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ioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 4 ISSN 1862-5258 

Show Preview | 21 

Basics: 

Basics of PHA | 36 

03 | 2009 

Highlights: 

Material Combinations |12 

Rigid Packaging | 16 

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Editorial 

dear 

readers 

Great events often generate great anticipation, and NPE, the 

International Plastics Showcase in Chicago in mid June, is no 

exception. Despite the current economic situation more than 1,00 

exhibitors will present their portfolios to an expected ,000 plastics 

experts from more than 120 countries. There will also be about 1,000 

conference presentations to round off this event. Of course bioplastics 

will definitely be a feature of the show. Exhibitors will present 

products or services related to plastics from renewable resources or 

biodegradable plastics at more than 40 booths. bioplastics MAGAZINE 

has prepared a comprehensive show preview, including a show floor 

map, which can be found in the centre of this issue. 

Another editorial focus in this issue is ‘Material Combinations‘. For 

a number of applications the use of a single bioplastic material may 

not offer sufficient properties in terms of performance. However, 

significantly improved properties can be achieved by a combination 

with other bioplastics, natural fibres or – if needed – conventional 

plastics. We also have a focus on ‘Rigid Packaging‘, which not only 

covers cups and clamshells but also, for instance, foamed packaging. 

As you read this magazine, and also the last few issues of bioplastics 

MAGAZINE, you may have the impression that it is always ‘the usual 

suspects‘ contributing editorial articles. We are of course very grateful 

for these informative contributions, but we also earnestly invite all 

producers of raw materials, semi-finished products, final products or 

services to contribute to the editorial content of bioplastics MAGAZINE. 

This is a communications medium for the whole bioplastics industry, 

their customers and other interested parties and we are keen to 

represent the views of all of our readers. Contributions can be as 

simple as a letter to the editor, be it about the oxo-discussion, end-oflife 

scenarios, the bioplastics vs food debate, or whatever. 

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE and look 

forward to your comments, opinions or contributions. 

Yours, 

Michael Thielen 

Courtesy Uhde Inventa-Fischer 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4 3

Content 

Editorial 03 

News 

0 

Application News 30 

Event Calendar 41 

Suppliers Guide 44 

Glossary 42 

May/June 03|2009 

Interview 

From Punk to Evergreen 8 

Material Combinations 

From Science & Research 

Novel Bioplastic Blends and Nanocomposites 32 

Carrot Steering Wheel and Chocolate Biodiesel 34 

Extrusion Coating or Laminating 12 

Blends of PHBV With other Polymers 14 

Event Preview 

2nd PLA Bottle Conference 

1 

NPE Preview 21 

Rigid Packaging 

Flexible Bio-foams 

1 

Thermal Cooler Box 18 

Lifecycle Advantages of PLA over rPET 19 

More than Cups ... 20 

Impressum 

Publisher / Editorial 

Dr. Michael Thielen 

Samuel Brangenberg 

Layout/Production 

Mark Speckenbach, Jörg Neufert 

Cover Photo: 

Courtesy Uhde Inventa-Fischer 

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Elke Schulte, Katrin Stein 

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Total Print run: 5,500 copies 

bioplastics MAGAZINE 

ISSN 182-28 

bioplastics magazine is published 

6 times a year. 

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subscribers (149 Euro for 6 issues). 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on 

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bioplastics MAGAZINE is read 

in 85 countries. 

Not to be reproduced in any form 

without permission from the publisher. 

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. 

Editorial contributions are always 

welcome. Please contact the 

editorial office via 

mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. 

4 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4

News 

Coca-Cola Introduces 

Bottle Made From 

Renewable, Plant- 

Based, Recyclable 

Plastic 

A few days before publication of this issue of bioplastics 

MAGAZINE the Coca-Cola Company unveiled a new plastic 

bottle made partially (up to 30%) from plants. The 

‘PlantBottle’ is fully recyclable, has a lower reliance on a 

non-renewable resource, and reduces carbon emissions, 

compared with petroleum-based PET plastic bottles. 

“The ‘PlantBottle‘ is a significant development in 

sustainable packaging innovation,“ said Muhtar Kent, 

Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “It builds 

on our legacy of environmental ingenuity and sets the 

course for us to realize our vision to eventually introduce 

bottles made with materials that are 100 percent recyclable 

and renewable.“ 

The new bottle is currently made through an innovative 

process that turns sugar cane and molasses, a byproduct 

of sugar production, into a key component for PET 

plastic. Coca-Cola is also exploring the use of other plant 

materials for future generations of the ‘PlantBottle’. 

Manufacturing the new plastic bottle is more 

environmentally efficient as well. A life-cycle analysis 

conducted by Imperial College London indicates the 

‘PlantBottle’ with 30 percent plant-base material reduces 

carbon emissions by up to 2 percent, compared with 

petroleum-based PET. 

Another advantage to the ‘PlantBottle’ is that, unlike 

other plant-based plastics, it can be processed through 

existing manufacturing and recycling facilities without 

contaminating traditional PET. So, the material in the 

‘PlantBottle’ can be used, recycled and reused again and 

again. 

Coca-Cola North America will pilot the ‘PlantBottle’ 

with Dasani and sparkling brands in select markets later 

this year and with vitaminwater in 2010. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is planning a more comprehensive 

report for the next issue which - among other topics - will 

feature a special editorial focus on bottles. 

www.thecoca-colacompany.com. 

Order 

now! 

Hans-Josef Endres, Andrea Siebert-Raths 

Technische Biopolymere 

Rahmenbedingungen, Marktsituation, 

Herstellung, Aufbau und Eigenschaften 

628 Seiten, Hardcover 

New Book! 

Engineering Biopolymers 

General conditions, market situation, 

production, structure and properties 

number of pages t.b.d., hardcover, 

coming soon. 

This new book is available now. It is written in German , an 

English version is in preparation and coming soon. An e-book is 

included in the package. (Mehr deutschsprachige Info unter 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/buecher). 

The new book offers a broad basis of information from a plastics 

processing point of view. This includes comprehensive descriptions 

of the biopolymer market, the different materials and suppliers 

as well as production-, processing-, usage- and disposal 

properties for all commercially available biopolymers. 

The unique book represents an important and comprehensive 

source of information and a knowledge base for researchers, 

developers, technicians, engineers, marketing, management and 

other decision-makers. It is a must-have in all areas of applications 

for raw material suppliers, manufacturers of plastics and 

additives, converters and film producers, for machine manufacturers, 

packaging suppliers, the automotive industry, the fiber/nonwoven/textile 

industry as well as universities. 

Content: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Definition of biopolymers 

Materials classes 

Production routes and polymerization 

processes of biopolymers 

Structure 

Comprehensive technical properties 

Comparison of property profiles 

of biopolymers with those of 

conventional plastics 

Disposal options 

Data about sustainability and 

eco-balance 

• 

• 

• 

Important legal framwork 

Testing standards 

Market players 

Trade names 

Suppliers 

Prices 

Current availabilities 

and future prospects 

Current application 

examples 

Future market development 

order at www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/books, by phone 

+49 2161 664864 or by e-mail books@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Order your english copy now and benefit 

from a prepub discount of EUR 50.00. 

Bestellen Sie das deutschsprachige Buch jetzt zum Subscriptionspreis 

von EUR 249,00 (bis 31. Juli 2009, der spätere Listenpreis beträgt 

EUR 299,00).

News 

NatureWorks 

invests $1 million 

in applications lab 

NatureWorks invested $1 million and 18 months 

of staff time to transform its former pilot plant 

in Savage, Minnesota, into an Ingeo bioresin 

applications lab capable of commercial grade 

compounding, sheet extrusion, thermoforming, 

injection molding, and fiber spinning. 

“Some of the tasks of the new NatureWorks’ 

application lab include developing and testing 

compounds on commercial machines, moving 

Ingeo natural plastic into new product areas, 

educating converters about Ingeo processing 

characteristics, and working side by side with brand 

owners and retailers to test their product concepts,” 

said Marc Verbruggen, president and CEO. “The lab 

is designed to enable NatureWorks, converters, 

and brand owners to bring quality products made 

from renewable resources to market quickly and 

effectively.” 

www.natureworksllc.com 

Naturellyseda Receives 

2009 Packaging Oscar 

The new range of NaturellySeda products has been awarded a 

Packaging Oscar 2009 thanks to the increasingly eco-sustainable 

and eco-compatible packaging emerging from the manufacturing 

partnership between Novamont and Seda (Arzano, Italy). 

The award was presented recently by the Istituto Italiano 

Imballaggio in the Environment special sections category for 

its contribution to prevention of environmental problems, based 

on factors such as energy savings, use of recycled materials, 

improved logistics, re-use, enhanced recycling processes and 

simplified packaging. 

NaturellySeda is a new range of recyclable, biodegradable and 

compostable containers, by Seda. The line includes glasses for 

cold drinks and single- and double-walled cups for hot drinks, 

as well as containers and lids for ice cream and yoghurt, made 

in paper and a type of Novamont’s Mater-Bi ® containing raw 

materials from vegetable oils. 

The NaturellySeda line is not only made with sustainable 

raw materials, it uses efficient manufacturing cycles to reduce 

environmental impact. In accordance with standards EN 13428, 

EN 13430, EN 13431 and CR 139-1/2, NaturellySeda products 

can be recycled and also composted after use. 

www.sedagroup.org 

www.novamont.com 

www.biowerkstoff-kongress.de 

Biowerkstoff-Kongress 2009 

26. – 27. Oktober 2009, ICS Internationales Congresscenter Stuttgart 

Partner 

Biowerkstoffe sind Werkstoffe, die vollständig oder in relevantem Maße auf Agrarrohstoffen oder Holz 

basieren. Dazu zählen u.a. Biokunststoffe, Naturfaser-Verbundwerkstoffe sowie Holz-Polymer- 

Werkstoffe (Wood Plastic Composites). In Europa werden aktuell jährlich bereits 400.000 t dieser neuen 

Werkstoffe eingesetzt, Tendenz steigend. Seien Sie also dabei, wenn führende Experten der Branche zusammen 

kommen und über die folgenden Punkte diskutieren: 

■ Branchen und Anwendungen 

■ Marktsituation und Trends 

■ Verarbeitungsverfahren und Materialeigenschaften 

■ Forschung und Entwicklung 

Praxisorientiert für Entwickler, Produzenten, Handel und Anwender 

Ansprechpartner Dominik Vogt, Tel.: +49 (0) 22 33 – 48 14 49, dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de 

Veranstalter 

Medienpartner 

nova-Institut GmbH | Chemiepark Knapsack | Industriestraße | 50354 Hürth | contact@nova-institut.de | www.nova-institut.de/nr 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4

European Bioplastics Board with Managing 

Director and Secretary General (from left: 

Harald Kaeb, Philipp Depiereux, 

Erika Mink, Jens Hamprecht, 

Francesco Degli-Innocenti, 

Andy Sweetman, Jöran Reske, 

Hasso von Pogrell, inserted: 

Hans van der Pol) 

News 

European Bioplastics Has a New Board 

Association with new Board, Managing Director and Secretary General 

End of April, the industry association European Bioplastics 

elected a new Board during the General Assembly. 

The new Board is chaired by Andy Sweetman (Innovia 

Films). Francesco Degli-Innocenti (Novamont) and Joeran 

Reske (Interseroh) are Vice-Chairmen. The former Chairman, 

Harald Kaeb, was nominated Secretary General. On 

1 March 2009, Hasso von Pogrell was appointed as the new 

Managing Director. 

The newly elected executive committee succeeds the 

former Board led by Harald Kaeb. After 1 years of Board 

membership and ten years as Chairman, Harald Kaeb 

will hold the position of Secretary General within the 

association, working as spokesman and political advisor 

(read the interview with Harald Kaeb on page 8). Kaeb‘s 

successor Andy Sweetman declared:”The key visions of 

European Bioplastics will remain and will be pursued with 

renewed vigour: To promote awareness of the benefits 

that can be derived from best use of bioplastics in the 

marketplace. To ensure that environmental claims on 

biodegradability and compostability; renewability and 

sustainability can be transparently and independently 

substantiated.” bioplastics MAGAZINE will do a comphenesive 

interview with Andy Sweetman in the next issue. 

In the course of its strategic expansion, European 

Bioplastics had already nominated a new Managing Director 

on 1 March 2009. Hasso von Pogrell, formerly Managing 

Director for the association of the German sawmill 

industry, is responsible for the internal affairs of European 

Bioplastics. Additionally, the number of Board members 

has been increased to seven. Further Board members are: 

Philipp Depiereux (Alesco), Jens Hamprecht (BASF), Erika 

Mink (Tetra Pak) and Hans van der Pol (Purac), who was 

designated treasurer. Two permanent working groups, 

‘Bioplastics and the Environment’ and ‘Waste and Recovery’ 

have been established. The measures taken are in response 

to the fast-paced growth of the association and its need to 

strengthen its representation in Europe. 

European Bioplastics is the European bioplastics industry 

association. Supporting members of the association are 

leading companies from the agricultural raw materials, 

chemicals and plastics industries, foodstuff producers and 

waste management companies. 

www.european-bioplastics.org 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4

Interview 

From 

Punk to 

Evergreen 

An unusual review of bioplastics development 

A 

few weeks ago, when the new board of European Bioplastics 

was elected, Dr. Harald Kaeb, the previous chairman, stepped 

back to concentrate on his new tasks as the industry association‘s 

new Secretary General. bioplastics MAGAZINE spoke to Harald 

Kaeb after his fifteen years of board membership and ten years as 

chairman, and asked him to reflect on this period in a different way … 

bM: When 10 years of chairing European Bioplastics comes to an end, 

how does it feel? 

HK: Oh, it feels good! Because the baby has grown up, the association 

is reaching a new level of achievement. New structures were needed 

to cope with the growth of the previous years, new faces will help to 

maintain the impetus. We hired a managing director for the day-to-day 

business and installed committees dealing with environmental and 

end-of-life issues. Many new faces will bring new ideas and dynamics 

to the board. And I have a new role, which I like very much. 

bM: I like the analogy of the baby ... 

Dr. Harald Kaeb 

born 28.10.193 

received PhD in chemistry at 

the University of Wuerzburg, 

Germany in 1991 

worked years for biobased 

products project funding agency 

C.A.R.M.E.N. in Bavaria 

started his own biobased 

chemicals consultancy ’narocon’ 

in 199 

Chairman of European 

Bioplastics from 1999 to 2009 

HK: Yes, you can really compare the development of European 

Bioplastics with human development. A baby can hardly do anything, 

but is considered sweet by everyone - everybody loves it. Same with 

the birth of bioplastics, very charming innovation based on renewable 

and compostable polymers. Its baby phase showed just a few products 

with limited performance. In the beginning the association was also 

very limited due to lack of resources and experience. This has changed; 

our workflow and impact is increasing. And today we have really good 

products on the market. 

So the kid is not adult yet, but has become a fast-maturing 

adolescent. Bioplastics still ‘smell like teen spirit’. You can compare 

it with the boy scouts. Young boy scouts can act very well and sensibly 

if properly organised. But they are young, not always well focused, 

and sometimes a bit rude. They have to fight for their place where 

the big boys play. Today the charm of bioplastics is their youth: a 

highly attractive innovation, perfectly fitting into the green business 

evolution. You can see the potential. 


Interview 

bM: Let‘s come back to your new role. What is it? 

HK: In my function as Secretary General I will advise 

European Bioplastics in fields of strategic interest. Market 

introduction policies and the legal framework are of key 

importance to trigger and enhance further growth. This 

also includes the development of certain fundamentals 

such as standards or labels that will define product 

qualities and contribute to the public image of bioplastics. 

My task as communicator will be to support these efforts 

internally, and in building stakeholder relations and 

alliances. 

bM: Sounds like a lobbying role on behalf of Plastics Europe… 

HK: (laughs) Yes, but it will be more punk or rock’n’roll 

than just mainstream! It will take a while before bioplastics 

become conventional ‘pop’ music or mainstream, and 

perhaps even a little boring - like mega-successful 

polyethylene. Many musicians in the early days of their 

careers play in small clubs, not widely recognised by 

the public. But if they are good they will develop a higher 

profile. Today bioplastics can hardly be ignored but until 

they become evergreens they will have to run through all 

the phases of maturing. You cannot totally steer or control 

such development; there will be ups and downs, successes 

and failures. 

bM: When will they enter the CD charts? 

HK: You can have a big Number One hit in the early stages 

of development without belonging to the mainstream. But 

by the time they reach the status of big plastic commodities 

I might be retired. It is a long way from a few hundred 

thousand tonnes to many millions. After 1 years in that 

business I only know one thing for sure: It will happen, 

you cannot stop evolution. Babies cannot run, teens can’t 

drive buses, but adults fly to the moon - and will soon fly 

to Mars. 

bM: Where do Bioplastics stand today? 

HK: Still on the threshold of a wider market entry. 

However the changes which are ongoing today are 

essential for reaching the next level of performance. More 

capacities, more players, more products, more critics. 

The bioplastics’ industry has a highly complex value chain. 

All players - from the farm via processers to marketers 

– must get involved and aligned, in collaborations driven 

by commercial interest. As long as everything looks ‘highly 

exotic’ there will only be a few pioneers around. Today 

we see many new players with many new products, the 

application range has increased substantially and more 

complex plastic products, like multi layer packaging, 

mobile phones or ski boots, have recently become biobased 

and/or biodegradable. 

bM: More companies, more speed? 

HK: Yes. With their adoption and efforts the process 

will accelerate and the graph of the result will be a steep 

curve. Second and third movers – producers – will lead 

to more competition and higher product quality. This is 

happening now, new capacities will go on stream in the 

months and years. 

There is another image that I have used again and again 

to motivate myself over the past 1 years. It’s the pioneers 

that first settled in North America. These settlers came 

to the East Coast and had a spirit of ‘heading for new 

horizons’. These people made their way through the 

wilderness. And later others followed. One example is 

seen in starch compounds: Novamont started very early 

and almost alone, today companies such as Plantic, 

Cereplast, Sphere-Biotec or Biograde are looking for their 

chance, just to name a few. Compostable starch plastics 

have the biggest market share today. And look at PLA. It 

was triggered by NatureWorks building an industrial scale 

plant in 2003. Now they are expanding it, and two European 

consortiums are building plants here in Europe. 

bM: And Harald Kaeb was the frontier scout who led the 

way through the wilderness? 

HK: (Laughs) But seriously - investment decisions are 

easier when success stories become tangible. Innovation 

is always about chickens and eggs: Why spend money 

on product and market development and take very high 

... giving a TV-interview at an exhibition 


isks, if you can wait until the concept has been proven 

a success? That is why front runners like Novamont or 

NatureWorks and many others are real pioneers. They 

started the business based on belief and trust – they have 

a vision. Now the next wave has started, and even these 

new companies are not averse to taking a risk. In a few 

years we will reach the first million tonnes of Bioplastics 

capacity in this world. It took 20 years from the start. The 

second million will need far less than ten years, and then 

it will grow quickly. 

bM: What will drive this process? 

HK: Logical, factual constraints. We cannot build our 

future on today‘s products and way of life. We would 

need lots more planets to supply us at our current level 

of resource consumption. Thus we need to increase our 

‘resource efficiency’, consume less, recycle more products 

and use more renewable carbon. Industry can choose: lead 

this process or be forced into it. Based on proper fitness 

for purpose, the added values of today’s green products, 

such as lower environmental impact, renewable sourcing 

or biodegradability, will pay back, and less green ones 

will pay the cost because they do not fulfil these future 

requirements. It will be mixture of commercial pull and 

political push. 

bM: But this is not yet the case! 

HK: But it is likely to come. Carbon management is 

the essential future principle. All policies, be it climate, 

industrial or product policy, will be based on it. It is not 

about how long our fossil resources will last. It‘s the price 

you have to pay for fossil carbon - and that will go higher 

and higher. If we cannot generate a high fossil carbon 

price and a very efficient closed loop economy, our highly 

developed society will lose its quality of life and everyone 

will face severe risks. Either we adapt to this scenario, or 

we fail as a society. Bioplastics, just like the development 

of efficient recycling schemes, CO 2 

emission trading, 

carbon footprint indicators, or renewable energies, are 

simply consequences of that development. 

bM: I‘d like to round this off with some more general but 

personal questions. Why do you like bioplastics so much? 

HK: From the very beginning I thought it to be a great 

idea. Look at the cycle of nature. Structures are created 

and degraded in such an elegant way. You can see that with 

photosynthesis nature can create even stable, long lasting 

structures such as trees. All products created by nature 

are being biodegraded and are somehow recycled without 

creating any kind of waste problem. I found it fascinating 

to make plastics which are biodegradable, compostable, 

and thus copy nature‘s very efficient way of disposal. 

Additionally we can create biobased durable polymers 

products like biobased PE, where the atmospheric carbon 

can be stored for many years in products or by recycling 

streams. Bioplastics are great industrial solutions to 

severe problems generated by our non-sustainable way 

of living. We have the knowledge and capability to create 

non-resource-depleting cradle-to-cradle systems. The 

solution is carbon management, closed carbon loops and 

the sun as an energy source. Just as nature done it for 

million years. Isn‘t it fascinating? I wanted to work for 

an industry whith such aims and which is able to create 

change. 

bM: What are your favourite bioplastics products? 

HK: Please don‘t mis-interpret the following as an 

advertisement or unbalanced political statement. One of 

my favourite products is my PLA-fibre bed linen. It is a 

great product in which I can sleep very well - and good 

sleep gives you power. Another product I like is the 

shopping bag. After its initial use to carry the shopping 

it can be used as a bio-waste bag. And it also offers a big 

surface for communication, be it advertising or sharing 

your messages with others. That‘s what I call added 

value. The shopping bag is an absolute key product for 

the next five or ten years because of its added value 

and communication possibilities. And I am looking for a 

biobased mobile phone – I need one! 

It is quite important that bioplastics products beside 

their eco-advantages – do perform. The quality must be as 

good or even a little better than those made of conventional 

plastics. 

bM: What are you going to do next besides your new task 

at European Bioplastics 

HK: Well, my job at European Bioplastics is that of an 

external consultant, not an employee. I could also act as a 

consultant for other companies or governmental bodies in 

fields of strategic interest. One of my goals is to establish 

a consultancy network of real experts to ensure that 

customers get the best advice available. 

bM: thank you very much. 

The interview was conducted by Michael Thielen 


4 th 

Next Generation: Green 

SAVE THE DATE ! 

10 / 11 November, 2009 

The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin 

www.conference.european-bioplastics.org 

Conference Contact: 

conference@european-bioplastics.org 

Phone: +49 30 284 82 358



or Laminating 

The demand for compostable bioplastics has grown steadily for 

ten years at an annual rate of between 20 and 30%. The market 

share, however, is still very modest, accounting for less than 

T0.1% of the total plastics market. An interesting level of growth is 

being seen within the packaging sector. This applies specifically to 

multilayer structures where different materials are combined. Each 

material contributes its specific advantages to the whole structure. 

Article contributed by 

S. Facco, E. Fanesi, R. Marangon, 

Novamont SpA., Novara, Italy 

Novamont’s main mission is to offer original solutions both 

from a technical and an environmental point of view, starting from 

renewable raw materials. Mater-Bi is a generation of established, yet 

continuously evolving, compostable polymers containing compostable 

polyesters, starch and other renewable resources, and which is able 

to significantly reduce the environmental impact in terms of energy 

consumption and green-house effect in specific applications. These 

polymers will perform the same as, or even better than, traditional 

plastics when in use and will completely biodegrade within a 

composting cycle. New sectors are growing in different industrial 

applications, driven by technical performances, such as in the case 

of extrusion coating/lamination. 

The first laminated structures were developed in Europe at the 

beginning of the 1990s, when films with a specific ‘soft touch’ were 

glue laminated onto cardboard in order to produce rigid office folders. 

These were the first attempts at combining two different compostable 

structures. Already at that time the main issue was to present new 

material combinations that were able to offer an alternative recycling 

option (composting). Of course the paper repulping process was 

always taken into consideration and thoroughly evaluated. 

Beside lamination onto rigid cardboard substrates, because of 

their very high Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) these films 

started to arouse interest amongst producers of hygiene products, 

such as diapers, overalls etc. Specific requirements were a soft, 

noiseless and highly breathable material. Water vapour transmission 

rates in the range of 1,000 g/m²/30µ/24h were considered quite 

interesting, specifically for diapers, where industry was struggling to 

find alternatives to the high percentage of superabsorbers used in the 

absorbent padding of the diaper. Highly breathable backing sheets 

were considered to be a solution in order to reduce the quantity of 

the superabsorbers mentioned above. However the materials were 

not performing as requested, especially considering the gauge of the 

film. Products used in the 1990s were based on gauges in the range 

of 20-24µm. Today there are applications in which a 10µm Mater 



by Extrusion Coating 

New compostable film structures, offering completely new 

performance profiles in the food and non-food areas 

Bi is laminated onto cellulose and viscose non-woven 

substrates. The main applications may be found in bed 

linen, mattress covers and overalls as used in clean rooms 

(in this case it is not only the breathability which offers an 

added value, it is also its intrinsic antistatic property). 

Today various process technologies are available to 

combine layers of different substrates in order to obtain 

very specific and tailored properties. There are quite 

different film families available which offer very individual 

properties and, when combined, suddenly open up a 

completely new application profile. 

One of these processes is extrusion coating, which 

consists of extruding a thin web through a vertical flat die 

onto various substrates, such as paper, cellulose films, 

PLA, aluminium, nonwovens etc. 

Extrusion lamination is very similar to extrusion coating 

and requires the same equipment: in this case the molten 

polymer is used as an adhesive, in order to bind (‘glue’) two 

substrates together. 

Various tests are being carried out and are very close to 

becoming industrially viable. There are specific structures, 

where high barrier properties and specific processing 

performances (on FFS lines) have been achieved. Oxygen 

and water barrier properties achieved by combining various 

compostable film structures (such as Mater Bi with coated 

or surface treated cellulose film) have demonstrated not 

only that they offer similar food integrity to that offered 

by standard materials, but processing on FFS lines is 

significantly faster. 

such ‘sharp’ edged products as Müsli flakes. The reverseprinted 

external cellulose film, which has excellent optical 

properties, is combined with a high tenacity Mater Bi film 

in order to obtain packaging material which fully covers 

the mechanical, organoleptic and processing needs of 

such products. Still one of the unique combinations on the 

market, it is able to offer compostability under industrial 

conditions. 

Other laminated structures are under evaluation, 

targeting high barrier properties and still maintaining their 

compostability. There are several developments ongoing, 

which soon will be introduced onto the market. Mater Bi 

has demonstrated that it is perfectly compatible with other 

substrates, enhancing dramatically most of the properties 

and maintaining key properties such as repulpability. The 

latest developed technologies in extrusion coating and 

lamination have up to now demonstrated that this technology 

will broaden many application areas, particularly food 

packaging, in which the physical, chemical, mechanical 

and organoleptic protection are of the utmost importance. 

www.novamont.com 

Depending on the application, these converting 

techniques provide a very efficient and versatile way to 

build specific, tailor-made, multi-layer structures. 

One of the first industrial, multilayer compostable and 

certified products was introduced in the UK by a major 

Organic Müsli producer. A market leader in packaging, 

based in Dublin, was able to combine a Mater Bi polymer 

with a cellulose film, obtaining a structure which offers a 

suitable barrier property, excellent organoleptic properties 

and very high mechanical properties in terms of toughness 

and tear resistance - properties which are needed to pack 



Table 1 

Blends of 

PHBV 


Dr. Jim Lunt, V.P. Sales and 

Marketing, Tianan Biologic, 

Wayzata, Minnesota, USA 

Property Units PHB [1] PHBV (5% 

valerate) 

Youngs Modulus MPa 10 1400 

Tensile Strength MPa 1-40 3 

Elongation % 0- -10 

Impact Strength J/M 3-0 

Melting Point °C 12 1 

Tg °C -10 to-1 4 

Table 2 

Sample Load (MPa) HDT 

100% PLA 0.4 2.0 

90/10 0.4 3.4 

80/20 0.4 4. 

0/30 0.4 4. 

0/40 0.4 3.0 

0/0 0.4 .3 

Tensile test bars made of PHBV/PLA 

(Photo: Peter Holland B.V.) 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Samples Held up to 12 minutes at 100°C 

1: 100% PLA 

2: 90% PLA / 10% PHBV 

3: 80% PLA / 20% PHBV 

1-3: 2 Minutes, deformed 

4-: 12 Minutes, not Deformed 

4: 0% PLA / 30% PHBV 

: 0% PLA / 40% PHBV 

: 0% PLA / 0% PHBV 

As dicussed in other articles, PHBV is one of the simplest 

members of the polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) family. Typically, 

the valerate co monomer is present at around % by weight 

of the polymer although products containing up to 11% and 20% of 

the valerate have been produced in developmental quantities. The 

rationale for incorporation of this amount of the valerate moiety is 

to increase flexibility and improve processability over simple poly 3 

hydroxy butyrate (PHB), while still keeping the desirable attributes 

of high rate of crystallization and high melting point. 

Comparative properties of these two materials are illustrated in 

Table 1. 

At % valerate content, the elongation to break and un-notched 

izod impact are both increased over straight PHB, indicating 

an increase in ductility. However PHBV is still a rigid polymer. To 

further improve flexibility, the valerate content can be increased, but 

this comes at the cost of reducing the melting point and slowing 

down the rate of crystallization to a point at which these desirable 

attributes are lost. An alternative approach to improving the ductility 

of PHBV is the use of blends with other more flexible polymers. In 

addition, blends of PHBV with other biopolymers such as PLA are of 

interest due to the ability of PHBV to provide the higher crystallinity 

and hence improved heat distortion over PLA alone. Some examples 

of these initial blends and prototype applications are given below: 

In February 2008, Design Ideas launched a set of bathroom 

accessories under the brand name ECOGEN ® (see bM 02/2008, 

03/2008 and p. 38). This is a compounded product supplied by 

PolyOne and is based on PHBV and Ecoflex by BASF. 

Recently, due to the limited supply of Ecoflex, companies have 

begun to investigate blends of PHBV with polybutylene succinate 

(PBS), for use in injection molding. 

Another potential blend is PHBV with PLA. The rate of crystallization 

of PLA is typically too slow to produce injection molded products 

with a high softening point. Higher heat performance PLA can be 

produced in fibers and biaxially orientated films using the stereo 

complex approach and also the use of a talc nucleated or organic wax 

nucleated product is being supplied for higher heat thermoformed 

applications. PHBV/PLA provides an additional route to high heat 

injection molded parts. 

As shown in the tensile bars on the photograph, and the heat 

distortion temperature (HDT) in Table 2 - the incorporation of as little 

as 30% PHBV in PLA provides a significant increase in the ability of 

the parts to resist deformation at higher temperatures. 

These examples of blends of PHBV with other materials are just 

the beginning. As the uses of biobased polymers increase in single 

use and more demanding durable applications, blends in which the 

benefits of PHBV provide a synergistic combination of properties will 

continue to be a route to meeting the property spectrum required 

and which is often deficient in many biobased materials when used 

alone. 

www.tianan-enmat.com 

[1]:ww.matbase.com/material/polymers/agrobased/phb/properties 


2 nd PLA Bottle 

Conference 

14-16 September 2009 

within the 

Supporting 

Programme of 

Munich, Germany | Holiday Inn City Centre 

Organized by 

Preliminary Progamme: 

Monday Sept 14, 2009 

- 13:00 Travel to Munich 

10:00-13:00 Registration 

12:00-13:00 Lunch 

13:00-13:1 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Welcome 

13:1-13:40 Michael Carus, nova Institut Keynote Speech 

13:40-14:0 Udo Mühlbauer, Uhde Inventa-Fischer From the renewable feedstock to PLA 

14:0-14:30 N.N., Natureworks LLC PLA, a versatile material for bottle- and other applications 

14:30-14: Bernd Merzenich, Pyramid Bioplastics PLA, World market and availability 

14:-1:10 Q&A 

1:10-1:30 Coffeebreak 

1:30-1: Stefan Bock, Netstal Production of PLA Preforms 

1:-1:20 Frank Haesendonckx, KHS Corpoplast Stretch Blow Moulding of PLA 

1:20-1:4 Thomas Schierding, Log Plastic Products Experiences in Producing PLA Preforms and Bottles 

1:4-1:10 Lars von Carlsburg, KHS Plasmax Enhance Barrier Properties of PLA bottles 

1:10-1:3 Mathias Hahn, Fraunhofer IAP Copolymerisation of PLA with view to enhanced barrier and 

thermal properties 

1:3-1:0 Q&A 

19:30 Dinner 

Tuesday Sept 15, 2009 

09:00-09:2 Pascal Leroy, Sleever International PLA Shrink Labels 

09:2-09:0 NN Bioplastics-Shrink-Films for shrink packaging -packs 

09:0-10:1 Marcel Dartee, PolyOne Additives / Colorants for PLA 

10:1-10:40 Thomas Weigl, Sukano Materbatches for PLA bottle production 

10:40-10: Q&A 

10.-11:20 Coffeebreak 

11:20-11:4 Ernst Wiedmer, Wiedmer New developments in ‘BioCaps’ for PLA bottles 

11:4-12:10 Manfred Burkart, AQUAFONTIS GmbH PLA bottles for special events 

12:10-12:3 NN Expectations and prospects from a brandowners point of view 

12:3-12:0 Q&A 

12:0-14:00 Lunch 

14:00-14:3 William Horner, Naturally Iowa Experiences from the market introduction of PLA bottles 

14:3-14:0 Grant Hall, Good Water Experiences from the market introduction of PLA bottles 

14:0-1:1 N.N. Experiences from the market introduction of PLA bottles 

1:1-1:00 Q&A 

1:00-1:20 Coffeebreak 

1:20-1:4 Jöran Reske, Interseroh Biobased carbon content - Determination, Certification and 

Communication 

1:4-1:10 Edward Kosior, Nextek Limitations of automatic sorting of PLA/PET 

1:10-1:3 An Voss, Fost plus Collection and recycling systems in Europe, with the focus on 

the impact of PLA on the PET recycling streams 

1:3-1:0 Q&A 

1:0-18:1 Selected experts from the gropup of 

speakers 

Panel discussion: End of life options 

Wednesday Sept. 16 

Visit to drinktec, the World‘s biggest show on beverage technology 

Register now ! 

www.pla-bottle-conference.com 


1


Flexible Bio-foams 


Anneliese Kesselring, 

Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Oberhausen 

Christian Bonten, 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Willich 

Foamed plastics have the advantage of a low density with comparably 

good material properties. There are different kinds of foaming procedures, 

(a) foaming of multi-component systems where the polymer (e. g. 

PUR) is generated only by chemical reaction and (b) physical foaming of thermoplastics 

in the melt (e. g. PE, PP, PS). 

Regardless of the different raw materials along with the different processing 

procedures involved, foamed materials are characterised by common features. 

Because of the entrapped gas mixture foamed plastics have a low density and 

a low thermal conductivity (high heat insulation). However, they still feature 

good mechanical properties per unit of weight and offer a substantial saving 

of material. The design variety is nearly as wide as that of injection moulded 

parts, but often with less tooling costs. 

The basic requirement for foaming of plastics is a free flow melt condition of 

the plastic before initiating the foaming process in order to enable the forming 

of bubbles. When the desired dimension of the bubbles has been reached this 

condition has to be fixed. For the foaming of thermoplastics this means that the 

thermoplastic itself has to possess a low melt viscosity at foaming start, which 

has to be increased rapidly by cooling for fixing the bubbles. 

For the formation of bubbles it is possible to make use of different blowing 

mechanisms. Either by using a chemical blowing agent which is introduced 

as an expanding by-product, by way of a decomposition product of a chemical 

reaction within the melt, or by physical blowing agents, e. g. through expansive 

vaporization of a low-boiling fluid or by means of mechanical mixing of air. 

The formation of bubbles in the melt implies that during the formation of 

expanding gases there are areas where a minimum quantity of molecules of 

these expanding gases is formed. By means of so-called ‘nuclei’ it is possible 

to create additional boundary layers where such minimum quantities of 

molecules can accumulate. 

Foaming biopolymers 

In order to foam biopolymers different requirements have to be met: on the 

one hand melt viscosities have to be distributed homogeneously and adjusted to 

be sufficiently low for the formation of bubbles; on the other hand, the viscosity 

has to be rapidly increased in order to fix the bubbles. Moreover, the chosen 

Figure 2: Small textured finishes 

Figure 1: Thermoformed foamed film with hinge 



Figure 3: EPS foam structure (x100, reflected light); 

Photo: Fraunhofer UMSICHT 

Figure 4: Foam structure Bio-Flex® A 4100 CL 

(x100, reflected light); Photo: Fraunhofer UMSICHT 

blowing agent must not influence the bio character 

of this class of material. Not only chemical blowing 

agents, but also low-boiling fluids have to be chosen 

accordingly, since residues may remain in the polymer. 

To achieve a homogeneous distribution of the bubbles, 

besides a homogenous distribution of the blowing agent 

in the polymer, a homogeneous material performance is 

necessary. With varying molecular weights this is nearly 

impossible! 

Bio-Flex ® A 4100 CL is a bioplastic based on PLA that 

has been developed by FKuR together with Fraunhofer 

UMSICHT. It is composed of nearly 90 % renewable 

resources and is certified as biodegradable. Whereas 

with pure PLA only brittle foamed structures can be 

produced, Bio-Flex A 4100 CL allows the production 

of flexible foamed structures - even with moulded-in 

hinges (Fig. 1). The easy flow in its soft condition creates 

a small, even textured finish to avoid food sticking on the 

surface (Fig. 2). 

It is important to observe - by means of suitable 

temperature control - that the blowing agent does 

not discharge too early from the screw through the 

feed section. The wide process temperature range 

of Bio-Flex A 4100 CL allows the temperature to be 

controlled exactly according to the requirements of the 

foam. Bio-Flex with a very uniform distribution of the 

molecular mass enables a uniform foaming. With Bio- 

Flex A 4100 CL it is easy to produce foamed structures 

in series which are comparable in many properties and 

applications to, for instance, EPS (figures 3 and 4). 

Plastics, made by nature, for rigid packaging 

FKuR´s trade name Bio-Flex ® stands for copolyester 

blends based on PLA, which – depending on the 

respective grade – are composed of up to 100 % natural 

resources. Bio-Flex does not contain any starch or 

starch derivatives. These Bioplastics mostly replace 

conventional LDPE and HDPE as well as polystyrene 

(PS) and polypropylene (PP). 

www.fkur.com 

www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de 

advert 

 

 

 

 

 

 


1


Thermal 

Cooler Box 

www.greencellfoam.com 

Sandoz, Inc. (Princeton, New Jersey, USA) and KTM 

Industries, Inc. (Lansing, Michigan, USA) recently 

announced the launch of the Green Cell Cooler 

Box - the first 100% biobased and completely compostable/recyclable 

thermal cooler to protect pharmaceutical 

products during shipment. The Green Cell Cooler Box is 

a standard corrugate box outer lined with panels of cornstarch-based 

Green Cell Foam, manufactured by KTM. 

Green Cell Foam meets ASTM D400 and ISO 108 specifications 

for biodegradability under composting conditions. 

Led by Mark Kuhl, Packaging Development Manager 

for Sandoz, the project was in response to a new way of 

thinking at Sandoz where sustainability has become a 

top priority. This was a perfect opportunity to shift the 

paradigm and find a packaging solution that utilizes 

bio-renewable resources and offers an environmentally 

responsible end-of-life option. 

The typical pharmaceutical insulated shipper is 

constructed with polystyrene and is used for 24-2 hours 

before it is discarded. Non-renewable polystyrene is 

recyclable but the facilities to enable this are limited and 

cost prohibitive, thus relegating it to landfills. Sandoz’ 

mission was to find an effective sustainable alternative 

to polystyrene based on biofeedstocks that would 

assimilate back into nature after its use. The mission was 

accomplished with Green Cell Foam which is compostable 

and can be recycled in the paper recycling stream along 

with the outer box, thereby affording the end user with 

flexibility in the end-of-life disposal process. 

Mr. Kuhl set out to design, test and validate a cost effective 

‘green’ cooler that met the rigorous cold-chain shipping 

requirements for protecting sensitive pharmaceutical 

products. During his tests he discovered Green Cell Foam not 

only insulates as well as polystyrene but it also absorbs excess 

condensation that would potentially damage the contents of 

the package. Green Cell’s ability to wick out ambient moisture 

presents a cleaner package for the customer by eliminating 

any pooling of water due to condensation. 

Green Cell Foam also provides significantly improved 

protection against shock and vibration damage when 

compared to traditional shipping coolers. Polystyrene coolers 

are somewhat brittle and have the propensity to crack under 

stress – even from a single impact. A break in the foam can 

compromise the integrity of the cooler by providing a channel 

for outside air to flow inside. Green Cell Foam can absorb 

multiple hits without cracking or breaking, providing a more 

stable thermal barrier while also providing improved impact 

protection to the contents. This adds value to the overall 

package while reducing damage claims. 

Sustainability was a key driver to this project. Sandoz 

wanted to see the environmental effects of switching from 

polystyrene to Green Cell Foam. KTM turned to Dr. Ramani 

Narayan of Michigan State University for the answer. 

Dr. Narayan provided life cycle assessment data which 

demonstrated a significant improvement in all but one of 

the LCA indices (eutrophication is slightly higher with Green 

Cell). The key metrics from the LCA comparison are an 80% 

reduction in greenhouse gases and a 0% decrease in energy 

requirements. 

In June 2009, refreshed graphics will grace the outside of 

the coolers which will help educate customers recognize and 

understand the benefits of the Green Cell Cooler. Mr. Kuhl is 

now designing additional sizes of Green Cell Coolers for use 

within Sandoz’ North American operations. 

It’s a real win-win situation for Sandoz and their customers: 

improved performance, improved convenience and a big 

improvement for the environment. 



Study Confirms 

Lifecycle Advantages 

of PLA over rPET 

A 

first-of-its-kind lifecycle analysis finds that clamshell 

packaging made from NatureWorks‘ Ingeo 

(PLA), emits fewer greenhouse gases and uses less 

energy when compared to clamshells manufactured with 

petroleum-based rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate). 

The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research 

(IFEU), Heidelberg, Germany, conducted the head-tohead 

lifecycle comparison on more than 40 different 

combinations of clamshell packaging made from Ingeo 

PLA, PET, and rPET. Both PLA and rPET clamshells 

outperformed PET packaging in terms of lower overall 

greenhouse gas emissions and lower overall energy 

consumed. PLA clamshells clearly offered further 

advantages over the petroleum-based rPET in numerous 

comparisons. 

“Brand owners and converters will lower the carbon 

and energy footprint of clamshell packaging by moving 

away from PET and rPET to Ingeo polymer,” said Marc 

Verbruggen, president and CEO of NatureWorks, the 

manufacturer of Ingeo. “This is true with today’s virgin Ingeo 

and, in the longer term, recycled Ingeo will decrease that 

footprint even more. Furthermore, the high performance 

of Ingeo biopolymer in clamshell applications means that 

less material may be required to manufacture them — on 

average 2 percent less.” 

Representative results of the lifecycle analysis 

The study showed that clamshell packaging consisting 

of 100 percent rPET emitted 2. kilograms of CO 2 

equivalents per 1,000 clamshells over its complete life 

cycle. PLA clamshells emitted even less, with 1. 

kilograms CO 2 

equivalents per 1,000 clamshells. The PLA 

clamshell was lighter, yet functionally equivalent in terms 

of top-load strength. 

“The study found that Ingeo compares favorably with 

rPET even when a producer chooses not to lightweight 

a clamshell,” said Steve Davies, NatureWorks director 

of Communications and Public Affairs. “The study also 

showed that the next generation Ingeo production process, 

now online in 2009, offers further improvements in ecoprofile 

and clearly outperforms 100 percent rPET in headto-head 

comparisons.” 

Clear plastic clamshells, like the ones analyzed in 

the study, are often used for fresh produce and foodservice 

packaging — for example, lettuce, tomatoes, sandwiches, 

or deli salads. Currently this packaging is not recycled in 

either the U.S. or Europe. In the U.S. clamshell packaging 

typically goes to landfills after use, while in Europe this 

packaging may be incinerated for waste-heat recovery. 

The lifecycle study took both end-of-life scenarios into 

account. The complete IFEU lifecycle analysis is available 

at www.natureworksllc.com/our-values-and-views/ingeovs-rpet.aspx 

kg CO 2 

eq. / 1000 clamshells 

www.natureworksllc.com 

www.ifeu.de 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

Climate Change 

62.7 61.7 

Non Renewable Energy 

0.88 

0.72 

1.4 

1.2 

1 

0.8 

0.6 

0.4 

0.2 

GJ / 1000 clamshells 

Energy consumed over the lifecycle for 100 percent rPET 

clamshells was 0.88 GJ. This compared to 0.2 GJ for the 

lighter, yet functionally equivalent, Ingeo 200 packaging 

— an overall 18 percent reduction in energy consumed. 

0 

100% 

rPET 

Ingeo Eco-Profile 

in 2005 

100% 

rPET 

Incineration with Heat Recovery Scenario 

Ingeo Eco-Profile 

in 2005 

0 



More than 

Cups ... 

Consumers are a very demanding group when it comes to quality and cost awareness – perhaps even more so 

in these times of crisis. This applies both to the home market in general and also to fast service restaurants, 

canteens and the whole catering industry. But this does not necessarily mean ‘cheap at any price’! Customers 

rightfully expect good value for their money. 

Meals have to be served fresh, and look appetizing. To be fresh and appealing is, therefore, also expected from 

the packaging. Price per portion has to remain affordable, while still serving high-quality food. Thus dishes and 

packaging must be easy to handle! Eco-efficiency is seen as a precondition for any packaging. At the same time 

sustainable and ecological management is being demanded. Combining all of these requirements in one packaging 

concept comes close to achieving the impossible. 

Huhtamaki’s answer to this dilemma is its BioWare range of environmentally compatible packaging. This range 

consists of cold drinks tumblers and clamshells, suitable for cold drinks, salads and desserts, as well as bio-coated 

paper hotcups and sturdy plates and bowls made from Chinet material. 

Crystal-clear tumblers and clamshells are made from Ingeo PLA. This plastic resin is made from renewable 

plant material, thus saving fossil resources. Products made from Ingeo PLA fully biodegrade within a few weeks, 

when deposited in industrial composting units. Huhtamaki produces beer and Polarity tumblers made from this 

material in its plant in Alf, Germany, and clamshells are made in Istanbul, Turkey. European users with a minimum 

of eco-awareness will easily see the advantageous ‘carbon footprint’ of these locations as opposed to transport 

routes for packaging imported from overseas regions. 

Thermoformed packaging items are relatively thin-walled 

compared to, for instance, injection-moulded items. Ingeo PLA 

is the choice basic material, as its density and stability allow for 

perfect functionality even at low weight. 

It is a matter of common knowledge that prices for conventional 

raw materials are currently rather low. In the long run, 

however, there will be no alternative to further development of 

regenerative fuel and plastics. Paul Blankert, Huhtamaki Sales 

Director Central Europe, comments: “Ingeo PLA clearly is the 

raw material of the future for Huhtamaki. Increasingly excessive 

fluctuations in fossil fuel based plastics result in an increasingly 

unpredictable business for participants in the market. And fossil 

deposits are finite. Even if it is possible to tap a few more oil 

fields, time and effort for their exploitation are mounting up. 

Nevertheless, there is and there will be considerable demand for 

practical and hygienic service packaging. We are well prepared 

for this demand, thanks to our Bioware - Range.“ 

www.huhtamaki.com 


Preview 

NPE Preview 

Taking place June 22-2, 2009 at Chicago‘s McCormick Place, NPE2009 will be a showcase 

and technology exchange for polymers derived from corn, castor beans, soybeans, potatoes, 

tapioca, and other natural resources. Thus bioplastics take center stage in this year‘s 

NPE2009, The International Plastics Showcase organized by SPI (The Socienty of the Plastics 

Industry). 

“The dawn of the era of sustainability has brought with it a worldwide industry consensus 

on the need to proactively address issues such as resource depletion,“ said SPI president and 

CEO William R. Carteaux. “Bioplastics have emerged as one of the most promising means for 

companies to carry out this strategy while operating profitably. Besides enabling businesses 

to comply with mandates for renewable resources, these exciting new polymer families will 

help ensure the long-term viability of our industry by providing an alternative to traditional 

raw materials.“ 

www.npe.org 

Kingfa Sci & Tech Co.,Ltd present Ecopond 

biodegradable plastics, made from aliphatic 

polyester, aliphatic-aromatic copolyester, 

biobased polyester, starch or modified starch 

etc. The materials can be 100% biodegradable 

and compostable and have been certified to meet 

EN13432 (AIB Vincotte, incl. ‘OK-Compost’) and 

ASTM D400 (BPI). Ecopond can be used for many 

kinds of bags, such as garbage bag, t-shirt bag, 

shipping, agricultural film etc. 

“There is not any polyethylene in Ecopond 

bags and no chemical additive to enhance 

decomposition“ as Kin Wong, (M.Sc. M.Eng) 

Sr. Manager Global Sales & Marketing points 

out. Ecopond bags biodegrade naturally under 

composting conditions. 

Kureha America is introducing a unique, biodegradable polymer, 

Kuredux Polyglycolic Acid (PGA). This high-strength polyester resin 

provides excellent carbon dioxide, oxygen and aroma barrier properties. 

Kuredux PGA also offers controllable hydrolysis, resulting in its 

certification as a biodegradable/compostable plastic in the US, Europe 

and Japan. Very importantly, Kuredux PGA is compatible with widely 

practiced industrial PET bottle recycling processes, satisfying the 

Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) Critical Guidance 

Protocols and ensuring the quality of the recycled PET stream. One 

promising application offers the potential to replace 20% of the PET 

used in carbonated soft drink bottles with only 1-2% of Kuredux PGA, 

without sacrificing shelf life requirements. This unique combination 

of source reduction, recyclability and inherent barrier characteristics 

makes Kuredux PGA ideally suited for high-performance packaging 

and industrial applications. 

www.kureha.com 

ETP & W11901 

www.Kingfa.com.cn 

W103023 

Nanobiomatters is producing, 

developing and patenting additives based on 

nanotechnology designed to maximize plastics 

and bioplastics properties through unique, 

green and cost effective nanotechnology. These 

unique aspects allow the NanoBioTer ® additives 

to be adapted to almost any plastics matrix 

while offering compliance with EU ad FDA 

legislations for food packaging. The main effect 

of the NanoBioTer additives is to increase barrier 

properties in packaging materials and extend 

shelf life of packaged food. 

www.nanobiomatters.com 

W9028 

Leistritz will operate their Nano-1 twin screw extruder publicly 

for the first time processing 20 and 100 gram micro-batches. The Nano- 

1 utilizes segmented screws/barrels, and a state-of-the-art control/ 

data acquisition package with a torque sensor load cell integrated into 

the drive train. The Nano-1 replicates the unit operations of larger 

scale equipment with a free volume of only 0.9 cc/diameter - the lowest 

volume available for a twin screw extruder that is scalable to production 

class machinery. 

A series of to 10 minute tutorials will be viewable on demand in a 

mini-theatre area on the following topics: HSEI (High Speed Energy 

Input) twin screw theory overview, HSEI twin screw terms and formulas, 

HSEI twin screw developments (torque/volume/cooling), direct 

extrusion, and extrusion of bioplastics. 

www.leistritzcorp.com 

N04 


Preview 

BASF will of course present its well established Ecoflex ® . The 

completely biodegradable and compostable plastic is ideal for trash bags 

or disposable packaging as it decomposes in controlled compost within 

a few weeks without leaving any residues. Ecoflex is certified according 

to ASTM 400, the European Standard EN 13432, the Canadian BNQ 

compostability standard and the Japanese standard GreenPla. Certification 

is very important for biodegradable materials, as it ensures materials will 

swiftly and safely biodegrade in the proper disposal environment. 

Being made of fossil resources the compostable Ecoflex is an enabler for 

renewable products, such as starches, natural fibers and PLA, by providing 

toughness and processability along with complete biodegradability under 

controlled composting conditions. 

www.basf.com 

W12120 

DuPont - In addition to its highperformance 

renewably sourced engineering 

polymers Hytrel ® RS DuPont Engineering 

Polymers is now also announcing the full 

commercialization of DuPont Sorona ® EP 

thermoplastic resins and DuPont Zytel ® 

RS long chain nylons, making DuPont 

the company with the broadest range of 

renewably sourced engineering resins. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE already reported about 

Salomons’s new ‘Ghost’ freerider alpine skiboot 

using Hytrel RS for the collar. Another 

applications shown in bioplastics MAGAZINE 

was DENSO Corporation’s new automotive 

radiator end tank, marking the first use of 

DuPont renewably sourced plastic (Zytel 10 

nylon) in mechanical components. 

DuPont’s new renewably sourced longchain 

nylons include Zytel PA 1010, which is 

100 percent renewably sourced, and Zytel PA 

10, which is more than 0 percent by weight 

renewably sourced. Seven different grades 

now are commercial. 

Sorona EP resins are available in glassreinforced 

and unreinforced grades and on 

average contain 3 percent renewable content 

by weight. Sorona EP is an engineering 

polyester resin and performs and processes 

similarly to PBT in molded automotive parts, 

electrical components and industrial or 

consumer goods. 

www.renewable.dupont.com 

W113011 

PSM - Teinnovations Inc./PSM North America presents the full line 

of PSM bio-resin. Grades are available for injection molding, extrusion/ 

thermoforming, blown film, and foaming processes. Resins are certified 

by BPI and are ASTM and EN compliant for compostability. Being starch 

based, PSM resin is ideally suited for a wide range of products including 

high temperature applications - even microwavable food containers. 

PSM can be run as a stand alone resin to maximize the sustainable/ 

biodegradable effect of finished goods or it can be blended with other 

additives or many other plastics if a 100% pure PSM part is not required. 

In fact, even a small percentage of PSM can be added to an existing plastic 

product to increase its green value with little or no impact to price or 

performance. New this year is PSM HL-301 blown film grade resin, able to 

produce high-strength flexible films and bags without blending or additives. 

Also on display will be a variety of PSM finished product to demonstrate 

the resin’s abilities, including cutlery, dinnerware, golf tees, industrial and 

construction items, packaging solutions, bags, and more. 

www.psmna.com 

W100038 

The SPI Bioplastics Council, a special interest group recently 

launched by SPI: the Plastics Industry Trade Association, is leading several 

exciting activities at NPE. The SPI Bioplastics Council provides a forum 

for resin and additive suppliers, as well as processors and equipment 

suppliers, to promote the development of bioplastics as an integral part of 

the plastics industry. 

The Council is sponsoring the ‘Business of Bioplastics’ educational 

session on Tuesday, June 23. The session will include presentations about 

new bioplastics technologies, recent government activities impacting the 

bioplastics industry as well as a panel discussion entitled ‘Bioplastics: An 

Opportunity for Everyone.’ Find more details about the presentations at 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/200902/NPE1 

The Council also will be exhibiting in the Emerging Technologies 

Pavilion in ‘Technology Central’ located in the new McCormick West Hall. 

The Bioplastics Council’s focus at the show will center on its mission on 

education and promoting this industry’s growth. 

www.bioplasticscouncil.org/ 

ETP / W12b 


Preview 

The Biopolymers and Biocomposites 

Research Team (BBRT) at Iowa State 

University promotes research and 

development of new formulations and 

processes for biorenewable polymers and 

composites. BBRT focuses on renewable 

oils polymerization, protein-based plastics 

processing, protein-based adhesives, and 

cellulosic-based composites. The team 

has a broad range of knowledge including 

polymer chemistry, characterization, and 

processing. 

At NPE2009, BBRT will display samples 

including flowerpots made from plant 

protein; biobased coatings and adhesives; 

and composites made from natural oils, 

fibers, and agricultural co-products. The 

team will also demonstrate their Bioplastics 

Footprint Analysis Software. It allows users 

to compare petrochemical and biobased 

plastics and calculate the overall processing 

costs, energy requirements, and greenhouse 

gas emissions. The software compares 

the costs and eco-profile of plastic parts 

from different materials using the specific 

parameters for each part. 

Evonik Industries - With the development of VESTAMID ® Terra, 

Evonik is presenting a new member of its Vestamid family: a group of 

new polyamides, the monomers for which are based entirely or partly on 

renewable raw materials. 

Vestamid Terra DS is based on polyamide 1010 and is the polycondensation 

product of 1,10-decamethylene diamine (D) and 1,10- decanedioic acid 

(sebacic acid-S). Because both monomers are extracted from castor 

oil, Vestamid Terra DS is a material that is based 100 percent on natural 

resources. Technically speaking,VestamidTerra DS occupies a position 

between the high-performance long-chain polyamides such as PA 12 and 

PA 1212 and the standard polyamides PA and PA , which have a shorter 

chain length. 

Vestamid Terra HS partly made of renewable resources. It is based on 

polyamide 10. The material properties can be found between the highperformance 

polyamide 12 and the standard polyamides PA and PA . 

Like Vestamid Terra DS, Vestamid Terra HS is semicrystalline and thus has 

high mechanical resistance and chemical stability. 

www.evonik.com/hp 

S02 

Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI) announces its ability to produce 

small quantity extrusion prototypes for multilayer cast film and sheet 

products (including bioplastics) within two weeks. The company can also 

prototype a limited number of thermoforms. 

“We believe we are one of the first companies to offer film and sheet 

prototyping capability from small resin quantities—10 to 40 pounds. 

Moreover, we can deliver the prototypes faster than previously possible,” 

says Jason Haslow, project engineer, PTI. 

The prototyping capability includes up to three materials and five layers. 

Materials include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate, 

polypropylene and barrier polymers (such as ethylene vinyl alcohol 

copolymer and nylon). Emerging biomaterials such as polylactic acid can 

also be prototyped. 

www.biocom.iastate.edu 

W11802 

www.plastictechnologies.com 

S2081 

Jamplast Inc. is one of the largest distributors of raw plastic materials and biopolymers in North America. The Jamplast 

team will be exhibiting and presenting at NPE to help attendees have a better understanding about biopolymers and how to work 

through the decision-making process when considering the right products for their molding needs. 

At NPE the Jamplast team offers technical counsel and support that will help visitors identify material-based solutions. 

Jamplast also particpates in a Panel Forum: ‘Biopolymers and Sustainability Revealed‘: There remains a cloud of uncertainty 

around the ‘sustainability’ buzzword when it comes to success, performance, profitability and where to get started. The panel 

of speakers will address the challenges, opportunities and uncertainties about biopolymers. (Find more details about the 

presentations at www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/200902/NPE1). 

Jamplast is an authorized distributor of NatureWorks biopolymers, Cereplast biopolymers and JER Envirotech 

biocomposites. 

www.jamplast.com 

W1304 


Preview 

PolyOne Corporation is exhibiting a complete family of bio-related 

compounds and additives at NPE 2009 from the PolyOne Sustainable 

Solutions portfolio, including Bio-colorants and additives: OnColor BIO and 

OnCap BIO, as well as OnColor WPC for wood plastic composites. BPAfree 

materials presented are Edgetek Tritan filled and unfilled compounds 

and blends. GLS OnFlex BIO are bio-based TPEs. Furthermore there will be 

custom bio-compounds based on PHBV (see also p. 14). A new family of biobased 

compounds to be introduced at the show as well. 

In the Emerging Technologies Pavilion, located in the West Hall, PolyOne will 

be sponsoring an exhibit featuring their full portfolio of PolyOne Sustainable 

Solutions in the Biopolymers section. PolyOne‘s full range of solutions can be 

viewed at their booth in the West hall. 

www.polyone.com 

ETP / W10a and W113021 

West Hall 

West Hall Ballroom 

Emerging 

Technologies 

Pavilion 

Entrance 

Entrance 

Skyway To 

South Hall 

38 

22 

12 

17 

10 

28 

9 

2 

36 

5 7 

32 

26 

1 

31 

4 

35 

8 

27 

14 

39 

6 

13 

3 

34 

19 

15 

21 

29 

20 

1124 

18 

29 

23 

37 

33 

The numbers in the yellow circles 

5 

refer to the table on the next page 


Preview 

Company Booth-Number See preview 

on page 

Number on 

map 

Amco Plastic Materials Inc. W12020 1 

API SPA ETP / W1a 2 

API-Kolon Engineered Plastics W122032 3 

BASF ETP / W12120 22 4 

bioplastics MAGAZINE ETP / W19a/19b 

Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team W11802 2 

Cereplast ETP / W11a 2 

Chemtrusion, Inc. W9032 8 

CMPND and OBIC ETP / Wa 9 

DuPont W113011 22 10 

Eastman Chemical Company S8084 South Hall 

EMS-GRIVORY America, Inc. W13040 11 

EOS ( Electro Optical Systems ) W10021 12 

Evonik Degussa Corp. S02 23 South Hall 

Ex-Tech Plastics, Inc. W118029 13 

Felix Composites Inc. W103028 14 

General Color, LLC W128034 1 

Hallink RSB Inc. W13104 1 

Heritage Plastics W10022 2 1 

ICO Polymers W123043 18 

IDES W128031 2 19 

Jamplast, Inc. W1304 23 20 

Kal-Trading Inc W12903 21 

Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd. W103023 21 22 

Kureha Corporation (America) Inc. W11901 21 23 

Leistritz N04 21 North Hall 

LTL Color Compounders, Inc. W138041 24 

Merquinsa W131043 2 2 

Telles (Metabolix, Inc.) W119020 2 2 

Nanobiomatters W9028 21 2 

Plastic Technologies, Inc. S2081 23 South Hall 

PolyOne Corporation (& GLS Corporation) W113021 24 28 

Polyvel, Inc. S3042 South Hall 

PSM (Teinnovations) W100038 22 29 

Recycling Solutions, Inc. W1004 30 

Sabic W123011 31 

Southern Star Engineering Group N803 North Hall 

SPI Bioplastics Council ETP / W12b 22 32 

Teknor Apex Bioplastics Division ETP / W18b and W1320 2 33 

TP Composites Inc. W12031 34 

TradePro Inc. W132011 3 

U.S. Depart. Of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service W 3 

United Soybean Board W13003 3 

US Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center W94020 2 38 

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd W11203 2 39 

The first letter of the booth number indicates the hall (W: West, S: South, N: North). 

ETP stands for the Emerging Technologies Pavillion in the West hall. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE cannot give any guarantee that this list is correct or complete. 


2

Cereplast is going to promote their 

existing range of Cereplast Compostables ® as 

well as the new Compostable 001 especially 

designed for extruded foam sheet(thermoforming 

application like meat tray, egg carton, 

plates..), and Compostable 3000 for blown film 

(liner, bags). Cereplast Hybrid Resins ® family 

has expanded with 2 injection molding grades 

Hybrid 101 (high impact) and Hybrid 103 (higher 

melt index). Cereplast materials are based on 

PLA sourced from NatureWorks 

Among other items, the company will show 

a triple edge paint and trim guide (photo). 

Cereplast recently signed a supply contract 

with Warner Manufacturing Co.. Warner will 

use Cereplast resins for putty knives, scrapers 

and other painting accessories. 

The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and 

Engineering Center (NSRDEC) has been conducting extensive research 

in the area of biodegradable and bio-based polymers for several years. 

The center can a unique capability to analyze the biodegradability and 

toxicity of various types of materials in such medium as compost, soil, 

and marine water. The NSRDEC specializes in biodegradation testing 

in the marine environment as most of their support is from the U.S. 

Navy’s Waste Reduction Afloat Protects the Sea Program (WRAPS). The 

NSRDEC was awarded certification from the Biodegradable Products 

Institute (BPI) in October of 200 to perform American Society for Testing 

and Materials (ASTM) standard test method ASTM D91 (Standard Test 

Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the 

Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium) and ASTM D081 

(Standard Specification for Non-Floating Biodegradable Plastics in the 

Marine Environment). 

http://nsrdec.natick.army.mil 

W94020 

www.cereplast.com 

ETP / W11a 

Last December, IDES – The Plastics 

Web ® was shortlisted as a finalist in the 

2008 Bioplastics Awards for their Prospector 

plastics search engine. The newly released 

Green Plastics Search in Prospector provides 

fast access to datasheets on more than 200 

renewable, biodegradable and high-recycled 

content resins. Technical processing and 

property information in Prospector highlights 

green plastic materials from suppliers 

including BASF, Dow Plastics, DuPont 

Engineering Polymers, Eastman Chemical 

Group, Ecoplast, NatureWorks LLC, SABIC 

Innovative Plastics, and many more. 

www.ides.com/green 

W128031 

Telles, the joint venture between Metabolix and ADM that produces 

Mirel, will be located at booth 119020 in the West Hall, across from 

the Emerging Technology pavilion. Telles will be showcasing the 

new commercial grade of high performance bioplastic, Mirel P1003 

(polyhyrdoxyalkanoate PHA), the second generation of injection molding 

resin, suitable for a wider range of applications. Telles will also be 

represented in the Emerging Technology pavilion as part of the Society of 

Plastics Industry Bioplastics Council kiosk. 

During NPE representatives of Telles will give a number of presentations: 

At SPE ANTEC Tom Pitzi will talk about ‘Processing Biobased / 

Biodegradable PHB with conventional Thermoplastic Process Equipment‘, 

Raj Krishnaswamy will present ‘Single Screw Extrusion of Biobased and 

Biodegradable PHB Copolymers’ and in a second talk ‘Processing and 

Structure-Property Relationships of Mirel PHB Copolymer Blow Film‘. 

Bob Findlen introduces ‘Mirel – A Renewable Material Option for the 

Growing Bioplastics Marketplace‘ at the SPI‘s Business of Plastics event. 

Find more details about the presentations at www.bioplasticsmagazine. 

com/200902/NPE1 

www.mirelplastics.com 

ETP & W119020 


Preview 

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical 

Co Ltd was established in Nov. More 

than 100 employees work at Xinfu with its 

sub companies and one overseas branch 

office. Xinfu is a global leading manufacturer of 

Vitamin B depending on its own patent, and 

is the only manufacturer of D-panthenol in 

China. Besides, Xinfu attends to develop new 

biochemistry products, such as PBS, Red Yeast 

Rice and activated carbon. 

Now Xinfu constantly makes effort to develop 

PBS a worldwide green plastic material. Poly 

(1, 4-butylenes succinate), shortened as PBS, 

is a kind of fully biodegradable macromolecular 

resin that accords with the certificates of EN 

13432 and ASTM D 400. PBS has good thermal 

stability, fine mechanical and processing 

performance and can be used in many different 

fields. It can be molding processed in standard 

plastic apparatus and modified with other fully 

biodegradable materials to meet all kinds of 

requirements. 

www.xinfupharm.com 

W11203 

Teknor Apex‘s Bioplastics Division will introduce its first Terraloy 

products, including materials for film and molding applications. Among 

these will be polyethylene/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends, and blends 

of TPS with biodegradable polyester. Other blends the company is currently 

working on are TPS with other bioplastics, such as PLA. 

Teknor Apex will offer ready-to-process compounds and masterbatches. 

Being a custom compounder, Teknor Apex has the expertise to tailor 

compounds to specific customer applications. 

Just recently Teknor Apex signed a licensing agreement with Cerestech 

Inc. on a unique method for blending relatively low-cost thermoplastic 

starch (TPS) with synthetic polymers or other bioplastics while retaining 

high levels of key performance properties. The Cerestech technology is 

based on a process that blends TPS with other polymers in a single step 

avoiding to degrade the properties of the blended components. 

www.teknorapex.com 

ETP / W18b and W1320 

Heritage Plastics will present its newly developed BioTuf9 

for compostable bag production. BioTuf9 is a pelletized mineralcontaining 

compound based on a blend of compostable resins, including 

an aliphatic/aromatic co-polyester. It is specifically designed to be 

easily extruded and converted on standard low density PE or groovedfeed 

HMW-HDPE processing equipment. BioTuf9 films have physical 

properties similar to linear-low density polyethylene. Films up to 3.0 mils 

thick will completely degrade in commercial and municipal composting 

environments in accordance with the requirements of ASTM specification 

D400. Producers of bags and liners used for diversion of food and organic 

waste from landfills to commercial composting facilities will appreciate 

that this product is approved by Biodegradable Products Institute. 

www. heritage-plastics.com 

W10022 

Of course bioplastics MAGAZINE 

must not be missing at a show like NPE. Being 

the first and only trade magazine worldwide, 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is presenting its 1 th issue 

now. The magazine is 100 % dedicated to 

bioplastics in its definition A) plastics based on 

renewable resources and B) biodegradable and 

compostable plastics according to ASTM 400, 

EN13432 or similar standards. Readers from 

more than 80 countries around the globe receive 

bioplastics MAGAZINE six times a year. If you are 

not a subscriber yet, now is the best chance. 

See the bioplastics MAGAZINE team at NPE and 

benefit from a special show subscription offer. 


ETP / W19a/b 

Merquinsa will showcase its Frost & Sullivan 2008 award winning 

bio-thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). 

PEARLTHANE ® ECO range made from Renewable Sources. “Merquinsa 

will bring customers at NPE 2009 more reasons to choose Pearlthane 

ECO, its plant-derived and recyclable TPU and will demonstrate its 

ongoing commitment to environmental protection and leadership in 

‘green’ TPU technologies,” according to a company spokesman. 

A recent preliminary life cycle analysis (LCA) indicates that manufacturing 

Pearlthane ECO TPU range results in 40% less CO 2 

emissions. In addition 

to its innovative plant-based TPU products, Merquinsa will display its full 

range of TPU specialties used in a wide range of applications including 

sports & leisure, consumer goods, melt coating, and film & sheet 

applications. Merquinsa representatives will be available to discuss the 

latest developments in the company’s capabilities and services for the 

North American market. 

www.merquinsa.com 

W131043 


2

News 

Herbs And Spices Packed 

in High Barrier Film 

Austrian producer, Sonnentor, decided to wrap its range of herbs 

and spices in Innovia Films’ high barrier compostable cellulose-based 

material, NatureFlex NK. This film offers not only biodegradability 

and compostability, but also a moisture barrier approaching that of 

co-extruded OPP. This means it has the best moisture barrier of any 

biopolymer film currently available, which has been achieved through 

Innovia Films’ unique coating technology. 

Kids in UK 

planted trees 

for a better 

understanding 

World famous environmentalist David 

Bellamy explained the benefits of biodiversity 

and habitat creation to fascinated children at 

two schools in Bedfordshire, UK. Together 

with the kids he planted trees donated by 

Marchant Manufacturing Ltd., manufacturers 

of compostable bags. 

Tree Appeal are managing the environmental 

initiative, set up by Marchant Manufacturing, 

which is working to make the compostable 

bags used by Central Bedfordshire Council’s 

Waste Team, even greener. 

By donating trees to be planted, Marchant 

Manufacturing and Stanelco BioPlastics are 

offsetting their environmental footprint, helping 

their customer contribute to the balance 

of the natural world, and educating local 

children about their environment. Children 

at both Russell Lower School in Ampthill and 

Southlands Lower School in Biggleswade 

produced imaginative drawings about the event 

showing their understanding of recycling food 

waste and the importance of trees. 

Sonnentor was founded over 20 years ago in the ‘Waldviertel’ region by 

Johannes Gutmann. He wanted to sell locally grown and dried organic 

herbs and spices with the emphasis on traditional harvesting and 

refining methods, innovation and Fair Trade principles. The company 

has gone from strength to strength and employs 100 people in Austria, 

with % of its product exported. 

Outlining why Sonnentor chose NatureFlex to package its herbs 

and spices, Gutmann comments, “Sonnentor’s formula for success is 

innovative product concepts and high-quality, carefully selected organic 

ingredients. This organic way requires innovative solutions for our 

packaging. NatureFlex plays an important part in our sustainability and 

successful future.” 

“With its excellent barrier properties, NatureFlex NK fills a major 

gap in the compostable materials market. Now dry, moisture-sensitive 

foods can also be wrapped using a compostable solution. We anticipate 

this will open up a host of new opportunities both for NatureFlex on its 

own, or as part of a laminate solution with other biofilms,” exclaims 

Andy Sweetman, Innovia Films’ Global Marketing Manager, Sustainable 

Technologies. 

NatureFlex NK is a transparent, general purpose packaging grade 

suitable for various applications eg dried foods (biscuits, cereals, crisps, 

snack bars etc). The product is also ideal for lamination to other biofilms. 

NatureFlex NK is available in 20, 23, 30, 4 micron thicknesses and can be 

used for a variety of pack formats – VFFS, flow wrap, twistwrap and overwrap. 

www.innoviafilms.com 

www.sonnentor.com 

www.marchant.co.uk 


Application News 

Biodegradable 

Margarine Pack 

in Brazil 

Brazilian IraPlast Ltd., based in Iracemápolis, 

São Paulo, Brazil, has been the exclusive Cereplast 

representative for biodegradable resin in Brazil since 

200. Cereplast‘s biodegradable resins are based on 

PLA supplied by Nature Works. 

One example of a packaging application made from 

the Cereplast grade TH-01-A is a margarine pack for 

a product called Cyclus - Nutrycell. The customer, 

Bunge Foods, is the first company in Brazil to introduce 

biodegradable packaging. 

The thermoformed containers are produced by Poly- 

Vac, a company belonging to a consortium of packaging 

manufactures working for Bunge Brazil. In this initial 

project the distribution will be local in the states of Rio 

Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, but later 

the whole Brazilian territory will be covered. 

Bunge Foods created the Cyclus margarine line 

based on the concept that the human body is formed of 

hundreds of millions of cells that should be taken care 

in an appropriate way by the consumption of nutrients 

and other bioelements. 

An environmentally-friendly pack that comes from 

renewable resources and is compostable after use, 

reflects the concept of the margarine line, namely to 

adopt a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. 

After their initial experience Bunge Foods intends to 

carry these packing concepts over to others product 

lines. 

www.iraplast.com 

www.saudecyclus.com.br 

Södra launches 

Parupu – a chair 

for kids 

Södra from Växjö, Sweden has developed a chair 

made from pulp in collaboration with design and 

architect firm Claesson Koivisto Rune. The chair is 

designed for children. It is durable and waterproof, 

despite having the look and feel of ordinary paper. 

It is recyclable, environmentally-friendly, stackable, 

colourful, and made for fun and games. 

The team’s objective from the start was to make 

something that felt like paper but with the durability 

normally associated with materials such as steel, 

wood or hard plastic. 

The architect and design firm had long wanted to 

make a chair from paper. Together with Södra and 

research company STFI Packforsk, Claesson Koivisto 

Rune experimented and tested the suitability of the 

material for use in a tough and practical chair for 

children. The chair has been named Parupu after the 

Japanese word for pulp. 

The material is a speciality pulp from Södra Cell 

combined with PLA which makes it an eco-friendly, 

recyclable material that can replace conventional 

plastic. The chair can be wiped clean, and is designed 

to last a childhood, withstanding a lot of play. 

The chair’s base material, which can be moulded 

and could potentially replace plastic in a number of 

applications, has been named DuraPulp. DuraPulp 

has the look and feel of paper. But a couple of 

millimetres in thickness is enough to support the 

weight of a person. It can be left outdoors for several 

years without degrading. 

www.sodra.com 


Biobased elastomer 

in running shoes 

Looking for a Bio-Solution? 

Let PolyOne be your guide... 

Japanese company Mizuno, a leader in running footwear 

and apparel technology, has announced the use of a 

Pebax ® Rnew thermoplastic elastomer range for the Wave ® 

Technology plates in four models of high performance 

running shoes set to debut in 2009. The material supplied by 

Arkema is made from renewable resources, castor oil, and 

contributes to global warming reduction. 

The Pebax Rnew will be utilized in both men’s and women’s 

models of the Mizuno Wave Rider ® 12, Wave Inspire ® , Wave 

Creation ® 10, and Wave Nirvana ® . 

Until June 21 st our readers can win a pair of Mizuno Wave 

Rider 12 at the 1 st website mentioned 

below, a website dedicated 

to sports applications. 

www.pebaxpowered.com 

www.arkema.com 

www.mizuno.com 

Georgia-Pacific 

Awards Major 

Contract to 

Cereplast 

Cereplast, Inc., Hawthorne, California, USA recently 

announced that it will supply Compostables ® resin to 

Georgia-Pacific Professional Food Services Solutions for the 

manufacture of its recently introduced line of Dixie EcoSmart 

beverage solutions. : Georgia-Pacific LLC., Atlanta, Georgia 

is one of the world‘s leading manufacturers and distributors 

of tissue, pulp, paper, packaging, building products and 

related chemicals. 

Dixie EcoSmart products include among other products 

Cereplast Compostables resin-lined paper hot cups made 

from at least 9 percent renewable resources which are 

designed to allow operators to enhance their environmental 

stewardship position. 

All Dixie EcoSmart products can be processed successfully 

in commercial composting operations. The Cereplast 

Compostables resin-lined paper hot cups are 100 percent 

compostable because the fiber portion and the coating are 

fully compostable. Cereplast Compostable resin contains 

Ingeo ® PLA supplied by NatureWorks. 

www.cereplast.com 

www.gppro.com 

PolyOne’s cutting-edge portfolio of 

sustainable solutions can help you meet 

today’s challenges with renewable, 

recyclable, reusable, resource ef cient, 

eco-friendly materials. 

PolyOne Sustainable Solutions SM 

Portfolio 

BPA-free compounds 

Edgetek Copolyester Compounds - made with Eastman Tritan Copolyester 

Eco-friendly TPE’s 

OnFlex BIO Thermoplastic Elastomers 

Additives for bio-derived polymers 

OnCap BIO Additives & OnColor BIO Colorants 

Colorants for bio-derived polymers 

OnColor BIO Colorants 

Non-phthalate colorants 

OnColor BIO Colorants 

Non-phthalate vinyls 

Geon Vinyl Non-phthalate Vinyls 

CPSIA-compliant vinyls 

Geon Vinyl CPSIA-compliant Compounds 

Lead replacement compounds 

Gravi-Tech & Trilliant Polymer Composites 

Non-lead wire & cable systems 

Geon Vinyl Wire & Cable Compounds 

Halogen-free, non-corrosive polymer systems 

ECCOH Low Smoke and Fume, Zero Halogen Compounds 

Non-phthalate, vinyl-alternative, and water-based inks 

Wil ex Epic Series, Wil ex QuantumOne, & Wil ex Oasis 

To learn more about PolyOne’s Sustainable Solutions, please visit us at: 




Novel Bioplastic Blends 

and Nanocomposites 


John R. Dorgan, 

Department of Chemical and 

Biochemical Engineering, 

Colorado School of Mines, 

Golden, CO 80401 USA 

Birgit Braun and 

Laura O. Hollingsworth , 

PolyNew Inc., 

Golden, CO 80401 USA 

Figure 1: TEM of cellulose nanowhiskers 

derived from acid hydrolysis of cotton linters. 

200 nm 

The prospect of a hot, flat, and crowded [1] planet earth requires 

greater technological efforts in meeting the challenges of creating 

industrial sustainability. The triple technological convergence 

of industrial ecology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology offers promise 

of being able to deliver such sustainability. Industrial ecology uses the 

quantitative tools of Life Cycle Assessment to consider impacts like the 

generation of green house gases (GHGs) when renewables are substituted 

for fossil resources. Biotechnology is providing efficient biochemical 

conversions and nanotechnology is having big impacts both in catalysis 

and in materials sciences. Here it is argued that the convergence of these 

technologies is defining a new field of inquiry which can be referred to as 

ecobionanotechnology. Within this context a new class of green materials, 

ecobionanocomposites, is being developed. 

The now rapidly developing field of degradable bioplastics and 

plastic materials based on renewable resources, provides tremendous 

opportunities to sustain and enhance the domestic plastics industries, 

the fourth largest manufacturing sector. Growth in the use of these new, 

greener plastic is proceeding rapidly, however, there are a number of 

cases in which bioplastics lack the properties needed to compete with 

petroleum based materials. 

Drawing on scientific knowledge about the new emerging field of 

polymer nanocomposites, these property limitations can be overcome. 

In this article, the development of novel polymer nanocomposites based 

on renewable cellulosic nanowhiskers combined with polylactide is 

described. The fossil energy requirement for the PLA production process 

as implemented by NatureWorks is substantially less than for other 

commercially produced polymers as shown by life cycle assessment [2]. 

Significant increases in the heat distortion temperature of polylactides 

(PLA) have been achieved using these nanowhisker fillers. Prototypical 

thermoformed trays have been fabricated from first generation 

nanocomposites and shown to be suited for use as microwaveable frozen 

food packaging. Second generation nanocomposites have been shown to 

maintain transparency while having higher use temperatures. The use 

of cellulosic nanowhiskers means that the resulting nanocomposites 

maintain the desirable feature of biodegradability. 

Experimental 

Materials. Commercial-grade PLA (2002D, melt-flow index 4-8 g/10 min, 

< 4% D-lactide) was supplied by NatureWorks LLC. L-lactide was also 

obtained from Natureworks. PLA resin was recrystallized at 110°C for 

24 hours prior to compounding. Cellulosic nanowhiskers (CNW) were 

prepared via acid hydrolysis of cotton linter using hydrochloric acid as 

described in reference [3]. 

An impact modifier ‘Biomax Strong‘ was obtained from DuPont. 



Methods. For the melt mixing procedure PLA resin 

was dried for 24 hours at 80°C under 23 inHg (3,0 Pa) 

vacuum. The melt mixed samples were prepared in a 

Haake RheoMix 3000. PLA was fully melted at 180°C and 

0. wt% tris(nonylphenylphosphite) (TNPP) was added as 

a stabilizer. The required amount of CNWs and impact 

modifier were added and mixed at 0 rpm for 2 minutes. 

Composite samples were vacuum/compression molded 

into rectangular bars, crystallized at 110°C for three hours, 

and physically aged for 24 hours. Mechanical properties 

were determined through dynamic mechanical thermal 

analysis (DMTA) using an ARES-LS rheometer with 

torsional rectangular fixtures. The testing was carried out 

at 0.0% strain, 1 Hz, with a temperature ramp from 30°C 

to 10°C at °C/min. The DMTA data was used to calculate 

the heat distortion temperature (HDT) via the methodology 

of Takemori [4]. 

Results 

Figure 1 is a transmission electron micrograph of 

the cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) derived from cotton. 

Evidence of aggregation is clearly present which is usually 

present but which becomes more severe upon isolation 

and drying [3]. 

Figure 2 presents the data on tensile properties for the 

melt mixed nanocomposites. A typical tradeoff between 

modulus and strain at break is observed. PLA already 

suffers from relatively low impact properties so the 

decrease in impact which is associated with the decreased 

strain at break would preclude the use of these materials 

for most practical applications. 

Figure 3 presents the improvement in the impact strength 

associated with the addition of wt% DuPont Biomax. The 

simultaneous addition of both reinforcing CNWs and the 

Biomax impact modifier produces a material with both 

improved modulus and toughness compared to the base 

PLA. 

Finally, in Figure 4 it is shown that the nanocomposites 

have improved HDTs. While the addition of Biomax Strong 

decreases the extent of the HDT it is still possible to reach 

for example, an HDT above 90°C while simultaneously 

improving the impact properties. 

Conclusions 

Substantial challenges exist regarding developing a truly 

sustainable plastics industry. The judicious selection of 

combined technological platforms can assist humankind 

in meeting this important goal. In this study, elements 

of industrial ecology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology 

are combined to create a new largely renewable and 

largely degradable polymer nanocomposite with improved 

thermophysical properties. These Ecobionanocomposites 

are one example of a larger trend towards the triple 

technological convergence of these areas of inquiry. 

Modulus [ksi] 

450 

400 

350 

300 

250 

200 

Tensile Testing Data vs. Cellulose Loading 

0% cellulose 10% cellulose 

Modulus 

Strain @ break 

Figure 2: Ultimate mechanical properties 

of melt mixed nanocomposites. 

Izod Impact [J/m] 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

PLA 

PLA 

(5% Biomax + CNW) 

Figure 3: Impact properties of nanocomposites 

with impact modifying agent addition. 

Heat Distortion Temperature [°C] 

130 

120 

110 

100 

90 

80 

70 

0% Dupont Biomax Strong 120 



25% cellulose 

PLA 

(5% Biomax) 

0 10 20 30 

Cellulose Loading Level [wt%] 

Figure 4. Heat distortion temperatures of 

degradable ecobionanocomposites. 

Acknowledgements 

This article was previously published at SPE‘s GPEC 2009, Orlando, 

Florida, USA, Feb. 2-2, 2009. 

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation 

through an SBIR grant to PolyNew Incorporated. 

References 

[1] Friedman, Thomas, Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a 

Green Revolution - And How it Can Renew America (Farrar, 

Straus & Giroux, New York, NY) 2008. 

[2] Vink, E. T. H.; Rabago, K. R. ; Glassner, D. A.; Gruber, P. R. 

Poly. Deg. Stab. 2003, 80, 403. 

[3] Braun, B.; Dorgan, J.R.; Chandler, J.P. Biomacromolecules, 

2008 9(4), 12. 

[4] Takemori, M.; Polym. Eng. and Sci. 199 19(1) 1104. 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

Strain @ break [%] 



Carrot Steering Wheel 

and Chocolate Biodiesel 

Researchers at the University of Warwick, Coventry, UK, recently unveiled 

the ‘WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car’ which is powered by chocolate, 

steered by carrots, has bodywork made from potatoes, and can 

still do 200 km/h (12mph) around corners. 

Seat shell made of Lineo woven 

flax prepreg 

Following the recent turmoil in Formula 1 arising from the high costs of 

running competitive motor racing teams, and doubts in sponsors’ minds over 

the commercial value of their involvement, the viability of motor racing is being 

critically questioned. With this in mind the University of Warwick team based 

in the University’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the Warwick 

Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC) decided to build a 

competitive racing car using environmentally sustainable components in order 

to show the industry just how much is possible using current environmentally 

sustainable technologies. The ‘ecoF3 car’ project is being managed by James 

Meredith, an engineer with over years experience in the automotive industry 

and who recently completed his doctorate on the subject of biomaterials. 

It is the first Formula 3 racing car designed and made from sustainable 

and renewable materials, putting the world first by effectively managing the 

planet’s resources. The car meets all the Formula 3 racing standards except 

for its biodiesel engine which is configured to run on fuel derived from waste 

chocolate and vegetable oil. Formula 3 cars currently cannot use biodiesel. 

The Chocolate Biodiesel Engine 

The decision was made in favour of a 2-litre BMW diesel engine, calibrated 

by Scott Racing Ltd., because of its inherent advantages over gasoline in terms 

of efficiency. “It is also significantly quieter. Noise is an ongoing issue for race 

ecoF3 car 


tracks,“ says James. The biodiesel used comes from 

sustainable sources (i.e. not fossil fuel or food crops). It is 

being produced from recycled cooking oil and recovered 

ethanol. The UK’s largest supplier of biodiesel processing 

equipment, Green Fuels, is excited to contribute to the 

project and prove that an incredibly sustainable biodiesel 

with a carbon intensity 9% lower than mineral diesel can 

be used in high performance engines. Green Fuels have 

also supplied a Fuelpod ® 2 Biodiesel Processor to allow 

the WorldFirst team to produce their own fuel for use 

in the WorldFirst car and its transport vehicles. James 

Meredith: “By producing our own fuel we are able to use 

the university’s waste cooking oil, further minimising the 

carbon footprint of the whole project“. And, he adds, they 

have also produced a biodiesel made from cocoa butter 

which will be run in the ecoF3 car. 

The Carrot Steering Wheel 

Manufactured from a carrot fibre composite called 

Curran ® (from the Gaelic word for carrot), the steering 

wheel is also a first of its kind. The Scottish company 

CelluComp Ltd produces this material, which is a 

combination of cellulose, found naturally in the cell walls 

of plants, and high-tech resins. Cellulose, however, in its 

easily extractable form (such as the fibres used to make 

paper etc.), is of limited use for composite materials 

manufacture. It is the special properties of extremely 

small sub-components of cellulose, called nanofibres, 

which are particularly desirable. CelluComp has 

perfected its process by using, for instance, carrots and 

to a lesser extent, swede. When the extracted cellulose 

is combined with a special formulation of resins which 

act to bind the particles and waterproof the mixture 

once dry, the resulting biocomposite materials have 

tremendous strength, toughness and lightness. A key 

advantage of the Curran material is that it is produced 

in the form of a paste, which means that it can easily be 

moulded into whatever shape is required. The paste can 

also be coloured with the desired pigments. Increasing 

the orientation of the nanofibres in a single direction 

significantly increases the stiffness and strength in that 

direction. The fibres can be used at very high volume 

fractions of up to 90%. 

The Flax and Soybean Seat 

Even in the bodywork and seat of the ecoF3 car 

environmentally friendly materials are being used. 

Besides materials from renewable resources these also 

include recycled plastics. 

The backbone for the Formula 3 car is a chassis 

made by Lola, one of the oldest and most successful 

constructors of racing cars in the world. Lola 

manufactured, for example, parts of the seat. The shell 

is made of Lineo woven flax fibre prepregs impregnated 

with epoxy resins. The flax yarns and fabrics are bought 

Dr Kerry Kirwan, Dr Steve Maggs, James Meredith (from left) 

from sustainable sources. The SoyFoam of the seat is a 

product of Lear‘s EnviroTec environmental product line. The 

seats are made from the same SoyFoam product as what used 

on the Ford Mustang (see bM 01/2009). This is a TDI catalyzed 

formula wherein percent replacement of polyol results in a % 

by pad weight replacement of petroleum-derived polyol with 

soybean oil-derived polyol. The Isocyanate material is the same 

as petroleum-derived foam. Lear is aggressively working to 

increase this percentage replacement level in seating. Another 

body part is the bib, which is also made from Lineo woven flax/ 

epoxy composite. 

The Potato Mirrors 

New Zealand, represented by the Biopolymer Network, 

contributes to the wing mirrors and rear wing end plates. The 

wing mirror will be made out of Potatopak, a water resistant 

starch packaging material from potatoes. The wing end plates 

will be a ply-starch hybrid core covered with a linen-cellulose 

acetate composite. 

Recycled Materials 

Besides materials from renewable resources such as the 

above-mentioned carrots, potatoes or soy beans, the WorldFirst 

project also uses unconventional recycled materials. The sidepods 

for example are made from a glass fibre/epoxy resin 

including 20% recycled PET bottles, made by Cray Valley. 

Recycled Carbon Ltd, based in the Midlands of the UK, 

is a company specialising in the recycling of carbon fibre 

composites. The engine cover and the damper hatch are made 

from these carbon fibres. The fibres are recovered from cured 

and un-cured carbon fibre composites. The company presently 

takes material from the aerospace industry, but also from F1 

and high-end automobiles. It has been shown that the recyclate 

has physical properties of at least 90% of the original fibre. 

The Green Motor Racing Car 

“It’s been very exciting working on the project and important 

for our team to develop a working example of a truly ‘Green’ 

motor racing car,“ says James Meredith. “The WorldFirst project 

expels the myth that performance needs to be compromised 

when developing sustainable motor vehicles for the future” - MT 

www.warwick.ac.uk 

www.worldfirstracing.co.uk 


3

Basic 

The Development 

Poly Hydroxy 

Fig.1 Microbial Cells containing PHA 

Fig.2 PHA powder 


Dr. Jim Lunt, 

V.P. Sales and Marketing, 

Tianan Biologic, 

Wayzata, Minnesota, USA 

As discussed in preceding issues of bioplastics MAGAZINE -Poly Hydroxy 

Alkanoates or PHA’s represent an emerging class of biopolymers 

which are presently produced through the fermentation of natural 

sugars, vegetable oils or fatty acids. These materials are unique in the 

field of renewable resource based biopolymers in that they represent the 

only class of polymers which are converted directly by microorganisms from 

feedstock to the polymeric form - no additional polymerization steps being 

required. The product in the form of microscopic granulates is extracted from 

the microbial cells (Fig. 1) and used either as the powder (Fig. 2) directly or 

converted to pellets for ease of shipping and handling. Also during the melt 

conversion to the pellets, additives such as an antioxidant and nucleating 

agent to accelerate crystallization, can be incorporated Although attracting 

recent pilot/commercial scale attention by companies such as Tianan 

Biologic, Telles, Meredian and others, interest in PHA’s has spanned many 

decades. Today there are actually over 300 known microorganisms capable 

of producing PHA’s [1] and over 10 monomer combinations that can produce 

PHA’s with widely different properties. In terms of commercial interest- poly 

3 hydroxy butyrate-co-valerate (PHBV)-Tianan Biologic, poly 3 hydroxy -co-4 

hydroxy butyrate, (PHB)-Telles, and poly 3 hydroxy butyrate-co-hydroxy hexanoate 

(PHBH) – Meredian, are probably the most well known polymers. 

The History of PHA 

The ability of micro-organisms to produce and store a PHA within their 

cells was first observed by Beijerinck in 1888. He observed inclusions within 

the bacterial cells but could not identify their structure. In 192 Lemoigne, 

using Bacillus megaterium, identified the polymer to be poly 3 hydroxy 

butyrate (PHB). It would appear little more was done in this area for another 

30 years until in 198 McCrae and Wilkinson observed that bacteria stored 

PHB in their cells. When the carbon to nitrogen ratio in the fermentation 

medium was high and when the external carbon source was depleted [2], 

they consumed the PHB as a food and energy source. From this point, the 

fact that a biopolymer could be produced within a microbial cell, and become 

a source of intracellular reserve material, created significant interest among 

microbiologists and biochemists. The interest was still, however, essentially 

academic. The primary focus was directed on understanding the polymers 

significance on the functioning of the microorganisms and how external factors 

affected the rate of production and re-utilization by the microorganisms. 

Around 193, as oil prices climbed, this academic interest took on a more 

practical focus. In 19, ICI in the UK began to investigate if PHB could be 

commercially produced using glucose as the feedstock. They developed a 

practically viable process but the economics were so completely unattractive 

that this initiative was terminated and the technology was divested. 

PHA Technology 

The manufacture of PHA’S involves providing a microorganism a carbon 

feed source such as dextrose or glucose along with suitable nutrients, such as 

nitrogen, phosphorus or oxygen which encourage growth and multiplication of 


Basic 

and Commercialization of 

Alkanoates (PHA) 

the microorganisms. Once the number of microorganisms 

reaches the required point, the nutrients are reduced to 

create an imbalance, which puts the microorganisms under 

stress. The microorganism then begins to convert the 

extracellular carbon source through a series of enzymatic 

pathways, to a reserve energy source in the form of polymeric 

inclusions within their cell. Under ideal conditions, typically, 

from 80% to 90% of the cell can comprise the polymeric 

form of the hydroxy esters conventionally referred to as the 

poly hydroxy alkanoates. The manufacturing process can be 

either a fed –batch or multi stage continuous process. 

When the mass of the polymer within the cell reaches 

the maximum level, the process is terminated. The 

polymeric material can be extracted from the cells by the 

use of solvents such as chloroform, methylene chloride, 

propylene chloride or dichloro methane. It is also possible 

to remove the polymer using only aqueous conditions [3]. 

Today it appears that only Tianan Biologic has successfully 

optimized the aqueous extraction route. 

Common PHA Structures 

The basic structure of the Commercial PHA’s is shown 

below: 

The R alky group at the C-3, can vary from one carbon 

(C1) to over 14 carbons (C14) in length. PHA’s are subdivided 

into three broad classes according to the chain length of the 

comprising monomers. PHA‘s containing up to C monomers 

are classified as short chain length PHA’s (scl-PHA). PHA’s 

with C–C14 and over C14 monomers are classified as 

medium chain length (mcl-PHA) and long chain length 

(lcl-PHA) PHA’s, respectively [4]. Today the short chain and 

medium chain length are the most common. 

The scl-PHA’s have properties close to conventional 

plastics while the mcl-PHA’s are regarded as elastomers 

and rubbers. 

PHB is the most common type of scl-PHA and has 

been studied most extensively. However, this polymer 

is extremely brittle and difficult to process without 

degradation. The common copolymers of PHA are formed 

containing 3-hydroxybutyrate (HB) with 3-hydroxyvalerate 

(HV), 3-hydroxyhexanoate (HH) or 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) 

monomers. These short to medium chain length PHA’s are 

typically more tough and ductile (PHBV) to elastomers or 

sticky materials which can be modified to product rubbers 

(PHBH). In addition they are easier to process due to their 

lower crystallinity and melting or softening point. 

Processing and Properties of Common PHA’s 

PHA’s are aliphatic polyesters. In common with petroleum 

based polyesters, these natural polymers are sensitive 

to hydrolytic breakdown. Before melt processing the 

products must be dried. Manufacturers, such as Tianan 

Biologic, typically recommend drying to approximately 

20ppm moisture content before processing. Drying can 

be accomplished using desiccant or vacuum dryers. If 

the polymer is not dried to the recommended maximum 

moisture content and kept dry before melt processing, then 

hydrolytic degradation will occur leading to significant loss 

in molecular weight and reduced mechanical properties in 

the final product. Processors and compounders who run 

PET or Nylon and , are quite familiar with this issue 

and will have the correct drying equipment. Companies who 

only process polyolefins or polystyrene may not have dryers 

and so often this can cause problems for these companies 

in transitioning to the use of a PHA without incurring some 

capital investment. Short or medium chain length PHA’s 

with low commoner levels such as PHB ( 3 hydroxy-4hydroxy 

butyrate) or PHBV can be crystallized which allows drying 

at 80-100°C. Longer chain length more amorphous PHA’s 

must be dried at lower temperatures and this can also be 

an issue even for the polyester and polyamide processors 

if the drying temperature is too low. This problem may be 

even more problematic for the more elastomeric longer 

chain length PHA’s although their sensitivity to hydrolytic 

degradation during processing may not be as severe. 

Another concern with pure PHB is that the processing 

temperature and melting point are extremely close, which 

can readily cause thermal degradation of the polymer, 

producing crotonic acid. Many studies dedicated to thermal 

and thermo mechanical degradation of neat 3- PHB have 

revealed that the degradation occurs rapidly near the 

melting point according to mainly a random chain scission 

process (cis elimination of the ester group). The major by 

– products of this degradation are crotonic acid and its 

oligomers []. 


3

Basic 

PHB Degradation Mechanism 

The melting point of 3-PHB is 1°C. By producing 

copolymers such as PHBV the melting point is reduced to 

around 1°C when % by weight of the valerate units are 

incorporated randomly in the polymer chain. This reduction 

in the melting point enables a wider melt processing 

window and also reduces the overall brittleness compared 

to PHB. Increasing the valerate content or using longer 

chain co monomers can further reduce the melting point 

but may also reduce the rate of crystallization which can 

lead to processing inefficiencies due to longer cycle times. 

Although the pure PHB is still produced, most common 

PHA’s are copolymers designed to have a wider processing 

window and a spectrum of properties from rigid to ductile 

materials. Other than these drying requirements and 

the relatively narrow processing temperatures PHA’s 

are otherwise readily processed on conventional melt 

processing equipment. 

Fig.3 Bathroom Accessories, Photo: PolyOne 

Due to the difficulties in processing the 3 –PHB the 

industry either produces copolymers, as discussed above 

or PHB is compounded with other materials to reduce 

degradation and improve processability. 

In conclusion, PHA’s are a diverse class of polymers 

produced by many natural or modified microorganisms. 

Although the technology has been known for long time 

in academia the spectrum of products now becoming 

commercially available are showing promise in a variety 

of traditional and new commercial applications By varying 

the co monomer ratio and type, rigid to elastomeric 

products can be produced This family of unique microbial 

polyesters would appear to have a bright future in the 

emerging renewable resource based polymer industry. 

References: 

[1] Ronny Purwandi – Fermentation Production of 

Polyhydroxyalkanoates. www.adm.hb.se/~RPU/download/ 

PHA_presentation_show_rev.pps 

[2] Biotechnological approaches for the production of 

polyhydroxyalkanoates in microorganisms and plants — 

A review. Pornpa Suriyamongkol Et. Al. 

[3] EP 1 0 20 A1 Xuejun Chen- Tianan Biologic 

[4] Madison LL, Huisman GW. Metabolic engineering of poly 

(3-hydroxyalkanoates): from DNA to plastic. Microbiol. Mol. 

Biol. Rev. 1999; 3:21–3. 

[] Hablot E et al., Thermal and thermo-mechanical degradation 

of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-based multiphase systems, Polym. 

Degrad Stab (200), doi:10.101/j.polymdegradstab.200.11.0 

18 PDST31_proof _ 11 December 200 _ 4/9. 

Fig. 4 PHA pellets 


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Letter to the Editor 

Counterstatement 

Event Review 

In issue 02/2009 bioplastics MAGAZINE published a short review of the GPEC conference 

in Orlando Florida, USA (see bM 02/2009, p.8). 

Michael Stephen, Commercial Director and Deputy Chairman of Symphony 

Environmental Technologies Plc, sent a letter to the editor commenting on this short 

article. 

Mr. Stephen stated that Dr. Greene was wrong to call the material ‘oxofragmentable’plastic. 

The mentioned formulation breaks the molecular chains within 

the polymer and then the material biodegrades. 

Furthermore Mr. Stephen took exception to the statement that he ‘was not able to 

present any scientifically backed data to prove his claims.’ He said that there is ample 

scientific data, and that he had referred to several of the scientific reports in his 

presentation. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE offered Mr. Stephen to publish a comprehensive scientifically 

based article in the next issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE where he can explain his case 

about compliance with ASTM D94 (a standard that he refers to in his letter). He was 

asked to provide test data conducted using resins with Symphony based additives. These 

test data shall be available for download from the bioplastics MAGAZINE website - MT . 

photo courtesy 

of Environmental 

Division of SPE 

GPEC Global Plastics 

Environment Conference 2009 

Under the headline ’Plastics: The Wonderful World of Sustainability and 

Recyling’ about 300 delegates and speakers met from February 25 to 27 in 

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, USA. The conference 

was accompanied by a table top exhibition. One of three parallel sessions was 

on Bio-based and Biodegradable Materials. 

Among the most interesting presentations, which were attended by an 

average of 70 to 90 delegates was Ross Young’s (Univenture) talk about the 

Production of Algae primarily for bioplastics and fuel. Corey Linden (Battelle) 

introduced methods to improve PLA performance for injection moulding. Todd 

Rogers of Arkema spoke about a new type on transparent, (50%) biobased 

polyamide, named Rilsan clear. Jim Lunt (Tianan Biologic) and Kristin Taylor 

(Telles) presented their latest developments and application examples from 

the field of the PHA’s. 

The massively discussed presentation by Michael Stephen of Symphony about 

– what Professor Greene (California State Univ. Chico) called oxo-fragmentable 

plastics – was commented by Joe Greene: “Disney is an appropriate location 

for such kind of presentations”. However, Mr. Stephens again was not able to 

present any scientifically backed data to prove his claims. 

During lunch on the first day, Eric Connell of Toyota shared with the delegates 

his experience and thoughts about ‘Automotive Applications & Expectations of 

Biobased Materials’. From the viewpoint of greenhouse gas reductions and 

resource security, bioplastics are attractive as carbon neutral materials, but 

Eric also pointed out the limitations that currently still exist for industrial 

usage for automotive applications. 

Dr. John Kristy, Professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville explained 

in an elaborated plenary session on the second day his findings about CO 2 

and global warming. However, his ‘all-clear’ statement ‘all carbon dioxide 

emissions – if reduced or not - do not affect the climate’ was not exactly agreed 

to by all of the delegates. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE will cover some of the most interesting talks, as well as 

some of the really good student posters in the coming issues. 

8 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/09] Vol. 4 

Sustaina 

in Pack 

Intertech-pira 

conference, acco 

exhibition, on ‘ 

Packaging’ on 3- 

Orlando, Florida 

about 30-40 from 

delegates came 

session to attend 

industry experts 

on ‘How plastic 

the sustainab 

Europe’ Profes 

for example add 

of automatic 

mixed PLA / 

Other present 

develompents 

NatureWorks 

Telles), Starc 

(Tom Black, P 

PSM) and b 

Polyethylene 

Leslie Harty 

Enterprises 

discussed 

covered the 

PE and PE 

claimed to 

biodegrada 

the 100% 

materials 

such as E 

EN 14855 

could not 

naro.tech 

7 th International Symposium 

Materials made from 

renewable resources 

9 th and 10 th September 2009 

Main topics 

· Fibre composites 

· Biopolymer materials 

· Bio-based adhesives 

· Wood fibre materials 

Accompanying exhibition 

European Cooperation Forum 

www.narotech.de 


Events 

Event Calender 

June 16-19, 2009 

BioEnvironmental Polymer Society 16th Annual Meeting 

McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL, USA 

www.regonline.com/beps2009 

June 22-26, 2009 

NPE2009: The International Plastics Showcase 

McCormick Place 

Chicago, Illinois USA 

www.npe.org 

September 8-10, 2009 

Biopackaging 2009 

Copthorne Tara Hotel 

Kensington, London, UK 

www.biopackconference.com/ 


7th Int. Symposium ‘Materials made 

of Renewable Resources‘ 

Messe Erfurt 

Erfurt / Germany 

www.narotech.de 


2 nd PLA Bottle Conference 

hosted by bioplastics MAGAZINE 

within the framework of drinktec 

Munich / Germany 

www.pla-bottle-conference.com 

September 28 - October 01, 2009 

4th Biopolymers Symposium 2009 

Embassy Suites, Lakefront - Chicago Downtown 

Chicago, Illinois USA 

www.biopolymersummit.com 

October 06-07, 2009 

3. BioKunststoffe 

Technische Anwendungen biobasierter Werkstoffe 

Duisburg, Germany 

www.hanser-tagungen.de/biokunststoffe 

October 26-27, 2009 

Biowerkstoff Kongress 2009 

within framework of AVK and COMPOSITES EUROPE 

Neue Messe Stuttgart, Germany 

www.biowerkstoff-kongress.de 

November 10-11, 2009 

4th European Bioplastics Conference 

Ritz Carlton Hotel 

Berlin, Germany 


December 2-3, 2009 

Dritter Deutscher WPC-Kongress 

Maritim Hotel 

Cologne, Germany 

www.wpc-kongress.de 

June 22-23, 2010 

8th Global WPC and Natural Fibre Composites 

Congress an Exhibition 

Fellbach (near Stuttgart), Germany 

www.wpc-nfk.de 

You can meet us! 

Please contact us in advance by e-mail. 


Basics 

Glossary 

In bioplastics MAGAZINE again and again 

the same expressions appear that some of our 

readers might (not yet) be familiar with. This 

glossary shall help with these terms and shall 

help avoid repeated explanations such as ‘PLA 

(Polylactide)‘ in various articles. 

Bioplastics (as defined by European Bioplastics 

e.V.) is a term used to define two different 

kinds of plastics: 

a. Plastics based on renewable resources (the 

focus is the origin of the raw material used) 

b. à Biodegradable and compostable plastics 

according to EN13432 or similar standards 

(the focus is the compostability of the final 

product; biodegradable and compostable 

plastics can be based on renewable (biobased) 

and/or non-renewable (fossil) resources). 

Bioplastics may be 

- based on renewable resources and biodegradable; 

- based on renewable resources but not be 

biodegradable; and 

- based on fossil resources and biodegradable. 

Amylopectin | Polymeric branched starch 

molecule with very high molecular weight (biopolymer, 

monomer is à Glucose). 

Amyloseacetat | Linear polymeric glucosechains 

are called à amylose. If this compound 

is treated with ethan acid one product 

is amylacetat. The hydroxyl group is connected 

with the organic acid fragment. 

Amylose | Polymeric non-branched starch 

molecule with high molecular weight (biopolymer, 

monomer is à Glucose). 

Biodegradable Plastics | Biodegradable 

Plastics are plastics that are completely assimilated 

by the à microorganisms present a 

defined environment as food for their energy. 

The carbon of the plastic must completely be 

converted into CO 2 during the microbial process. 

For an official definition, please refer to 

the standards e.g. ISO or in Europe: EN 1499 

Plastics- Evaluation of compostability - Test 

scheme and specifications. [bM 02/200 p. 

34f, bM 01/200 p38]. 

Blend | Mixture of plastics, polymer alloy of at 

least two microscopically dispersed and molecularly 

distributed base polymers. 

Carbon neutral | Carbon neutral describes a 

process that has a negligible impact on total 

atmospheric CO 2 levels. For example, carbon 

neutrality means that any CO 2 released when 

a plant decomposes or is burnt is offset by an 

equal amount of CO 2 absorbed by the plant 

through photosynthesis when it is growing. 

Cellophane | Clear film on the basis of à cellulose. 

Cellulose | Polymeric molecule with very high 

molecular weight (biopolymer, monomer is 

à Glucose), industrial production from wood 

or cotton, to manufacture paper, plastics and 

fibres. 

Compost | A soil conditioning material of 

decomposing organic matter which provides 

nutrients and enhances soil structure. 

(bM 0/2008, 02/2009) 

Compostable Plastics | Plastics that are biodegradable 

under ‘composting’ conditions: 

specified humidity, temperature, à microorganisms 

and timefame. Several national 

and international standards exist for clearer 

definitions, for example EN 1499 Plastics 

- Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme 

and specifications [bM 02/200 p. 34f, bM 

01/200 p38]. 

Composting | A solid waste management 

technique that uses natural process to convert 

organic materials to CO 2 , water and humus 

through the action of à microorganisms 

[bM 03/200]. 

Copolymer | Plastic composed of different 

monomers. 

Cradle-to-Gate | Describes the system 

boundaries of an environmental àLife Cycle 

Assessment (LCA) which covers all activities 

from the ‘cradle’ (i.e., the extraction of raw 

materials, agricultural activities and forestry) 

up to the factory gate 

Cradle-to-Cradle | (sometimes abbreviated 

as C2C): Is an expression which communicates 

the concept of a closed-cycle economy, 

in which waste is used as raw material (‘waste 

equals food’). Cradle-to-Cradle is not a term 

that is typically used in àLCA studies. 

Cradle-to-Grave | Describes the system 

boundaries of a full àLife Cycle Assessment 

from manufacture (‘cradle’) to use phase and 

disposal phase (‘grave’). 

Fermentation | Biochemical reactions controlled 

by à microorganisms or enyzmes (e.g. 

the transformation of sugar into lactic acid). 

Gelatine | Translucent brittle solid substance, 

colorless or slightly yellow, nearly tasteless 

and odorless, extracted from the collagen inside 

animals‘ connective tissue. 

Glucose | Monosaccharide (or simple sugar). 

G. is the most important carbohydrate (sugar) 

in biology. G. is formed by photosynthesis or 

hydrolyse of many carbohydrates e. g. starch. 

Humus | In agriculture, ‘humus’ is often used 

simply to mean mature à compost, or natural 

compost extracted from a forest or other 

spontaneous source for use to amend soil. 

Hydrophilic | Property: ‘water-friendly’, soluble 

in water or other polar solvents (e.g. used 

in conjunction with a plastic which is not waterresistant 

and weatherproof or that absorbs 

water such as Polyamide (PA). 

Hydrophobic | Property: ‘water-resistant’, not 

soluble in water (e.g. a plastic which is waterresistant 

and weatherproof, or that does not 

absorb any water such as Polethylene (PE) or 

Polypropylene (PP). 

LCA | Life Cycle Assessment (sometimes also 

referred to as life cycle analysis, ecobalance, 

and àcradle-to-grave analysis) is the investigation 

and valuation of the environmental 

impacts of a given product or service caused 

(bM 01/2009). 


Basics 

Readers who know better explanations or who 

would like to suggest other explanations to be 

added to the list, please contact the editor. 

[*: bM ... refers to more comprehensive article 

previously published in bioplastics MAGAZINE) 

Microorganism | Living organisms of microscopic 

size, such as bacteria, funghi or yeast. 

PCL | Polycaprolactone, a synthetic (fossil 

based), biodegradable bioplastic, e.g. used as 

a blend component. 

PHA | Polyhydroxyalkanoates are linear polyesters 

produced in nature by bacterial fermentation 

of sugar or lipids. The most common 

type of PHA is à PHB. 

PHB | Polyhydroxyl buteric acid (better poly- 

3-hydroxybutyrate), is a polyhydroxyalkanoate 

(PHA), a polymer belonging to the polyesters 

class. PHB is produced by micro-organisms 

apparently in response to conditions of physiological 

stress. The polymer is primarily a 

product of carbon assimilation (from glucose 

or starch) and is employed by micro-organisms 

as a form of energy storage molecule to 

be metabolized when other common energy 

sources are not available. PHB has properties 

similar to those of PP, however it is stiffer and 

more brittle. 

PLA | Polylactide or Polylactic Acid (PLA) is 

a biodegradable, thermoplastic, aliphatic 

polyester from lactic acid. Lactic acid is made 

from dextrose by fermentation. Bacterial fermentation 

is used to produce lactic acid from 

corn starch, cane sugar or other sources. 

However, lactic acid cannot be directly polymerized 

to a useful product, because each polymerization 

reaction generates one molecule 

of water, the presence of which degrades the 

forming polymer chain to the point that only 

very low molecular weights are observed. 

Instead, lactic acid is oligomerized and then 

catalytically dimerized to make the cyclic lactide 

monomer. Although dimerization also 

generates water, it can be separated prior to 

polymerization. PLA of high molecular weight 

is produced from the lactide monomer by 

ring-opening polymerization using a catalyst. 

This mechanism does not generate additional 

water, and hence, a wide range of molecular 

weights are accessible (bM 01/2009). 

Saccharins or carbohydrates | Saccharins or 

carbohydrates are name for the sugar-family. 

Saccharins are monomer or polymer sugar 

units. For example, there are known mono-, 

di- and polysaccharose. à glucose is a monosaccarin. 

They are important for the diet and 

produced biology in plants. 

Sorbitol | Sugar alcohol, obtained by reduction 

of glucose changing the aldehyde group 

to an additional hydroxyl group. S. is used as a 

plasticiser for bioplastics based on starch. 

Starch | Natural polymer (carbohydrate) consisting 

of à amylose and à amylopectin, 

gained from maize, potatoes, wheat, tapioca 

etc. When glucose is connected to polymerchains 

in definite way the result (product) is 

called starch. Each molecule is based on 300 

-12000-glucose units. Depending on the connection, 

there are two types à amylose and 

à amylopectin known. 

Starch (-derivate) | Starch (-derivates) are 

based on the chemical structure of à starch. 

The chemical structure can be changed by 

introducing new functional groups without 

changing the à starch polymer. The product 

has different chemical qualities. Mostly the 

hydrophilic character is not the same. 

Starch-ester | One characteristic of every 

starch-chain is a free hydroxyl group. When 

every hydroxyl group is connect with ethan 

acid one product is starch-ester with different 

chemical properties. 

Starch propionate and starch butyrate | 

Starch propionate and starch butyrate can 

be synthesised by treating the à starch with 

propane or butanic acid. The product structure 

is still based on à starch. Every based à 

glucose fragment is connected with a propionate 

or butyrate ester group. The product is 

more hydrophobic than à starch. 

Sustainable | An attempt to provide the best 

outcomes for the human and natural environments 

both now and into the indefinite future. 

One of the most often cited definitions of sustainability 

is the one created by the Brundtland 

Commission, led by the former Norwegian 

Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland. The 

Brundtland Commission defined sustainable 

development as development that ‘meets the 

needs of the present without compromising 

the ability of future generations to meet their 

own needs.’ Sustainability relates to the continuity 

of economic, social, institutional and 

environmental aspects of human society, as 

well as the non-human environment). 

Sustainability | (as defined by European 

Bioplastics e.V.) has three dimensions: economic, 

social and environmental. This has 

been known as “the triple bottom line of 

sustainability”. This means that sustainable 

development involves the simultaneous pursuit 

of economic prosperity, environmental 

protection and social equity. In other words, 

businesses have to expand their responsibility 

to include these environmental and social 

dimensions. Sustainability is about making 

products useful to markets and, at the same 

time, having societal benefits and lower environmental 

impact than the alternatives currently 

available. It also implies a commitment 

to continuous improvement that should result 

in a further reduction of the environmental 

footprint of today’s products, processes and 

raw materials used. 

Thermoplastics | Plastics which soften or 

melt when heated and solidify when cooled 

(solid at room temperature). 

Yard Waste | Grass clippings, leaves, trimmings, 

garden residue. 


10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

100 

110 

120 

130 

140 

Suppliers Guide 

1. Raw Materials 

BASF SE 

Global Business Management 

Biodegradable Polymers 

Carl-Bosch-Str. 38 

0 Ludwigshafen, Germany 

Tel. +49-21 0 43 88 

Fax +49-21 0 21 94 

plas.com@basf.com 

www.ecovio.com 

www.basf.com/ecoflex 

1.1 bio based monomers 

Du Pont de Nemours International S.A. 

2, Chemin du Pavillon, PO Box 0 

CH 1218 Le Grand Saconnex, 

Geneva, Switzerland 

Tel. + 41 22 1 428 

Fax + 41 22 1 00 

jonathan.v.cohen@che.dupont.com 

www.packaging.dupont.com 

1.2 compounds 

Transmare Compounding B.V. 

Ringweg , 04 JL 

Roermond, The Netherlands 

Tel. +31 4 34 900 

Fax +31 4 34 910 

info@transmare.nl 

www.compounding.nl 

1.3 PLA 

Division of A&O FilmPAC Ltd 

Osier Way, Warrington Road 

GB-Olney/Bucks. 

MK4 FP 

Tel.: +44 844 33 088 

Fax: +44 1234 13 221 

sales@aandofilmpac.com 

www.bioresins.eu 

1.4 starch-based bioplastics 

BIOTEC Biologische 

Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG 

Werner-Heisenberg-Straße 32 

444 Emmerich 

Germany 

Tel. 

Fax 

info@biotec.de 

www.biotec.de 

+49 2822 9210 

+49 2822 1840 

Tianan Biologic 

No. 8 Dagang th Rd, 

Beilun, Ningbo, China, 31800 

Tel. +8- 48 8 2 0 2 

Fax +8- 48 8 98 0 

enquiry@tianan-enmat.com 

www.tianan-enmat.com 

1.6 masterbatches 

PolyOne 

Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 

Zoning de la Fagne 

330 Assesse 

Belgium 

Tel. + 32 83 0 211 

info.color@polyone.com 


Sukano Products Ltd. 

Chaltenbodenstrasse 23 

CH-8834 Schindellegi 

Tel. +41 44 8 

Fax +41 44 8 8 

www.sukano.com 

2. Additives / 

Secondary raw materials 

www.earthfirstpla.com 

www.sidaplax.com 

www.plasticsuppliers.com 

Sidaplax UK : +44 (1) 04 99 

Sidaplax Belgium: +32 9 210 80 10 

Plastic Suppliers: +1 8 38 418 

3.1.1 cellulose based films 

INNOVIA FILMS LTD 

Wigton 

Cumbria CA 9BG 

England 

Contact: Andy Sweetman 

Tel. +44 193 4149 

Fax +44 193 4142 

andy.sweetman@innoviafilms.com 

www.innoviafilms.com 

4. Bioplastics products 

alesco GmbH & Co. KG 

Schönthaler Str. -9 

D-239 Langerwehe 

Sales Germany: +49 2423 402 110 

Sales Belgium: +32 9 220 1 

Sales Netherlands: +31 20 03 10 

info@alesco.net | www.alesco.net 

150 

160 

170 

180 

190 

200 

210 

220 

230 

BIOTEC Biologische 

Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG 

Werner-Heisenberg-Straße 32 

444 Emmerich 

Germany 

Tel. +49 2822 9210 

Fax 

info@biotec.de 

www.biotec.de 

+49 2822 1840 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH 

Siemensring 9 

D - 4 8 Willich 

Tel. +49 214 921-0 

Tel.: +49 214 921-1 

sales@fkur.com 

www.fkur.com 

Plantic Technologies Limited 

1 Burns Road 

Altona VIC 3018 Australia 

Tel. +1 3 933 900 

Fax +1 3 933 901 

info@plantic.com.au 

www.plantic.com.au 

PSM Bioplastic NA 

Chicago, USA 

www.psmna.com 

+1-30-393-0012 

1.5 PHA 

Du Pont de Nemours International S.A. 

2, Chemin du Pavillon, PO Box 0 

CH 1218 Le Grand Saconnex, 

Geneva, Switzerland 

Tel. + 41(0) 22 1 428 

Fax + 41(0) 22 1 00 

jonathan.v.cohen@che.dupont.com 

www.packaging.dupont.com 

3. Semi finished products 

3.1 films 

Huhtamaki Forchheim 

Herr Manfred Huberth 

Zweibrückenstraße 1-2 

91301 Forchheim 

Tel. +49-9191 8130 

Fax +49-9191 81244 

Mobil +49-11 24394 

Arkhe Will Co., Ltd. 

19-1- Imaichi-cho, Fukui 

918-812 Fukui, Japan 

Tel. +81- 38 4 11 

Fax +81- 38 4 1 

contactus@ecogooz.com 

www.ecogooz.com 

Forapack S.r.l 

Via Sodero, 43 

030 Poggiofi orito (Ch), Italy 

Tel. +39-08 1 93 03 2 

Fax +39-08 1 93 03 2 

info@forapack.it 

www.forapack.it 

240 

250 

260 

270 

Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies 

4201 Woodland Road 

Circle Pines, MN 014 USA 

Tel. +1 3.22.00 

Fax +1 3.22.4 

info@natur-tec.com 

www.natur-tec.com 

Telles, Metabolix – ADM joint venture 

0 Suffolk Street, Suite 100 

Lowell, MA 0184 USA 

Tel. +1-9 8 13 18 00 

Fax +1-9 8 13 18 8 

www.mirelplastics.com 

Maag GmbH 

Leckingser Straße 12 

840 Iserlohn 

Germany 

Tel. + 49 231 99-30 

Fax + 49 231 99-9 

shonke@maag.de 

www.maag.de 

Minima Technology Co., Ltd. 

Esmy Huang, Marketing Manager 

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

Taichung County 

411, Taiwan (R.O.C.) 

Tel. +88(4)22 888 

Fax +883(4)22 989 

Mobil +88(0)982-829988 

esmy32@ms1.hinet.net 

Skype esmy32 

www.minima-tech.com 


natura Verpackungs GmbH 

Industriestr. - 

48432 Rheine 

Tel. +49 9 303- 

Fax +49 9 303-42 

info@naturapackaging.com 

www.naturapackagign.com 

Molds, Change Parts and Turnkey 

Solutions for the PET/Bioplastic 

Container Industry 

284 Pinebush Road 

Cambridge Ontario 

Canada N1T 1Z 

Tel. +1 19 24 920 

Fax +1 19 24 921 

info@hallink.com 

www.hallink.com 

10.2 Universities 

Michigan State University 

Department of Chemical 

Engineering & Materials Science 

Professor Ramani Narayan 

East Lansing MI 48824, USA 

Tel. +1 1 19 13 

narayan@msu.edu 

Suppliers Guide 

Simply contact: 

Tel.: +49-239-299-0 

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. 

NOVAMONT S.p.A. 

Via Fauser , 8 

28100 Novara - ITALIA 

Fax +39.0321.99.01 

Tel. +39.0321.99.11 

Info@novamont.com 

Pland Paper ® 

WEI MON INDUSTRY CO., LTD. 

2F, No., Singjhong Rd., 

Neihu District, 

Taipei City 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. 

Tel. + 88 - 2 - 293131 

Fax + 88 - 2 - 29199 

sales@weimon.com.tw 

www.plandpaper.com 

President Packaging Ind., Corp. 

PLA Paper Hot Cup manufacture 

In Taiwan, www.ppi.com.tw 

Tel.: +88--0-40 ext.31 

Fax: +88--0-40 

sales@ppi.com.tw 

MANN+HUMMEL ProTec GmbH 

Stubenwald-Allee 9 

42 Bensheim, Deutschland 

Tel. +49 21 01 0 

Fax +49 21 01 10 

info@mh-protec.com 

www.mh-protec.com 

7. Plant engineering 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH 

Holzhauser Str. 1 - 19 

1309 Berlin 

Germany 

Tel. +49 (0)30 43 

Fax +49 (0)30 43 99 

sales.de@thyssenkrupp.com 

www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com 

8. Ancillary equipment 

9. Services 

Bioplastics Consulting 

Tel. +49 211 484 

info@polymediaconsult.com 

www.polymediaconsult.com 

University of Applied Sciences 

Faculty II, Department 

of Bioprocess Engineering 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Josef Endres 

Heisterbergallee 12 

3043 Hannover, Germany 

Tel. +49 (0)11-929-2212 

Fax +49 (0)11-929-2210 

hans-josef.endres@fh-hannover.de 

www.fakultaet2.fh-hannover.de 

For Example: 

Polymedia Publisher GmbH 

Dammer Str. 112 

410 Mönchengladbach 

Germany 

Tel. +49 211 484 

Fax +49 211 3104 

info@bioplasticsmagazine.com 


Sample Charge: 

3mm x ,00 € 

= 210,00 € per entry/per issue 

Sample Charge for one year: 

issues x 210,00 EUR = 1,20.00 € 

The entry in our Suppliers Guide is 

magnetic_148,5x105.ai 175.00 lpi 15.00° 75.00° 0.00° 45.00° 14.03.2009 

bookable 10:13:31 

for one year ( issues) and 

Prozess CyanProzess MagentaProzess GelbProzess extends Schwarz automatically if it’s not canceled 

three month before expiry. 

Magnetic 

35 mm 

for Plastics 

10 

20 

30 

35 

Wiedmer AG - PLASTIC SOLUTIONS 

82 Näfels - Am Linthli 2 

SWITZERLAND 

Tel. +41 18 44 99 

Fax +41 18 44 98 

www.wiedmer-plastic.com 

6. Machinery & Molds 

Marketing - Exhibition - Event 

Tel. +49 239-299-0 

info@teamburg.de 

www.teamburg.de 

10.1 Associations 

C 

M 

Y 

• 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. 

FAS Converting Machinery AB 

O Zinkgatan 1/ Box 103 

2100 Ystad, Sweden 

Tel.: +4 411 920 

www.fasconverting.com 

BPI - The Biodegradable 

Products Institute 

331 West th Street 

Suite 41 

New York, NY 10019, USA 

Tel. +1-888-24-4 

info@bpiworld.org 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

www.plasticker.com 

• Buyer’s Guide 

for Plastics & Additives, 

Machinery & Equipment, 

Subcontractors 

and Services. 

• Job Market 

for Specialists and 

Executive Staff in the 

Plastics Industry 

European Bioplastics e.V. 

Marienstr. 19/20 

1011 Berlin, Germany 

Tel. +49 30 284 82 30 

Fax +49 30 284 84 39 

info@european-bioplastics.org 


Up-to-date • Fast • Professional

Companies in this issue 

Company Editorial Advert 

A&O Filmpac 44 

Alesco 44 

Arkema 31 

Arkhe Will 44 

BASF ,22 44 

Biograde 8 

Biopolymer Network 

3 

Biotec 44 

BMW 34 

BPI 21, 2 4 

Bunge Foods 30 

CelluComp 

3 

Cereplast 

8,23,2,31 

Coca-Cola 

 

Colorado School of Mines 32 

Cray Valley 

3 

DuPont 22,32 44 

European Bioplastics ,8 11,4 

Evonik Industries 23 

FAS Converting 

4 

FH Hannover 

4 

FKuR 1 2,44 

Forapack 44 

Fraunhofer UMSICHT 

1 

Georgia Pacific 31 

Green Fuels 

3 

Hallink 

4 

Heritage 

2 

Huhtamaki 20 44 

IDES 

2 

IFEU 19 

Innovia ,28 44 

Interseroh 

 

Iowa State University 23 

IraPlast 30 

Jamplast 23 

JER 23 

Kingfa 21 

KTM Industries 18 

Kureha 21 

Lear EnviroTec 

3 

Leistritz 21 

Lineo 34 

Lola 

3 

Company Editorial Advert 

Maag 44 

Mann + Hummel 

4 

Marchant Manufacturing 28 

Meredian 

3 

Merquinsa 

2 

Michigan State University 18 4 

Minima Technologies 44 

Mizuno 31 

Nanobiomatters 21 

Natura Verpackung 

4 

NatureWorks 

,8,19,20,23,32 

nova Institut 

 

Novamont ,,8,12 4,48 

Plastic Technologies 23 

Plasticker 

4 

Polymediaconsult 

4 

PolyOne 14,24 31,44 

President Packaging 

4 

PSM Teinnovations 22 44 

Purac 

 

Recycled Carbon 

3 

Sandoz 18 

Seda 

,,8,12 

Sidaplax 44 

Södra 30 

Sonnentor 28 

Sphere-Biotec 8 

SPI 21,22 

STFI Packforsk 30 

Sukano 44 

Symphony 40 

Teamburg 

4 

Teknor Apex 

2 

Telles 2,3 44,4 

Tetra Pak 

 

Tianan Biologic 14,3 ,44 

Transmare 44 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer 

4 

US Army Natick 

2 

Warwick University 34 

WeiMon 29,4 

Wiedmer 

4 

Zejiang Hangzhou Xinfu 

2 

Next Issue 

For the next issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE 

(among others) the following subjects are scheduled: 

Next issue: 

Jul/Aug 03.08.2009 

Editorial Focus: 

Bottles / Labels / Caps 

Non-Food-Sourced Bioplastics 

Basics: 

Land Use for Bioplastics 

Month Publ.-Date Editorial Focus (1) Editorial Focus (2) Basics Fair Specials 

Sep/Oct 0.10.2009 Fibers / Textiles / Nonwovens Paper Coating 

Basics of Starch Based 

Biopolymers 

Nov/Dec 30.11.2009 Films / Flexibles / Bags Consumer Electronics Anaerobic Digestion 


EcoComunicazione.it 

Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre 2008 

Visitors of Salone del Gusto 180,000 

Meals served at Terra Madre 26,000 

Compost produced* kg 7,000 

CO 2 

saved kg 13,600 

* data estimate – Novamont projection 

The future, 

with a different flavour: 

sustainable 

Mater-Bi® means biodegradable 

and compostable plastics made 

from renewable raw materials. 

Slow Food, defending good things, 

from food to land. 

For the “Salone del Gusto” and “Terra Madre”, Slow Food 

has chosen Mater-Bi® for bags, shoppers, cutlery, 

cups and plates; showing that good food must also 

get along with the environment. 

Sustainable development is a necessity for everyone. 

For Novamont and Slow Food, it is already a reality. 

info@novamont.com 

www.novamont.com

bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0903

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