu/markets<br />
NEW: Buy the trends reports separately!<br />
Contact<br />
Dipl.-Ing. Florence Aeschelmann<br />
+49 (0) 22 33 / 48 14-48<br />
florence.aeschelmann@nova-institut.de<br />
in the field of bio-based polymers. These trend<br />
reports cover in detail every important trend<br />
in the worldwide bio-based building block and<br />
polymer market.<br />
The final “company profiles” section includes<br />
96 company profiles with specific data<br />
including locations, bio-based building blocks<br />
and polymers, feedstocks and production<br />
capacities (actual data for 2011, 2013 and<br />
2014 and forecasts for 2<strong>02</strong>0). The profiles also<br />
encompass basic information on the companies<br />
(joint ventures, partnerships, technology and<br />
bio-based products). A company index by biobased<br />
building blocks and polymers, with list of<br />
acronyms, follows.
Events<br />
4 th PLA World Congress<br />
24 – 25 MAY <strong>2016</strong> MUNICH › GERMANY<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE presents:<br />
3 rd PLA World Congress<br />
The PLA World Congress in Munich/Germany, organised by bioplastics MAGAZINE<br />
now for the 4 th time, is the must-attend 27 conference + 28 MAY for 2014 everyone MUNICH interested › GERMANY in PLA,<br />
its benefits, and challenges. The global conference offers high class presentations<br />
from top individuals in the industry from Europe, USA, New Zealand and China and<br />
also offers excellent networkung opportunities along with a table top exhibition.<br />
Please find below the programme. More details and a registration form can be<br />
found at the conference website<br />
www.pla-world-congress.com<br />
4 th PLA World Congress, programme<br />
Tuesday, May 24, <strong>2016</strong><br />
07:00-08:30 Registration, Welcome-Coffee<br />
08:30-08:45 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Welcome Remarks<br />
08:45-09:15 Constance Ißbrücker, European Bioplastics Keynote Speech: The current situation of PLA in Europe and globally<br />
09:15-09:40 Michael Carus, nova-Institute The role of PLA in the Bio-based Economy<br />
09:40-10:05 Ramani Narayan, Michigan State University Understanding the PLA molecule – From stereochemistry to applicability<br />
10:05-10:30 Udo Mühlbauer, Uhde Inventa-Fischer New features of Uhde Inventa-Fischer’s PLAneo ® process<br />
10:30-10:45 Q&A<br />
10:45-11:10 Coffee<br />
11:10-11:35 Mariagiovanna Vetere, NatureWorks Ingeo – developing new applications in a circular economy perspective<br />
11:35-12:00 Hugo Vuurens, Corbion Purac Latest application innovations in PLA bioplastics<br />
12:00-12:25 Björn Bergmann, Fraunhofer ICT InnoREX: European project reveals processing options for intensified PLA production<br />
12:25-12:40 Q&A<br />
12:40-13:45 Lunch<br />
13:45-14:10 Jan Henke, ISCC Sustainable supply chains for PLA production<br />
14:10-14:35 Patrick Zimmermann, FKuR Advanced PLA solutions<br />
14:35-15:00 Daniel Ganz, Sukano Sustainability without compromises – Discover a toolbox of solutions for PLA<br />
15:00-15:25 Chung-Jen (Robin) Wu, Supla Not just PLA, it is SUPLA<br />
15:25-15:40 Q&A<br />
15:40-16:00 Coffee<br />
16:00-16:25 Vittorio Bortolon, Plantura Italia Plantura, ecofriendly automotive biopolymer<br />
16:25-16.50 Amparo Verdú Solís , AIMPLAS New PLA based fibres for automotive interior applications<br />
16:50-17:00 Q&A<br />
17:00-17:30 Panel discussion (t.b.d.) PLA market development: chances, obstacles and challenges (t.b.c.)<br />
from 19:00 Bavarian Night Hofbräuhaus, Munich<br />
Wednesday, May 25, <strong>2016</strong><br />
08:50-09:00 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Welcome remarks, 2 nd day<br />
09:00-09:25 Jan Noordegraaf, Synbra An expanding update on BioFoam E-PLA foam applications<br />
09:25-09:50 Kate Parker, Biopolymer Network / Scion Functional bio based foam – expanding into new areas<br />
09:50-10:15 John Leung, Biosolutions Heat resistant PLA sheet foam<br />
10:15-10:40 Vasily Topolkaraev, Kimberly-Clark Novel Nanocellular PLA-polyolefin Hybrid Composites<br />
10:40-10:55 Q&A<br />
10:55-11:20 Coffee<br />
11:20-11:45 Antje Lieske, Fraunhofer IAP Development of industrially feasible structure variations of polylactide<br />
11:45-12:10 Gerald Schennink, Wageningen UR PLA for durable applications comparing PLA hybrids with nucleated PLA (t.b.c.)<br />
12:10-12:35 Nico Schmidt, Univ. App. Sc. Hamm-Lippstadt LED-Application<br />
12:35-13:00 Bert Lagrain, KU Leuven PLA: a perfect marriage between bio- and chemical technology<br />
13:00-13:15 Q&A<br />
13:15-14:15 Lunch<br />
14:15-14:40 Remy Jongboom, Biotec BIOPLAST 900, what else?<br />
14:40-15:05 Tanja Fell, Fraunhofer IVV Present and potential future recycling of PLA waste – Chances and opportunities<br />
15:05-15:30 Nikola Kocić, Südd. Kunststoffzentrum SKZ Degradation of PLA during long-term storage<br />
15:30-15:55 Ruud Rouleaux, Helian Polymers How to find the right bioplastic for your application?<br />
15:55-16:05 Q&A<br />
16:05-16:10 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Closing remarks<br />
Subject to changes, please visit the conference website<br />
10 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
organized by<br />
4 th PLA World Congress<br />
24 – 25 MAY <strong>2016</strong> MUNICH › GERMANY<br />
is a versatile bioplastics raw<br />
PLA material from renewable resources.<br />
It is being used for films and rigid packaging,<br />
for fibres in woven and non-woven applications.<br />
Automotive industry<br />
and consumer electronics are thoroughly<br />
investigating and even already applying PLA.<br />
New methods of polymerizing, compounding<br />
or blending of PLA have broadened the range<br />
of properties and thus the range of possible<br />
applications.<br />
That‘s why bioplastics MAGAZINE is now<br />
organizing the 4 th PLA World Congress on:<br />
24 – 25 May <strong>2016</strong> in Munich / Germany<br />
Experts from all involved fields will share their<br />
knowledge and contribute to a comprehensive<br />
overview of today‘s opportunities and challenges<br />
and discuss the possibilities, limitations<br />
and future prospects of PLA for all kind of<br />
applications. Like the three congresses<br />
the 4 th PLA World Congress will also offer<br />
excellent networking opportunities for all<br />
delegates and speakers as well as exhibitors<br />
of the table-top exhibition.<br />
The team of bioplastics MAGAZINE is looking<br />
forward to seeing you in Munich.<br />
The conference will comprise high class presentations on<br />
› Latest developments<br />
› Market overview<br />
REGISTER NOW<br />
› High temperature behaviour<br />
› Blends and comounds<br />
› Additives / Colorants<br />
› Applications (film and rigid packaging, textile,<br />
automotive,electronics, toys, and many more)<br />
Contact us at: mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
for exhibition and sponsoring opportunities<br />
www.pla-world-congress.com<br />
› Fibers, fabrics, textiles, nonwovens<br />
› Reinforcements<br />
› End of life options<br />
(recycling,composting, incineration etc)<br />
Gold<br />
Sponsor:<br />
Silver<br />
Sponsor:<br />
Media<br />
Partner:<br />
Supported by:
Thermoforming / Rigid Packaging<br />
Thermoforming<br />
and easy peel films<br />
By:<br />
Warwick Armstrong<br />
General Manager<br />
Business Development and Marketing<br />
Plantic Technologies<br />
Altona, Victoria, Australia<br />
The growing trend of consumer awareness towards<br />
the impact of their actions on the environment has<br />
seen Plantic Technologies Ltd (Altona, Victora, Australia),<br />
a part of the Kuraray group, successful in supplying<br />
some of the world’s largest retailers and produces<br />
high barrier rigid bioplastic materials. Plantic’s thermoformable<br />
rigid bottom webs are providing a new class in<br />
ultra-high barrier films made from renewable<br />
and recyclable materials.<br />
Plantic Technologies has achieved a<br />
unique place in the world market<br />
for bioplastics through proprietary<br />
technology that<br />
delivers biodegradable<br />
and renewable<br />
sourced<br />
alternatives to<br />
conventional<br />
plastics based on<br />
corn and cassava,<br />
which is not genetically<br />
modified.<br />
Unlike other bioplastics<br />
companies who utilise<br />
organic materials but whose<br />
polymers are still developed in<br />
refineries, Plantic’s polymer as well as its<br />
raw material, are grown in a field. This means<br />
that the resins are derived from the natural occurring<br />
polymers in starch and converted in a proprietary process<br />
into materials that can be used as a packaging material.<br />
Starch is a naturally occurring polysaccharide consisting<br />
of the polymers amylose and amylopectin and used as an<br />
energy store in green plants. Larger amounts of starch<br />
are particularly found in cereal crops (such as corn, wheat<br />
and rice) and also tubers (such as potato and cassava).<br />
The entire process integrates the science of organic<br />
innovation with commercial and industrial productivity in<br />
a new way. The result is both a broad range of immediate<br />
performance and cost advantages, and long-term<br />
environmental and sustainability benefits.<br />
PLANTIC E, PLANTIC R, PLANTIC RE, PLANTIC<br />
ES AND PLANTIC EF represent the company’s flagship<br />
products for rigid and flexible packaging. These products<br />
are a direct replacement for conventional polymers and<br />
when compared with oil based products an independent<br />
assessment (carried out by Quantis – Environmental<br />
Life Cycle Assessment Consultants) found that Plantic’s<br />
products use up to 40 % less energy and provide a<br />
reduction in greenhouse gases by up to 70 %.<br />
Plantic HP, a fully biodegradable high barrier structure<br />
forms the core of all Plantic products and depending on<br />
the customer needs the outer skins can be made to seal<br />
onto conventional PE and PET sealing layers. Proving<br />
popular amongst retailers is one of the latest released<br />
products from Plantic: An easy peel skin pack range with<br />
the ability to seal to PET and PE top webs that is available<br />
in a wide range of colours and textures.<br />
Plantic R, a fully recyclable high barrier product is being<br />
used extensively for red meat applications. Plantic R seals<br />
to most traditional PET based top webs. This rigid<br />
product runs on all traditional thermoforming<br />
lines and gives the producer the opportunity<br />
to down gauge whilst achieving a higher<br />
barrier performance and stronger<br />
pack presentation.<br />
Plantic Technologies is<br />
supplying major supermarket<br />
customers<br />
in Australia, Europe<br />
and America<br />
in applications<br />
such as fresh case<br />
ready beef, pork, lamb<br />
and veal, smoked and<br />
processed meats, chicken,<br />
fresh pasta and cheese applications.<br />
Plantic’s products<br />
have proven to have exceptional<br />
gas barrier properties which dramatically<br />
extend the shelf life of the<br />
packaged product (for more details<br />
see bM 05/2015, pp. 40).<br />
Plantic Technologies is expanding<br />
rapidly and refining its technology to meet the ever growing<br />
global needs for more environmentally and performance<br />
efficient packaging materials. Plantic Technologies has<br />
released a new range of flexible materials with the same<br />
environmental and performance characteristics as their<br />
rigid based structures. These flexible options are proving<br />
already to be a preferred choice for many consumers,<br />
retailers and processors.<br />
“Plantic materials are not just about being a sustainable<br />
material, it has an ultra-high barrier that can improve<br />
the shelf life of a product, and reduce food waste. With<br />
Plantic materials you can have an enormous impact on<br />
value change and reduce the effects of climate change,<br />
both by reducing food waste and using more sustainable<br />
materials.” Brendan Morris Plantic Technologies Limited<br />
CEO and Managing Director said.<br />
www.plantic.com.au<br />
12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
World’s first, Plant-based<br />
High Refractive Index Material<br />
for Eyeglass Lenses,<br />
Do Green MR <br />
Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (MCI) has set out to contribute to society by<br />
providing innovative, high quality products and services to customers<br />
while maintaining harmony with the environment on a global scale.<br />
MCI has over 30 years of experience in the development and<br />
production of innovative optical lens materials for the global market,<br />
particularly with its thin & lightweight eyeglass lenses made from the<br />
“MR series” of high refractive index materials.<br />
with the SWANS program of Yamamoto Kogaku Co., Ltd., which has<br />
a history of designing sports products that offer comfort and<br />
performance, and Itoh Optical Industrial Co., Ltd., which has<br />
expertise in high-performance eyeglass lens manufacturing. The<br />
sunglasses were provided not only to participating athletes but also<br />
to referees at the triathlon and staff in the Executive Office. By<br />
sponsoring the event, MCI not only provided plant-based<br />
sunglasses, but also appealed to the social/ethical activities of the<br />
Do Green initiative. MCI’s support was widely praised by the people<br />
involved in the triathlon.<br />
MR-60 plant-based lenses in standard eyeglasses<br />
MCI has developed MR-60 , a plant-based high refractive index lens<br />
material for standard eyeglasses, by using a biomass-derived<br />
industrial isocyanate and a biomass-derived polythiol as well as a<br />
non-metallic catalyst for polymerization. In 2014, MR-60 was<br />
certified by the the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)<br />
as a plant-derived product with a biomass of 57%. It was also<br />
certified by the Japan Organics Recycling Association (JORA) as a<br />
plant-derived product with a biomass of 30-40%. The ultra-high<br />
refractive index glass lens material MR-174 , which was previously<br />
available on the market, also acquired certification as a plant-derived<br />
product with a biomass of 82% from the USDA and as a<br />
plant-derived product with a biomass of 30-40% from the JORA in<br />
2014.<br />
(The degree of biomass from JORA is<br />
the ratio between fossil fuel-derived<br />
carbon and biomass-derived ingredients;<br />
the biomass degree from the USDA is<br />
the ratio between fossil fuel-derived<br />
carbon and biomass-derived carbon as<br />
tested according to ASTM-D6866-12.)<br />
MR-60 biomass certifications from<br />
USDA and JORA<br />
MR-60 plant-based lenses in sunglasses<br />
MCI launched the first activity of the Do Green initiative during<br />
October 27-29 th , 2015, with 153 farmers and residents of Gujarat,<br />
India. The Do Green initiative strives to solve vision related issues<br />
faced by farmers who produce the raw material of MCI’s<br />
plant-derived product. The Do Green initiative relies on cooperation<br />
with a local Indian optometrist and an eye care professional from the<br />
Japanese lens specialty store Lensya. ICA Japan, a registered NGO,<br />
and Holistic Child Development India, a local NGO in India, assisted<br />
with coordination. The Do Green initiative began as a way to<br />
contribute to society. MCI aims to connect manufacturers, retailers,<br />
and consumers with the message of the Do Green initiative through<br />
Do Green products.<br />
MCI’s Do Green products include the world’s only plant-derived<br />
poly-isocyanate STABiO ; Econykol , a polyol derived from castor oil<br />
from seeds that are grown in Gujarat,India; as well as the plant-based<br />
lens materials MR-60 and MR-174 . MCI is continuing to develop<br />
new Do Green plant-based materials.<br />
MCI was a sponsor of the “2015 World Triathlon Series Yokohama”<br />
held in Yokohama, Japan, an event which aimed to “contribute to<br />
society through sports” . The event utilized the sustainability<br />
management system standard ISO 20121. MCI made the decision to<br />
carry out joint development with Yokohama City on sunglasses made<br />
with MR-60 . The sunglasses were produced through collaboration<br />
Eye care professional conducting an<br />
eye exam with a machine<br />
Optometrist conducting an eye exam<br />
(Do Green initiative in India)<br />
MITSUI CHEMICALS EUROPE GmbH, Functional Chemicals Division<br />
Oststr. 34, 4<strong>02</strong>11 Dusseldorf, GERMANY, http://eu.mitsuichem.com/<br />
E-mail: MR-info@mcie.de, TEL: +49-211-1733277, FAX: +49-211-1719970<br />
Read more about MCI’s Do Green MR in “MR View No.7 & No.8” at the following URL.<br />
http://www.mitsuichem.com/special/mr/resources/mrview.htm
Thermoforming / Rigid Packaging<br />
a-PHA modified PLA<br />
for thermoforming<br />
Recent reports indicate an emerging market trend<br />
toward sustainable packaging options due to environmental<br />
awareness among consumers for alternatives<br />
with improved biodegradability. For instance, the<br />
Foodservice Packaging Institute’s 2015 Trends Report<br />
found that there was an increasing focus on compostable<br />
packaging and the expectation is that more companies<br />
will need to address the demand for sustainable<br />
packaging applications in the near future.<br />
PLA is one of the more commonly used biopolymers<br />
in industrial compostable applications. Because<br />
PLA is derived from renewable sources, it is a sought<br />
after solution for green packaging material. It is well<br />
understood that the physical properties of PLA can<br />
present challenges during processing as well as in<br />
the performance of finished articles. One problem is<br />
the inherent brittleness and relatively low toughness<br />
of PLA that can present challenges in adapting the<br />
biopolymer to new packaging applications. For example,<br />
petroleum-based performance modifiers diminish<br />
biobased content and at increased addition rates can<br />
compromise compostability. This underscores the need<br />
to identify new additives for PLA that improve properties<br />
while maintaining biobased content and industrial<br />
compostability.<br />
Metabolix, a leader in PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate)<br />
technology, launched a new amorphous PHA (a-PHA)<br />
biopolymer material in 2015. This a-PHA specialty<br />
material is a high molecular weight, low T g<br />
rubber that<br />
extends the additive space for PHA materials. Metabolix<br />
has reported research demonstrating the use of its<br />
a-PHA as process aids and performance modifiers for<br />
PVC as well as performance modifiers for PLA. It should<br />
be noted that the results produced with a-PHA in PVC<br />
and PLA are far superior to those using semi-crystalline<br />
versions of PHA.<br />
Metabolix has shown that a-PHA is an effective modifier<br />
for PLA across a range of applications including food and<br />
consumer product packaging, film, food service ware,<br />
3D printing filament, fibers and nonwovens. In sheet and<br />
thermoforming applications specifically, adding a-PHA at<br />
low loading levels (such as less than 5 %) can eliminate<br />
the brittle fracture commonly associated with the edge<br />
trimming, conveying and cutting of extruded sheets and<br />
thermoformed parts. Adding a-PHA also increases the<br />
impact strength of the finished part, and at loading levels<br />
up to 10 %, an increase in toughness and ductility can be<br />
achieved to such an extent that it prevents brittle failure<br />
and splintering under impact load. Ultimately, a-PHA<br />
modified PLA shows an excellent balance of properties<br />
and is not limited to the 1 % loading limit of a noncompostable<br />
modifier per ASTM D6400.<br />
PLA modified with a-PHA represents an attractive<br />
option for producing thermoformed containers for food<br />
service ware. These containers have high biocontent<br />
and are industrially compostable, per ASTM D6400 and<br />
EN13432. Furthermore, the containers are strong, and<br />
because PHA and PLA are biopolymers with similar<br />
refractive indices, the containers retain a very high level<br />
of clarity.<br />
Consumers, brand owners and regulators continue to<br />
drive incentives to utilize sustainable packaging materials<br />
for carry out options as well as divert food waste from<br />
landfills. Companies looking to meet growing demands<br />
for compostable packaging<br />
options should explore<br />
a-PHA modified PLA<br />
materials as a solution<br />
for their food service and<br />
consumer packaging<br />
applications.<br />
www.metabolix.com<br />
By:<br />
Michael Andrews<br />
Director Product and Application Development<br />
Metabolix, Inc.<br />
Lowell, Massachussetts, USA<br />
14 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
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Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
Plastics, biodegradation, and<br />
risk assessment<br />
Bioplastics: facts and perceptions<br />
After 25 years on the market, we ought to know a lot<br />
about bioplastics. Standardisation has exacted definitions<br />
for the term, testing methods have validated their proper<br />
recovery and, above all, industry has established a clear<br />
purpose for their intended use. However, despite these<br />
foundations, knowledge of what bioplastics actually are<br />
remains confined to small circles of experts while public<br />
opinion is at best confused. Under these circumstances,<br />
the spread of myths and misinformation can produce a<br />
ripple effect that threatens the acceptance of bioplastics<br />
as a whole. Some concepts are often misunderstood (e. g.<br />
bio-based is often synonymized with biodegradability<br />
(in this article we will use the term bioplastics to mean<br />
biodegradable plastics); the existence of standards is<br />
not properly valued, so much so that sometimes we see<br />
“biodegradable” plastics in quotation marks implying that<br />
the supposed biodegradability has yet to be demonstrated.<br />
Bioplastics and the marine environment<br />
The lack of clarity about bioplastics recently surfaced in<br />
discussions of marine litter. The problem of plastic marine<br />
debris is not new; careless waste management requires<br />
a serious investment in awareness, prevention, and<br />
recovery programs at global scales. However, bioplastics<br />
have been unwittingly dragged into the debate, with the<br />
misperception that they could easily solve the chronic<br />
problem of marine litter. The bioplastics industry does not<br />
consider biodegradability as a license for littering in the<br />
environment for several reasons that follow.<br />
The value of biodegradability<br />
Packaging and consumer products must have the<br />
potential to be recovered in some way at their end of<br />
use. In certain contexts, biodegradability allows recovery<br />
through organic recycling. This option is contemplated<br />
by the European Directive on Packaging [1] and it is<br />
beneficial whenever packaging is mixed with kitchen<br />
waste (biowaste). In fact the combination of plastic/<br />
biowaste is not recyclable: food dirties the plastic and<br />
plastics contaminate food. However the combination of<br />
bioplastic/biowaste is recyclable into compost. The CEN<br />
standard EN 13432 [2] identifies packaging for organic<br />
recycling but makes no claims of biodegradability in any<br />
other environment including the sea. The EN 13432 scope<br />
is crystal-clear; there is no room for misunderstanding.<br />
Biodegradable plastics and recycling<br />
The contamination of plastic recycling represents another<br />
issue that surfaces whenever a debate on bioplastics<br />
starts. What’s surprising is that technically speaking<br />
plastics recycling simply does not exist because the term<br />
plastics is a collective term including different materials<br />
that are incompatible with one another and can only be<br />
recycled separately. Cross contamination is always an<br />
impediment to recycling (e. g. non-biodegradable plastics<br />
interfere with recycling of biowaste). The management of<br />
end-of-life must comply with the specific features of each<br />
product and waste stream. Whenever separate collection<br />
is practiced, bioplastics are recoverable through organic<br />
recycling and incentivize proper waste management.<br />
Biodegradation in nature<br />
To avoid misleading communications, it is critical<br />
that the term biodegradable only be associated with<br />
the relevant degradation environment (where) and<br />
its associated conditions (how much and how long).<br />
In agriculture, tests specific to soil define mulch film<br />
Fig. 1:Testing degradation in an aquarium<br />
(photo: HYDRA Institute for Marine Sciences)<br />
Fig. 2: Testing biodegradation in sediment<br />
16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
By:<br />
Francesco Degli Innocenti<br />
Ecology of Products and Environmental Communication<br />
Novamont,<br />
Novara, Italy<br />
biodegradation because this depositional environment<br />
is microbiologically different from composting. Similarly,<br />
tests specific to the marine environment are now under<br />
development (cf fig. 1). Novamont studied the behaviour<br />
of MATER-BI through ASTM [3] and ISO [4] test methods<br />
(cf fig. 2). Tests performed in marine sediments showed<br />
biodegradation (as CO 2<br />
evolution) in excess of 90 %<br />
(absolute or relative to cellulose) in less than one year;<br />
Certiquality (Certification Institute; Milan,) verified<br />
these results within the European Commission’s pilot<br />
program ETV [5]. These results are in agreement with<br />
previous findings [6].<br />
Biodegradability and risk assessment<br />
How should we interpret these very promising<br />
biodegradation data? Generally speaking, the<br />
environmental risk depends on the concentration of<br />
the environmental stressor and on its residence time<br />
in the environment. The lower the concentration and<br />
the shorter the residence time, the better. Bioplastics<br />
do not immediately disappear upon exposure to the<br />
sea. However, biodegradability is a factor that reduces<br />
the risk by reducing the stressor’s residence time.<br />
Therefore, on one hand the idea of solving the problem<br />
of plastics in the ocean just by shifting to bioplastics is<br />
unfounded. On the other hand, for those applications<br />
where accidental release is certain or very probable,<br />
biodegradability can become a means of decreasing<br />
the environmental risk. Materials that show full and<br />
relatively fast biodegradation may be suitable for plastic<br />
products known to wear down or become stranded<br />
(for example, fishing gear) and scatter into the sea.<br />
Bioplastics like MATER-BI materials hold promise for<br />
aquaculture professional applications (e. g. nets for<br />
mussels farming, cf. fig. 3) where the disposal of plastic<br />
waste is an inevitable outcome.<br />
Fig. 3: Mussel farming nets (Source unknown, found e. g. in<br />
presentations by ISPRA [7])<br />
www.novamont.com<br />
[1] European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20<br />
December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste<br />
[2] EN 13432:2000 Packaging. Requirements for packaging<br />
recoverable through composting and biodegradation. Test scheme<br />
and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging<br />
[3] ASTM D7991 – 15 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic<br />
Biodegradation of Plastics Buried in Sandy Marine Sediment under<br />
Controlled Laboratory Conditions<br />
[4] ISO/DIS 19679 Plastics — Determination of aerobic biodegradation<br />
of non-floating plastic materials in a seawater/sediment interface<br />
— Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide<br />
[5] http://iet.jrc.ec.europa.eu/etv/aerobic-biodegradation-mater-biaf03a0-and-mater-bi-af05s0-mater-bi-third-generation-undermarine<br />
[6] F. Degli Innocenti (2012) Single-use carrier bags: littering, bans and<br />
biodegradation in sea water. Bioplastic Magazine 042012 (vol 7):44-<br />
45<br />
[7] http://oceania.research.um.edu.mt/cms/calypsoweb/images/<br />
meeting2/catania-meeting/Andaloro.pdf<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 17
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
Designing for biodegradability<br />
in ocean environment<br />
A solution or exacerbating the solution?<br />
The Problem<br />
The issue of plastics and microplastics leaking into the<br />
oceans is the subject of much discussion and concern [1].<br />
Articles in print and electronic media document not only<br />
the unmanaged plastic waste entering the oceans but the<br />
negative impacts on the marine ecosystem as a whole<br />
[2 – 4].<br />
United Nations (UN) estimates suggest that 80 % of<br />
ocean plastic comes from land based sources, and the<br />
actual number is probably higher [1]. These estimates<br />
are based on the fact that most plastic waste is typically<br />
buoyant and that much of it could be found floating across<br />
the ocean in the large gyres. The remaining 20 % of<br />
ocean plastic is believed to originate from marine-based<br />
sources, such as oil rigs, fishing vessels, piers, and boats<br />
transporting freight or passengers.<br />
In a recent paper published in the high impact peer<br />
reviewed journal Science [5], we reported that in 2012, 4.8<br />
to 12.7 million tons of plastics leaked into oceans from<br />
land based mismanaged wastes in 192 countries located<br />
within 50 km of a coast – primarily from the developing<br />
countries of Asia. This is shown in detail in figure 1. The<br />
mismanaged plastic waste shown as blue bars goes<br />
from 31.9 million tons in 2010 to 69.9 million tons in 2<strong>02</strong>5<br />
without any intervention and business as usual. The red,<br />
green, and orange bars represent three different scenarios<br />
of mismanaged waste leakage into the oceans – 15 %,<br />
25 %, and 40 % for each of the years. Therefore, without<br />
any intervention, 10.4 to 27.7 million tons of mismanaged<br />
plastic waste in these costal countries will leak into the<br />
oceans by 2<strong>02</strong>5. These are conservative figures and other<br />
literature papers put this number much higher.<br />
Is marine biodegradability a solution or<br />
problem?<br />
In response, scientists and technologists in academe<br />
and industry are developing and introducing plastics<br />
for biodegradability in the marine environment as<br />
a solution to the problem of plastic pollution of the<br />
oceans. There are ASTM standards for determining<br />
the percent biodegradability in marine environment –<br />
ASTM D6691 is Standard Test Method for Determining<br />
Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine<br />
Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or<br />
Natural Sea Water Inoculum; ASTM D7473-12 Standard<br />
Test Method for Weight Attrition of Plastic Materials<br />
in the Marine Environment by Open System Aquarium<br />
Incubations; a new Standard Test Method for Determining<br />
Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastics Buried in Sandy<br />
Marine Sediment under Controlled Laboratory Conditions.<br />
The operating temperatures for these laboratory scale<br />
test methods are around 23 to 28 °C. Certain PHA<br />
(polyhydroxyalkanoates) films show 80 %+ biodegradability<br />
in river water at 25 °C as shown in figure 2. Synthetic<br />
polyesters – polyethylene succinate, polyethylene adipate,<br />
and polybutylene adipate are biodegradable in river water<br />
at 25 °C as shown in figure 3.<br />
Fig. 1: Land based mismanaged plastic waste from 192 countries located within 50 km of a coast –<br />
primarily from the developing countries of Asia [5]<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
Mismanaged plastic waste (MMT/year)<br />
15% leakage to ocean<br />
25% leakage to ocean<br />
40% leakage to ocean<br />
50<br />
MMT<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
2010 2015 2<strong>02</strong>0 2<strong>02</strong>5<br />
Year<br />
18 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
By:<br />
Ramani Narayan<br />
Distinguished Professor,<br />
and Sayli Bote<br />
Research Assistant at Biobased Materials Research Group<br />
Michigan State University<br />
East Lansing, Michigan, USA<br />
However, the ocean (marine) environment is NOT<br />
a managed disposal environment like composting or<br />
anaerobic digestion which are sound end-of-life options<br />
for food and biowaste components of the solid waste<br />
stream along with truly and completely biodegradablecompostable<br />
plastics. Furthermore, ocean temperatures<br />
drop precipitously as you go down in depth (4 ° C on reaching<br />
2,000 m) and the ocean environment can be much different<br />
and less active than the lab test environment. So these<br />
marine biodegradable plastics (which show complete<br />
biodegradability in a lab test method) could remain in<br />
ocean environments for very long period of time and cause<br />
serious environmental impacts that have been recorded<br />
for ocean microplastic wastes.<br />
Therefore, designing for marine biodegradability is<br />
NOT A SOLUTION to plastics pollution in the ocean<br />
environment. The goal should be to prevent these<br />
plastics from entering the ocean environment in the first<br />
place. For products used in the marine environment like<br />
fishing nets, lobster pots, biodegradability may provide a<br />
value attribute so that if it is inadvertently lost and enter<br />
into the ocean environment they are utilizable as food by<br />
the microbial populations over a period of time. However,<br />
this cannot and should not be used for making marketing<br />
claims especially in Business to Consumer (B2C)<br />
communication. The marine biodegradability test method<br />
Standards are useful in evaluating the persistence, fate,<br />
and impact of plastics in the ocean environment but not to<br />
be used in marketing claims.<br />
Solution for microplastics in ocean<br />
environment and the role for biodegradability.<br />
Another major finding of the Science paper (5) is that<br />
reducing the amount of land based mismanaged wastes<br />
generated in these developing Asian countries would<br />
significantly reduce plastics waste entering into the<br />
oceans. For example:<br />
• Reducing mismanaged waste by 50 % in the Top 5<br />
countries corresponds to a 26 % reduction.<br />
• Reducing mismanaged waste by 50 % in Top 10<br />
countries corresponds to a 34 % reduction.<br />
• Reducing mismanaged waste by 50 % in Top 20<br />
countries corresponds to 45 % reduction.<br />
• Reducing mismanaged waste by 50 % in Top 35<br />
countries corresponds to 75 % reduction.<br />
Figure 4 schematically shows the effect of this reduction<br />
on the overall land based mismanaged waste generation<br />
(blue bar) – from 69.1million tons with zero intervention<br />
BOD-biodegradability (%)<br />
100<br />
80<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
P(3HB-co-36 % 3HP)<br />
P(3HB)<br />
P(3HP)<br />
0<br />
0 7 14 21 28<br />
Time (day)<br />
Fig. 2: Biodegradability of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) films in<br />
river water at 250 °C<br />
Fig. 3: Biodegradability of synthetic polyesters in river water at<br />
25 °C [5]<br />
BOD-biodegradability (%)<br />
100<br />
80<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
Poly(ethyelene succinate)<br />
Poly(ethylene adipate)<br />
Poly(butylene adipate)<br />
Poly(butylene sebacate)<br />
0<br />
0 7 14 21 28<br />
Time (day)<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 19
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
in 2012 to 17.1 million tons in 2<strong>02</strong>5 by just reducing the<br />
mismanaged waste by 50 % in the top 35 countries. The red,<br />
green, and orange bars show the corresponding reductions<br />
in the amount of the mismanaged plastic waste entering the<br />
oceans based on 15 %, 25 %, and 40 % leakage – for example<br />
if one assumes the 15 % leakage scenario, the amount of<br />
plastic waste entering the oceans is reduced from 10.4 million<br />
tons to 2.1 million tons (red bar, figure 4).<br />
Therefore, developing systems to divert land based<br />
mismanaged plastic waste to managed end-of-life disposal<br />
systems like recycling, waste-to-energy, and composting or<br />
anaerobic digestors would prevent the mismanaged plastic<br />
waste from entering into the oceans. These efforts along with<br />
educational and consumer awareness messaging can clearly<br />
advance the goal to cleaner ocean environment.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Keep plastics out of the marine environment through:<br />
• Recover organics (biowastes) and compostable plastics<br />
through compostable and anaerobic digestion. Design for<br />
compostability/biodegradability in managed end-of-life disposal<br />
systems for single use, disposable, packaging and molded<br />
products and remove it from the mismanaged waste stream<br />
• Recover value plastics for mechanical or chemical<br />
recycling including waste to energy<br />
References<br />
1. Microplastics in the ocean: A global assessment, United Nations Joint<br />
Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP),<br />
Working Group 40, 2015, gesamp.org.<br />
2. ‘Plastics, the environment and human health’ compiled by R. C.<br />
Thompson, C. J. Moore, F. S. vom Saal and S. H. Swan Phil. Trans. R. Soc.<br />
London, Ser. B 264 (2009) doi:10.1098/rstb.2009.0030<br />
3. A. A. Koelmans, E. Besseling, and E. M. Foekema, “Leaching of plastic<br />
additives to marine organisms,” Environmental Pollution, 2014, Volume<br />
187, pp. 49–54; C. K. Pham, E. Ramirez Llodra, C. H. S. Alt, T. Amaro, M.<br />
Bergmann, M. Canals, J. B. Company, J. Davies, G. Duineveld, F. Galgani,<br />
K. L. Howell, V. A. I. Huvenne, E. Isidro, D. O. B. Jones, G. Lastras, T.<br />
Morato, J. N. Gomes-Pereira, A. Purser, H. Stewart, I. Tojeira, X. Tubau, D.<br />
V. Rooij, and P. A. Tyler, “Marine litter distribution and density in European<br />
seas, from the shelves to deep basins,” PLoS ONE, 2014, Volume 9,<br />
Number 4; Y. C. Jang, J. Lee, S. Hong, J. Y. Mok, K. S. Kim, Y. J. Lee, H.<br />
W. Choi, H. Kang, and S. Lee, “Estimation of the annual flow and stock<br />
of marine debris in South Korea for management purposes,” Marine<br />
Pollution Bulletin, 2014, Volume 86, Numbers 1–2, pp. 505–11; Trash free<br />
seas report: Every piece, every person, every community matters; Results<br />
from the 2014 International Coastal Cleanup, Ocean Conservancy, 2015,<br />
oceanconservancy.org.<br />
4. C. M. Rochman, E. Hoh, T. Kurobe, and S. J. Teh, “Ingested plastic<br />
transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stress,”<br />
Scientific Reports, 2013, Volume 3; C. M. Rochman, T. Kurobe, I.<br />
Flores, and S. J. Teh, “Early warning signs of endocrine disruption in<br />
adult fish from the ingestion of polyethylene with and without sorbed<br />
chemical pollutants from the marine environment,” Science of the Total<br />
Environment, 2014, Volume 493, pp. 656–61.<br />
5. Jenna R. Jambeck, Roland Geyer, Chris Wilcox, Theodore R. Siegler,<br />
Miriam Perryman, Anthony Andrady, Ramani Narayan, Kara Lavender Law,<br />
Science, Vol 347, <strong>Issue</strong> 6223, pg 768, 2015<br />
6. Y. Doi et al. Polym. Deg. & Stab., 51, 281, 1996<br />
Fig 4: Reducing mismanaged plastic waste by controlled managed waste systems reduces plastic waste<br />
leakage into ocean<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
Mismanaged plastic waste (MMT/year)<br />
15 % leakage to ocean<br />
25 % leakage to ocean<br />
40 % leakage to ocean<br />
50<br />
MMT<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
0 26 34 41 75<br />
Reduction (%)<br />
Magnetic<br />
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20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
PHA – truly biodegradable<br />
Most packaging will far outlast the useful life of any of<br />
the products they protect, causing a growing concern<br />
for packaging disposal due to the shortage of space<br />
for landfills. Furthermore, burning is not a sustainable option<br />
in many countries since some traditional plastics can create<br />
toxic fumes which cause damage to people’s health and the<br />
environment.<br />
The advantages of traditional plastics are widely recognized.<br />
The challenge is making materials that are just as effective<br />
while eliminating any detrimental effects to our planet. There<br />
is a tremendous amount of research in the area of bioplastics,<br />
with the promise of medium chain length (mcl) PHAs leading<br />
the way as a viable alternative to traditional polymers.<br />
To understand the difference between mcl PHAs and other<br />
biopolymer alternatives, it is helpful to understand what mcl<br />
PHA’s are and how they are made. Medium chain length PHA<br />
polyesters are produced by a natural bacterial fermentation<br />
process. Selected bacteria are fed natural food sources such<br />
as sugars, lipids, or fatty acids to produce PHAs granules as<br />
an energy reserve, much like humans store fat in their bodies.<br />
These granules are harvested by fracturing the cell walls of the<br />
host bacteria and separating the PHA granules from the cell<br />
debris. This highly controlled process yields polyesters within<br />
specific ranges of molecular weights, chain lengths, and comonomers<br />
allowing MHG to produce polymers with a wide<br />
array of physical and mechanical properties, including barrier<br />
properties suitable for food packaging. Extensive testing is<br />
currently underway with committed brand owners who are<br />
working to validate these materials in several manufacturing<br />
disciplines. Commercial launch of elected products will occur<br />
before the end of <strong>2016</strong>, with PHA being commercially available<br />
to the general marketplace in 2018.<br />
Unlike most biopolymers available today, PHA is not just<br />
compostable in industrial composting plants. Although<br />
industrial compostability is a giant step in the right direction,<br />
the conditions must be conducive for hydrolysis to promote the<br />
polymer decomposition. PHA polymers degrade enzymatically<br />
and have a decomposition profile similar to cellulose.<br />
Virtually any environment that contain microbials will utilize<br />
PHA polymers as a food source and consume it. Thus PHA<br />
is, what MHG calls “truly biodegradable” – meaning it also<br />
degrades in a home composter as well as in soil, sweet- and<br />
sea water. These claims have been independently verified by<br />
the most recognized certification body in the world, Vinçotte<br />
International. Vinçotte awarded MHG all available certifications<br />
for safe biodegradation, including their first ever “OK Marine<br />
Biodegradable” certification, validating the legitimacy of the<br />
testing to recognized international standards.<br />
MHG is proud of achieving this milestone as a step toward<br />
helping the planet. Over the past years, the growing level of<br />
pollution contaminating the oceans has been highlighted<br />
in all traditional and social media. The ugly truth is that<br />
pollution is a blight on all environments wherever it occurs,<br />
and proven to be very difficult to control in some areas. MHG<br />
does include biodegradability as one of many attributes of<br />
this amazing new polymer. However, MHG in no way promotes<br />
or condones the improper disposal of any material. Only the<br />
brand owners can choose to best way to market the attributes<br />
of MHG polymers since they alone determine what features<br />
bring value to their brand or product. But when litter does<br />
occur and PHA materials inadvertently find their way into the<br />
ecosystem, PHA materials by MHG provide the final level of<br />
insurance, allowing microorganisms to return these polymers<br />
to the earth. Just like they would with any other natural food<br />
source in their environment.<br />
www.mhgbio.com<br />
By:<br />
John T. Moore<br />
Vice President- Business Development<br />
Meredian Holdings Group<br />
Bainbridge, Georgia, USA<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 21
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
Trash is mobile<br />
OK biodegradable MARINE certification<br />
By:<br />
Petra Michiels<br />
Contract Manager<br />
Vinçotte<br />
Vilvoorde, Belgium<br />
If gravity would not exist<br />
Trash is mobile. Certainly plastic items are usually very<br />
light and are transported by rivers and winds. Gravity brings<br />
garbage down to the sea level. If gravity would not exist, the<br />
floating trash islands at sea would not have grown to such<br />
vast extensions.<br />
The cause of marine debris is mainly located at land.<br />
Depending on the literature, land based sources account<br />
for 60 to 90 % of marine litter globally. Solving a problem by<br />
tackling its root is always more effective than just fighting its<br />
symptoms. Therefore the solution for marine debris has to be<br />
sought mostly at land.<br />
Prevention and remediation<br />
When it comes to solving problems, of whatever kind, this<br />
can be done either before the problem occurs: by prevention,<br />
or afterwards, by remediation.<br />
In the case of marine debris, prevention can be stimulated<br />
by market instruments such as subsidies or oppositely taxes,<br />
or a legal ban of certain materials. Also communication and<br />
education can change attitudes regarding litter. Any litter that<br />
is avoided, whether it is high in the mountains, in cities or at<br />
the sea shores, helps against the marine debris problem.<br />
Remediation is the removal of garbage. This can be done by<br />
active human intervention. Or if a material is biodegradable<br />
in a marine environment, it disappears without further<br />
interaction needed.<br />
Dread in perspective<br />
Marine biodegradable products are a very sensitive topic.<br />
The perceived dread is that it could accidently encourage<br />
people to litter at sea. However, this perception is based on<br />
the idea that marine debris is mainly created at sea. And<br />
also on the thought that people would indeed increase their<br />
littering when they know a product biodegrades. These are<br />
assumptions that need to be put in perspective.<br />
Scope of products<br />
When launching the OK biodegradable MARINE certification<br />
system in March 2015, the risk of misunderstandings amongst<br />
consumers was treated with high priority. Therefore in this<br />
certification system, a clear distinction is made between:<br />
(1) the certification of the claim of marine biodegradation and<br />
(2) the authorization to communicate about this certification.<br />
Only for a very limited group of products, authorization to<br />
communicate on the product about the OK biodegradable<br />
MARINE certificate is allowed. It concerns products that<br />
are actually used – and therefore unavoidably spilled – in<br />
the marine environment (e. g. fishing line, fishing baits, cull<br />
panel, etc.). For these products, marine biodegradability can<br />
actually be a real interest to their consumers.<br />
Mentioning the OK biodegradable MARINE logo on all<br />
other products that could possibly encourage the customer<br />
to marine littering is not allowed. For these products<br />
marine biodegradability is an unknown functionality with an<br />
intrinsic added value: if it inadvertently ends up in the marine<br />
environment, it will be utilized by microorganisms.<br />
Verification of the claim<br />
Marine biodegradability is an added value to any product<br />
or packaging regardless of where it is consumed. The<br />
chance that it eventually ends up at sea will always exist.<br />
Any supplier who invests in adding this functionality to his<br />
product or packaging should have the opportunity to have this<br />
information verified according to international standards. This<br />
22 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
verification is not only a reference to harmonize the claim<br />
but also offers the supplier the opportunity to distinguish<br />
his truly marine biodegradable product from any doubtful<br />
claim of his competitors.<br />
Therefore there is a need for a neutral verification<br />
system of the claim of marine biodegradability. In March<br />
2015 Vinçotte has launched the OK biodegradable MARINE<br />
certification system. Before a product can be certified,<br />
it is tested in four different ways, based on the following<br />
standards:<br />
• biodegradation: measured by oxygen consumption or<br />
CO 2<br />
production: OECD 306, ISO 16221, ASTM D6691<br />
• ecotoxicity: water quality is measured on aquatic<br />
organisms (daphnids, fish, algea, cyanobacteria, …<br />
according to the relevant OECD standards or OPPTS<br />
documents)<br />
• disintegration: in lack of an international standard, a<br />
set of requirements (delay, temperature, replicates,<br />
pass levels, …) is developed specifically for the OK<br />
biodegradable MARINE certification in cooperation with<br />
international experts<br />
• limits of heavy metals and fluor content: ISO 17088,<br />
and a limit for cobalt as defined in ASTM D6400<br />
To conclude<br />
It is hard to tell which remedy will be proven to be most<br />
effective against marine debris. Trash that has the inherent<br />
capacity of disappearing without human intervention is<br />
without no doubt a plus. Having said this, negative side effects<br />
e. g. possible confusion of consumers must not be overlooked.<br />
However the need for a unique verification system in order<br />
to avoid all sorts of claims regarding marine biodegradability<br />
is not in dispute.<br />
www.okbiodegradable.be<br />
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Call for Papers now open<br />
www.bioplastics-breakfast.com<br />
Contact: Dr. Michael Thielen (mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com)<br />
At the World‘s biggest trade show on plastics and rubber:<br />
K‘<strong>2016</strong> in Düsseldorf bioplastics will certainly play an<br />
important role again.<br />
On three days during the show from Oct 20 - 22, <strong>2016</strong><br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE will host a Bioplastics Business<br />
Breakfast: From 8 am to 12 noon the delegates get the<br />
chance to listen and discuss highclass presentations and<br />
benefit from a unique networking opportunity.<br />
The trade fair opens at 10 am.<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 23
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
UNEP Report<br />
on biodegradable plastics & marine litter<br />
Summarized and interpreted by<br />
Karen Laird and Michael Thielen<br />
Photo: Ludwig Tröller / CreativeCommons<br />
In November 2015 the United Nations Environment Programme<br />
(UNEP) published a report, entitled “Biodegradable<br />
Plastics and Marine Litter. Misconceptions,<br />
Concerns and Impacts on Marine Environments”.<br />
The objective of (the) briefing paper is to provide a<br />
concise summary of some of the key issues surrounding<br />
the biodegradability of plastics in the oceans, and whether<br />
the adoption of biodegradable plastics will reduce the<br />
impact of marine plastics overall [1].<br />
Plastic debris is ubiquitous in the marine environment,<br />
comes from a multitude of sources and is composed of a<br />
great variety of polymers and copolymers [1].<br />
It has been suggested that plastics considered to be<br />
biodegradable may play an important role in reducing the<br />
impact of ocean plastics. Environmental biodegradation is<br />
the partial or complete breakdown of a polymer as a result<br />
of microbial activity, into CO 2<br />
, H 2<br />
O and biomasses, as a<br />
result of a combination of hydrolysis, photodegradation<br />
and microbial action (enzyme secretion and within-cell<br />
processes). Although this property may be appealing, it is<br />
critical to evaluate the potential of ‘biodegradable’ plastics<br />
in terms of their impact on the marine environment, before<br />
encouraging wider use [1].<br />
The report found that complete biodegradation of plastics<br />
occurs in conditions that are rarely, if ever, met in marine<br />
environments, with some polymers requiring industrial<br />
composters and prolonged temperatures of above 50 °C<br />
to disintegrate. There is also limited evidence suggesting<br />
that labelling products as biodegradable increases the<br />
public’s inclination to litter, as some people are attracted<br />
by technological solutions as an alternative to changing<br />
behaviour. Labelling a product as biodegradable may be<br />
seen as a technical fix that removes responsibility from<br />
the individual, resulting in a reluctance to take action.<br />
As stated in the report, plastics most commonly used<br />
for general applications, such as polyethylene (PE),<br />
polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are not<br />
biodegradable in marine environments (nor in any other,<br />
MT). Polymers, which biodegrade under favourable<br />
conditions on land, such as acetyl cellulose (AcC),<br />
UN Photo Martine Perret<br />
24 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL),<br />
polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and others are much slower to<br />
break up in the ocean and their widespread adoption<br />
is likely to contribute to marine litter and consequent<br />
undesirable consequences for marine ecosystems.<br />
“Recent estimates from UNEP have shown as much as<br />
20 million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans<br />
each year,” said Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the<br />
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in a press release.<br />
“Once in the ocean, plastic does not go away, but breaks<br />
down into microplastic particles. This report shows there<br />
are no quick fixes, and a more responsible approach to<br />
managing the lifecycle of plastics will be needed to reduce<br />
their impacts on our oceans and ecosystems.”<br />
These microplastics have, in recent years, become a<br />
source of growing concern. Microplastics are particles<br />
up to five millimetres in diameter, that are either<br />
manufactured or created when plastic breaks down. Their<br />
ingestion has been widely reported in marine organisms,<br />
including seabirds, fish, mussels, worms and zooplankton.<br />
The UNEP study also analyzed the environmental<br />
impacts of oxo-degradable plastics, enriched with a pro<br />
oxidant, such as manganese, which precipitates their<br />
fragmentation. It found that in marine environments<br />
even this fragmentation is fairly slow and can take<br />
up to 5 years, during which products made from this<br />
type of plastic continue to pollute the ocean. Moreover,<br />
convincing evidence showing that oxo-degradable<br />
polymers completely biodegrade to CO 2<br />
and water after<br />
fragmentation is still lacking.<br />
According to UNEP, oxo-degradable plastics can pose<br />
a threat to marine ecosystems even after fragmentation.<br />
The report says it should be assumed that microplastics<br />
created in the fragmentation process remain in the ocean,<br />
where they can be ingested by marine organisms and<br />
facilitate the transport of harmful microbes, pathogens<br />
and algal species. The report also quotes a UK government<br />
review that stated that “oxo-degradable plastics did not<br />
provide a lower environmental impact compared with<br />
conventional plastics”. The recommended solutions for<br />
dealing with end-of-life oxo-degradable plastics were<br />
incineration (first choice) or landfill. In addition, the<br />
authors observed that: as the (oxo-degradable) plastics<br />
will not degrade for approximately 2 – 5 years, they will still<br />
remain visible as litter before they start to degrade.<br />
The report more or less confirms what many in the<br />
industry have known for a long time, and it contains<br />
important information for the public at large – both as<br />
regards oxo-degradable plastics and biodegradable<br />
plastics.<br />
Well-written and well-researched, the report is by<br />
no means an attack on biobased plastics, but rather an<br />
attempt to get a message out and to create awareness.<br />
As its authors put it: “Assessing the impact of plastics in<br />
the environment, and communicating the conclusions to<br />
a disparate audience is challenging. The science itself is<br />
complex and multidisciplinary. Some synthetic polymers<br />
are made from biomass and some from fossil fuels,<br />
and some can be made from either. Polymers derived<br />
from fossil fuels can be biodegradable. Conversely,<br />
some polymers made from biomass sources, such<br />
as maize, may be non-biodegradable. Apart from the<br />
polymer composition, material behaviour is linked to<br />
the environmental setting, which can be very variable in<br />
the ocean. The conditions under which biodegradable<br />
polymers will actually biodegrade vary widely.”<br />
And the report closes with the final conclusion: On the<br />
balance of the available evidence, biodegradable plastics<br />
will not play a significant role in reducing marine litter [1].<br />
[1] UNEP 2015. Biodegradable Plastics & Marine Litter. Misconceptions,<br />
Concerns and Impacts on Marine Environments. Nairobi.<br />
a pdf-version is available at bit.ly/1R7IALI<br />
Photo: M. Thielen,<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 25
Marine pollution / Marine degradation<br />
Statement of Open Bio<br />
to the UNEP (2015) report on „Biodegradable Plastics and Marine Litter.<br />
Misconceptions, concerns and impacts on marine environments.”<br />
Executive summary<br />
While the Open- Bio consortium generally appreciates the<br />
UNEP report (cf. pp. 24 in this issue of bM) for its contributions<br />
to explaining and clarifying many aspects concerning the<br />
relation between different plastic materials and marine<br />
plastic litter, several aspects are criticized as well.<br />
• Both the summary and the conclusion simplify matters<br />
too much, thus inviting confusion by the public and<br />
policy makers.<br />
• Some of the final conclusions concerning the possible<br />
role of biodegradable plastics are not solution- oriented<br />
and remain rather pessimistic, whereas the main text<br />
offers several well- elaborated segments of the general<br />
topic, where solutions via market regulation, legislation,<br />
directed scientific research and industrial development<br />
could be achieved in relatively short time or may be<br />
readily adopted through political action.<br />
• The statements on rate of biodegradation and impact<br />
made by the report are not differentiated enough. More<br />
research is clearly needed.<br />
• In terms of communication and labelling, even more<br />
concise wording is needed and a strict distinction<br />
should be made between B2B communication and B2C<br />
communication in order to avoid litter.<br />
The Open- Bio statement furthermore offers some<br />
corrections to technical mistakes of the UNEP report and<br />
preliminary results from the project’s research.<br />
The Open- Bio group concludes that biodegradable<br />
plastics are not a solution to littering. Littering<br />
must be opposed by means of prevention, waste<br />
management (that includes separate collection and<br />
organic recycling of biodegradable plastics), public<br />
awareness, etc. On the other hand, plastics that<br />
are shown to be truly biodegradable in the marine<br />
environment could be profitably used in those<br />
applications where dispersion in the sea is certain or<br />
highly probable (e. g. fishing gear, fish farming gear,<br />
beach gear, paint, etc.).<br />
General considerations<br />
It is certain that littering needs to be avoided and<br />
reduced possibly to zero by all means (prevention,<br />
cutting waste streams, raising public awareness,<br />
etc.). But for certain applications it is inevitable that<br />
plastic products will enter the oceans, via rivers or<br />
e. g. by loss of fishing gear or wear of tourist beach<br />
equipment. Wouldn’t it be better if this litter was<br />
biodegradable? This is stated with always seeing that<br />
biodegradable litter is still litter, and should also be<br />
avoided at all means! However, it will at least not<br />
remain there forever, compared to non- biodegradable<br />
plastic litter.<br />
Rate of biodegradation and its risk assessment<br />
A point of critique concerns the frequently mentioned rate<br />
of (bio)degradation in the UNEP report. It is not differentiated<br />
between the inherent biodegradation rate of an industrial<br />
biodegradable material and the degradation rate of the item<br />
that finally ends up in the environment. The report states that<br />
biodegradable plastics do degrade under marine conditions<br />
but are much slower than in industrial composting, and<br />
also when tested in gastrointestinal fluids of a turtles, and<br />
will therefore still harm the marine environment. Most<br />
biodegradable plastics are not water- soluble. This means<br />
that the biodegradable plastic products will not immediately<br />
“disappear” when they reach the sea but persist in this<br />
environment for a given time (a residence time). By means of<br />
a risk assessment it is possible to characterize the magnitude<br />
of risks to ecological receptors (e.g. mammals, birds, fish,<br />
corals, microorganisms or even whole ecosystems) from the<br />
stressors, that may be present in the environment. Plastic<br />
items littered to the sea do have impact on several levels,<br />
some of which are well documented and some still lack<br />
scientific knowledge (GESAMP 2015, Bergmann et al. 2015).<br />
Impacts<br />
In terms of impact to the marine environment, little<br />
research has been completed comparing non- biodegradable<br />
and biodegradable plastics. There are scientific studies on<br />
the impacts of non- biodegradable litter and parts of the<br />
knowledge can be transferred to biodegradable litter, but<br />
not all of it. More research on the impact of biodegradable<br />
polymers is clearly needed. Therefore we think that the<br />
statement of the UNEP report is important, however a bit<br />
premature.<br />
The global perspective<br />
In the discussion we miss the global view and also more<br />
options for developing countries. Many have currently<br />
no (or insufficient) waste management infrastructures<br />
in place. But the plastic consumption in many of these<br />
countries (esp. China, Indonesia, India, etc.) are expected<br />
to rise tremendously in the coming years. In the case of<br />
mismanagement and the waste ending up in the ocean, it<br />
would not remain there forever when it is biodegradable<br />
under marine conditions.<br />
Recycling<br />
Biodegradable plastics do not hinder plastic recycling<br />
by being ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ (investigated<br />
by Open- Bio consortium, Task 6.4), but because recycling<br />
requires pure waste streams. Any contamination of a waste<br />
stream of a particular plastic (e. g. PE) with another type<br />
of polymer (whether it is biodegradable or not) requires<br />
good separation practices. Only so called ‘oxo- degradable’<br />
plastics pose a threat to plastic recycling by compromising<br />
the quality of the final product.<br />
26 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
This is the short version - source:<br />
www.biobasedeconomy.eu/media/downloads/<strong>2016</strong>/<strong>02</strong>/16-<strong>02</strong>-01_<br />
Open-Bio-comment-on-UNEP-report-FINAL-short.pdf<br />
The long version is available at:<br />
bit.ly/1Ts8bCR<br />
Labelling<br />
The labelling of ‘oxo- degradable’ plastics as<br />
‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ is not correct (see<br />
EN 13432:2000) because these materials simply<br />
fragment and do not biodegrade, no matter where<br />
their life cycle will end. Open- Bio confirms that a<br />
label or certification should be not misleading and<br />
should not lead to wrong behaviours. The information<br />
should preferably only be used at the industrial<br />
level to describe material properties to business<br />
partners, but not on a broad consumer level unless<br />
necessary. Based on the current state of knowledge<br />
we recommend also not to label a product for the<br />
general public unless necessary for the specific<br />
application, but to enforce by political means that<br />
those products which will certainly or probably end up<br />
in the marine environment need to be biodegradable<br />
in the specific marine environment of application. The<br />
Open- Bio team is currently working on an update of<br />
the standard methodology taking into account the<br />
current standards for marine biodegradation (see<br />
Open- Bio D5.5).<br />
First results from Open- Bio and further<br />
research<br />
First results from Open- Bio do confirm the<br />
statement of the report that degradation is slower<br />
under marine conditions than under composting<br />
conditions and that it depends on the material type<br />
and specific environmental conditions. The work<br />
within Open- Bio shows that the tested polymers do<br />
biodegrade under optimal laboratory conditions.<br />
Linking the lab data with the data we obtain from field<br />
and mesocosm experiments will allow us to validate<br />
the lab test. Further ecotoxicological tests should be<br />
added to the tests, which will provide more insight on<br />
the impact of biodegradation. The goal is to develop a<br />
test scheme and specifications (time and percentage<br />
of biodegradation, temperature range, etc.) for<br />
the biodegradation under marine conditions to be<br />
finalised by a standardisation organisation. That will<br />
provide policy makers and the industry with a good<br />
instrument to implement biodegradable polymers<br />
where they can be part of a concept to mitigate<br />
unavoidable marine litter.<br />
Polymers that are proven to be biodegradable<br />
in the marine environment can thus improve the<br />
situation in case plastic is not to be replaced by other<br />
materials, in concert with all possible measures like<br />
prevention, waste management, public awareness,<br />
etc. Summarising the mentioned points, we think that<br />
the public, mass- media, industry and policy makers<br />
have a great potential and possibilities to support the<br />
protection of the environment here. •<br />
RETHINKING<br />
PLASTICS<br />
29/30 November <strong>2016</strong><br />
Steigenberger Hotel Berlin<br />
SAVE<br />
THE<br />
DATE!<br />
For more information email:<br />
conference@european-bioplastics.org<br />
@EUBioplastics #eubpconf<strong>2016</strong><br />
www.conference.european-bioplastics.org<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 27
Booth Company on Floorplan<br />
C8B05 Anhui Tianyi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.<br />
N3P11 AU CO., LTD. 1<br />
N3L09 BASF (China) Company Ltd. 2<br />
N3M15 bioplastics MAGAZINE 3<br />
N3A21 China XD Plastics Company Ltd.<br />
N3J61 Coating p. Materials co., Ltd.<br />
N1F01 Croda Europe Ltd<br />
N4F01 Dandong Ritian Nano Technology CO., LTD.<br />
N3S45 Doill Ecotec Co., Ltd., Korea 4<br />
N3S41 Dongguan Xinhai environmental protection material Co., Ltd. 5<br />
N2E51 Emery Oleochemicals HK LTD<br />
N3K01 EnerPlastics L.L.C. 6<br />
N1C21 Evonik Degussa (China) Co., Ltd.<br />
N3P59 Fukutomi Company Ltd.<br />
N4M01 Gema Elektro Plastik VE Elektronik San. Dis Tic. A.S.<br />
N3L05 GRABIO Greentech Corporation 7<br />
C9B51 GuangDong ShunDe LuHua Photoelectric New Mat. Ind.Co.<br />
N2R01 Hairma Chemicals (GZ) Ltd.<br />
N4L21 Hebei Jingu Plasticizer Co., LTD.<br />
N2S15 Jacobson van den Berg (Hong Kong) Ltd<br />
N3R41 Jetwell Trading Limited<br />
N3M19 Jiangsu Jinhe Hi-tech Co.,Ltd 8<br />
N3K15 Jiangsu Torise Biomaterials Co., Ltd 9<br />
C10F17 Jinan Shengquan Group Co.,Ltd<br />
N3L01 JinHui ZhaoLong High-Tech Co.,Ltd 10<br />
N1G41 Kingfa Science and Technology Co., Ltd<br />
N1G01 Kuraray (Shanghai) Co., Ltd<br />
C13F61 Lifeline Technologies<br />
C2E41 Maosheng Environmental Protection Technology Co.,Ltd<br />
N3M15 Matchexpo 3<br />
N3L07 Minima Technology Co., Ltd. 11<br />
N3L51 Miracll Chemicals Co., Ltd.<br />
N1E01 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation<br />
N3K09 Natureworks LLC 12<br />
N1B01 Ngai Hing Hong Plastic Materials (HK) Ltd.<br />
N3K05 Polyalloy Inc. 13<br />
W1D55 Procotex Corporation<br />
N3P01 Proviron Functional Chemicals N.V. 14<br />
C11F41 Rajiv Plastic Industries<br />
N3K11 Reverdia 15<br />
N3L21 Roquette 16<br />
N2D41 Samyang Corporation<br />
N4J61 Shandong Jiqing Chemcal Co., Ltd.<br />
C8E51 Shanghai Xiner Low-carbon Environmental Technology Co., Ltd<br />
N4K09 Shenzhen All Technology Limited<br />
N3M11 Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd. 17<br />
N3M17 Shenzhen Polymer Industry Association 30<br />
N1L25 Sukano Sdn Bhd<br />
N3M05 Suzhou Hanfeng New Material Co.,Ltd. 18<br />
N3S51 Suzhou Hydal Biotech Co.,Ltd 19<br />
N3S49 Suzhou Mitac Precision Technology Co., Ltd. 20<br />
N3M03 Taizhou Sudarshan New Material Co.,Ltd 21<br />
N1F41 Teijin Kasei (HK) Ltd<br />
N3S43 TÜV Rheinland (Shnghai) CO LTD 22<br />
N3L11 Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH 23<br />
W3M15 Wei Li Plastics Machinery (H.K.) Ltd<br />
C13A21 WeiFang Graceland Chemicals CO., LTD<br />
N3L15 Weihai Lianqiao New Material Science&Technology Co.,Ltd 24<br />
C14E51 Woosung Chemical CO.,Ltd.<br />
N3K21 Wuhan Huali Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. 25<br />
N3P51 Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe Polyester co., ltD.<br />
N3M01 Yat Shun Hong Company Ltd 26<br />
C13A49 Yongxi Plastics Technology<br />
N3M21 Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd 27<br />
N3K07 Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co.,Ltd. 28<br />
N3P01 Zhejiang Pu Wei Lun Chemicals Co.,Ltd 14<br />
N3S29 Zhuhai Xunfeng Special Plastics Co. Ltd. 29<br />
Layout Plan courtesy Adsale Exhibition Service<br />
Show Guid<br />
19 20 4 22 5<br />
1 14<br />
17 26<br />
3<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE<br />
30<br />
21<br />
8 18<br />
27<br />
BIOPLASTICS ZONE<br />
28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11<br />
In this Show Guide you find the majority of compa<br />
compounds, additives, semi-finished products and<br />
this centerfold out of the magazine an
Show Preview<br />
CHINAPLAS <strong>2016</strong> Preview<br />
e<br />
23<br />
24<br />
10<br />
7<br />
11<br />
29<br />
15 6<br />
13<br />
9<br />
28<br />
CHINAPLAS, recognized as Asia’s No. 1 and theworld’s<br />
No. 2 plastics and rubber trade fair by the industry,<br />
will hold its 30 th edition in <strong>2016</strong> in Shanghai. To celebrate<br />
the reach of the milestone, there will be more attractions<br />
and celebration activities at the show for all to join!<br />
Looking back, when CHINAPLAS was held for the<br />
first time in Beijing in 1983, the exhibition area was only<br />
2,000 m², and 90 % of the exhibitors were from overseas.<br />
At that time, the production technology in China was still<br />
at a very low level, CHINAPLAS visitors mainly came to<br />
learn the advanced technologies from overseas countries.<br />
Today, China has become a big manufacturing country<br />
with strong production ability, and is exporting the most<br />
plastics and rubber machineries in recent years. In the<br />
past three decades, CHINAPLAS has been moving forward<br />
together with the Chinese market, and has developed into<br />
a platform for the showcase of both overseas technologies<br />
and Chinese machineries for export.<br />
16<br />
2<br />
25 12<br />
Hall N3<br />
The 30 th CHINAPLAS will be held from 25 to 28 April, <strong>2016</strong><br />
at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, PR China,<br />
with an exhibition area over 240,000 m², and more than<br />
3,200 exhibitors are expected. The show is supported by a<br />
number of country and region pavilions, including Austrian,<br />
German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Swiss, Taiwanese,<br />
and USA Pavilions. With broader range of exhibits, the<br />
number of theme zones will rise to sixteen, among which<br />
the “Automation Technology Zone”, “Composite & High<br />
Performance Materials Zone” and “Recycling Technology<br />
Zone” are all new to the coming show in Shanghai.<br />
Intelligent production lines and systems, industrial robots,<br />
high performance materials, composite materials, the<br />
latest and most complete recycling solutions as well as<br />
other plastics and rubber technology breakthroughs will be<br />
showcased under one roof.<br />
As in recent years, the setup of theme zones at<br />
Chinaplas is always a good indicator of market needs.<br />
Thus CHINAPLAS <strong>2016</strong> will again feature a Bioplastics<br />
Zone in Hall N3. If you visit Chinaplas make sure to visit<br />
the booth of bioplastics MAGAZINE in Hall N3 (booth N3M15).<br />
On the following pages you will find some short<br />
reports of some of the 66 exhibitors showing bioplastics<br />
related products or services, 30 of which are located in<br />
the Bioplastics Zone in hall N3. This preview will be<br />
complemented by a review in the next issue. MT<br />
nies offering bioplastic products, such as resins,<br />
much more. For your convenience, you can take<br />
d use it as your personal show guide<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11<br />
29
Show Preview<br />
Wuhan Huali<br />
Wuhan Huali will present PSM ® biodegradable<br />
& biobased plastics materials and finished<br />
products during Chinaplas <strong>2016</strong>. PSM bioplastics<br />
are made through modification and plasticization<br />
from renewable, natural materials, such as corn,<br />
potato, tapioca or wheat starch, bamboo cellulose<br />
and sugarcane. PSM biodegradable plastics are<br />
certified by third party certification bodies Vinçotte<br />
and DIN Certco, and obtained the OK Compost and<br />
Compostable certificates. PSM biobased plastics are<br />
also certified by Vinçotte with the OK-Biobased and<br />
received 4 stars (more than 80 %). PSM biodegradable<br />
and biobased plastic materials can be widely applied<br />
in film blowing, thermoforming, injection moulding<br />
and foaming processes.s.<br />
N3K21 25<br />
www.psm.com.cn | www.hlbio.com<br />
NatureWorks<br />
From 3D printer filaments to new ultra-high barrier<br />
film, NatureWorks showcase Ingeo polylactide.<br />
NatureWorks features 3D860 – a new Ingeo<br />
formulation for 3D PLA filament designed to provide<br />
impact resistance and heat resistance rivalling ABS<br />
and other styrenics in terms of performance and<br />
for use in home and business/industrial printing of<br />
durable parts, as well as for prototyping parts for<br />
durable injection molded goods. A number of new,<br />
innovative 3D printed products will be on display<br />
including print-it-yourself headphones and masks.<br />
NatureWorks also showcases a new ultra-high<br />
barrier Ingeo-based flexible substrate designed to<br />
keep processed foods fresh on store shelves. This<br />
is the first application of Ingeo for longer shelf life<br />
foods that are increasingly packaged in pouches.<br />
Other Ingeo biobased products on display include<br />
compostable food serviceware, nonwovens, fibers,<br />
films, rigid packaging, and toys and other injection<br />
molded or extruded durables.<br />
N3K09 12<br />
JinHui ZhaoLong<br />
JinHui ZhaoLong High Technology Co. Ltd is one of the largest<br />
biodegradable plastic enterprises in China with a 20,000 tonnes/<br />
annum PBAT production line. JinHui ZhaoLong are currently<br />
manufacturing ECOWORLD (PBAT) and ECOWILL which is a<br />
family of modified PBAT compounding materials that comprise<br />
Ecowill FS-0330 (Ecoworld PBAT blended with corn starch) and<br />
Ecowill FP-0330 (Ecoworld PBAT blended with PLA). After three<br />
years of development since its first establishment in 2012,<br />
JinHui ZhaoLong has now been able to provide qualified PBAT<br />
and PBAT compounds with high stability and consistency which<br />
have acquired numbers of certifications issued by both domestic<br />
and international authoritative certification bodies. Besides, the<br />
company has developed a large number of domestic and foreign<br />
high-quality upstream and downstream customers.<br />
N3L01 10<br />
www.ecoworld.jinhuigroup.com<br />
Kingfa<br />
Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co. Ltd., established in 1993 and<br />
headquartered in Guangzhou, is a global leader in high<br />
performance modified plastic industry. Kingfa initiated its bio<br />
program in 2001 and decided to make ECOPOND ® a sub-brand<br />
in Kingfa.<br />
Ecopond provides a complete package solution for retailers,<br />
such as roll bags (for fish and meat), shopping bags and<br />
some other packaging films that directly contact with foods.<br />
Compostable waste bags provide a sanitary and convenient<br />
collection solution for organic waste management. With the<br />
development of E-commerce and environmental awareness,<br />
Ecopond also finds a huge potential market in packaging such as<br />
air-bubble bag and air cushion film.<br />
Kingfa intensely cooperates with the Chinese government and<br />
environmental research organizations to implement biodegradable<br />
mulch film experiments in different areas. An exclusive formula is<br />
designed for every area and different crops like potatoes, peanuts,<br />
corn, cottons, etc., taking various changing weather condition and<br />
soil condition into account. The experiments prove great success<br />
in many places with fruitful output of the crops.<br />
In 2014, Kingfa added 3D printing application to the Ecopond<br />
family and began the business with promotion of its highly renowned<br />
modified PLA series. Ecopond 3D printing raw materials are widely<br />
applied in the mainstream Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).<br />
N1G41<br />
www.ecopond.com.cn<br />
www.natureworksllc.com<br />
30 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Show Preview<br />
Doill Ecotec<br />
Doill WPC (Wood-Plastic Composites) compounds are new<br />
eco-friendly materials in pellet form which are manufactured<br />
with a special binding technique using wood flour and<br />
thermoplastic polymers (PP, PE, ABS, ASA, PS, SAN, PMMA,<br />
PLA, etc). The materials are suitable for extrusion and<br />
injection molding with advanced woody feeling, excellent<br />
durability, excellent water-proof properties, easy molding<br />
characteristics, reducing CO 2<br />
, bio-based plastic materials<br />
and recycled to 100 %.<br />
Extrusion molding applications include decking, cladding,<br />
louver, sound-proof walls, floor, furniture, blinder, panels,<br />
foamed products, interior products, filaments for 3d printing,<br />
etc.. By injection molding the following applications can be<br />
produced: kitchen utensils, cutting board, food containers,<br />
food trays, flower boxes, hangers and scoops, cosmetic<br />
containers, automobile parts, industrial products, and much<br />
more.<br />
N3S45 4<br />
www.doillecotec.com<br />
Uhde Inventa-Fischer<br />
The Polymer Division of ThyssenKrupp Industrial<br />
Solutions AG focuses on the development, engineering<br />
and construction of efficient plant concepts and processes<br />
in the fields of monomers, intermediates, polymers and<br />
machinery.<br />
At Chinaplas <strong>2016</strong> ThyssenKrupp will present their<br />
latest innovations and developments in biobased polymers<br />
They believe in providing cost-efficient processes for<br />
the production of non-petroleum-based polymers, such<br />
as polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS)<br />
as well as its monomers and intermediates lactic acid,<br />
succinic acid and lactide. to fulfill the vision of sustainably<br />
replacing a considerable amount of conventionally<br />
produced materials in the near future.<br />
ThyssenKrupp’s state-of-the-art technologies<br />
are backed by more than 50 years’ experience in<br />
the development, engineering and design of leading<br />
polymerization processes, as well as t h e<br />
engineering and construction<br />
of more than 400<br />
production plants<br />
throughout<br />
the world.<br />
N3L11<br />
23<br />
www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com<br />
Coating p. Materials Co.<br />
CPMC will present new eco-friendly solutions, targeted at synthetic leather and related<br />
industries. This bio-based calendaring grade TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) can not only<br />
solve the problems caused in PVC and PU synthetic leather industries, but also have five<br />
advantages as the follows.<br />
CPMC’s TPU has many advantages including good physical properties, degradable, nontoxic<br />
and non-plasticizer. The process is eco-friendly and offers a high yield rate, and there<br />
is no DMF residue in the final products. As a result, the products can solve VOC emission<br />
problem effectively. The production technology of calendaring grade TPU for eco-friendly<br />
synthetic leather is the same as for PVC, existing PVC synthetic leather equipment can be used. The functions and features are<br />
similar to PVC/PU synthetic leather.<br />
Customers who upgrade use advanced these eco-friendly materials, can promote your brand values and increase<br />
consumers’brand image.<br />
The presented bio-based calendaring grade TPU for eco-friendly synthetic leather can be applied to furnishings industry,<br />
clothing industry, car industry, footwear industry and so on.<br />
N3J61<br />
www.coating.com.tw<br />
Oxo-fragmentable plastics<br />
And finally there are a number of companies offering oxo-fragmentable plastics such as EnerPlastics (N3K01) or Rajiv<br />
Plastic Industries (C11F41). However, as of yet, bioplastics MAGAZINE does not consider such products as bioplastics. We are still<br />
waiting for satisfactory scientifically backed evidence by internationally accepted independent laboratories, proving a complete<br />
biodegradation into water, carbon-dioxide and biomass without accelerating any measurement nor extrapolating any initially<br />
measured degradation. MT<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 31
Materials<br />
The 100 % bio-PET/polyester<br />
approach<br />
The bio-PET bottle is now followed by a bio-PET T-shirt<br />
According to different forecasts of e.g. European Bioplastics<br />
or the Institute of Bioplastics and Biocomposites<br />
(IfBB), the bioplastic market will continue to grow in<br />
the next years with bio-PET 30 representing the lion’s share<br />
(> 75 %). 30 wt.% of this bio-PET 30 is represented by biobased<br />
mono ethylene glycol (MEG). In order to be able to produce<br />
100 % biobased PET, many different technologies for the<br />
production of PTA (purified terepthalic acid) or its precursor<br />
paraxylene (PX) are currently under development.<br />
Bio-PET 30<br />
Bio-PET 30 was introduced in 2009 and can by now be<br />
found in the marketplace used by brands such as Coca-Cola,<br />
Danone, Nestle etc. in more than 25 countries around the<br />
world. Bio-MEG is currently made from bio-ethylene which<br />
is dehydrated from ethanol and dropped into the current<br />
ethylene glycol production plants with co-production of DEG<br />
(di-ethylene glycol) and TEG (tri-ethylene glycol). Ethanol is<br />
well known to be made from fermentation of sugars including<br />
those from first and second generation biomass. Ethanol<br />
could also be converted from syngas (CO+H 2<br />
) which could as<br />
well be biobased if made from biomass.<br />
There are other routes under development to make bio-MEG<br />
from sugars and carbon dioxide (CO 2<br />
). For example, sugars<br />
could directly go under catalytic reactions to generate MEG,<br />
MPG (mono propylene glycol) and others. The key issue is<br />
how to make more MEG than MPG which could be made from<br />
glycerol and usually cheaper than MEG. While CO 2<br />
is used<br />
for MEG production, oxalic acid is formed as an intermediate<br />
after electrochemical reaction of CO 2<br />
and further reduced to<br />
MEG.<br />
100 % bio-PET/polyester<br />
The first batch of empty bottles made from 100 % bio-PET<br />
were demonstrated by Coca-Cola (PlantBottle) in 2014 with<br />
biobased PTA technology from Virent and Far Eastern New<br />
Century (FENC). Last year, at Milan Expo, the first 100 %<br />
bio-PET bottles filled with beverages were introduced; again<br />
made using bio-PX from Virent’s pilot scale production and via<br />
FENC’s conversions. At the Sustainable Plastics conference<br />
in Cologne on March 1 st , <strong>2016</strong>, FENC showed the world’s first<br />
100 % bio-polyester shirt. The weaving and dyeing properties<br />
of the 100 % bio-polyester fibres proved to be the same as<br />
those of petro based polyester. This is a great progress of<br />
FENC’s 100 % bio-polyester and shows the possible use of biobased<br />
PX/PTA for dropping in to many other all downstream<br />
polyester applications.<br />
100 % bio-PX/PTA technologies<br />
In Virent’s BioForming process sugar is catalytically<br />
converted into bio-PX. Another similar approach is the<br />
pyrolysis to crack biomass to BTX (mixture of benzene toluene<br />
xylene) which could be dropped into the petro refinery for<br />
PX separation. There are many other approaches to convert<br />
6-carbon (C6) sugars to bio-PX or PTA (C8).<br />
H 3<br />
C CH 3<br />
Paraxylene (PX), C8H10<br />
32 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Materials<br />
Si mple mathematics will help us to understand<br />
all these converting pathways. The first example is<br />
2+2+2+2=8 by using 3 ethylene molecules (CH 2<br />
+CH 2<br />
+CH 2<br />
)<br />
to synthesize hexene (C 6<br />
H 12<br />
) which could be further<br />
converted to PX via Diels-Alder reaction with ethylene<br />
and dehydration. Or hexene could be formed by addition<br />
reaction of isobutene and ethylene (C 4<br />
H 8<br />
+2CH 2<br />
=C 6<br />
H 12<br />
) as a<br />
part of 4+2+2=8 pathway with Diels-Alder and dehydration<br />
reactions. Next example is 2+6=8 by adding ethylene to<br />
sugar fermented muconic acid, 5-hydromethylfurfual<br />
(HMF) or HMF derivatives and then further chemically<br />
converted to PTA. The third calculation is 3+5 where<br />
lactic acid ester combined with bio-isoprene and function<br />
group transformation to di-acids. The last, but the least<br />
pathway is 4+4=8 by combining 2 isobutene to bio-PX with<br />
cyclization and oxidation steps. Of course, the subtraction<br />
instead of addition will work such as 10-2=8 which could be<br />
achieved by chemical oxidation to bio-PTA from limonene.<br />
While so many biological and/or chemical conversions of<br />
biomass/sugars to bio-PX/PTA, the winner of this 100 %<br />
bio-PX/PTA commercialization is still unknown, while the<br />
first commercial plant is the most difficult step due to the<br />
technology uncertainty of scaling up and a huge capital<br />
expenditure (CapEx), for much smaller scale compared to<br />
current petro-based PX/PTA plants.<br />
By:<br />
Fanny Liao<br />
Senior Vice President of RD<br />
Far Eastern New Century Corporation<br />
Taiwan<br />
www.fenc.com/index_en.aspx<br />
Brand Owners<br />
Brand-Owner’s perspective<br />
on bioplastics<br />
and how to unleash its full potential<br />
new<br />
series<br />
Inspired by a panel discussion during the 10 th European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin last November, bioplastics MAGAZINE<br />
is now starting a new series, titled Brand-Owner’s perspective on bioplastics and how to unleash its full potential.<br />
Here we ask brand owners for a short statement, quasi as a message to the bioplastics industry.<br />
The series starts with Michael W. Knutzen of The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Georgia, USA:<br />
Innovation comes from inspiration, and at The Coca-Cola Company we<br />
are greatly inspired by the very people who drink our beverages.<br />
Our consumers expect us to deliver the beverages they know and love<br />
in a package that meets their needs such as convenience and safety,<br />
but also in a package that is environmentally considerate.<br />
Michael W. Knutzen,<br />
Global Program Director PlantBottle at<br />
The Coca-Cola Company<br />
PlantBottle packaging has been meeting consumer expectations<br />
since 2009. The first-ever fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle<br />
made partially from plants looks and functions just like traditional<br />
PET plastic, but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its scarce<br />
resources.<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 33
Analysis<br />
Breaking down<br />
complex assemblies<br />
By:<br />
Callum Smith<br />
Beta Analytic<br />
London, UK<br />
Upon signing the Agriculture Act of 2014, US President<br />
Barack Obama said that it was an innovation bill.<br />
Among the myriad provisions in the bill, which encourages<br />
growth in the increasingly large biobased market, was<br />
an update to the USDA BioPreferred ® program’s guidelines<br />
concerning biobased content testing for complex assemblies.<br />
What are complex assemblies?<br />
Complex assemblies are products for which the percentage<br />
biobased carbon content cannot be determined from a single<br />
radiocarbon measurement, such as bicycle saddles, blenders<br />
and automobiles. Radiocarbon ( 14 C) is abundant in biomass<br />
and absent in petrochemicals so differentiation is readily<br />
made in products, but the analytical method is size limiting,<br />
so the shape and size of complex assemblies may require<br />
precise subsampling and calculations to derive a formulated<br />
percentage biobased carbon content.<br />
Biobased testing strategies for complex<br />
assemblies<br />
Conscious of the benefits of promoting the uptake of<br />
biobased intermediate ingredients in the market, the USDA<br />
has incorporated guidelines addressing biobased content<br />
testing for products in the BioPreferred program. Due to<br />
size or shape or chemical and physical properties, complex<br />
assemblies require special procedures. This will typically<br />
involve measuring individual components and mathematically<br />
deriving a single result or sub-sampling individual components<br />
and combining them in a mass proportion of the whole for a<br />
single result. In some difficult cases, such as oil-based paints<br />
where oil may be encapsulating calcium carbonate in a way<br />
that it cannot be effectively eliminated, the product may best<br />
be analysed prior to the addition of the carbonate filler.<br />
Darden Hood, President of Beta Analytic, a senior<br />
technical author of ASTM-D6866 and advisor to CEN and<br />
ISO committees on the use of radiocarbon remarks, “for<br />
100 grams of a complex assembly consisting of three solid<br />
components A, B, and C, where 50 grams is A, 20 grams is<br />
B and 30 grams is C the strategy is quite straightforward to<br />
overcome size limitation. Subsample 5 grams of A, 2 grams<br />
of B, 3 grams of C, and combine them for one radiocarbon<br />
analysis. In more difficult cases, discussion may be required<br />
to obtain the appropriate percentage biobased carbon result<br />
while working within the specifications of the standard. All<br />
organic carbon species need to be quantitatively recovered<br />
as CO 2<br />
from the product since each component may have a<br />
unique percentage biobased carbon content. Loss of any<br />
proportion of any one them will lead to an inaccurate result;<br />
requiring complicated lab procedures for materials such<br />
as hand sanitisers and solvent mixtures of highly different<br />
volatility. In the case of complex assemblies, close discussion<br />
with the laboratory promises to yield accurate and easily<br />
communicable data better than ever before. In turn, this<br />
should help to promote the production and consumption of<br />
biobased products, signalling an exciting new phase across<br />
all of the industries involved”.<br />
www.radiocarbon.com<br />
Key components of an Accelerator Mass Spectrometry system, used<br />
for counting cosmogenic radionuclides in organic matter<br />
Fictive, not existing example: A wristwatch could consist of:<br />
50 grams of bio-based Polyamide 6.10 (the housing), 20 grams<br />
of PLA (the glass) and 30 grams of biobased polyurethane (the<br />
wristband). The clockwork inside is assumed to be metal, and<br />
doesn’t count… (Photo: Marcin Bartkowiak)<br />
34 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Drive Innovation<br />
Become a Member<br />
Join university researchers and industry members<br />
to push the boundaries of renewable resources<br />
and establish new processes and products.<br />
www.cb2.iastate.edu<br />
See us at K <strong>2016</strong><br />
October 19-26, <strong>2016</strong><br />
Düsseldorf, Germany<br />
Hall 5, Booth C07-1
Application News<br />
Foodstuff packaging<br />
The compounder and plastics distributor FKuR Kunststoff<br />
GmbH, Willich, Germany, the film manufacturer Oerlemans<br />
Plastics BV, Genderen, the Netherlands, and the specialist<br />
foodstuffs packaging distributor BK Pac AB, Kristianstad,<br />
Sweden, are closely working together on expanding the<br />
possibilities for using bio-based plastics for sustainable<br />
foodstuffs film packaging.<br />
In this transnational cooperation project, FKuR is the<br />
distributor for the Green PE from the world-leading,<br />
Brazilian biopolymer manufacturer Braskem which is used<br />
to produce the film. This 100 % recyclable, sugar cane-based<br />
polyethylene helps to reduce the environmental impact caused<br />
by greenhouse gases because using renewable raw materials<br />
binds up to 2.15 tonnes of atmospheric CO 2<br />
for each tonne of<br />
Green PE. And since the plastic is not biodegradable, this CO 2<br />
remains bound in the plastic over the entire product life cycle.<br />
In the next step, Oerlemans Plastics uses the Braskem<br />
bio-based PE supplied by FKuR in its two production sites in<br />
Genderen and Giessen in the Netherlands to produce highquality<br />
flexible films.<br />
The printed and perforated films produced from Green<br />
PE are sent to the Scandinavian distributor BK Pac, which<br />
specialises in packaging materials such as films, trays,<br />
bags, carton boxes etc. for vegetables, fruit, meat and other<br />
foodstuffs. Being a local company, BK is highly familiar with<br />
the requirements of its customers and the market and can<br />
therefore feed valuable information back into the value chain<br />
which can be used for further development and innovation.<br />
Since the introduction of the product line based on Braskem’s<br />
Green PE, the three companies have been continuously<br />
working together on extending and further developing the<br />
line with the aim of promoting this bio-based plastic as<br />
a sustainable alternative on the Scandinavian market. As<br />
Patrick Zimmermann, Marketing & Distribution Manager at<br />
FKuR Kunststoff, says: “Our successful collaboration with<br />
Oerlemans Plastics and BK Pac is typical of our continuous<br />
search for ways of increasing product sustainability by using<br />
renewable resources. It is also a model for many further<br />
possible national and multinational cooperative projects.<br />
It clearly demonstrates the potential of such projects to<br />
conserve resources and help to maintain an environmental<br />
balance while at the same time generating economic benefits<br />
along the entire value chain by using Green PE.”<br />
www.fkur-biobased.com | www.oerlemansplastics.nl<br />
| www.bkpac.se<br />
Bioplastic for furniture<br />
In JELUPLAST ® , the German company JELU-WERK<br />
presents a novel and versatile material for furniture<br />
making. Like plastic, Jeluplast can be moulded threedimensionally<br />
and offers wide scope for design, yet it<br />
possesses the positive attributes of wood. Jeluplast thus<br />
attains higher rigidity and flexural strength than plastics.<br />
In its appearance, feel and smell, the new material closely<br />
resembles wood, delivering creative design and usage<br />
opportunities for designers and the furniture industry.<br />
Due to its special properties, this versatile material is<br />
suitable both for outdoor and indoor use. Jeluplast is free<br />
from formaldehyde, chlorine, phenol, plasticisers and PVC.<br />
It can be processed, for instance, to make high-quality<br />
seating shells, decorative elements or feet for shelves<br />
and cabinets using injection moulding. By means of<br />
compression moulding, the bioplastic can be processed to<br />
produce stable boards for the substructure of upholstered<br />
furniture, for example, and for shelving, side and back walls<br />
as well as for cabinet doors. Panels and injection moulded<br />
parts from Jeluplast can be glued, bolted, dyed, coated and<br />
welded.<br />
Furniture made from Jeluplast is also suitable for<br />
damp interiors, such as bathrooms, kitchens and saunas,<br />
because it is resistant to moisture. The bioplastic’s weather<br />
resistance makes it an attractive material for outdoor<br />
applications too. It is suitable for garden furniture, exterior<br />
railings, fences, wall cladding and decking boards.<br />
Bioplastic with consistent running properties<br />
Jeluplast consists of food-safe thermoplastic and natural<br />
fibres. The proportion of natural fibres can be set individually<br />
between 50 and 70 %. Depending on the type of plastic,<br />
Jeluplast consists up to 100 % of sustainable materials.<br />
The properties of the plastic used determine whether<br />
the end product is long-lasting or biodegradable. The<br />
properties can be further adjusted by means of additives.<br />
Flame retardants can be added as well as additives that<br />
make the material more resistant to moisture.<br />
Jelu-Werk offers biocomposites based on polyethylene,<br />
polypropylene, thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactides<br />
(PLA) and other plastics. The fibres used are wood<br />
fibres and cellulose fibres. Compounding helps the WPC<br />
granulates from Jelu to achieve higher compression and to<br />
be processed better. The bioplastic has consistent running<br />
properties on the machine, facilitating a higher output.<br />
Jeluplast can be processed by injection moulding, extrusion,<br />
compression moulding, blow moulding or foaming. MT<br />
www.jelu-werk.com<br />
36 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
SUSTPACK <strong>2016</strong><br />
BUSINESS MADE SUSTAINABLE<br />
Visit us at Sustpack <strong>2016</strong><br />
Chicago, IL<br />
11 - 13 April <strong>2016</strong><br />
Renewable . Ambient Compostable Plastic . FCN Approved<br />
First 30 60 120 180<br />
30<br />
day days<br />
60<br />
days<br />
120 180<br />
days days<br />
Excellent Heat<br />
sealability<br />
Heat resistance up to<br />
100 C<br />
Runs well with<br />
LDPE machine<br />
*This test was conducted under natural condition in Bangkok, Thailand.<br />
Dreaming of naturally compostable bioplastic ? Here is the answer.<br />
BioPBS is revolutionary in bioplastic technology by excelling 30°C compostable and being essentially bio-based in accordance<br />
with OK COMPOST (EN13432), OK COMPOST HOME marks, BPI (ASTM D6400) for composting and DIN CERTCO for biobased<br />
products. It is compostable without requiring a composting facility and no adverse effects on the environment.<br />
BioPBS is available in various grades, which can be applied in a wide range of end use applications ranking from paper<br />
packaging, flexible packaging, agricultural film, and injection molding. It provides non-process changing solution to<br />
achieve better results in your manufacturing needs, retains the same material quality, and can be processed in existing<br />
machine as good as conventional material. In comparison with other bioplastics, BioPBS is excellent heat properties<br />
both heat sealability and heat resistance up to 100 °C. In addition to those benefits, it is only few compostable polymers<br />
complying with food contact of U.S.FCN NO.1574, EU 10/2011 and JHOSPA.<br />
8C084/8C085<br />
8C083<br />
BioPBS is available in various grades that conform to the following international standards for composting and biobased.<br />
For more information<br />
PTTMCC Biochem : +66 (2) 2 140 3555 / info@pttmcc.com<br />
MCPP Germany GmbH : +49 (0) 152 018 920 51 / frank.steinbrecher@mcpp-europe.com<br />
MCPP France SAS : +33 (0) 6 07 22 25 32 / fabien.resweber@mcpp-europe.com<br />
PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd. A Joint Venture Company of PTT and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation<br />
555/2 Energy Complex Tower, Building B, 14th Floor, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand<br />
T: +66 (0) 2 140 3555 I F: +66(0) 2 140 3556 I www.pttmcc.com
Application News<br />
Bio-PET Solar control<br />
window films<br />
Toray Plastics (America), Inc., the only United States<br />
manufacturer of polypropylene, polyester, metallized,<br />
and bio-based films, has developed a bio-based biaxially<br />
oriented polyester film for use in the manufacture<br />
of solar control window films for commercial and<br />
residential applications.<br />
New Lumirror brand BioView PET film is manufactured<br />
with Toray’s proprietary sustainable resin blends, which<br />
are made with approximately 30 % renewable feedstock.<br />
The new BioView bio-based film is a multi-layer structure<br />
with surface and optical qualities that are strictly controlled<br />
by Toray’s proprietary coextrusion technology. It is notable<br />
for its very low haze, excellent handling and processing<br />
characteristics, and high scratch resistance. BioView offers<br />
a performance that is equal to that of traditional solar<br />
window films during solar film manufacturing, installation,<br />
and use in technically demanding applications that require<br />
exceptional optical clarity.<br />
First PLA wine bottle<br />
Bodega Matarromera (Valladolid, Spain) has successfully<br />
completed the development of a new sustainable bottle<br />
for their wines. It is a packaging manufactured from PLA,<br />
and it is the first bottle manufactured with this<br />
material to reproduce the design of traditional<br />
glass bottles for wine, with some main<br />
advantages: it is lighter (50 grams)<br />
fully-recyclable and has a lower<br />
environmental impact<br />
in its manufacturing<br />
process.<br />
AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology<br />
Centre (Valencia,<br />
Spain), has been<br />
subcontracted by Bodega<br />
Matarromera<br />
within this project<br />
to design the new sustainable<br />
bottles, as well as<br />
the preform mould<br />
and the blowing<br />
mould to produce<br />
them. In addition,<br />
AIMPLAS has also<br />
carried out the characterisation of<br />
the new packaging<br />
that, thanks to an<br />
inner coating with<br />
silicon oxide, has<br />
proven to offer a considerable<br />
improvement of barrier properties<br />
against different gases.<br />
This project has<br />
counted on the funds<br />
of the programme EEA GRANTS, funded<br />
by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as by the<br />
Ministry of Science and Innovation from Spain through<br />
CDTI. The research is framed within the company’s<br />
commitment with environmental sustainability, what will<br />
allow a differentiation and increase of competitiveness<br />
in new markets with a high environmental awareness<br />
as well, as the Nordic countries and specifically the<br />
Scandinavian airlines. MT<br />
www.aimplas.com | www.grupomatarromera.com<br />
Toray Plastics is a major producer of traditional films,<br />
made with or without UV protection, used for solar window<br />
film applications. The company has been on the leading<br />
edge of bio-based resin technology and plans to produce<br />
polyester film to be used in the manufacture of solar<br />
control window film that is made entirely of sustainable<br />
feedstock. A patent is pending for the new film.<br />
“This is a very exciting development for window film<br />
technology and for the commercial and residential<br />
building markets,” says Milan Moscaritolo, Senior Sales<br />
and Marketing Director of the Lumirror Division. “The<br />
construction industry continues to look for innovative ways<br />
to help developers reduce energy costs. Creating a film that<br />
lessens the impact on the environment, without sacrificing<br />
solar protection performance, was the natural next step in<br />
the evolution of the technology. The BioView film represents<br />
a perfect marriage between an environment-friendly film<br />
and an energy-saving application.” KL<br />
www.toraytpa.com<br />
38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Application News<br />
Biobased sunglasses for Yokohama World Triathlon<br />
Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (MCI), headquartered in Toyko, Japan has developed<br />
MR-60, a plant-based high refractive index lens material for standard<br />
eyeglasses, by using a biomass-derived industrial isocyanate and a biomassderived<br />
polythiol as well as a non-metallic catalyst for polymerization. In 2014,<br />
MR-60 was certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a<br />
plant-derived product with a biomass of 57 %.<br />
Last year MCI was a sponsor of the World Triathlon Series Yokohama held in Yokohama, Japan, an event which aimed to<br />
“contribute to society through sports”. The event utilized the sustainability management system standard ISO 20121. In a joint<br />
development with Yokohama City MCI developed sunglasses made with MR-60 for athletes, referees and staff in the Executive<br />
Office of the Triathlon event. The sunglasses were produced in close collaboration with the SWANS program of Yamamoto<br />
Kogaku Co., Ltd., a company that has a history of designing sports products that offer comfort and performance, and Itoh<br />
Optical Industrial Co., Ltd., who have expertise in high-performance eyeglass lens manufacturing.<br />
Both companies accomplished the project in a real short period of time. Itoh Optical Industrial, who was involved in the lens<br />
development had to overcome challenges with the non-metallic catalyst being used for the lens material. However, together<br />
with Yamamoto Kogaku and Mitsui Chemicals the project could be successfully<br />
finished. Mr. Masakazu Honda of Itoh Optical Industrial said in MCI’s customer<br />
Journal MR View [1] that in addition to high functionality and high quality they were<br />
now also involved in looking at a low environmental burden.<br />
Yamamoto Kogaku has worked on numerous products in the field of sports<br />
eyewear with the brand called SWANS. Together with the other project partners,<br />
Yamamoto Kogaku also succeeded in mastering challenges such as the unknown<br />
drilling and cutting characteristics of MR-60 [1].<br />
And the article in MR View continues that the project partners learned that “those<br />
taking part in a triathlon were earnestly looking for suitable sunglasses” and “the<br />
functions required of sports sunglasses are slightly different when running or<br />
riding a bicycle.” [1]<br />
By sponsoring the event, MCI not only provided plant-based sunglasses, but also<br />
appealed to the social/ethical activities of the Do Green initiative. MCI’s support<br />
was widely praised by the people involved in the triathlon. MT<br />
[1] MR View issue No7, September 2015,<br />
http://www.mitsuichem.com/special/mr/resources/img/mrview_v07_en.pdf<br />
www.mitsuichem.com<br />
Ikea’s alternative for polystyrene<br />
Looking for eco-friendlier packaging, the Swedish furniture and retail giant Ikea has recently announced their intention to<br />
use an organic, mushroom-based packaging for its flat-pack furniture and thus to move away from polystyrene foams.<br />
Developed by New York based company Ecovative, Mushroom ® Packaging is made using mycelium, or rather mushroom<br />
roots, which functions similar to the roots of other plants. Mycelium fastens the fungus to the ground and absorbs nutrients<br />
(cf. bioplastics MAGAZINE issue 01/2014).<br />
Already known for its use as a biobased building material, mycelium is beneficial because it grows quickly into a dense<br />
material, which can then be easily moulded into custom shaped packaging.<br />
For Ikea, the lifecycle of the material also plays a role. Joanna<br />
Yarrow, head of sustainability for Ikea told the Telegraph that Ikea<br />
was looking at introducing mycelium packaging because “a lot of<br />
products come in polystyrene, traditionally, which can’t be – or is<br />
very difficult to – recycle.” While polystyrene is a non-biodegradable<br />
plastic, mycelium packaging will biodegrade naturally within a<br />
few weeks, if disposed of properly in a dedicated composting<br />
environment.<br />
Ikea confirmed it was looking at working with Ecovative, who are<br />
leaders in the field for innovating with mushroom materials. MT<br />
www.ecovativedesign.com<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 39
From Science and Research<br />
HMF from<br />
chicory salad<br />
waste<br />
800,000 tonnes: That’s how much waste in the form<br />
of chicory roots is generated during the production<br />
of chicory salad in Europe per year. Currently, after<br />
harvesting the chicory salad, the roots are disposed of<br />
in composting or biogas plants. What a waste, thought<br />
two researchers of the University of Hohenheim,<br />
Germany. Because these roots can be used to generate<br />
hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a basic material in the<br />
future plastics industry.<br />
The biennial chicory plant only spends the first five<br />
months on the fields. In mid-October the leaves are<br />
mulched and the roots are harvested, stored in a cool<br />
place, and then brought to special growing rooms.<br />
Only there will the new buds, the future chicory salad,<br />
sprout.<br />
Fig. 1: 30 % of the chicory plant can be used for making HMF<br />
(Source: Wikipedia/Rasbak)<br />
But in contrast to the food production, at the<br />
University of Hohenheim the focus lies primarily on the<br />
non-edible root. “The root makes out approximately<br />
30 % of the plant (cf. fig.1). The stored carbohydrates<br />
are not fully used for the formation of the buds and<br />
valuable reserve substances remain. However, the<br />
roots can only be used once for chicory growing and<br />
have to be thrown away after the buds are harvested”,<br />
explains agricultural biologist Dr. Judit Pfenning.<br />
Polyamides, polyester, or plastic bottles<br />
Prof. Andrea Kruse, of the Institute for Agricultural<br />
Engineering at Univ. Hohenheim explains what they<br />
do: “On the rack in figure 2 you can see pencil-sized<br />
stainless steel tube reactors. These are filled with<br />
chopped chicory roots and water. After adding diluted<br />
acid into the ultra-stable pressure container, it is heated<br />
up to a temperature of 200 °C.” This results in a watery<br />
product which is then processed in further proprietary<br />
steps to produce unpurified hydroxymethylfurfural<br />
(HMF) in the form of yellow-brown crystalline powder.<br />
This is a precursor to form furandicarboxylic acid<br />
(FDCA), identified by the US Department of Energy (DoE)<br />
as one of the 12 most important platform chemicals.<br />
FDCA serves as a raw material for polyamides (e. g.<br />
for nylon stockings), for polyesters, polyurethanes or –<br />
more concrete – to make PEF (polyethylene furanoate).<br />
PEF can for example be used for the production of<br />
bottles, as a biobased alternative to PET.<br />
Chicory-made HMF as part of bioeconomy<br />
As part of a previous research project Kruse already<br />
found a way to extract the basic chemical HMF from<br />
fructose. However, she is of the opinion that chicory<br />
roots as a source are more elegant. After all: “Fructose<br />
40 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
From Science and Research<br />
is edible. There are better uses for<br />
it than extracting HMF.” This is not<br />
the case for chicory roots. “Until<br />
now, they were waste.”<br />
The challenge: storage and<br />
quality of the roots<br />
The project poses a challenge:<br />
“The root is only of interest for<br />
the industry if we can guarantee<br />
permanent quality,” explains Prof.<br />
Kruse.<br />
To this end, the technical<br />
chemist cooperates with the<br />
plant scientist Judit Pfenning<br />
from the Department of General<br />
Crop Farming. “In general, the<br />
conditions are very good,” explains<br />
Pfenning, “because the consumer<br />
who wants to eat the chicory<br />
also has very high and consistent<br />
quality expectations. That is why<br />
only roots of very high quality are<br />
transferred from the fields into<br />
the commercial growing rooms<br />
operating with water-forcing<br />
techniques.”<br />
Another research aspect: How<br />
the roots can be stored without<br />
going bad. The problem is that<br />
chicory is a seasonal business.<br />
However, suppliers of the chemical<br />
industry want permanent<br />
deliveries in order to be able to<br />
constantly use their plants.<br />
“This project can only be carried<br />
out through interdisciplinary<br />
cooperation,” emphasize the<br />
scientists. One the one hand the<br />
project includes quality control,<br />
growing trials, and storage<br />
experiments, and on the other<br />
hand laboratory experiments and<br />
conversion technology. MT<br />
www.uni-hohenheim.de<br />
Fig. 2: Chicory waste can be used as a source for different plastics,<br />
e. g. nylon or PEF for bottles (Photo: Univ. Hohenheim)<br />
Fig. 3: Chicory is harvested from special growing rooms.<br />
(Source: Wikipedia/slick)<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 41
Basics<br />
Bioplastics packaging:<br />
design for a circular<br />
plastics economy<br />
By:<br />
Hasso von Pogrell<br />
Managing Director<br />
European Bioplastics<br />
Berlin, Germany<br />
Applying the principles of a circular economy from<br />
the onset to the design stage of bioplastic materials<br />
and packaging solutions offers a competitive edge<br />
for the bioplastics industry. Today, packaging is the single<br />
largest field of application for bioplastics with currently<br />
70 % (1.2 million tonnes) of the global bioplastics production<br />
capacity, forecast to reach 80 % (6.5 million tonnes) in<br />
2019. The increase in demand is mainly driven by a growing<br />
awareness of society’s impact on the environment as well<br />
as the continuous advancements and innovations in new<br />
materials and applications. Yet, their true value lies in their<br />
characteristic of being derived from renewable resources<br />
and being recyclable as secondary raw materials that reenter<br />
the circular economy by design.<br />
Renewable feedstock<br />
Biobased plastics have the unique advantage over<br />
conventional plastics to reduce the dependency on<br />
limited fossil resources and to reduce greenhouse gas<br />
emissions or even be carbon neutral. Biobased plastics<br />
are partly or fully derived from biobased resources that<br />
are sustainably sourced and regrow on an annual basis,<br />
such as sugarcane, corn, or sugar beet. Moreover, first<br />
successful projects explore the possibilities to create<br />
bioplastics from non-food crops and waste products that<br />
promise to become an efficient resource in the mid- and<br />
long-term. By replacing the fossil content in plastics with<br />
plant-based content, carbon is taken from the atmosphere<br />
and bound in the material. These biobased materials are<br />
then used to manufacture a broad range of products with a<br />
potentially neutral or even negative carbon footprint, many<br />
of which are durable and can be reused or easily recycled<br />
many times. Consequently, biobased plastics can help the<br />
EU to meet its 2<strong>02</strong>0 targets of greenhouse gas emissions<br />
reduction.<br />
Closed resource cycle<br />
Bioplastics can make a considerable contribution to<br />
increased resource efficiency through a closed resource<br />
cycle and use cascades, especially if biobased materials<br />
and products are being either reused or recycled and<br />
eventually used for energy recovery (i.e. renewable<br />
energy). Bioplastics are suitable for a broad range of endof-life<br />
options with the overwhelming part of the volumes<br />
of bioplastics produced today already being recycled<br />
alongside their conventional counterparts where separate<br />
recycling streams for certain material types exist (e.g.<br />
biobased PE in the PE-stream or biobased PET in the<br />
PET stream). Furthermore, compostability is an add-on<br />
property of certain types of bioplastics that offers additional<br />
waste treatment options at the end of a product’s life.<br />
Biodegradable products, such as compostable biowaste<br />
bags, food packaging, or cutlery can easily be treated<br />
together with organic waste in industrial composting<br />
plants and are thus diverted from landfills and turned into<br />
valuable compost. This way, bioplastics can contribute to<br />
higher recycling quotas in the EU, a more efficient waste<br />
management, and the transition to a circular economy.<br />
Improved product performance<br />
The bioplastics industry has come up with numerous<br />
innovative technical and material solutions. Besides being<br />
biobased and therefore reducing the carbon footprint<br />
of a product, biobased plastics also offer new material<br />
properties for an improved performance, including<br />
enhanced breathability, increased material strength, and<br />
improved optical properties. Some new materials offer<br />
multiple functionalities combined in one material, such as<br />
PBS-based materials or functional biodegradable coating<br />
materials for example, where only one film will be needed<br />
to protect the good or food.<br />
Bioplastics are essential for the transition to a<br />
circular economy<br />
Our industry strongly supports the principles of the<br />
European Commission’s Circular Economy Proposal, which<br />
for the first time links the bioeconomy and circular economy,<br />
and which aims to treat waste as a valuable resource and<br />
make Europe’s economy cleaner and more competitive.<br />
The proposal outlines measures to cut resource use,<br />
reduce waste, and to enable true circularity across Europe<br />
by setting clear measures, methodologies, and standards.<br />
The European Commission’s Action plan ‘Closing the loop<br />
– An EU action plan for the Circular Economy’ in particular<br />
aims to incentivise the production of more durable, easier<br />
to repair, reuse, and recycle products. A corresponding<br />
revision of the Ecodesign Directive is already underway<br />
and a proposal is soon to be expected. In this context,<br />
European Bioplastics supports the position of the Ellen<br />
MacArthur foundation and the World Economy Forum in<br />
their report on the ‘New Plastics Economy’, which states<br />
that recyclability alone is not sufficient enough to create<br />
circularity and resource efficient products. Ecodesign<br />
requirements should also take efficient use of feedstock<br />
and efficient waste management solutions into account.<br />
True ecodesign is only possible if the notion of circularity<br />
is implemented. Focussing only on recyclability falls short<br />
of what it desired to achieve. Given the still too high quota<br />
of landfilling in the EU and the comparatively low quota of<br />
recycling, there is an urgent need for a more comprehensive<br />
approach to the problem: In order to provide an incentive<br />
to drastically reduce waste, while at the same time support<br />
renewable energy (e.g. biogas) and increase secondary raw<br />
42 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Basics<br />
materials (i.e. compost), separate waste<br />
collection has to become binding for all<br />
EU Member States as soon as possible,<br />
including and in particular separate<br />
biowaste collection. Secondly, we need<br />
legal measures to reduce and eventually<br />
phase-out landfill, the earlier the better.<br />
The European Commission’s Circular<br />
Economy Proposal addresses all stages<br />
of the product life cycle and a range of<br />
responsible economic sectors, including<br />
product design. Yet, in order to be able<br />
to harness the many benefits of the<br />
‘design for circularity’ it is essential to<br />
acknowledge the contributions of biobased<br />
materials to the circular economy by<br />
promoting biobased and biodegradable<br />
packaging and facilitating a level playing<br />
field and equal access for all sectors using<br />
biomass. Secondly, we need to drastically<br />
improve the waste collection infrastructure<br />
across Europe and to get better at diverting<br />
valuable material streams away from<br />
landfills.<br />
www.european-bioplastics.org<br />
Life cycle of bioplastics (EUBP)<br />
BIO MEETS<br />
PLASTICS.<br />
The specialists in plastic recycling systems.<br />
An outstanding technology for recycling both<br />
bioplastics and conventional polymers<br />
CHOOSE THE NUMBER ONE.<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 43
Basics<br />
Design for recyclability<br />
By Michael Thielen<br />
Plastic recycling not only plays a vital role in increasing<br />
resource efficiency, it is essential for the transition to a<br />
circular economy. While reduce and reuse obviously take<br />
priority over recycling in the waste hierarchy, recycling is the<br />
next preferred option to be pursued. Ideally, plastics should<br />
be mechanically recycled as often as is feasible prior to their<br />
“final” recycling in the form of incineration (waste-to-energy<br />
recycling) or – where possible – composting or anaerobic digestion<br />
(biological recycling). Mechanical recycling refers to<br />
the various mechanical processes – including grinding or<br />
milling and subsequent melting – used to recover waste plastics<br />
and ultimately to produce regranulate from which new<br />
products can be injection moulded, extruded, thermoformed,<br />
blow moulded or otherwise produced. However, it is fair to say<br />
that the recyclability of any product is to a very large extent<br />
dictated by the way the product is designed. Design decisions,<br />
such as materials selection, the methods of assembly, labeling<br />
techniques, decorating techniques, and the like, all have<br />
a very significant influence on the ability to recycle a product<br />
or its constituent materials [1].<br />
All plastic products<br />
Regardless of whether a plastic product is made from<br />
conventional plastics or from biobased and/or biodegradable<br />
plastics, there are a number of factors to be considered with<br />
regard to recyclability.<br />
Standard material identification: A variety of different<br />
material marking systems<br />
are used to identify the<br />
material from which a<br />
plastic item or component<br />
is manufactured. [1]<br />
Thermoplastics are the materials of choice, since only<br />
this group of plastics can be mechanically recycled without<br />
significant changes occurring in the properties of the materials.<br />
However, depending on the specific type of thermoplastic, the<br />
properties of these plastics can also undergo changes, both<br />
major and minor, over successive recycling loops (changes<br />
in molecular weight distribution, chemical structure, color,<br />
additive effectiveness, etc.). [1]<br />
Minimize the number of components and minimize the<br />
variety of used materials: Use snap fits (e.g. for CD jewel<br />
cases) and living hinges (e.g. for shower gel caps). If a second<br />
material is needed, for example for multi-shot mouldings, try<br />
to choose two materials that can be recycled together (e.g.<br />
PC, PBT and ABS) or that all can be biodegraded (such as PLA<br />
and PBAT). [1]<br />
Avoid the use of colour pigments or use the smallest<br />
possible amount, as these will subsequently not be able to<br />
be removed from a compound. “The fewer pigments you<br />
use, the lighter the colour of the recyclate will be and thus<br />
the broader the range of potential future applications,” says<br />
Michael Scriba, general manager of recycling company mtm<br />
(Niedergebra, Germany), in the recent issue of K-Profi [2]. “If<br />
pigments must be used, use light colours,” he adds. He also<br />
noted that fillers, such as chalk, may not be beneficial for a<br />
recycling process, as they modify the density of a material and<br />
hinder a gravimetric separation of plastics [2].<br />
Another important topic are labels. Paper labels and<br />
glues should be avoided. “Plastic/glue/paper combinations<br />
are difficult to separate,” says Scriba. “During the washing<br />
process, the paper absorbs water, the fibres clump together<br />
and lead to high temperature development in the extrusion<br />
process which can then lead to undesired odor and stains in<br />
the recyclate” [2]. Hence in-mould labeling, with plastic labels<br />
made from the same plastic as the labelled product itself, are<br />
to be preferred.<br />
Design for easy disassembly is recommended for multicomponent<br />
products, for example by means of snap fits or<br />
screws. Again: use recycling friendly labels and attachments.<br />
Avoid coatings and glues [1].<br />
Biodegradable plastics<br />
All of the aspects mentioned above certainly also apply in<br />
respect of biodegradable plastics. Many biodegradable plastics<br />
can be mechanically recycled. The most important additional<br />
aspect is that all components (e. g. all layers of a multilayer<br />
laminate or coextruded product) must be biodegradable.<br />
Make sure that colour masterbatches (pigments and carrier)<br />
are biodegradable, as well. The same is true for labels and<br />
glues.<br />
Biobased plastics<br />
The above mentioned recommendations also hold true with<br />
regard to biobased plastics. After they have undergone as<br />
many as possible mechanical recycling cycles, the preferred<br />
end-of-life solution for these plastics is incineration [3]. In a<br />
well-managed waste-to-energy incineration plant, biobased<br />
plastics are a kind of a renewable energy source.<br />
And finally, exactly the same technical, logistical and<br />
economic conditions for mechanical recycling apply in the<br />
case of bioplastics as for conventional plastics. Basically,<br />
all bioplastics can be technically identified and separated<br />
from the waste stream. This means that the volume of a<br />
particular type of plastic in the waste plastics determines<br />
whether separation is economical or not. From the point of<br />
view of waste logistics, therefore, separability is not the issue<br />
– the bottleneck is the fact that the amounts of bioplastics<br />
are simply too small for recycling to offer an economically<br />
profitable option [3, 4].<br />
[1] Bonten, C.: personal consultation, Feb <strong>2016</strong><br />
[2] Regel, K.: “Verpackungen brauchen ein recyclingfreundliches Design”,<br />
K-Profi, 1-2/<strong>2016</strong>, pp20<br />
[3] Endres, H.-J.: personal consultation, March <strong>2016</strong><br />
[4] Bellusova, D., Endres H.-J.: Mechanisches Recycling und Stabilisierung<br />
von Biokunststoffen, VDI Technikforum „Einsatz und Verarbeitung von<br />
Biokunststoffen“, Berlin, 30.09. - 01.10.2015<br />
44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Published in bioplastics MAGAZINE<br />
10 YEARS AGO<br />
new<br />
series<br />
10 years ago<br />
In March <strong>2016</strong>, Dr. Harald Kaeb says:<br />
“I chaired and managed the association from 1999 to 2009, during a period of strong growth<br />
and fundamental changes. It turned into a multi-sectorial international business organisation,<br />
covering biodegegradable, compostable and non-biodegradable durable plastics and products.<br />
We started media work and advocacy, everything grew like sugarcane. It was very exciting.”<br />
News<br />
<strong>2016</strong><br />
The industrial platform for bioplastics and biodegradable polymers,<br />
IBAW, has re-named itself to become “European Bioplastics”. The new<br />
name expresses the geographic focus of its work and the emphasis<br />
placed on the role of renewable raw materials in production of plastics<br />
with regard to sustainable development and innovation. The members<br />
of IBAW have decided with a very large majority on the new name and<br />
have developed new statutes to prepare the organisation for the future.<br />
Dr. Harald Kaeb<br />
Chairman of European Bioplastics<br />
IBAW industry<br />
association becomes<br />
European Bioplastics<br />
Since its foundation in 1993, the association has undergone dynamic<br />
development. Founded as an industrial working group to define compostability<br />
and biodegradability of plastics, IBAW developed into body<br />
representing the interests of the bioplastics and biodegradable polymers<br />
industry. The association comprises today companies from different<br />
sectors: agricultural feedstock companies, producers of polymer<br />
building blocks and plastics additives, plastics<br />
producers and converters, industrial end users, as<br />
well as service providers in the form of consulting,<br />
research and waste management companies. The<br />
number of member companies has increased from<br />
35 to 56 within the past 18 months.<br />
As a multi-sector association, European Bioplastics<br />
represents all issues within the product life cycle<br />
– from the cradle to the grave or even back to the<br />
cradle. All types of applications are covered. The association<br />
will deal not only with biodegradable polymer products, that<br />
comply with the EN 13432 standard, but also with those that are nonbiodegradable<br />
but based on renewable raw materials.<br />
The mission of the association is to support and promote<br />
- the growth and use of renewable raw materials in products and applications<br />
- innovation leading to lower environmental impact of durable and<br />
non-durable plastic products<br />
- independent third party certification and product labelling based on<br />
the EN 13432 standard, if biodegradability and compostability are<br />
claimed<br />
- separate collection of organic waste including compostable products,<br />
and composting<br />
- the identification and evaluation of other eco-efficient end-of-life options<br />
European Bioplastics will support the market introduction of renewable<br />
and biodegradable polymer products. This includes establishment<br />
of proper framework conditions and the communication of reliable upto-date<br />
information. On June 19 the association will introduce itself<br />
in Brussels, in November it will organise a two-day conference at the<br />
same location. More information is to be found on its website.<br />
www.european-bioplastics.org<br />
8 bioplastics [06/01] Vol. 1<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 45
Basics<br />
Glossary 4.2 last update issue <strong>02</strong>/<strong>2016</strong><br />
In bioplastics MAGAZINE again and again<br />
the same expressions appear that some of our readers<br />
might not (yet) be familiar with. This glossary shall help<br />
with these terms and shall help avoid repeated explanations<br />
such as PLA (Polylactide) in various articles.<br />
Bioplastics (as defined by European Bioplastics<br />
e.V.) is a term used to define two different<br />
kinds of plastics:<br />
a. Plastics based on → renewable resources<br />
(the focus is the origin of the raw material<br />
used). These can be biodegradable or not.<br />
b. → Biodegradable and → compostable<br />
plastics according to EN13432 or similar<br />
standards (the focus is the compostability of<br />
the final product; biodegradable and compostable<br />
plastics can be based on renewable<br />
(biobased) and/or non-renewable (fossil) resources).<br />
Bioplastics may be<br />
- based on renewable resources and biodegradable;<br />
- based on renewable resources but not be<br />
biodegradable; and<br />
- based on fossil resources and biodegradable.<br />
1 st Generation feedstock | Carbohydrate rich<br />
plants such as corn or sugar cane that can<br />
also be used as food or animal feed are called<br />
food crops or 1 st generation feedstock. Bred<br />
my mankind over centuries for highest energy<br />
efficiency, currently, 1 st generation feedstock<br />
is the most efficient feedstock for the production<br />
of bioplastics as it requires the least<br />
amount of land to grow and produce the highest<br />
yields. [bM 04/09]<br />
2 nd Generation feedstock | refers to feedstock<br />
not suitable for food or feed. It can be either<br />
non-food crops (e.g. cellulose) or waste materials<br />
from 1 st generation feedstock (e.g.<br />
waste vegetable oil). [bM 06/11]<br />
3 rd Generation feedstock | This term currently<br />
relates to biomass from algae, which – having<br />
a higher growth yield than 1 st and 2 nd generation<br />
feedstock – were given their own category.<br />
It also relates to bioplastics from waste<br />
streams such as CO 2<br />
or methane [bM <strong>02</strong>/16]<br />
Aerobic digestion | Aerobic means in the<br />
presence of oxygen. In →composting, which is<br />
an aerobic process, →microorganisms access<br />
the present oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere.<br />
They metabolize the organic material<br />
to energy, CO 2<br />
, water and cell biomass,<br />
whereby part of the energy of the organic material<br />
is released as heat. [bM 03/07, bM <strong>02</strong>/09]<br />
Since this Glossary will not be printed<br />
in each issue you can download a pdf version<br />
from our website (bit.ly/OunBB0)<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE is grateful to European Bioplastics for the permission to use parts of their Glossary.<br />
Version 4.0 was revised using EuBP’s latest version (Jan 2015).<br />
[*: bM ... refers to more comprehensive article previously published in bioplastics MAGAZINE)<br />
Anaerobic digestion | In anaerobic digestion,<br />
organic matter is degraded by a microbial<br />
population in the absence of oxygen<br />
and producing methane and carbon dioxide<br />
(= →biogas) and a solid residue that can be<br />
composted in a subsequent step without<br />
practically releasing any heat. The biogas can<br />
be treated in a Combined Heat and Power<br />
Plant (CHP), producing electricity and heat, or<br />
can be upgraded to bio-methane [14] [bM 06/09]<br />
Amorphous | non-crystalline, glassy with unordered<br />
lattice<br />
Amylopectin | Polymeric branched starch<br />
molecule with very high molecular weight<br />
(biopolymer, monomer is →Glucose) [bM 05/09]<br />
Amylose | Polymeric non-branched starch<br />
molecule with high molecular weight (biopolymer,<br />
monomer is →Glucose) [bM 05/09]<br />
Biobased | The term biobased describes the<br />
part of a material or product that is stemming<br />
from →biomass. When making a biobasedclaim,<br />
the unit (→biobased carbon content,<br />
→biobased mass content), a percentage and<br />
the measuring method should be clearly stated [1]<br />
Biobased carbon | carbon contained in or<br />
stemming from →biomass. A material or<br />
product made of fossil and →renewable resources<br />
contains fossil and →biobased carbon.<br />
The biobased carbon content is measured via<br />
the 14 C method (radio carbon dating method)<br />
that adheres to the technical specifications as<br />
described in [1,4,5,6].<br />
Biobased labels | The fact that (and to<br />
what percentage) a product or a material is<br />
→biobased can be indicated by respective<br />
labels. Ideally, meaningful labels should be<br />
based on harmonised standards and a corresponding<br />
certification process by independent<br />
third party institutions. For the property<br />
biobased such labels are in place by certifiers<br />
→DIN CERTCO and →Vinçotte who both base<br />
their certifications on the technical specification<br />
as described in [4,5]<br />
A certification and corresponding label depicting<br />
the biobased mass content was developed<br />
by the French Association Chimie du Végétal<br />
[ACDV].<br />
Biobased mass content | describes the<br />
amount of biobased mass contained in a material<br />
or product. This method is complementary<br />
to the 14 C method, and furthermore, takes<br />
other chemical elements besides the biobased<br />
carbon into account, such as oxygen, nitrogen<br />
and hydrogen. A measuring method has<br />
been developed and tested by the Association<br />
Chimie du Végétal (ACDV) [1]<br />
Biobased plastic | A plastic in which constitutional<br />
units are totally or partly from →<br />
biomass [3]. If this claim is used, a percentage<br />
should always be given to which extent<br />
the product/material is → biobased [1]<br />
[bM 01/07, bM 03/10]<br />
Biodegradable Plastics | Biodegradable Plastics<br />
are plastics that are completely assimilated<br />
by the → microorganisms present a defined<br />
environment as food for their energy. The<br />
carbon of the plastic must completely be converted<br />
into CO 2<br />
during the microbial process.<br />
The process of biodegradation depends on<br />
the environmental conditions, which influence<br />
it (e.g. location, temperature, humidity) and<br />
on the material or application itself. Consequently,<br />
the process and its outcome can vary<br />
considerably. Biodegradability is linked to the<br />
structure of the polymer chain; it does not depend<br />
on the origin of the raw materials.<br />
There is currently no single, overarching standard<br />
to back up claims about biodegradability.<br />
One standard for example is ISO or in Europe:<br />
EN 14995 Plastics- Evaluation of compostability<br />
- Test scheme and specifications<br />
[bM <strong>02</strong>/06, bM 01/07]<br />
Biogas | → Anaerobic digestion<br />
Biomass | Material of biological origin excluding<br />
material embedded in geological formations<br />
and material transformed to fossilised<br />
material. This includes organic material, e.g.<br />
trees, crops, grasses, tree litter, algae and<br />
waste of biological origin, e.g. manure [1, 2]<br />
Biorefinery | the co-production of a spectrum<br />
of bio-based products (food, feed, materials,<br />
chemicals including monomers or building<br />
blocks for bioplastics) and energy (fuels, power,<br />
heat) from biomass.[bM <strong>02</strong>/13]<br />
Blend | Mixture of plastics, polymer alloy of at<br />
least two microscopically dispersed and molecularly<br />
distributed base polymers<br />
Bisphenol-A (BPA) | Monomer used to produce<br />
different polymers. BPA is said to cause<br />
health problems, due to the fact that is behaves<br />
like a hormone. Therefore it is banned<br />
for use in children’s products in many countries.<br />
BPI | Biodegradable Products Institute, a notfor-profit<br />
association. Through their innovative<br />
compostable label program, BPI educates<br />
manufacturers, legislators and consumers<br />
about the importance of scientifically based<br />
standards for compostable materials which<br />
biodegrade in large composting facilities.<br />
Carbon footprint | (CFPs resp. PCFs – Product<br />
Carbon Footprint): Sum of →greenhouse<br />
gas emissions and removals in a product system,<br />
expressed as CO 2<br />
equivalent, and based<br />
on a →life cycle assessment. The CO 2<br />
equivalent<br />
of a specific amount of a greenhouse gas<br />
is calculated as the mass of a given greenhouse<br />
gas multiplied by its →global warmingpotential<br />
[1,2,15]<br />
46 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Basics<br />
Carbon neutral, CO 2<br />
neutral | describes a<br />
product or process that has a negligible impact<br />
on total atmospheric CO 2<br />
levels. For<br />
example, carbon neutrality means that any<br />
CO 2<br />
released when a plant decomposes or<br />
is burnt is offset by an equal amount of CO 2<br />
absorbed by the plant through photosynthesis<br />
when it is growing.<br />
Carbon neutrality can also be achieved<br />
through buying sufficient carbon credits to<br />
make up the difference. The latter option is<br />
not allowed when communicating → LCAs<br />
or carbon footprints regarding a material or<br />
product [1, 2].<br />
Carbon-neutral claims are tricky as products<br />
will not in most cases reach carbon neutrality<br />
if their complete life cycle is taken into consideration<br />
(including the end-of life).<br />
If an assessment of a material, however, is<br />
conducted (cradle to gate), carbon neutrality<br />
might be a valid claim in a B2B context. In this<br />
case, the unit assessed in the complete life<br />
cycle has to be clarified [1]<br />
Cascade use | of →renewable resources means<br />
to first use the →biomass to produce biobased<br />
industrial products and afterwards – due to<br />
their favourable energy balance – use them<br />
for energy generation (e.g. from a biobased<br />
plastic product to →biogas production). The<br />
feedstock is used efficiently and value generation<br />
increases decisively.<br />
Catalyst | substance that enables and accelerates<br />
a chemical reaction<br />
Cellophane | Clear film on the basis of →cellulose<br />
[bM 01/10]<br />
Cellulose | Cellulose is the principal component<br />
of cell walls in all higher forms of plant<br />
life, at varying percentages. It is therefore the<br />
most common organic compound and also<br />
the most common polysaccharide (multisugar)<br />
[11]. Cellulose is a polymeric molecule<br />
with very high molecular weight (monomer is<br />
→Glucose), industrial production from wood<br />
or cotton, to manufacture paper, plastics and<br />
fibres [bM 01/10]<br />
Cellulose ester | Cellulose esters occur by<br />
the esterification of cellulose with organic<br />
acids. The most important cellulose esters<br />
from a technical point of view are cellulose<br />
acetate (CA with acetic acid), cellulose propionate<br />
(CP with propionic acid) and cellulose<br />
butyrate (CB with butanoic acid). Mixed polymerisates,<br />
such as cellulose acetate propionate<br />
(CAP) can also be formed. One of the most<br />
well-known applications of cellulose aceto<br />
butyrate (CAB) is the moulded handle on the<br />
Swiss army knife [11]<br />
Cellulose acetate CA | → Cellulose ester<br />
CEN | Comité Européen de Normalisation<br />
(European organisation for standardization)<br />
Certification | is a process in which materials/products<br />
undergo a string of (laboratory)<br />
tests in order to verify that the fulfil certain<br />
requirements. Sound certification systems<br />
should be based on (ideally harmonised) European<br />
standards or technical specifications<br />
(e.g. by →CEN, USDA, ASTM, etc.) and be<br />
performed by independent third party laboratories.<br />
Successful certification guarantees<br />
a high product safety - also on this basis interconnected<br />
labels can be awarded that help<br />
the consumer to make an informed decision.<br />
Compost | A soil conditioning material of decomposing<br />
organic matter which provides nutrients<br />
and enhances soil structure.<br />
[bM 06/08, <strong>02</strong>/09]<br />
Compostable Plastics | Plastics that are<br />
→ biodegradable under →composting conditions:<br />
specified humidity, temperature,<br />
→ microorganisms and timeframe. In order<br />
to make accurate and specific claims about<br />
compostability, the location (home, → industrial)<br />
and timeframe need to be specified [1].<br />
Several national and international standards<br />
exist for clearer definitions, for example EN<br />
14995 Plastics - Evaluation of compostability -<br />
Test scheme and specifications. [bM <strong>02</strong>/06, bM 01/07]<br />
Composting | is the controlled →aerobic, or<br />
oxygen-requiring, decomposition of organic<br />
materials by →microorganisms, under controlled<br />
conditions. It reduces the volume and<br />
mass of the raw materials while transforming<br />
them into CO 2<br />
, water and a valuable soil conditioner<br />
– compost.<br />
When talking about composting of bioplastics,<br />
foremost →industrial composting in a<br />
managed composting facility is meant (criteria<br />
defined in EN 13432).<br />
The main difference between industrial and<br />
home composting is, that in industrial composting<br />
facilities temperatures are much<br />
higher and kept stable, whereas in the composting<br />
pile temperatures are usually lower,<br />
and less constant as depending on factors<br />
such as weather conditions. Home composting<br />
is a way slower-paced process than<br />
industrial composting. Also a comparatively<br />
smaller volume of waste is involved. [bM 03/07]<br />
Compound | plastic mixture from different<br />
raw materials (polymer and additives) [bM 04/10)<br />
Copolymer | Plastic composed of different<br />
monomers.<br />
Cradle-to-Gate | Describes the system<br />
boundaries of an environmental →Life Cycle<br />
Assessment (LCA) which covers all activities<br />
from the cradle (i.e., the extraction of raw materials,<br />
agricultural activities and forestry) up<br />
to the factory gate<br />
Cradle-to-Cradle | (sometimes abbreviated<br />
as C2C): Is an expression which communicates<br />
the concept of a closed-cycle economy,<br />
in which waste is used as raw material<br />
(‘waste equals food’). Cradle-to-Cradle is not<br />
a term that is typically used in →LCA studies.<br />
Cradle-to-Grave | Describes the system<br />
boundaries of a full →Life Cycle Assessment<br />
from manufacture (cradle) to use phase and<br />
disposal phase (grave).<br />
Crystalline | Plastic with regularly arranged<br />
molecules in a lattice structure<br />
Density | Quotient from mass and volume of<br />
a material, also referred to as specific weight<br />
DIN | Deutsches Institut für Normung (German<br />
organisation for standardization)<br />
DIN-CERTCO | independant certifying organisation<br />
for the assessment on the conformity<br />
of bioplastics<br />
Dispersing | fine distribution of non-miscible<br />
liquids into a homogeneous, stable mixture<br />
Drop-In bioplastics | chemically indentical<br />
to conventional petroleum based plastics,<br />
but made from renewable resources. Examples<br />
are bio-PE made from bio-ethanol (from<br />
e.g. sugar cane) or partly biobased PET; the<br />
monoethylene glykol made from bio-ethanol<br />
(from e.g. sugar cane). Developments to<br />
make terephthalic acid from renewable resources<br />
are under way. Other examples are<br />
polyamides (partly biobased e.g. PA 4.10 or PA<br />
6.10 or fully biobased like PA 5.10 or PA10.10)<br />
EN 13432 | European standard for the assessment<br />
of the → compostability of plastic<br />
packaging products<br />
Energy recovery | recovery and exploitation<br />
of the energy potential in (plastic) waste for<br />
the production of electricity or heat in waste<br />
incineration pants (waste-to-energy)<br />
Environmental claim | A statement, symbol<br />
or graphic that indicates one or more environmental<br />
aspect(s) of a product, a component,<br />
packaging or a service. [16]<br />
Enzymes | proteins that catalyze chemical<br />
reactions<br />
Enzyme-mediated plastics | are no →bioplastics.<br />
Instead, a conventional non-biodegradable<br />
plastic (e.g. fossil-based PE) is enriched<br />
with small amounts of an organic additive.<br />
Microorganisms are supposed to consume<br />
these additives and the degradation process<br />
should then expand to the non-biodegradable<br />
PE and thus make the material degrade. After<br />
some time the plastic is supposed to visually<br />
disappear and to be completely converted to<br />
carbon dioxide and water. This is a theoretical<br />
concept which has not been backed up by<br />
any verifiable proof so far. Producers promote<br />
enzyme-mediated plastics as a solution to littering.<br />
As no proof for the degradation process<br />
has been provided, environmental beneficial<br />
effects are highly questionable.<br />
Ethylene | colour- and odourless gas, made<br />
e.g. from, Naphtha (petroleum) by cracking or<br />
from bio-ethanol by dehydration, monomer of<br />
the polymer polyethylene (PE)<br />
European Bioplastics e.V. | The industry association<br />
representing the interests of Europe’s<br />
thriving bioplastics’ industry. Founded<br />
in Germany in 1993 as IBAW, European<br />
Bioplastics today represents the interests<br />
of about 50 member companies throughout<br />
the European Union and worldwide. With<br />
members from the agricultural feedstock,<br />
chemical and plastics industries, as well as<br />
industrial users and recycling companies, European<br />
Bioplastics serves as both a contact<br />
platform and catalyst for advancing the aims<br />
of the growing bioplastics industry.<br />
Extrusion | process used to create plastic<br />
profiles (or sheet) of a fixed cross-section<br />
consisting of mixing, melting, homogenising<br />
and shaping of the plastic.<br />
FDCA | 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, an intermediate<br />
chemical produced from 5-HMF.<br />
The dicarboxylic acid can be used to make →<br />
PEF = polyethylene furanoate, a polyester that<br />
could be a 100% biobased alternative to PET.<br />
Fermentation | Biochemical reactions controlled<br />
by → microorganisms or → enyzmes (e.g.<br />
the transformation of sugar into lactic acid).<br />
FSC | Forest Stewardship Council. FSC is an<br />
independent, non-governmental, not-forprofit<br />
organization established to promote the<br />
responsible and sustainable management of<br />
the world’s forests.<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 47
Basics<br />
Gelatine | Translucent brittle solid substance,<br />
colorless or slightly yellow, nearly tasteless<br />
and odorless, extracted from the collagen inside<br />
animals‘ connective tissue.<br />
Genetically modified organism (GMO) | Organisms,<br />
such as plants and animals, whose<br />
genetic material (DNA) has been altered<br />
are called genetically modified organisms<br />
(GMOs). Food and feed which contain or<br />
consist of such GMOs, or are produced from<br />
GMOs, are called genetically modified (GM)<br />
food or feed [1]. If GM crops are used in bioplastics<br />
production, the multiple-stage processing<br />
and the high heat used to create the<br />
polymer removes all traces of genetic material.<br />
This means that the final bioplastics product<br />
contains no genetic traces. The resulting<br />
bioplastics is therefore well suited to use in<br />
food packaging as it contains no genetically<br />
modified material and cannot interact with<br />
the contents.<br />
Global Warming | Global warming is the rise<br />
in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere<br />
and oceans since the late 19th century<br />
and its projected continuation [8]. Global<br />
warming is said to be accelerated by → green<br />
house gases.<br />
Glucose | Monosaccharide (or simple sugar).<br />
G. is the most important carbohydrate (sugar)<br />
in biology. G. is formed by photosynthesis or<br />
hydrolyse of many carbohydrates e. g. starch.<br />
Greenhouse gas GHG | Gaseous constituent<br />
of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic,<br />
that absorbs and emits radiation at<br />
specific wavelengths within the spectrum of<br />
infrared radiation emitted by the earth’s surface,<br />
the atmosphere, and clouds [1, 9]<br />
Greenwashing | The act of misleading consumers<br />
regarding the environmental practices<br />
of a company, or the environmental benefits<br />
of a product or service [1, 10]<br />
Granulate, granules | small plastic particles<br />
(3-4 millimetres), a form in which plastic is<br />
sold and fed into machines, easy to handle<br />
and dose.<br />
HMF (5-HMF) | 5-hydroxymethylfurfural is an<br />
organic compound derived from sugar dehydration.<br />
It is a platform chemical, a building<br />
block for 20 performance polymers and over<br />
175 different chemical substances. The molecule<br />
consists of a furan ring which contains<br />
both aldehyde and alcohol functional groups.<br />
5-HMF has applications in many different<br />
industries such as bioplastics, packaging,<br />
pharmaceuticals, adhesives and chemicals.<br />
One of the most promising routes is 2,5<br />
furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), produced as an<br />
intermediate when 5-HMF is oxidised. FDCA<br />
is used to produce PEF, which can substitute<br />
terephthalic acid in polyester, especially polyethylene<br />
terephthalate (PET). [bM 03/14, <strong>02</strong>/16]<br />
Home composting | →composting [bM 06/08]<br />
Humus | In agriculture, humus is often used<br />
simply to mean mature →compost, or natural<br />
compost extracted from a forest or other<br />
spontaneous source for use to amend soil.<br />
Hydrophilic | Property: water-friendly, soluble<br />
in water or other polar solvents (e.g. used<br />
in conjunction with a plastic which is not water<br />
resistant and weather proof or that absorbs<br />
water such as Polyamide (PA).<br />
Hydrophobic | Property: water-resistant, not<br />
soluble in water (e.g. a plastic which is water<br />
resistant and weather proof, or that does not<br />
absorb any water such as Polyethylene (PE)<br />
or Polypropylene (PP).<br />
Industrial composting | is an established<br />
process with commonly agreed upon requirements<br />
(e.g. temperature, timeframe) for transforming<br />
biodegradable waste into stable, sanitised<br />
products to be used in agriculture. The<br />
criteria for industrial compostability of packaging<br />
have been defined in the EN 13432. Materials<br />
and products complying with this standard<br />
can be certified and subsequently labelled<br />
accordingly [1,7] [bM 06/08, <strong>02</strong>/09]<br />
ISO | International Organization for Standardization<br />
JBPA | Japan Bioplastics Association<br />
Land use | The surface required to grow sufficient<br />
feedstock (land use) for today’s bioplastic<br />
production is less than 0.01 percent of the<br />
global agricultural area of 5 billion hectares.<br />
It is not yet foreseeable to what extent an increased<br />
use of food residues, non-food crops<br />
or cellulosic biomass (see also →1 st /2 nd /3 rd<br />
generation feedstock) in bioplastics production<br />
might lead to an even further reduced<br />
land use in the future [bM 04/09, 01/14]<br />
LCA | is the compilation and evaluation of the<br />
input, output and the potential environmental<br />
impact of a product system throughout its life<br />
cycle [17]. It is sometimes also referred to as<br />
life cycle analysis, ecobalance or cradle-tograve<br />
analysis. [bM 01/09]<br />
Littering | is the (illegal) act of leaving waste<br />
such as cigarette butts, paper, tins, bottles,<br />
cups, plates, cutlery or bags lying in an open<br />
or public place.<br />
Marine litter | Following the European Commission’s<br />
definition, “marine litter consists of<br />
items that have been deliberately discarded,<br />
unintentionally lost, or transported by winds<br />
and rivers, into the sea and on beaches. It<br />
mainly consists of plastics, wood, metals,<br />
glass, rubber, clothing and paper”. Marine<br />
debris originates from a variety of sources.<br />
Shipping and fishing activities are the predominant<br />
sea-based, ineffectively managed<br />
landfills as well as public littering the main<br />
land-based sources. Marine litter can pose a<br />
threat to living organisms, especially due to<br />
ingestion or entanglement.<br />
Currently, there is no international standard<br />
available, which appropriately describes the<br />
biodegradation of plastics in the marine environment.<br />
However, a number of standardisation<br />
projects are in progress at ISO and ASTM<br />
level. Furthermore, the European project<br />
OPEN BIO addresses the marine biodegradation<br />
of biobased products.[bM <strong>02</strong>/16]<br />
Mass balance | describes the relationship between<br />
input and output of a specific substance<br />
within a system in which the output from the<br />
system cannot exceed the input into the system.<br />
First attempts were made by plastic raw material<br />
producers to claim their products renewable<br />
(plastics) based on a certain input<br />
of biomass in a huge and complex chemical<br />
plant, then mathematically allocating this<br />
biomass input to the produced plastic.<br />
These approaches are at least controversially<br />
disputed [bM 04/14, 05/14, 01/15]<br />
Microorganism | Living organisms of microscopic<br />
size, such as bacteria, funghi or yeast.<br />
Molecule | group of at least two atoms held<br />
together by covalent chemical bonds.<br />
Monomer | molecules that are linked by polymerization<br />
to form chains of molecules and<br />
then plastics<br />
Mulch film | Foil to cover bottom of farmland<br />
Organic recycling | means the treatment of<br />
separately collected organic waste by anaerobic<br />
digestion and/or composting.<br />
Oxo-degradable / Oxo-fragmentable | materials<br />
and products that do not biodegrade!<br />
The underlying technology of oxo-degradability<br />
or oxo-fragmentation is based on special additives,<br />
which, if incorporated into standard<br />
resins, are purported to accelerate the fragmentation<br />
of products made thereof. Oxodegradable<br />
or oxo-fragmentable materials do<br />
not meet accepted industry standards on compostability<br />
such as EN 13432. [bM 01/09, 05/09]<br />
PBAT | Polybutylene adipate terephthalate, is<br />
an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester that has the<br />
properties of conventional polyethylene but is<br />
fully biodegradable under industrial composting.<br />
PBAT is made from fossil petroleum with<br />
first attempts being made to produce it partly<br />
from renewable resources [bM 06/09]<br />
PBS | Polybutylene succinate, a 100% biodegradable<br />
polymer, made from (e.g. bio-BDO)<br />
and succinic acid, which can also be produced<br />
biobased [bM 03/12].<br />
PC | Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester,<br />
petroleum based and not degradable, used<br />
for e.g. baby bottles or CDs. Criticized for its<br />
BPA (→ Bisphenol-A) content.<br />
PCL | Polycaprolactone, a synthetic (fossil<br />
based), biodegradable bioplastic, e.g. used as<br />
a blend component.<br />
PE | Polyethylene, thermoplastic polymerised<br />
from ethylene. Can be made from renewable<br />
resources (sugar cane via bio-ethanol) [bM 05/10]<br />
PEF | polyethylene furanoate, a polyester<br />
made from monoethylene glycol (MEG) and<br />
→FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid , an intermediate<br />
chemical produced from 5-HMF). It<br />
can be a 100% biobased alternative for PET.<br />
PEF also has improved product characteristics,<br />
such as better structural strength and<br />
improved barrier behaviour, which will allow<br />
for the use of PEF bottles in additional applications.<br />
[bM 03/11, 04/12]<br />
PET | Polyethylenterephthalate, transparent<br />
polyester used for bottles and film. The<br />
polyester is made from monoethylene glycol<br />
(MEG), that can be renewably sourced from<br />
bio-ethanol (sugar cane) and (until now fossil)<br />
terephthalic acid [bM 04/14]<br />
PGA | Polyglycolic acid or Polyglycolide is a biodegradable,<br />
thermoplastic polymer and the<br />
simplest linear, aliphatic polyester. Besides<br />
ist use in the biomedical field, PGA has been<br />
introduced as a barrier resin [bM 03/09]<br />
PHA | Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or the<br />
polyhydroxy fatty acids, are a family of biodegradable<br />
polyesters. As in many mammals,<br />
including humans, that hold energy reserves<br />
in the form of body fat there are also bacteria<br />
that hold intracellular reserves in for of<br />
of polyhydroxy alkanoates. Here the microorganisms<br />
store a particularly high level of<br />
48 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Basics<br />
energy reserves (up to 80% of their own body<br />
weight) for when their sources of nutrition become<br />
scarce. By farming this type of bacteria,<br />
and feeding them on sugar or starch (mostly<br />
from maize), or at times on plant oils or other<br />
nutrients rich in carbonates, it is possible to<br />
obtain PHA‘s on an industrial scale [11]. The<br />
most common types of PHA are PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate,<br />
PHBV and PHBH. Depending<br />
on the bacteria and their food, PHAs with<br />
different mechanical properties, from rubbery<br />
soft trough stiff and hard as ABS, can be produced.<br />
Some PHSs are even biodegradable in<br />
soil or in a marine environment<br />
PLA | Polylactide or Polylactic Acid (PLA), a<br />
biodegradable, thermoplastic, linear aliphatic<br />
polyester based on lactic acid, a natural acid,<br />
is mainly produced by fermentation of sugar<br />
or starch with the help of micro-organisms.<br />
Lactic acid comes in two isomer forms, i.e. as<br />
laevorotatory D(-)lactic acid and as dextrorotary<br />
L(+)lactic acid.<br />
Modified PLA types can be produced by the<br />
use of the right additives or by certain combinations<br />
of L- and D- lactides (stereocomplexing),<br />
which then have the required rigidity for<br />
use at higher temperatures [13] [bM 01/09, 01/12]<br />
Plastics | Materials with large molecular<br />
chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced<br />
by chemical or biochemical reactions.<br />
PPC | Polypropylene Carbonate, a bioplastic<br />
made by copolymerizing CO 2<br />
with propylene<br />
oxide (PO) [bM 04/12]<br />
PTT | Polytrimethylterephthalate (PTT), partially<br />
biobased polyester, is similarly to PET<br />
produced using terephthalic acid or dimethyl<br />
terephthalate and a diol. In this case it is a<br />
biobased 1,3 propanediol, also known as bio-<br />
PDO [bM 01/13]<br />
Renewable Resources | agricultural raw materials,<br />
which are not used as food or feed,<br />
but as raw material for industrial products<br />
or to generate energy. The use of renewable<br />
resources by industry saves fossil resources<br />
and reduces the amount of → greenhouse gas<br />
emissions. Biobased plastics are predominantly<br />
made of annual crops such as corn,<br />
cereals and sugar beets or perennial cultures<br />
such as cassava and sugar cane.<br />
Resource efficiency | Use of limited natural<br />
resources in a sustainable way while minimising<br />
impacts on the environment. A resource<br />
efficient economy creates more output<br />
or value with lesser input.<br />
Seedling Logo | The compostability label or<br />
logo Seedling is connected to the standard<br />
EN 13432/EN 14995 and a certification process<br />
managed by the independent institutions<br />
→DIN CERTCO and → Vinçotte. Bioplastics<br />
products carrying the Seedling fulfil the<br />
criteria laid down in the EN 13432 regarding<br />
industrial compostability. [bM 01/06, <strong>02</strong>/10]<br />
Saccharins or carbohydrates | Saccharins or<br />
carbohydrates are name for the sugar-family.<br />
Saccharins are monomer or polymer sugar<br />
units. For example, there are known mono-,<br />
di- and polysaccharose. → glucose is a monosaccarin.<br />
They are important for the diet and<br />
produced biology in plants.<br />
Semi-finished products | plastic in form of<br />
sheet, film, rods or the like to be further processed<br />
into finshed products<br />
Sorbitol | Sugar alcohol, obtained by reduction<br />
of glucose changing the aldehyde group<br />
to an additional hydroxyl group. S. is used as<br />
a plasticiser for bioplastics based on starch.<br />
Starch | Natural polymer (carbohydrate)<br />
consisting of → amylose and → amylopectin,<br />
gained from maize, potatoes, wheat, tapioca<br />
etc. When glucose is connected to polymerchains<br />
in definite way the result (product) is<br />
called starch. Each molecule is based on 300<br />
-12000-glucose units. Depending on the connection,<br />
there are two types → amylose and →<br />
amylopectin known. [bM 05/09]<br />
Starch derivatives | Starch derivatives are<br />
based on the chemical structure of → starch.<br />
The chemical structure can be changed by<br />
introducing new functional groups without<br />
changing the → starch polymer. The product<br />
has different chemical qualities. Mostly the<br />
hydrophilic character is not the same.<br />
Starch-ester | One characteristic of every<br />
starch-chain is a free hydroxyl group. When<br />
every hydroxyl group is connected with an<br />
acid one product is starch-ester with different<br />
chemical properties.<br />
Starch propionate and starch butyrate |<br />
Starch propionate and starch butyrate can be<br />
synthesised by treating the → starch with propane<br />
or butanic acid. The product structure<br />
is still based on → starch. Every based → glucose<br />
fragment is connected with a propionate<br />
or butyrate ester group. The product is more<br />
hydrophobic than → starch.<br />
Sustainable | An attempt to provide the best<br />
outcomes for the human and natural environments<br />
both now and into the indefinite future.<br />
One famous definition of sustainability is the<br />
one created by the Brundtland Commission,<br />
led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister<br />
G. H. Brundtland. The Brundtland Commission<br />
defined sustainable development as<br />
development that ‘meets the needs of the<br />
present without compromising the ability of<br />
future generations to meet their own needs.’<br />
Sustainability relates to the continuity of economic,<br />
social, institutional and environmental<br />
aspects of human society, as well as the nonhuman<br />
environment).<br />
Sustainable sourcing | of renewable feedstock<br />
for biobased plastics is a prerequisite<br />
for more sustainable products. Impacts such<br />
as the deforestation of protected habitats<br />
or social and environmental damage arising<br />
from poor agricultural practices must<br />
be avoided. Corresponding certification<br />
schemes, such as ISCC PLUS, WLC or Bon-<br />
Sucro, are an appropriate tool to ensure the<br />
sustainable sourcing of biomass for all applications<br />
around the globe.<br />
Sustainability | as defined by European Bioplastics,<br />
has three dimensions: economic, social<br />
and environmental. This has been known<br />
as “the triple bottom line of sustainability”.<br />
This means that sustainable development involves<br />
the simultaneous pursuit of economic<br />
prosperity, environmental protection and social<br />
equity. In other words, businesses have<br />
to expand their responsibility to include these<br />
environmental and social dimensions. Sustainability<br />
is about making products useful to<br />
markets and, at the same time, having societal<br />
benefits and lower environmental impact<br />
than the alternatives currently available. It also<br />
implies a commitment to continuous improvement<br />
that should result in a further reduction<br />
of the environmental footprint of today’s products,<br />
processes and raw materials used.<br />
Thermoplastics | Plastics which soften or<br />
melt when heated and solidify when cooled<br />
(solid at room temperature).<br />
Thermoplastic Starch | (TPS) → starch that<br />
was modified (cooked, complexed) to make it<br />
a plastic resin<br />
Thermoset | Plastics (resins) which do not<br />
soften or melt when heated. Examples are<br />
epoxy resins or unsaturated polyester resins.<br />
Vinçotte | independant certifying organisation<br />
for the assessment on the conformity of bioplastics<br />
WPC | Wood Plastic Composite. Composite<br />
materials made of wood fiber/flour and plastics<br />
(mostly polypropylene).<br />
Yard Waste | Grass clippings, leaves, trimmings,<br />
garden residue.<br />
References:<br />
[1] Environmental Communication Guide,<br />
European Bioplastics, Berlin, Germany,<br />
2012<br />
[2] ISO 14067. Carbon footprint of products -<br />
Requirements and guidelines for quantification<br />
and communication<br />
[3] CEN TR 15932, Plastics - Recommendation<br />
for terminology and characterisation<br />
of biopolymers and bioplastics, 2010<br />
[4] CEN/TS 16137, Plastics - Determination<br />
of bio-based carbon content, 2011<br />
[5] ASTM D6866, Standard Test Methods for<br />
Determining the Biobased Content of<br />
Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using<br />
Radiocarbon Analysis<br />
[6] SPI: Understanding Biobased Carbon<br />
Content, 2012<br />
[7] EN 13432, Requirements for packaging<br />
recoverable through composting and biodegradation.<br />
Test scheme and evaluation<br />
criteria for the final acceptance of packaging,<br />
2000<br />
[8] Wikipedia<br />
[9] ISO 14064 Greenhouse gases -- Part 1:<br />
Specification with guidance..., 2006<br />
[10] Terrachoice, 2010, www.terrachoice.com<br />
[11] Thielen, M.: Bioplastics: Basics. Applications.<br />
Markets, Polymedia Publisher,<br />
2012<br />
[12] Lörcks, J.: Biokunststoffe, Broschüre der<br />
FNR, 2005<br />
[13] de Vos, S.: Improving heat-resistance of<br />
PLA using poly(D-lactide),<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE, Vol. 3, <strong>Issue</strong> <strong>02</strong>/2008<br />
[14] de Wilde, B.: Anaerobic Digestion, bioplastics<br />
MAGAZINE, Vol 4., <strong>Issue</strong> 06/2009<br />
[15] ISO 14067 onb Corbon Footprint of<br />
Products<br />
[16] ISO 14<strong>02</strong>1 on Self-declared Environmental<br />
claims<br />
[17] ISO 14044 on Life Cycle Assessment<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 49
Suppliers Guide<br />
1. Raw Materials<br />
AGRANA Starch<br />
Bioplastics<br />
Conrathstraße 7<br />
A-3950 Gmuend, Austria<br />
technical.starch@agrana.com<br />
www.agrana.com<br />
Jincheng, Lin‘an, Hangzhou,<br />
Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China<br />
China contact: Grace Jin<br />
mobile: 0086 135 7578 9843<br />
Grace@xinfupharm.com<br />
Europe contact(Belgium): Susan Zhang<br />
mobile: 0032 478 991619<br />
zxh0612@hotmail.com<br />
www.xinfupharm.com<br />
Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd.<br />
No.33 Kefeng Rd, Sc. City, Guangzhou<br />
Hi-Tech Ind. Development Zone,<br />
Guangdong, P.R. China. 510663<br />
Tel: +86 (0)20 6622 1696<br />
info@ecopond.com.cn<br />
www.ecopond.com.cn<br />
FLEX-162 Biodeg. Blown Film Resin!<br />
Bio-873 4-Star Inj. Bio-Based Resin!<br />
Simply contact:<br />
Tel.: +49 2161 6884467<br />
suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
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For Example:<br />
Showa Denko Europe GmbH<br />
Konrad-Zuse-Platz 4<br />
81829 Munich, Germany<br />
Tel.: +49 89 93996226<br />
www.showa-denko.com<br />
support@sde.de<br />
PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd.<br />
info@pttmcc.com / www.pttmcc.com<br />
Tel: +66(0) 2 140-3563<br />
MCPP Germany GmbH<br />
+49 (0) 152-018 920 51<br />
frank.steinbrecher@mcpp-europe.com<br />
MCPP France SAS<br />
+33 (0) 6 07 22 25 32<br />
fabien.resweber@mcpp-europe.com<br />
1.1 bio based monomers<br />
Corbion Purac<br />
Arkelsedijk 46, P.O. Box 21<br />
4200 AA Gorinchem -<br />
The Netherlands<br />
Tel.: +31 (0)183 695 695<br />
Fax: +31 (0)183 695 604<br />
www.corbion.com/bioplastics<br />
bioplastics@corbion.com<br />
62 136 Lestrem, France<br />
Tel.: + 33 (0) 3 21 63 36 00<br />
www.roquette-performance-plastics.com<br />
FKuR Kunststoff GmbH<br />
Siemensring 79<br />
D - 47 877 Willich<br />
Tel. +49 2154 9251-0<br />
Tel.: +49 2154 9251-51<br />
sales@fkur.com<br />
www.fkur.com<br />
GRAFE-Group<br />
Waldecker Straße 21,<br />
99444 Blankenhain, Germany<br />
Tel. +49 36459 45 0<br />
www.grafe.com<br />
39 mm<br />
Polymedia Publisher GmbH<br />
Dammer Str. 112<br />
41066 Mönchengladbach<br />
Germany<br />
Tel. +49 2161 664864<br />
Fax +49 2161 631045<br />
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www.bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
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www.twitter.com<br />
www.youtube.com<br />
DuPont de Nemours International S.A.<br />
2 chemin du Pavillon<br />
1218 - Le Grand Saconnex<br />
Switzerland<br />
Tel.: +41 22 171 51 11<br />
Fax: +41 22 580 22 45<br />
www.renewable.dupont.com<br />
www.plastics.dupont.com<br />
Tel: +86 351-8689356<br />
Fax: +86 351-8689718<br />
www.ecoworld.jinhuigroup.com<br />
ecoworldsales@jinhuigroup.com<br />
Evonik Industries AG<br />
Paul Baumann Straße 1<br />
45772 Marl, Germany<br />
Tel +49 2365 49-4717<br />
evonik-hp@evonik.com<br />
www.vestamid-terra.com<br />
www.evonik.com<br />
1.2 compounds<br />
API S.p.A.<br />
Via Dante Alighieri, 27<br />
36065 Mussolente (VI), Italy<br />
Telephone +39 0424 579711<br />
www.apiplastic.com<br />
www.apinatbio.com<br />
BIO-FED<br />
Branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH<br />
BioCampus Cologne<br />
Nattermannallee 1<br />
50829 Cologne, Germany<br />
Tel.: +49 221 88 88 94-00<br />
info@bio-fed.com<br />
www.bio-fed.com<br />
NUREL Engineering Polymers<br />
Ctra. Barcelona, km 329<br />
50016 Zaragoza, Spain<br />
Tel: +34 976 465 579<br />
inzea@samca.com<br />
www.inzea-biopolymers.com<br />
PolyOne<br />
Avenue Melville Wilson, 2<br />
Zoning de la Fagne<br />
5330 Assesse<br />
Belgium<br />
Tel.: + 32 83 660 211<br />
www.polyone.com<br />
1.3 PLA<br />
Shenzhen Esun Ind. Co;Ltd<br />
www.brightcn.net<br />
www.esun.en.alibaba.com<br />
bright@brightcn.net<br />
Tel: +86-755-2603 1978<br />
50 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
Suppliers Guide<br />
1.4 starch-based bioplastics<br />
Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients<br />
ZAC „Les Portes de Riom“ - BP 173<br />
63204 Riom Cedex - France<br />
Tel. +33 (0)4 73 67 17 00<br />
Fax +33 (0)4 73 67 17 10<br />
www.biolice.com<br />
BIOTEC<br />
Biologische Naturverpackungen<br />
Werner-Heisenberg-Strasse 32<br />
46446 Emmerich/Germany<br />
Tel.: +49 (0) 2822 – 92510<br />
info@biotec.de<br />
www.biotec.de<br />
Grabio Greentech Corporation<br />
Tel: +886-3-598-6496<br />
No. 91, Guangfu N. Rd., Hsinchu<br />
Industrial Park,Hukou Township,<br />
Hsinchu County 30351, Taiwan<br />
sales@grabio.com.tw<br />
www.grabio.com.tw<br />
1.5 PHA<br />
PolyOne<br />
Avenue Melville Wilson, 2<br />
Zoning de la Fagne<br />
5330 Assesse<br />
Belgium<br />
Tel.: + 32 83 660 211<br />
www.polyone.com<br />
2. Additives/Secondary raw materials<br />
GRAFE-Group<br />
Waldecker Straße 21,<br />
99444 Blankenhain, Germany<br />
Tel. +49 36459 45 0<br />
www.grafe.com<br />
3. Semi finished products<br />
3.1 films<br />
Infiana Germany GmbH & Co. KG<br />
Zweibrückenstraße 15-25<br />
91301 Forchheim<br />
Tel. +49-9191 81-0<br />
Fax +49-9191 81-212<br />
www.infiana.com<br />
Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies<br />
4201 Woodland Road<br />
Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA<br />
Tel. +1 763.404.8700<br />
Fax +1 763.225.6645<br />
info@natur-tec.com<br />
www.natur-tec.com<br />
NOVAMONT S.p.A.<br />
Via Fauser , 8<br />
28100 Novara - ITALIA<br />
Fax +39.0321.699.601<br />
Tel. +39.0321.699.611<br />
www.novamont.com<br />
President Packaging Ind., Corp.<br />
PLA Paper Hot Cup manufacture<br />
In Taiwan, www.ppi.com.tw<br />
Tel.: +886-6-570-4066 ext.5531<br />
Fax: +886-6-570-4077<br />
sales@ppi.com.tw<br />
6. Equipment<br />
6.1 Machinery & Molds<br />
Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH<br />
Holzhauser Strasse 157–159<br />
D-13509 Berlin<br />
Tel. +49 30 43 567 5<br />
Fax +49 30 43 567 699<br />
sales.de@uhde-inventa-fischer.com<br />
Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG<br />
Via Innovativa 31, CH-7013 Domat/Ems<br />
Tel. +41 81 632 63 11<br />
Fax +41 81 632 74 03<br />
sales.ch@uhde-inventa-fischer.com<br />
www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com<br />
9. Services<br />
Osterfelder Str. 3<br />
46047 Oberhausen<br />
Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227<br />
Fax: +49 (0)208 8598 1424<br />
thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de<br />
www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de<br />
Institut für Kunststofftechnik<br />
Universität Stuttgart<br />
Böblinger Straße 70<br />
70199 Stuttgart<br />
Tel +49 711/685-62814<br />
Linda.Goebel@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de<br />
www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de<br />
TianAn Biopolymer<br />
No. 68 Dagang 6th Rd,<br />
Beilun, Ningbo, China, 315800<br />
Tel. +86-57 48 68 62 50 2<br />
Fax +86-57 48 68 77 98 0<br />
enquiry@tianan-enmat.com<br />
www.tianan-enmat.com<br />
Metabolix, Inc.<br />
Bio-based and biodegradable resins<br />
and performance additives<br />
21 Erie Street<br />
Cambridge, MA <strong>02</strong>139, USA<br />
US +1-617-583-1700<br />
DE +49 (0) 221 / 88 88 94 00<br />
www.metabolix.com<br />
info@metabolix.com<br />
Taghleef Industries SpA, Italy<br />
Via E. Fermi, 46<br />
33058 San Giorgio di Nogaro (UD)<br />
Contact Emanuela Bardi<br />
Tel. +39 0431 627264<br />
Mobile +39 342 6565309<br />
emanuela.bardi@ti-films.com<br />
www.ti-films.com<br />
4. Bioplastics products<br />
Molds, Change Parts and Turnkey<br />
Solutions for the PET/Bioplastic<br />
Container Industry<br />
284 Pinebush Road<br />
Cambridge Ontario<br />
Canada N1T 1Z6<br />
Tel. +1 519 624 9720<br />
Fax +1 519 624 9721<br />
info@hallink.com<br />
www.hallink.com<br />
6.2 Laboratory Equipment<br />
MODA: Biodegradability Analyzer<br />
SAIDA FDS INC.<br />
143-10 Isshiki, Yaizu,<br />
Shizuoka,Japan<br />
Tel:+81-54-624-6260<br />
Info2@moda.vg<br />
www.saidagroup.jp<br />
narocon<br />
Dr. Harald Kaeb<br />
Tel.: +49 30-28096930<br />
kaeb@narocon.de<br />
www.narocon.de<br />
nova-Institut GmbH<br />
Chemiepark Knapsack<br />
Industriestrasse 300<br />
50354 Huerth, Germany<br />
Tel.: +49(0)2233-48-14 40<br />
E-Mail: contact@nova-institut.de<br />
www.biobased.eu<br />
1.6 masterbatches<br />
GRAFE-Group<br />
Waldecker Straße 21,<br />
99444 Blankenhain, Germany<br />
Tel. +49 36459 45 0<br />
www.grafe.com<br />
Minima Technology Co., Ltd.<br />
Esmy Huang, Marketing Manager<br />
No.33. Yichang E. Rd., Taipin City,<br />
Taichung County<br />
411, Taiwan (R.O.C.)<br />
Tel. +886(4)2277 6888<br />
Fax +883(4)2277 6989<br />
Mobil +886(0)982-829988<br />
esmy@minima-tech.com<br />
Skype esmy325<br />
www.minima-tech.com<br />
7. Plant engineering<br />
EREMA Engineering Recycling<br />
Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH<br />
Unterfeldstrasse 3<br />
4052 Ansfelden, AUSTRIA<br />
Phone: +43 (0) 732 / 3190-0<br />
Fax: +43 (0) 732 / 3190-23<br />
erema@erema.at<br />
www.erema.at<br />
Bioplastics Consulting<br />
Tel. +49 2161 664864<br />
info@polymediaconsult.com<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 51
Suppliers Guide<br />
9. Services (continued)<br />
UL International TTC GmbH<br />
Rheinuferstrasse 7-9, Geb. R33<br />
47829 Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany<br />
Tel.: +49 (0) 2151 5370-333<br />
Fax: +49 (0) 2151 5370-334<br />
ttc@ul.com<br />
www.ulttc.com<br />
European Bioplastics e.V.<br />
Marienstr. 19/20<br />
10117 Berlin, Germany<br />
Tel. +49 30 284 82 350<br />
Fax +49 30 284 84 359<br />
info@european-bioplastics.org<br />
www.european-bioplastics.org<br />
10.2 Universities<br />
Michigan State University<br />
Department of Chemical<br />
Engineering & Materials Science<br />
Professor Ramani Narayan<br />
East Lansing MI 48824, USA<br />
Tel. +1 517 719 7163<br />
narayan@msu.edu<br />
10.3 Other Institutions<br />
Simply contact:<br />
Tel.: +49 2161 6884467<br />
suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
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Suppliers Guide with your company<br />
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For Example:<br />
10. Institutions<br />
10.1 Associations<br />
BPI - The Biodegradable<br />
Products Institute<br />
331 West 57th Street, Suite 415<br />
New York, NY 10019, USA<br />
Tel. +1-888-274-5646<br />
info@bpiworld.org<br />
IfBB – Institute for Bioplastics<br />
and Biocomposites<br />
University of Applied Sciences<br />
and Arts Hanover<br />
Faculty II – Mechanical and<br />
Bioprocess Engineering<br />
Heisterbergallee 12<br />
30453 Hannover, Germany<br />
Tel.: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 22 69<br />
Fax: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 99 - 22 69<br />
lisa.mundzeck@fh-hannover.de<br />
http://www.ifbb-hannover.de/<br />
Biobased Packaging Innovations<br />
Caroli Buitenhuis<br />
IJburglaan 836<br />
1087 EM Amsterdam<br />
The Netherlands<br />
Tel.: +31 6-24216733<br />
http://www.biobasedpackaging.nl<br />
Polymedia Publisher GmbH<br />
Dammer Str. 112<br />
41066 Mönchengladbach<br />
Germany<br />
Tel. +49 2161 664864<br />
Fax +49 2161 631045<br />
info@bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com<br />
Sample Charge:<br />
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39 mm<br />
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13 th International Conference of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)<br />
1 – 2 June <strong>2016</strong><br />
Rheinforum, Wesseling near Cologne (Germany)<br />
Conference language: English<br />
International Conference<br />
of the European Industrial<br />
Hemp Association (EIHA)<br />
www.eiha-conference.org<br />
++ Cultivation ++ Processing ++ Economy ++ Sustainability ++ Innovation ++<br />
Source: Hempro, Hemcore, NPSP Composites (2), Hemp Technology<br />
52 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11<br />
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Empack <strong>2016</strong> (with Biobased Village)<br />
12.04.<strong>2016</strong> - 14.04.<strong>2016</strong> - Utrecht, The Netherlands<br />
bit.ly/1m03cuf<br />
3 rd Bioplastic Materials Topical Conference<br />
19.04.<strong>2016</strong> - 21.04.<strong>2016</strong> - Bloomington, (MN) USA<br />
www. www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/130808?eb=227133<br />
Chinaplas <strong>2016</strong><br />
25.04.<strong>2016</strong> - 28.04.<strong>2016</strong> - Shanghai, China<br />
www.ChinaplasOnline.com<br />
can meet us<br />
SINAL - les rencontres profesionnelles du biosourcé<br />
24.05.<strong>2016</strong> - 25.05.<strong>2016</strong> - Châlons-en-Champagne, France<br />
www.sinal-exhibition.eu<br />
Bio-based Chemicals / Biobased Products <strong>2016</strong><br />
24.05.<strong>2016</strong> - 25.05.<strong>2016</strong> - Amsterdam, The Netherlands<br />
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Jan/Feb<br />
01 | <strong>2016</strong><br />
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organized by bioplastics MAGAZINE<br />
24 - 25. 05.<strong>2016</strong> - Munich, Germany<br />
ISSN 1862-5258<br />
Basics<br />
ISSN 1862-5258<br />
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25 - 26. 05.<strong>2016</strong> - Amsterdam, The Netherlands<br />
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Innovation and Sustainability in Consumer Packaging<br />
23.06.<strong>2016</strong> - Seoul, South Korea<br />
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ISBP-<strong>2016</strong><br />
26.09.<strong>2016</strong> - 29.09.<strong>2016</strong> - Madrid, Spain<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 11<br />
Vol. 1<br />
bioplastics magazine<br />
Top Talk:<br />
Interview with Helmut Traitler,<br />
VP Packaging of Nestlé | 10<br />
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 11<br />
Basics<br />
Design for Recyclability | 44<br />
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Thermoforming / Rigid Packaging | 12<br />
Marine Pollution / Marine Degradation | 16<br />
Preview<br />
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3 rd Bioplastics Buisiness Breakfast @ K‘<strong>2016</strong><br />
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20 - 22.10.<strong>2016</strong> - Düsseldorf, Germany<br />
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11 th European Bioplastics Conference<br />
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11 53
Companies in this issue<br />
Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert<br />
Agrana Starch Thermoplastics 50<br />
AIMPLAS 10,38<br />
Anhui Tianyi Env. Protection Techn. 28<br />
API 50<br />
AU CO. 28<br />
Avantium 6<br />
BASF 6,28<br />
Beta Analytic 34<br />
Biobased Packaging Innovations 52<br />
BIO-FED 50<br />
Biopolymer Network / Scion 10<br />
Biosolutions 10<br />
Biotec 10 51<br />
BK Pac 36<br />
Bodega Matarromera 38<br />
BPI 52<br />
Braskem 36<br />
Calysta Energy 6<br />
Center for Biopl. and Biocomposites 35<br />
China XD Plastics Company 28<br />
Club Bioplastique 5<br />
Coating p. Materials 28<br />
Coca-Cola 32<br />
ColorFABB 8<br />
Corbion 5,10 50<br />
Croda Europe 28<br />
Dandong Ritian Nano Technology 28<br />
Danone 32<br />
Doill Ecotec 28<br />
Dongguan Xinhai env. prot. material 28<br />
DuPont 50<br />
Emery Oleochemicals HK 28<br />
EnerPlastics 28<br />
EREMA 43,51<br />
European Bioplastics 5,10,32,42,45 27,52<br />
Evonik 28 50<br />
Far Eastern New Century 32<br />
FKuR 10,36 2,5<br />
Fraunhofer IAP 10<br />
Fraunhofer ICT 10<br />
Fraunhofer IVV 10<br />
Fraunhofer UMSICHT 51<br />
Fukutomi Company 28<br />
Gema Elektro Plastik . 28<br />
GRABIO Greentech Corporation 28 51<br />
Grafe 50,51<br />
GuangDong ShunDe LuHua 28<br />
Hairma Chemicals (GZ) 28<br />
Hallink 51<br />
Hebei Jingu Plasticizer 28<br />
Helian Polymers 8, 10<br />
Ikea 7,39<br />
Infiana Germany 51<br />
Institut für Biopl. & Biocomposites 32 52<br />
Iowa State University 7<br />
ISCC 10<br />
Itoh Optical Ind. 39<br />
Jacobson van den Berg (Hong Kong) 28<br />
Jelu Werk 36<br />
Jetwell Trading Limited 28<br />
Jiangsu Jinhe Hi-tech 28<br />
Jiangsu Torise Biomaterials 28<br />
Jinan Shengquan Group 28<br />
JinHui ZhaoLong 28 50<br />
Kimberly-Clark Corporation 10<br />
Kingfa 50<br />
Kingfa Science and Technology 28<br />
KU Leuven 10<br />
Kuraray 12,28<br />
Lifeline Technologies 28<br />
Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients 51<br />
Maosheng Env. Protection Technology 28<br />
Matchexpo 28<br />
Meredian Holdings Group 21<br />
Metabolix 14 51<br />
Michigan State University 10,18 52<br />
Minima Technology 28 51<br />
Miracll Chemicals 28<br />
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation 28<br />
Mitsui 39 13<br />
mtm 44<br />
narocon 51<br />
NatureWorks 6,10,28<br />
Natur-Tec 51<br />
Nestlé 32<br />
Newlight Technologies 7<br />
Ngai Hing Hong Plastic Materials (HK) 28<br />
nova-Institute 10 9,51<br />
Novamont 16 51,56<br />
NSF 35<br />
NUREL Engineering Polymers 50<br />
Oerlemans Plastics 36<br />
Open-Bio 26<br />
Plantic 12<br />
Plantura Italia 10<br />
plasticker 20<br />
Polyalloy Inc. 28<br />
PolyOne 50,51<br />
President Packaging 51<br />
Procotex Corporation 28<br />
Proviron Functional Chemicals 28<br />
PTT MCC Biochem 37,51<br />
Rajiv Plastic Industries 28<br />
Reverdia 28<br />
Roquette 28 50<br />
Saida 51<br />
Samyang Corporation 28<br />
Shandong Jiqing Chemcal 28<br />
Shanghai Xiner Low-carbon 28<br />
Shenzhen All Technology Limited 28<br />
Shenzhen Esun Industrial 28 50<br />
Shenzhen Polymer Industry Ass. 28<br />
Showa Denko 50<br />
Stanford University 7<br />
Süddeutsches Kunststoffzentrum SKZ 10<br />
Sukano 10,28<br />
Supla 10<br />
Suzhou Hanfeng New Material 28<br />
Suzhou Hydal Biotech 28<br />
Suzhou Mitac Precision Technology 28<br />
Synbra 10<br />
Taghleef Industries 51<br />
Taizhou Sudarshan New Material 28<br />
Teijin Kasei (HK) 28<br />
TianAn Biopolymer 51<br />
Toray Plastics 38<br />
TÜV Rheinland (Shanghai) 28<br />
Uhde Inventa-Fischer 10,28 51<br />
UL International TTC 52<br />
UNEP 24<br />
Univ. Hohenheim 40<br />
Univ. Stuttgart (IKT) 51<br />
University of Ap. Sc. Hamm-Lippstadt 10<br />
Vinçotte 22<br />
Virent 32<br />
Wageningen UR 10<br />
Wei Li Plastics Machinery (H.K.) 28<br />
WeiFang Graceland Chemicals 28<br />
Weihai Lianqiao New M at. Sc.& Techn. 28<br />
Woosung Chemical 28<br />
Wuhan Huali Environmental Technology 28<br />
Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe Polyester 28<br />
Yamamoto Kogaku 39<br />
Yat Shun Hong Company 28<br />
Yongxi Pplastics Technology 28<br />
Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical 28 50<br />
Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials 28<br />
Zhejiang Pu Wei Lun Chemicals 28<br />
Zhuhai Xunfeng Special Plastics 28<br />
Editorial Planner<br />
<strong>2016</strong><br />
<strong>Issue</strong> Month Publ.-Date<br />
edit/advert/<br />
Deadline<br />
Editorial Focus (1) Editorial Focus (2) Basics<br />
03/<strong>2016</strong> May/Jun 06 Jun <strong>2016</strong> 06 May <strong>2016</strong> Injection moulding Joining of bioplastics<br />
(welding, glueing etc),<br />
Adhesives<br />
PHA (update)<br />
04/<strong>2016</strong> Jul/Aug 01 Aug <strong>2016</strong> 01 Jul <strong>2016</strong> Blow Moulding Toys Additives<br />
Trade-Fair<br />
Specials<br />
Chinaplas<br />
Review<br />
05/<strong>2016</strong> Sep/Oct 04 Oct <strong>2016</strong> <strong>02</strong> Sep <strong>2016</strong> Fiber / Textile /<br />
Nonwoven<br />
Polyurethanes /<br />
Elastomers/Rubber<br />
Co-Polyesters<br />
K'<strong>2016</strong> preview<br />
06/<strong>2016</strong> Nov/Dec 05 Dec <strong>2016</strong> 04 Nov <strong>2016</strong> Films / Flexibles /<br />
Bags<br />
Consumer & Office<br />
Electronics<br />
Certification - Blessing<br />
and Curse<br />
K'<strong>2016</strong> Review<br />
54 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>02</strong>/16] Vol. 11
PRESENTS<br />
<strong>2016</strong><br />
THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL GLOBAL AWARD FOR<br />
DEVELOPERS, MANUFACTURERS AND USERS OF<br />
BIOBASED AND/OR BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS.<br />
Call for proposals<br />
Enter your own product, service or development, or nominate<br />
your favourite example from another organisation<br />
Please let us know until August 31 st<br />
1. What the product, service or development is and does<br />
2. Why you think this product, service or development should win an award<br />
3. What your (or the proposed) company or organisation does<br />
Your entry should not exceed 500 words (approx. 1 page) and may also<br />
be supported with photographs, samples, marketing brochures and/or<br />
technical documentation (cannot be sent back). The 5 nominees must be<br />
prepared to provide a 30 second videoclip<br />
More details and an entry form can be downloaded from<br />
www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/award<br />
The Bioplastics Award will be presented during the<br />
11 th European Bioplastics Conference<br />
November 29-30, <strong>2016</strong>, Berlin, Germany<br />
supported by<br />
Sponsors welcome, please contact mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com
www.novamont.com<br />
BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE BIOPLASTIC<br />
CONTROLLED, innovative, GUARANTEED<br />
EcoComunicazione.it<br />
QUALITY OUR TOP PRIORITY<br />
Using the MATER-BI trademark licence<br />
means that NOVAMONT’s partners agree<br />
to comply with strict quality parameters and<br />
testing of random samples from the market.<br />
These are designed to ensure that films<br />
are converted under ideal conditions<br />
and that articles produced in MATER-BI<br />
meet all essential requirements. To date<br />
over 1000 products have been tested.<br />
THE GUARANTEE<br />
OF AN ITALIAN BRAND<br />
MATER-BI is part of a virtuous<br />
production system, undertaken<br />
entirely on Italian territory.<br />
It enters into a production chain<br />
that involves everyone,<br />
from the farmer to the composter,<br />
from the converter via the retailer<br />
to the consumer.<br />
USED FOR ALL TYPES<br />
OF WASTE DISPOSAL<br />
MATER-BI has unique,<br />
environmentally-friendly properties.<br />
It is biodegradable and compostable<br />
and contains renewable raw materials.<br />
It is the ideal solution for organic<br />
waste collection bags and is<br />
organically recycled into fertile<br />
compost.<br />
r8_03.<strong>2016</strong>