Issue 02/2015

ISSN 1862-5258 

March / April 

02 | 2015 

Cover Story 

Shanxi JinHui Group 

bioplastics magazine Vol. 10 

Highlights 

Rigid Packaging | 16 

Polyurethane / Elastomers | 22 

Preview 

... is read in 91 countries

Caring for Nature 

PLANET PURE, a company that manufactures certified organic 

products, has chosen to use BRASKEM’ S GREEN PE, supplied 

by FKuR, for their softener, detergent and spray bottle solutions. 

PLANET PURE products are both natural and biodegradable. 

Therefore, by offering bio-based packaging, PLANET PURE has 

created a complete concept of sustainability and environmentalism. 

Regarding the material properties, processing, recycling and 

application, Green PE performs in exactly the same way as 

conventional oil-based PE. 

“Together we can change the world in a positive way.” 

Silvio Perpmer, founder and CEO PLANET PURE, 

www.planetpure.com 

For more information visit 

www.fkur.com • www.fkur-biobased.com

Editorial 

dear 

readers 

As I write these lines I am still in Orando, Florida (a much 

nicer place to be these days compared with cold and 

rainy Germany). Last week we attended NPE, the biggest 

North American trade show on plastics (see our 

show review on pp 34), and this week, luckily in Orlando 

too, there is the SUSTPACK conference on sustainable 

packaging (see p. 8). Interesting but not really a surprise, 

one of the big topics here is marine debris. On 

page 20 we have an article on the same topic, i.e. certification 

of marine degradability of plastic products. 

I personally like the idea mentioned in that article, i.e. 

if you have a product that is marine degradable, you 

should have it certified, but you should not label this 

on the final consumer product, because such a labelling 

could encourage people to litter. I know that this 

a controversially discussed topic. If you want to share 

your opinion with our readers … I would appreciate it. 

One other big topic in this issue is Chinaplas with 

a show preview and a Showguide in the centre of the 

magazine. 

The other editorial highlights include Polyurethanes / 

Elastomers and Rigid Packaging / Thermoforming. 

And so it just remains to remind you of our bio!PAC Conference 

on Biobased Packaging in May. We once again updated 

the programme and have now a total of 26 presentations plus a 

panel discussion on “Land use availability for renewably sourced 

materials”. We are looking forward to welcoming you in Amsterdam 

As usual this current issue is once again rounded off by lots of 

industry and applications news… 

bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 10 

ISSN 1862-5258 

Highlights 



Preview 

March / April 


Cover Story 


... is read in 91 countries 

Follow us on twitter! 

www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag 

We hope you enjoy reading bioplastics MAGAZINE 

Sincerely yours 

Michael Thielen 

Like us on Facebook! 

www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10 3

Content 

Imprint 

Events 

7 Re-Invention of Plastics via 

Renewable Chemicals (review) 

8 SUSTPACK 2015 (review) 

10 8 th International Conference on 

Bio-based Materials (Award pereview) 

12 bio!PAC Biobased Packaging (programme) 

28 Chinaplas – Show Guide with floorplan 

34 NPE 2015 – (review) 

Certification 

20 OK biodegradable MARINE 

Applications 

43 Biotex Flax improves impact performance 

for bamboo bike 

44 First bioplastic baby spoon 

45 Kuskoa Bi – the first bioplastic chair 

02|2015 

March / April 

Rigid Packaging 

16 New bio-based, solvent-free lidding films 

17 New cast PLA films 

18 Thermoformable high-barriermaterial 

Polyurethanes / Elastomers 

22 Bio-based PolyTHF 

23 Biobased TPE to create innovative 

new products 

24 A milestone towardsbiobased polyurethanes 

25 First biobased TPE suspension for bed slats 

25 New bioderived Elastane 

for knit and woven fabrics 

Cover Story 

14 Present biodegradable plastics 

development in China 

Basics 

50 Can bioplastics polish the image 

of packaging? 

52 Pioneer in biobased packaging 

Materials 

46 Natural Fibre LFT for Lightweighting 

48 Itaconic acid-based monomers and 

polymers 

Report 

49 Polypropylene from palm oil 

3 Editorial 

5 News 

40 Application News 

55 Suppliers Guide 

54 Event Calendar 

58 Companies in this issue 

Publisher / Editorial 

Dr. Michael Thielen (MT) 

Samuel Brangenberg (SB) 

contributing editor: Karen Laird (KL) 

Head Office 

Polymedia Publisher GmbH 

Dammer Str. 112 

41066 Mönchengladbach, Germany 

phone: +49 (0)2161 6884469 

fax: +49 (0)2161 6884468 

info@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Media Adviser 

Caroline Motyka 

phone: +49(0)2161-6884467 

fax: +49(0)2161 6884468 

cm@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Chris Shaw 

Chris Shaw Media Ltd 

Media Sales Representative 

phone: +44 (0) 1270 522130 

mobile: +44 (0) 7983 967471 

Layout/Production 

Ulrich Gewehr (Dr. Gupta Verlag) 

Max Godenrath (Dr. Gupta Verlag) 

Mark Speckenbach (DWFB) 

Print 

Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala Ltd. 

1004 Riga, Latvia 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on 

chlorine-free FSC certified paper. 

Total print run: 3,500 copies 

(plus 1,000 printed in China) 

bioplastics magazine 

ISSN 1862-5258 

bM is published 6 times a year. 

This publication is sent to qualified 

subscribers (149 Euro for 6 issues). 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in 

91 countries. 

Every effort is made to verify all 

Information published, but Polymedia 

Publisher cannot accept responsibility 

for any errors or omissions or for any 

losses that may arise as a result. No 

items may be reproduced, copied or 

stored in any form, including electronic 

format, without the prior consent of 

the publisher. Opinions expressed in 

articies do not necessarily reflect those 

of Polymedia Publisher. 

All articies appearing in bioplastics 

MAGAZINE, or on the website www. 

bioplasticsmagazine.com are strictly 

covered by copyright. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE welcomes contributions 

for publication. Submissions are 

accepted on the basis of full assignment 

of copyright to Polymedia Publisher 

GmbH unless otherwise agreed in 

advance and in writing. We reserve the 

right to edit items for reasons of space, 

clarity or legality. Please contact the 

editorial office via mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. 

The fact that product names may not be 

identified in our editorial as trade marks 

is not an indication that such names are 

not registered trade marks. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE tries to use British 

spelling. However, in articles based on 

information from the USA, American 

spelling may also be used. 

Envelopes 

part of this print run is mailed to the 

readers wrapped in envelopes 

Cove 

 

Follow us on twitter: 

http://twitter.com/bioplasticsmag 

Like us on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine

daily upated news at 


News 

Additives to biodegrade 

plastics don’t work 

A new study from Michigan State University shows that several additives 

that claim to break down polyethylene (i. e., plastic bags) and polyethylene 

terephthalate (i. e., soda bottles) simply don’t work in common disposal 

situations such as landfills or composting. 

“Making improper or unsubstantiated claims can produce consumer 

backlash, fill the environment with unwanted polymer debris and expose 

companies to legal penalties,” said Susan Selke, co-author of the study and 

MSU packaging professor. 

The results, featured in the current issue of Environmental Science and 

Technology, are a culmination of a three-year study that focused on five 

additives and three categories of biodegradation, which cover the majority of 

methods available on the market today. 

The team studied biodegradation with oxygen, such as in composting; 

biodegradation without oxygen, such as in an anaerobic digester or a landfill; 

and simply burying plastics. 

“There was no difference between the plastics mixed with the additives 

we tested and the ones without,” said Rafael Auras, co-author and MSU 

packaging professor. “The claim is that, with the additives, the plastics will 

break down to a level in which microorganisms can use the decomposed 

material as food. That simply did not happen.” 

“(Do) not make claims that are untrue,” Selke said. “The proper 

management of waste plastics is the proper management of waste plastics.” 

And for now, that means not using any of the disposal methods or additives 

included in the study as feasible options, Selke said. 

It’s a growing trend that many U.S. cities and countries have banned or 

have adopted legislation taxing the retail use of plastic bags, one of the 

largest sources of polyethylene waste. Plastic manufacturers are also 

seeking solutions to this problem, Selke said. 

“Package-user companies funded this study because they wanted to 

know if the additives that are being marketed to them work,” she said. “They 

wanted scientific proof to evaluate the products and disposal approaches 

that are available to them to break down plastic.” MT 

Source: http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2015/additives-to-biodegrade-plastics-dont-work 

Biotec and 

Kaneka join forces 

BIOTEC GmbH & Co. KG (Emmerich am 

Rhein, Germany) and Kaneka Corporation 

(Osaka, Japan) signed a broad Joint 

Development Agreement for the application 

of biopolymers. BIOTEC develops and 

manufactures bio-based, biodegradable 

and compostable compounds under the 

trade name BIOPLAST. 

Kaneka is the producer of a 100 % bio 

based and innovative PHBH polymer with the 

brand name AONILEX ® , which is new to the 

market. Both companies agreed to combine 

development resources to create new bio 

based compounds for the application fields 

of pharmaceutical capsules, extrusion 

coated paper and cardboard, various other 

flexible and rigid films and packaging 

solutions. 

This strategic partnership is expected to 

spark innovation and additional development 

in the plastic markets by maximizing the 

product development talents and resources 

at both companies, while driving scale and 

efficiency through the partners’ respective 

supply chains. These new applications, 

which Kaneka and BIOTEC focus on, aim to 

contribute significantly to the development 

of a more sustainable and environmental 

friendly society. 

John Persenda, Chairman of the Advisory 

Board of BIOTEC, said: “We are pleased 

to have signed this joint agreement that 

broadens our new product developments 

based on biodegradable resins. We are now 

delighted to be in a position to work closely 

together, extending our reach across a wide 

range of applications”. 

Mamoru Kadokura, President of 

Kaneka Corporation, proudly added: 

“Strong partnerships in the value chain 

are indispensable to manifest our new 

AONILEX ® biopolymers in a broad range of 

innovative and sustainable applications. We 

are delighted to participate in creation of 

new value of plastics 

through this joint 

development works”. 

KL 

 

www.biotec.de 

 


News 

daily upated news at 


Australasian Bioplastics Association and 

DIN CERTCO cooperate in certification 

The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with certification body DIN 

CERTCO of Germany for the certification of conformance to the Australian Standard AS 4736-2006 under the Australasian 

Bioplastics Association (ABA) verification programme. 

This Australian Standard covers Biodegradable Plastics suitable for industrial composting. The Agreement was signed by 

Robert Zorn, Managing Director of DIN CERTCO, and Rowan Williams, President of the Australasian Bioplastics Association 

Inc. 

On January 28 th 2015 in the presence of the European Bioplastics. It will also cover assessment of products and materials 

destined for home composting in compliance with Australian Standard AS 5810-2010 and also in the future the certification 

of products or materials claiming biobased content. With this agreement DIN CERTCO ensures the future assessment of applications 

according to the conformity mark, “Seedling Australasia” or commonly known as the “looped seedling logo”, issued 

by the ABA. 

www.bioplastics.org.au - 

www.dincertco.de - www.european-bioplastics.org 

Milan court finds for Novamont, OPA “ridicules ruling“ 

The Court of Milan has ruled in favour of Italian biotech firm Novamont in its case against masterbatch producer Kromabatch 

Srl, over the latter‘s claim that traditional plastics with added d2w could be considered biodegradable or oxo-biodegradable 

according to the European standard UNI EN 13432. 

Kromabatch is a distributor of the oxo-biodegradable plastics additive d2w in Italy, which is marketed by its manufacturer as 

the brand for controlled-life plastic technology. 

Novamont, who produces the biopolymer Mater-Bi, took the company to court on the basis that the information constituted 

unfair competition and mis-information to the consumer. 

In its decision, the court ruled that merely because an additive was added that caused a plastic material to degrade more 

than traditional plastic did not justify the claim that it was „suitable for making biodegradable products in accordance with (...) 

UNI EN 13432“, as in that case, the material itself must comply with the standard, and pass the biodegradability tests prescribed 

therein. Kromabatch, said the court, had moreover misrepresented the nature of the product in question, advertising 

this as suitable for achieving a biodegradability level in conformity with the requirements set down in UNI EN 13432. 

The court further found that it was the duty of every entrepreneur in the industry to „scrupulously check the accuracy of the 

commercial information conveyed “on the market. It therefore forbade Kromabatch from making any claim that the additive 

d2w could „confer biodegradability“ upon traditional plastics in accordance with standard EN 13432, ordered the company to 

pay damages, and to insert a notice of the decision of the court in the Corriere della Sera and in the Italian trade publication 

Polimerica. Kromabatch was also required to publish a notice of the decision on the homepage of its website for two months. 

“It is an important decision because it supports all companies operating in the innovative field of biodegradable plastics who 

respect the rules governing the communication to the consumer,“ said the Commercial Director of Novamont Alessandro Ferlito. 

“Next to aiding purchasing decisions that contribute to improving both environmental conditions and the lives of consumers, 

observing these rules also serves as a significant driver of innovation in our industry,“ added Ferlito. 

Predictably, the Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association erupted in response to the ruling, ridiculing the decision and accusing 

Novamont of using legal actions to try to put their competitors out of business. The OPA also suggested that “perhaps 

Novamont has too much influence in Italy. The Italian government have been persuaded to pass a national law to prefer Novamont’s 

products, which is contrary to EU law. The OPA has made a formal complaint to the EU Commission about it.” 

The OPA also issued a press release that is best described as a spectacular mix of half-truths and sheer nonsense (example: 

“When something is described as compostable an ordinary consumer would think that it can be converted into compost, but 

EN13432 requires it to convert into CO 2 

gas within 180 days. You cannot therefore make compost from it – only CO 2 

gas”) intermixed 

with an actual, incidental fact (“methane is an even more powerful greenhouse gas than CO 2 

”). KL 

www.novamont.com 

6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10

News 

Clear standards for biobased products 

Commissioned by the EU, Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research (Wageningen, the Netherlands) is performing prenormative 

research into standards for biobased products. Using laboratory research and its knowledge and experience with 

biobased products, Food & Biobased Research and project coordinator NEN are looking into the demand for specific labelling 

for and consumer information on biobased products. The project includes a total of 14 European research institutes 

and companies. Food & Biobased Research is performing specific research into quality requirements for biobased products 

based on laboratory tests into specific functional characteristics such as strength, flexibility, permeability, recyclability and 

organic degradability. 

Complete package of standards 

The research is a follow-up to the KBBPPS project, in which Food & Biobased Research also made a major contribution. In 

this new project the analytical methods developed in KBBPPS to determine the biobased content are being supplemented 

with indirect methods; for instance specific measurements serve to check the administrative proof of the biobased origin of 

products. In addition, test methods for determining the degradability of bio-lubricants in soil and water are supplemented 

with other biodegradability tests. The standard test methods that will be developed focus, among other characteristics, 

on the degree in which a product degrades in the ocean, its compostability and the possibilities for conversion into biogas 

(anaerobic digestion). This allows biobased products to be compared to other products with regard to sustainability and also 

enables policy development. 

Communication guidelines 

Communication on the characteristics and applications of biobased products is another key goal of the project. Open-Bio 

looks into communication with businesses, authorities and consumers. The aim is to develop guidelines for labelling biobased 

products and the product information provided with these products. Research is being performed in eight European 

member states into the acceptance of biobased products and demands for communication involving biobased products. The 

results should lead to standards and policy regulations at a European level. 

Global standards 

The project involves various knowledge and research institutes, such as the ECN, FBR and LEI in the Netherlands, the French 

CNRS, the German nova-Institut, and the universities of Athens, Berlin and York. Additionally, the project consortium comprises 

various companies from Europe and further afield. With this wide range of partners, Open-Bio aims to realise a global 

alignment of test methods and standards. To support this goal, various stakeholder workshops will be organised in the coming 

years. MT 

http://bit.ly/1CMvIF7 

Re-Invention of Plastics via Renewable Chemicals 

Innoplast’s 5 th conference on BioPlastics, held in Miami (Florida, USA) end of January was attended by over 100 participants 

representing 14 countries. 

An interesting pre-conference course taught by Dr. Yash Khanna (Innoplast) and Ron Cascone (Nexant) set the stage for 

absorbing the advances in bioplastics technology and business over the next two days. 

There were sessions dedicated to (1) U.S. Government Vision (2) Corporate Vision (3) Sustainability (4) Brand-Owners: Toyota 

& Henkel (5) Compounded Formulations and (6) Renewable Chemicals. Partly and fully biobased polymides was a key theme of 

the conference with DuPont, DSM and Arkema speaking on Nylons and Elevance Renewables, Cathay Industrial & Verdezyne 

speaking on new intermediates for nylons. 

For the next edition of this conference, Innoplast’s 6 th conference on BioPlastics, which is scheduled for June 2016 in the New 

York City area, a call for papers will be issued soon. MT 

www.BioplastConference.com 


Events 

SUSTPACK 2015 in Orlando 

In early April, GreenBlue‘s Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) and Smithers Pira, in association with Packaging Digest, 

held the first edition of SUSTPACK 2015: Collaborating to Move Sustainability Forward in Orlando, Florida, USA. SUSTPACK 

2015 brought together CPGs, researchers, suppliers and sustainability experts – including Dow, Walmart, MIT, Target, 3M, 

Pepsi, Tetra Pak, Georgia Pacific, Annie‘s, the U.S. EPA, Johnson & Johnson and more – for two+ full days of intense examination 

of the materials, technologies and strategies needed to understand the dynamics driving the sustainable packaging 

industry forward. 

SUSTPACK 2015 speaker Meagan E. Smith, Program Director, PepsiCo Recycling commented that “there needs to be a 

change in both consumer behavior and industry structure. If we can work to find solutions that address both, we can do so 

much more in moving the needle on recycling.” 

Building off of the success of Smithers Pira‘s Sustainability in Packaging conference and GreenBlue‘s SPC Spring Conference, 

the SUSTPACK 2015 conference and exhibition examined the needs of the entire supply chain, from feedstock and material 

suppliers, to converters, brand owners, and other end users. In addition to those listed above, more than 50 organizations 

presented or exhibited over the three day event, including Innovia Films, NatureWorks, MHG, Novamont, Biodegradable 

Products Institute (BPI); Biopolymer Network Limited; bioplastics MAGAZINE and many others. 

“SUSTPACK 2015 covered a wide range of topics including, biopolymers, marine debris, and recyclability and recovery. The 

business executives, R&D leaders, government policy makers and investors in the room took a deep look at the many factors 

effecting,” said Barbara Fowler, conference director for Smithers Pira. “SUSTPACK 2015 kicked off with workshops, tours, and 

The Trashies, the packaging industry‘s newest awards honoring the people, process or public service behind the sustainable 

accomplishments in our industry. This was a truly stand-out event for packaging and sustainability professionals to come 

together.” 

One of the four awards went to Aveda, a manufacturer and distributor of cosmetic products that uses Braskem’s 

Green PE. Aveda, an Estee Lauder company, was nominated for the 2014 launch of their Dry Remedy Moisturizing Conditioner 

and Moisturizing Masque in tubes that combine post-consumer recycled content with plant-derived polyethylene, eliminating 

almost all virgin petrochemical plastic from the package. The bioplastic portion is biopolyethylene derived from sugarcane 

bagasse, the fibrous stalks remaining after sugarcane is crushed for sugar production. Since the Dry Remedy launch, Aveda 

has incorporated these materials into all of its new tubes and bottles for new product launches. This includes products in the 

following franchises: Smooth Infusion, Beautifying, Stress-Fix and all new travel sizes. 

“SUSTPACK 2015 was truly a can’t-miss event for the packaging industry. With the diverse range of topics, attendees from 

across the supply chain left Orlando with actionable sustainability insights for their companies.” said Nina Goodrich, Executive 

Director of GreenBlue and Director of the SPC. 

“Companies are looking for ways to share their sustainability story with consumers” adds Danielle Peacock, Project Manager, 

GreenBlue Consumers want to be an active participant in improving the sustainability of lives. Both want clear and accurate 

on-package recycling information. SUSTPACK 2015 delivered that.” 

www.sustainability-in-packaging.com/ 

From left to right: Steve Mahler (Caraustar), 

winner Mike Kennedy (Aveda) and 

Lisa Pierce (Packaging Digest) (Photo: Pira) 


P R E S E N T S 

2015 

T H E T E N T H A N N U A L G L O B A L A W A R D F O R 

D E V E L O P E R S , M A N U F A C T U R E R S A N D U S E R S O F 

B I O B A S E D P L A S T I C S . 

Call for proposals 

Enter your own product, service or development, or nominate 

your favourite example from another organisation 

Please let us know until July 30 th 

1. What the product, service or development is and does 

2. Why you think this product, service or development should win an award 

3. What your (or the proposed) company or organisation does 

Your entry should not exceed 500 words (approx. 1 page) and may also 

be supported with photographs, samples, marketing brochures and/or 

technical documentation (cannot be sent back). The 5 nominees must be 

prepared to provide a 30 second videoclip 

More details and an entry form can be downloaded from 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/award 

The Bioplastics Award will be presented during the 

10 th European Bioplastics Conference 

November 5-6 2015, Berlin, Germany 

supported by 

Sponsors welcome, please contact mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com 


Events 

Biobased Material of the Year 

Innovation Award – Top six candidates nominated 

For the eighth year running the Innovation Award Biobased Material of the Year will be awarded to the young, innovative 

biobased material industry, finding suitable applications and markets for biobased products. The competition focuses on new 

developments in these areas, which have had (or will have) a market launch in 2014 or 2015. The winners will be elected at the 

International Conference on Biobased Materials, 13 – 15 April 2015 in Cologne, Germany. 

This year, six biobased materials and products have been nominated for the Award by the advisory board – out of 24 submitted 

products. The nominated companies are from the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. 

In a short 10-minute presentation, each of the six companies will introduce its innovation. The three winners will be elected 

by the participants of the conference and awarded with the prize, sponsored by Coperion GmbH, at the dinner buffet on April 

14, 2015. 

The Top six candidates are: 

1) Bayer MaterialScience (Germany): DESMODUR ® eco N – First biobased polyurethane 

crosslinker in the market for high performance automotive coatings: Polyisocyanate based 

on Pentamethylene Diisocyanate (PDI) 

The limiting factor for biobased polyurethanes has been the need for polyurethane 

crosslinkers based on renewable feedstock, since biobased polyols solutions already 

exist. Bayer MaterialScience has taken up this challenge and developed Desmodur eco 

N: a new solvent-free aliphatic polyisocyanate and the first polyurethane crosslinker on 

the market with a significant renewable content that has not come at the expense of 

performance. This crosslinker is based on a new isocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate 

(PDI), 70 percent of whose carbon content comes from biomass. Furthermore it is 

produced using energy-efficient gas-phase technology, to assure minimum impact on 

the carbon footprint. This product enables the production of biobased polyurethanes for 

high-performance automotive coatings. (see also article on p. 24) 

2) EcoTechnilin Ltd (UK): FibriRock 100 % biosourced composite for aircraft applications comprising 

flax non-woven, basalt yarns and a sugar-based bioresin. Co-developed with TFC 

FibriRock: a lightweight biosourced fast-curing composite with excellent FST performance. 

Certified for use in an airline galley cart, FibriRock combines a Nomex-type core 

with skins formed from flax, basalt and a sugar-based bioresin. There are three reasons 

why FibriRock is so special in the field of aerospace composites: the skins, which represent 

87 % of the material, are 100 % biosourced; the fast processing times (150 seconds) 

are quite exceptional in the field of aircraft composites where most sandwich-type materials 

need 40 and 70 minutes to cure; and the low heat release rate (15 kWmin/m 2 ) is 

only a third compared to competitive materials enabling clients to use much cheaper 

films and decorative finishes. Hence FibriRock is taking EcoTechnilin to new heights! 

3) Evonik Industries (Germany): 100 % biobased high performance polyamide 12 based on 

palm kernel oil 

Thanks to its specific properties, polyamide 12 is the material of choice for a wide range 

of high performance products in numerous applications. Examples are sophisticated 

liner systems for motor vehicles, large-volume pipes, e. g., in the oil and gas industry, 

medical catheters, or injection-molded parts. 

The conventional production of PA 12 starts from petroleum based butadiene. This 

is transformed via multiple chemical process steps to the key monomer laurolactam. 

Now, the breakthrough alternative uses a one-step fermentation process starting from 

lauric acid methylester which is based on the renewable resource palm kernel oil. The 


Events 

resulting monomer 12-aminolauric acid is processed via established polymerization and compounding steps to polyamide 12 

products with the same outstanding properties as the conventionally produced ones. 

4) HIB TRIM PART SOLUTIONS (Germany): Nature 50 – Natural fibre reinforced plastic 

(Hemp – PP) including a long fibre ratio > 50 % for injection moulding 

In the last years, many companies have developed natural fibre reinforced PP granulates 

– but the market success has been limited. HIB’s new Nature 50 granulate is 

a completely new development with unique properties. Long hemp fibres (> 50 %) are 

mixed with PP and additives in an innovative cold-press technology (no extruder). The 

granulate can then be extruded or injection moulded in serial moulding tools. The long 

hemp fibres give a unique design and a good Charpy impact property to the material – 

making it suitable for automotive parts. The weight reduction is between 18 and 20 % 

in substitution of serial plastic PC ABS GF20. Also impact strength, shrinkage and heat 

expansion show attractive properties. 

As a pure injection moulding part, Nature 50 shows an extraordinary appearance due to the long fibres, which can be varied 

by colouring. Therefore the material offers a wide range of design options for the automotive sector and other industries. 

5) INVISTA S.a.r.l. (USA): LYCRA ® T 162R Fibre – spandex yarn made using renewable butanediol 

as raw material with a lower CO 2 

and fossil fuel emissions footprint 

INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibres, and 

owner of the LYCRA ® brand, has introduced the only commercial offering of a bioderived 

spandex available globally and for use in a wide variety of apparel fabrics and garments. 

Approximately 70 % by weight of the new T 162R Lycra bioderived spandex fibre comes 

from a renewable butanediol raw material source made from dextrose derived from 

corn. The use of a renewable feedstock in the making of this new Lycra bioderived fibre 

results in a lower CO 2 

and fossil fuel emissions footprint than spandex produced using 

traditional raw materials. (see also article on p. 26) 

magnetic_148,5x105.ai 175.00 lpi 15.00° 75.00° 0.00° 45.00° 14.03.2009 10:13:31 

Prozess CyanProzess MagentaProzess GelbProzess Schwarz 

6) twoBEars (Germany): bioFila – High performance 

PLA blends with outstanding 

optic and haptic properties for 3D printing 

In 2009 the patent of Stratasys for 3D printing ended and 

opened the way for 3D printing for everybody. By now, a multitude 

of printing files can be freely downloaded from the 

internet. This, products do not travel around the world, but 

can be printed at home, offering a big potential for reducing 

global transport emissions. The market for 3D printing filaments 

is US$ 800 Mio. and is expected grow tenfold in the 

next 10 years. 

C 

With the new developments, 

also new 

M 

challenges appear: 

Y 

A lot of waste and 

CM 

prints with failures 

MY 

are produced by 3D 

CY 

printing. TwoBEars 

CMY 

has developed Pla- 

K 

Tec, a biodegradable 

3D printing material made from renewable raw materials It 

is stronger than ABS, and with its softening temperature of 

120 °C it’s rather easy to process. MT 

www.biowerkstoff-kongress.de/award – www.materialscience.bayer.com 

www.ecotechnilin.com – www.evonik.com – www.hib-solutions.com 

www.invista.com – http://two-bears.eu – www.nova-institute.eu 

Magnetic 

www.plasticker.com 

for Plastics 

• International Trade 

in Raw Materials, 

Machinery & Products 

Free of Charge 

• Daily News 

from the Industrial Sector 

and the Plastics Markets 

• Current Market Prices 

for Plastics. 

• Buyer’s Guide 

for Plastics & Additives, 

Machinery & Equipment, 

Subcontractors 

and Services. 

• Job Market 

for Specialists and 

Executive Staff in the 

Plastics Industry 

Up-to-date • Fast • Professional 


Events 

bioplastics MAGAZINE presents: 

The first bio!PAC Conference on Biobased Packaging in Amsterdam/The Netherlands, 

organised by bioplastics MAGAZINE is the must-attend conference 

for everyone interested in packaging made from renewable resources. The 

conference offers high class presentations from top individuals from raw material 

and packaging providers as well as from brand owners already using 

biobased packaging. The unique event also offers excellent networking opportunities 

along with a table top exhibition. Please find below the updated 

programme. Find more details and register at the conference website. 

bio PAC 

biobased packaging 

c o n f e r e n c e 

12/13 may 2015 

novotel, amsterdam 

www.bio-pac.info 

Programme - bio!PAC: Conference on Biobased Packaging 

Tuesday, May 12, 2015 

07:30 - 08:45 Registration, Welcome-Coffee 

08:45 - 09:15 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Welcome remarks – Basics of “biobased“ (definitions etc.) 

09:15 - 09:40 Harald Kaeb, narocon Keynote Speech : “… and the Next Generation? 25 Years Reviewed.” 

09:40 - 10:05 Francois de Bie, Corbion (and EUBP) The revolution in biobased and biodegradable plastics 

10:05 - 10:30 Katja Schneider, FNR Renewable resources for Biobased packaging – an overview 

10:30 - 10:45 Q&A 

10:45 - 11:10 Coffeebreak 

11:10 - 11:35 Patrick Zimmermann, FKuR Packaging – “necessary evil“ or new opportunities for branding. 

11:35 - 12:00 Erik Lindroth, Tetra Pak The world’s first fully renewable beverage carton 

12:00 - 12:25 Laura de Nooijer, Lovechoc A holistic concept of product and packaging 

12:25 - 12:40 Q&A 

12:40 - 13:45 Lunch 

13:45 - 14:10 Erwin Vink, NatureWorks Changing landscape in Europe offering new opportunities for bioplastics 

14:10 - 14:35 Emanuela Bardi, Tahgleef Industries PLA flexible packaging applications 

14:35 - 15:00 Peter Matthijsen, Synbra BioFoam – PLA particle foam 

15:00 - 15:15 Q&A 


15:35 - 16:00 Markus Schmidt, Fraunhofer IVV Food packaging based on renewable resources: 

A research perspective 

16:00 - 16:25 Lawrence Theunissen, Reverdia Packaging performance opportunities from bio-based PBS 

16:25 - 16.50 Jaap Hooijmans, Energy research Centre of the How to prove that your product is biobased? 

Netherlands (ECN) 

16:50 - 17:30 Panel discussion: t.b.d. Land use availability for renewably sources materials 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 

08:30 - 08:35 Michael Thielen Opening remarks 2 nd day 

08:35 - 09:00 Andy Sweetman, Innovia Films Biomaterial partnerships for flexible packaging: Delivering the functional 

performance to match market needs 

09:00 - 09:25 John McEvoy, Celanese International Cellulose Diacetate Window Films of Opportunity 

09:25 - 09:50 Tom Domen, Ecover Biobased packaging Manifesto 

09:50 - 10:15 Remy Jongboom, Biotec Sustainable and heat-resistant material for food packaging 

10:15 - 10:30 Q&A 


10:55 - 11:20 Arjan Klapwijk, bio4life Biobased labels and adhesives 

11:20 - 11:45 Tobias Bloemker, Tesa From application to CO 2 

in 180 days – biodegradable PSA tapes 

11:45 - 12:10 Karlheinz Hausmann, DuPont Biopolymersolutions and Applications in Packaging 

12:10 - 12:35 Larissa Zirkel, Infiana Germany Innovative sustainable films for the diverse bio-packaging market 

12:35 - 12:50 Q&A 

12:50 - 14:00 Lunch 

14:00 - 14:25 Martin Bussmann, BASF Examples for biobased packaging based on material combinations 

14:25 - 14:50 Patrick Gerritsen, Bio4pack Biobased packaging based on laminates 

14:50 - 15:15 Gert-Jan Gruter, Avantium PEF, a novel 100 % biobased packaging material 

15:15 - 15:30 Q&A 

15:30 - 15:55 Hein van den Reek, Billerudkorsnas Formable paper packaging and a great future 

15:55 - 16:20 Mark Geerts, Paperfoam Biobased & biodegradable alternatives for (bio)plastic packaging 

16:20 - 16:35 Q&A 

16:35 - 16:40 Michael Thielen Closing remarks 

(subject to changes, visit www.bio-pac.info for updates) 


io PAC 


c o n f e r e n c e 


novotel, amsterdam 

» Packaging is necessary. 

» Packaging protects the precious goods during transport 

and storage. 

» Packaging conveys important messages to the consumer. 

» Good packaging helps to increase the shelf life. 

BUT: 

Packaging does not necessarily need to be made from petroleum 

based plastics. 


» is packaging made from mother nature‘s gifts. 

» is packaging made from renewable resources. 

» is packaging made from biobased plastics, from plant 

residues such as palm leaves or bagasse. 

» offers incredible opportunities. 

Gold Sponsors 

Silver Sponsor 

Bronze Sponsors 


supported by 

Media Partner 

in cooperation with 

www.biobasedpackaging.nl

Cover-Story 

Advertorial 

Present biodegradable plastics 

Shanxi JinHui Group–An Important Player on 

Promoting Biodegradable Plastics in China 

“…a lot of work needs to be done, (…) for the coming generations, 

for our human being on the planet” says Janice Li, Vice President of 

Shanxi JinHui Group. 

With rising of people’s environmental protection 

awareness as well as a higher standard for living 

quality, bold and swift actions have been done all 

around the world to improve the living environment. However, 

white pollutions caused by plastics are damaging our 

living environment on a tremendous speed, and our daily 

lives are been negatively affected. Many countries like Italy, 

France, Belgium and USA have passed (or are preparing) 

regulations on Ban of Plastics and promoting biodegradable 

plastics usage. When it comes to China, relative steps 

are moving fast and stably, especially against the White 

Pollution. The consumptions of biodegradable plastics 

depend largely on government policy. With its 1.3 billion 

population and strong central government, China is set to 

become the world largest biodegradable plastics producers, 

converters and users within 3 to 5 years. 

The industrialized biodegradable plastics in China 

include PBAT, PBS, PLA, PHA, PPC etc. The combined 

existing production capacity is around 85,000 tonnes 

annually. In the past, the majority of biodegradable raw 

materials, modified compounds and final products, like 

shopping bags and food service items etc., were exported 

to Europe, Australia, USA and Canada, etc. And the 

biodegradable plastic products’ consumptions in China 

remains minimal. However, this all will be changed with 

an increase of environment awareness and government 

support. 

A Chinese central government policy – Ban on Plastic 

Bags – has been in place since June 1 st , 2008, under 

which the plastic shopping bags thinner than 0.025 mm 

are not allowed to be produced, sold and used in China. 

All supermarkets, shopping malls and wet markets are 

requested to provide priced plastic shopping bags only; 

free plastic shopping bags have been banned in China. 

Paid plastic bags become a new norm in people’s lives. 

While as the time goes by, this policy didn’t decrease 

the consumption of polyethylene bags in quantity, white 

pollution became more severe than before. 

Fortunately, a new ban emerged recently, which is like a 

bright star in the night sky. “Regulations of Jilin Province 

to Ban the Production and Provider of Disposable Nondegradable 

Plastic Shopping Bags and Plastic Food Wares” 

have been fully implemented starting from January 1 st , 

2015. “If we do not stop usage of non-degradable bags and 


Cover-Story 

Advertorial 

development in China 

food wares, sooner or later, someone will definitely do it; 

if we do it at present, definitely more people will do the 

same”, said a local government official. Learning from prior 

experience, the Jilin government issued many detailed 

and specific regulations to ensure the implementation 

of the new policy. As a result many biodegradable plastic 

materials and final product producers have settled in 

Changchun City, the capital of Jilin Province. ShanXi 

JinHui Group is part of this development as one of the big 

players in the biodegradable plastics sector. With the full 

backing of the provincial government and Jinlin’s NDRC 

(National Development and Reform Commission), JinHui 

is confident that Jilin will achieve the target becoming 

the first successful region in China to undertake such 

a move. At the same time, other provinces are passing 

similar regulations. This trend will significantly change 

the standing of the biodegradable plastics industry in 

China. With China’s large population base and the support 

of government, biodegradable plastics industry will grow 

in an unimaginable speed. 

In order to build a successfully sustainable biodegradable 

plastics industry and meet the unexpected instantaneous 

large market, both national and local government have 

drawn much attention on this project and has been making 

great efforts to support it. For example, Changchun Bio- 

Based Material Industry Innovation Park (CBMIIP) is built. 

Shanxi JinHui Group, an important player in 

China’s Biodegradable Plastics Industry 

Being the largest producer of PBAT in China, JinHui 

ZhaoLong (100 % owned by Shanxi JinHui Group), with its 

20,000 tonnes/yr capacity, has expanded a sound market 

in Italy and UK with its ECOWORLD PBAT based starch 

compound (ECOWILL FS-0330). And the new established 

entity in CBMIIP of Jilin, namely Jilin SenRuiDa High 

Technologies. Co., Ltd, (hereafter called SenRuiDa 

which is 100 % owned by Shanxi JinHui Group) aims to 

manufacture ECOWORLD PBAT based PLA compound 

(ECOWILL FP-0335). 

With the financial support, mature technology, stable 

elite team, and most importantly a sister company JinHui 

ZhaoLong which produces stable quality PBAT, SenRuiDa 

has built a close and solid collaboration with local wellknown 

plastic bag manufactures and successfully helped 

them transform from traditional PE bags producers to 

biodegradable bag suppliers. Through full aspects of 

cooperation from all parties since beginning, currently 

around 90 % Jilin Province’s biodegradable shopping bags 

are made with SenRuida’s material (ECOWILL FP-0335), 

especially the first line super-markets and well known 

international enterprises like Wall-mart and KFC in Jilin. 

They all gave active respond and action to this ban. 

“The challenges we face are real, even though we have 

advantages of raw materials and technology, a lot of 

work needs to be done, which is not only for us, for Jilin, 

but also for China, for the coming generations, for our 

human being on the planet. After all, action speaks louder 

than everything. No matter how hard it will be, we have 

determined to do it”, as Janice Li said, the vice president 

of Shanxi JinHui Group. “Actually, each person can do his 

or her contribution to our environment, we together can 

do better, we can do more, and so as to we could embrace 

a bright future.” 

Jilin’s Ban on Traditional Plastics is just like one corner 

of the biodegradable industrial iceberg, which is effectively 

creating market demand and fostering the biodegradable 

plastics industry development in China. SenRuida is 

planning to reach a 30,000 tonnes /yr compounding 

capacity by year 2017 in Jilin. In the near coming days, no 

doubt will the biodegradable plastics market of China grow 

larger, and Shanxi JinHui Group has been ready to play its 

key role to build a greener and healthier environment. 

The target of Shanxi JinHui Group is to become an 

influential bioplastics enterprise globally in terms of 

technology, product range, services and market influence. 

“We are willing to work with companies with same vision, 

such as providing greener and safer environment for 

coming generations. I believe that companies with strong 

financial background, stable material supplies, growing 

market and mature industrialized technologies will 

succeed with support of strong government regulations. 

But most importantly, an open mind to learn and to 

cooperate from all parties is the key. We are open to work 

with all of you to push forward biodegradable plastics 

development in China.” said Janice Li. 

www.jinhuigroup.com 



New bio-based, solvent-free 

lidding films 

bio-PET structural layer 

(30 % MEG from sugar cane) 

Proprietary biobased multilayer sealant, based on 

bio-PE engineered for high performance sealing 

Layer structure of LumiLid biobased lidding films 

In early March of this year Toray Plastics (America), Inc. 

from North Kingstown, Rhode Island, announced the 

introduction of new biobased lidding films. The two 

grades of LumiLid ® biobased lidding films are based on 

Toray’s original XLLS and XL5 lidding films. 

The biobased, dual-ovenable lidding films are 

manufactured with Toray’s proprietary sustainable resin 

blends. Both multilayer products consist of a structural 

bio-PET layer (30 % of which are made from sugar cane) 

and a specialty sealant layer, which delivers specified 

performance and seal- strength characteristics. This 

sealant is an extrusion coated proprietary multilayer 

structure made with a certain amount of biobased 

polyethylene. Thus the biobased LumiLid XLLS-based 

product shows a total bio-content of about 50 % and 

the XL5 based film of 35 % (validated by third party 

laboratory). 

Biobased LumiLid films were created to lessen the 

impact on the environment, as they use fewer petroleum 

resources while they are being manufactured, and to 

meet the needs of environment-conscious end users and 

consumers. In addition, like all LumiLid films, these are 

manufactured in a solventless process which ensures 

the films are odor-free. This may alleviate end-users’ 

concerns about solvent retention, as well as enhance the 

films’ sustainability profile. 

The new LumiLid films are designed for frozen, wet 

and dry food, and dairy applications. They are FDAcompliant 

for use with oven temperatures of up to 205 °C 

(400 °F) for 30 minutes. 

LumiLid films are also Interstate Milk Shippers (IMS)- 

certified, so they offer another level of assurance for 

dairy customers. 

“The next generation of innovative, bio-based film 

technology has arrived,” says Milan Moscaritolo, 

Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, Toray Plastics 

(America). “The option to choose a bio-based lidding 

film that has so many advanced features and such highperformance 

capability presents a unique opportunity to 

end users and converters.” 

LumiLid bio-based films have the same superior 

performance qualities that are characteristic of the 

LumiLid brand. They have a low seal initiation (SIT), broad 

seal range, outstanding seal integrity, and an easy peel. 

They are available in clear, white, and — for enhanced 

barrier properties — metallized formats. MT 

www.toraytpa.com 



New cast PLA films 

Chemical Works NITRO-CHEM S.A. located in Bydgoszcz, 

Poland, in cooperation with Corbion Purac, are developing 

TRINIFLEX ® cast PLA films for rigid and thermoformable 

packaging. The cooperation started in 2014, with 

target applications in the meat packaging industry. The films 

are based on PLA from Corbion Purac, who have brought to 

market a range of PLA resins suitable for cast film extrusion. 

Triniflex unoriented cast PLA films distinguish themselves 

from BOPLA films currently available in the market by their 

good mechanical properties, very good thickness profile and 

excellent sealing performance. Triniflex PLA cast film at low 

thickness (25 – 70 µm) are also suitable for flexo reverse printing 

and laminating with thick compostable materials, giving 

extremely good optical print properties. The films can be successfully 

converted with standard technologies used in the 

packaging industry. 

Two application concepts for Triniflex cast PLA films 

are currently in development for rigid and thermoformed 

packaging, combining the high quality of Corbion Purac’s PLA 

with extremely unique cast film extrusion technology owned 

by Nitro-Chem S.A.: 

• Composite rigid trays made of natural bio-sourced fibrous 

material (e. g. paper pulp, sugar or palm tree cane pulp, 

etc.) laminated with Triniflex cast PLA films (25– 70 µm), 

• Thermoformable laminates of Triniflex cast PLA films 

(25– 70 µm) laminated with thick (200– 400 µm) PLA films 

or other thick, compostable films, optimized for printing. 

In a production process of unoriented PLA film, also known 

as the cast process, a layer of melted material is extruded 

from a flat nozzle onto a rotating, water-cooled roll. When 

producing cast PLA films, the material must be carefully 

pre-dried and the thickness and guiding of the web must 

be monitored closely. The specific properties of PLA require 

unique, dedicated technical solutions, making it possible to 

process on casting machines. Its high rigidity combined with 

perfect optical parameters allow for the use of this material 

in packaging applications as an alternative to PET, PVC, HIPS 

or cellulose derivatives. 

Unoriented Triniflex cast PLA films are characterised by their 

excellent twist-angle retention and deadfold-angle retention 

Deadfold-angle retention and twist retention performance of 

the cast PLA film is comparable to parameters of cellulose 

films and up to 20 % better than other thermoplastic materials. 

The cast PLA films are also characterised by good barrier 

properties for aromas, solvent molecules or oils. For example, 

their barrier performance against d-limonene is at a level 

similar to PET and PA-6. 

The cast PLA film barrier performance against water vapour 

is higher than that of PP, PVC or PET unoriented films, while 

its barrier performance against oxygen is higher versus HIPS 

and significantly lower versus PP, PVC and PET. Considering 

the described barrier performance, the PLA Triniflex film is 

suitable for packing food products of a short shelf-life, dry 

foodstuffs containing edible oils or frozen food. 

Standard PLA has a Tg of 55 – 65 °C , resulting in a low sealing 

onset temperature of around 80 °C. The cast PLA films are 

optimized for fast-sealing machines thanks to their good hottack 

properties. These properties give very promising results 

with thermal lamination of fibrous material trays, resulting 

in high uniformity and good lamination strength. The PLAlaminated 

pulp trays became water and oxygen resistant, and 

were extremely easy to seal together with other BOPLA or 

BOPLA–cast PLA laminate reverse printed top films. 

Their excellent optical parameters, twist retention and 

deadfold-angle retention, combined with possibilities 

for printing and sealing with other materials make the 

biodegradable, unoriented Triniflex cast PLA films an 

excellent choice for a wide range of applications in the 

packaging industry. 

www.triniflex.com.pl 

350 

300 

Twist angle retention 

Deadfold-angle retention 

250 

200 

150 

100 

Fig. 1: 

Twist-angle 

retention and 

deadfold-angle 

retention of 

selected films. 

50 

0 

BOPP cPLA Cellophane BOPET BOPA-6 



Thermoformable 

high-barrier 

material 

Used by some of the worlds leading retailers and processors 

Plantic Technologies Ltd (Altona, Victoria, Australia) 

thermoformable bottom webs are providing a new class 

in ultra-high barrier films made from renewable and reclyable 

materials and are a cost effective replacement for conventional 

oil based films. 

Plantic Technologies has achieved a unique place in the world 

market for bioplastics through proprietary technology that 

delivers biodegradable and renewable sourced alternatives to 

conventional plastics based on corn and cassava; which is not 

genetically modified. 

Unlike some other bioplastics companies who utilise organic 

materials but whose polymers are still developed in refineries, 

Plantic’s polymer as well as its raw material, are grown in a field. 

The entire process integrates the science of organic innovation 

with commercial and industrial productivity in a new way. The 

result is both a broad range of immediate performance and cost 

advantages, and long-term environmental and sustainability 

benefits. 

Plantic eco Plastic, Plantic eco Plastic R, Plantic eco 

Plastic Ultra and Plantic eco Plastic Peel represent the 

company’s flagship products for rigid packaging on traditional 

thermoformers. These products are a direct replacement for 

conventional polymers but when compared with these oil based 

products, Plantics products use up to 40 % less energy and 

reduce greenhouse gases by up to 70 %. 

Plantic Technologies Ltd is supplying major supermarket 

customers on three continents in applications such as fresh case 

ready beef, pork, lamb and veal, smoked and processed meats, 

chicken, fresh pasta and cheese applications. Plantics products 

have proven to have exceptional gas barrier properties which 

dramatically extend the shelf life of the packaged product. 

Plantic Technologies is expanding rapidly and refining its 

technology to meet the ever growing global needs for more 

environmentally and performance efficient products. Plantic 

Technologies has released a new range of flexible materials 

with the same environmental and performance characteristics 

as their rigid based structures. These flexible options are 

proving already to be a preferred choice for many consumers, 

retailers and processors. “Plantic eco Plastic is not just about 

being a sustainable material, it has an ultra-high barrier that 

can improve the shelf life of a product, and reduce food waste. 

With Plantic eco Plastic you can have an enormous impact on 

value change and reduce the effects of climate change, both by 

reducing food waste and using more sustainable materials.” 

Brendan Morris Plantic Technologies Limited CEO and Managing 

Director said. MT 

www.plantic.com.au 


Polylactic Acid 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer has expanded its product portfolio to include the innovative stateof-the-art 

PLAneo ® process. The feedstock for our PLA process is lactic acid, which can 

be produced from local agricultural products containing starch or sugar. 

The application range of PLA is similar to that of polymers based on fossil resources as 

its physical properties can be tailored to meet packaging, textile and other requirements. 

Think. Invest. Earn. 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH 

Holzhauser Strasse 157–159 

13509 Berlin 

Germany 

Tel. +49 30 43 567 5 

Fax +49 30 43 567 699 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG 

Via Innovativa 31 

7013 Domat/Ems 

Switzerland 

Tel. +41 81 632 63 11 

Fax +41 81 632 74 03 

marketing@uhde-inventa-fi scher.com 

www.uhde-inventa-fi scher.com 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer

Certification 

OK biodegradable MARINE: 

Vinçotte offers a new certificate to verify the claims of 

marine biodegradability: OK biodegradable MARINE. 

However, given that putting a product on the market 

as marine biodegradable is an extremely sensitive issue 

that quickly gets a negative connotation many certification 

bodies will not risk burning their fingers on this topic. This 

article looks at the main criticism of marine biodegradable 

products and explains why Vinçotte nevertheless chose to 

offer certification for marine biodegradable products. 

Encourages marine littering? 

An important criticism is, that if consumers know that 

a product or packaging is biodegradable in the marine 

environment, they will litter these products in the sea 

without reservation, and (who knows) other products too. 

In other words, instead of reducing the problem this could 

result in even more marine waste. 

It is assumed that the bulk of marine debris is disposed 

directly in the sea. But is that really so? 

Origins of marine waste 

The origin of marine debris is endlessly diverse. Moreover, 

litter can travel long distances, which makes it a challenging 

task to trace such litter back to its origin. Generally marine 

debris comes from two sources: land-based and oceanbased. 

The major land-based sources of marine debris can 

include waste from dumpsites located along coastal 

areas or banks of rivers; industrial outfalls; materials 

manufacturers, processors and transporters [1] 

The major ocean-based sources of marine debris include 

shipping (merchant, public transport, pleasure, naval and 

research vessels), and fishing (vessels, angling and fish 

farming) activities; undersea exploration; legal and illegal 

dumping at sea [1] 

In 1991 the United Nations Joint Group of Experts on the 

Scientific Aspects of Marine pollution estimated that up to 

80 % of marine pollution comes from the land. In 2001 the 

National Marine Debris Monitoring Program (NMDMP [1]) 

was started. This study was conducted between September 

2001 and September 2006 and the result indicated that 

land-based sources of marine debris accounted for 49 %, 

in comparison to 18 % from ocean based and 33 % nondistinguishable 

items (plastic bags, straps, and plastic 

bottles). 

The fact that marine biodegradable products could 

actually increase the polluting behaviour at sea is an 

important concern, however, waste production on the land 

has much greater impact on marine debris. 

… and are OK biodegradable MARINE certified 

products the solution? 

That the certification of marine biodegradable products 

solves a problem which is not actually the starting 

point and is not the question to be answered. The OK 

biodegradable MARINE certificate provides an answer 

to such manufacturers or suppliers who offer marine 

biodegradable products and want to have their claim 

verified by an independent third party. 

Being, however, well aware of misunderstandings that 

can easily arise amongst consumers, the OK biodegradable 

MARINE certification scheme makes a clear distinction 

between: 

1. Certification of the claim of marine biodegradation and 

2. Authorization to publish this certification. 

Only for a very limited group of products is authorisation 

given to communicate on the product itself about the OK 

biodegradable MARINE certificate. It concerns products 

that are actually used in the marine environment (e. g. 

fishing line, fishing baits, cull panels, etc.) and therefore 

their marine biodegradability can actually be of real interest 

to their consumers. 

Mentioning the OK biodegradable MARINE logo on all 

other products that could possibly encourage the customer 

in marine littering is not allowed. For these products 

marine biodegradability is an unknown function with an 

intrinsic added value: if it inadvertently ends up in the 

marine environment, it will be utilized by microorganisms. 

Considering the fact that most marine debris is landbased, 

marine biodegradability is an added value to any 

product or packaging regardless of where it is consumed. 

The chance that it eventually ends up at sea will always exist. 

Any supplier who invests in adding this functionality to his 

product or packaging should have the opportunity to have the 

information verified according to international standards. 


Guarantee the claim of biodegradability in the marine environment 

This verification is not only a reference to harmonize the claim 

but also offers the supplier the opportunity to distinguish his 

truly marine biodegradable product from any doubtful claim 

by his competitors. 

How certification works: the iceberg example 

Certification processes are organised rather like an iceberg 

is structured. 

The top 

The top of the iceberg draws the attention, just 

like the certification logo, however the largest 

part remains hidden under water. 

Under water 

Certificate holders want to have their products 

able to claim marine biodegradability without 

having to disclose confidential information about 

the product details to the public. That is exactly 

what certification is about: a third independent 

party that fully evaluates the product without 

revealing the details to the public, only the 

final result. The evaluation happens “under the 

surface”. 

Applicable standards 

• ASTM D 7081-05 (Standard Specification for Non-Floating 

Biodegradable Plastics in the Marine Environment) 

• ASTM D.6691 (Standard Test Method for Determining 

Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine 

Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural 

Sea Water Inoculum) 

More information / sources 

[1] National Marine Debris Monitoring Programm (NMDMP): 

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/marinedebris/nmdmp.cfm 

[2] Certification OK biodegradable MARINE: www.OKbiodegradable.be 

[3] GESAMP: Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine 

Environmental Protection: http://www.gesamp.org/ 

www.OKbiodegradable.be 

By: 

Petra Michiels 

Contract Manager 

Vinçotte 

Vilvoorde, Belgium 

OK Marine test procedure in a nutshell 

Before products are certified for biodegradability in 

the marine environment, they are tested in four different 

ways. 

Disintegration 

During the disintegration test it is verified whether 

or not the product fragments sufficiently. In concrete 

terms this means that after a period of 2.5 months (84 

days) 90% of the test material is sufficiently fragmented 

to pass through a sieve of 2 to 2 mm. 

Biodegradation 

During the biodegradation it is tested whether the 

test item actually completely breaks down to the level 

of CO 2 

and H 2 

O molecules. 90% of the product must 

be converted into these molecules within 6 months in 

the marine environment. This test is performed in an 

environment of salt water with an inoculum of natural 

seawater. 

Ecotoxicity 

During the ecotoxicity test it is checked that the 

degraded test material exerts no negative influence on 

marine aquatic organisms (invertebrates, daphnia, fish, 

algae or cyanobacteria). 

Content of heavy metals and fluorine 

The same limits apply to heavy metals and fluorine as 

in the European standard for compostability (EN 13432). 

In addition, there is a further limitation for cobalt. 



Bio-based PolyTHF 

BASF has announced that it is now offering bio-based Polytetrahydrofuran 

1000 (PolyTHF 1000) for the first time. The 

company is providing this intermediate to selected partners 

for testing various applications in a large scale. 

PolyTHF is a hygroscopic polymer made up of linear diols 

with a backbone of repeating tetramethylene units, which are 

connected by ether linkages. The chains are capped with primary 

hydroxyl units and are produced by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran. 

It is a white solid that melts into a clear, colorless liquid when 

heated to between -15 and 30 °C, depending on its molecular 

weight. PolyTHF is especially beneficial when used as a building 

block for soft segment elastomers such as polyurethanes, copolyetheresters 

and co-polyetheramides. Its hydroxyl groups 

react with other functional groups such as organic acids or 

isocyanates. The most significant reactions are 

polyaddition and polycondensation. 

“The bio-based PolyTHF 1000 

is identical in quality to the 

petrochemical-based product,” said 

Andrej Brejc, Director Renewable 

Diols from BASF’s Intermediates 

division. “The opportunity to expand 

the range of products and applications 

made from renewable raw materials 

allows us and our partners to further 

explore the long-term market acceptance of 

this innovative technology.” 

PolyTHF is derived from 1,4 butanediol 

(BDO), which BASF has produced 

under license from Genomatica. BASF 

began production of 1,4-butanediol 

based on renewable feedstock using 

Genomatica’s patented one-step 

fermentation process, based on sugars. 

BASF is the world’s leading provider 

of PolyTHF. It is primarily used to 

make elastic spandex fibers for a 

large variety of textiles, including 

underwear, outerwear, sportswear and 

swimsuits. PolyTHF 1000 is mainly 

applied as a chemical building block 

for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), 

which is used to make for example 

parts of ski boots and skates, shoe 

soles and instrument panel skin for 

automotive applications as well as 

hoses, films and cable sheathing. 

It is also used as a component of 

thermoplastic polyetheresters and 

polyetheramides. Other applications 

include cast elastomers, which are used, 

for example, for the production of wheels 

for skateboards and inline skates. KL 

www.basf.com 

O 

n 

OH 



Biobased TPE to create 

innovative new products 

In 2011 Green Dot (Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, USA) introduced 

Terratek Flex, the first biodegradable, thermoplastic 

elastomer available in the North American 

market. Terratek Flex is partially derived from biobased 

materials (starch) and offers a range of physical attributes 

comparable to engineering grade thermoplastic elastomers. 

Terratek Flex is strong and pliable with an exquisite 

soft touch. The material characteristics provide excellent 

performance in fabrication and can be used with existing 

manufacturing equipment in the majority of plastic 

processing applications including, injection molding, 

profile extrusion, sheet extrusion, thermoforming and 

lamination. Terratek Flex also offers superior printing and 

scenting compared to petroleum based TPE’s. 

The Terratek Flex family of resins is available in injection 

molding and extrusion grades and can be modified to help 

meet customer’s needs for hardness and flexibility. It can 

be used to create softer, flexible parts, in over-molding, 

or to modify the impact properties and flexibility of other 

biopolymers such as PLA or PBS. 

Green Dot’s initial product success was a compostable 

phone case for the iPhone. Green Dot designed and 

manufactured the case and shipped over 100,000 

units, placing the new material directly in the hands of 

consumers. 

The company has also worked with Fort Collins, 

Colorado toy maker, BeginAgain Toys to produce several 

products. Scented Scoops is an imaginative ice cream play 

set with ice cream scoops made using Terratek Flex with 

vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry scents. BeginAgain has 

also used the material in several teething toys. Terratek 

Flex has been tested by NSF International Laboratories 

and found to be free from phthalates, BPA, lead and 

cadmium. 

Green Dot recently showcased synthetic leather made 

from Terratek Flex at the NPE 2015 plastics expo held 

in Orlando, Florida in March (see photos). Green Dot 

synthetic leather is breathable and strong and is made 

without solvents, adhesives or harmful discharge to water. 

Garments and accessories made from the synthetic 

leather were featured in the ‘Zero Waste’ fashion show 

during the expo’s opening ceremonies. Additional tote 

bags and backpacks made by New York designer Catherine 

were also displayed in Green Dot’s booth at the show. 

Green Dot is currently working with top tier companies 

in athletic footwear, upholstery, and accessories who are 

using the synthetic leather to create new products to meet 

the growing consumer demand for more sustainable 

goods. 

Garment for Green Dot 

created by Siobhan Mulhern, 

Savannah College of Art and Design 

(photo:NPE) 

www.GreenDotPure.com. 



A milestone towards 

biobased polyurethanes 

At the European Coatings Show 2015 from April 21 – 23 

in Nuremberg, Germany, the industry’s largest event 

worldwide, Bayer MaterialScience (Leverkusen, Germany) 

will be introducing new milestones in polyurethanes, 

underscoring its global leadership in polyurethane raw materials 

for high-performance and environmentally compatible 

coatings and adhesives as well as its alignment on the needs 

of its customers. 

PDI: a new isocyanate from biomass 

There are quite a number of biobased polyols in the market 

and further in development in the industry, but the limiting 

factor so far to develop a biobased polyurethane has been the 

challenge of coming up with a biobased hardener. 

Customers are increasingly demanding products based 

on renewable raw materials. Environmental compatibility is 

becoming a market requirement. At the European Coatings 

Show, Bayer MaterialScience is showcasing a milestone 

in this field: DESMODUR ® eco N, a solvent free aliphatic 

polyisocyanate and the first polyurethane crosslinker on the 

market with a significant renewable content that has not come 

at the expense of performance. This crosslinker is based on 

a new isocyanate: 

Pentamethylene diisocyanate 

(PDI), 

an entirely new 

isocyanate, 70 % 

of whose carbon 

content (i. e. 5 of 

the 7 carbon atoms 

in a PDI molecule) 

comes from 

biomass without 

generating any 

direct competition 

for food production. 

Currently the 

biomass source 

is starch from not 

eatable plants like 

e. g. field corn. Field corn is not eaten by humans; the 

variety of maize humans eat is called sweet corn. Field 

corn is used as animal feed and for multiple industrial 

applications such as paper or cleaners and detergents, 

among others. Bayer’s suppliers are already working on 

switching from first generation feedstock (feed) to second 

generation feedstock (cellulosics & biowaste) as a biomass 

source for the future. This process is starting to be available 

in significant plant sizes for bioethanol already, however it 

is more complex and for PDI purposes will take a few more 

years to be delivered in sufficient commercial volumes. 

Bayer’s PDI can potentially be applied wherever 

hexamethylene diisocycanate (HDI) is currently being used. 

Bayer MaterialScience has always evaluated newly 

available biobased building blocks. “The first synthesis 

of PDI even goes back to experiments of the inventor of 

polyurethanes – Dr. Otto Bayer (Leverkusen), “says Dr. 

Gesa Behnken, Head of Global New Technologies at the 

Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties Business Unit, , Bayer 

Material Science, “In the past decade we have intensively 

evaluated different biobased raw materials for the synthesis 

of polyurethane crosslinkers and identified PDI as the best 

one, technically and environmentally.” 

With this addition to its portfolio, Bayer MaterialScience 

can for the first time offer its customers an eco-friendly 

hardener component, which for them is a key differentiating 

factor. A comprehensive technology platform currently is 

being developed to evaluate additional uses for PDI-based 

raw materials in coatings, adhesives and other applications. 

Bayer MaterialScience intends to bring the first PDIbased 

product to market in April 2015. Commercial 

manufacturing is tplanned from 2016 with an annual 

capacity of up to 20,000 metric tons. These products will be 

manufactured in existing plants using energy-efficient gasphase 

technology. MT 

www.materialscience.bayer.com 

O 

C 

N 

C 

H 2 

C 

C 

H 2 

C 

C 

H 2 

C 

N 

C 

O 

O 

C 

N 

C 

H 2 

C 

C 

H 2 

C 

C 

N 

C 

O 

H 2 

H 2 

H 2 

H 2 

H 2 

H 2 

HDI (Hexamethylene diisocyanate) hexa = 6 carbon atoms in the 

backbone 

PDI (Pentamethylene diisocyanate) penta = 5 (biobased) carbon 

atoms in the backbone 



First biobased TPE 

suspension for bed slats 

OMFI srl (Camparada, Italy) run by Pietro Frigerio, is a 

company of excellence in high technology plastic injection 

molding. The company has recently designed and 

created an innovative green alternative in bed slat suspensions. 

Founded over 40 years ago by Isaia Frigerio and still run 

by the Frigerio family, Omfi has distinguished itself within the 

Italian context with its great expertise both in designing molds 

and producing technical articles of quality particularly for the 

home furnishing industry. 

Always attentive to quality and innovation, with the strength 

of decades-long experience in molding technical articles, 

Omfi has developed and produced the first suspension for 

bed slats produced in Bioplastics using the new TPE biobased 

MEGOL BIO which was developed by API Spa (Mussolente, 

Italy). 

Not only is this innovative suspension 100 % recyclable, 

thanks to its being made of thermoplastic resin of the TPE- 

SEBS family, but it also maintains a series of technical and 

functional advantages such as resistance to aging and good 

and constant elastic qualities. 

In addition, the MEGOL BIO used contains up to 25 % 

of renewable resources which is of clear benefit to the 

environment. 

This factor results in a benefit that can be measured by 

the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) according to the ISO 14040- 

14044 standards, a method that analyzes the environmental 

impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle, right from 

the selection of raw materials used in production until its full 

and final disposal. 

The MEGOL BIO family of compounds is based on raw 

materials from renewable sources and vegetable crops thus 

contributing to the reduction of CO 2 

emissions and greenhouse 

gases, the saving of fossil resources and the efficient use of 

agricultural resources. 

This project confirms Omfi’s historical orientation towards 

innovation that since 1963 has designed and manufactured 

technologically advanced solutions and this further 

strengthens the partnership between Omfi and API Spa in 

finding solutions with a low environmental impact. MT 

www.omfi.it 

www.apiplastic.com 

INTAREMA ® 

The new system generation from EREMA. 

Self-service. Redefined. 

Reaching perfect pellet quality at the press of a button: the new 

INTAREMA ® features the intelligent Smart Start operating concept, 

bringing together production efficiency and remarkably straightforward 

operation. This is all about usability. Including an ergonomic 

touchscreen, practical recipe management and automated standby 

mode. 

CHINAPLAS / Shanghai / 20.-23.5.2015 

Booth 9.2A41 

CHOOSE THE NUMBER ONE. 



New bioderived Elastane 

for knit and woven fabrics 

INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated producers of 

polymers and fibres, and owner of the LYCRA ® brand, headquartered 

in Wichita, Kansas, USA, has introduced the only 

commercial offering of a bio-derived spandex available globally 

and for use in a wide variety of apparel fabrics and garments. 

LYCRA T162R fiber, new from INVISTA, is the only globally 

available commercial offering of a bioderived elastane. 

Approximately 70 % by weight of this new fiber comes from 

a renewable source made from dextrose derived from corn. 

New Lycra T162R fiber has the same physical properties as 

the incumbent T162L product, and requires no reengineering 

of fabrics, processes, or garment patterns. It is initially 

available in 44 and 78 dtex. 

Applications 

Lycra T162R fiber is a general purpose elastane for knit and 

woven fabrics. It can be combined with natural or synthetic 

yarns, provides excellent break performance in covering, 

core-spinning, and twisting operations, and can be subjected 

to denim bleaching, stone washing, and enzyme treatments. 

Lycra T162R fiber should not be used for swimwear or other 

end-uses that involve concentrated exposure to chlorine. 

Significant Features 

• Made from renewable resources. For a reduced CO 2 

emissions footprint. 

• Similar properties as incumbant Lycra fiber. Fabrics and 

garments don’t require re-engineering. 

• Good balance of properties. Low knitting tensions for high 

knitting efficiency (value-in-use). 

• Improved fabric uniformity. Advanced spinning and winding 

technology result in better along-end fiber uniformity and 

end-to-end fiber consistency. 

• High recovery power. For good fabric weight control. 

• Optimized Luster. Reduces elastane glitter and unsightly 

white grin-through. 

• Good chlorine resistance. Lycra T162R 

fiber withstands mild bleaching and 

mercerisation. 

Processing Information 

Lycra T162R fiber can be 

heat-set at temperatures 

ranging from 190 to 200 °C at exposure times of up to 60 

seconds. At the reference exposure time of 45 seconds, 

the optimal heat-setting temperature is 195 °C. (Note that 

this is the industry-standard for heat-setting temperature. 

Experiment for best results.) 

Lycra T162R fiber is compatible in processing when blended 

with cellulosics, polyester, or polyamide. It is not degraded by 

any dye class now in commercial use. LYCRA T162R fiber has 

the same dye affinity as other Lycra fibers, and should require 

no major changes in dye formulations having acid, direct, 

fiber reactive, and disperse dyes versus other Lycra fibers. 

INVISTA Apparel Planet Agenda: a Commitment 

to a Sustainable Apparel Industry 

The introduction of bio-derived Lycra 7162R fiber reflects 

the commitment of INVISTA Apparel to its own sustainability 

program, Planet Agenda, which touches every aspect of our 

apparel fiber business. 

Planet Agenda is based on the belief that INVISTA can 

help contribute to the sustainability of the apparel industry 

by delivering insight, technology, processes and products that 

add value while conserving resources. lt focuses on three 

main objectives. 

• Continuing to evolve manufacturing technologies and 

processes in ways that minimize the environmental 

footprint of the fibers and other textile offerings. 

• Offering competitive products that meet the needs 

of apparel markets while using fewer resources, and 

enhancing the environmental performance of fabrics. 

• Protecting the health and safety of workers and 

communities and participating in local stewardship 

initiatives. MT 

www.invista.com 

Application example 

‘stretch denim’ 

(picture: Invista) 

Properties 

Yarn size (dtex) 44 and 78 

Luster 

L (delustered) 

Elongation at break 

-490 % (44 dtex) 

Load power at 200 % elongation -6.2 cN (44 dtex) 

Tenacity 

-40 cN (44 dtex) 



High-quality 

alternative polyols 

RAMPF Eco Solutions (Pirmasens, Germany) — a 

leading provider of chemical solutions for manufacturing 

high-quality alternative polyols — is looking 

to impress visitors to UTECH 2015, the international 

specialist trade fair for polyurethane in Maastricht from 

April 14 – 16, through price savings over primary polyols, 

a reduction in disposal costs, and active environmental 

protection achieved by recycling raw materials. 

RAMPF Eco Solutions delivers innovative chemical 

solutions for manufacturing high-quality alternative 

polyols: 

Customized polyols are manufactured using PU 

waste materials in two of the largest multi-functional 

plants in Europe. The basic polyols won in this way 

are integrated back into the customer’s 

production process through either 

RAMPF Eco Solutions or 

another PUR systems 

house. This creates a 

cycle that delivers 

both environmental 

and economic 

benefits. 

In a specially 

developed chemical 

process, 

among other 

polymers and 

Residual 

materials 

monomers, biobased 

polyesters 

such as PLA or 

PHB, and biobased 

raw materials such 

as vegetable oils are 

used as sources of raw 

materials for manufacturing 

high-tech alternative polyols. 

Recycling plant for PU, 

and e. g. PLA and PHB 

For customers, this means price 

savings over primary polyols, a reduction in disposal 

costs, no reliance on scarce petrochemical raw 

materials, and active environmental protection achieved 

by recycling raw materials. 

The RAMPF Eco Solutions portfolio also 

includes manufacturing PU molded parts: 

Individual 

consumer 

products 

The company develops polyurethane systems based on 

its own raw materials for manufacturing molded parts 

for use in the fitness industry, motorcycle accessories 

(pannier systems, back cushions), office furnishings 

(chair arms), and transport containers, for example. 

Molded parts made from semi-rigid integral skin foam 

and rigid foam for prototypes, small- to mediumscale 

series and large-scale series (by arrangement) 

production are manufactured in-house. 

In-house production of high-quality 

alternative polyols 

Customers can use in-house plants to manufacture 

their own high-quality alternative polyols, and in doing 

so can cut costs and reduce environmental impact – this 

profitable solution makes both economic and ecological 

sense, and is being showcased by RAMPF Eco Solutions 

and its project partner KEIL Anlagenbau, one of the 

leading providers of turnkey plants, at UTECH 2015 in 

Maastricht. 

Customized recycling facilities are designed and built 

for PU manufacturers with high volumes of 

waste material. These plants enable 

customers to manufacture their 

own cost-effective, hightech 

Biobased 

polyols at their own 

vegetable 

production location 

oils 

that can then be fed 

straight back into 

the production 

process. This 

cuts raw material, 

Tailormade 

polyols 

and 

transport, 

disposal 

costs, and 

makes the 

p r o d u c t i o n 

of PUR-based 

products more 

e n v i ro n m e n t a l ly 

friendly. RAMPF 

and KEIL also design 

and build plants for 

manufacturing alternative 

polyols from PET/PSA and 

biomonomers. 

At this year’s UTECH, RAMPF will be a topic not only 

in the exhibition hall. At the corresponding trade fair 

conference, Dr. Frank Dürsen, Director of R&D Future 

and Sustainability at RAMPF, and Christian Giesker, 

Deputy Division Manager for Engineering at KEIL, will be 

giving a lecture on the topic “Manufacturing of Polyols 

out of Alternative Sources – Chemistry and engineering 

aspects”. The presentation includes, amongst others, 

the portfolio of polyols that are provided by RAMPF 

Eco Solutions and describes the modular concept for 

recycling plants by KEIL Anlagenbau. MT 

www.rampf-gruppe.de/en/ 


Show Preview 

CHINAPLAS 2015 Preview 

The pace of change in global manufacturing is faster 

now than any time in history. With increasing customer 

expectations and stiffer competition the past 

era of production, emphasizing on heavy capitalization and 

economies of scale, is over. Automation, innovative manufacturing 

technologies such as robots, vision and sensing 

systems, software technology, and good product design 

are now the hot topics of all industries. “New era manufacturing” 

will be about how to produce effectively with the 

least resources, and to manufacture unique products that 

can bring sustainable business. 

As Asia’s No. 1 and the world’s No. 2 plastics and rubber 

trade fair, CHINAPLAS 2015, being held on 20 – 23 May 

2015 at China Import & Export Fair Complex, Pazhou, 

Guangzhou, China, and will bring in an array of concurrent 

events at the fairground to help industry professionals 

stay close to market trends. 

The CHINAPLAS 2015 event will feature more than 

3,100 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions, unveiling 

the latest plastics and rubber technologies and services 

across 15 product theme zones that will occupy 26 

exhibition halls. Countries and regions including Austria, 

Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, 

Switzerland, the UK, USA, PR China, and Taiwan will 

participate in international pavilions. 

As in recent years, the setup of theme zones at 

Chinaplas is always a good indicator of market needs. 

Thus CHINAPLAS 2015 will again feature a Bioplastics 

Zone in Hall 12.2. If you visit Chinaplas make sure to 

visit the booth of bioplastics MAGAZINE in Hall 12.2 (booth 

12.2P15). 

In the following you will find some short reports of some 

of the 52 exhibitors showing bioplastics related products 

or services, 27 of which are located in the Bioplastics 

Zone, including a floorplan of hall 12.2. This preview will 

be complemented by a review in the next issue. 

Shenzhen Esun Industrial 

Polyester polyols are the important raw materials for 

polyurethane moulding, which usually were synthesized by 

condensation polymerization of petroleum-based dicarboxylic 

acid and polyols. With the increasing consumption of fossil fuel 

reserves replacement of petroleum-based polyester polyols 

by bio-based ones has gained growing attention both by 

industry and academia. One of the most promising candidates, 

poly(lactic acid) polyols, from renewable resources, can be 

synthesized by condensation polymerization of lactic acid with 

polyols, or by the ring opening polymerization of lactide used 

polyols as chain transfer agents. However, some side reaction 

such as oxidation and pyrolysis existed in the condensation 

polymerization process resulting in high acid value poly(lactic 

acid) polyols, which affected the reaction of polyols with 

isocyanate in polyurethane preparation. Shenzhen Esun 

Industrial Co., LTD collaborated with Ningbo Institute of 

Materials Technology and Enginereering, CAS developed low 

acid value polylactide polyols by simple post-polymerization 

reaction technology, which are potential large scale (millions 

of tons) raw materials for the modern worldwide polyurethane 

industry. 

12.2P23 20 

www.shenzhen-esun.en.ywsp.com 


Show Guid 

Booth Company Location (12.2) 

10.2C21 ACUMEN ENGINEERING 

12.2P01 BASF (CHINA) COMPANY 1 

12.2M31 BINHAI JINXIANG CHEMICAL AUXILIARY 2 

12.2P15 bioplastics MAGAZINE 3 

1 

11.2A01 CHANGZHOU PULAIKE HONGMEI MASTERBATCH 

12.2Q01 CJ CHEILJEDANG 4 

9.3L39 COLLOIDS PLASTIC (SUZHOU) 

11.2K61 CRODA 

12.2L21 DONGGUAN XINHAI ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MATERIAL 5 

13.2K01 DONGGUAN YIHAO NANOCOMPOSITES TECHNOLOGY 

11.2A21 DU PONT CHINA (P&IP) 

13.2C63 FUKUTOMI 

bioplastics MAGAZIN 

5 12 

12.2Q25 gain MORE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY MATERIAL 6 

12.2R23 GRABIO GREENTECH CORPORATION 7 

5.1R05 GRAFE ADVANCED POLYMERS GMBH 

24 

26 

12.2Q21 GUANGZHOU BIOPLUS MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY 8 

10.2E61 HAIRMA CHEMICALS 

9.3K65 HANGZHOU FCJ PLASTICS&RUBBER 

12.2R17 HANGZHOU SEEMORE NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY 9 

9.3J41 HUAFON GROUP 

12.2R21 HUAINAN AN XIN TAI SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 10 

13.2K65 JETWELL TRADING LIMITED 

BIOPLASTICS ZONE 生物 

25 

19 

12.2Q31 JIANGSU JINHE HI-TECH 11 

12.2M21 JIANGSU TORISE BIOMATERIALS 12 

12.2R31 JINHUI ZHAOLONG HIGH TECHNOLOGY 13 

11.2J21 KINGFA SCI.TECH. 

12.2R22 MINIMA TECHNOLOGY 14 

12.2L31 NATUREWORKS LLC 15 

11.2A11 NHH NGAI HING HONG COMPANY LTD 

12.2R01 NINGBO BAMTAC NEW MATERIAL 16 

13.2C71 NINGBO NENGZHIGUANG NEW MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY 

11.3A45 POLYSCOPE POLYMERS 

10.3M61 QUATEK INC. SHANGHAI 

12.2P21 REVERDIA 17 

12.2P31 ROQUETTE 18 

15 

2 

12.2J71 SHANDONG JIQING CHEMICAL 

10.3K49 SHengJUN CHemiCAL(FOSHan) 

12.2M25 SHENZHEN ECOMANN BIOTECHNOLOGY 19 

12.2P23 SHENZHEN ESUN INDUSTRIAL 20 

11.2A41 SOLVAY 

12.2E21 SUZHOU CHENG FENG PLASTIC 

12.2Q23 SUZHOU HANFENG NEW MATERIALS . 21 

10.3M35 TAKEMOTO OIL&FAT (SUZHOU) 

11.2L21 TEIJIN LIMITED 

11.3J15 U-TALC MINERALS (KUN SHAN) 

12.2R05 WEIFANG HUAWEI NEW MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY 22 

12.2P25 WEIHAI LIANQIAO NEW MATERIAL SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY 23 

9.3E51 XINJIANG BLUE RIDGE TUNHE 

Layout Plan courtesy Adsale Exhibition Service 

12.2L23 YAT SHUN HONG COMPANY 24 

12.2L25 ZHEJIANG HANGZHOU XINFU PHARMACEUTICAL 25 

12.2M23 ZHEJIANG HISUN BIOMATERIALS 26 

12.2R25 ZHEJIANG PU WEI LUN CHEMICALS 27 

30 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10 

In this Show Guide you find the majority of compa 

compounds, additives, semi-finished products and 

this centerfold out of the magazine an

e 

bio PAC 

4 

16 


conference 

E 

3 

22 

9 


n o v o t e l 

amsterdam 

17 

8 

10 

14 


20 21 

7 

塑料专区 HALL 12.2 馆 

23 6 

27 

18 

11 13 

bio CAR 

Biobased materials for 

automotive applications 

conference 

fall 2015 

www.bio-car.info 

nies offering bioplastic products, such as resins, 

much more. For your convenience, you can take 

d use it as your personal show guide

Show Preview 

Weifang Huawei New Materials 

Technology 

Weifang Huawei New Materials Technology 

presents PSB (a PLA - Starch - Bentontie Material), 

which is a new environmentally friendly material 

that can be used in the main fields of processing, 

such as foaming, injection moulding and extrusion. 

PSB can be processed well on existing traditional 

plastic-processing equipment. The material is 

designed to replace traditional plastics in many 

fields of application, such as industrial, medicine, 

cosmetic, food, electronic products, tableware, 

household items, children-toys, gardening, 

farming, and much more… 

12.2R05 

22 

www.hwprt.com 

Ahlstrom food bowls 

NatureWorks 

From 3D printer filaments to compostable cutlery to 

baby toys, NatureWorks reveals at Chinaplas a variety 

of new products clearly demonstrating that Ingeo 

polylactide has evolved into a practical and safe 

replacement for a broad range of styrenics in terms of 

performance, price, and eco profile. 

The NatureWorks booth will present the latest Ingeo 

high heat/high impact innovations specially developed 

for 3D printing. The new high heat/high impact Ingeo 

formulation provides performance on a par with 

typical injection molded ABS, while at the same time 

delivering lower overall environmental impact and a 

more user friendly 3D printing experience. 

NatureMold from Ahlstrom is a new line of frozen, 

fresh, and semi-fresh food bowls that provide an 

alternative to aluminum and plastic. NatureMold bowls 

can go from freezer to microwave to dining table. 

Södra, the sustainable forestry cooperative in 

Sweden, and James Cropper Plc, a leading specialty 

paper and nonwovens company in the UK, recently 

developed a first of its kind wood pulp and Ingeo 

material that performs similarly to petroleum-based 

plastics. DuraPulp is lightweight, strong, and capable 

of being used in a host of applications from high-end 

packaging to horticultural supplies to automotive 

components. 

In addition NatureWorks will be showing product 

and application examples from Bioserie (Ingeo- 

PLA based baby toys), The Country Fresh Company 

(thermoformed four-cup multipack for individually 

portioned snacks of fruit or vegetables), Dairy Home 

from Thailand (yogurt cups), Natural Shield (Ingeo 

bags that are only eight microns thick) 

NHH Biodegradable 

Established in 2007, NHH Biodegradable Plastics 

Co. Ltd. is committed to offer a comprehensive range 

of tailor-made biodegradable/environmentally 

friendly compounded plastic resins for a wide scope 

of applications in the plastics industry. Without the 

addition of any conventional plastic, more than 

90 % organic components of the biodegradable 

plastics will break down to form carbon dioxide and 

water in the compost environments in 180 days, 

as depicted in EN 13432 or ASTM D6400. NHH’s 

competent research team is not only strongly 

backed up by the Group’s R&D Centre, but also 

carries out collaborative research projects with 

academic institutes and companies having similar 

missions and objectives. Such collaborative effort 

and perseverance have made it possible for the 

company to successfully launch in recent years 

their new products with unique properties. 

11.2A11 

www.nhh.com.hk 

12.2L31 

15 

www.natureworksllc.com 


Show Preview 

Binhai Jinxiang Chemical Auxiliaries 

Binhai Jinxiang Chemical Auxiliaries Co., Ltd, located 

in the Binhai Coastal chemical industrial park of Jiangsu 

Province, is a subsidiary of the Feixiang Group. The plant 

covers an area of 20,000 m 2 with perfect support facilities 

and convenient transportation. 

Binhai Jinxiang Chemical Auxiliaries is specialized in 

R&D, manufacture and sales of UV absorbers, hindered 

amine light stabilizers, antioxidants, photo-initiators, 

phosphorous flame retardant, auxiliary raw material, 

etc. With years pursuing excellent product quality, their 

products are highly praised by customers. 

The key products are FENTASORB 531: a highperformance 

anti-ageing agent that can absorb 

240 – 340 nm ultraviolet radiation. It can protect polymers 

and is widely used in PE, PVC, PP, PS, PC. FENTAUNIV 

1130 is recommended for both solvent and water based 

coatings such as automotive coatings, industrial coatings 

and trade sales coatings. FENTASTAB 770 is to be used 

in polypropylene, impact modified PP (TPO), EPDM, 

polystyrene, ABS and polyurethanes. FENTASTAB 292 can 

be applied with paint, coatings, printing ink, polyurethane 

paint, etc. FENTAPHOS TPO is recommended to be used in 

printing ink, adhesives, wood coating, acrylic triesters, etc. 

And finally FENTAPHOS TPO-L, a kind of highly efficient 

liquid photo-initiators is basically used in the curing of 

resins and coatings. 

12.2M31 

2 

www.feixiangchem.com 

Hangzhou Seemore 

Hangzhou Seemore New Material Technology Co., Ltd 

(hereinafter referred to as Seemore), offers leading-edge 

technological innovations that allow the manufacturing of 

biodegradable modified compounds and relative functional 

additives as well as the industrial applications. 

Seemore’s nucleating agent TMP3000 enables a 

breakthrough in crystallization time (22 seconds as the 

fastest) and heat resistant up to 100 °C while retaining 

transparency and brightness. 

As well as nucleating agents, Seemore provides a range 

of additives such as chain extenders, compatibilizers, melt 

enhancers, stabilizers etc. and also provide the ready-touse 

modified compounds for injection/extrusion/blowing 

etc. 

The latest applications of Seemore’s innovations are 

customized 3D printing filament and PLA filled quilt. 

As one of the most professional companies in PLA 

additives and the industrial applications field, Seemore 

is willing to share its R&D achievement with all of their 

friends in the PLA industry. 

12.2R17 9 

www.hzseemore.com 

Grabio Greentech Corporation 

Established in 1999, Grabio Greentech 

Corporation has been dedicated since then to 

the development and manufacture of 100 % 

biodegradable and compostable starch plastics. 

Its products are GRABIO film grade and 

extruding grade resin and finished products. 

All GRABIO products fulfill EN13432 and ASTM 

D6400 standards and have received compostable 

certificates from EU, USA, and Japan. 

GRABIO film grade resin can be processed 

on conventional LDPE film blowing extruder 

to make film/bag products, such as shopping 

bags, garbage bags, compost bags, mulch film 

etc. Extrusion grade resin can be processed 

into seedling pot and tray. Use of biodegradable 

agricultural products can save retrieval cost of 

discarded mulch film and seedling pots, as well 

as preventing environmental pollution. 

At this year’s Chinaplas GRABIO will exhibit its 

different grades of film and extruding material 

lines. In addition, they will display their latest 

film grade material specifically meeting the Jilin 

Province plastic bag regulation with 35 % PLA 

content. GRABIO will provide local companies 

good business opportunities to enter the Jilin 

bioplastic bag market. 

12.2R23 7 

www.grabio.com.tw 


NPE Review 

NPE Review 

By: Michael Thielen 

From March 23 to 27 the plastics world met in Orlando, 

Florida, USA, for NPE, the (inter …) National Plastics Exhibition 

organized by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). 

SPI believes the bioplastics sector will play an important 

role in the future of the plastics industry as a whole, which is 

why this industry segment received a place of prominence at 

NPE2015, one of the world’s most important plastics trade 

shows that SPI produces triennially, and that brings together 

every sector of the plastics industry in one location. 

“Bioplastics is just one of several innovative industry 

segments that offer the entire plastics industry the opportunity 

to position itself as the material of choice for the next several 

decades,” said SPI President and CEO William R. Carteaux. 

“Between the thousands of green jobs that bioplastics 

supports and continues to create and the day-to-day ingenuity 

displayed by bioplastics companies and their employees, 

this is an industry sector with its finger on the pulse of the 

plastics supply chain, and it makes sense to acknowledge its 

contributions at NPE.” 

After our preview in the last issue find here our Show-review: 

Greenpack 

Greenpack LLC from Guatemala presented biodegradable 

disposables made from non edible yam starch that they crop 

themselves in Guatemala. “Our material is lightweight, low 

cost and easy to process.” Said Gabriel Salazar, International 

Business and Sales Director of Greenpack. “This makes it an 

ideal substitute for conventional plastic that is currently used 

to produce one time use disposable products such as plastic 

utensils, cups and plates, garbage bags, t-shirt bags and 

product packaging.” 

Greenpack material is produced out of a bio hybrid resin 

based on up to 70 % sustainable and renewable plant 

starch (Vincotte OK Biobased 2 stars certified) that creates 

a new molecular structure that is 100 % biodegradable in 

approximately 15 months. So it is not certified compostable 

according to ASTM D 6400 / EN 13432 because it takes too 

long. No chemical additives are used in the production 

process and there are zero residues left after biodegradation 

has taking place. 

“Our products require no special waste management. 

The material will biodegrade naturally, similar to an orange 

peel, when it is in a microorganism rich environment. The 

more microorganism activity, the faster it biodegrades. When 

the material is incinerated it will produce 68 % less carbon 

emissions than conventional plastic.” 

www.greenpack.net 

Laurel Biocomposites 

Laurel Biocomposites LLC (Laurel, Nebraska) has earned 

USDA Certified Biobased Product Label for its Bio-Res PE 

and powder. Bio-Res PE and PP compounds are produced by 

combining DDGS (Dry Destillers Grains Solubles) a byproduct 

from the corn-2-bioethanol production, with PE and PP. 

Another product is Bio-Res PLA, which in addition is 

biodegradable. An interesting example of application that 

was demonstrated at NPE (at a joint booth with the Center for 

Bioplastics and Biocomposites CB 2 ) was an injection molded 

flower pot. 

Greenhouse trials with annual plants such as tomatoes and 

peppers, have shown improved plant and root growth (with up 

to 100 % more yield) when planted in pots made with Bio- 

Res compounds as compared to plants grown in traditional 

polypropylene pots. 

As compared to neat PLA, Bio-Res PLA can reduce the cycle 

times and mold stick when used in injection molding. The 

natural color is light yellow and takes colorant well. Highly 

concentrated masterbatch pellets can be used at inclusion 

rates of up to 50 %. 

www.laurelbiocomposites.com 


NPE Review 

Vertellus 

Growing interest among consumers and legislators 

in the safety and environmental impact of traditional 

plasticizers is prompting the plastics industry to seek 

new solutions. Vertellus (Indianapolis, Indiana), a leading 

global supplier of additives to the plastics and polymer 

industries, is addressing this with its biobased, nontoxic 

Citroflex ® plasticizers (among others) that have a 

long history of safe use. The high-performance additive 

products, also deliver low volatility and low leaching, 

making them suitable for a wide range of polymers used in 

food packaging, medical applications and children’s toys. 

Vertellus’ Citroflex plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride 

(PVC) and other polymers are citric acid esters, which 

have a long history as plasticizers and lubricants in food 

contact applications, such as rigid food containers and 

packaging films. These biobased, non-toxic additives have 

also demonstrated safety in children’s toys and medical 

applications. As an added benefit, Citroflex products 

deliver superior tensile strength and ultimate elongation 

performance compared to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 

(DEHP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA). 

www.vertellus.com 

Genarex 

Bylox and Bylox HT bioadditives have earned USDA 

biobased product certification. Both bioadditives from 

Alpharetta (Georgia) based company Genarex LLC have a 

biobased content of at least 98 %, according to ASTM D 6866. 

The USDA certification is a major milestone for Genarex, 

which is nearing full commercial introduction of its suite of 

bioadditives for a range of thermoplastic resins. 

Genarex’s Bylox and Bylox HT compounds – based 

on a heterogeneous blend of plant-based proteins and 

carbohydrates – are distinguished by low odor, easy 

processing, high thermal stability and ductility. Bylox is 

the flagship characterized by high ductility while Bylox 

HT is a high-performance option with a thermal 

processing window of up to 250 °C and near-zero 

odor. 

Both products can 

be blended with PP, 

PE and PVC at 

loadings up to 

30 % without 

s a c r i f i c i n g 

the material 

performance. 

They can also 

be added to 

biodegradable 

plastics such as 

PBAT, PLA or PHA at 

similar loading levels. 

www.genarex.com 

Jungbunzlauer 

Another exhibitor showcasing citric acid plasticizers is 

Jungbunzlauer from Basel, Switzerland. Jungbunzlauer’s 

CITROFOL ® products are compatible with a broad range 

of polymer types that include PVC, PU, acrylics but also 

biopolymers such as cellulosics, PLA and PHA. In most 

cases, Citrofol esters will replace traditional plasticizers as 

a safe drop-in solution at a competitive price level. Due to 

their low toxicity and compliance with stringent regulatory 

requirements, Citrofol is preferably used not only in 

sensitive applications such as medical devices, food 

packaging and pharmaceutical c o a t i n g s , 

but also in sealants and 

adhesives. Furthermore, 

industrial 

applications also benefit when using Citrofol products which 

results in low volatility and low migration according to the 

customer needs. 

Citrofol BII is a fully degradable citrate ester and is suitable 

for standard plastic products as well as for biobased plastics. 

This versatile, first-rate plasticizer is certified compostable by 

DIN CERTCO according ASTM D 6400 as well EN 13432. Tests 

and comprehensive analysis have proven that Citrofol BII is 

environmentally friendly, and that it leaves absolutely no 

residues or degradation products in the soil, which can 

then still be used as farmland. This is why Citrofol BII 

is particularly recommended for use in biopolymers 

such as PLA for agricultural applications (e. g. 

mulch films, or films used to prevent soil erosion). 

Furthermore, Jungbunzlauer’s citrate esters 

hold the USDA certificate for biobased products 

that verifies the amount of renewable biobased 

ingredients. 

www.jungbunzlauer.com 


NPE Review 

PolyOne 

And yet another plasticizer: PolyOne’s Geon 

BIO Flexible Solutions, formulated with a bioderived 

plasticizer offers a high-performance material offering 

both excellent properties and sustainability in one costeffective, 

vinyl-based material package. It complies with 

phthalate-restrictive regulations such as California’s 

Prop 65 and the Consumer Product Safety Initiative Act 

of 2008 (CPSIA). 

Consistent with the PolyOne No Surprises Pledge SM , 

reFlex 300 materials have been tested and certified by 

the USDA’s BioPreferred Program to be 99 % biobased. 

Compared to other flexible vinyls, Geon BIO materials 

feature a wider processing window and enhanced 

thermal stability, which may reduce production costs 

by improving manufacturing efficiency. In addition, 

specific healthcare formulations are pre-certified to 

meet biocompatibility requirements for United States 

Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI protocols. 

www.polyone.com 

Teknor Apex 

Teknor Apex Company (Pawtucket, Rhode Island) presented 

three bioplastics related topics: 

Teknor Apex’s bioplastic Terraloy ® in combination with 

Arkema’s Pebax ® thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) to make 

breathable films will enable manufacturers of housewrap to 

increase their product offerings and expand their commitment 

to sustainability. By varying the Terraloy biopolymer content, 

Teknor Apex has developed multiple grades of the blend, which 

can be used to produce films with various levels of moisture 

permeability. Such films can be bonded with nonwoven fabrics 

to form housewraps that allow moisture vapor to escape from 

homes, preventing mold and mildew, yet remain waterproof. 

In alliance with Takemoto, Teknor Apex develops a new series 

of masterbatches for polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic increases 

the heat distortion temperature (HDT) and impact strength 

of the resin and substantially reduces its cooling time in 

injection molding, making possible semi-durable and durable 

applications which until now have been closed to standard PLA. 

The Terraloy 90017A and 90017B masterbatches are based on, 

and are for use with, Ingeo High Performance (HP) resin. 

And last but not least new compounds in the Terraloy 3D- 

40040 series of high-impact, high-heat PLA products provide 

enhanced properties and tight tolerance control in 3D printing, 

while permitting oven drying of filament to prevent defects 

caused by residual moisture. 

www.teknorapex.com 

Asobiocom 

ASOBIOCOM is the Spanish Association of 

biodegradable and compostable plastics. It covers 

biodegradable and compostable plastics, including but 

not limited to biobased plastics. Asobiocom is focused 

on the biodegradability and compostability. 

The association was founded in 2012 by the main 

companies involved in biodegradable and compostable 

plastics, i. e. producers and converters in Spain. But it 

is also open for authorities and scientific entities. 

“As Association our objective here is to represent 

our members and get in contact with other American 

national associations,” said Ángela Osma from 

Asobiocom to bioplastics MAGAZINE. “We want to know 

about their activities, the situation of this industry and 

the market, both in North America as well as Latin 

America.” 

One important line of action in the association is 

communication and the proper information about the 

different concepts of biodegradability, biobased and so 

on. 

www.asobiocom.es 

Great Eastern Resins 

Great Eastern Resins Industrial Co., Ltd. (Taichung, Taiwan) 

presented Isothane G, a series of biobased thermoplastic 

polyurethanes with a biobased content of 25 % or above. 

The material exhibits excellent transparency (yet can be 

colored with TPU based masterbatches), high toughness and 

solvent resistance. “We developed a grade for Nike shoes”, a 

spokesperson explained to bioplastics MAGAZINE at the NPE 

booth. 

The Isothane G Series is manufactured via a proprietary 

sugar fermentation process and can be injection-, extrusionand 

blow molded. The Shore A hardness can vary from 55 to 95. 

www.greco.com.tw 


NPE Review 

Polyalloy 

Polyalloy from Taoyuan (Taiwan) is offering VeryGreen 

PLA compounds, made from high purity sterecomplex PLA 

(sourced form Corbion), based on non GMO cassava or sugar 

cane. Especially the VG72 blends are designed to increase heat 

resistance and anti-hydrolysis of PLA due to its outstanding 

crystallinity. 

VeryGreen PLA compounds are fully biodegradable, yet not 

compostable as to the commons standards due to the timeframe 

for complete degradation. 

www.polyalloy.com.tw 

HDT 

VG726 

ABS 

IZOD impact 

MiTAC Precision Technology Corporation (MPT) 

MPT, a compounder from China and Taiwan showcased 

Greemas ® : tougher, stronger and high gloss PLA materials. 

Greemas outperforms most of the PLA materials on the market, 

as stated in a brochure. Through the material modification 

process, Greemas is not only proven to be machine-processable, 

but also demonstrates superior product characteristics that are 

more or less equivalent to those of conventional plastics, such as 

thermal stability, durability, flexural and tensile strength etc. The 

biomass content can be up to 80 %, the material offers a good 

transparency with light transmittance rates of above 85 %. 

Greemas is applicable for example for bags, films, tubes, 

bottles, gibers and rigid components for various sectors ranging 

from home & garden, kids & babies, stationery, cutlery, cosmetics, 

packaging, consumables to personal health care items. One 

interesting example (the Breere food containers) are introduced 

in a separate article on page 42. 

Greemas@mpt-solutions.com.cn 

Tensile strength 

Elongation 

Flexure 

modulus 

Startup Garage 

Based on the idea that quite a few successful 

companies (such as Microsoft, Amazon or 

Apple) have started in a garage, the NPE2015 

Startup Garage is a program developed by SPI 

in partnership with the new-venture tracking 

firm Startup.Directory to provide startups with 

a prominently located exhibit area at the show. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE already reported about 

two bioplastics companies presenting in this 

startup garage in the show preview in the 

last issue: Biobent Polymers, introducing 

Bio-composite polymers with up to 40 % 

renewable content from soy or other renewable 

agricultural products (www.biobent.com). And 

cycleWood Solutions showcasing compostable 

and sustainable resins produced from lignin. 

LDPE-like film grades are 100 % compostable. 

Injection molding grades are available in either 

compostable or durable, non-degradable 

(blended with polyolefins) versions. (www. 

cycleWood.com). 

The third bioplastics company in the NPE 

startup garage is BiologiQ, from Idaho Falls 

(Idaho). Their EcoPlastiQ GS family of resins 

are the most blendable of any TPS resins 

ever developed (as stated in a brochure of 

the company). While the starch materials are 

most commonly blended with petroleum based 

plastics, they are also easily combined with PLA 

and other bioplastics. EcoPlastiQ TPS is made 

from a waste stream, as Allan Webb of BiologiQ 

explained to bioplastics MAGAZINE. A significant 

amount of the starch used for the production 

comes from the french-fries industry in the 

potato growing state of Idaho, Allan said. 

www.BiologiQ.com 

B&H Tool Company 

B&H Tool Company LLC, located in San 

Marcos, California, announced new extrusion 

tooling capabilities for successfully extruding 

bioabsorbable material tubing (mainly for 

medical applications). B&H’s team of experts 

use flow simulation analysis to design and 

manufacture extrusion head assemblies to 

optimize the processing of bioabsorbable 

materials in tubing applications. Their new 

approach reduces project times from conception 

to integration, eliminates trial & error, optimizes 

die design before any metal is cut. 

www.bhtool.com 


NPE Review 

Stratasys 

Stratasys Advanced Materials demonstrated a PLA 

compound for high impact strength and toughness, 

optimized for extrusion in Stratasys and MakerBot FDM 

printers. The compound is based on technology gained 

from Stratasys’ acquisition of Interfacial Solutions 

in 2014. deTerra ® compounds of PLA are rheology 

modified PLA-based polymers produced by the process 

of hyperbranching. The material shown demonstrates 

mechanical properties and toughness equivalent to 

ABS, but with high biobased content and excellent flow 

characteristics afforded by PLA. 

Stratasys Advanced Materials plans to build upon 

the former business of Interfacial Solutions in custom 

compound development to begin custom FDM materials 

options for Stratasys customers. This will allow users 

of Stratasys printers to work with Stratasys Advanced 

Materials to produce custom materials for their individual 

applications. 

www.stratasys.com 

RTP Company 

Growing marketplace demand for environmentally 

friendly products has led RTP Company to develop an 

expanded line of PLA bioplastic compounds products 

with mechanical properties that are similar to common 

petroleum based thermoplastics such as ABS, acrylic, 

and high impact polystyrene. Resulting impact modified, 

nucleated, and mineral reinforced compounds make 

PLA suitable for select semi-durable and durable 

products. Mineral reinforced and nucleated PLA 

compounds provide increased thermal performance and 

shorten molding cycle times. Impact modified grades 

are available in translucent or opaque versions and can 

also incorporate FDA compliant ingredients. All are fully 

colorable and a high gloss surface finish is easy to obtain. 

A full range of PLA bioplastic compounds allows 

cost, performance, and renewable resource content 

to be tailored to individual application specifications. 

Biocontent in PLA compounds can range up to 95 % 

depending on end-use requirements. 

Another topic is RTP Company’s first-in-the-industry 

glass fiber reinforced PLA compounds to overcome 

the shortcomings of unmodified PLA by increasing its 

strength and stiffness with 10 – 40% loadings of glass 

fiber. 

Glass fiber reinforced PLA compounds from RTP 

Company have the mechanical properties necessary to 

be used under many conditions as drop-in alternatives 

to reinforced polypropylene, polyesters, and nylons. They 

can be easily processed in existing tools and equipment; 

their colorability and resin-rich surface finish allows 

them be used for many types of branded durable and 

semi-durable goods. 

www.rtpcompany.com 

Arkema 

Arkema’s Specialty Polyamides group highlighted 

the expansion of its biosourced portfolio and exciting 

Pebax ® resin developments. Excellent energy return, 

toughness, flexibility, elasticity, and shock resistance 

make lightweight Pebax resins a world-renowned solution 

for high performance sports equipment, such as running 

shoes and cleats. At NPE, Arkema highlighted an exciting 

new area for Pebax materials, breathable nonwovens. 

Biosourced solutions have been the keystone of the 

Specialty Polyamides’ offering since the development 

of Rilsan ® polyamide 11 over 60 years ago. Founded on 

the proven sustainability and use of renewables, Arkema 

continues to expand its biosourced portfolio with the 

addition of PA10.10, PA10.12, PA6.10 and now transparent 

grades in the Rilsan Clear Rnew ® family. These new 

grades, Rilsan Clear G850 Rnew and Rilsan Clear G120 

Rnew, make Arkema the only supplier of biosourced 

transparent polyamides. 

www.arkema.com 

SPI Bioplastics Division / Eastman Kodak 

SPI, the Plastics Industry Trade Association and the 

SPI Bioplastics Division announced on Wednesday 

March 25, that Eastman Kodak was the winner of this 

year’s Innovation in Bioplastics Award for its creation of a 

biotoner, designed for the electro-photographic printing 

industry that contains more than 90 % biobased and 

biodegradable materials. 

“The term bioplastics’ has quickly grown to become 

synonymous with innovation, and Eastman Kodak’s 

creation of a biotoner that is formulated with biobased 

and biodegradable materials continues that tradition,” 

said SPI President and CEO William R. Carteaux. “SPI 

congratulates Eastman Kodak for winning the 2015 

Innovation in Bioplastics Award and thanks all of this 

year’s entrants for their continuing pursuit of new 

applications for biobased and biodegradable materials 

and for supporting the expansion of choices that plastics 

manufacturers have when it comes to which materials 

they use in their products.” 

For more details about the biobased toner please see 

a comprehensive article in bioplastics MAGAZINE 06/2014. 

http://bit.ly/1IE2nO3 


NPE Review 

ALGIX 

ALGIX from Meridian, Massachussetts, is a 

company utilizing the vast potential of algae to 

improve our planet by revolutionizing systems 

essential to life by providing clean water, proteinrich 

foods, and sustainable plastic products to the 

world. 

Their Solaplast resins are created by blending 

algae with a variety of base resins, conventional 

plastics such as PE or PP as well as bioplastics 

such as PLA. The benefits of their products include 

resource utilization, carbon sequestration or 

enhanced biodegradation, competitive pricing, 

thermal stability, the cleaning of fresh water 

resources, and zero impacts on food. 

Some other bioplastics use arable crop land and 

consume food sources in order to be produced, 

but Solaplast plastics are helping to create food 

by cleaning water and helping the aquaculture 

industry. 

Algix currently offer resins in film, extrusion, 

molding, and foaming grades. At NPE the company 

launched their Collaborate Campaign for the 

purpose of reaching out to the Industrial Design 

community as well as the “Green is my favorite 

color” Video Campaign for the purpose of raising 

awareness about sustainability and asking people 

why it is important to them. 

SHAPING SMART 

SOLUTIONS 

www.algix.com 

Register now! 

5/6 November 2015 

MARITIM proArte Hotel 

Berlin 

For more information email: 

conference@european-bioplastics.org 

www.conference.european-bioplastics.org 


Application News 

Organic tea 

packaging 

Award winning 

headphones 

Innovia Films has announced that Carrington 

Tea (Closter, New Jersey, USA) is using biobased 

and home as well as industrial compostable 

NatureFlex packaging films for their Carrington 

Organics Tea line. High barriers to oxygen and 

moisture ensure product freshness. 

AudioQuest NightHawk headphones 

with earcups made of “Liquid Wood” – 

ARBOFORM ® from TECNARO GmbH; 

source: AudioQuest 

The teas are packaged in a 20-bag retailready 

“soft pack”, developed in conjunction with 

Fastik Label and Supply. This packaging format 

is commonly used in Europe for economy-sized 

packaging, however this is rarely seen in North 

America. 

“For our organic tea we felt that a compostable 

package would complement our product and 

speak to people who want to make a positive 

impact on the environment. Flexible material 

also offered us a unique packaging approach 

and a chance for differentiation, as tea bags are 

predominantly packed in a box or can. Functionally, 

NatureFlex delivers the freshness barrier that 

our teas require along with excellent receptivity 

to inks, communicating our branding through 

vibrant print,” explained Debbie Shandel, Executive 

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at 

Carrington Co., LLC. 

Chris Mitchell, Business Manager, Packaging- 

Americas, Innovia Films enthused, “It’s fantastic 

that we have another satisfied customer using our 

compostable NatureFlex packaging film for their 

products.” 

The new Carrington Organics Tea line is offered 

in three great flavors including two herbals – 

Chamomile and Soothing Herbal, as well as the 

very popular Green Tea Lemon. The Carrington 

Organics Tea contains 20 tea bags per package and 

is available for purchase at select grocery stores 

and online. All Carrington Organics Tea products 

are organic-certified and packed in the United 

States. MT 

www.natureflex.com 

www.carringtontea.com 

Best known for its high-performance audio/video cables, AudioQuest 

(Irvine, California, USA) officially introduced its first set of headphones at 

this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (6 – 9 Jan) in Las Vegas. 

Named 2015 CES Innovation Honoree (Headphones) and Best of 

Innovation Winner (Eco-Design and Sustainable Technologies), NightHawk 

is an around-the-ear semi-open headphone designed and engineered by 

Skylar Gray. 

In creating NightHawk, Gray worked to bring purposeful and intelligent 

innovation to the mature art of headphone design. As such, NightHawk 

exhibits many groundbreaking components, including sophisticated 

earcups developed in collaboration with the German firm TECNARO, using 

ARBOFORM ® , or Liquid Wood. 

According to Gray, “Arboform is a key element to NightHawk’s 

performance and a driving force in the excitement surrounding its release.” 

Liquid Wood is made from 100 % renewable raw materials. Its principal 

component is lignin — a byproduct in the cellulose pulping and papermaking 

process — whose annual production exceeds 50 million tonnes. Whereas 

the production (and disposal) of plastic is known to present environmental 

hazards, the production of Arboform has minimal impact on the ecosystem. 

Lignin is combined with natural fibers, natural resins and waxes, and 

treated in such a way that it can be injection moulded. While injection 

moulding is commonly accomplished with plastics or synthetic polymers, 

Liquid Wood is a natural material; thus, every NightHawk earcup is one 

of a kind, exhibiting subtle variations in colour, pattern, and surface finish 

that further enhance NightHawk’s overall beauty. 

Moreover, compared to ordinary plastic or wood, Liquid Wood has far 

superior acoustic properties and provides a seemingly endless array of 

geometric possibilities. In NightHawk, Liquid Wood is used to shape the 

earcups to more closely resemble the human ear, thereby providing a 

more complete and comfortable fit, reducing stress on the listener’s head 

and ears. 

Gray: “AudioQuest looks forward to incorporating Arboform in many more 

products, as we strive to achieve high performance, outstanding value, and 

natural beauty through responsible, sustainable engineering.” KL 

www.nighthawk.audioquest.com 

www.tecnaro.de 



Seaweed chips bags 

Corrugated tubing 

New Frontier Foods, a San Francisco area-based company is now 

using Innovia’s biobased NatureFlex packaging for their Ocean’s Halo 

line of flavored snack chips made from natural, sustainably harvested, 

and nutrient-rich seaweed. This flexible packaging material offers 

excellent barriers to oxygen and moisture, and is certified compostable. 

When looking at packaging options, Ocean’s Halo felt that the pack 

should reflect their core values while also providing superior protection 

for their product. In order to maintain the crunch of the chips it was 

critical to guard against moisture vapour ingress. A high barrier to 

oxygen was also necessary to extend shelf life. Furthermore, the 

packaging needed to match the Ocean’s Halo brand identity. 

Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Chips is the first product from New Frontier 

Foods, Inc. The company was started in Burlingame, California by four 

dads. The founders of Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Chips are on a mission 

to create a chip nutritious enough for the produce aisle, but delicious 

enough for the snack aisle. Made from only sustainably grown seaweed 

and other natural ingredients, Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Chips are organic 

and available in five gluten-free flavours – Chili Lime, Sea Salt, Korean 

BBQ, Hot & Spicy, and Texas BBQ. The chips are packed with vitamins 

and minerals, are GM-Free and contain no trans fats, MSGs or artificial 

ingredients. 

Robert Mock, co-founder of Ocean’s Halo stated, “We were introduced 

to the Innovia Films’ compostable packaging alternative, NatureFlex, by 

Genpak, a leading food packing company with manufacturing locations 

in both the US and Canada. Over the past two years, we have built a 

great partnership with Genpak to bring our products to market with not 

only high quality material, but also with a like-minded approach to the 

environment.” 

Mike Shim another co-founder of Ocean’s Halo added, “When we were 

faced with packaging choices, we were 100 % committed to choosing 

compostable bags because it’s the right thing to do. Health and 

sustainability is one of our pledges to our customers and compostable 

bags are an integral part of that pledge.” 

Bill Reilly, the Development Manager with Genpak, added “Our 

challenge was to develop a structure that provides excellent barrier 

properties and works well on the packaging equipment. Oceans Halo, 

Innovia and Genpak worked together closely to develop this functional 

and completely compostable structure.” 

Christopher Tom, a Sales Executive with Innovia Films, was involved 

in the project. “We are proud to work with forward-thinking brands and 

packaging converters and help them reach their collective sustainability 

objectives.” MT 

 

Green corrugated cable protection tubing from 

REIKU (Wiehl, Germany) cannot not be recognized 

by its colour. Like its counterparts made of oilbased 

materials, the biobased version is black 

or gray. Its big advantages become evident 

in robot operation with a continuous series 

of bending cycles, where the products have 

a significantly longer service life. One of the 

first users is b+m surface systems, a leading 

supplier of fully automated painting plants and 

paint application systems for surfaces with very 

high quality standards. The company uses the 

resource-conserving completely biobased PA 

11corrugated tubing from Reiku as standard for 

its latest painting robot generation, Type T1 X5. 

Under a continuous series of bending 

cycles, which is typical for many industrial 

robots, this product has the highest service 

life of all corrugated cable protection tubing in 

this manufacturer’s extensive portfolio. Says 

Sales Manager Peter Sailer: “In internal trials, 

corrugated bio-based tubing with a nominal 

diameter of 70 mm remained free of damage 

even after 16 million cycles in the flexibility test, 

which corresponds in practice to a service life 

of around three years. With the development 

of this corrugated tubing product, Reiku has 

demonstrated that top- performance cable 

protection is ensured, also in view of dwindling 

oil reserves.” 

The outstanding behavior of this tubing under 

dynamic stress is down to the special properties 

of the material used to produce it: Reiku’s 

corrugated cable protection tubing, which is 

available in nominal widths of 12 – 70 mm, is made 

of halogen-free flame-retardant polyamide 11 

(PA11). This bio-based engineering plastic 

combines excellent mechanical properties under 

static and dynamic load with high temperature 

and chemical resistance. It is also abrasionresistant. 

MT 

www.reiku.de 

www.natureflex.com 

www.oceanshalo.com 

 



Breathable food storage container 

Zi pac GmbH, a supplier of packaging made from paper, carton and bioplastics 

based in Meissen, Germany, is now also acting as the exclusive agency of the S.E.E. 

brand of AGT Green Technology Co., Ltd. – Taiwan for Germany and Austria. Just 

recently they released the new product Breere breathable food storage containers, 

“to bring a greater ease and a life of fewer worries” to their customers, as they say 

in their latest brochure. Created via the concept of S.N.P. (Simplicity, Natural and 

Practicality), Breere is the practical and safe food storage container made from 

renewable raw materials (CPLA), carbon foot print certified by TÜV Rheinland, free 

of any toxic substances such as phthalate plasticizers or Bisphenol A. 

The Breere food storage boxes are tough and long lasting. However the container 

shells still represent a valuable raw material, meaning that after a long life in use 

they can eventually be transformed back into lactic acid and thus become a raw 

material for the manufacture of new products. This creates a closed material cycle. 

The containers are closed with lids made of food grade silicone with integrated 

grip zones that allow a safe handling even when the box itself is very hot or cold. A 

specially designed P-shaped groove in the lid allows a safe and tight sealing. Each 

lid is equipped with a special air-valve caps making the whole system breathable. 

Insert the cap into one of the two holes in the lid and gently press down the whole 

lid. Then close the cap with the second little hole. The lid, now in its inwardly curved 

shape, tells the user that the Breere storage box is working correctly. 

The silicone lids in different colours, combined with the air-valve caps with 

different pictograms, help to maintain an overview in the refrigerator contents. The 

containers are perfectly stackable and can be used in a microwave oven. MT 

www.zipac.de 

www.see-gaia.com 

Earth Bottle 

Earth Renewable Technologies (ERT), a pioneer in renewable packaging solutions based in Brevard, NC, has announced the 

launch of EarthBottle, plant- and mineral-based packaging made from the company‘s proprietary EarthMatter formulation. 

The material is based on 90 % Ingeo PLA from NatureWorks and 10 % additives which include minerals which increases the 

characteristics of PLA. 

“Consumers are more and more seeking products that reflect a comprehensive consciousness to the environment, which 

includes the container it‘s packaged in,“ Owen Schultz, Vice President of New Business Development told bioplastics MAGAZINE. 

“The EarthMatter material is a versatile plant- and mineral-based solution for brands looking to meet the demands of end 

users with packaging options that respect our resources and protect our Earth, at a cost that may be comparable to what they 

are using now.“ 

The use of PLA-based biopolymers for packaging greatly reduces the use of fossil resources and emits fewer greenhouse 

gases than the use of traditional petroleum-based packaging. ERT adds proprietary plant- and mineral-based natural 

ingredients to create a modified resin offering improved heat resistance and strength and barrier properties compared with 

non-modified PLA. 

The water-vapor and oxygen-transfer rates of EarthBottles make them suitable for a variety of products, including supplement 

capsules, dietary powders, vitamin tablets, lotions, shampoos, soaps, cold-fill liquid and dry goods. They are free of BPA and 

phthalates. 

All EarthBottles are made using plant-based materials without toxic plasticizers or fossil fuels. 

“Currently we are in the market for opaque, non-beverage cansisters, packers, 

shampoo-bottles etc,,” Owen says. “But we are targeting at other markets too, as our 

material can be run on different kind of processing machinery. This includes films and 

fibres and also food packaging.” 

ERT not only sells the resin, but also sell finished products where it makes sense. 

In the third quarter of 2015, ERT will also enter into a business model that will be 

working with distributors. 

www.earthbottle.com 


Applications 

Biotex Flax improves impact 

performance for bamboo bike 

Composites Evolution’s Biotex Flax has been used by Guapa 

Cycles to improve the impact performance of its Urban One 

Bamboo bicycle. 

UK-based Guapa Cycles designs and engineers wood 

composite bicycles by using technology proven to excel in the 

harsh conditions experienced in surf and snow sports. Whilst 

researching alternatives to carbon for use in its bamboo and 

composite bicycle, Guapa were introduced to Flax, which was 

interesting due to its performance and processability as well 

as the bonus it offered being environmentally-friendly. 

Thomas Henry Williams, Co-Founder & Design Engineer 

at Guapa said “The ability to incorporate a material such as 

flax into our bike wasn’t a decision forced through the need 

to find a material that has its environment credentials; rather 

an educated decision to find the best performing material for 

our application. The natural mechanical properties that the 

flax and the wood composite provides is, for our application, 

better than using a material such as carbon; the flexural 

stiffness provided by the fusing of these two natural materials 

provided us with the desired strength, flex and ultimate 

vibrational characteristics. The proximity & environment 

impact of the product is then extremely closely linked to our 

brands philosophy of smarter manufacture, building closer to 

home and nearer to the end consumer.” 

Guapa describe the ride as stiff yet extremely smooth, 

vibrationless with no noise, just pure efficient fun. Through 

European standard testing, the bicycles have been proven to 

be as strong if not stronger than Carbon, Aluminium or Steel 

frames. All with a frame weight of just 3.3 kg. 

Brendon Weager, Technical Director at Composites 

Evolution, commented “It’s been great to work with Guapa 

Cycles and we are really pleased to see that they recognised 

the outstanding performance of the Biotex materials. We look 

forward to working with them in the future.” 

Composites Evolution is a supplier of innovative, sustainable 

materials to the composites industry, including Biotex highperformance 

natural composites. Their product lines include 

fibres, resins and intermediates based on natural, bio-derived, 

recycled and recyclable feedstocks, which enable customers 

to meet cost, weight and environmental targets 

Biotex natural reinforcements and intermediates provide the 

high performance and easy processing normally associated 

with glass fibre composites but with lower weight and 

environmental impact. They are suitable for semi-structural 

and decorative applications in sectors such as automotive, 

construction, marine, sports and consumer goods. 

Biotex uses a unique Twistless Technology to ensure a 

high degree of fibre alignment and performance. Standard 

materials include Jute, Flax, commingled Flax/PLA and 

commingled Flax/PP (others available on request) in 

formats including yarns, fabrics (woven and non-crimp) and 

preconsolidated sheets 

www.guapa.cc 

www.compositesevolution.com 

Photo Guapa Cycles. 


Applications 

First bioplastic baby spoon 

Once again, Holle from Riehen, Switzerland is illustrating what 

sustainable production means to them: With the first baby 

spoons worldwide that are made from high-quality organic 

and 100 % renewable material they are offering parents an alternative 

to plastic or metal spoons. The spoons were recently unveiled on 

the Biofach exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany. 

For Holle baby food, being one of the longest established organic 

baby food producers in Europe, sustainable production and economic 

sustainability have always been essential business principles. 

This becomes apparent not only in the high quality of Demeter 

brand Holle’s own organic baby food and that of its Bioland brand 

Lebenswert bio, but also in the origin of the raw materials used. 

With the first baby spoons worldwide made from 100 % renewable 

resources, the company takes one step further in its commitment 

to babies’ health and future well-being as well as to environmental 

sustainability. “Using organic materials for these spoons is really a 

minor sensation. Holle is doing pioneer work here, being the first 

to offer parents an alternative to plastic or metal spoons”, says 

Raphael Stäbler from ajaa!, who developed and produced the spoons 

in collaboration with Holle. 

Free from plasticizers and fully recyclable 

Unlike spoons made from conventional plastics, the new Holle 

baby spoons are made from organic materials and don’t contain 

petroleum or plasticizers. They consist mainly of glucose extracted 

from vegetable waste products. Chalk is used as a mineral filler 

for excellent stability. New parents can now feed their babies 

with a spoon that is made without genetic engineering, free from 

harmful substances and highly scratch-resistant. The spoon is 

made in Europe and is fully recyclable. “In the incinerator, the spoon 

will release just as much CO 2 

as the plant it consists of previously 

absorbed”, says Stäbler. 

The shape of the spoon is specifically developed for babies from 

four months and older: It holds perfectly bite-sized portions and is 

curved in such a way that parents can easily feed their baby without 

spills. It can be boiled or sterilized and is dishwasher safe. The new 

Holle baby spoon is also food safe, tasteless and odourless. 

Transparent supply chain 

From the raw materials to the spoon in the shops – to Holle 

baby food, what matters most is cooperation and transparency 

along the entire supply chain. “We are in active dialogue with our 

partners and work closely together, because we can only meet 

the high expectations of our customers in a joint effort”, the Holle 

management states. The products are made from high-quality raw 

materials whose origins can be fully traced back. The bioplastic is a 

specially developed grade of PLA/PHA based Arboblend by Tecnaro 

(Ilsfeld-Auenstein, Germany) 

Holle’s organic baby spoons will be available in specialist shops 

from spring 2015. One set of spoons includes a green, a red, and 

an orange spoon. Each colour variant complies with European 

standards DIN EN 14372 and EN 71-3. These standards confirm that 

the products are absolutely safe to use and free from heavy metals. 

The new Holle baby spoons are 

made in Europe from renewable 

resources, they are free from 

harmful substances and 

plasticizers 

(Source: Holle baby food) 

www.holle.ch 

www.ajaa.de 


Applications 

Kuskoa Bi – 

the first bioplastic chair 

The comfortable and generously-sized Kuskoa Bi, designed 

by Jean Louis Iratzoki is the first chair on the 

market to be manufactured in bioplastic. This biobased 

polymer is fully recyclable and its production gives rise to a 

significant environmental advantage as it reduces greenhouse 

gas emissions. Its particularly enveloping shell, that has classic 

simple lines reminiscent of those seen in the Eames’ DAW 

Chair, is cut out in such a way as to optimize back and arm 

support, is delicately placed on a solid wood trestle. A version 

in a soft wool-based upholstery is also available. 

Set against the backdrop of the Pyrenees in south-western 

France, nestling in a valley at the foot of the mountains is 

the Basque village of Itsasu and the workshop of the Basque 

furniture collective Alki. Surrounded by nature, this is a unique 

environment in which it is a privilege to work and one which 

the people at the Alki workshop strive to protect by seeking 

out new and integrated methods of production. 

“We are very much aware that everything we do, whether as 

individuals or groups, has a direct impact on the surrounding 

environment,” says Alki’s artistic director Jean Louis Iratzoki. 

This is why the oak used comes from sustainably managed 

forests and most of their upholstery is made from natural 

materials (wool, natural fibres, linoleum, etc.). The approach 

to the new project is no different. 

“We decided that the collection we are presenting here, 

Kuskoa Bi, had to be a comfortable, enveloping chair and to 

achieve this we opted for a semi-concave shell,” says Eki. 

The material that best enables this shape to be created is 

plastic. However, the production of plastic not only depletes 

the world’s diminishing fossil resources, it is also a pollutant 

that harms the environment and is therefore contrary to 

Alki’s fundamental principles on sustainable development. 

Eki Solorzano: “To find a solution to this dilemma, we carried 

out in-depth investigative research and found a new material: 

bioplastic“. 

The bioplastic used to manufacture the Kuskoa Bi shell is 

based on PLA, made from plant-based renewable resources 

(corn starch, sugarcane, natural fibres, etc.). It is a fully 

recyclable material that has a significant environmental 

advantage as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 

Eki: “True to our principles, we wanted to participate in this 

sustainable development approach by breaking new ground 

with the pioneering manufacture of a bioplastic chair.” MT 

www.alki.fr/en 


www.pu-magazine.com 

Material-News 

02/2015 APRIL/MAY 

02/2015 März 

Die komplette Typenreihe, Top-Qualität, optimale Verfügbarkeit, 

hervorragender Service und die Expertise plettes Produktprogramm an Rußen zu erfahren. 

Folgen Sie dem QR-Code, um mehr über unser kom- 

und Kompetenz eines lokalen Anbieters. LUVOMAXX Weitere Infos und Details finden Sie unter luvomaxx.de 

ist Ihr Experte für chinesische Ruße in Europa. 

www.luvomaxx.de 

March 23-27, 2015 

West Hall, Booth # 

W3729, Orlando, 

FL, United States 

We are there 

for you: 100%! 

With specialized custom GLS TPE formulations we can meet 

your tough material challenges. 

Enhanced aesthetics 

Superior durability 

Overmolding grades 

Visit www.polyone.com/whatif to make it possible. 

Volume 7, March 2015 

Natural Fibre LFT 

for Lightweighting 

NetComposites (Bridge Way, Chesterfield, UK) has 

developed injection mouldable long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) 

Flax/PP and Jute/PP pellets. 

The pellets, made using pultrusion technology and 

commingled yarns, offer a competitive alternative to glass 

LFT and continuous fibre composites whilst having a number 

of benefits. The natural fibres offer a stiffness comparable 

to glass resulting in pellets which are low weight, capable of 

complex moulding geometries, offer good impact and creep 

resistance and improved performance over alternative shortfibre 

materials. 

The pellets are ideally suited to light-weighting applications 

such as automotive interiors. NetComposites is currently 

working with an automotive trim supplier to develop an 

interior panel using Flax/PP pellets. The materials have a 

specific modulus comparable with that of glass fibres, but 

~ 40 % lighter. 

Other LFT variants are in development such as novel polymer 

reinforced polymer (PRP) pellets with a PET reinforcement 

and PP matrix. These offer another lightweight and highly 

impact-resistant alternative to glass/PP products. 

www.netcomposites.com 

SEEING POLYMERS 

WITH DIFFERENT EYES... 

POLYURETHANES MAGAZINE INTERNATION A L 

Utech Europe 2015 preview 

Interview: A. Robinson, W. Koonce, N. Wilmot, Dow 

Flame retardants for PU rigid foams 

PU wet press moulding 

Thermoplastic polyurethanes 

F O R U M F Ü R D I E P O LY U R E T H A N I N D U S T R I E 

PU MAGAZIN 

Die weltweite PU-Industrie 2014/2015 

Utech Europe 2015 Vorschau 

Ze lstruktur von PU-Weichschäumen 

Halogenfreie Flammschutzmittel 

Faserverbundwerkstoffe mit PU 

Crashsimulation für FVK 

Schnelle Permeabilitätsmessung 

Perfluorelastomere 

Carbonfasern aus alternativen 

Rohstoffen 

Fachmagazin für die Polymerindustrie Elastomerprodukte für Öl und Gas 

 

 

 

 

Magazine for the Polymer Industry 

Extrusion of SBR compounds 

Elastomers at temperature extremes 

Low temperature FKM 

Model predictive control 

OBSH decomposition kinetics 

global automotive markets 

a new tpe class 

tpe foams based on recycled rubber 

olefin block copolymers 

membranes 

Thermoplastic 

Elastomers 

You can — when you work with PolyOne. 

magazine 

international 

What if 

you could 

design 

without 

limits? 

Colours 

Colours 

and 

and 

Additives 

Additives for 

for 

Polyurethanes 

Polyureth 

repi.com 

repi.com 

www.pu-magazin.de 

Sealing Solutions 

www.sonderhoff.com 

68. Jahrgang, März 2015 

03| 2015 

Volume 10, January 2015 



Contact us to learn more about subscriptions, 

advertising opportunities, editorial specials … 

info@gupta-verlag.de 

Our technical magazines and books create your expertise 

46 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10 

P. O. Box 10 13 30 · 40833 Ratingen/Germany · www.gupta-verlag.com 

Tel. +49 2102 9345-0 · Fax +49 2102 9345-20

io CAR 

CALL fOR 

PAPers 

now OPen 

Biobased materials for 

automotive applications 

conference 

24.-25. September 2015 

Stuttgart 

» The amount of plastics in modern cars is constantly increasing. 

» Plastics and composites help achieving light-weighting targets. 

» Plastics offer enormous design opportunities. 

» Plastics are important for the touch-and-feel and the safety of cars. 

BUT: 

consumers, suppliers in the automotive industry and OEMs are more and more looking for biobased 

alternatives to petroleum based materials. 

That‘s why bioplastics MAGAZINE is organizing this new conference on biobased materials for 

the automotive industry. 


Media Partner 

supported by

Materials 

Itaconic acid-based 

monomers and polymers 

By: 

Marco Scoponi 

Advanced polymer Materials 

Ferrara, Italy 

Fig. 1 

Biobased UV curable mixtures used as white inks for PLA bottles. 

The mission of Advanced Polymer Materials (APM), a company 

formed in 2007 as a spin-off for new business initiatives 

proposed by researchers of the University of Ferrara (Italy), 

is to provide technical assistance for processing and quality control 

of several kinds of polymer materials, such as thermoplastic 

commodities, thermosets and UV curable mixtures. Today APM 

is a dynamic company satisfying different needs in the field of 

plastics by applying methods for the determination of physicalchemical 

properties, rheological, morphological and thermomechanical 

properties of thermoplastic polymers, elastomers and 

thermal- and UV-curable monomers for the production of paints, 

inks and adhesives. 

In recent years, APM has also developed, in collaboration with 

several small and medium-sized Italian companies, new polymer 

materials for areas of application having special attention to 

polymer materials with low environmental impact used for 

flexible packaging of food and drink. Since October 2013 APM has 

been the project leader of BiMoP (European project Life12/env/ 

it/600), which is focused on the applications of itaconic acid (IA) 

and its derivatives as monomers for the production of thermoand 

UV-curable mixtures used for coatings, inks and adhesives, 

in collaboration with Polynt and Imperial italian companies. 

The commercially available IA, derived from the biotransformation 

of starch-based biomasses from agricultural surpluses or 

non-food industrial processes, has been used by Polynt for the 

production of unsaturated polyester resins and di-alkylester 

derivatives as monomers. These new biomaterials are suitable 

to be used in combination with biodegradable and compostable 

thermoplastic polymers as sustainable and safe materials for 

packaging applications, such as polylactic acid (PLA). 

Finally, another important aspect of the project BiMoP is the 

proposal of new polymers completely derived from renewable 

resources as crosslinking agents, for biocomposite polymer 

matrices, as an alternative to conventional materials, so avoiding 

emissions during the production of styrene with harmful effects 

to human health and the environment. 

Furthermore, IA has been used as modifier for polyolefins, 

replacing the maleic anhydride for hot melt adhesive applications. 

The bio-based unsaturated polyesters and monomers have been 

used for the production of flexible abrasive tapes (Imperial) and 

laminates in line with European regulations suggesting an emission 

decrease of formaldehyde by replacing the phenol-formaldehyde 

resins with water-based epoxy resins having IA derivatives as 

curing agents. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that IA– 

based monomers and unsaturared polyesters can be successfully 

applied as thermo- and UV-curable resins for surface coatings, 

inks and adhesives for food packaging film and bottles (see fig. 

1), whilst maintaining the biodegradability and compostability 

properties as requested by the EN 13432. 

www.apmlab.com 

www.life-bimop.eu 


Report 

Polypropylene from palm oil 

Indonesian government to explore CPO use in plastics 

The government of Indonesia is currently conducting a 

feasibility study to see if crude palm oil (CPO) could be 

used as an alternative raw material source for the plastics 

industry in a move that could cut costs and use more renewable 

materials, according to a government official. 

The director for basic chemical industries at the Indonesian 

Industry Ministry, M. Khayam, said the country was looking 

to substitute the use of naphtha-based propylene with CPObased 

propylene. 

“We’re working on a pilot project to turn CPO into propane, 

which will be further processed into propylene. Most of the 

current propylene is made from naphtha, and it’s expensive,” 

Khayam told reporters. 

Khayam said the Industry Ministry in cooperation with the 

Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology 

(BPPT), was trying to catch up with the most recent 

technological advances in the industry, allowing it to cut back 

on costs by sourcing cheaper and renewable materials like 

CPO. 

Soaring production costs have become the bane of the 

petrochemical industry, due to the country’s dependency on 

raw material imports and the rupiah’s recent volatility. 

According to ministry data, raw materials make up 80 % of 

production costs in the upstream petrochemicals industry, 

while contributing around 60 % to costs in the downstream 

sector. 

In an effort to reduce the country’s reliance on naphtha as 

a source material, the director said Rp 25 billion from the 

2015 revised state budget was allocated to fund the studies, 

including for the construction of small test production 

facilities. 

Wider implementation of the project is expected to 

commence in 2016, he added. 

Furthermore, Khayam revealed that the government was 

considering whether to appoint state-owned plantation firm 

PT Perkebunan Nusantara as the project’s sole operator, 

or whether to have the firm cooperate with Jakarta-listed 

petrochemical producer Chandra Asri Petrochemical (CAP), 

currently the only producer operating a naphtha cracker in 

the country. 

The firm recently announced plans to construct a 

condensate splitter refinery in Banten with oil and gas firm 

BP Singapore Pte Ltd., to boost its naphtha production. The 

refinery is slated for operation in 2019. 

Contacted separately, the Indonesian Olefin, Aromatic and 

Plastic Industry Association’s (INAplas) deputy chairman, 

Budi Sadiman, said Indonesia would benefit from this plan, as 

it gave the nation an edge in the industry. 

As the world’s largest CPO producer at a production rate 

of 31 million tons per year, Budi said using the cash crop to 

produce raw materials for the domestic plastics industry could 

prove more efficient than sourcing naphtha from abroad. 

“This project will ensure that Indonesia gains a competitive 

advantage because we produce a large amount of CPO,” 

Budi said. “Commodity prices are currently low and there’s a 

chance to add value.” 

Budi said a production facility could be built in Sumatra, 

where most large-scale palm oil plantations are situated, or in 

Cilegon, Banten, where CAP resides. “Unless the government 

decides to build a factory,” he added. 

According to the Industry Ministry, 20 % of the country’s 

CPO production was geared toward engineering propane, a 

raw material for producing olefins and liquid petroleum gas. 

Meanwhile, 2014 INAplas data show that the demand of 

petrochemical raw materials for plastics stands at 4.3 million 

tons, whereas Indonesia’s production capacity for resin, an 

intermediary product for plastic production, stands at 2.2 to 

2.5 million tons per year. 

Source: Daily „The Jakarta Post“, Jakarta; 21 Feb 2015 


Basics 

Can bioplastics polish 

the image of packaging? 

Biobased materials bring packaging to the attention of the end user 

Today´s packaging – important but with a poor 

image 

Highly developed plastic packaging is playing an ever 

important role in our life. Advances in barrier properties can 

now deliver an increased shelf-life for sensitive foodstuffs. 

Portion control packaging offers high levels of convenience, 

for example, in the case of coffee capsules. Glass bottles 

and jars are increasingly being replaced by lightweight PET 

solutions. However, once a product is carried or delivered 

home and unpacked or consumed, then the empty packaging 

is left. This accumulates along with other packaging in the 

waste bin. When purchasing a product, there is often not 

much notice taken of the packaging by the consumer, rather 

there is a focus on the value of the product. Once the product 

has been used and only the packaging remains as waste the 

consumer generally has a negative perception of it, quite often 

even more so, if it is plastic packaging! 

Bottles made from (partly) biobased PET (left) 

and fully biobased PE (right) 

What are the most important merits of 

packaging? 

• enclosing or protecting products for distribution & 

storage 

• allowing transport over long distances 

• preservation over time and enhancing shelf-life 

• portion control 

• advertising, information and product presentation 

These functions appear so obvious for the consumer that 

they can simply be taken for granted. It is an unfortunate 

fact of life that the waste aspect of packaging apparently 

draws more attention from the consumer than the taken for 

granted functions that the very same packaging performs. 

There appears to be a strong dissonance of the positive 

packaging performance and the negative waste driven 

association of conventional plastics packaging. Indeed, 

the strong motivation to try to avoid unnecessary usage of 

plastic packaging materials is now gaining momentum as 

exemplified by the new regulation coming forth on plastic 

shopping bags. The conventional petrochemical plastics 

industry while adhering to new regulatory requirements 

is active in post-consumer packaging waste recycling. 

However, in many cases recycling is feasible in only a 

limited number of loops (down-cycling) and eventually most 

petrochemical packaging ends up in conventional waste 

streams. Therefore, recycling does not entirely overcome 

the basic negative bias highlighted here. That being said, the 

recycling of oil-based packaging is clearly a better option 

than immediate disposal after a single use. 

Biobased materials can create a positive image 

Plastic material solutions that differ from conventional 

plastics in their origin or end-of-life options, such as 

biopolymers, have the potential to correct the dissonance 

in the perception of plastics packaging and to change the 

image focus. 

Biopolymers truly follow a closed loop cycle with the 

natural beginning-of-life and end-of-life options they offer. 

For example, organic kitchen waste typically contains high 

levels of water and therefore incineration is regarded as 

a poor option. Here compostable shopping bags can be 

reused to collect organic kitchen waste allowing it to be 

composted effectively. High levels of kitchen waste could be 

composted, actually giving back to nature, what originated 

from nature. Biobased drop-in polymers, on the other hand, 

can significantly contribute to closing the carbon loop, while 

maintaining the recycling option at the same state-of-theart 

level as a similar oil based polymers. 


Basics 

Closing the carbon and material loop by using the 

beginning or end-of-life options inherent in biopolymers 

is certainly an attractive way to enhance the general 

image of plastic packaging. With the increasing market 

penetration of bioplastic packaging, consumer awareness 

will shift from the negative waste dimension associated 

with conventional plastic packaging to the more positive 

aspects of packaging. 

In conclusion, biopolymer packaging solutions have 

a great potential to be perceived in a very positive 

way – completely altering the consumers opinion to 

appreciating the genuine properties and functionalities 

and showing that plastic packaging is indispensable in 

todays advanced world. Bioplastic packaging extends 

the positive functionalities of plastic packaging while 

avoiding the negatives associated with the waste created 

by conventional plastic packaging. 

From this aspect, biopolymers can make the difference! 

Spectra Packaging – Innovative bioplastic 

packaging solutions 

An example of such biopolymer driven innovation and 

differentiation is given by Spectra Packaging. Spectra 

Packaging is an ambitious, UK-based plastic packaging 

manufacturer which has chosen to offer Braskems Green 

PE and GLOBIO Bio-PET as one of their bottle solutions. 

This young and highly innovative company wants to 

demonstrate the diversity of their product portfolio 

and, as a result, is keen to offer its customers suitable 

biobased solutions. “The advantage is that we can offer 

our customers a sustainable alternative to conventional 

produced plastics with the same properties, performance 

and application versatility like conventional plastics” 

says Gavin Chenery, Commercial Director of Spectra. In 

addition, an important point is that both materials can be 

run on existing tooling and Spectra will not need to change 

the customer specific moulds or specially train employees 

in processing these new materials. Due to the similarity 

of both biobased materials with their conventional 

counterparts, both can be used in combination with 

recycled materials and be recycled with regular HDPE 

or PET without influencing the recycling chain. These 

biobased materials, Green PE and Bio-PET, can also be 

blended with materials such as recycled post-consumer 

packaging, thus making the overall product even more 

eco-friendly. 

Summary 

Biopolymers, by definition, offer a closed loop solution, 

be it at the entry into the material loop such as with 

biobased drop-in materials (beginning-of-life) or at the exit 

of the material loop with compostable and biodegradable 

materials (end-of-life). Innovative packaging solutions 

developed from these biopolymers can overcome the 

overall negative image associated with the waste 

generation of conventional plastics packaging. Bioplastic 

packaging innovations offer options for companies to 

enhance the perception of their products and packaging in 

their consumer markets. 

www.fkur.com 

www.spectra-packaging.co.uk 

Multilayer-packaging made from different PLA/PBAT-blends 

(Bio-Flex ® A 4100 CL, Bio-Flex F 2201 CL and Bio-Flex A 4100 CL) 

 

 

By: 

Patrick Zimmermann, Director Marketing & Sales 

Dietrich Albrecht, Business Development 

Carolin Ehrke, Sales UK 

FKuR Kunststoff 

Willich, Germany 


Basics 

Pioneer in biobased packaging 

Biobased Packaging Innovations opens 

Information & Expo Centre in Amsterdam 

Biobased packaging expert Caroli Buitenhuis has set 

up an Information & Expo Centre in Amsterdam for 

retailers and brand owners interested in biobased 

packaging materials. Its aim: to promote the adoption of 

biobased materials whilst providing essential answers 

about the methods, the risks and the advantages. 

Pioneer in biobased packaging 

“Retailers, brand owners, production companies, 

packaging wholesalers or marketing managers: everyone 

is welcome at our new Information & Expo Centre in 

Amsterdam. We have spent a number of years collecting 

expert knowledge and insights which are vital to helping 

companies convert from traditional packaging to 

sustainable alternatives,” explains Buitenhuis. “Now we 

want to share this information and inspire others.” 

The new Information & Expo Centre has an exhibition 

space for companies interested in developing a sustainable 

packaging concept. Visitors can see what the new 

materials look like, how they feel and what their barrier 

properties and sealing capabilities are. Experts are on 

hand to explain how other companies have converted to 

these new materials and the effect this has on existing 

production processes, purchasing and operating costs. 

“We can explain why the material price might be higher, 

but on the other side of the coin, there are also financial 

benefits, lower taxes for bioplastic packaging in the 

Netherlands for example, as well as increased margins.” 

To help visitors to relate to the material’s applications, 

Buitenhuis has chosen a supermarket design with 

products displayed in familiar product groups. Every 

item has been given a label with the materials used, 

the manufacturer and the supplier. “We want visitors to 

come here to kickstart their research. We want to help 

them discover the best ways of redeveloping their current 

packaging lines, and we want to give them a place to 

come for inspiration and ideas in combination with expert 

knowledge and advice on biobased packaging. We want to 

be pioneers in biobased plastics.” 

Growing acceptance 

There is a growing number of companies willing to adopt 

sustainability as part of their core values. Consumers 

are also increasingly willing to pay more for “honest” 

concepts. These are products that combine sustainability 

from production all the way up the supply chain to biobased 

packaging and responsible end-of-life solutions. “The 

concept needs to be comprehensive, but increased sales 

prices do make it more feasible for producers to convert. 

It is an investment, but one that has been proven to gain 

consumer confidence.” 

Caroli Buitenhuis 

Independent advice 

Biobased Packaging Innovations provides specialist 

knowledge and information, research and innovation to 

the packaging industry. It actively promotes the adoption 

of biobased materials both within the Netherlands and 

internationally, and helps connect industry supply and 

demand. By doing so, this pioneering organisation hopes 

to accelerate biobased innovations into the future. “We are 

not funded by the packaging industry and therefore offer 

wholly-independent consultancy, research and advice. We 

want to help more organisations combine product, packaging 

and brand image as a single and sustainable concept, from 

harvest to end-of-life and back again. That is our mission.” 

www.biobasedpackaging.eu 

bio PAC 

Conference on 


12/13 May 2015 Amsterdam 

Biobased Packaging Innovations is cooperation partner for 

the organization of the bio!PAC conference in Amsterdam 


MICROPLASTIC 

IN THE ENVIRONMENT 

Sources, Impacts & Solutions 

23 - 24 November 2015 

Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany 

The microplastic conference will: 

• Identify sources of microplastics and quantify the amount 

ending up in nature 

• Reveal impacts on marine ecosystems and human beings 

• Propose solutions for current problems, such as prevention, 

recycling and biopolymers 

The conference will provide plenty of scope for discussion between 

producers, consumers, scientists, environmental organisations, 

governmental agencies and other interested stakeholders. 

Your Contact: 

Dominik Vogt 

Conference Management & Sponsorship 

+49 (0)2233 4814 - 49 

dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de 

nova-Institut GmbH 

Chemiepark Knapsack 

Industriestr. 300 

50354 Huerth, Germany 

++ 150 international participants expected ++ 

++ 15% early bird discount till end of May ++ 

www.microplastic-conference.eu 

www.co2-chemistry.eu 

Carbon Dioxide as Feedstock 

for Chemistry and Polymers 

29 – 30 September 2015, Essen (Germany) 

4 t h 

Conference Team 

Michael Carus 

CEO 

michael.carus@nova-institut.de 

Barbara Dommermuth 

Programme, Poster session 

+49 (0)2233 4814-56 

barbara.dommermuth@nova-institut.de 

Dominik Vogt 

Conference Manager, Organisation, 

Exhibition, Sponsoring 

+49 (0)2233 4814-49 

dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de 

Jutta Millich 

Partners & Media Partners 

+49 (0)561 503580-44 

jutta.millich@nova-Institut.de 

For the 4 th year in a row, the nova-Institute will organize the conference „Carbon Dioxide 

as Feedstock for Chemistry and Polymers“ on 29 - 30 September 2015 in the “Haus der 

Technik” in Essen, Germany. CO 2 

as chemical feedstock is a big challenge and chance for 

sustainable chemistry. Over the last few years, the rise of this topic has developed from several 

research projects and industrial applications to become more and 

more dynamic, especially in the fields of solar fuels (power-to-fuel, 

power-to-gas) – but also in CO 2 

-based chemicals and polymers. 

Several players are very active and will showcase some enhanced 

and also new applications using carbon dioxide as feedstock. 

The conference will be the biggest event on Carbon Capture and 

Utilization (CCU) in 2015. 

Attending this conference will be invaluable for businessmen and 

academics who wish to get a full picture of how this new and 

exciting scenario is unfolding, as well as providing an opportunity 

to meet the right business or academic partners for future alliances. 

Free booth – only a 2-days 

conference entrance ticket 

is needed! 

Early Bird Reduction of 

15% until the end of April 

2015. Discount code: 

earlybird2015 

More information can be found at www.co2-chemistry.eu 

Venue 

Haus der Technik e.V. 

Hollestr. 1 

45127 Essen, Germany 

Tel: +49 (0) 201/18 03-1 

www.hdt-essen.de 

Organiser 

nova-Institute 


Industriestraße 300 

50354 Hürth, Germany

Events 

ISSN 1862-5258 

Subscribe 

now at 

bioplasticsmagazine.com 

the next six issues for €149.– 1) 

January / February 

01 | 2015 

Special offer 

for students and 

young professionals 

1,2) € 99.- 

ISSN 1862-5258 

2) aged 35 and below. 

Send a scan of your 

student card, your ID 

or similar proof ... 

March / April 


Cover Story 


Event 

Calendar 

4 th Biobased World Asia 

21.04.2015 - 23.04.2015 - Bangkok, Thailand 

http://bit.ly/1urX69P 

BioMAT2015 

21.04.2015 - 22.04.2015 - Weimar, Germany 

www.dgm.de/dgm/biomat 

Biochemicals & Bioplastics 2015 

06.05.2015 - 07.05.2015 - Denver, Colorado, USA 

www.wplgroup.com/aci 

bio!PAC: Conference on biobased packaging 

organized by bioplastics MAGAZINE 

12.05.2015 - 13.05.2015 - Amsterdam,NL 


Chinaplas 2015 

20.05.2015 - 23.05.2015 - Guangzhou, China 

ahweb.adsale.com.hk/t.aspx?unt=1982-CPS15_bioplastics 

China International Biobased 

Technology & Partnering Conference 

25.05.2015 - 27.05.2015 - Shanghai, China 

www.chinabiobasedtech.com 

Plasticity 

08.06.2015 - 09.06.2015 - Cascais, Portugal 

www.plasticityforum.com 

BiobasedWorld at Achema 2015 

15.06.2015 - 19.06.2015 - Frankfurt, Germany 

www.biobasedworld.de 


Highlights 

Automotive | 10 

NPE-Preview | 23 


Highlights 




Preview 

Biopolymers and Bioplastics 

10.08.2015 - 12.08.2015 - San Francisco (CA), USA 

http://biopolymers-bioplastics.conferenceseries.net/ 

ESBP2015 - 8th European Symposium on Biopolymers 

16.09.2015 - 18.09.2015 - Rome, Itlay 

www.esbp2015.org 

+ 


Mention the promotion code ‘watch‘ or ‘book‘ 

and you will get our watch or the book 3) 

Bioplastics Basics. Applications. Markets. for free 

or 

1) Offer valid until 31 July 2015 

3) Gratis-Buch in Deutschland nicht möglich, no free book in Germany 

bio!CAR: Biobased materials in Automotive Appl. 


24-25 September 2015 - Stuttgart, Germany 


4 th Conference on Carbon Dioxide as Feedstock for 

Chemistry and Polymers 

29.09.2015 - 30.09.2015 - Essen, Germany 

http://co2-chemistry.eu 

10 th European Bioplastics Conference 

05.11.2015 - 06.11.2015 - Berlin, Germany 

www.european-bioplastics.org 

4 th PLA World Congress 


May 2016 - Munich, Germany 

www.pla-world-congress.com 

You can meet us 


Suppliers Guide 

1. Raw Materials 

AGRANA Starch 

Thermoplastics 

Conrathstrasse 7 

A-3950 Gmuend, Austria 

Tel: +43 676 8926 19374 

lukas.raschbauer@agrana.com 

www.agrana.com 

Jincheng, Lin‘an, Hangzhou, 

Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China 

China contact: Grace Jin 

mobile: 0086 135 7578 9843 

Grace@xinfupharm.com 

Europe contact(Belgium): Susan Zhang 

mobile: 0032 478 991619 

zxh0612@hotmail.com 

www.xinfupharm.com 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH 

Siemensring 79 

D - 47 877 Willich 

Tel. +49 2154 9251-0 

Tel.: +49 2154 9251-51 

sales@fkur.com 

www.fkur.com 

39 mm 

Simply contact: 

Tel.: +49 2161 6884467 

suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Stay permanently listed in the 

Suppliers Guide with your company 

logo and contact information. 

For only 6,– EUR per mm, per issue you 

can be present among top suppliers in 

the field of bioplastics. 

For Example: 

Polymedia Publisher GmbH 

Dammer Str. 112 

41066 Mönchengladbach 

Germany 

Tel. +49 2161 664864 

Fax +49 2161 631045 

info@bioplasticsmagazine.com 


Sample Charge: 

39mm x 6,00 € 

= 234,00 € per entry/per issue 

Sample Charge for one year: 

6 issues x 234,00 EUR = 1,404.00 € 

The entry in our Suppliers Guide is 

bookable for one year (6 issues) and 

extends automatically if it’s not canceled 

three month before expiry. 

www.facebook.com 

www.issuu.com 

www.twitter.com 

www.youtube.com 

Showa Denko Europe GmbH 

Konrad-Zuse-Platz 4 

81829 Munich, Germany 

Tel.: +49 89 93996226 

www.showa-denko.com 

support@sde.de 

DuPont de Nemours International S.A. 

2 chemin du Pavillon 

1218 - Le Grand Saconnex 

Switzerland 

Tel.: +41 22 171 51 11 

Fax: +41 22 580 22 45 

plastics@dupont.com 

www.renewable.dupont.com 

www.plastics.dupont.com 

Tel: +86 351-8689356 

Fax: +86 351-8689718 

www.ecoworld.jinhuigroup.com 

ecoworldsales@jinhuigroup.com 

Evonik Industries AG 

Paul Baumann Straße 1 

45772 Marl, Germany 

Tel +49 2365 49-4717 

evonik-hp@evonik.com 

www.vestamid-terra.com 

www.evonik.com 

1.1 bio based monomers 

Corbion Purac 

Arkelsedijk 46, P.O. Box 21 

4200 AA Gorinchem - 

The Netherlands 

Tel.: +31 (0)183 695 695 

Fax: +31 (0)183 695 604 

www.corbion.com/bioplastics 

bioplastics@corbion.com 

62 136 Lestrem, France 

Tel.: + 33 (0) 3 21 63 36 00 

www.roquette-performance-plastics.com 

1.2 compounds 

API S.p.A. 

Via Dante Alighieri, 27 

36065 Mussolente (VI), Italy 

Telephone +39 0424 579711 

www.apiplastic.com 

www.apinatbio.com 

Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd. 

No.33 Kefeng Rd, Sc. City, Guangzhou 

Hi-Tech Ind. Development Zone, 

Guangdong, P.R. China. 510663 

Tel: +86 (0)20 6622 1696 

info@ecopond.com.cn 

www.ecopond.com.cn 

FLEX-162 Biodeg. Blown Film Resin! 

Bio-873 4-Star Inj. Bio-Based Resin! 

GRAFE-Group 

Waldecker Straße 21, 

99444 Blankenhain, Germany 

Tel. +49 36459 45 0 

www.grafe.com 

PolyOne 

Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 

Zoning de la Fagne 

5330 Assesse 

Belgium 

Tel.: + 32 83 660 211 


WinGram Industry CO., LTD 

Great River(Qin Xin) 

Plastic Manufacturer CO., LTD 

Mobile (China): +86-13113833156 

Mobile (Hong Kong): +852-63078857 

Fax: +852-3184 8934 

Email: Benson@wingram.hk 

1.3 PLA 

Shenzhen Esun Ind. Co;Ltd 

www.brightcn.net 

www.esun.en.alibaba.com 

bright@brightcn.net 

Tel: +86-755-2603 1978 

1.4 starch-based bioplastics 

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients 

ZAC „Les Portes de Riom“ - BP 173 

63204 Riom Cedex - France 

Tel. +33 (0)4 73 67 17 00 

Fax +33 (0)4 73 67 17 10 

www.biolice.com 



4. Bioplastics products 

BIOTEC 

Biologische Naturverpackungen 

Werner-Heisenberg-Strasse 32 

46446 Emmerich/Germany 

Tel.: +49 (0) 2822 – 92510 

info@biotec.de 

www.biotec.de 

Grabio Greentech Corporation 

Tel: +886-3-598-6496 

No. 91, Guangfu N. Rd., Hsinchu 

Industrial Park,Hukou Township, 

Hsinchu County 30351, Taiwan 

sales@grabio.com.tw 

www.grabio.com.tw 

Wuhan Huali 

Environmental Technology Co.,Ltd. 

No.8, North Huashiyuan Road, 

Donghu New Tech Development 

Zone, Wuhan, Hubei, China 

Tel: +86-27-87926666 

Fax: + 86-27-87925999 

rjh@psm.com.cn, www.psm.com.cn 

1.5 PHA 

PolyOne 

Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 

Zoning de la Fagne 

5330 Assesse 

Belgium 

Tel.: + 32 83 660 211 


2. Additives/Secondary raw materials 

GRAFE-Group 



Tel. +49 36459 45 0 

www.grafe.com 

Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH 

Duesseldorfer Strasse 23-27 

68219 Mannheim, Germany 

Phone: +49 (0)621-8907-233 

Fax: +49 (0)621-8907-8233 

bioadimide.eu@rheinchemie.com 

www.bioadimide.com 

3. Semi finished products 

3.1 films 

Minima Technology Co., Ltd. 

Esmy Huang, Marketing Manager 

No.33. Yichang E. Rd., Taipin City, 

Taichung County 

411, Taiwan (R.O.C.) 

Tel. +886(4)2277 6888 

Fax +883(4)2277 6989 

Mobil +886(0)982-829988 

esmy@minima-tech.com 

Skype esmy325 

www.minima-tech.com 

Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies 

4201 Woodland Road 

Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA 

Tel. +1 763.404.8700 

Fax +1 763.225.6645 

info@natur-tec.com 

www.natur-tec.com 

NOVAMONT S.p.A. 

Via Fauser , 8 

28100 Novara - ITALIA 

Fax +39.0321.699.601 

Tel. +39.0321.699.611 


ProTec Polymer Processing GmbH 

Stubenwald-Allee 9 

64625 Bensheim, Deutschland 

Tel. +49 6251 77061 0 

Fax +49 6251 77061 500 

info@sp-protec.com 

www.sp-protec.com 

6.2 Laboratory Equipment 

MODA: Biodegradability Analyzer 

SAIDA FDS INC. 

143-10 Isshiki, Yaizu, 

Shizuoka,Japan 

Tel:+81-54-624-6260 

Info2@moda.vg 

www.saidagroup.jp 

7. Plant engineering 

EREMA Engineering Recycling 

Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH 

Unterfeldstrasse 3 

4052 Ansfelden, AUSTRIA 

Phone: +43 (0) 732 / 3190-0 

Fax: +43 (0) 732 / 3190-23 

erema@erema.at 

www.erema.at 

TianAn Biopolymer 

No. 68 Dagang 6th Rd, 

Beilun, Ningbo, China, 315800 

Tel. +86-57 48 68 62 50 2 

Fax +86-57 48 68 77 98 0 

enquiry@tianan-enmat.com 

www.tianan-enmat.com 

Metabolix, Inc. 

Bio-based and biodegradable resins 

and performance additives 

21 Erie Street 

Cambridge, MA 02139, USA 

US +1-617-583-1700 

DE +49 (0) 221 / 88 88 94 00 

www.metabolix.com 

info@metabolix.com 

1.6 masterbatches 

GRAFE-Group 



Tel. +49 36459 45 0 

www.grafe.com 

Infiana Germany GmbH & Co. KG 

Zweibrückenstraße 15-25 

91301 Forchheim 

Tel. +49-9191 81-0 

Fax +49-9191 81-212 

www.infiana.com 

Taghleef Industries SpA, Italy 

Via E. Fermi, 46 

33058 San Giorgio di Nogaro (UD) 

Contact Emanuela Bardi 

Tel. +39 0431 627264 

Mobile +39 342 6565309 

emanuela.bardi@ti-films.com 

www.ti-films.com 

President Packaging Ind., Corp. 

PLA Paper Hot Cup manufacture 

In Taiwan, www.ppi.com.tw 

Tel.: +886-6-570-4066 ext.5531 

Fax: +886-6-570-4077 

sales@ppi.com.tw 

6. Equipment 

6.1 Machinery & Molds 

Molds, Change Parts and Turnkey 

Solutions for the PET/Bioplastic 

Container Industry 

284 Pinebush Road 

Cambridge Ontario 

Canada N1T 1Z6 

Tel. +1 519 624 9720 

Fax +1 519 624 9721 

info@hallink.com 

www.hallink.com 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH 

Holzhauser Strasse 157–159 

D-13509 Berlin 

Tel. +49 30 43 567 5 

Fax +49 30 43 567 699 

sales.de@uhde-inventa-fischer.com 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG 

Via Innovativa 31 

CH-7013 Domat/Ems 

Tel. +41 81 632 63 11 

Fax +41 81 632 74 03 

sales.ch@uhde-inventa-fischer.com 

www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com 

9. Services 

Osterfelder Str. 3 

46047 Oberhausen 

Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227 

Fax: +49 (0)208 8598 1424 

thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de 

www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de 



Institut für Kunststofftechnik 

Universität Stuttgart 

Böblinger Straße 70 

70199 Stuttgart 

Tel +49 711/685-62814 

Linda.Goebel@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de 

www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de 

Bioplastics Consulting 

Tel. +49 2161 664864 

info@polymediaconsult.com 

European Bioplastics e.V. 

Marienstr. 19/20 

10117 Berlin, Germany 

Tel. +49 30 284 82 350 

Fax +49 30 284 84 359 

info@european-bioplastics.org 

www.european-bioplastics.org 

Michigan State University 

Department of Chemical 

Engineering & Materials Science 

Professor Ramani Narayan 

East Lansing MI 48824, USA 

Tel. +1 517 719 7163 

narayan@msu.edu 

narocon 

Dr. Harald Kaeb 

Tel.: +49 30-28096930 

kaeb@narocon.de 

www.narocon.de 

nova-Institut GmbH 


Industriestrasse 300 

50354 Huerth, Germany 

Tel.: +49(0)2233-48-14 40 

E-Mail: contact@nova-institut.de 

www.biobased.eu 

UL International TTC GmbH 

Rheinuferstrasse 7-9, Geb. R33 

47829 Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany 

Tel.: +49 (0) 2151 5370-370 

Fax: +49 (0) 2151 5370-371 

ttc@ul.com 

www.ulttc.com 

10. Institutions 

10.1 Associations 

BPI - The Biodegradable 

Products Institute 

331 West 57th Street, Suite 415 

New York, NY 10019, USA 

Tel. +1-888-274-5646 

info@bpiworld.org 

10.2 Universities 

IfBB – Institute for Bioplastics 

and Biocomposites 

University of Applied Sciences 

and Arts Hanover 

Faculty II – Mechanical and 

Bioprocess Engineering 

Heisterbergallee 12 

30453 Hannover, Germany 

Tel.: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 22 69 

Fax: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 99 - 22 69 

lisa.mundzeck@fh-hannover.de 

http://www.ifbb-hannover.de/ 

10.3 Other Institutions 

Biobased Packaging Innovations 

Caroli Buitenhuis 

IJburglaan 836 

1087 EM Amsterdam 

The Netherlands 

Tel.: +31 6-24216733 

http://www.biobasedpackaging.nl 

‘Basics‘ book on bioplastics 

This book, created and published by Polymedia Publisher, maker 

of bioplastics MAGAZINE is available in English and German language 

(German now in the second, revised edition). 

The book is intended to offer a rapid and uncomplicated introduction 

into the subject of bioplastics, and is aimed at all interested readers, in 

particular those who have not yet had the opportunity to dig deeply into 

the subject, such as students or those just joining this industry, and lay 

readers. It gives an introduction to plastics and bioplastics, explains which 

renewable resources can be used to produce bioplastics, what types of bioplastic 

exist, and which ones are already on the market. Further aspects, 

such as market development, the agricultural land required, and waste 

disposal, are also examined. 

An extensive index allows the reader to find specific aspects quickly, 

and is complemented by a comprehensive literature list and a guide to 

sources of additional information on the Internet. 

The author Michael Thielen is editor and publisher bioplastics MAGA- 

ZINE. He is a qualified machinery design engineer with a degree in plastics 

technology from the RWTH University in Aachen. He has written 

several books on the subject of blow-moulding technology and disseminated 

his knowledge of plastics in numerous presentations, seminars, 

guest lectures and teaching assignments. 

110 pages full color, paperback 

ISBN 978-3-9814981-1-0: Bioplastics 

ISBN 978-3-9814981-2-7: Biokunststoffe 

neu: 2. überarbeitete Auflage 

Order now for € 18.65 or US-$ 25.00 (+ VAT where applicable, plus shipping and handling, ask for details) 

order at www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/books, by phone +49 2161 6884463 or by e-mail books@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Or subscribe and get it as a free gift (see page 57 for details, outside German y only) 


Companies in this issue 

Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert 

3M 8 

ACUMEN ENGINEERING 30 

Advanced Polymer Materials 48 

Agrana Starch Thermoplastics 55 

agT Green Technolog 42 

ajaa 42 

ALGIX 39 

Alki 45 

Annies 8 

API 25 55 

Arkema 7, 36, 38 

AudioQuest 40 

Australasian Bioplastiucs Association 6 

Avantium 12 

Aveda 8 

B&H Tool Company 37 

b+m surface technology 41 

BASF 12, 22, 30 

Bayer MaterialScience 10, 24 

Billerudkorsnas 12 

BINHAI JINXIANG CHEMICAL AUXI- 

LIARY 

bio4life 12 

Bio4pack 12 

Biobased Packaging Innovations 52 

Biobent 37 

BiologiQ 37 

30, 33 

Biotec 5, 12 56 

BP Singapur 49 

BPI 8 57 

Braskem 51 

Carrington Organic Tea 40 

Cathay 7 

Celanese International 12 

CHANGZHOU PULAIKE HONGMEI 

MASTERBATCH 

30 

CJ CHEILJEDANG 30 

CNRS 7 

COLLOIDS PLASTIC (SUZHOU) 30 

Composites Evolution 43 

Coperion 10 

Corbion 12, 17 

CRODA 30 

cycleWood Solutions 37 

DIN Certco 6 

DONGGUAN XINHAI ENVIRONMENTAL 

PROTECTION MATERIAL 

DONGGUAN YIHAO NANOCOMPOSITES 

TECHNOLOGY 

Dow 8 

DSM 7 

DuPont 7, 30 55 

30 

30 

DuPont 12 

Earth Renewable Technologies 42 

EastmanKodak 38 

ECN 7 

EcoTechnilin 10 

Ecover 12 

Elevance 7 

Energy research Centre of the Netherlands 

(ECN) 

Erema Plastic Recycling Systems 25, 56 

Estee Lauder 8 

European Bioplastics 12 39, 57 

Evonik 10 55, 59 

Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe 

FNR 

FBR 7 

12 

12 

FKuR 12 

FKuR 50 2, 56 

Fraunhofer IVV 12 57 

FUKUTOmi 30 

gain MORE ENVIRONMENTAL 

FRIENDLY MATERIAL 

30 

Genarex 35 

Georgia Pacific 8 

Grabio Greentech 56 

Grafe 30 56, 57 

Great Eastern Resins 37 

Green Dot 23 

Greenpack 34 

GUANGZHOU BIOPLUS MATERIALS 

TECHNOLOGY 

30 

Guapa Cycles 43 

HAIRMA CHEMICALS 30 

Hallink 56 

HANGZHOU FCJ PLASTICS&RUBBER 30 

HANGZHOU SEEMORE NEW MATERIAL 

TECHNOLOGY 

Henkel 7 

HIB Trimpart Solutions 10 

Holle 42 

HUAFON GROUP 30 

HUAINAN AN XIN TAI SCIENCE & TECH 30 

30, 33 

Infiana Germany 12 56 

Innoplast Solutions 7 

Innovia Films 8, 12, 43, 44 56 

Invista 10, 26 

JETWELL TRADING LIMITED 30 

JIANGSU JINHE HI-TECH 30 

JIANGSU TORISE BIOMATERIALS 30 

Jilin SenRuiDa 15 

Jinhui Zhalolong 15, 30 29, 55 

Johnson & Johnson 8 

Jungbunzlauer 36 

Kaneka 5 

Keil Anlagenbau 26 

Kingfa 30 55 

Kromabatch 6 

Laurel BioComposites 34 

LEI 7 

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients 55 

Lovechoc 12 

Metabolix 56 

MHG 8 

Michigan State University 5 57 

Minima Technology 30 56 

MiTAC 37 

MIT 8 

narocon 12 

NatureWorks 8, 12, 30, 32 

Natur-Tec 56 

NetComposites 46 

New Frontier Foods 41 

Nexant 7 

NHH NGAI HING HONG COMPANY LTD 30, 32 

NINGBO BAMTAC NEW MATERIAL 30 

NINGBO NENGZHIGUANG NEW MATE- 

RIALS TECHNOLOGY 

30 

Nitro Chem 17 

nova Institute 7, 10 53, 57 

Novamont 6, 8 56, 60 

OMFI 25 

OPA 6 

Packaging Digest 8 

paperfoam 12 

PepsiCo 8 

Plantic 18 

Polyalloy 37 

polymediaconsult 57 

PolyOne 36 55 

POLYSCOPE POLYMERS BV 30 

President Packaging 56 

ProTec Polymer Processing 56 

QUATEK INC. SHANGHAI 30 

Rampf Ecosolutions 26 

Reiku 41 

Reverdia 12 

REVERDIA 30 

Rhein Chemie 56 

ROQUETTE 30 55 

RTP Company 38 

Saida 56 

SHanDOng JIQing CHemiCAL 30 

ShanXi JinHui Group 15 

SHENGJUN CHEMICAL(FOSHAN) 30 

SHENZHEN ECOMANN 30 

SHENZHEN ESUN INDUSTRIAL 28, 30 55 

Showa Denko 55 

SOLVAY 30 

Spectra Packaging 51 

SPI Bioplastics Division 34, 38 

Stratasys 38 

Sustainable Packaging Coalition 8 

SUZHOU CHENG FENG PLASTIC 30 

SUZHOU HANFENG NEW MATERIALS . 30 

Synbra 12 

Taghleef Industries 12 56 

TAKEMOTO 30, 36 

Target 8 

Tecnaro 40, 42 

TEIJIN LIMITED 30 

Teknor Apex Company 36 

Tesa 12 

Tetra Pak 8, 12 

TianAn Biopolymer 30, 33 56 

Toray 16 

Toyota 7 

twBEars 10 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer 19, 56 

UL International TTC 57 

Univ. Stuttgart (IKT) 57 

U-TALC MINERALS (KUN SHAN) 30 

Verdezyme 7 

Vertellus 35 

Vincotte 20 

Wageningen (WUR) 7 

Walmart 8 

WEIFANG HUAWEI NEW MATERIALS 30, 32 

TECHNOLOGY 

WEIHAI LIANQIAO NEW MATERIAL 30 

SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY 

WinGram 55 

XINJIANG BLUE RIDGE TUNHE CHEMI- 30 

CAL INDUSTRY JOINT STOCK 

YAT SHUN HONG COMPANY 30 

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical 

30 55 

ZHEJIANG HISUN BIOMATERIALS 30 

ZHEJIANG PU WEI LUN CHEMICALS 30 

ZiPac 42 


VESTAMID® Terra 

High Performance Naturally 

Technical biobased polyamides which achieve 

performance by natural means 

VESTAMID® Terra DS (= PA1010) 100% renewable 

VESTAMID® Terra HS (= PA610) 62% renewable 

VESTAMID® Terra DD (= PA1012) 100% renewable 

• Outstanding mechanical and physical properties 

• Same performance as conventional engineering polyamides 

• Significant lower CO 2 

emission compared to petroleum-based polymers 

• A wide variety of compound solutions are available 

www.vestamid-terra.com

A real sign 

of sustainable 

development. 

There is such a thing as genuinely sustainable 

development. 

Since 1989, Novamont researchers have been working 

on an ambitious project that combines the chemical 

industry, agriculture and the environment: “Living Chemistry 

for Quality of Life”. Its objective has been to create products 

with a low environmental impact. The result of Novamont’s 

innovative research is the new bioplastic Mater-Bi ® . 

Mater-Bi ® is a family of materials, completely biodegradable and compostable 

which contain renewable raw materials such as starch and vegetable oil 

derivates. Mater-Bi ® performs like traditional plastics but it saves energy, 

contributes to reducing the greenhouse effect and at the end of its life cycle, 

it closes the loop by changing into fertile humus. Everyone’s dream has 

become a reality. 

Living Chemistry for Quality of Life. 


Within Mater-Bi ® product range the following certifications are available 

284 

The “OK Compost” certificate guarantees conformity with the NF EN 13432 standard 

(biodegradable and compostable packaging) 

5_2014

Issue 02/2015

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?