Issue 05/2019

Sep / Oct 

05 | 2019 

bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 14 ISSN 1862-5258 

Preview: 

Highlights 

Fibers / Textiles / Nonwovens | 16 

Barrier Materials | 42 

Cover Story 

Lightweighting PBAT 

based materials 

Jinhui Zhaolong 

... is read in 92 countries

Visit us in 

hall 6 at stand E 48 

16.–23.10.2019 

Düsseldorf 

FEEL GOOD WITH 

REUSABLE COFFEE CUPS 

Visit us at K2019 in Düsseldorf and have your revolutionary cup fi lled with 

freshly brewed coffee at booth E48 in hall 6. This cup is amazing as it‘s: 

• made from renewable raw materials, 

• reusable and 

• fully recyclable.

Editorial 

dear 

readers 

A few days ago, I visited FACHPACK, an international trade show for the packaging 

industry held annually in Germany. There was no doubt about this year’s key 

theme: I was overwhelmed by the wall-to-wall claims of sustainability that 

bedecked the show. In fact, greenwashing was a suspicion that sprang to mind. 

Everything was labelled as being sustainable or recyclable - just two of the 

buzzwords conspicuously being brandished at almost all the booths. Clearly, the 

concept of sustainability had arrived, at least in the marketing departmentsalthough 

not yet in the R&D departments, it would seem. Products that actually 

incorporated recycled content, especially PCR (post consumer recyclates), were 

very thin on the ground. Plus, if products are recyclable, but don’t actually get 

recycled, the benefits in terms of sustainability are zero. 

On the other hand, recycling plastics is not as easy as, for instance, recycling 

glass, metal or paper, as Remy Jongboom points out in his comment on page 40. 

Next to providing news and information on materials and applications, we 

also report on the latest innovations and ongoing advances in the world of 

bioplastics. As usual, we’re presenting some highlight topics in this issue. 

The first is Barrier solutions, a topic that is drawing more and more attention, 

as bioplastics find increasing application in the packaging of food and other 

sensitive goods. 

The other highlight is Fibers/Textiles/Nonwovens, which also includes spun 

monofilaments, for example, for medical applications. 

The third hot topic is the triennial K-show, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics 

and rubber. Please find our show preview, including a detachable Show Guide with 

floorplan in the center of the magazine. 

An important, not-to-be missed event during K 2019 is our 4 th Bioplastics Business 

Breakfast. It’s never too late to register for these mini conferences that will take place 

on October 17-18-19 and 20. We also accept on-site registrations. The BBB will be 

held on each of the four days from 8am-12:30pm, in the CCD-Ost on the fairgrounds. 

See pp 10-11 for details. 

We hope to see you at the K show and perhaps also later, at the 14 th European 

Bioplastics Conference, which is being hosted this year on December 3-4 in Berlin. 

At the conference, we will be presenting the annual Global Bioplastics Award to one 

of the five finalists shown on pp.14-15. Until then, enjoy reading 

bioplastics MAGAZINE. 

Sincerely yours 

Michael Thielen 

EcoComunicazione.it 

WWW.MATERBI.COM 

r1_05.2017 

05/05/17 11:39 


Preview: 

Highlights 



Sep / Oct 

Cover Story 





... is read in 92 countries 

Follow us on twitter! 

www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag 

Like us on Facebook! 

www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/19] Vol. 14 3

Content 

Imprint 

34 Porsche launches cars with biocomposites 

Sep / Oct 05|2019 

Cover Story 

12 Lightweight research on 

biodegradable Materials 

Fibers & Textiles 

16 Biobased additives for biopolymer-textiles 

18 A new generation of 

compostable monofilament 

20 Monofilament melt spinning 

22 Alternative materials for mussel socks 

23 Cellulose based fibers fully biodegradable 

in water soil and compost 

24 PLA-fibres in medical applications 

Report 

26 Inauguration of the world’s 

second largest PLA plant 

Opinion 

40 Bioplastics in the Circular Economy 

46 Equal footing for LCAs 

49 Biodegradation of plastics in nature: 

the future tasks of standardisation 

Barrier materials 

42 Ultra high barrier for bio-packaging 

43 New compostable barrier films 

44 Emerging circular biobased 

barrier solutions 

47 PVOH for barrier applications 

3 Editorial 

5 News 

10 Events 

18 Award 

28 K-Preview 

32 K-Showguide 

36 Application News 

48 10 years ago 

52 Patents 

54 Basics 

58 Suppliers Guide 

62 Companies in this issue 

Publisher / Editorial 

Dr. Michael Thielen (MT) 

Samuel Brangenberg (SB) 

Head Office 

Polymedia Publisher GmbH 

Dammer Str. 112 

41066 Mönchengladbach, Germany 

phone: +49 (0)2161 6884469 

fax: +49 (0)2161 6884468 

info@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Media Adviser 

Samsales (German language) 

phone: +49(0)2161-6884467 

fax: +49(0)2161 6884468 

sb@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Michael Thielen (English Language) 

(see head office) 

Layout/Production 

Kerstin Neumeister 

Print 

Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala Ltd. 

1004 Riga, Latvia 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on 

chlorine-free FSC certified paper. 

Print run: 7,000 copies 

bioplastics magazine 

ISSN 1862-5258 

bM is published 6 times a year. 

This publication is sent to qualified subscribers 

(169 Euro for 6 issues). 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in 

92 countries. 

Every effort is made to verify all Information 

published, but Polymedia Publisher 

cannot accept responsibility for any errors 

or omissions or for any losses that may 

arise as a result. 

All articles appearing in 

bioplastics MAGAZINE, or on the website 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com are strictly 

covered by copyright. No part of this 

publication may be reproduced, copied, 

scanned, photographed and/or stored 

in any form, including electronic format, 

without the prior consent of the publisher. 

Opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily 

reflect those of Polymedia Publisher. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE welcomes contributions 

for publication. Submissions are 

accepted on the basis of full assignment 

of copyright to Polymedia Publisher GmbH 

unless otherwise agreed in advance and in 

writing. We reserve the right to edit items 

for reasons of space, clarity or legality. 

Please contact the editorial office via 

mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. 

The fact that product names may not be 

identified in our editorial as trade marks 

is not an indication that such names are 

not registered trade marks. 

bioplastics MAGAZINE tries to use British 

spelling. However, in articles based on 

information from the USA, American 

spelling may also be used. 

Envelopes 

A part of this print run is mailed to the 

readers wrapped bioplastic envelopes 

sponsored by Biotec GmbH, Emmerich, 

Germany 

Cover Ad 

Jinhui Zhaolong High Technology Co.,Ltd 

Follow us on twitter: 

http://twitter.com/bioplasticsmag 

Like us on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine

daily upated news at 


News 

Sicomin launches 

new bio epoxy-resin 

As the automotive industry focuses on more sustainable 

manufacturing, Sicomin, the leading supplier of eco-resins, has 

announced a replacement for petroleum based materials with 

the launch of its new bio-based epoxy resin aimed specifically for 

HP-RTM processing techniques. 

SR GreenPoxy 28 is the sixth product to be added to Sicomin’s 

renowned GreenPoxy range and is available with immediate 

effect in the industrial quantities typically required by Automotive 

OEM’s. 

Certified by Veritas, SR GreenPoxy 28 is a fast cycle, low toxicity, 

third generation bio based formulation aimed specifically at the 

HP-RTM moulding processes used for both high performance 

structural parts and aesthetic carbon fibre components. The new 

formulation has been optimized for fast production cycle times 

and superior mechanical performance. 

SR GreenPoxy 28 can be fully cured using a 2-minute cure 

cycle at 140°C, producing an onset T g 

of 147°C, as well as 

exceptional mechanical properties under both dry and hot/wet 

test conditions. 

As Philippe Marcovich, President, Sicomin commented, more 

and more manufacturers and suppliers are betting on biobased 

alternatives derived from renewable raw materials. “The 

latest addition to our GreenPoxy range, SR GreenPoxy 28, is an 

exciting alternative to traditional resins providing exceptional 

performance and quality for high volume programmes.” MT 

www.sicomin.com 

Novamont goes 

forward into FDCA 

Novamont (Novara, Italy) headquarters recently 

presented to Invitalia a project for the production 

of 2.5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) in a new 

demonstration plant that will be built in Terni, 

obtaining a loan of 5.8 million Euros (5 million soft 

loans and the rest as a grant) as part of a total 

investment of 10 million Euros, which will lead to 

the creation of 12 new jobs. This was reported by 

polimerica.it on August 29. Invitalia ia an Italian 

National Agency for Investment Attraction and 

Enterprise Development 

Novamont has a proprietary technology for the 

synthesis of FDCA and is already working on a 

pilot plant to develop the process: the decision to 

move to the demonstration unit would suggest that 

the process, tested at laboratory level, is ripe for a 

further step towards production on a commercial 

scale. 

Novamont will use 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid 

(FDCA) as a monomer to produce V-generation 

Mater-bi and develop packaging with oxygen and 

carbon barrier properties. This intermediate can 

also be used to produce polyethylene-furanate 

(PEF), a polyester resin alternative to PET for 

packaging, biobased and recyclable in the PET flow, 

but not biodegradable. 

CEO Catia Bastioli on polimerica.it: "Novamont 

continues its process of innovation in the 

bioeconomy sector, allowing the diversification of 

production activities at the Terni site, thanks to a new 

proprietary technology. It is a demonstration plant 

for the production of furandicarboxylic acid, from 

renewable raw materials, for a range of polymers 

and biodegradable and compostable polymeric 

alloys, also proprietary, with high performance in 

the conditions of use". MT 

www.novamont.com 

Source: www.polimerica.it/articolo.asp?id=22350 

Picks & clicks 

Most frequently clicked news 

Here’s a look at our most popular online content of the past two months. 

The story that got the most clicks from the visitors to bioplasticsmagazine.com was: 

tinyurl.com/news-20190910 

Grand opening of Total Corbion PLA's 75,000 tonnes per year 

bioplastics plant 

(10 September 2019) 

Total Corbion PLA, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and Corbion, officially 

inaugurated its 75,000 tonnes per year PLA bioplastics plant in Rayong, 

Thailand on Sept. 09, 2019. The world’s second largest PLA plant is located 

on the same premises, right next to a lactic acid plant of Corbion. It was 

finished in mid 2018 and commissioned end of 2018. As of yet, the PLA plant 

has produced more than 20,000 tonnes of PLA. 


News 



First Mile and Vegware 

team up to boost 

compostable packaging 

recycling 

Plant-based packaging specialist, Vegware (Edinburgh, 

Scotland), is joining forces with leading recycling company, 

First Mile (London, UK), to provide a UK-wide end-of-life 

solution for its compostable foodservice disposables 

using RecycleBox, First Mile’s low cost, courier-led 

recycling service. 

First Mile currently collects over 25 material streams 

in London and Birmingham, including Vegware’s 

compostable packaging, but has now introduced 

RecycleBox to provide a national solution for those items 

not collected by local councils and other waste companies. 

This service is especially important for those items that 

require separate collections to be recycled effectively. 

Compostable packaging is a great example of this as 

it must be sent to a specialist facility to be organically 

recycled, and should not be put in mixed recycling. 

“First Mile’s RecycleBox service now creates full UK 

post-back coverage for used Vegware to access suitable 

waste infrastructure,” said Vegware’s environmental 

and communications director, Lucy Frankel. “Over two 

dozen UK facilities accept our compostable products, and 

trade collections for used Vegware now cover 38% of UK 

postcodes, up from 2% in 2012 when we started working 

with the waste sector. We introduced First Mile to a facility 

who had tested and approved Vegware products in their 

process, and see RecycleBox as an innovative solution for 

individuals and foodservice businesses throughout the 

UK.” 

RecycleBox is First Mile’s simple solution to overcoming 

the logistical barriers associated with recycling. 

Businesses or consumers can simply put the used 

Vegware disposables back in the cardboard box it came in 

(or order one from First Mile), and then book a collection 

online to return the box back to First Mile, who will then 

facilitate delivery to Vegware’s approved facility. 

The RecycleBox service is also available for other items 

– from used electrical items to coffee pods or old shoes. 

These items are sorted into the correct recycling stream 

or, for those items where an end-of-life solution doesn’t 

currently exist, sent to First Mile’s innovative RecycleLab 

where new recycling solutions are explored. 

Brands responsible for creating hard-to-recycle items 

can sponsor the RecycleBox service as a credible end-oflife 

solution to their products. Any brand needing help in 

finding a recycling solution can contact First Mile, who will 

assist them in finding a route via its network of processing 

partners. MT 

www.recyclebox.co.uk/taxons/vegware 

www.thefirstmile.co.uk 

www.vegware.com 

Membership milestone 

GO!PHA, the Global Organization for PHA is a memberdriven, 

non-profit initiative with as aim to accelerate the 

development of the PHA-platform industry. The platform 

looks to be filling a need: one month after its official 

incorporation on July 13, 2019, its membership has 

already grown to 25. 

As part of the GO!PHA policy it will publish a series 

of white papers to inform policy makers and other 

stakeholders about the benefits and potential of PHAs. 

The first white paper, authored by PHA expert Jan 

Ravenstijn, focuses on the bio-benign nature of PHA, 

which is a crucial element of the future success of PHAs 

in different end-markets. 

The full paper, and future GO!PHA white papers can be 

accessed at: 

www.gopha.org/pha 

Russian TAIF Group 

bioplastic project 

going forward 

Russian petrochemical giant TAIF JSC Group and Bioon 

have released a joint statement announcing TAIF’s 

plans to produce PHA bioplastic at a site in Tatarstan are 

indeed going forward. 

The company will build a new plant for the production 

of PHA based on technology licensed by Italy’s Bio-on, at 

Alabuga, an industrial zone that has attracted a number 

of the technology companies. 

The contract for the turn-key construction of the 

production plant will be awarded by the end of the year; 

production is aimed to commence in the second half of 

2021. The plant will have an initial production capacity of 

10,000 tonnes per year, but set up with the possibility for 

expanding to double that at a later stage. 

"We really believe in this project," says Ruslan 

Shigabutinov, General Manager of TAIF, who visited 

Bio-on and its production and R&D facilities in Castel 

San Pietro Terme (BO) on July 25, together with a Taif 

Group delegation, including strategic advisor Mr. Albert 

Shigabutdinov, who is also the Chairman of 2BIO JSC. 

“It represents an important opportunity for a group like 

ours that, among others, is active in the field of plastics. 

Taif Group is strategically sensitive to innovations, to 

environmental protection elements and wants to be 

actors in sustainable initiatives like this,” he continued. 

"The choice of the industrial site area was driven by 

the presence of many foreign investors that ensure, in 

addition to some tax benefits, an excellent visibility on the 

international market." added Albert Shigabutinov. MT 

www.taif.ru | www.bio-on.it 

6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/19] Vol. 14



News 

Global bioplastics market unil 2024 

Eco-friendliness, favourable government policies, renewable raw material sources, and high acceptance from consumers are 

driving growth in the global bioplastics market. While Europe accounts for more than two-fifths of the total market share and 

is expected to maintain its lead status, AsiaPacific is expected to register the largest growth rate with a CAGR of 20.4% through 

2024. 

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Bioplastics Market by Type and Application: Global 

Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2024 the global bioplastics market was valued at $21,126.31 million in 2017, 

and is projected to reach $68,577.25 million by 2024, registering a CAGR of 18.8% from 2018 to 2024. Bioplastics are extensively 

used in the production of rigid packaging. In 2017, the rigid packaging segment accounted for approximately one-third share 

in the global market in terms of value. 

The level of technical complexity of bioplastics packaging is increasing and their use in rigid is expected to grow at the same 

pace throughout 2024. For instance, the commercialization of co-extruded double or multiple layer film products has gained 

momentum in the recent years. It also finds applications in various end-use industries such as flexible packaging, textile, 

agriculture, and horticulture, consumer goods, automotive, electronics, building and construction, and others. 

The production and use of bioplastics are viewed as a sustainable solution due to low emission of greenhouse gasses. 

Factors such as eco-friendly properties, increase in consumer awareness, growth in environmental concerns, and favourable 

government policies drive the growth of the bioplastic market. However, high production cost and comparatively lower 

performance standards than synthetic plastics restrain the market growth to a certain extent. 

Key Findings of the Bioplastics Market: 

• In 2017, Asia-Pacific accounted for more than one-fifth share growing at a CAGR of 20.4% from 2018 to 2024. 

• In 2017, non-biodegradable plastic accounted for the highest market share and is expected to growth at the highest CAGR 

of 20.2%. 

• The rigid packaging application segment accounted for the highest market share in 2017 and is projected to grow at the 

highest CAGR of 28.3%. 

• In 2017, Europe accounted for the highest market share and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 18.7%. 

• India is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 23.8% from 2018 to 2024. 

• In terms of value, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA collectively accounted for more than one-fourth share in the global bioplastics 

market in 2017. 

www.alliedmarketresearch.com/bioplastics-market 

Injection moulding simulation for bioplastics 

It is well known that bioplastics often behave very differently 

in injection moulding than their classical relatives. Simcon 

(Würselen, Germany), the 

expert for injection moulding 

simulation, has expanded its 

software products Cadmould 

and Varimos to include the 

calculation of bioplastics and 

biocomposites, i.e. classical 

polymers reinforced with 

natural fibres. Thanks to 

simulation, users of these 

materials can also benefit from 

the advantages of simulations 

and save an average of around 

30 % in both development time 

and cycle times. 

In the research project 

NFC-Simulation funded by the 

German Federal Ministry of 

Food and Agriculture (BMEL) 

Comparison measured and simulated deformation 

in which among others the car manufacturer Ford was a 

partner, Simcon has shown by means of a glove compartment 

assembly that influences of 

the injection moulding process 

such as filling, holding pressure, 

shrinkage and warpage are 

realistically mapped up to the 

transfer of the fibre orientations 

to the crash simulation. "Even 

the crash simulation at Ford 

delivered excellent results with 

the fiber orientations provided 

by Cadmould", Simcon owner 

Dr. Paul Filz looks back on the 

project. 

Cadmould has also been 

successfully used for bioplastics 

in other areas, such as 

consumer electronics and 

musical instruments. MT 

www.simcon-worldwide.com 


News 



Dow and UPM partner 

to produce plastics 

made with renewable 

feedstock 

Michigan-based Dow, in partnership with Finland’s UPM 

Biofuels, a producer of advanced biofuels, announces the 

commercialization of a plastics offering for the packaging 

industry made from a biobased renewable feedstock. 

Dow is integrating wood-based UPM BioVerno renewable 

naphtha – a key raw material used to develop plastics – into 

its slate of raw materials, creating an alternative source for 

plastics production. Dow is using this feedstock to produce biobased 

polyethylene (PE) at its production facility in Terneuzen, 

The Netherlands, for use in packaging applications such as food 

packaging to reduce food waste. Following a successful yearlong 

trial program, Dow is now planning to scale production and 

address the increasing global demand for renewable plastics. 

UPM BioVerno naphtha is produced at UPM’s biorefinery in 

Lappeenranta, Finland, from crude tall oil, which is a residue of 

paper pulp production. Unlike many other alternative renewable 

feedstocks, no extra land is required for the feedstock production. 

The feedstock originates from sustainably managed forests. 

European Bioplastics 

& bioplastics MAGAZINE 

join forced at K'2019 

The industry association European Bioplastics and 

bioplastics MAGAZINE, will again share a booth at K'2019, 

the world's biggest trade show on plastics & Rubber 

- 16-23 October in Düsseldorf, Germany. Even if the 

industry association and your favourite magazine are 

absolute independent organizations, we again decided 

to join forced to offer a hub for all visitors interested in 

bioplastics. 

Make sure to visit our booth #B10 in Hall 7a. This year 

we are grateful to Dr. BOY, manufacturer of injection 

moulding machines to place an XS-model injection 

moulder on our booth. And we thank Mitsubishi 

Chemical (MCPP) for sponsoring a couple of bags of 

their isosorbide based DURABIO TM resin to be run on 

that machine on our booth. 

Come by and grab a nice paper clip made of this 

unique biobased polycarbonate resin on our booth. MT 

www.dr-boy.de | www.mcpp.com 

This process also significantly reduces CO 2 

emissions, 

especially by carbon sequestration, compared to standard 

fossil derived PE resins, and the plastics produced can help 

brand owners meet their sustainability packaging goals. The 

entire supply chain is International Sustainability & Carbon 

Certification (ISCC) certified, based on mass balance approach, 

meaning all steps meet traceability criteria and reduce negative 

environmental impacts. 

Packaging made from this renewable feedstock can be fully 

recyclable as demonstrated through a collaboration with brand 

owner Elopak, an international supplier of paperboardbased 

packaging for food and beverage. Dow’s biobased low-density 

polyethylene (LDPE) resins are used to coat Elopak’s liquid 

carton containers and in the production of carton caps, resulting 

in a 100 % renewable beverage carton. This was achieved without 

compromising the benefits of the original form of plastic-coated 

packaging in addition to reducing the CO 2 

footprint of the 

packaging during production and use. 

This agreement with UPM is the latest example of Dow’s 

strategy to enable a shift to a circular economy for plastics by 

focusing on resource efficiency and integrating recycled content 

and renewable feedstocks into its production processes. Dow 

also recently partnered with the Fuenix Ecogy Group, based in 

Weert, The Netherlands, for the supply of pyrolysis oil feedstock, 

which is made from recycled plastic waste. 

Through these efforts, post-consumer plastics will continue 

to have value through an extended lifespan. These agreements 

also contribute to Dow’s commitment to incorporate at least 

100,000 tonnes of recycled plastics in its product offerings sold 

in the European Union by 2025. MT 

www.upmbiofuels.com | www.dow.com 

PHBH got JBA Award 

JBA’s Bioindustry Award 2019 has been presented to 

Kaneka and RIKEN researchers for the development 

of a PHBH polymer biodegradable on soil and in 

seawater. 

The poly-hexanoate-butyrate (PHBH) copolymer is 

produced by Kaneka from plant oil using a recombinant 

strain of Cupriavidus necator at a capacity of currently 

1,000 tonnes, with plans to increase production to 

5,000 and later to 100,000 tonnes a year. 

PHBH materials decompose not only on soil, 

but also in seawater (90 % within 6 months at 

30 °C) and have obtained the OK Biodegradable 

Marine certificate from TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. 

The biopolymer-producing strain is based on joint 

research by Yoshiharu Doi, former Professor of the 

Tokyo Institute of Technology and Director at RIKEN, 

and five Kaneka researchers who will share the award 

of 3 million ¥. MT 

www.kaneka.com 


DuraSense 

® 

by Stora Enso 

The affordable 

way to go green 

Demand the game-changing biocomposite. 

Demand more. Demand renewable. 

Imagine a green, cost-efficient and 

versatile material for a wide range of 

injection moulded products. A blend 

of wood fibres and plastic material, 

offering a light and flexible solution 

with the mouldability of plastics, yet 

the sustainable benefits of wood. 

Resulting in up to 80% reduced CO 2 

footprint. 

DuraSense ® creates endless design 

possibilities that are limited only by 

your imagination. With little or no 

change to existing production 

techniques, our material is developed 

to match conventional plastics and 

therefore fit existing moulds. 

Visit us for a cup of coffee. We’ll show 

you around the biocomposite plant, 

and tell you more about this gamechanging 

material. 

Demand more. Demand renewable. 

www.storaenso.com/biocomposites 

Visit us at K-Fair 16 - 23 October 2019 

You will find us in stand 72G18 , hall 07 2 


Events 

Bioplastics Business Breakfast 

Programme: 

For details of the event, see next page or visit www.bioplastics-breakfast.com 

Thursday, October 17, 2019 

8:00-8:05 Michael Thielen, Welcome remarks 

8:05-8:25 Harald Kaeb, narocon Biobased Plastic Packaging in Europe - Update & Outlook 

8:25-8:45 Caroli Buitenhuis, Green Serendipity Future of biobased packaging 

8:45-9:05 Patrick Gerritsen, Bio4Pack Biobased plastics and recycling 

9:05-9:25 Tim Wagler, Braskem Green PE, the biobased drop-in solution for the circular economy 

9:25-9:35 Q&A 

9:35-9:55 Francois de Bie, Total Corbion PLA The inauguration of our first 75.000 ton/year PLA production plant 

9:55-10:15 Viviana Conti, NatureWorks Latest developments (t.b.c.) 

10:15-10:35 Marie-Hélène Gramatikoff, Lactips A competitive and 100% biobased technology 

10:35-10:45 Q&A 

10:45-11:05 Coffee & Networking Break 

11:05-11:25 David Sudolsky, Anellotech Making 100% biobased PET a reality 

11:25-11:45 Daniel Ganz, Sukano All you need to know to successfully run PBS 

11:45-12:05 Neil Dewar, Mold-Masters Europe Critical Bio-Resin Processing Insights for Packaging 

12:05-12:25 Sam Deconinck, OWS Some of the challenges compostable packaging faces today 

12:25-12:30 Q&A 

Friday, October 18, 2019 

8:00-8:05 Michael Thielen, bioplastics MAGAZINE Welcome remarks 

8:05-8:25 Mark Vergauwen, NatureWorks Latest developments (t.b.c.) 

8:25-8:45 Hugo Vuurens, Total Corbion PLA Luminy PLA in new applications and innovation in PLA end of life solutions 

8:45-9:05 Caine Folkes-Miller, Floreon t.b.d. 

9:05-9:25 José Ángel Ramos, ADBioplastics Advanced biomaterials for packaging applications 

9:25-9:35 Q&A 

9:35-9:55 C. Arnault & S. Macedo, Carbiolice Evanesto, new enzymated technology making PLA fully compostable 

9:55-10:15 Thomas Unger, Leistritz Direct extrusion and Compounding of Biopolymers 

10:15-10:35 Patrick Zimmermann, FKuR PLA ompounds moving away from compostability (t.b.c.) 

10:35-10:45 Q&A 

10:45-11:05 Coffee & Networking Break Coffe & Networking Break 

11:05-11:25 Daniel Ganz, Sukano Advances in PLA modification via additives masterbatches 

11:25-11:45 Karsten Schulz, Omya t.b.d. 

11:45-12:05 Luis Roca, AIMPLAS Tailor made PLA by Reactive extrusion for packaging applications 

12:05-12:25 Michael Carus, nova Institute The role of PLA in the Bio-based Economy 

12:25-12:30 Q&A 

Saturday, October 19, 2019 


8:05-8:25 Harald Ruhland, Ricone Successful development of a bio-based technical product 

8:25-8:45 Alejandra de Noren, Neste Circular drop-in solutions for durable applications 

8:45-9:05 Richard Lambert, Braskem I’m greenTM, the biobased drop-in solution for durable applications 

9:05-9:25 Silvana Maione, GCR Group BioGranic: Compostable filler solutions for flexible and rigid applications 

9:25-9:35 Q&A 

9:35-9:55 Uwe Michael Jakobs, Arkema Polyamide 11 durable by nature 

9:55-10:15 Stephane Wohlgemuth, DSM EcoPaXX: a drop in for when PA66 reaches its limits 

10:15-10:35 Dirk Schawaller, Tecnaro Latest developments with Arboform-Compounds (t.b.c.) 

10:35-10:45 Q&A 

10:45-11:05 Coffee & Networking Break 

11:05-11:25 Patrick Zimmermann, FKuR Latest developments with Terralene-Compounds(t.b.c.) 

11:25-11:45 Salvador Ortega, NatureWorks Forging ahead with PLA in industrial applications 

11:45-12:05 Thomas Köppl, Hexpol TPE How to meet growing demand for soft, safe and sustainable plastics 

12:05-12:25 Asta Partanen, nova-Institute Biocomposites 

12:25-12:30 Q&A Q&A 

Sunday, October 20, 2019 


8:05-8:25 Jan Ravenstijn, Jan Ravenstijn Consulting State-of-the-art of the PHA-platform industrialization 

8:25-8:45 Pieter Willot, deSter PHA for FMCG’s: challenges between raw material and the consumer market. 

8:45-9:05 Anindya Mukherjee, i2i Consulting PHA’s cost equivalency to conventional plastics – A new value chain 

9:05-9:20 Q&A 

9:20-9:40 Daniel Pohludka, Nafigate PHB in cosmetic products 

9:40-10:00 Fabiana Fantinel, Sabio Materials Applications and application developments with PHA-polymers 

09:50-10:20 Silvia Kliem, IKT, University Stuttgart Impact Modification of PHB by the Building of a Block Copolymer 

10:20-10:35 Q&A 

10:35-10:55 Coffee & Networking Break 

10:55-11:15 Lara Dammer, nova Institute EU Circular Economy and Plastics Strategy 

11:15-11:35 Remy Jongboom, Biotec PHA compound applications (t.b.c.) 

11:35-11:55 Jan Ravenstijn, GO!PHA Status of the GO!PHA Organization 

11:55-12:15 Lara Dammer, nova Institute Natural polymers and PHA in EU legislation 

15:15-12:30 Q&A 

Subject to changes 


한국포장협회로고.ps 2016.11.21 8:26 PM 페이지1 MAC-18 

On-Site Registration 

is possible 

organized by 

17. - 20.10.2019 

Messe Düsseldorf, Germany 

BIOPLASTICS 

BUSINESS 

BREAKFAST 

B 3 

Bioplastics in 

Packaging 

PLA, an Innovative 

Bioplastic 

Bioplastics in 

Durable Applications 

PHA, Opportunities 

& Challenges 

www.bioplastics-breakfast.com 

Gold Sponsor 

Media Partner 

Supported by 

1 st Media Partner 

KOREA PACKAGING ASSOCIATION INC. 

Getränke! 

TECHNOLOGIE & MARKETING 

At the World‘s biggest trade show 

on plastics and rubber: K‘2019 in 

Düsseldorf, Germany, bioplastics 

will certainly play an important 

role again. On four days during the 

show bioplastics MAGAZINE will host 

a Bioplastics Business Breakfast: 

From 8am to 12pm the delegates 

will enjoy highclass presentations 

and unique networking opportunity. 

Venue: CCD Ost, Messe Düsseldorf 

The trade fair opens at 10 am.

Cover Story 

Advertorial 

Lightweighting PBATbased 

materials 

As society changes and evolves, people are increasingly 

seeking more convenience and ease in daily 

life, both at home and at work. This trend is boosting 

demand for lightweight and high-performance polymers 

in various industries. At present, the materials most commonly 

used are expandable particle foam materials (EPS, 

EPP, EPO), which can be expanded to ratios of more than 60 

with a density of down to 0.015-0.030 g/cm³. Extremely light 

and with good compression resistance, above all, these are 

relatively inexpensive and hence find application in many 

industries, including catering, packaging, construction and 

automobile. However, most of these particle foam materials 

break very easily, and their low weight makes them difficult 

to recycle. If residues end up in nature, they do not degrade, 

which causes huge pollution problems in the environment. 

As the leading manufacturer of biodegradable polymer 

sin China, Jinhui Zhaolong High Technology Co.,Ltd. 

(Shanxi, China) has always focused on the study of 

lightweighting biodegradable polymer materials. After 

repeated experiments and tests, Jinhui Zhaolong has 

successfully developed the Ecowill series of expandable and 

biodegradable modified polymers based on PBAT. 

Test results demonstrate that the Ecowill series of 

expandable and biodegradable modified polymers have 

a maximum foaming ratio of 13 times and an apparent 

density of 0.09g/cm³. Electron microscopy shows that the 

cell structure is compact and uniform, and the cell diameter 

lies between 20 and 40 µm. After further adjustments in 

formula and process, the density can be further reduced. 

The Shore-hardness of the new Ecowill series materials 

is between 40-65D, with a resilience of over 60 % and 

an elasticity comparable to TPEE and TPU elastomer 

materials. The materials can be converted into elastomeric 

foams with high elasticity requirements by steam bonding 

or other elastomer macromolecule material perfusion 

bonding and can thus be used for a wide range of large 

applications in the field of toys or shoes. Jinhui Zhalong 

have already applied it to large Lego-like bricks, airplane 

models, insoles and much more. 

The Ecowill family of materials is characterized by a 

high degree of toughness and high self-bonding strength, 

which is very resistant to damage. After being converted 

into packaging products, these can be used repeatedly. 

Currently, Jinhui Zhaolong is developing a reusable foam 

packaging box with its partners based on the molding 

characteristics of Ecowill series, which can be applied in 

the fields of fruits, vegetables and fresh package. 

Compared with standard PBAT, the heat resistance of the 

Ecowill series is significantly improved. The melting range 

has increased from 95-100 °C to almost 120 °C. At the same 

time, the Ecowill materials leave no residual foaming agent 

monomers behind. Jinhui Zhaolong is currently conducting 

food safety contact tests at 100°C. After passing the test, 


Cover Story 

Advertorial 

By: 

Long Yanbo 


Shanxi, China 

the new material is very 

likely to replace PP for a 

new generation of fast 

food boxes. 

In addition to the 

above applications, 

Jinhui Zhaolong believes 

that the Ecowill series will also be 

suitable for many applications that haven’t 

been developed yet. They hope more downstream 

foam material users will join them in further research 

and improvement of the Ecowill series formulation, the 

foaming process, forming technology and equipment, and 

promote the development and application of lightweight 

biodegradable materials. 

“Committing to the Development in Green Industry, 

Caring for Nature & Benefiting Mankind” is the mission of 

Jinhui Zhaolong. The company will continue to contribute to 

global environmental protection and to creating a greener 

world for future generations. 

www.jinhuizhaolong.com 


Award 

The 14 th 

Bioplastics 

Award 

Presenting the 

five finalists 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is 

honoured to present the five 

finalists for the 14 th Global 

Bioplastics Award. Five judges 

from the academic world, the 

press and industry associations 

from America, Europe and Asia 

have again reviewed the incoming 

proposals. On these two pages we 

present details of the five finalists. 

The Global Bioplastics Award 

recognises innovation, success and 

achievements by manufacturers, 

processors, brand owners, or 

users of bioplastic materials. To 

be eligible for consideration in 

the awards scheme the proposed 

company, product, or service 

should have been developed or 

have been on the market during 

2018 or 2019. 

The following companies/ 

products are shortlisted (without 

any ranking) and from these 

five finalists the winner will 

be announced during the 14 th 

European Bioplastics Conference 

on December 3 rd , 2019 in Berlin, 

Germany. 

Carbiolice, (France) 

Enzymatic masterbatch to make 

PLA home compostable 

In December 2018 Carbiolice 

(Riom, France) launched its innovative 

and unique enzymated Evanesto ® 

masterbatch – an additive that enables 

PLA to biodegrade under typical home 

composting conditions. 

Even if PLA offers very good 

properties for rigid applications, its 

biodegradability is currently limited to 

industrial composting. 

Carbiolice has now developd 

Evanesto, a new enzymatic additive 

to be used as a masterbatch, that will 

make PLA polymer compostable under 

domestic conditions. 

“The masterbatch, in a concentration 

of less than 5%, is added to a compound 

with a high content of PLA during 

conventional converting processes like 

film extrusion, thermoforming, injection 

molding. It accelerates the natural 

PLA biodegradation process, making 

it suitable for home composting.” 

explained Clémentine Arnault R&D 

Manager at Carbiolice. 

Initial tests carried out by independent 

laboratory OWS on thin films containing 

30% of PLA and 5% of Evanesto, and 

the rest being other biodegradable and 

biobased polyesters, such as biobased 

PBAT, TPS…) have shown that complete 

disintegration is achieved within a time 

frame of 182 days (6 months) under 

home composting conditions. 

Tests on thicker films obtained by 

calandering and thermoforming are still 

ongoing, but the initial results are very 

positive. 

Earlier this year Carbiolice and 

Carbios have signed a joint development 

agreement with Denmark-based 

Novozymes, a global producer of 

enzymes, for the production and supply 

of enzymes for the manufacture of selfbiodegradable 

PLA plastics. 

www.carbiolice.com 

Bio4self (15 partners form EU) 

Self-reinforced PLA composites 

Self-reinforced PLA composite 

materials, which are being developed 

as part of the Bio4self project funded by 

European Research Fund H2020, open 

up completely new areas of application 

for the biobased plastic PLA. 

In the project, two different PLA types 

with different melting temperatures 

are combined to a self-reinforced PLA 

composite (PLA SRPC) in such a way that 

the higher melting PLA is embedded as 

a reinforcing fiber in the lower melting 

matrix. The resulting material stiffness 

can compete with commercially 

available self-reinforced polypropylene 

(PP) composites. This makes it possible 

to produce mechanically demanding 

components for the automotive and 

electrical household appliance sectors, 

among others. 

Although the composite materials 

developed have been functionalised 

for high mechanical strength and 

stiffness as well as for high temperature 

and hydrolysis stability, like pure 

PLA they are completely biobased, 

easily recyclable, formable and even 

industrially biodegradable. 

These industrial-scale composites 

represent a milestone in the development 

of functionalized, mechanically highstrength, 

biobased material systems. 

Furthermore, the development makes a 

significant contribution to the recycling 

economy. 

As an example, the application in a 

car seat structure was demonstrated at 

the JEC Composite trade show in March 

2019. During the show, this project was 

awarded a JEC Innovation Award for 

sustainability, announced at the JEC 

Innovation Award ceremony on March 

12, 2019. 

www.bio4self.eu 


Award 

Bio-On and Kartell (both Italy) 

First modular storage system 

from Bio-on’s bioplastic 

Kartell (Noviglio, Milan, Italy) is 

offering a new eco-friendly and 

sustainable edition of one of its best 

sellers - a modular storage unit in the 

100 % natural bioplastic material by 

Bio-on (Bologna, Italy). The Componibili 

storage unit, which is cylindrical in form 

with sliding panels, was first created by 

Italian designer and Kartell co-founder 

Anna Castelli Ferrieri in 1967. The 50- 

year old design is available in four 

colours: green, pink, cream and yellow 

in the three-module version. 

Originally made from ABS plastic in 

the 1960s, the updated bioplastic unit 

is made from Bio-on’s PHB Material, 

made from agricultural waste. 

For Kartell, research is a mission, said 

company president Claudio Luti. “We 

will continue to experiment to combine 

innovation and design.” 

“We have worked with Bio-on to be 

able to offer our public a very highquality 

bioplastic product and we have 

chosen to do it on one of our historic 

products, one of the most recognized in 

the world. Research on bioplastics fits 

with our quest for innovation and is part 

of the ‘Kartell loves the planet’ project 

aimed at enhancing good sustainability 

practices.” 

For Bio-on, it is “an honour”, said 

founder and CEO Marco Astorri. The 

company is proud to see its bioplastic 

showcased with one of the most famous 

Italian design brands in the world. To 

reciprocate and in gratitude for the trust 

placed in the material, Bio-on has given 

the biopolymer used for this specific 

application the name CL, the initials of 

Claudio Luti. 

www.bio-on.it | www.kartell.com 

Dantoy (Denmark) 

Biobased toys 

In February 2018, Dantoy, 

manufacturer of quality toys in 

Denmark for more than 50 years, 

launched its new line of BIO products, 

which has gained much more attention 

than initially anticipated. Today, more 

than 15% of all dantoy’s products are 

bio made from Braskem’s Green PE, 

supplied by FKuR, a development clearly 

contributing to this toy company’s 

healthy sales figures. Located in the 

middle of Jutland in Denmark and 

employing some 50 employees, most of 

whom have been with the company for 

more than 10 years, dantoy’s production 

facilities span an area of 15,000 m 2 . In 

addition, dantoy employs a number of 

affiliated colleagues who assemble 

the products at home or at sheltered 

workshops. All this says something 

about dantoy’s DNA, and the company 

culture dantoy is known for. 

All of Dantoy’s Plastic toys are licensed 

for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, thus they 

must comply with the world’s strictest 

requirements for plastic contents, going 

far beyond the Danish law. 

In addition to using biobased plastic 

raw materials for the bio and the 

brand new Tiny lines, dantoy tries to 

minimise the impact of its operations 

on the environment. The company has 

therefore implemented eco-friendly 

processes to manage the consumption 

of energy, water and raw materials 

and to prevent the possibility of 

accidental releases or emissions via the 

manufacturing process. 

The success is not only based on the 

superior quality of the products, but 

also on the communication strategy. 

On every box it is clearly marked and 

explained what it’s all about with this 

bioplastic. A series of excellent Youtube 

videos also explain it. 

www.dantoy.dk 

Nölle Kunststofftechnik and 

Fraunhofer IAP (Germany) 

New splint for bone fractures 

A novel splint made of PLA for 

immobilizing bone fractures has been 

developed that can be repeatedly 

reshaped during treatment, such as, for 

example, when the swelling subsides. 

The new immobilisation concept, 

called RECAST was developed by Nölle 

Kunststofftechnik It makes use of 

variously sized preshaped splints made 

from biobased and biodegradable PLA. 

The splints are heated to between 55 

and 65 °C. The temperature of the 

splints is then reduced to a minimum. 

The now formable plastic is molded to 

fit the corresponding part of the body. 

This process takes about five minutes. If 

corrections are necessary, the hardened 

splint can simply be reheated. 

The plastics processor worked closely 

with the polymer developers at the 

Fraunhofer IAP in Potsdam-Golm on the 

development of the optimum material. 

It was decided to use PLA as a base 

polymer, a bioplastic that has a major 

disadvantage for most applications: It 

becomes soft at around 58 °C. The low 

thermal softening point of PLA is a great 

advantage when used as an orthopaedic 

splint. This means that the product can 

be shaped repeatedly and quickly by 

heating. The Fraunhofer researchers 

combined PLA with suitable fillers and 

developed a formulation that met all the 

requirements. In addition, they ensured 

that the material could also be produced 

in industry-relevant quantities. 

In order to make the splint even 

more comfortable for patients, RECAST 

products also feature a fleece padding 

made of PLA and viscose, which was 

developed jointly with the Saxon Textile 

Research Institute in Chemnitz. 

www.noelle-kunststofftechnik.de 

www.iap.fraunhofer.de 



Biobased additives for 

By: 

biopolymer-textiles 

Gunnar Seide 

Chair of Polymer Engineering 

Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials 

Geleen, The Netherlands 

Both Flanders and the south of the Netherlands, traditionally 

regions with large numbers of companies active in the plastics 

processing industry, particularly in the field of textiles are 

participating in the project. Both regions hold extensive expertise 

in the development and production of carpet and clothing. 

It is well-known that the properties of plastics are not inherent 

in the polymer itself, but that these are obtained through 

the use of functional additives. Nucleating agents, plasticizers, 

flame-retardants, colorants, anti-statics, stabilizers are all examples 

of additives that are indispensable in today’s materials. 

However, in many cases, biobased versions of these additives are 

unavailable. This makes it almost impossible to produce 100 % 

biobased products. To be able to do so, it is essential to develop 

biobased additives. 

Is that really necessary? Additives are used in such small 

amounts… As the history of microplastics shows, little notice 

is taken of the impact materials have on the environment, 

until significant effects are seen, which are viewed critically by 

consumers. 

If biodegradable plastics are to serve as a solution to the 

problem of microplastics, additives will need to be developed 

that are biodegradable or at least eco-toxicologically harmless. 

An example of changing customer expectations is the 

fact that a few textile companies have now for the first time 

announced they would refuse to use biopolymers produced 

by means of genetically modified organisms. Consumers are 

becoming increasingly demanding regarding aspects relating to 

the environment or sustainability. There are currently multiple 

research projects in progress on biobased additives for biobased 

polymers. 

Some examples: The objective of the BioTex Fieldlab is to set 

up an open innovation center for research into the development 

of fibers and yarns from biopolymers. Within this project, many 

companies, under the umbrella of Modint GmbH, Düsseldorf/ 

Germany, and research institutes are working together. The 

center will develop new textile production processes and 

applications for this. 

Modint is an industry association of 600 textile companies. 

An EU project named “Pure nature: 100 % biobased (BB100)” 

is currently being run, the goal of which is to develop a process 

chain for fully biobased man-made fiber materials. This not 

only includes the processing of biopolymers, but also commonly 

used additive materials such as plasticizers, flame-retardants, 

colorants and nucleation agents. Fully biobased yarns and 

textile demonstrators will be developed. 

By 2030, the textile sector aims to use between 20-50 % 

biobased materials in its products. In textiles, for example, color 

intensity and stability are the most important quality indicators. 

However, biobased dyes are commercially available only to a 

limited extent and often do not meet quality criteria such as 

color authenticity. 

This project focuses on developing natural dyes from marine 

organisms (such as algae) and agricultural crops which 

(amongst others) contain sorghum and onion peels. 

In conclusion, the author would like to describe a personal 

experience of a panel discussion at a conference on 

sustainability in the textile industry this year. At the meeting, 

both students and corporate delegates from all over the world, 

including developing countries with textile production, were 

represented. In questions and statements during the panel 

discussion, it clearly emerged that today’s younger people, as 

represented by the participants in the conference, are forcefully 

demanding a shift towards sustainability, even if it has economic 

consequences in terms of lower growth, while industry 

representatives consider sustainability the basis for further 

business within a global growth philosophy. 

“I´m convinced that the union of both 

positions via new technologies is possible. 

A modern world is not conceivable without 

modern materials! Therefore: In for biobased 

polymers, in for biobased additives!” 

www.maastrichtuniversity.nl 


Make the switch to bio 

For almost every conventional plastic, there is a bioplastic 

alternative. Our PLA masterbatches can help introduce PLA 

into your portfolio. Make the switch today. 

www.sukano.com 

Meet us at K 2019 

Hall 8a, H28 



Figure 5: Bio-monofilaments from the compound Sea212 

Figure 1: Mechanical strength in relation to diameter 

strength (N) 

160 

140 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

0,1 

0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 

diameter (mm) 

Figure 2: Marine ageing of the monofilaments 

after one year of immersion. 

0,7 0,8 0,9 

A new 

generation of 

compostable 

monofilament 

for a wide 

range of 

applications 

SeaBird, based in Brittany, France, is a company that engages 

in the research, development and production of 

bioplastic materials. Since its founding in 2011, the company 

has focused on reducing the impact of conventional plastics 

in the marine environment by evolving sustainable waste 

management solutions. 

Seabird produces compostable bioplastic formulations 

enhanced with fillers and additives that are able to meet the 

specifications and process constraints of their industrial 

partners while retaining their environmentally-friendly nature 

(no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic additives and 

others, end-of-life valuation). 

In 2017, the company validated the industrial production 

of monofilaments based on one of these compounds, called 

Sea212 ® . Developed for use on an extrusion spinning process 

line, the compound is a blend of different bio-polyesters and 

bio-additives. The various ingredients are expertly combined 

to meet all process specifications and provide the required 

physical properties, while at the same time complying both 

with the European composting standard EN13432 / EN 14995 

and the food contact standard. The monofilaments are used 

in many products developed by Seabird and some industrial 

partners. 

Special consideration was given to the homogeneity and 

rheological stability of the blend in order to guarantee the 

compound’s processability. The compound can be processed 

at 170 °C, which is lower than the temperature used for most 

conventional plastics. 

Properties of the monofilament 

A range of monofilament diameters (from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm) 

were developed, targeted at a wide array of applications. Figure 1 

shows the mechanical strength of the monofilament in 

relation to the diameter. The mechanical tests were performed 

according to standard EN ISO 2062. Although a monofilament 

tenacity of 2.4 cN/dtex was found for a monofilament with a 

diameter of 0.65 mm - a quarter less than certain conventional 

monofilaments - it is still sufficient for many applications. 



The monofilament boasts numerous interesting properties. 

The material remains stable up to 80 °C; it is lighter than PET, 

easily dyable due to its natural white color, easy to tie and is 

resistant to common solvents such as acetone, ethanol and 

white spirit. 

Marine ageing 

The compound was developed for, among other things, 

marine applications, and designed to have a useful life of five 

years with no significant degradation of the properties. The 

objective, therefore is to produce compostable products that 

are economically viable; i.e. products with a useful life that is 

similar in length to conventional products, to avoid having to 

invest earlier in new equipment because of a shorter lifespan. 

To assess the lifespan of the monofilaments, ageing 

experiments have been carried out at Lorient’s harbor 

since 2017. Figure 2 shows scanning electron microscope 

(SEM) images of a monofilament after 12 months of marine 

immersion. These analyses demonstrated a surface 

degradation of the monofilament, but the mechanical 

properties remained stable. 

A compostable geotextile 

A new generation of industrially compostable geotextile 

fences have been under development with an industrial 

partner since 2017 (Figure 3). These fences protect dunes from 

wind erosion and because they are sometimes entirely covered 

by sand, they are not systematically cleared away after use. In 

order to develop a more ecofriendly product, biodegradation 

studies on this woven geotextile have been carried out on a 

beach since January 2019. A compostable beach access and 

soil protect carpet is also being developed. 

Compostable trammel fishing nets 

It was recently reported that a 12m French gillnetter (fishing 

boat) produces about 8000 kg of waste per year, most of which 

takes the form of fishing nets. In order to find an alternative 

end-of-life solution to landfill or incineration, a compostable 

trammel fishing net prototype was developed in 2019. 

A trammel net is composed of three layers: the two outside 

layers are made from a 0.60 mm monofilament and the inside 

layer (fishing layer) is produced from a 0.33 mm monofilament. 

These trials allowed the prototypes to be assessed for flaws in 

order to improve the net quality. 

Figure 4 shows a piece of the produced fishing layer. At the 

moment, Seabird’s R&D office is working on the enhancement 

of some of the properties of the monofilaments, such as the 

abrasion resistance. Net production and fishing trials in real 

conditions are scheduled for 2020. 

Others perspective products 

The technical potential of Sea212 compound and its 

monofilaments improves with each challenge encountered 

in the projects. Seabird works with other partners to develop 

ropes, mussel gillnets and oyster pockets. Also, Seabird is 

reaching out to other application sectors such as household, 

packaging and medical textiles. 

www.seabird.fr 

By: 

Vincent Mathel 

Bioplastic engineer and project manager. 

ICCI SEA (“Seabird”) 

Lorient, France. 

Figure 3: Fence to protect the dunes 

Figure 4: Piece of trammel fishing net 

from the bio-monofilaments 



Monofilament melt spinning 

of biopolymer-blends 

By: 

Pavan Kumar Manvi, Jonas Hunkemöller and, Thomas Gries 

Institut für Textiltechnik ITA, RWTH University 

Aachen, Germany 

Several efforts have been made to produce biobased 

multifilament yarn for textile applications. While these 

have generated considerable interest, monofilament 

applications of biopolymers have not yet been sufficiently 

researched to allow their use in textile applications. In the 

present research, a monofilament spinning process is developed 

for biopolymer blends with the aim of producing 

biobased monofilaments for use in agrotextile applications. 

Arboblend 3327 V is a renewable resource-based product 

manufactured by Tecnaro (Ilsfeld, Germany). The potential 

of this polymer blend for multifilament melt spinning was 

studied within the scope of the projects “Tailor-made melt 

the speed of Duo 1 between 20 m/min and 100 m/min 

was experimented with, but to no avail. Other efforts were 

made to decrease the throughput to make the filament 

thinner and more flexible. This decreased the frequency of 

filament breaks, but failed to eliminate them completely. 

During the experiments, a brittle fracture (break) of the 

filament was observed, which, it was thought, could be due 

to intensive cooling and the brittle nature of polylactic acid 

(a component in Arboblend 3327 V) at room temperature. 

The water cooling of the molten filament was therefore 

removed and replaced by a single godet. As the cooling rate 

of the filament was expected to be slower with air cooling, 

brittle fracture of the filament would be less likely to occur. 

Hopper 

Extruder 

Spinning 

head 

Water 

bath 

Filament 

DUO 1 DUO 2 

Heated drawing chamber 

Fig. 1: Set-up of monofilament 

spinning machine with water bath 

Winder 

spinnable biopolymer compound for textured filament 

yarn, elastic combination yarn and other fibrous materials 

(BioKombiGarn)”, a two year project running from 2015 – 

2017 and “Starch-based textiles: Cost-effective textiles 

made from biopolymers (Star-Tex)”, which ran from 2015 

– 2018. The blend was shown to offer good spinnability. It 

was therefore chosen to use Arboblend 3327 V to develop a 

monofilament melt spinning process. 

For the development of a melt spinning process, a melt 

spinning set-up with single screw extruder, a spinning 

head, a water bath, two duo godets, one heating chamber 

and a winder was used, as shown in Fig. 1. 

The initial parameters shown in Tab. 1 were chosen on 

the basis of previous experiments with multifilament melt 

spinning of Arboblend 3327 V. 

Observations and results: Experiments were started 

with the machine set-up shown in Fig. 1 and the process 

parameters listed in Tab. 1. During the experiments, 

intensive filament breakage was observed at the first galette 

duo (Duo 1). To stop the filament break at Duo 1, varying 

Tab. 1: Initial process parameters 

for monofilament melt spinning of 

Arboblend 3327 V 

Parameter Unit Value 

Extruder temperature zone 1 °C 180 



Spinning pump temperature °C 220 

Spinning head temperature °C 220 

Through put of spinning pump g/min 5.9 

Speed of drawing godet set 1 (Duo1) m/min 50 

Speed of drawing godet set 2 (Duo2) m/min 100 

Temperature of heating chamber °C 180 

Speed of winder m/min 201 

Aimed fineness dtex 70.4 

A schematic view of the machine set-up with a mono 

take-up godet is shown in Fig. 2. 



Hopper 

Extruder 

Spinning 

head 

Filament 

Fig. 2: Set-up of monofilament 

spinning machine mono godet 

Winder 

Take-up 

godet 

DUO 1 DUO 2 

Heated drawing chamber 

It was observed that after replacing the water bath 

with the godet, the filament could be passed through the 

first godet duo successfully. This led to the conclusion 

that monofilaments containing brittle polymers should 

preferably be cooled by air to prevent an increase in 

brittleness. 

Subsequent experiments were conducted using the setup 

shown in Fig. 2. Further challenges were observed when 

passing the filament through a heated drawing chamber. As 

soon as the filament passed through the heated chamber 

and the second godet duo, filament break occurred. After 

several trials, this problem remained, meaning it could 

not be considered an artefact of the experiment. Further 

improvement in the set-up and the process parameters 

became necessary. 

One hypothesis to explain the phenomenon was that a 

sudden increase in the filament temperature resulted in too 

little tension on the filament. This in turn caused slugging, 

leading to breakage of the filament in contact with the 

bottom of heating chamber. By decreasing the temperature 

of the heated drawing chamber it was thought that the 

problem could be solved. This was tested by lowering the 

temperature by 10 °C steps. As the temperature of the 

heated drawing chamber dropped, the number of filament 

breaks also decreased. The temperature was therefore 

lowered to 100°C, at which point a significant improvement 

in the process stability was observed. 

Another approach to solving the problem was to increase 

the draw ratio, which would increase the tension on the 

filament and thus avoid or reduce the slugging of the 

filament. To test this, the draw ratio between Duo 1 and 

Duo 2 was increased by decreasing the speed of Duo 1 

and increasing the speed of Duo 2. This approach again 

improved the process stability. 

The optimization of the process parameters led to a stable 

process. However, some sudden breaks were still observed 

in the heated drawing chamber during a continuous run 

of the filament. It was concluded that a movement of the 

filament on Duo1 and Duo 2 caused sudden contact of the 

monofilament with the wall of the heated chamber, leading 

to filament break. To avoid this, two filament guides were 

placed at the entrance and at the exit of the heated drawing 

chamber to ensure a continuous pass of the monofilament 

through the heated drawing chamber without contact with 

the hot surface. 

The changes in the process and the machine set-up 

outlined above enabled a stable monofilament melt spinning 

process with Arboblend 3327 V polymer. The process 

parameters for a stable monofilament melt spinning 

process with Arboblend 3327 V polymer are shown in Tab. 2. 

A successful monofilament melt spinning process with 

biobased Arboblend 3327 V polymer could be established 

and a melt spun monofilament is shown in Fig. 3. 

The melt spun Arboblend 3327 V monofilament was also 

tested for its mechanical and shrinkage properties. These 

properties are shown in Tab. 3. 

Tab. 2: Process parameters for a stable monofilament melt 

spinning process with Arboblend 3327 V polymer 

Parameter Unit Value 

Extruder temperature Zone 1 °C 180 



Spinning pump temperature °C 200 

Spinning head temperature °C 200 

Through put of spinning pump g/min 8.8 

Speed of mono godet m/min 27 

Speed of Duo 1 m/min 30 

Speed of Duo 2 m/min 150 

Temperature of heating chamber °C 100 

Speed of Winder m/min 153 

Fig. 3: Arboblend 3327 V monofilament bobbin 

Tab. 3: Properties of Arboblend 3327 V monofilament 

Property 

Unit 

Arboblend 3327 V 

monofilament 

Monofilament fineness dtex 141 

Tensile strength cN/tex 28,28 

Breaking elongation % 26,51 

Hot air shrinkage % 27,49 

www.ita.rwth-aachen.de 



Alternative materials for 

mussel socks 

By: 

Bas Krins 

Technical Manager 

Senbis Polymer Innovations 

Emmen, The Netherlands 

Mussel cultivation involves a number of different 

steps. In The Netherlands mussel seed is collected 

on ropes hanging in the Waddenzee. The seed is 

harvested from these ropes and collected. Subsequently 

this seed is used for the cultivation of mussels. This can be 

done on the bottom of the sea. But more than 95 % of all 

mussels produced worldwide are grown on ropes. In that 

case, mussel seed is attached to a rope hanging in the sea. 

While there are various ways to ensure the mussel seed becomes 

attached to the rope, a common one is by using a 

so-called mussel sock. This sock is placed around the rope 

and the space between the rope and the sock is filled with 

mussel seed. This allows the mussels to grow and adhere 

to the rope. After about one month, the mussel sock is no 

longer required to support the mussels and should then 

start degrading. If the sock does not degrade in time, it will 

hamper the further growth of the mussels. 

The mussel sock 

Usually the mussel sock is produced from cotton by a 

knitting technique. This material has several disadvantages. 

The multifilament yarn developed was successfully 

processed on existing knitting machines for mussel socks. 

These mussel socks are now being tested in live mussel 

cultivation conditions at Blackshell Farm in Westport, 

Ireland. The degradation time is about a month in sea water 

and can be tuned by the diameter of the filaments and the 

composition of the compound. In the next months Senbis 

will optimize the yarn and set-up the requirements for 

market entry. 

www.senbis.com 

The degradation time can be adjusted somewhat by 

varying the thickness of the yarn. This means that in 

areas where mussels grow slower because of the low 

temperature of the water, for example off the coast of 

Iceland, the sock will degrade too fast. As a consequence, 

the part of the mussel seed not attached to the rope when 

the net degrades will be lost. 

A second issue relates to the environmental consequences 

of the use of cotton. Cultivating cotton requires larger 

amounts of water. Pesticides are also used. Hence 

customers seeking to market mussels under a biologically 

farmed label will suppliers of mussels not to use cotton. 

The challenge 

Senbis (Emmen, The Netherlands) is cooperating with 

Machinefabriek W. Bakker (Yerseke, The Netherlands), a 

supplier of equipment for the mussel industry, in order to 

develop a yarn that can serve as an alternative for cotton 

in this application. The degradation time in sea water 

must be similar to that of cotton, i.e. about a month. 

Very few biopolymers can fulfil this requirement as most 

do not biodegrade sufficiently quickly in sea water. In 

addition, the mechanical properties have to be sufficient 

for this application. This combination, fast degradation 

and mechanical properties, could not be realized with 

existing polymers. But by making a compound based on 

thermoplastic starch and other polymers, Senbis has been 

able to develop a material that can be converted into a 

multifilament yarns with sufficient tenacity and elongation. 



Cellulose based fibers fully 

biodegradable in water, soil 

and compost 

The Lenzing Group (Lenzing, Austria) received confirmation 

of the full biodegradability of its fibers in fresh 

water by the independent research laboratory Organic 

Waste Systems (OWS) (Ghent, Belgium). The new and existing 

international certifications conducted by OWS and issued 

by TÜV Austria (Kraainem, Belgium) verify that LENZING 

Viscose fibers, LENZING Modal fibers and LENZING Lyocell 

fibers are biodegradable in all natural and industrial 

environments: in the soil, compost as well as in fresh and 

in marine water. 

The biodegradability of cellulosic products and the 

synthetic fiber polyester was tested in fresh water at 

OWS according to valid international standards, e.g. ISO 

14851. At the end of the trial period, Lenzing wood-based 

cellulosic fibers, cotton and paper pulp were shown to be 

fully biodegradable in fresh water in contrast to synthetic 

polyester fibers. The fact that synthetic materials are not 

biodegradable leads to major problems in wastewater 

treatment plants and potentially marine litter. In turn, this 

not only harms fish and birds living in and close to the 

oceans but also all marine organisms and us humans. 

“The Lenzing Group operates a truly circular business 

model based on the renewable raw material wood to 

produce biodegradable fibers returning to nature after use. 

This complete cycle comprises the starting point of the core 

value of sustainability embedded in our company strategy 

sCore TEN and is the ‘raison d’etre’ of our company”, says 

Stefan Doboczky, Chief Executive Officer of the Lenzing 

Group. “In living up to this positioning, we not only enhance 

the business of our suppliers, customers and partners 

along the value chain but also improve the state of the 

entire textile and nonwovens industries.” 

Both the textile and nonwovens industries face huge 

challenges with respect to littering. Therefore, legislative 

bodies worldwide can no longer ignore the issue and have 

moved towards plastics legislation aimed at limiting the 

vast amount of waste. In response, European lawmakers 

issued the Single-Use Plastics Directive currently being 

transposed into national legislation in the EU member 

states. 

Conventional wet wipes and hygiene products mostly 

contain plastic and were thus identified as one of the product 

categories to be singled out. Less polluting alternatives 

are generally encouraged by NGOs and legislators, e.g. 

products made of biodegradable wood-based cellulosic 

fibers. Plastic waste including microplastic can persist in 

the environment for centuries. In contrast, biodegradable 

materials are the best alternative to single-use plastics 

because they fully convert back to nature by definition and 

thus do not require recycling. MT 

www.lenzing.com 



PLA-fibres 

in medical 

applications 

New composite material for 

non-acidic degradation of 

medically used PLA 

PLA 

3D-printing 

+ 

Microgel 

Solution 

spinning 

Electrospinning 

Fig. 2: In the framework of the pHMed project 

different processes for achieving PLA structures on 

various scales are developed 

Fig. 1: Wet spinning 

equipment for PLAfilament 

spinning 

By: 

Georg-Philipp Paar 

Dept. of Biohybrid & Medical Textile (BioTex) 

Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University 

Aachen, Germany 

Biodegradable materials, such as polyglycolic acid 

(PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA), are used commercially 

in medicine for sutures, osteosynthesis systems 

and drug delivery systems. The degradation of these materials 

inside the body offers a big advantage in implants, 

like meshes and support structures (scaffolds), as a second 

operation for removal is not necessary and long-term foreign 

body reactions are prevented. Furthermore, a gradual 

reduction of the mechanical support function is possible, 

which allows load transfer from the temporary structure to 

the healing tissue, unlike when using metal implants. 

However, the degradation of PLA and PGA in the body is 

problematic, as acidic degradation products are released, 

which can cause a local acidosis. This may lead to 

inflammation or even tissue death. 

To compensate the acidic environment and local drop of 

the pH in the tissue buffering salts were incorporated in 

PGA filaments in the cooperation of the Dept. of Biohybrid 

& Medical Textiles (BioTex) and the Institut für Textiltechnik 

ITA (both RWTH Aachen University). Unfortunately, the 

buffering capacity was insufficient and the salts caused 

instabilities in the spinning process. A promising alternative 

are amine based microgels, developed by the DWI - Leibniz 

Institute for Interactive Materials (also RWTH Aachen 

University). These colloidal polymers show a high buffering 

capacity while being suitable for the use in medical products 

because of a good biocompatibility. 

PLA filaments with microgels were dry spun, as the 

microgels function is preserved only at low temperatures. 

The buffering of the pH value was successful, but the 

filaments showed a low tensile strength with a high 

variation in values. Current research results show that 

a wet spinning process is a promising alternative, as it 

allows production of PLA filaments with increased tensile 

strength. First experiments indicate that the filaments can 

be processed further by braiding and knitting technology to 

produce sutures and scaffolds. 

In addition to the production of textile filaments also other 

manufacturing processes are developed within the project 

pHMed. For example, the DWI integrated the microgels into 

electrospun nonwovens, which could be used for skin or 

cartilage replacement. The EnvisionTec GmbH (Gladback, 

Germany) tries to incorporate microgels into 3D printed 

PLA structures. With this flexible process it is possible to 

build up three-dimensional structures, which can be used 

for stabilizing materials after a bone fracture. An important 

aspect for industrialization of the material – the upscaling 

of the microgels synthesis – is investigated as well by DWI 

within the framework of the project. 

Acknowledgement: The Project pHMed is supported by 

the European Regional Development Fund North Rhine- 

Westphalia (EFRE.NRW). 

www.biotex-aachen.de | www.ita.rwth-aachen.de 


GET THE APP NOW 

download free of charge* 

Via the new App you read 

bioplastics MAGAZINE sooner 

on your mobile device 

Not only on a tablet, but also on 

your smartphone you can easily 

read bioplastics MAGAZINE 

Be informed quicker: 

read bioplastics MAGAZINE a week 

before the print edition is mailed 

More features: 

find links to additional material 

like PDFs, videoclips, photos etc. 

Easy navigation: 

digital version, optimized for 

tablets and smartphones 

Includes a Twitter Feed about 

our daily online news 

* Contents may become restricted to subscribers or subject to additonal fees at a later stage. 


Report 

Inauguration of the world’s 

second largest PLA plant 

Total Corbion PLA’s first 75,000 tons per year bioplastics 

plant officially opened in Rayon/Thailand 

By: 

Michael Thielen 

T 

otal Corbion PLA, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and 

Corbion, officially inaugurated its 75,000 tonnes per year 

PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) bioplastics plant in Rayong, Thailand 

on Sept. 09, 2019. The world’s second largest PLA plant is located 

on the same premises, right next to a lactic acid plant of Corbion. 

It was finished in mid 2018 and commissioned end of 2018. As of 

yet, the PLA plant has produced more than 20,000 tonnes of PLA. 

The Grand Opening ceremony was chaired by Ms. Duangjai 

Asawachintachit, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of 

Investment (BOI). The event was opened with a traditional religious 

ceremony in which the plant was blessed by Buddhist monks. 

Honorable guests included Dr. Somchint Pilouk from the 

Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Mr. Jirasak Tapajot, 

Banchang District Chief, H.E. Jacques Lapouge, the French 

Ambassador, and H.E. Kees Rade, the Dutch Ambassador (in 

absentia). bioplastics MAGAZINE participated in the Grand Opening 

and spoke to different representatives on Total Corbion PLA and 

Corbion. 

“This opening is an important milestone for us and the circular 

economy,“ said Stéphane Dion, CEO of Total Corbion PLA. “The 

strategic fit between Corbion and Total is no less than perfect. 

Benefitting from the lactic acid supply of Corbion and benefitting 

from Total’s expertise in polymer technology and its sales network 

we are poised to become a major player in the PLA industry. 

With this plant we demonstrate how passionate we are about 

contributing to a circular economy.” 

“The creation of sustainable growth with PLA bioplastics truly 

fits with our ambition to build new business platforms, applying 

disruptive technologies. PLA bioplastics will also drive further 

development and growth of Lactic Acid, which is at the centre 

of Corbion’s strategy to develop sustainable ingredient solutions 

to improve the quality of life for people today and for future 

generations,” said Marc den Hartog, Executive Vice President 

Innovation platforms of Corbion. 

“I’m very pleased to inaugurate Total 

Corbion PLA’s plant today, which has started 

up rapidly and now serves customers all 

around the globe” said Valérie Goff, Senior 

Vice President Polymers at Refining & 

Chemicals, Total. “PLA bioplastics 

will help meeting the rising 

demand for polymers 

while contributing to 

reducing end-of-life 

concerns.” 

Les 2 Vaches’ 

yoghurt pot. Les 2 

Vache is an organic 

brand within the 

Danone family. The 

product launched 

in April this year 

The official ribbon 

cutting was performed 

by Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, the French Ambassador, 

Stéphane Dion, as well as the two parent companies of the joint 

venture, represented by Valérie Goff, together with Marc den 

Hartog. Thereafter, attendees were given a guided tour of the 

facility. 

Total Corbion’s Luminy PLA 

The new 75,000 tonnes per year facility currently produces ten 

different grades of Luminy ® PLA. “This is the widest range of 

PLA grades available on the market today,” said François de Bie, 

Senior Marketing Director of Total Corbion PLA, “covering all kind 

of grades from pure PDLA through pure PLLA”. Total Corbion PLA 

is the only resin manufacturer producing pure PDLA. “This is one 

of our key products and it allows us also to produce the high heat 

resistant stereocomplex PLA types,” François added. 

The new plant started production in December 2018 and has 

so far produced over 20,000 tonnes of different PLA grades. “The 

PLA went to a mix of different applications,” François continued. 

“The biggest part of our production goes for flexible packaging 

applications. Another significant amount is being compounded 

with e.g. PBAT and/or starch for different bag applications.” 

Depending on the required strength of the bags or the desired 

The plant was first blessed by monks in a religious ceremony 

Stéphane Dion, CEO Total Corbion PLA 


Report 

100,000 tonne/annum lactide plant 

composting speed, the amount of PLA in the blends is higher or 

lower. For more rigid bags for multiple usage the PLA amount is 

higher, whereas for home-compostability for instance, it is lower. 

Another big field of applications is catering serviceware, such 

as thermoformed cups, plates and trays and injection moulded 

cutlery. Some smaller customers receive PLA for 3D-printing 

filaments. Spun into fibres, the PLA is also delivered for 

applications like nonwovens for e.g. teabags or hygiene products 

such as wet wipes. 

Blends of PLA and PHA are being used for example for a 

compostable PLA/PHA-based potato chip packaging developed by 

Pepsico and Danimer, now supplied to Chile as a test market. PLA/ 

PHA-based drinking straws from Danimer are another innovation 

that help reduce the environmental impact of plastics. 

Being 100 % biobased Total Corbion’s PLA offers an alternative 

solution to traditional, comparable products made from fossil 

oil and its derivatives. The significant sustainability benefits over 

their fossil-based counterparts, like a reduced CO 2 

footprint and 

a reduced dependency on fossil resources contribute to solutions 

within the framework of today’s climate policy discussions. 

Geographically the biggest market of Total Corbion PLA is 

Europe, followed by Asia/Pacific and the Americas. 

“The demand for PLA is significantly higher than we can meet at 

the moment,” said François de Bie. One bottleneck at the moment 

is the capacity of Corbion’s latic acid plant, which is currently being 

increased. Strategically speaking François added “This is our first 

PLA plant, but with the market demand we are seeing and two 

strong parent companies we are certainly looking into further 

expansions.” 

Locally sourced sugar 

The Luminy PLA resins are made from renewable, non-GMO 

sugarcane sourced locally in Thailand. Of the total raw sugar 

production of Thailand of annually about 35 million tonnes, Total 

Corbion needs just 150,000 tonnes. And for Corbion and Total 

Corbion PLA it is quite important where the sugar comes from. 

“We seriously look at the quality of the sugar,” Marc den Hartog 

told bioplastics MAGAZINE. “This, together with how the sugar 

is grown and harvested including social responsibility, is more 

important than sourcing the sugar from the shortest distances.“ 

One of the major local sugar supply partners of Corbion in Thailand 

is the company Mitr Phol, headquartered in Khlong Toei, Bangkok. 

In fact, the selection and the subsequent sustainable sourcing 

of these feedstocks is driven by a number of sustainability aspects. 

Corbion’s approach to a sustainable supply chain and responsible 

sourcing is founded on principles of ethical business practices, 

human and labor rights and environmental protection. For this 

reason the company has developed its Cane Sugar Code. Corbion’s 

code is based on the definitions for sustainable sugarcane and 

derived products as set out by Bonsucro. Bonsucro is a global, 

non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization founded by WWF in 

2005. Part of Bonsucro’s activities is the creation of the “Bonsucro 

Production Standard”, which covers five key principles: obey the 

law, respect human rights and labor standards, manage input, 

production and processing efficiencies to enhance sustainability, 

actively manage biodiversity and ecosystem services and lastly, 

continuously improve key areas of the social, environmental and 

economic sustainability. In 2017, Total Corbion PLA became the 

first company to offer PLA bioplastic resins made from Bonsucro 

ceritified sugar to the market. 

100,000 tonnes/annum lactide plant 

In addition to the PLA plant, Total Corbion PLA operates a 100,000 

tonnes per year lactide plant, which produces the monomer 

required for the production of PLA, a 1,000 tonnes per year PLA 

pilot plant for product development, and a chemical recycling 

facility, currently used for recycling of production waste. Combined 

with Corbion’s lactic acid plant, located on the same site, this 

enables a fully integrated production chain from sugar to PLA. 

www.total-corbion.com 

Ribbon Cutting 

François de Bie 


ioplastics MAGAZINE 

and European 

Bioplastics 

The joint booth of 

bioplastics MAGAZINE and 

the industry association 

European Bioplastics, 

will again be a hub for all 

visitors interested in these 

trendsetting materials. 

More than 175 companies 

will present their bioplastics 

products and services in 

Düsseldorf. So the joint 

booth will assist everyone 

to find the right company 

for their needs. In addition, 

bioplastics MAGAZINE will 

present the trade journal, the 

smartphone and tablet app, 

their books and consulting 

services and finally their 

conference programme. The 

latter includes the Bioplastics 

Business Breakfast, now 

organized already for the 

fourth time (see pp 10 for 

details). 


www.european-bioplastics.org 

7a / B10 

Show 

Preview 

K 2019, known as “The World’s No. 1 

Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber” and 

scheduled to take place in Düsseldorf 

from 16 to 23 October 2019, is fully booked. 

Over 3,000 exhibitors from more than 60 

countries have registered to participate, 

and more than 200,000 trade visitors from 

all over the world are expected to come to 

the event. And this year again, bioplastics 

will play a major role at the K-show. 

K is the performance barometer for the 

entire industry and its global marketplace 

for innovations. For eight days, the “Who’s 

Who” of the entire plastics and rubber 

world will meet here to demonstrate the 

industry’s capabilities, discuss the latest 

trends and set the course for the future. K 

2019 also addresses the current challenges 

of our era and especially of its sector, first 

and foremost in regard to “plastics for 

sustainable development” and the “circular 

economy”. 

The idea of the circular economy concept 

is quite simple: once used, valuable raw 

material can be processed at the end of 

its service life and be reused to create a 

new product – in an infinite loop. A vast 

array of polymer materials are perfectly 

suitable for this approach. A circular 

economy dramatically reduces waste and 

also protects the resource of crude oil. 

However, the implementation of a circular 

economy is still very much in its infancy. 

Many prerequisites still have to be met. 

Product design is important: recyclability 

should become an important aspect that 

comes in the early product development 

stages. A waste collecting system has to 

be implemented as well as recycling. We 

need technologies that allow cleaning, 

segregation, shredding and pelletizing of 

used plastics to ensure that it is ready to 

reuse in the production of plastic parts. 

Networking waste management and 

recycling with production is a core aspect 

of the circular economy concept. And so 

are bioplastics. 

These issues will play a major role not 

only at the exhibitors’ stands but also in 

the supporting programme of K 2019, e.g. 

the 4 th Bioplastics Business Breakfast 

conferences hosted by bioplastics 

MAGAZINE (see pp 10 for details) as well 

as the special exhibition “Plastics Shape 

the Future” and “VDMA Circular Economy 

Forum” the joint appearance of the VDMA 

(Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und 

Anlagenbau – The Mechanical Engineering 

Industry Association) and its member 

companies. 

(Foto: Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann) 

On the following pages a number of 

companies present their exhibits at K 2019. 

This will be rounded off by a comprehensive 

K-show-review in issue 06/2019. 

Kompuestos 

Kompuestos (Palau Solità i Plegamans, 

Spain) will be presenting its latest 

innovations. Between other cutting-edge 

products designed to reduce environmental 

impact, Kompuestos has developed 

Biokomp, a range of fully compostable 

resins, duly certified according to EN 13432. 

Biokomp grades are based on proprietary 

thermoplastic starch and other renewable 

sources. Biokomp offers the ideal solution 

for products with a short life cycle such as 

single-use products. 

Kompuestos has been providing tailor 

made solutions for the plastic industry 

for over 30 years. Driven by innovation, 

Kompuestos has been able to develop 

and implement new products while 

maintaining a sustainable and continuous 

growth of over 15 % per years. 

www.kompuestos.com 

7.1 / A10 


K‘2019 Preview 

FKuR 

FKuR (Willich, Germany) will be showcasing its expanded 

portfolio of biobased thermoplastics for a growing range 

of applications including packaging, consumer products, 

sporting goods and technical parts. 

Current additions to the portfolio include two glassreinforced 

grades within the Bio-Flex ® and Terralene ® product 

family, both with high rigidity, and three Terraprene ® TPE 

grades, one of which is characterized by its high bio-content, 

while the other two are oil-free. 

Bio-Flex GF30 is a PLA based compound with a glass fiber 

content of 30 wt % and a biobased carbon content (BBC) of over 

70% (calculated). This combines a relatively high stiffness of 

around 8,400 MPa with an equally high tensile strength of 70 MPa 

(ISO 527) and a good notched impact strength of 6.4 kJ/m². 

Applications examples include housings, castors, gears, 

sports equipment, orthotic devices, pipes and pipe systems. 

Terralene GF30 is a Green PE compound with a glass fiber 

content of 30 wt % and a calculated BCC of more than 94 %. 

The stiffness of 4.800 MPa is significantly higher than that 

of the mineral-filled grades with a wear resistance which 

is superior to the unfilled grades. It offers a wide range of 

applications, ranging from engineering parts to tubes and 

tube systems, dowels and brackets for the construction 

industry, orthotic devices and design products. 

New within the biobased Terraprene TPE compounds 

family are the grades SI 701 and SI 801 (calculated BBC 55% 

- 75%). They are available in Shore A40 to A80 grades and 

their properties are largely similar to those of conventional 

TPE-S grades. Typical applications include two-component 

injection molding, especially with polyolefins, which provide 

good adhesion. 

Terraprene CI 250 84A and Terrapene CI 450 93A are two oilfree 

TPEs with Shore A hardness of 84 or 93. With their softtouch 

surface, high resistance to kinking and deformation, 

they can substitute TPE-O and PVC in many injection molding 

applications. 

www.fkur.com 

6 / E48 

Ventilation covers (as shown in this example) are a possible 

application for the new glass fiber reinforced Bio-Flex and Terralene 

compounds from FKuR. (www.istockphoto.comSadeugra) 

ADBioplastics 

ADBioplastics (Valencia, Spain) is a startup dedicated to the 

development and commercial exploitation of custom-made 

bioplastics. Their material is biobased and biodegradable/ 

compostable. From the origin because they are produced 

by corn, sugar cane, and sugar beet to renewable and 

biodegradable. The material goes down by 90 % within six 

months in an industrial composting process. A process that 

will help our target, packaging manufacturers in the food 

sector to fulfill the EU´s Strategy of plastic reduction by 2030 

as well as contribute to make the world a better place to live, 

our leitmotiv. 

With their background (ITENE spin-off) they are able to 

modify PLA into a PLA-Premium and improve its properties 

such as higher barrier OTR/WVTR than conventional PLA, 

thermal stability and improved mechanical properties, 

tunable transparency an good processability. All these meet 

the requirements demanded in the food sector. 

www.adbioplastics.com 

Albis / Dr. BOY 

5 / E01 

Dr. BOY, manufacturer of injection moulding machines from 

Neustadt-Fernthal, Germany, is planning an extensive live 

show at K 2019. The company will spray produce 2-component 

(2K) ice scrapers, design trays and magnifiers continuously 

and at high frequency on various machines. The biobased 

plastic solutions for this demonstration will be supplied by 

Albis Plastic (Hamburg, Germany). 

"We want to offer our visitors something, so they can see for 

themselves the high quality of our injection moulding machines 

live," says Michael Kleinebrahm, Head of BOY Application 

Technology. "At the same time, we want to take responsibility 

and rely on biobased plastics. ALBIS products combine the 

highest quality with sustainability, that convinced us". 

CELLIDOR ® CP 410-10 BK 32/082 is used for the 

design trays. Cellidor is a plastic based on cellulose from 

sustainable, natural sources of raw materials, which ALBIS 

is compounding. It is characterised by an excellent gloss, 

a very good depth effect and self-polishing property. The 

magnifying glass contains Cellidor CP 400-10 CC, which is 

characterized by high transparency (comparable to PMMA) 

and a self-polishing surface. ALBIS supplies an ALFATERXL ® 

ECO with Shore A75 hardness as a soft component for the 2K 

ice scraper (2K with PP/LyondellBasell´s Adstif HA 840 R). It 

is recommended for this application due to good 2K adhesion 

on polyolefins in combination with 100% PP recyclate and 

biobased EPDM. 

And finally, on the booth of bioplastics MAGAZINE and 

European Bioplastics (7a/B10) paperclips made with 

Mitsubishi Chemical's Durabio TM are produced on a BOY XXS 

machine. 

www.albis.com | www.dr-boy.de 

8b/A61( Albis) 13/A43 (Dr. Boy) B03-03 

Please visit 


for updated information 

about K‘2019. 


Novamont 

In collaboration with a number of leading machine 

manufacturers, Novamont, the world’s leading company in 

the sector of bioplastics and the development of bioproducts 

obtained from the integration of chemistry, environment 

and agriculture, will be presenting extrusion testing and the 

complete production cycle of MATER-BI fruit and vegetable 

bags. It will be an occasion to see first-hand the transparency 

and mechanical characteristics of biodegradable and 

compostable bags produced with a 50 % renewable content. 

The Italian company from Novara has always been driven 

by innovation and investment in R&D. It develops new 

proprietary technologies with which to constantly improve the 

performance and environmental profile of its products. 

The development model adopted starts with the local areas. 

It creates integrated biorefineries by rehabilitating industrial 

sites that have fallen into disuse, respecting the specific 

characteristics of the local areas, in partnership with all the 

stakeholders in the value chain. 

In an approach that is both cultural and industrial, jobs 

are created and competitiveness restored, while local skills 

are enhanced and training programmes rolled out at various 

levels. 


Carbiolice 

6 / A58 

CARBIOLICE (Riom, France) has developed a unique and 

disruptive technology to fight white pollution, using enzymes 

to accelerate at least by 30 % (measured by OWS) the 

compostability and biodegradability of PLA-based materials. 

Under the trade name EVANESTO ® , this innovative patented 

concentrate is universal and compatible with any PLA-based 

compounds, best suited for applications such as single-use 

plastics, but also films, bags for biowaste collection, food 

packaging, coffee-pod… In fact, all applications in which 

composting is a meaningful end-of-life and where reuse or 

recycling have reached their limits. 

PLA is naturally compostable, but its decomposition takes 

too long according to norms to be certified OK Compost Home, 

i.e. in domestic conditions. Thanks to Evanesto upgrading 

PLA, it is now possible to compost PLA-based products at 

home, and improve its positive impact on the environment. 

In compost, PLA will be disintegrated in less than 6 months, 

according to norms EN 13432 and NF T51-800. 

Developed as a Masterbatch, Evanesto can be used 

on conventional plastic transforming processes without 

adaptation or investments. 

Carbiolice latest technological advances will simplify 

composting certification procedure for all the PLA industry.. 

www.carbiolice.com 5 / D04-03 

Agiplast 

Agiplast (Casalbuttano, Italy) is a world leader group in 

polymer compounding and regeneration since 1994. 

The company has developed a large range focused 

on the polyamides as well as fluoropolymers and other 

thermoplastics. They are distributed through 2 business units 

and 4 brands including RGN by Agiplast, the feeding brand 

guaranteeing the sustainable origin of the raw material. 

Thanks to its intensive international activity, Agiplast exports 

worldwide its high quality products in most of European, 

American, Asian and African countries. 

The mission of Agiplast, plastic compound manufacturer, 

is to be a protagonist in the engineering plastic market in 

offering sustainable solutions to the companies interested 

in decreasing the planet resources use and improving their 

proposals to the consumers. 

That is why the brand RGN by Agiplast has been created 

in order to offer to the consumers confidence in using 

regenerated raw materials with first choice quality. 

www.agiplast-group.com 

Omya 

Omya (Cologne, Germany) is presenting Omya Smartfill ® 

55 - OM, a new functionalized Calcium Carbonate for use in 

biopolymers and in particular Polylactic Acid (PLA). 

Conventional Calcium Carbonate products lead to PLA 

degradation because of hydrolysis during processing. Omya 

Smartfill 55 - OM demonstrates almost no hydrolysis when 

processed at filler loads of up to 40 %. At the same time, 

the addition of Omya Smartfill 55 – OM in films, sheets and 

injection molded items improves product stiffness, impact 

resistance, elongation, heat transfer, and it contributes to an 

overall reduction in formulation cost. 

Omya Smartfill 55 - OM is food contact compliant according 

to (EU) Regulation No 10/2011 and FDA approved. It also 

passes the compostable evaluation criteria for heavy metals, 

fluorine and ecotoxicity, outlined in the European norm EN 

13432. 

This new product reflects the company’s commitment to 

offer sustainable and innovative solutions for the plastics 

industry. 

www.omya.com 

6 / D75 

7.0 / B25 



Polykum 

Two Polykum members – Yizumi and Exipnos – celebrate 

a world premiere on the Booth of POLYKUM (Merseburg, 

Germany), that will find especially the interest of biopolymer 

processors. The new Direct Compounding Injection Molding 

(DCIM) system allows gentle, continuous processing with 

lowest shear and heat stress. Burdensome impacts like 

heating up, cooling down and granulating are eliminated. It 

saves energy, time and money. The CO 2 

-savings of up to 264 kg 

per ton of processed material minimize the ecological 

footprint of the final products significantly. 

On the Polykum booth visitors can follow the live production 

of design coffee cups of 100 % biobased and biodegredable 

compound. The exhibition unit consists of a standard injction 

moulding machine and the brand new Yizumi DCIM Compound 

Delivery System (CDS 35, on the photo on the right). 

The DCIM CDS module mixes the ingredients just where 

and when the compound is needed to be processed. Docked 

directly on the injection molding machine the CDS delivers it 

instantly to the injection unit. 

The joint project of Yizumi and Exipnos is 100 % in line 

with the Polykum politics. The german non-profit association 

hosts the congress „Biopolymer – Processing & Moulding“ 

and offers the „Biopolymer Innovation Award“. 

www.polykum.de 

Gema Polimer 

12 / A27 

Gema Polimer ® (Izmir, Turkey) is the leading manufacturer 

of Masterbatch & Compounds in Turkey. Gema offers product 

solutions to various industries such as Hygiene, Packaging, 

White goods, Disposables, Construction and Automotive etc. 

GEMABiO ® is the brand name of Gema Polimer’s 

compostable Bioplastic Compounds. Gemabio grades of 

Bioplastic compounds are suitable for Flexible Packaging 

Film applications, Injection moulding, Thermoforming and 

other extrusion applications. The major end use are shopping/ 

carrier bags, mailing bags, textile bags, cups/plates, cutlery, 

teaspoon, and many more. The products made from Gemabio 

are suitable for food contact and compostable according to EN 

13432 and ASTM D 6400. This year at K 2019, Gema Polimer 

will be presenting its new certified Bioplastic compounds 

GEMABiO F 2910, GEMABiO E 2869, GEMABiO P 2884. 

www.gemapolimer.com 

7.1 / C21 

Foto Exipnos 

United Biopolymers 

United Biopolymers (Figueira da Foz, Portugal) through 

the BIOPAR ® Technology enables the production of nextgeneration 

starch-based bioplastics, with added capabilities 

& functionalities. 

The Biopar Technology enables blending two or more 

functional polymers to produce CoRez´s new material. 

CoRez is a compound Compostable Resin product achieved 

by the action of a compatibilizer that creates a unique bico-continues 

phase structure. This one brings several 

competitive advantages over any of the disperse technologies 

currently available in the market. 

Corez new material, under designation of Biopar allows 

formulation up 90 % green carbon content, it has the industrial 

compost and home compost Certification and is recyclable. 

The aim is to make CoRez the industry reference for the 

new material generation replacing Plastic as it is known. 

www.guiltfreeplastics.com 

Total Corbion PLA 

7.2 / G32 

Total Corbion PLA will be co-exhibiting together with parent 

company Total, and will highlight its Luminy ® Poly Lactic Acid 

(PLA) portfolio and the most recent application innovations. 

The Luminy PLA portfolio includes both high heat and 

standard grades and is used in a wide range of markets, from 

packaging to durable consumer goods and electronics. 

At K 2019, Total Corbion PLA will be showcasing a number 

of partner applications based on PLA to illustrate the range of 

possibilities offered by this versatile biopolymer such as PLA 

pots from organic yoghurt brand Les 2 Vaches (Danone) will 

be on display, which replace traditional PS yoghurt pots. 

To showcase the high heat capabilities of PLA, visitors are 

welcome to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee at the Total Corbion 

PLA booth, served in a PLA thermoformed cup. The cups are 

available under the naturesse product range by Pacovis. The 

cups are biobased, made from renewable materials and have 

a reduced carbon footprint compared to PS cups. 

Total Corbion PLA is a global technology leader in Poly 

Lactic Acid (PLA) and lactide monomers. Total Corbion PLA, 

headquartered in the Netherlands, operates a 75,000 tonnes 

per year PLA production facility in Rayong, Thailand. The 

company is a 50/50 joint venture between Total and Corbion. 


6 / E23 


6 th PLA World Congress 

19 + 20 MAY 2020 MUNICH › GERMANY 

organized by 

www.pla-world-congress.com 

02-03 Sep 2020 

Cologne, Germany 

Save the dates! 

organized by 

www.pla-world-congress.com 

1D12 

Hall 1 

Fostag Formenbau 

Hall 3 

3F23 Eurolaser 

3C70-02 Lincore Depestele 

Hall 5 

5D04-08 Actiplast 

5E01 Adbio Composites 

5D04-13 Addiplast Group 

5C21– 

D21 

BASF 

5B18 Biesterfeld Plastic 

5A25 Blow Moulding Technologies 

5D04-03 Carbiolice 

5C07-01 

Center for Bioplastics 

and Biocomposites 

5E08 EcoForte 

5D05 Ensinger 

5C06-01 FRX Polymers 

5B40 Gabriel-Chemie 

5E01 ITENE 

5F30-04 Kruschitz 

5D04-10 Lactips 

5D41 Montello 

5B39 Polyscope Polymers 

5D04-01 Polytechs 

5E08 The Compound Company 

5E08 Transmare Compounding 

5B09 Victrex Europa 

5C43 WKI Kunststoffe 

5E08 Yparex 

6A11 

6B42 

6C57 

6B42 

6D27 / 

6.1W01 

5E26 

6B11 

6B11 

6C43 

6C10 

6E61 

6D50 

6B28 

6E48 

6D76 

6E75\.. 

E77 

6D76 

6D76 

6A23 

6D43 

6E80 

6A20 

6E27 

6A58 

6D75 

6C11 

6B55 

6C50 

6C50 

6D11 

6E16 

6C50 

Hall 6 

Adeka Polymer Additives Europe 

Akro-Plastic 

Arkema France 

Bio-Fed 

Braskem 

Cabopol - Polymer Compounds 

DSM Engineering Plastics Europe 

DSM Engineering Plastics Europe 

DuPont 

Elastron Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret 

EMS-CHEMIE Deutschland 

Epsan Plastik 

Evonik Industries AG 

FKuR Kunststoff 

Fraunhofer-UMSICHT 

Grafe Advanced Polymers 

Grässlin Nord 

Hoffmann + Voss 

IMCD Deutschland 

Interpolimeri 

IRPC Public Company 

Kaneka Belgium 

Meraxis 

Novamont 

Omya 

Petrochemical Commercial 

Polimarky 

Polyblend 

Polymer-Chemie 

Reliance Industries 

Sidiac 

TechnoCompound 

6C58-01 Teknor Apex 

6E23 Total Corbion PLA 

6E23 Total Petrochemicals & Refining 

6E08 UBE Europe 

6A10 Wacker Chemie 

6E16 Weber & Schaer 

Hall 7 

7.0B25 Agiplast 

7.0B30 Daikin Chemical Europe 

7.0B08 Finproject 

7.0C23 Forplas Plastik 

7.0SC01 Fraunhofer IGB 

7.0B30 Heroflon 

7.0A37 Meltem Kimya ve Tekstil 

7.0C21 Nanox - Antimicrobial Protection 

7.0B03 Silon 

7.1A23 A.J. Plast Public Company 

7.1B21 Biotec 

7.1E03-13 Chnv Technology 

7.1A38 Doill Ecotec 

7.1D10 Elachem 

7.1D10 Epaflex Polyurethanes 

7.1C21 Gema Elektro Plastik 

7.1E03-28 Guangzhou Lushan 

7.1C06 Ingenia Polymers 

7.1B45 Jiangsu Torise Biomaterials 

7.1D01 Kandui Industries 

7.1A10 Kompuestos 

7.1B50 Merit Polyplast (Partnership) 

7.1D39 Parsa Polymer Sharif 

7.1C12 Ravago 

7.1E44 Shandong Dawn Polymer 

7.1C09 Soltex Petro Products. 

7.1D24 Toyobo Chemicals Europe 

7.1B19 UBQ Materials 

7.2A07 Art Plast 

7.2G11 Bajaj Superpack India 

7.2E10 Gianeco 

7.2C21 Greenage Industries 

7.2A06 Jinhui Zhaolong High Technology 

7.2E13 Laborplast 

7.2C27 Mesgo 

7.2G18 Stora Enso Timber 

7.2A14 Sumika Polymer Compounds (Eu) 

7.2C17 Technocom 

7.2G21 Tecnofilm 

7.2G31 United Biopolymers 

7aC24 

7aB10 

7aD05 

7aB10 

7aD06 

7aD25 

7aD21 

7aC30 

7aD40 

Bassermann Minerals 

bioplastics MAGAZINE 

Croda Europe 

European Bioplastics 

Kuraray Europe 

Marubeni Europe Plc. 

Nurel 

Sojitz Europe 

West-Chemie 

Hall 8a 

8aH20 Add-Chem Germany 

8aE12-08 AIMPLAS 

8aB12 Alok Masterbatches 

8aF12 Benvic Europe 

8aE35 Beologic 

8aJ11 Clariant 

8aF20 Constab 

8aF37 Cromex 

8aH10 Dufor Resins 

8aH34 Fortum Waste Solutions 

8aK27 GCR Group 

8aK27 Gestora Catalana de Residuos 

8aH18 Hexpol TPE 

8aF40 Imerys Talc Europe 

8aB09 Inno-Comp 

8aF20 Kafrit Industries 

8aD12 LyondellBasell 

8aF50 Metaclay 

8aG41 Plastika Kritis 

8aK05 Polyram Plastic Industries. 

8aG41 Romcolor 2000 

8aB28 Romira 

8aH28 Sukano 

8aE42 Tecni-Plasper 

8aD01 Tosaf Group 

8aK20 TPV Compound 

Hall 8b 

8bA61 Albis Plastic 

8bD60 almaak international 

8bH54 Coating P. Materials 

8bE68 Euro Commerciale 

8bA31 Forever Plast 

8bF22 Granulat 

8bH70 Indochine Bio Plastiques 

8bA52 Koksan Pet Ve Plastik Ambalaj 

8bH83 Loxim Industries 

8bE71-02 Maskom Plastik 

8bF80 Mexichem Specialty Compounds 

8bH28 MGG Polymers 

8bE11-05 Nanjing Lesun Screw 

8bC68 Nanocyl 

8bC55 Pebo

8bH79-06 

8bC66 

8bH70 

8bC32 

8bH70 

8bF63 

8bH48 

8bC37-02 

Rák Antenna 

Raw Materials Recycling 

Respack Manufacturing 

SCJ Plastics 

Sheng Foong Plastic Industries 

Sirmax 

Taro Plast 

Woodplastic Group 

16F71 

FG Halle 

4 / 04.1 

FG04.1 

FG04.1 

Hall 

Sulzer Chemtech 

Outdoor area 

Nippon Gohsei Europe 

Mitsubishi Chemical - MCPP 

Mitsubishi Polyester 

10C67 

Hall 10 

Ww Ekochem 

Hall12a 

12A48 Aquafil Engineering 

12C45 Bayern Innovativ 

12A52-29 Intype Enterprise 

12C45 Neue Materialien Bayreuth 

12A27 Polykum 

12E19 Tecnaro 

Hall 813 

13A79 ICEE Containers Pty. 

Show 

Guide 

14A68 

Hall 14 

Biofibre 

Note: All companies listed in this guide 

were found in the official K’2019 

catalogue under bioplastics. 

About companies listed in bold you find 

a short K-Show preview on pp 28-35 

bioplastics MAGAZINE, 


Hall 07a, B10 

1 

BIOPLASTICS 

BUSINESS 

BREAKFAST 

B 3 

17. - 20.10.2019 

You can use this double page as your 

personal show guide. 

As there are usually a lot of last minute 

changes, you’ll find up-to-date 

information at 


PLA Bioplastics for a brighter future 

Visit us: 

Hall 6 / booth E23 

Learn more about 

• Luminy® PLA Portfolio 

• Our 1st 75,000 tons p.a. plant 

• PLA applications

Beologic 

Beologic (Sint Denijs, Belgium) a compounding company 

with more than 20 years experience, is dedicated to the 

production of sustainable compounds. They develop, 

manufacture and market compounds for the plastic industry. 

Together with their R&D company Innologic, they are able 

to optimize and improve our materials depending on the 

application. 

At K 2019, the company will launch different and innovative 

solutions to improve sustainability. For instance, a biobased 

ASA compound with good weathering properties, a 100 % 

fully biobased roto moulding powder and our latest range of 

Beograde materials. 

Over the years this has resulted in four product brands; 

either being biobased (Beobase – adding natural fibres), 

biodegradable or compostable (Beograde), fully recycled 

(Beocycle) or ecologic (Beosmart). The Beograde family is 

made of thermoplastic compounds containing renewable 

resources and designed to degrade under compost 

conditions. The materials can be processed with a wide range 

of tchnologies: extrusion, injection moulding, rotomoulding, 

thermoforming, or blow moulding. Adding wood creates a look 

and feel that emphasizes 

the biodegradable 

characteristics. It’s the 

company‘s ambition to 

replace traditional polymers 

but maintain their technical 

characteristics, whilst 

at the same time being 

sustainable. 

www.beologic.com 

AIMPLAS 

8A / E35 

AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre (Paterna, Spain) 

will display its main technological developments in the 

circular economy, active and smart packaging, sustainable 

mobility, medicine and decarbonization of the economy. 

Most of the projects to be presented will be on the circular 

economy. New sorting and treatment systems for waste of 

different origin (e.g. agri-food, packaging, bulky, automotive 

and PVC waste) so it can be recovered and used to generate 

new products and chemical compounds, thus reducing 

dependence on fossil sources. 

Aimplas will also exhibit its new developments in active 

and smart packaging designed to keep food fresh and also 

preserve completely different products such as audiovisual 

heritage. This new packaging contains sensors, improved 

barrier properties, additives and absorbents to extend the 

contents’ shelf life. 

The centre will also present projects on decarbonization of 

the economy, CO 2 

capture and storage for subsequent reuse 

as a raw material, and range solutions for electric cars that 

will lead to real progress in sustainable mobility. This is the 

case of new air conditioning methods that are more efficient 

because they reduce power consumption and increase vehicle 

range. 

www.aimplas.net 

08A / E-12-08 

Sukano 

At K 2019, SUKANO (Schindellegi, Switzerland) will 

showcase new developments in functional additives and 

color masterbatches to expand the use of PLA and PBS in 

packaging applications and beyond. Several case studies will 

be presented to highlight advances in material modification 

using Sukano compostable masterbatches to achieve the best 

performance for biodegradable plastics. Sukano is a global 

leader in the development and production of additive and 

color masterbatches for biodegradable polymers such as PLA 

and PBS. 

All Sukano products are certified compostable according to 

EN13432. Their biobased carbon content is certified according 

to ASTM 6866. Sukano © Masterbatches are intended for 

packaging applications that are used in compostable 

certified products, and customers will be supported to attain 

certification for products where Sukano’s solutions are 

included. Sukano also assists our customers in their strategies 

and goals towards a circular economy; and contribute to the 

European roadmap towards a bioeconomy. 

www.carbiolice.com 5 / D04-03 

Biofibre 

Biofibre (Altdorf, Germany) shows the new product portfolio 

at their mother´s company Steinl Group. 

The complete product portfolio comprises Biofibre ® Silva, 

Biofibre Sustra, Biofibre Solva and Biofibre Lenta. Real 

show cases with our business partners and customized 

developments will be presented as well. 

Biofibre Lenta, as the newest development, is a compound 

that has been developed to substitute or replace HDPE (High 

Density Polyethylene) on an organic basis. 

Processing capabilities and product properties are almost 

equivalent to HDPE. The name Lenta is derived from the Latin 

origin lenta, i.e. tough and indicates the very stable material 

properties of this product group. 

In addition at the Circular Economy Pavillion of VDMA (open 

area outside halle 16) Biofibre presents new 90 % biobased 

material Biofibre Lenta - In use as a shoe tree! 

Biofibre client nico NORBERT SCHMID GMBH + CO. KG 

replaces a part of their product range by bioplastic based 

material solutions. In this particular case, a shoe tree. 

There are some challenging aspects for the development 

of a suitable substitute material in order to fully fulfill the 

required flexibility, strength, durability in that special footwear 

environment. The resulting material is over 90 % biobased 

recyclable, and colorable. 

www.biofibre.de/en 

14 / A68 



Evonik 

The German sports equipment manufacturer VAUDE uses 

the biobased polyamides of Evonik's ® Terra brand in its new 

collection of bags and backpacks. 

High-performance material with multiple benefits biobased 

VESTAMID Terra (PA 610) offers excellent impact resistance 

in cold temperatures. That makes the material ideally suited 

for all-weather buckles and other durable elements in 

equipment for demanding mountaineering and other leisure 

activities. Thanks to their low water absorption, buckles made 

of PA 610 are less likely to become brittle when used in the 

sports equipment of Vaude. This reduces the risk of tearing 

and improves product safety. Moreover, the low density of 

Vestamid Terra allows for manufacturing lighter sports 

equipment with a natural feel. 

Bio-based high-performance fibers in textiles Vaude plans to 

expand the successful use of Vestamid Terra to other product 

ranges in the future. For example, textile fibers made from Evonik's 

biopolyamides are lightweight, stretchable and breathable. The 

fabrics stand out for low moisture absorption, they dry quickly and 

don’t need ironing. The unique innovative high-performance fibers 

can be processed in all textile applications. 

Vestamid Terra is made up to 100 % from the seeds of 

the castor bean plant, but its sustainability concept goes 

beyond environmental benefits. Since castor bean plants can 

survive prolonged drought, they are typically cultivated in arid 

regions with no other agricultural use. As a result, the highperformance 

polymer does not have a negative impact on the 

human food chain. 

www.evonik.com 

6 / B28 

Arkema 

As a global player in specialty chemicals and advanced 

materials, Arkema (Colombes, France) strives to generate 

sustainable growth by providing its customers with innovative 

and environmentally sound solutions. Among these visitors will 

find some engineering plastics made from renewable resources. 

Over more than 70 years, Arkema’s Rilsan ® biosourced 

polyamide 11 flagship range has been renowned for its 

outstanding wide-ranging performance including resistance 

to high temperatures, chemical stability, and durability in the 

most demanding applications. It is used primarily in underhood 

applications as a substitute to metal and rubber. 

With its unique properties of energy return, light weight, 

elasticity, flexibility and impact resistance, Pebax ® elastomer 

remains the choice material for football boots. In the 2019 

Women’s World Cup, it was featured in 61 % of the sole of 

the shoes of the players during the competition. Arkema has 

also brought out an innovation with Pebax Rnew, the first 

biosourced thermoplastic elastomer. 

High performance Sarbio ® liquid resins from Sartomer ® , 

derived from renewable raw materials, are unique and 

accommodate thermal curing as well as UV-curing for 

high output yield. They offer a sustainable approach to the 

development of consumer goods, and impart high performance 

plastic coatings to components used in smartphones, 

television sets, cosmetics packaging, household appliances, 

etc. 

www.arkema.com 

6 / B28 

14 –15 NOVEMBER 2019, MATERNUSHAUS, COLOGNE, GERMANY 

BIOCOMPOSITES CONFERENCE COLOGNE is the world‘s largest conference 

and exhibition on the topic. This event offers the unique opportunity to gain a 

comprehensive overview of the world of biocomposites. See you in Cologne. 

Organiser: 

www.nova-institute.eu 

Sponsor Innovation Award: 

www.coperion.com 

Vote for the Innovation Award 

“Biocomposite of the Year 2019”! 

© PICTURE: AMORIM CORK COMPOSITES 

www.biocompositescc.com 



Application News 

CaixaBank launches new biodegradable cards 

CaixaBank (Valencia, Spain) recently started releasing 

its first biodegradable cards, 150,000 units of which will 

be distributed per year. It is a new type of card that can be 

acquired in any branch of the CaixaBank network, in the 

format of a gift card. In fact, from now on, all gift cards 

issued by CaixaBank will be biodegradable. 

The launch of this product represents a significant 

step forward in a plan specifically designed to reduce the 

environmental impact of the Company’s cards, a business 

in which CaixaBank is the leading company in Spain, with a 

total of 17.4 million cards and a market share of 23.38 % in 

terms of turnover. 

The plan includes both 

replacing the manufacturing 

material of the range of gift 

cards, and creating a new 

recycling programme for all 

card types. The cards will now be 

fully made from a biodegradable 

material, primarily formed of 

PLA. All other components of 

the card are biomass derived as 

well. 

Cards that use this material last 

for approximately two years, which 

makes it an ideal material for the 

gift cards, which expire within a 

maximum period of two years. As well as being biodegradable, 

the new CaixaBank cards use a different manufacturing process, 

which halves the carbon footprint of their production and entails 

the reduction of practically half the CO 2 

emitted. 

In order for customers to clearly recognise the biodegradable 

cards, CaixaBank is presenting a new design, with a more 

environmentally-friendly and minimalist feel, including a logo 

that indicates that it is a biodegradable product. In parallel to 

the launch of these new biodegradable cards, CaixaBank is 

continually analysing the materials that offer better durability to 

reduce the number of card replacements and thus reduce their 

carbon footprint. 

CaixaBank has also joined the United 

Nations Environment Programme 

- Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), which 

has three main goals: commitment 

to sustainable development, sustainability 

management and public 

awareness. MT 

www.caixabank.com 

New electric motorbike made with 

hemp biocomposite 

Cake (Stockholm, Sweden), which recently launched a 

groundbreaking electric motorbike, will now collaborate 

with Trifilon, an exciting Swedish startup from Nyköping 

that designs and sells sustainable materials with advanced 

biocomposite technology. 

The partnership was born of Cake’s mission to explore 

new sustainable technologies while producing exciting 

high-performance motorbikes. Trifilon’s biocomposites, 

which are produced with fibers from hemp and flax plants, 

can help the company improve its sustainability merits 

while maintaining the performance of its motorbikes. 

The current project will seek to replace 

current plastic components with Trifilon’s 

plant-based biocomposites. With Cake’s 

ethos of sustainability and clean 

transportation, the company has found 

a good match in the green-tech startup 

Trifilon, which helps companies 

systematically lower CO 2 

emissions 

and integrate renewable materials. 

Trifilon’s hemp-based biocomposite BioLite reduces the CO 2 

footprint from its manufacture by at least one third. 

“This is a great match because our companies are both 

about performance and sustainability. I think fans of Cake 

motorbikes will respond positively to having our plant-fiber 

composites in their motorbikes. It will mean that some 

ingredients in their motorbikes come from European farms. 

That makes these exciting motorbikes even cooler and more 

sustainable,” said Trifilon’s CEO and co-founder Martin 

Lidstrand. 

The technology behind Trifilon’s biocomposites 

was initially intended for the automotive 

segment, as a substitute for lightweight, 

strong carbon fiber. Trifilon had previously 

developed and built the body of a car 

for Volkswagen Rally with its hempbased 

biocomposite, BioLite. MT 

www.ridecake.com | www.trifilon.com 


green@hexpolTPE.com 

www.hexpolTPE.com 


Natural Rubber © -Institut.eu | 2018 

Starch-based Polymers 

Lignin-based Polymers 

Cellulose-based Polymers 

© 

PBAT 

PET-like 

PU 

APC 

PTT 

PLA 

PU 

PA 

PTF 

PHA 

-Institut.eu | 2017 

PMMA 

HDMA 

DN5 

PVC 

Isosorbide 

1,3 Propanediol 

Caprolactam 

UPR 

PP 

Propylene 

Vinyl Chloride 

Ethylene 

Sorbitol 

Lysine 

MPG 

Epoxy resins 

Epichlorohydrin 

EPDM 

Ethanol 

Glucose 

PE 

MEG 

Terephthalic 

acid 

Isobutanol 

PET 

p-Xylene 

Starch Saccharose 

Fructose 

Lignocellulose 

Natural Rubber 

Plant oils 

Hemicellulose 

Glycerol 

PU 

Fatty acids 

NOPs 

Polyols 

PU 

PU 

LCDA 

THF 

PBT 

1,4-Butanediol 

Succinic acid 

3-HP 

5-HMF/ 

5-CMF 

Aniline 

Furfural 

PA 

SBR 

Acrylic acid 

2,5-FDCA/ 

FDME 

PU 

PFA 

PU 

PTF 

ABS 

PHA 

Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/reports 

Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/reports 

PEF 

PBS(X) 

© 

-Institut.eu | 2017 

Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/markets 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

7 th 

Bio-based Polymers & Building Blocks 

The best market reports available 

Commercialisation updates on 

bio-based building blocks 

7 th 1 

Data Data for for 

2018 2018 

UPDATE 

2019 

UPDATE 


Bio-based Building Blocks 

Bio-based Building Blocks 

and Polymers – Global Capacities 

and Polymers – Global Capacities 

and Trends 2018-2023 

and Trends 2017-2022 

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as chemical 

feedstock for polymers – technologies, 

polymers, developers and producers 

Succinic acid: New bio-based 

building block with a huge market 

and environmental potential? 

Million Tonnes 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

2011 

Bio-based polymers: 

Evolution of worldwide production capacities from 2011 to 2022 

Lactic 

acid 

Adipic 

acid 

Methyl 

Metacrylate 

Itaconic 

acid 

Furfuryl 

alcohol 

Levulinic 

acid 

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 

Dedicated 

Drop-in 

Smart Drop-in 

Superabsorbent 

Polymers 

Pharmaceutical/Cosmetic 

Acidic ingredient for denture cleaner/toothpaste 

Antidote 

Calcium-succinate is anticarcinogenic 

Efferescent tablets 

Intermediate for perfumes 

Pharmaceutical intermediates (sedatives, 

antiphlegm/-phogistics, antibacterial, disinfectant) 

Preservative for toiletries 

Removes fish odour 

Used in the preparation of vitamin A 

Food 

Bread-softening agent 

Flavour-enhancer 

Flavouring agent and acidic seasoning 

in beverages/food 

Microencapsulation of flavouring oils 

Preservative (chicken, dog food) 

Protein gelatinisation and in dry gelatine 

desserts/cake flavourings 

Used in synthesis of modified starch 

Succinic 

Acid 

Industrial 

De-icer 

Engineering plastics and epoxy curing 

agents/hardeners 

Herbicides, fungicides, regulators of plantgrowth 

Intermediate for lacquers + photographic chemicals 

Plasticizer (replaces phtalates, adipic acid) 

Polymers 

Solvents, lubricants 

Surface cleaning agent 

(metal-/electronic-/semiconductor-industry) 

Other 

Anodizing Aluminium 

Chemical metal plating, electroplating baths 

Coatings, inks, pigments (powder/radiation-curable 

coating, resins for water-based paint, 

dye intermediate, photocurable ink, toners) 

Fabric finish, dyeing aid for fibres 

Part of antismut-treatment for barley seeds 

Preservative for cut flowers 

Soil-chelating agent 

Authors: 

Raj Authors: Chinthapalli, Raj Chinthapalli, Dr. Pia Skoczinski, Michael Carus, Michael Wolfgang Carus, Wolfgang Baltus, Baltus, 

Doris Doris de de Guzman, Harald Harald Käb, Käb, Achim Achim Raschka, Jan Jan Ravenstijn, 

April 2018 


This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at 

This www.bio-based.eu/reports 

and other on the bio-based economy are available at 

www.bio-based.eu/reports 

Authors: Achim Raschka, Dr. Pia Skoczinski, Jan Ravenstijn and 

Michael Carus 

nova-Institut GmbH, Germany 

February 2019 



Authors: Raj Chinthapalli, Dr. Pia Skoczinski, Achim Raschka, 

Michael Carus, nova-Institut GmbH, Germany 

Update March 2019 

This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available 

at www.bio-based.eu/reports 

Standards and labels for 

bio-based products 

Bio-based polymers, a revolutionary change 

Comprehensive trend report on PHA, PLA, PUR/TPU, PA 

and polymers based on FDCA and SA: Latest developments, 

producers, drivers and lessons learnt 

million t/a 

Selected bio-based building blocks: Evolution of worldwide 

production capacities from 2011 to 2021 

3,5 

actual data 

forecast 

3 

2,5 

Bio-based polymers, a 

revolutionary change 

2 

1,5 

Jan Ravenstijn 2017 

1 

0,5 

Picture: Gehr Kunststoffwerk 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 

2021 

L-LA 

Epichlorohydrin 

MEG 

Ethylene 

Sebacic 

acid 

1,3-PDO 

MPG 

Lactide 

E-mail: 

j.ravenstijn@kpnmail.nl 

Succinic 

acid 

1,4-BDO 

2,5-FDCA 

D-LA 

11-Aminoundecanoic acid 

DDDA 

Adipic 

acid 

Mobile: +31.6.2247.8593 

Author: Doris de Guzman, Tecnon OrbiChem, United Kingdom 

July 2017 



Authors: Lara Dammer, Michael Carus and Dr. Asta Partanen 

nova-Institut GmbH, Germany 

May 2017 



Author: Jan Ravenstijn, Jan Ravenstijn Consulting, the Netherlands 

April 2017 



Policies impacting bio-based 

plastics market development 

and plastic bags legislation in Europe 

Asian markets for bio-based chemical 

building blocks and polymers 

Market study on the consumption 

of biodegradable and compostable 

plastic products in Europe 

2015 and 2020 

Share of Asian production capacity on global production by polymer in 2016 

100% 

A comprehensive market research report including 

consumption figures by polymer and application types 

as well as by geography, plus analyses of key players, 

relevant policies and legislation and a special feature on 

biodegradation and composting standards and labels 

80% 

60% 

Bestsellers 

40% 

20% 

0% 

PBS(X) 

APC – 

cyclic 

PA 

PET 

PTT 

PBAT 

Starch 

PHA 

PLA 

PE 

Blends 

Disposable 

tableware 

Biowaste 

bags 

Carrier 

bags 

Rigid 

packaging 

Flexible 

packaging 

Authors: Dirk Carrez, Clever Consult, Belgium 

Jim Philp, OECD, France 

Dr. Harald Kaeb, narocon Innovation Consulting, Germany 

Lara Dammer & Michael Carus, nova-Institute, Germany 

March 2017 



Author: Wolfgang Baltus, Wobalt Expedition Consultancy, Thailand 



Authors: Harald Kaeb (narocon, lead), Florence Aeschelmann, 

Lara Dammer, Michael Carus (nova-Institute) 

April 2016 

The full market study (more than 300 slides, 3,500€) is available at 

bio-based.eu/top-downloads. 


1 


Application News 

Revolutionary dog plush toy line with 

starch based stuffing 

The Good Stuffing Company announced the launch of its first line of plush dog toys, which 

will be exclusively available at Petco and Petco.com through the end of the year. What makes 

the Good Stuffing offerings unique is that, unlike almost any other canine plush toy that is 

filled with poly-fill, the Good Stuffing line is filled with SafeFill Stuffing. SafeFill Stuffing is 

a proprietary alternative fill made from natural plant starch. If a dog tears open a plush toy 

filled with poly-fill, there is a real choking hazard. Conversely, the SafeFill Stuffing will dissolve 

harmlessly in the dog’s mouth like cotton candy does in people. 

While the principle ingredient used in the manufacturing of poly-fill is ethylene, which 

is derived from petroleum, SafeFill Stuffing is derived from natural plant starch. SafeFill 

Stuffing, manufactured without any crude oil component or toxic byproducts, is eco-friendly, 

biodegradable, sustainable, fire-resistant, and hypoallergenic. The line at Petco is launching 

with over two-dozen fun and attractive animals for all sized dogs MT 

www.goodstuffingcompany.com 

Natural Farm 

pet food packaging 

Braskem and Natural 

Farm, a leading provider 

of 100% natural pet food 

based in Atlanta, recently 

announced the adoption 

of Braskem’s I’m green TM 

Polyethylene (PE) bioplastic for 

the consumer packaging of its 

Natural Farm’s TM line of highquality 

pet food products. 

Marcus Maximo, Founder 

and CEO of Natural Farm stated, 

“Natural Farm was founded on a passion for dogs and the 

love we share with our pets. We’re delighted that as well 

as preparing the highest quality dog treats, we’re equally 

focused on being responsible environmental stewards. 

We’re excited to have found the perfect partner with 

Braskem and its bio-PE allowing Natural Farm so ensure 

we’re being socially responsible with our packaging.” 

Natural Farm is one of the few companies in the pet 

retail space who own and operate their own facility and 

The Natural Farm commitment stretches from its fields 

to its packaging, consistently supporting its people and 

the local communities where they live and operate. This 

spirit of “Care, Quality, and Transparency” extends to 

everything Natural Farm creates through its 360 Degree 

Plan towards sustainability. This includes integrating 51% 

bio-based, fossil fuel-free and fully recyclable, I’m greenT 

Polyethylene (PE) bioplastic into its packaging. Natural 

Farm also donates a portion of its proceeds to helping 

animals in local community shelters. MT 

Cushion for 

artificial turf 

Braskem and ProdTek, a product development and 

manufacturing company serving the artificial turf, flooring 

and textile industries with innovative solutions announced the 

integration of Braskem’s biobased Polyethylene in ProdTek’s 

new Turf Cushion line of turf underlay products. 

ProdTek’s revolutionary new Turf Cushion is installed under 

artificial turf for a wide range of applications including play 

grounds, play areas, sports fields, roof tops, indoor play 

areas and other areas where shock attenuation is critical for 

users. The Turf Cushion underlay is composed of recycled 

polyethylene and Eco Raw, which utilizes Braskem’s bio- 

PE and qualifies for High Recycled Content (HRC) status. 

In utilizing Braskem’s bio-PE as a renewable alternative 

to petroleum based polyethylene, ProdTek’s Turf Cushion 

can make a significant contribution to reducing the level of 

greenhouse gas emissions in the product value creation chain 

John Karr, President at ProdTek, stated, “We feel very 

good about our new Turf Cushion Pad. Not only is it carbon 

neutral and 100 % recyclable, it provides enhanced safety 

for children in playground environments and is economically 

advantageous for turf installation companies. We feel like we 

have a product that creates value for everyone and serves 

society as well.” MT 

www.turfcushion.com 

www.naturalfarmpet.com 


Opinion 

Bioplastics in the 

Circular Economy 

R.O.J. Jongboom, Director Business Development, Biotec 

Founded in 1992, BIOTEC (Emmerich, Germany) is one 

of the oldest and most experienced companies worldwide 

in the area of compostable and biodegradable 

plastics. Looking back at nearly 30 years of history in this 

field, it is remarkable how some trends and focus points 

seem to change, whereas - even after almost 3 decades - 

others remain stubbornly the same. 

In the early nineties of the previous century, the number 

of companies using starch as a feedstock for alternative 

plastic materials was very limited. In those days, 

biodegradable starch plastics were considered an exotic 

novelty providing an elegant way to help farmers to find 

new outlets for their surplus production of crops such as 

potatoes and corn - and make a contribution to a cleaner 

world for future generations. Organic waste collection 

and composting were still in their infancy and landfill was 

a commonly accepted waste disposal method. Worries 

about climate change or plastic soup were far away in the 

distant future. Global plastic consumption was roughly 30 % 

of current volumes and plastics recycling was something 

that - at best - occurred inside the factory with production 

scraps. 

The image and reputation of plastics have shifted over 

the last few decades: from materials representing hope, 

growth, progress and wealth, they have become a scourge, 

increasingly associated with pollution, climate change and 

irreparable environmental damage. 

Many governments and multinationals are focusing 

in their long term sustainability policies on the Circular 

Economy. Much of the inspiration is coming from the 

work of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Unfortunately, 

the translation of this well-elaborated vision on a Circular 

Economy into legislation and policies has in many cases 

simply been distilled into a focus on plastics recycling, while 

ignoring the added value of compostable and biodegradable 

plastics in specific applications. 

Is focusing purely on plastic recycling a responsible 

strategy or policy? At first sight, it seems a charming 

concept: keep plastics materials in circulation, preferably 

for eternity, and minimize dependency on crude oil as 

feedstock. In the perception of the public at large, recycling 

is a positive approach, supported by decades of positive 

experiences with the recycling of glass, metal and paper. 

For these materials, recycling, however, is well established. 

Once recycled, these materials have a positive value and 

there is a market or outlet for them. 

The situation for most plastics, however, is much more 

complicated, as anyone that ever played with clay in different 

colors as a child knows: once the bright colors are mixed, 

you cannot separate them back again. Likewise, mixed 

plastics are extremely difficult to separate, and as many 

products available in the 

market consist of different 

materials, colorants, 

printing inks, labels and 

numerous contaminations, 

recycling becomes a 

challenge. Separating, 

cleaning, upgrading, and 

recycling is currently only 

possible for mono-stream 

products for which a proper 

collection system is in place, 

such as e.g. (most) PET 

bottles. Some polyolefins, like PE or PP, can, up to a certain 

point, be used to produce various products. 

It is currently an illusion to think that plastics will be able 

to be mechanically recycled on the same scale as glass, 

paper and metals anytime in the near future. Suggesting 

this as a policy would be thoroughly misleading and a 

serious oversimplification. 

Yet, what does the general public hear? “Plastics are 

bad, and recycling is good” is the highly oversimplified and 

incorrect message which is being communicated over and 

over again in the news. As a result, people see no need for 

other steps, even though these would actually be much 

better in the long run. 

Recycling is not something that is exclusively done 

by humans. Nature has developed biological processes 

over millions of years, keeping creation and degradation 

in balance and harmony. As a result, nature is able to 

“recycle” enormous amounts of organic material. Look, 

for example, at what happens in autumn, when the leaves 

fall from the trees. Nature is able to effectively break the 

mass of different leaves, other plant materials and dead 

insects back down into simple building blocks. The CO 2 

that green plants bind during growth via photosynthesis, is 

released back into the atmosphere without contributing to 

the formation of greenhouse gasses. 

Nature is actually much better at organic recycling 

than mankind, as nature can handle complex mixtures of 

organic materials, whereas technical/mechanical recycling 

processes can only work effectively when there is a very low 

degree of contamination. Washing, cleaning, and separating 

is fine for glass, metal and paper, but is very difficult for 

plastics. There is a need for recycling processes that can 

handle heterogenic feedstock. Both chemical recycling and 

organic recycling are able to do so. Chemical recycling is 

still in its infancy, but compostable products and industrial 

composting are well established, with demonstrated 

products and technologies. 


Opinion 

There are many applications in which plastics run a 

high risk of being contaminated with food waste or other 

undesirable materials that make regular recycling of these 

plastics virtually impossible. Typical examples are coffee 

capsules, food trays, yoghurt or mayonnaise cups and alike. 

Cleaning these plastic products is costly and negatively 

influences the technical and economic feasibility of plastic 

recycling. And vise versa as well: consumers can have a 

tendency to (wrongfully) assume that such products can be 

disposed of via organic waste collection and that removing 

plastics after composting or biogas production is a simple 

step. 

Either way, contamination is undesirable and leads 

both to additional costs and a lower quality of output (of 

both recycled plastic and compost). Compost should not 

be contaminated with plastics, and plastics should not 

be contaminated with food. And in cases where the risk 

of cross contamination is high, alternatives that can be 

processed via organic recycling, i.e., composting or biogas 

production, should be sought. 

Biotec strongly supports the objectives of the Circular 

Economy. With numerous different Bioplast grades, 

different high quality applications can be achieved for blown 

films, sheet material, thermoformed or injection molded 

trays, fibers, and laminated products. To achieve the 

objectives of the Circular Economy, the general public must 

become more aware, which would force multinationals 

and governments to pursue higher ambition levels and 

to fully embrace the suggestions of the Ellen MacArthur 

Foundation, rather than simply cherry picking the initiatives 

relating to plastics recycling only. 

www.biotec.de 

Compostable plastics can strongly support the objectives 

of the Circular Economy, ensuring that less (food) 

contaminated materials end up in the plastics recycling 

stream and that more AND cleaner organic waste is 

collected. This organic waste can be effectively converted 

into compost for improving the carbon binding capacity of 

the soil, or into biogas for decentral energy generation (gas 

or electricity). 

It would really help a lot if companies that are involved in 

post-consumer waste processing were not paid per ton of 

waste processed, but instead per ton of high quality recycled 

plastic or clean compost that is applied in the market. The 

currently existing profit incentives for post-consumer waste 

processors act as a legal stimulation for them to optimize 

their profits. This does not take into account the price 

that future generations will be paying for cleaning up the 

garbage we are dumping in the soil and the oceans. 

All industrial composting facilities are perfectly able to 

convert certified compostable products into water, CO 2 

and 

humus. What they need to do is to stop focusing on the high 

speed processing of large volumes of contaminated organic 

waste that has no agricultural value, and instead to aim 

more at producing high quality compost with significant 

agricultural benefits. The currently existing financial 

incentives for these companies do not justify investments 

in delivering quality but are optimized for converting the 

highest possible volumes in the shortest possible time, 

thus creating the highest value for their shareholders and 

leaving the bill that the future generations will need to take 

care of unpaid. 



Ultra high barrier for 

bio-packaging 

S 

olving the world’s problems of plastic 

and food waste is right at the forefront 

of Plantic Technologies business. 

To fight food waste Plantic supplies 

ultra-high barrier films made from renewable 

and recycled materials throughout the 

world. The recycled content in the materials 

is providing a source for food grade 

waste plastics that would otherwise be 

going to land fill. 

As part of Kuraray (headquartered 

in Chiyoda, Japan) who are the world 

largest supplier of barrier resins, Plantic 

Technologies Ltd (Altona, Victoria, 

Australia) has achieved a unique place 

in the world market for bioplastics 

through proprietary technology that 

delivers biodegradable and renewable 

sourced alternatives to conventional 

plastics based on corn and cassava; 

which is not genetically modified. The 

barrier properties of the materials start 

with an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) below 

1.0 cm³/m²·day. 

Unlike other bioplastics companies who utilise organic 

materials, but whose polymers are still developed in 

refineries, Plantic’s polymer as well as its raw material, are 

grown in a field. The entire process integrates the science 

of organic innovation with commercial and industrial 

productivity in a new way. The result is both a broad range 

of immediate performance and cost advantages, and longterm 

environmental and sustainability benefits. 

Flexible, rigid and semi rigid materials from Plantic 

have shown to give extension of shelf life for the products 

packed, this is through the ultra-high barrier in the 

packaging material. With thermoformable webs for Skin, 

MAP and Flexible applications the benefits for retailers and 

brand owners are proven, this enables them to meet their 

packaging targets and goals. 

PLANTIC HP a fully biodegradable high barrier 

structure forms the core of all Plantic products and 

depending on the customer needs the outer skins can be 

made to seal onto conventional PE and PET sealing layers. 

Other materials that are being used with PLANTIC HP are 

PBS, rPET, Cellulose 

An additional benefit of these multilayer materials is the 

ability for them to go through a standard recycling process. 

A unique process of separation of polymers occurs when 

the materials are sent through the recycling system. 

Plantic has recently released a range of high barrier 

recyclable paper-based structures being used in 

applications such as coffee pouches. These paper based and 

paper board structures have the additional 

benefit of being able to go through a 

standard thermforming machine, giving 

producers the chance to use a board or 

paper structure on standard equipment 

Plantic Technologies is supplying 

major retailers and brand owners 

throughout the world in applications 

such as fresh case ready beef, pork, 

lamb and veal, smoked and processed 

meats, chicken, fresh pasta and 

cheese applications. 

Plantic Technologies is expanding 

rapidly and refining its technology 

to meet the ever-growing global 

needs for more environmentally and 

performance efficient materials. 

With global recognition through 

multiple award wins including DuPont 

Packaging, World Star, PIDA and others, 

Plantic has a solution for Retailers, 

Processors and Brand owners who want 

to fulfill their future packaging targets. 

“Plantic materials are not just about being a 

sustainable material, it has an ultra-high barrier that can 

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

With Plantic materials you can have an enormous impact 

on value change and reduce the effects of climate change, 

both by reducing food waste and using more sustainable 

materials.” Brendan Morris Plantic Technologies Limited 

CEO and Managing Director said. MT 

www.plantic.com.au 



New compostable barrier films 

Development of a biodegradable flexible film with barrier properties for 

food packaging application 

Using multilayer films for food packaging 

in which the layers consist of different 

types of material makes 

it possible to combine different 

properties of different materials, 

such as oxygen and water 

vapour protection into a single 

packaging solution. However, 

the use of different materials 

to achieve these different 

properties makes the multilayer 

packaging developed to 

date impossible to recycle at the 

end of life. And as biodegradable or 

compostable materials do not offer 

sufficient barrier properties to 

be applied in packaging for fresh foodstuffs 

like cheese, compostable packaging 

cannot be used, either. 

To improve the environmental sustainability of multilayer 

film, the MULTIBIOBARRIER project is working on the 

development of a new biodegradable and compostable 

multilayer film for cheese that will offer good oxygen and 

water vapour barrier properties. The objectives of the project 

are listed below: 

• To develop new biodegradable materials to produce flexible 

and fully compostable packaging according to EN 13432 

• To develop a new biodegradable and compostable 

multilayer film with an oxygen barrier (< 2cm³/m²·day·bar) 

and water vapour barrier (< 4g/m²·day) suitable for cheese 

packaging. The new film will be able to be composted 

together with the food residues as the composition of the 

film is 100% compostable 

• Flexible and easily recyclable film, because the layers of 

the film can be separated easily 

• To obtain sustainable packaging complying with the 

legislative changes related to single-use products in 

countries where biodegradables are exempted from bans 

• To convince legislators to allow the use of biodegradable 

and compostable materials for manufacturing single-use 

products 

The development of biodegradable materials with an oxygen 

barrier, the task for which AIMPLAS (Paterna, Spain) is mainly 

responsible, will be based on a mixture of non-thermoplastic 

PVOH, additives and plasticizers. It will be processed through 

blown film extrusion technology 

During the project, the researchers will be working on the 

optimization of a formulation to keep oxygen barrier below 

2 cm³/m²·day·bar at the lowest possible thickness. 

On the other hand, biodegradable materials with a water 

vapour barrier are being developed by Nurel (Zaragoza, Spain). 

By: 

Nuria López Aznar 

Senior polymer researcher 

AIMPLAS 

Paterna, Spain 

These will be based on a mixture 

of biopolymers derived from 

starch, biopolyesters and additives, 

which will allow the water vapour barrier 

to be improved. The main goal is to obtain 

a biopolymer with a moisture vapour 

transmission rate below 4 g/m²·day, measured at 

85 % RH and 23°C. 

In addition, the focus will also be on the compatibility of 

both materials to avoid using a tie layer. 

Based on the biopolymers developed by Aimplas and Nurel, 

a coextruded biodegradable multilayer film will be produced 

by Gaviplas (Alfarrasí, Spain). The cheese packaging will 

be manufactured from this film, after which the functional 

validation of the packaging developed will be studied. 

Taking advantage of the soluble character of the PVOH, 

a recyclability study of the external layers of the film will be 

undertaken at the end of the project. 

MULTIBIOBARRIER is a three-year project funded by 

the RETOS – COLABORACIÓN 2018 national call with file 

number RTC-2017-6034-2. Aimplas, the Plastics Technology 

Centre, is the technical coordinator of the project. The other 

participants in the consortium are Nurel and Gaviplas who will 

also contribute to the development of the new biodegradable, 

compostable and flexible food packaging. 

The project 

has been running 

for one year 

and the first 

biodegradable 

grades have 

been already 

developed from 

which film will 

be produced at 

pilot plant level 

using blown 

film extrusion 

technology. 

www.aimplas.es 

www.nurel.com 

www.gaviplas.es 



Emerging circular biobased 

barrier solutions 

Multilayer plastic packaging films are commonly used 

to pack sensitive food products. Their share on the 

packaging market is increasing as they enable lightweighting 

and increase resource efficiency in their primary 

use in comparison to rigid packaging. However, multilayer 

packaging concepts are currently not recyclable. Indeed, 

high purity fractions are needed for reprocessing and the 

vast majority of them end up in land fill or in energy recovery 

systems. In addition, most of the barrier materials such as 

Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) or polyamides (PA), are fossil 

based. In this article, emerging solutions in recent research 

and innovation initiatives will subsequently be reviewed, 

first in terms of new biobased feedstocks from which barrier 

materials can be sourced and second on how using them 

can positively affect the end of life of the derived laminates. 

An array of potential sources in nature 

Many biopolymers made of polysaccharides or proteins 

offer good barrier properties against oxygen permeation 

and can be used as edible coatings such as chitosan, 

proteins from dairy, fish, potatoes or legumes. In addition, 

those can be extracted from non-edible food fractions or 

agro-food industry by products. 

For example, in the project DAFIA [1], marine rest rawmaterials 

such as salmon skin and backbones are harnessed 

to develop cost-efficient isolated and purified gelatin and 

hydrolysates. Gelatin is a denatured polypeptide extracted 

by hydrolysis from pre-treated collagen sources, mainly 

animal skins and bones, which is mostly affected by its amino 

acid composition and molecular weight distribution. The 

fractionation and lipids separation pre-treatment protocols 

have been optimized in mild conditions. The coating was 

formulated comparing different natural plasticizers, pH 

and temperature as well as drying condition. Furthermore, 

the mechanically separated salmon muscle has been 

hydrolysed with proteases as potential active compound. 

The addition of hydrolysates has shown positive antioxidant 

activity (Gallic acid equivalent GAeq of 66 +/-7 ppm 

and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma FRAP of 

189 +/-17 µmol/L), but no antibacterial effects were 

observed. The coating application and lamination have 

been successfully carried out at pilot scale by AIMPLAS 

resulting in laminates with promising oxygen barrier 

(1.58 OTR (cm³/(m²·day) at 23°C, 1 atm and 50 % relative 

humidity for a 10 µm coating). This shows that biomacromolecules 

from marine sub-products have a great 

potential to be used as high added value active barrier coatings for 

multilayer packaging or edible coatings directly applied on food. 

Previously reported Wheylayer ® barrier materials have 

also been obtained from whey protein [2] (which can be 

extracted from a cheese by-product). Further development 

also allowed obtaining thermoformable versions of the 

same (Thermowhey) [3]. In the recent project OptiNanoPro 

[4], nano-enhancement of the whey protein coating was 

performed adding food contact approved nanoclays. Those 

were converted into a so-called “ready-to-use” formulation 

by means of a solid-state pre-dispersion process using 

ball-milling. The process yielded a nearly dust-free, freeflowing 

powder containing agglomerated particles, which 

can easily be mixed with water. The preparation of a coating 

Oxygen transmission rate °C/50% RH 

(cm 3 · 100µm (STP) m -2 d -1 bar -1 ) 

Fig 1. top: microscopic picture of the cross-section picture of 

a laminate including PET 23 µm and 4 µm of whey proteins 

nanocomposite coatings produced semi-industrial-scale, 

and bottom: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images at a 

magnification of 50,000 on the nanocomposite coating 

Fig. 2: Permeability values for different whey coatings vs. standard 

and biobased polymers (all normalized to 100 μm) 

10000 

1000 

100 

10 

1 

0.1 

PE-HD 

PP (oriented) 

PA 12 

PE-LD 

PC 

PUR-elastomer 

Celluloseacetate 

Wax/paper 

PA 11 

PS (oriented) 

PVC-U 

PA 12 

PET (oriented) PA 66 

PVC-U (oriented) PA 6 

EVOH 44% 

PVDC 

EVOH 38% 

Wheylayer 

Cellulose-acetobutyrate 

Thermowhey 

OPTIANOPRO 

EVA-copolymer, 

VAC 20% 

0.01 

0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 

Water vapour transmission rate 

23°C/85 0% RH (g · 100µm · m -2 d -1 ) 



By: 

Multilayer 

Film 

Elodie Bugnicourt, Simona Neri 

IRIS Technology Solutions 

Barcelona, Spain 

Esra Kucukpinar 

Fraunhofer IVV 

Freising, Germany 

Markus Schmid 

Faculty of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University 

Sigmaringen, Germany 

Patrizia Cinelli, Andrea Lazzeri 

INSTM, University of Pisa 

Pisa, Italy 

Fig. 3: Illustration of the 

materials recyclability of 

whey coated laminates 

Grinding Wheylayer Removal Density Separation 

Recycled 

PE 

Recycling 

Recycled 

PET 

formulation and its upscaling for roll-to-roll converting 

at pilot- and semi-industrial scale was also successfully 

implemented [5]. This process resulted in a good dispersion 

and orientation of the nanoparticles (Fig. 1) and an 

interesting barrier improvement that allowed resulting 

coating laminates matching the properties of EVOH (Fig. 2). 

Nevertheless, as seen from the graph (Fig. 2), the 

developed protein coatings are not able to compete with 

standard plastics in terms of water vapour barrier. In 

BIOnTop [6], to reach such performance, the previously 

developed whey protein coatings will be improved by 

nano-coatings of fatty acids applied by a resource efficient 

grafting technology. 

But what about the End Of Life? 

All the previously mentioned protein-based coatings 

are compostable by nature. Indeed, their composition 

makes them ideal for metabolization by microorganisms. 

They can be applied on a range of biodegradable or nonbiodegradable 

substrate films and the end of life of the later 

is what mainly determines that of the whole laminate. 

Fig. 4: 

Representation 

of the end of life 

scenarios that will 

be compatible with 

the new BIOnTop 

materials, some of 

them coated with 

barrier materials 

Biontop 

Copolymers 

& Compounds 

Coating 

Organic & Materials Recycling 

Indeed, when applied for example on PLA, the nitrogen 

(as amino-acid rich component) of the coating was even 

reported to speed up the biodegradation of the overall 

multilayer films [7] resulting in industrially compostable 

packaging solutions. 

When the protein coating is applied on conventional 

substrates, its removability using enzymatic detergent 

during the washing step of the packaging recycling can be 

exploited (Fig. 3). In that case, the cleaned layers of e.g. PE 

and PET can then be separated by density and reprocessed 

separately with a minor loss of properties [8]. 

After showing the capability for automatic sorting 

of the packaging containing the new biobased barrier 

coatings, BIOnTop aims at upscaling the recycling process 

of the barrier multilayer packaging. In addition, to match 

virtually any controlled waste management demand, PLA 

copolymers suitable for home composting are also being 

developed. Such end of life versatility, depicted in Fig. 4, 

is key in the view of the difficulty to remove the organic 

content in specific packaging formats such as tea bags or 

when fruits or vegetables get rotten in their trays or nets. 

It is also key to be able to adjust to the most sustainable 

end of life option depending on the packed products and 

the actually feasible waste management for which available 

logistics are extremely variable between regions. 

Conclusion 

lead 

Home 

Composting 

Echoing the increasingly stringent 

legislations and public demands, 

the packaging industry is 

requesting more sustainable 

barrier solutions. This is boosting 

the research in renewably sourced 

materials which in turn also 

have the ability to support the 

circular economy transition 

by enabling improved organic 

or materials recycling routes. 

Different protein solutions 

based on cheese or fish byproducts 

have been discussed and 

to barrier properties close to their 

fossil counterpart while making 

laminates recyclable organically or 

in terms of materials. 



Opinion 

Despite such advances, the maturity of these 

developments needs to grow to substitute the wellconsolidated 

fossil-based counterparts in terms of 

costs and markets. Besides, the number of progresses 

improving the end of life of conventional plastic 

packaging can also change the conditions of the 

competition. New emerging solutions for recycling 

standard multilayers packaging e.g., a preferential 

solvent based extraction of each of the main fractions 

in multi-materials laminates or composites, is being 

brought to semi-industrial scale in the Multicycle 

project [9]. All these solutions, also compatible with 

biobased barrier coatings, shall co-exist in a global 

plastic strategy to solve the different issues currently 

met by the plastic industry. This shows that, for circular 

biobased barrier solutions to get a lion’s share in this 

massive opportunity for change in the plastic packaging 

sector and lead to an actual decarbonisation of the 

society, further innovations embedded in a concerted 

action along the value chain are needed including not 

only materials providers but also waste management 

bodies and end users (including consumers). 

References 

[1] DAFIA, H2020 BIOTEC, GA 720770, Biomacromolecules from 

municipal solid bio-waste fractions and fish waste for high added 

value applications. 

[2] “Films with excellent barrier properties”, E. Bugnicourt, M. 

Schmid; Bioplastics magazine; Vol. 8, p 44; Sept. 2013. 

[3] Barrier… but also bio-based and thermoformable!, E. Bugnicourt, 

Bioplastics magazine, Vol 5, p 36. Sept. Oct 2015 

[4] OPTINANOPRO, H2020 NMP, GA 686116, Processing and control 

of novel nanomaterials in packaging, automotive and solar panel 

processing lines 

[5] Dispersion and Performance of a Nanoclay/Whey Protein 

Isolate Coating upon its Upscaling as a Novel Ready-to-Use 

Formulation for Packaging Converters. Bugnicourt, E.; Brzoska, 

N.; Kucukpinar, E.; Philippe, S.; Forlin, E.; Bianchin, A.; Schmid, 

M. Polymers 2019, 11, 1410. 

[6] BIOnTop, H2020 BBI, GA 837761, Novel packaging films and 

textiles with tailored end of life and performance based on biobased 

copolymers and coatings 

[7] Whey protein layer applied on biodegradable packaging film to 

improve barrier properties while maintaining biodegradability”, 

P. Cinelli, M. Schmid, E. Bugnicourt, J. Wildner, A. Bazzichi, I. 

Anuillesi, A. Lazzeri, Polymer Degradation and Stability. 07/2014; 

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2014.07.007 

[8] Recyclability of PET/WPI/PE Multilayer Films by Removal of Whey 

Protein Isolate-Based Coatings with Enzymatic Detergents”, P. 

Cinelli, M. Schmid, E. Bugnicourt, A. Lazzeri, Materials 9(6):473 · 

June 2016, DOI: 10.3390/ma9060473 

[9] MULTICYCLE, H2020 SPIRE, GA 820695, Advanced and sustainable 

recycling processes and value chains for plastic-based multimaterials 

www.iris.cat | www.ivv.fraunhofer.de 

www.hs-albsig.de | www.instm.it 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

In addition to other past projects quoted in footnote, 

the authors would like to acknowledge the H2020 

and BBI-JU fundings for the DAFIA project under 

Grant Agreement No. 720770, MultiCycle project 

under Grant Agreement No. 820695 and BIOnTop 

project under Grant Agreement No. 837761. 

They would also like to thank the collaboration of 

AIMPLAS plastic technology centre. 

Equal footing 

for LCAs 

I 

n the current efforts to develop an LCA methodology 

for biobased polymers by the JRC (Joint Research 

Centre), fundamental problems must be confronted if 

an equal and fair comparison is to be made between the 

environmental effects of biobased polymers and those of 

petrochemical polymers, write four scientists from Germany’s 

nova Institute in an open letter to the JRC. 

The JRC is the European Commission’s science and 

knowledge service, tasked with carrying out research in 

order to provide independent scientific advice and support 

to EU policy. Its activities currently include the elaboration 

of a consistent and appropriate LCA-based method for 

the purpose of a “Comparative Life-Cycle Assessment of 

alternative feedstock for plastics production.” The final 

report is expected by end of this year, or early 2020. The 

authors of the open letter, led by Michael Carus, point 

to the various methodological and technical stumbling 

blocks that remain to be overcome and put forward a 

number of proposals in aid of the development of LCA 

standards for biobased polymers. 

As the authors write, biobased technologies are subject 

to highly critical evaluation, while the petrochemical 

industry, which uses non-renewable resources and which 

has been and still is involved in many environmental 

disasters, is not scrutinized with the same level of detail 

and transparency, making a comparison on equal footing 

impossible. In addition, the importance of renewable 

carbon is not sufficiently valued in the LCA methodology 

developed by the JRC. The LCA methodology for 

biobased polymers will also differ considerably from 

the methodology for biofuels, “which could lead to 

greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions for biofuels being 

relatively higher than for biobased polymers, purely as a 

result of the different methodologies (each in comparison 

to their petrochemical counterpart)…. The only option: 

the same LCA rules must apply to all uses of biomass, 

whether it is for fuels or for chemicals!”, they argue. 

The solution proposed by the nova Institute lies in 

the use of a prospective LCA. To that end, a scenario 

could be developed and a quasi-standardised life cycle 

assessment conducted for the year 2050, in addition to 

the present situation. “A comparison between bio- and 

petro-based polymers would then look entirely different,” 

write the authors of the open letter. 

“Biobased polymers are considered as a sustainable 

solution for the circular economy of the future. That is 

why, for a fair comparison, it is so important to consider 

how they perform not only in the present, but in particular 

in the future. This is not accounted for in the methods 

prevailing today,” the scientists conclude. MT 

The complete text of the open letter to the JRC can be 

downloaded from: 

https://tinyurl.com/openletter-jrc 



PVOH for 

barrier 

applications 

Today’s expectations are very high for primary packaging 

for such applications as food, cosmetics and 

household goods, as the products packed should be 

kept clean, fresh and sweet-smelling. In addition, nothing 

from the surroundings should get into the packaging. However, 

the entire pack should also be sustainable as well as 

environmentally friendly. The matter of recycling is also an 

important issue. 

A PVOH barrier layer could be a possible solution. PVOH 

(polyvinyl alcohol) is a synthetically produced water-soluble 

polymer which is non-toxic and environmentally friendly as 

it biodegrades into water and CO 2 

. In waste incineration, it 

burns without residues. 

As a result of its good processing and printing properties, 

PVOH is particularly suitable to produce mono films. 

The common applications include laundry bags for 

hospitals, detergent packaging and sachets. PVOH films 

also demonstrate high flexibility and tensile strength. In 

combination with other bioplastics as a multilayer film, 

it can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative 

to EVOH or aluminum due to its outstanding gas barrier 

properties towards oxygen and carbon dioxide. Its resistance 

to chemicals, oils and greases means that it can also be 

used as a shield against oils, fats and solvents. 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH (Willich, Germany) now has 

PVOH in the portfolio of their biobased and biodegradable 

plastics, offering their customers individual solutions, 

either as mono or multi-layer applications with PLA-based 

film materials. This guarantees films with particularly 

good breathability which also have good barrier properties 

against O 2 

and CO 2 

. If used with compostable films, organic 

recycling may be possible. MT 

www.fkur.com 

Material 

“Oxygen permeability 

(ml/m²day) “ 

Hot-water soluble PVOH 0.24 

Warm-water soluble PVOH 0.36 

Cold-water soluble PVOH 1,85 

Ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) 0.29-2.4 

Nylon 6 26-38 

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) 40-80 

PVC 50-390 

HDPE 1,700-2,400 

Polypropylene 2,000-10‚00 

Low Density Polyethylene 12,000 

Join us at the 

14th European Bioplastics 

Conference 

The leading business forum for the 

bioplastics industry 

3/4 December 2019 

Titanic Chaussee Hotel 

Berlin, Germany 

@EUBioplastics #eubpconf 

www.european-bioplastics.org/events 

REGISTER 

NOW! 

For more information email: 

conference@european-bioplastics.org 


News 

10 

Years ago 

Published in 

bioplastics MAGAZINE 

from left: Patrick Gerritsen, Frank 

Eijkman, Jhon Bollen, Oliver Fraaije. 

Bio4Pack offers 

One-Stop Shopping 

Two Dutch thermoforming companies, Nedupak 

Thermoforming BV (of Rheden, NL) and Plastics2Pack (of 

Uden, NL), recently announced the forming of ‘Bio4Pack‘ 

as a new packaging supply company. The new company is 

headed by Managing Director Patrick Gerritsen, who brings 

with him several years of know-how and expertise in the area 

of biobased and biodegradable packaging. 

Bio4Pack not only offers thermoformed packaging but 

also all other kinds of packaging made from biobased and/or 

biodegradable materials, including films, bags and netting, 

and through to sugar cane trays made from the bagasse, a 

by-product from the sugar cane industry. 

“We want to offer our customers a total packaging 

solution,“ says Oliver Fraajie, Commercial Director of 

Nedupack, “not just a thermoformed tray or bulk pack.“ 

And thus the portfolio of Bio4Pack comprises the traditional 

thermoformed packaging made from bioplastics such as 

PLA or new thermoformable materials. 

The range also includes films and bags for all kinds of 

purposes, e.g shopping bags or flow wrap packaging made 

from starch based bioplastics such as Biolice ® , Materbi ® or 

Bioflex ® from FKUR, and also nets for onions, potatoes or 

fruit and, of course, the labelling on the packaging. 

“We also offer meat packaging consisting of a 

thermoformed PLA tray with peelable SiOx coated PLA 

film, having the same properties as conventional packing“ 

adds Frank Eijkman, Managing Director of Plastics2Pack. 

“And for bakery goods such as cakes and cookies we have 

thermoformed trays and folded boxes from a more rigid PLA 

sheet. This kind of box is also available for the packaging of 

bio-chocolate for example.“ 

Blisters for liquor gift packs or batteries round off the 

list of examples. “In a nutshell: We are a trading company 

that offers all types of packaging made from biobased or 

biodegradable materials,“ says Patrick Gerritsen, “Those that 

we don‘t produce ourselves at Nedupack or Plastics2pack, 

we get from partners who I know from the past“. 

Of course all products are certified according to EN 13432 

and Patrick goes even one step further: “We are investigating 

the possibility of having our products certified and labeled 

with ‘Climate Neutral‘ (www.climatepartner.de)“. 

Bio4Pack started operations in early August and is proud of 

the first orders from leading companies in the fresh produce 

and supermarket businesses. Even if the company initially 

targets the European market, clients from all over the world 

can be served via Nedupack‘s partners in many countries. 

“Another big advantage is that Nedupack Thermoforming 

have their own design and tool-making department, so we 

are more flexible and can react much quicker than many 

other suppliers,“ says Jhon Bollen, Technical Director of 

Nedupack. 

Although this new company was founded in a generally 

difficult economic situation, the entrepreneurs have full 

confidence in the development of this market. “We are 

looking forward to convincing more and more supermarkets 

and other suppliers to switch to bioplastic products - and 

not only because the traditional resources are finite,“ says 

Patrick Gerritsen. Oliver Fraaije is convinced that “the 

customers who buy bio-food are also willing to buy biopackaging.“ 

- MT 

www.bio4pack.com 

In September 2019, Patrick Gerritsen, 

founder and CEO of Bio4Pack said: 

10 years of Bio4Pack means 10 years 

of fighting for the opportunities of 

sustainable packaging. 

On July 15 it was exactly 10 years ago 

that Bio4pack was founded. At the time, 4 

enthusiastic entrepreneurs knew for sure: 

sustainable packaging is the packaging of 

the future. Now, 10 years later, it appears 

that they had a good foresight. Sustainable 

packaging is more popular than ever, partly 

due to the relentless energy that our team 

has put into convincing large retailers and 

packers to switch to this environmentally 

friendly packaging. Bio4Pack has benefited 

from this and has since grown into a leading 

supplier of compostable and sustainable 

packaging. 

In the initial phase of Bio4Pack the 

emphasis was on packaging intended for 

organically grown fruit and vegetables. Net 

packaging, film for packaging of potatoes 

and carrots, among other things, and PLA 

trays for packaging fruit were the most 

important products that Bio4Pack sold in 

the initial phase. Under the influence of 

the development of new sustainable raw 

materials and production techniques, 

the range has since been expanded to 

include packaging for a wide variety of 

products that do not have a biological 

background. Consider, for example, the 

packaging of peppermint. Bio4Pack 

recently introduced a completely 

new sustainable packaging made 

from the waste of rice plantations. 

This packaging is so special that the 

product immediately received the 

silver cradle-to-cradle certificate. 

The success of Bio4Pack has 

led the company to move into a 

completely new business premises 

in Nordhorn (D) at the beginning 

of this year with sufficient office 

space and a large warehouse. Here 

the company has room for further 

growth in the coming years. 

tinyurl.com/2009-bio4pack 

6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/09] Vol. 4 


Opinion 

Biodegradation of plastics in 

nature: the future tasks of 

standardisation 

Francesco Degli Innocenti, 

Ecology of Products Director, Novamont, Italy 

What is the minimum timeframe for complete biodegradation 

for plastics designed to biodegrade? 

Faced everyday with these type of questions, as a 

biodegradation expert, I realize that there is a communication 

deficit in our industry that must be filled. 

Two tiers are necessary to characterize the biodegradation 

of plastics at sea. 

The first tier testing is to verify whether the plastic material 

shows intrinsic biodegradability. This is the potential of 

the plastic to be cleaved by enzymes and assimilated by 

microorganisms present in the biosphere. Achieving high levels 

of conversion to CO 2 

, comparable to those achieved by GRAB 

(Generally Recognized As Biodegradable) substances, is a 

strong indication that plastic is biodegradable. When addressing 

the first tier, test conditions must be optimised, because it 

does not make any sense to limit the growth and activity of 

microbes. Obviously, when a biodegradable product “leaves 

the laboratory” and goes into the real world its biodegradation 

rate can be slower if conditions are sub-optimal. This is true 

for any biodegradable material, whether natural or synthetic. 

Food stored in the fridge does not biodegrade quickly and keeps 

for years if stored in the freezer. Nobody will claim “food is not 

biodegradable!” because it does not go bad at 4°C. 

The second tier is about the environmental fate of 

products placed on the market that are littered. Here the 

purpose is to assess the ecological risk of littering. “Risk” 

is a probabilistic concept, the probability that a certain 

event will occur that can cause harm to flora and fauna. For 

example, a bag (the hazard) can be mistaken for a jellyfish 

by a fish causing its death by suffocation (the harm). That is, 

a potential hazard can become 

real harm. The probability of 

this event happening depends 

on the number of bags present 

in the environment and their 

residence time. The greater 

the number of bags, the 

longer their residence time, 

the greater the probability of 

harm. For the layman: if I have 

to cross a highway blindfolded it is better to do it at 3 a.m. 

(when the “concentration” of cars is very low) and running 

fast (i.e. with the lowest “residence time”) than at 5 p.m. 

(when the “concentration” of cars is very high) and walking 

slow (i.e. with the highest “residence time.”) From this, it 

follows that littering products whether they are biodegradable 

or not, causes a risk because it increases one factor of the 

multiplication: “concentration x residence time”. The other 

factor is the residence time to be predicted based on the 

physical characteristics and the biodegradation behaviour of 

products. Biodegradation reduces residence times and thus 

the risk. 

In conclusion, the intrinsic biodegradability, demonstrated in the 

laboratory under optimal conditions and using a GRAB material 

as a reference, characterizes the plastic material from the point of 

view of its propensity to degrade similarly to natural materials. The 

definition of the impact of any product (including biodegradable 

plastics) in case of littering requires methodologies for the 

estimation of amount of litter and the effective biodegradation 

rates. This will be the task of research and standardisation in the 

near future. 

Magnetic 

for Plastics 

www.plasticker.com 

• International Trade 

in Raw Materials, Machinery & Products Free of Charge. 

• Daily News 

from the Industrial Sector and the Plastics Markets. 

• Current Market Prices 

for Plastics. 

• Buyer’s Guide 

for Plastics & Additives, Machinery & Equipment, Subcontractors 

and Services. 

• Job Market 

for Specialists and Executive Staff in the Plastics Industry. 

Up-to-date • Fast • Professional 


Research & Development 

Opportunity for developers 

Use or invest in (biobased) Polymerization Shared Facility – 

Call for Partners 

G 

reen Chemistry Campus (Bergen op Zoom), REWIN 

(Breda) and Wageningen University (Wageningen, 

all in the Netherlands) are planning the development 

of the first multipurpose Polymerization Shared 

Facility Pilot Plant in Bergen op Zoom. In this facility new 

and redesigned bio-polymers can be produced at a subcommercial 

scale. Currently the consortium is looking for 

companies in the field of new (biobased) polymers that are 

interested to either use this unique infrastructure or that 

want to become a shareholder. 

Test new & redesigned polymers at a 

sub-commercial scale 

Many developers of (bio-)polymers are ready to scale-up 

production from lab-scale to industrial-scale. The current 

lack of R&D infrastructure prevents them from optimally 

developing their innovations that could potentially green the 

chemical industry. The Polymerization Shared Facility Pilot 

aims to bridge this valley of death in polymer innovation by 

sharing costly infrastructure between multiple users. 

The plant embraces ring-opening and polycondensation 

polymerization as well as de-polymerization. With the 

possibility of continuous production of larger volumes of new 

and re-designed polymers, both the behavior of the polymer 

in production (upstream) and the processing (downstream) 

can be investigated at pre-commercial volumes (tonnesscale). 

The figure below shows the Polymerization Shared 

Facility Pilot across the value chain. 

Call for industrial partners to use or invest in 

the Polymerization Shared Facility Pilot Plant 

The Consortium is looking for companies who are 

active in the research and development of (bio)-polymers, 

either new polymers and/or drop-ins. This facility will help 

polymer developers or an end-users in materials to make 

the innovation process of developing new polymers and 

materials more efficient and sustainable. 

The offer is open for business partner(s) who want to use 

this facility in coming years or who want to be a shareholder 

of this facility. For any type of business partner, very 

attractive offerings are available, which include: 

• a pilot plant designed to your requirements (with broad 

process-operating window) 

• opportunity to co-invest 

• guaranteed use of the facility 

• competitive costs 

• located in the thriving bio-economy ecosystem of the 

Biobased Delta (South-West Netherlands) 

Consortium Partners & Context 

Consortium Partners Green Chemistry Campus, REWIN 

and Wageningen University are planning to develop this 

Polymerization Shared Facility at the site of the Green 

Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom. 

The facility reinforces the Biobased Delta ecosystem and 

is additional to existing research infrastructure such as 

the Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Bioprocess 

Pilot Facility in Delft and the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant 

in Ghent. It increases the attractiveness of the region for 

companies in the world to establish R&D centers here. The 

Wageningen Food & Biobased Research will give specifically 

scientific and engineering support to this polymerization 

pilot plant. 

About two third of the plant will be publicly funded. 

More Information 

The Consortium would be happy to send you 

more information or (preferably) talk to interested 

parties to explore possibilities that 

could help your company to successfully 

scale-up production of new (bio-)polymers. 

Please contact: 

Marcel van Berkel 

CEO Polymerization Shared Facility 

+31 6222 03144 

marcel@polymerizationsharedfacility.com 

Up-scaling 

Research & 

Development 

Upscaling 

(pilot) 

Demo/ 

Commercial 

scale 

(Cellulosic) 

Sugars 

Universities, private R&D at multinationals, -startups, 

Pilot plants for 

monomers 

Value Chain 

Monomers 

Polymers & 

Materials 

Polymerization Shared 

Facility 

End product 

Compounders, 

Converters & End use 

Feedstock suppliers Polymer producers Brand owners 


ORDER 

NOW! 

BOOK 

STORE 

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/books 

email: books@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

phone: +49 2161 6884463 


By: 

BIOPLASTIC 

patents 

Barry Dean, 

Naperville, Illinois, USA 

U.S. Patent 10,246,799 (April 2, 2019) “Polylactic Acid Resin 

Composition For 3D Printing”, Min-young Kim, Jong Ryang 

Kim, Tae-Young Kim, Sung-wan Jeon, (SK Chemicals Co, Ltd), 

(Seongnam-si Korea) 

Ref: WO2016/043440 

This patent teaches a composition and a process for making 

a composition for 3D printing. The composition taught consists 

of a hard segment polylactic acid (65 – 95 weight %) and a 

soft segment polyol (5 – 35 weight %) connected via urethane 

linkages by reaction with a diisocyanate. The PLA hard 

segment is prepared via reaction of D/L lactide while the soft 

segment is derived from a polyol such as polyethyleneglycol, 

polybutyleneglycol or polypropyleneglycol. The hard segment 

offers a melting point of 170°C and a glass transition of 55°C; 

while the soft segment glass transition can be tailored by 

the selection of polyol or mixtures of polyol. The polyol soft 

segment provides for a greater practical toughness of the 

resin and hence the 3D printed article. 

Key to the composition and its use for 3D printing is a 

practical melt viscosity which is taught based on a measured 

viscosity of

U.S. Patent 10,351,755 (July 16, 2019) “Loss Circulation 

Material Composition Having Alkaline Nanoparticle Based 

Dispersion and Water Insoluble Hydrolysable Polyester”, 

Vikrant Wagle, Rajendra Kalgaonkar, Abdullah Al-Yami, Zalnab 

Alsaihati (Saudi Arabian Oil Company), (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia) 

Ref. WO 2015116044 

This patent teaches a composition to address loss of 

drilling fluids in the wellbore. The composition consists 

of alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a water insoluble 

polyester where the ratio of the nanosilica: polyester is 50 

– 80:1. The water insoluble polyester can be polylactic acid, 

polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyglycolide or polycaprolactone, 

The combined nanosilica and insoluble polyester(powder 

or fiber) form a gel which when introduced into a well enter 

subterranean formations of low pressure and/or fractured 

areas. Under well temperatures the polyester hydrolyzes to 

form monomeric acid residues which react with the alkaline 

nanosilica forming a solid, physical barrier to the drilling fluids 

thereby increasing the efficiency and recovery of the drilling 

fluids. 

Process PLA 

with Improved 

Molecular Weight 

Retention 

LOWER MELT 

TEMPERATURE 

REDUCED ENERGY 

CONSUMPTION 

HIGHER FILL 

LEVELS 

U.S. Patent 10,314,683 (June 11, 2019) “Polyhydroxyalkanoate 

Medical Textiles and Fibers”, David P Martin, Said Rizk, 

Ajay Ahuja, Simon F. Williams, (Tepha, Inc), (Lexington, 

Massachusetts) 

This patent teaches absorbable polyester fibers, braids and 

surgical meshes with good in vivo strength retention based 

on monofilament or multifilament fiber made from poly-4- 

hydroxybutyrate homopolymer and copolymers. Multifilament 

fiber tenacity is greater than 3.5 g/denier and monofilament 

fiber has tensile strength greater than 126 MPa. These 

strength properties are key for in vivo sutures and surgical 

meshes 

These absorbable fibers are suggested to offer improved 

performance for anti-adhesion properties and reduced risks 

of infection. 

This patent also teaches the process for forming useful 

4-PHB fiber while overcoming the challenges of melt fracture, 

low crystallization and fiber tackiness. 

U.S. Patent 10,351,973 (July 16, 2019) “Process For The 

Preparation Of A Fiber, A Fiber and A Yarn Made From Such A 

Fiber”, Jeffrey John Kolstad, Gerardus Johannes Maria Gruter, 

(Furanix Technologiers B.V.), (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 

Ref: WO2014/204313 

A fiber by melt spinning of polyethylene-2.5- 

furandicarboxylate is taught. The PEF resin exhibits a solution 

viscosity of 0.45 – 0.85 dL/g. PEF fiber with draw ratios of 1: 

1.4 – 1.6 are shown to exhibit good fiber tenacity 200 – 1000 

mN/tex. It is also taught that PEF fiber can be subjected to 

traditional fiber techniques such as texturing, finishing and 

dyeing. In a comparative example with poly(trimethylene-2,5- 

furanoate), PEF was demonstrated to have improved fiber 

forming properties, e.g. reduced number of spin breaks. 

The PEF resin can be 100 % renewable with a biobased 

source of ethylene glycol. 

FREE 

white paper on 

the advantages 

of processing PLA 

using Continuous 

Mixing technology. 

Request your 

copy today. 

The FARREL POMINI Continuous Mixing 

technology is proven to process PLA at 

lower melt temperatures than twin screw 

extruders. These lower melt temperatures 

translate into improved molecular weight 

retention, reduced energy consumption and 

higher throughput rates when compared to 

other PLA processing techniques. 

If you are interested in improving your PLA processing, 

contact a FARREL POMINI representative today or visit 

farrel-pomini.com/contact to request a copy of our free 

white paper on PLA production and the advantages of 

Continuous Mixing technology. 

farrel-pomini.com | +1 203 736.5500 | 

Visit us in Hall 9 Stand A24 

bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/19] Vol. 14 53

Basics 

Glossary 4.4 last update issue 05/2019 

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). These can be biodegradable or not. 

b. → 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. 

1 st Generation feedstock | Carbohydrate rich 

plants such as corn or sugar cane that can 

also be used as food or animal feed are called 

food crops or 1 st generation feedstock. Bred 

my mankind over centuries for highest energy 

efficiency, currently, 1 st generation feedstock 

is the most efficient feedstock for the production 

of bioplastics as it requires the least 

amount of land to grow and produce the highest 

yields. [bM 04/09] 

2 nd Generation feedstock | refers to feedstock 

not suitable for food or feed. It can be either 

non-food crops (e.g. cellulose) or waste materials 

from 1 st generation feedstock (e.g. 

waste vegetable oil). [bM 06/11] 

3 rd Generation feedstock | This term currently 

relates to biomass from algae, which – having 

a higher growth yield than 1 st and 2 nd generation 

feedstock – were given their own category. 

It also relates to bioplastics from waste 

streams such as CO 2 

or methane [bM 02/16] 

Aerobic digestion | Aerobic means in the 

presence of oxygen. In →composting, which is 

an aerobic process, →microorganisms access 

the present oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere. 

They metabolize the organic material 

to energy, CO 2 

, water and cell biomass, 

whereby part of the energy of the organic material 

is released as heat. [bM 03/07, bM 02/09] 

Since this Glossary will not be printed 

in each issue you can download a pdf version 

from our website (bit.ly/OunBB0) 

bioplastics MAGAZINE is grateful to European Bioplastics for the permission to use parts of their Glossary. 

Version 4.0 was revised using EuBP’s latest version (Jan 2015). 

[*: bM ... refers to more comprehensive article previously published in bioplastics MAGAZINE) 

Anaerobic digestion | In anaerobic digestion, 

organic matter is degraded by a microbial 

population in the absence of oxygen 

and producing methane and carbon dioxide 

(= →biogas) and a solid residue that can be 

composted in a subsequent step without 

practically releasing any heat. The biogas can 

be treated in a Combined Heat and Power 

Plant (CHP), producing electricity and heat, or 

can be upgraded to bio-methane [14] [bM 06/09] 

Amorphous | non-crystalline, glassy with unordered 

lattice 

Amylopectin | Polymeric branched starch 

molecule with very high molecular weight 

(biopolymer, monomer is →Glucose) [bM 05/09] 

Amylose | Polymeric non-branched starch 

molecule with high molecular weight (biopolymer, 

monomer is →Glucose) [bM 05/09] 

Biobased | The term biobased describes the 

part of a material or product that is stemming 

from →biomass. When making a biobasedclaim, 

the unit (→biobased carbon content, 

→biobased mass content), a percentage and 

the measuring method should be clearly stated [1] 

Biobased carbon | carbon contained in or 

stemming from →biomass. A material or 

product made of fossil and →renewable resources 

contains fossil and →biobased carbon. 

The biobased carbon content is measured via 

the 14 C method (radio carbon dating method) 

that adheres to the technical specifications as 

described in [1,4,5,6]. 

Biobased labels | The fact that (and to 

what percentage) a product or a material is 

→biobased can be indicated by respective 

labels. Ideally, meaningful labels should be 

based on harmonised standards and a corresponding 

certification process by independent 

third party institutions. For the property 

biobased such labels are in place by certifiers 

→DIN CERTCO and →TÜV Austria who both 

base their certifications on the technical specification 

as described in [4,5] 

A certification and corresponding label depicting 

the biobased mass content was developed 

by the French Association Chimie du Végétal 

[ACDV]. 

Biobased mass content | describes the 

amount of biobased mass contained in a material 

or product. This method is complementary 

to the 14 C method, and furthermore, takes 

other chemical elements besides the biobased 

carbon into account, such as oxygen, nitrogen 

and hydrogen. A measuring method has 

been developed and tested by the Association 

Chimie du Végétal (ACDV) [1] 

Biobased plastic | A plastic in which constitutional 

units are totally or partly from → 

biomass [3]. If this claim is used, a percentage 

should always be given to which extent 

the product/material is → biobased [1] 

[bM 01/07, bM 03/10] 

Biodegradable Plastics | Biodegradable Plastics 

are plastics that are completely assimilated 

by the → 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. 

The process of biodegradation depends on 

the environmental conditions, which influence 

it (e.g. location, temperature, humidity) and 

on the material or application itself. Consequently, 

the process and its outcome can vary 

considerably. Biodegradability is linked to the 

structure of the polymer chain; it does not depend 

on the origin of the raw materials. 

There is currently no single, overarching standard 

to back up claims about biodegradability. 

One standard for example is ISO or in Europe: 

EN 14995 Plastics- Evaluation of compostability 

- Test scheme and specifications 

[bM 02/06, bM 01/07] 

Biogas | → Anaerobic digestion 

Biomass | Material of biological origin excluding 

material embedded in geological formations 

and material transformed to fossilised 

material. This includes organic material, e.g. 

trees, crops, grasses, tree litter, algae and 

waste of biological origin, e.g. manure [1, 2] 

Biorefinery | the co-production of a spectrum 

of bio-based products (food, feed, materials, 

chemicals including monomers or building 

blocks for bioplastics) and energy (fuels, power, 

heat) from biomass.[bM 02/13] 

Blend | Mixture of plastics, polymer alloy of at 

least two microscopically dispersed and molecularly 

distributed base polymers 

Bisphenol-A (BPA) | Monomer used to produce 

different polymers. BPA is said to cause 

health problems, due to the fact that is behaves 

like a hormone. Therefore it is banned 

for use in children’s products in many countries. 

BPI | Biodegradable Products Institute, a notfor-profit 

association. Through their innovative 

compostable label program, BPI educates 

manufacturers, legislators and consumers 

about the importance of scientifically based 

standards for compostable materials which 

biodegrade in large composting facilities. 

Carbon footprint | (CFPs resp. PCFs – Product 

Carbon Footprint): Sum of →greenhouse 

gas emissions and removals in a product system, 

expressed as CO 2 

equivalent, and based 

on a →life cycle assessment. The CO 2 

equivalent 

of a specific amount of a greenhouse gas 

is calculated as the mass of a given greenhouse 

gas multiplied by its →global warmingpotential 

[1,2,15] 


Basics 

Carbon neutral, CO 2 

neutral | describes a 

product or 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. 

Carbon neutrality can also be achieved 

through buying sufficient carbon credits to 

make up the difference. The latter option is 

not allowed when communicating → LCAs 

or carbon footprints regarding a material or 

product [1, 2]. 

Carbon-neutral claims are tricky as products 

will not in most cases reach carbon neutrality 

if their complete life cycle is taken into consideration 

(including the end-of life). 

If an assessment of a material, however, is 

conducted (cradle to gate), carbon neutrality 

might be a valid claim in a B2B context. In this 

case, the unit assessed in the complete life 

cycle has to be clarified [1] 

Cascade use | of →renewable resources means 

to first use the →biomass to produce biobased 

industrial products and afterwards – due to 

their favourable energy balance – use them 

for energy generation (e.g. from a biobased 

plastic product to →biogas production). The 

feedstock is used efficiently and value generation 

increases decisively. 

Catalyst | substance that enables and accelerates 

a chemical reaction 

Cellophane | Clear film on the basis of →cellulose 

[bM 01/10] 

Cellulose | Cellulose is the principal component 

of cell walls in all higher forms of plant 

life, at varying percentages. It is therefore the 

most common organic compound and also 

the most common polysaccharide (multisugar) 

[11]. Cellulose is a polymeric molecule 

with very high molecular weight (monomer is 

→Glucose), industrial production from wood 

or cotton, to manufacture paper, plastics and 

fibres [bM 01/10] 

Cellulose ester | Cellulose esters occur by 

the esterification of cellulose with organic 

acids. The most important cellulose esters 

from a technical point of view are cellulose 

acetate (CA with acetic acid), cellulose propionate 

(CP with propionic acid) and cellulose 

butyrate (CB with butanoic acid). Mixed polymerisates, 

such as cellulose acetate propionate 

(CAP) can also be formed. One of the most 

well-known applications of cellulose aceto 

butyrate (CAB) is the moulded handle on the 

Swiss army knife [11] 

Cellulose acetate CA | → Cellulose ester 

CEN | Comité Européen de Normalisation 

(European organisation for standardization) 

Certification | is a process in which materials/products 

undergo a string of (laboratory) 

tests in order to verify that the fulfil certain 

requirements. Sound certification systems 

should be based on (ideally harmonised) European 

standards or technical specifications 

(e.g. by →CEN, USDA, ASTM, etc.) and be 

performed by independent third party laboratories. 

Successful certification guarantees 

a high product safety - also on this basis interconnected 

labels can be awarded that help 

the consumer to make an informed decision. 

Compost | A soil conditioning material of decomposing 

organic matter which provides nutrients 

and enhances soil structure. 

[bM 06/08, 02/09] 

Compostable Plastics | Plastics that are 

→ biodegradable under →composting conditions: 

specified humidity, temperature, 

→ microorganisms and timeframe. In order 

to make accurate and specific claims about 

compostability, the location (home, → industrial) 

and timeframe need to be specified [1]. 

Several national and international standards 

exist for clearer definitions, for example EN 

14995 Plastics - Evaluation of compostability - 

Test scheme and specifications. [bM 02/06, bM 01/07] 

Composting | is the controlled →aerobic, or 

oxygen-requiring, decomposition of organic 

materials by →microorganisms, under controlled 

conditions. It reduces the volume and 

mass of the raw materials while transforming 

them into CO 2 

, water and a valuable soil conditioner 

– compost. 

When talking about composting of bioplastics, 

foremost →industrial composting in a 

managed composting facility is meant (criteria 

defined in EN 13432). 

The main difference between industrial and 

home composting is, that in industrial composting 

facilities temperatures are much 

higher and kept stable, whereas in the composting 

pile temperatures are usually lower, 

and less constant as depending on factors 

such as weather conditions. Home composting 

is a way slower-paced process than 

industrial composting. Also a comparatively 

smaller volume of waste is involved. [bM 03/07] 

Compound | plastic mixture from different 

raw materials (polymer and additives) [bM 04/10) 

Copolymer | Plastic composed of different 

monomers. 

Cradle-to-Gate | Describes the system 

boundaries of an environmental →Life 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 →LCA studies. 

Cradle-to-Grave | Describes the system 

boundaries of a full →Life Cycle Assessment 

from manufacture (cradle) to use phase and 

disposal phase (grave). 

Crystalline | Plastic with regularly arranged 

molecules in a lattice structure 

Density | Quotient from mass and volume of 

a material, also referred to as specific weight 

DIN | Deutsches Institut für Normung (German 

organisation for standardization) 

DIN-CERTCO | independant certifying organisation 

for the assessment on the conformity 

of bioplastics 

Dispersing | fine distribution of non-miscible 

liquids into a homogeneous, stable mixture 

Drop-In bioplastics | chemically indentical 

to conventional petroleum based plastics, 

but made from renewable resources. Examples 

are bio-PE made from bio-ethanol (from 

e.g. sugar cane) or partly biobased PET; the 

monoethylene glykol made from bio-ethanol 

(from e.g. sugar cane). Developments to 

make terephthalic acid from renewable resources 

are under way. Other examples are 

polyamides (partly biobased e.g. PA 4.10 or PA 

6.10 or fully biobased like PA 5.10 or PA10.10) 

EN 13432 | European standard for the assessment 

of the → compostability of plastic 

packaging products 

Energy recovery | recovery and exploitation 

of the energy potential in (plastic) waste for 

the production of electricity or heat in waste 

incineration pants (waste-to-energy) 

Environmental claim | A statement, symbol 

or graphic that indicates one or more environmental 

aspect(s) of a product, a component, 

packaging or a service. [16] 

Enzymes | proteins that catalyze chemical 

reactions 

Enzyme-mediated plastics | are no →bioplastics. 

Instead, a conventional non-biodegradable 

plastic (e.g. fossil-based PE) is enriched 

with small amounts of an organic additive. 

Microorganisms are supposed to consume 

these additives and the degradation process 

should then expand to the non-biodegradable 

PE and thus make the material degrade. After 

some time the plastic is supposed to visually 

disappear and to be completely converted to 

carbon dioxide and water. This is a theoretical 

concept which has not been backed up by 

any verifiable proof so far. Producers promote 

enzyme-mediated plastics as a solution to littering. 

As no proof for the degradation process 

has been provided, environmental beneficial 

effects are highly questionable. 

Ethylene | colour- and odourless gas, made 

e.g. from, Naphtha (petroleum) by cracking or 

from bio-ethanol by dehydration, monomer of 

the polymer polyethylene (PE) 

European Bioplastics e.V. | The industry association 

representing the interests of Europe’s 

thriving bioplastics’ industry. Founded 

in Germany in 1993 as IBAW, European 

Bioplastics today represents the interests 

of about 50 member companies throughout 

the European Union and worldwide. With 

members from the agricultural feedstock, 

chemical and plastics industries, as well as 

industrial users and recycling companies, European 

Bioplastics serves as both a contact 

platform and catalyst for advancing the aims 

of the growing bioplastics industry. 

Extrusion | process used to create plastic 

profiles (or sheet) of a fixed cross-section 

consisting of mixing, melting, homogenising 

and shaping of the plastic. 

FDCA | 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, an intermediate 

chemical produced from 5-HMF. 

The dicarboxylic acid can be used to make → 

PEF = polyethylene furanoate, a polyester that 

could be a 100% biobased alternative to PET. 

Fermentation | Biochemical reactions controlled 

by → microorganisms or → enyzmes (e.g. 

the transformation of sugar into lactic acid). 

FSC | Forest Stewardship Council. FSC is an 

independent, non-governmental, not-forprofit 

organization established to promote the 

responsible and sustainable management of 

the world’s forests. 


Basics 

Gelatine | Translucent brittle solid substance, 

colorless or slightly yellow, nearly tasteless 

and odorless, extracted from the collagen inside 

animals‘ connective tissue. 

Genetically modified organism (GMO) | Organisms, 

such as plants and animals, whose 

genetic material (DNA) has been altered 

are called genetically modified organisms 

(GMOs). Food and feed which contain or 

consist of such GMOs, or are produced from 

GMOs, are called genetically modified (GM) 

food or feed [1]. If GM crops are used in bioplastics 

production, the multiple-stage processing 

and the high heat used to create the 

polymer removes all traces of genetic material. 

This means that the final bioplastics product 

contains no genetic traces. The resulting 

bioplastics is therefore well suited to use in 

food packaging as it contains no genetically 

modified material and cannot interact with 

the contents. 

Global Warming | Global warming is the rise 

in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere 

and oceans since the late 19th century 

and its projected continuation [8]. Global 

warming is said to be accelerated by → green 

house gases. 

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. 

Greenhouse gas GHG | Gaseous constituent 

of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, 

that absorbs and emits radiation at 

specific wavelengths within the spectrum of 

infrared radiation emitted by the earth’s surface, 

the atmosphere, and clouds [1, 9] 

Greenwashing | The act of misleading consumers 

regarding the environmental practices 

of a company, or the environmental benefits 

of a product or service [1, 10] 

Granulate, granules | small plastic particles 

(3-4 millimetres), a form in which plastic is 

sold and fed into machines, easy to handle 

and dose. 

HMF (5-HMF) | 5-hydroxymethylfurfural is an 

organic compound derived from sugar dehydration. 

It is a platform chemical, a building 

block for 20 performance polymers and over 

175 different chemical substances. The molecule 

consists of a furan ring which contains 

both aldehyde and alcohol functional groups. 

5-HMF has applications in many different 

industries such as bioplastics, packaging, 

pharmaceuticals, adhesives and chemicals. 

One of the most promising routes is 2,5 

furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), produced as an 

intermediate when 5-HMF is oxidised. FDCA 

is used to produce PEF, which can substitute 

terephthalic acid in polyester, especially polyethylene 

terephthalate (PET). [bM 03/14, 02/16] 

Home composting | →composting [bM 06/08] 

Humus | In agriculture, humus is often used 

simply to mean mature →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 water 

resistant and weather proof or that absorbs 

water such as Polyamide (PA). 

Hydrophobic | Property: water-resistant, not 

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

resistant and weather proof, or that does not 

absorb any water such as Polyethylene (PE) 

or Polypropylene (PP). 

Industrial composting | is an established 

process with commonly agreed upon requirements 

(e.g. temperature, timeframe) for transforming 

biodegradable waste into stable, sanitised 

products to be used in agriculture. The 

criteria for industrial compostability of packaging 

have been defined in the EN 13432. Materials 

and products complying with this standard 

can be certified and subsequently labelled 

accordingly [1,7] [bM 06/08, 02/09] 

ISO | International Organization for Standardization 

JBPA | Japan Bioplastics Association 

Land use | The surface required to grow sufficient 

feedstock (land use) for today’s bioplastic 

production is less than 0.01 percent of the 

global agricultural area of 5 billion hectares. 

It is not yet foreseeable to what extent an increased 

use of food residues, non-food crops 

or cellulosic biomass (see also →1 st /2 nd /3 rd 

generation feedstock) in bioplastics production 

might lead to an even further reduced 

land use in the future [bM 04/09, 01/14] 

LCA | is the compilation and evaluation of the 

input, output and the potential environmental 

impact of a product system throughout its life 

cycle [17]. It is sometimes also referred to as 

life cycle analysis, ecobalance or cradle-tograve 

analysis. [bM 01/09] 

Littering | is the (illegal) act of leaving waste 

such as cigarette butts, paper, tins, bottles, 

cups, plates, cutlery or bags lying in an open 

or public place. 

Marine litter | Following the European Commission’s 

definition, “marine litter consists of 

items that have been deliberately discarded, 

unintentionally lost, or transported by winds 

and rivers, into the sea and on beaches. It 

mainly consists of plastics, wood, metals, 

glass, rubber, clothing and paper”. Marine 

debris originates from a variety of sources. 

Shipping and fishing activities are the predominant 

sea-based, ineffectively managed 

landfills as well as public littering the main 

land-based sources. Marine litter can pose a 

threat to living organisms, especially due to 

ingestion or entanglement. 

Currently, there is no international standard 

available, which appropriately describes the 

biodegradation of plastics in the marine environment. 

However, a number of standardisation 

projects are in progress at ISO and ASTM 

level. Furthermore, the European project 

OPEN BIO addresses the marine biodegradation 

of biobased products.[bM 02/16] 

Mass balance | describes the relationship between 

input and output of a specific substance 

within a system in which the output from the 

system cannot exceed the input into the system. 

First attempts were made by plastic raw material 

producers to claim their products renewable 

(plastics) based on a certain input 

of biomass in a huge and complex chemical 

plant, then mathematically allocating this 

biomass input to the produced plastic. 

These approaches are at least controversially 

disputed [bM 04/14, 05/14, 01/15] 

Microorganism | Living organisms of microscopic 

size, such as bacteria, funghi or yeast. 

Molecule | group of at least two atoms held 

together by covalent chemical bonds. 

Monomer | molecules that are linked by polymerization 

to form chains of molecules and 

then plastics 

Mulch film | Foil to cover bottom of farmland 

Organic recycling | means the treatment of 

separately collected organic waste by anaerobic 

digestion and/or composting. 

Oxo-degradable / Oxo-fragmentable | materials 

and products that do not biodegrade! 

The underlying technology of oxo-degradability 

or oxo-fragmentation is based on special additives, 

which, if incorporated into standard 

resins, are purported to accelerate the fragmentation 

of products made thereof. Oxodegradable 

or oxo-fragmentable materials do 

not meet accepted industry standards on compostability 

such as EN 13432. [bM 01/09, 05/09] 

PBAT | Polybutylene adipate terephthalate, is 

an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester that has the 

properties of conventional polyethylene but is 

fully biodegradable under industrial composting. 

PBAT is made from fossil petroleum with 

first attempts being made to produce it partly 

from renewable resources [bM 06/09] 

PBS | Polybutylene succinate, a 100% biodegradable 

polymer, made from (e.g. bio-BDO) 

and succinic acid, which can also be produced 

biobased [bM 03/12]. 

PC | Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester, 

petroleum based and not degradable, used 

for e.g. baby bottles or CDs. Criticized for its 

BPA (→ Bisphenol-A) content. 

PCL | Polycaprolactone, a synthetic (fossil 

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

a blend component. 

PE | Polyethylene, thermoplastic polymerised 

from ethylene. Can be made from renewable 

resources (sugar cane via bio-ethanol) [bM 05/10] 

PEF | polyethylene furanoate, a polyester 

made from monoethylene glycol (MEG) and 

→FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid , an intermediate 

chemical produced from 5-HMF). It 

can be a 100% biobased alternative for PET. 

PEF also has improved product characteristics, 

such as better structural strength and 

improved barrier behaviour, which will allow 

for the use of PEF bottles in additional applications. 

[bM 03/11, 04/12] 

PET | Polyethylenterephthalate, transparent 

polyester used for bottles and film. The 

polyester is made from monoethylene glycol 

(MEG), that can be renewably sourced from 

bio-ethanol (sugar cane) and (until now fossil) 

terephthalic acid [bM 04/14] 

PGA | Polyglycolic acid or Polyglycolide is a biodegradable, 

thermoplastic polymer and the 

simplest linear, aliphatic polyester. Besides 

ist use in the biomedical field, PGA has been 

introduced as a barrier resin [bM 03/09] 

PHA | Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or the 

polyhydroxy fatty acids, are a family of biodegradable 

polyesters. As in many mammals, 

including humans, that hold energy reserves 

in the form of body fat there are also bacteria 

that hold intracellular reserves in for of 

of polyhydroxy alkanoates. Here the microorganisms 

store a particularly high level of 


Basics 

energy reserves (up to 80% of their own body 

weight) for when their sources of nutrition become 

scarce. By farming this type of bacteria, 

and feeding them on sugar or starch (mostly 

from maize), or at times on plant oils or other 

nutrients rich in carbonates, it is possible to 

obtain PHA‘s on an industrial scale [11]. The 

most common types of PHA are PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate, 

PHBV and PHBH. Depending 

on the bacteria and their food, PHAs with 

different mechanical properties, from rubbery 

soft trough stiff and hard as ABS, can be produced. 

Some PHSs are even biodegradable in 

soil or in a marine environment 

PLA | Polylactide or Polylactic Acid (PLA), a 

biodegradable, thermoplastic, linear aliphatic 

polyester based on lactic acid, a natural acid, 

is mainly produced by fermentation of sugar 

or starch with the help of micro-organisms. 

Lactic acid comes in two isomer forms, i.e. as 

laevorotatory D(-)lactic acid and as dextrorotary 

L(+)lactic acid. 

Modified PLA types can be produced by the 

use of the right additives or by certain combinations 

of L- and D- lactides (stereocomplexing), 

which then have the required rigidity for 

use at higher temperatures [13] [bM 01/09, 01/12] 

Plastics | Materials with large molecular 

chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced 

by chemical or biochemical reactions. 

PPC | Polypropylene Carbonate, a bioplastic 

made by copolymerizing CO 2 

with propylene 

oxide (PO) [bM 04/12] 

PTT | Polytrimethylterephthalate (PTT), partially 

biobased polyester, is similarly to PET 

produced using terephthalic acid or dimethyl 

terephthalate and a diol. In this case it is a 

biobased 1,3 propanediol, also known as bio- 

PDO [bM 01/13] 

Renewable Resources | agricultural raw materials, 

which are not used as food or feed, 

but as raw material for industrial products 

or to generate energy. The use of renewable 

resources by industry saves fossil resources 

and reduces the amount of → greenhouse gas 

emissions. Biobased plastics are predominantly 

made of annual crops such as corn, 

cereals and sugar beets or perennial cultures 

such as cassava and sugar cane. 

Resource efficiency | Use of limited natural 

resources in a sustainable way while minimising 

impacts on the environment. A resource 

efficient economy creates more output 

or value with lesser input. 

Seedling Logo | The compostability label or 

logo Seedling is connected to the standard 

EN 13432/EN 14995 and a certification process 

managed by the independent institutions 

→DIN CERTCO and → TÜV Austria. Bioplastics 

products carrying the Seedling fulfil the criteria 

laid down in the EN 13432 regarding industrial 

compostability. [bM 01/06, 02/10] 

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. → glucose is a monosaccarin. 

They are important for the diet and 

produced biology in plants. 

Semi-finished products | plastic in form of 

sheet, film, rods or the like to be further processed 

into finshed products 

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 → amylose and → 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 → amylose and → 

amylopectin known. [bM 05/09] 

Starch derivatives | Starch derivatives are 

based on the chemical structure of → starch. 

The chemical structure can be changed by 

introducing new functional groups without 

changing the → 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 connected with an 

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 → starch with propane 

or butanic acid. The product structure 

is still based on → starch. Every based → glucose 

fragment is connected with a propionate 

or butyrate ester group. The product is more 

hydrophobic than → starch. 

Sustainable | An attempt to provide the best 

outcomes for the human and natural environments 

both now and into the indefinite future. 

One famous definition of sustainability is the 

one created by the Brundtland Commission, 

led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister 

G. H. 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 nonhuman 

environment). 

Sustainable sourcing | of renewable feedstock 

for biobased plastics is a prerequisite 

for more sustainable products. Impacts such 

as the deforestation of protected habitats 

or social and environmental damage arising 

from poor agricultural practices must 

be avoided. Corresponding certification 

schemes, such as ISCC PLUS, WLC or Bon- 

Sucro, are an appropriate tool to ensure the 

sustainable sourcing of biomass for all applications 

around the globe. 

Sustainability | as defined by European Bioplastics, 

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). 

Thermoplastic Starch | (TPS) → starch that 

was modified (cooked, complexed) to make it 

a plastic resin 

Thermoset | Plastics (resins) which do not 

soften or melt when heated. Examples are 

epoxy resins or unsaturated polyester resins. 

TÜV Austria Belgium | independant certifying 

organisation for the assessment on the conformity 

of bioplastics (formerly Vinçotte) 

Vinçotte | → TÜV Austria Belgium 

WPC | Wood Plastic Composite. Composite 

materials made of wood fiber/flour and plastics 

(mostly polypropylene). 

Yard Waste | Grass clippings, leaves, trimmings, 

garden residue. 

References: 

[1] Environmental Communication Guide, 

European Bioplastics, Berlin, Germany, 

2012 

[2] ISO 14067. Carbon footprint of products - 

Requirements and guidelines for quantification 

and communication 

[3] CEN TR 15932, Plastics - Recommendation 

for terminology and characterisation 

of biopolymers and bioplastics, 2010 

[4] CEN/TS 16137, Plastics - Determination 

of bio-based carbon content, 2011 

[5] ASTM D6866, Standard Test Methods for 

Determining the Biobased Content of 

Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using 

Radiocarbon Analysis 

[6] SPI: Understanding Biobased Carbon 

Content, 2012 

[7] EN 13432, Requirements for packaging 

recoverable through composting and biodegradation. 

Test scheme and evaluation 

criteria for the final acceptance of packaging, 

2000 

[8] Wikipedia 

[9] ISO 14064 Greenhouse gases -- Part 1: 

Specification with guidance..., 2006 

[10] Terrachoice, 2010, www.terrachoice.com 

[11] Thielen, M.: Bioplastics: Basics. Applications. 

Markets, Polymedia Publisher, 

2012 

[12] Lörcks, J.: Biokunststoffe, Broschüre der 

FNR, 2005 

[13] de Vos, S.: Improving heat-resistance of 

PLA using poly(D-lactide), 

bioplastics MAGAZINE, Vol. 3, Issue 02/2008 

[14] de Wilde, B.: Anaerobic Digestion, bioplastics 

MAGAZINE, Vol 4., Issue 06/2009 

[15] ISO 14067 onb Corbon Footprint of 

Products 

[16] ISO 14021 on Self-declared Environmental 

claims 

[17] ISO 14044 on Life Cycle Assessment 


Suppliers Guide 

1. Raw Materials 

AGRANA Starch 

Bioplastics 

Conrathstraße 7 

A-3950 Gmuend, Austria 

bioplastics.starch@agrana.com 

www.agrana.com 

Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe 

Polyester Co., Ltd. 

No. 316, South Beijing Rd. Changji, 

Xinjiang, 831100, P.R.China 

Tel.: +86 994 22 90 90 9 

Mob: +86 187 99 283 100 

chenjianhui@lanshantunhe.com 

www.lanshantunhe.com 

PBAT & PBS resin supplier 

Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd. 

No.33 Kefeng Rd, Sc. City, Guangzhou 

Hi-Tech Ind. Development Zone, 

Guangdong, P.R. China. 510663 

Tel: +86 (0)20 6622 1696 

info@ecopond.com.cn 

www.kingfa.com 

39 mm 

Simply contact: 

Tel.: +49 2161 6884467 

suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com 

Stay permanently listed in the 

Suppliers Guide with your company 

logo and contact information. 

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

can be present among top suppliers in 

the field of bioplastics. 

For Example: 


Dammer Str. 112 

41066 Mönchengladbach 

Germany 

Tel. +49 2161 664864 

Fax +49 2161 631045 

info@bioplasticsmagazine.com 


Sample Charge: 

39mm x 6,00 € 

= 234,00 € per entry/per issue 

Sample Charge for one year: 

6 issues x 234,00 EUR = 1,404.00 € 

The entry in our Suppliers Guide is 

bookable for one year (6 issues) and 

extends automatically if it’s not canceled 

three month before expiry. 

www.facebook.com 

www.issuu.com 

www.twitter.com 

www.youtube.com 

BASF SE 

Ludwigshafen, Germany 

Tel: +49 621 60-99951 

martin.bussmann@basf.com 

www.ecovio.com 

Gianeco S.r.l. 

Via Magenta 57 10128 Torino - Italy 

Tel.+390119370420 

info@gianeco.com 

www.gianeco.com 

PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd. 

info@pttmcc.com / www.pttmcc.com 

Tel: +66(0) 2 140-3563 

MCPP Germany GmbH 

+49 (0) 152-018 920 51 

frank.steinbrecher@mcpp-europe.com 

MCPP France SAS 

+33 (0) 6 07 22 25 32 

fabien.resweber@mcpp-europe.com 

Microtec Srl 

Via Po’, 53/55 

30030, Mellaredo di Pianiga (VE), 

Italy 

Tel.: +39 041 5190621 

Fax.: +39 041 5194765 

info@microtecsrl.com 

www.biocomp.it 

Tel: +86 351-8689356 

Fax: +86 351-8689718 

www.jinhuizhaolong.com 

ecoworldsales@jinhuigroup.com 

Jincheng, Lin‘an, Hangzhou, 

Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China 

China contact: Grace Jin 

mobile: 0086 135 7578 9843 

Grace@xinfupharm.comEurope 

contact(Belgium): Susan Zhang 

mobile: 0032 478 991619 

zxh0612@hotmail.com 

www.xinfupharm.com 

1.1 bio based monomers 

1.2 compounds 

Cardia Bioplastics 

Suite 6, 205-211 Forster Rd 

Mt. Waverley, VIC, 3149 Australia 

Tel. +61 3 85666800 

info@cardiabioplastics.com 

www.cardiabioplastics.com 

API S.p.A. 

Via Dante Alighieri, 27 

36065 Mussolente (VI), Italy 

Telephone +39 0424 579711 

www.apiplastic.com 

www.apinatbio.com 

BIO-FED 

Branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH 

BioCampus Cologne 

Nattermannallee 1 

50829 Cologne, Germany 

Tel.: +49 221 88 88 94-00 

info@bio-fed.com 

www.bio-fed.com 

Global Biopolymers Co.,Ltd. 

Bioplastics compounds 

(PLA+starch;PLA+rubber) 

194 Lardproa80 yak 14 

Wangthonglang, Bangkok 

Thailand 10310 

info@globalbiopolymers.com 

www.globalbiopolymers.com 

Tel +66 81 9150446 

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH 

Siemensring 79 

D - 47 877 Willich 

Tel. +49 2154 9251-0 

Tel.: +49 2154 9251-51 

sales@fkur.com 

www.fkur.com 

GRAFE-Group 

Waldecker Straße 21, 

99444 Blankenhain, Germany 

Tel. +49 36459 45 0 

www.grafe.com 

Green Dot Bioplastics 

226 Broadway | PO Box #142 

Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845, USA 

Tel.: +1 620-273-8919 

info@greendotholdings.com 

www.greendotpure.com 

NUREL Engineering Polymers 

Ctra. Barcelona, km 329 

50016 Zaragoza, Spain 

Tel: +34 976 465 579 

inzea@samca.com 

www.inzea-biopolymers.com 

Sukano AG 

Chaltenbodenstraße 23 

CH-8834 Schindellegi 

Tel. +41 44 787 57 77 

Fax +41 44 787 57 78 

www.sukano.com 



Natureplast – Biopolynov 

11 rue François Arago 

14123 IFS 

Tel: +33 (0)2 31 83 50 87 

www.natureplast.eu 

TECNARO GmbH 

Bustadt 40 

D-74360 Ilsfeld. Germany 

Tel: +49 (0)7062/97687-0 

www.tecnaro.de 

1.3 PLA 

Total Corbion PLA bv 

Arkelsedijk 46, P.O. Box 21 

4200 AA Gorinchem 

The Netherlands 

Tel.: +31 183 695 695 

Fax.: +31 183 695 604 


pla@total-corbion.com 

Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co.,Ltd. 

No.97 Waisha Rd, Jiaojiang District, 

Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China 

Tel: +86-576-88827723 

pla@hisunpharm.com 

www.hisunplas.com 

1.4 starch-based bioplastics 

BIOTEC 

Biologische Naturverpackungen 

Werner-Heisenberg-Strasse 32 

46446 Emmerich/Germany 

Tel.: +49 (0) 2822 – 92510 

info@biotec.de 

www.biotec.de 

Plásticos Compuestos S.A. 

C/ Basters 15 

08184 Palau Solità i Plegamans 

Barcelona, Spain 

Tel. +34 93 863 96 70 

info@kompuestos.com 

www.kompuestos.com 

1.5 PHA 

Bio-on S.p.A. 

Via Santa Margherita al Colle 10/3 

40136 Bologna - ITALY 

Tel.: +39 051 392336 

info@bio-on.it 

www.bio-on.it 

Kaneka Belgium N.V. 

Nijverheidsstraat 16 

2260 Westerlo-Oevel, Belgium 

Tel: +32 (0)14 25 78 36 

Fax: +32 (0)14 25 78 81 

info.biopolymer@kaneka.be 

TianAn Biopolymer 

No. 68 Dagang 6th Rd, 

Beilun, Ningbo, China, 315800 

Tel. +86-57 48 68 62 50 2 

Fax +86-57 48 68 77 98 0 

enquiry@tianan-enmat.com 

www.tianan-enmat.com 

1.6 masterbatches 

GRAFE-Group 



Tel. +49 36459 45 0 

www.grafe.com 

Albrecht Dinkelaker 

Polymer and Product Development 

Blumenweg 2 

79669 Zell im Wiesental, Germany 

Tel.:+49 (0) 7625 91 84 58 

info@polyfea2.de 

www.caprowax-p.eu 

Treffert GmbH & Co. KG 

In der Weide 17 

55411 Bingen am Rhein; Germany 

+49 6721 403 0 

www.treffert.eu 

Treffert S.A.S. 

Rue de la Jontière 

57255 Sainte-Marie-aux-Chênes, 

France 

+33 3 87 31 84 84 

www.treffert.fr 

2. Additives/Secondary raw materials 

GRAFE-Group 



Tel. +49 36459 45 0 

www.grafe.com 

3. Semi finished products 

3.1 films 

4. Bioplastics products 

Bio-on S.p.A. 

Via Santa Margherita al Colle 10/3 

40136 Bologna - ITALY 

Tel.: +39 051 392336 

info@bio-on.it 

www.bio-on.it 

Bio4Pack GmbH 

D-48529 Nordhorn, Germany 

Tel.: +49 (0) 5921 818 37 00 

info@bio4pack.com 

www.bio4pack.com 

BeoPlast Besgen GmbH 

Bioplastics injection moulding 

Industriestraße 64 

D-40764 Langenfeld, Germany 

Tel. +49 2173 84840-0 

info@beoplast.de 

www.beoplast.de 

INDOCHINE C, M, Y , K BIO C , M, Y, K PLASTIQUES 

45, 0,90, 0 

10, 0, 80,0 

(ICBP) C, M, Y, KSDN BHD 

C, M, Y, K 

50, 0 ,0, 0 

0, 0, 0, 0 

12, Jalan i-Park SAC 3 

Senai Airport City 

81400 Senai, Johor, Malaysia 

Tel. +60 7 5959 159 

marketing@icbp.com.my 

www.icbp.com.my 

Minima Technology Co., Ltd. 

Esmy Huang, COO 

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

Taichung County 

411, Taiwan (R.O.C.) 

Tel. +886(4)2277 6888 

Fax +883(4)2277 6989 

Mobil +886(0)982-829988 

esmy@minima-tech.com 

Skype esmy325 

www.minima.com 

Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies 

4201 Woodland Road 

Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA 

Tel. +1 763.404.8700 

Fax +1 763.225.6645 

info@natur-tec.com 

www.natur-tec.com 

NOVAMONT S.p.A. 

Via Fauser , 8 

28100 Novara - ITALIA 

Fax +39.0321.699.601 

Tel. +39.0321.699.611 


6. Equipment 

6.1 Machinery & Molds 

Buss AG 

Hohenrainstrasse 10 

4133 Pratteln / Switzerland 

Tel.: +41 61 825 66 00 

Fax: +41 61 825 68 58 

info@busscorp.com 

www.busscorp.com 

6.2 Degradability Analyzer 

MODA: Biodegradability Analyzer 

SAIDA FDS INC. 

143-10 Isshiki, Yaizu, 

Shizuoka,Japan 

Tel:+81-54-624-6155 

Fax: +81-54-623-8623 

info_fds@saidagroup.jp 

www.saidagroup.jp/fds_en/ 

7. Plant engineering 

EREMA Engineering Recycling 

Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH 

Unterfeldstrasse 3 

4052 Ansfelden, AUSTRIA 

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

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

erema@erema.at 

www.erema.at 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH 

Holzhauser Strasse 157–159 

D-13509 Berlin 

Tel. +49 30 43 567 5 

Fax +49 30 43 567 699 

sales.de@uhde-inventa-fischer.com 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG 

Via Innovativa 31, CH-7013 Domat/Ems 

Tel. +41 81 632 63 11 

Fax +41 81 632 74 03 

sales.ch@uhde-inventa-fischer.com 

www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com 



9. Services 

10.2 Universities 

10.3 Other Institutions 

Osterfelder Str. 3 

46047 Oberhausen 

Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227 

thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de 

www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de 

Innovation Consulting Harald Kaeb 

narocon 

Dr. Harald Kaeb 

Tel.: +49 30-28096930 

kaeb@narocon.de 

www.narocon.de 

9. Services (continued) 

nova-Institut GmbH 

Chemiepark Knapsack 

Industriestrasse 300 

50354 Huerth, Germany 

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

E-Mail: contact@nova-institut.de 

www.biobased.eu 

Bioplastics Consulting 

Tel. +49 2161 664864 

info@polymediaconsult.com 

10. Institutions 

10.1 Associations 

BPI - The Biodegradable 

Products Institute 

331 West 57th Street, Suite 415 

New York, NY 10019, USA 

Tel. +1-888-274-5646 

info@bpiworld.org 

European Bioplastics e.V. 

Marienstr. 19/20 

10117 Berlin, Germany 

Tel. +49 30 284 82 350 

Fax +49 30 284 84 359 

info@european-bioplastics.org 

www.european-bioplastics.org 

Institut für Kunststofftechnik 

Universität Stuttgart 

Böblinger Straße 70 

70199 Stuttgart 

Tel +49 711/685-62831 

silvia.kliem@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de 

www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de 

Michigan State University 

Dept. of Chem. Eng & Mat. Sc. 

Professor Ramani Narayan 

East Lansing MI 48824, USA 

Tel. +1 517 719 7163 

narayan@msu.edu 

IfBB – Institute for Bioplastics 

and Biocomposites 

University of Applied Sciences 

and Arts Hanover 

Faculty II – Mechanical and 

Bioprocess Engineering 

Heisterbergallee 12 

30453 Hannover, Germany 

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

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

lisa.mundzeck@hs-hannover.de 

www.ifbb-hannover.de/ 

GO!PHA 

Rick Passenier 

Oudebrugsteeg 9 

1012JN Amsterdam 


info@gopha.org 

www.gopha.org 

Green Serendipity 

Caroli Buitenhuis 

IJburglaan 836 

1087 EM Amsterdam 


Tel.: +31 6-24216733 

www.greenseredipity.nl 

Stay in the loop! 

Subscribe 

for free! 

@ 

ogy.de/rubber-newsletter 

Subscribe 

for free! 

@ 

ogy.de/pu-newsletter 

Subscribe 

for free! 

@ 

ogy.de/tpe-newsletter 


1_05.2017 

Events 

Subscribe 

now at 

Event 

Calendar 

bioplasticsmagazine.com 

the next six issues for €169.– 1) 

Special offer 

for students and 

young professionals 

1,2) € 99.- 

2) aged 35 and below. 

end a scan of your 

student card, your ID 

or similar proof ... 

You can meet us 

Kuwait Sustainable Development Symposium – 2019 

13.10.2019 - 14.10.2019 - Kuweit 

https://traiconevents.com/sustainable/kuwait/ 

K 2019 

16.10.2019 - 23.10.2019 - Duesseldorf, Germany 

www.k-online.com 

Bioplastics Business Breakfast K‘2019 

17.10.2019 - 20.10.2019 - Duesseldorf, Germany 

http://www.bioplastics-breakfast.com 

SPC Engage:London 

23.10.2019 - 24.10.2019 - London, Great Britain 

https://sustainablepackaging.org/events/spc-engage-london/ 


North American Biopolymer Summit 2019 

06.11.2019 - 07.11.2019 - Chicago,IL,USA 

https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/biopolymer-summit-usa/ 


Basics 

Home composting | 44 

Highlights 

Bottles / Blow Moulding | 10 

Biocomposites | 24 

r1_05.2017 


Jul / Aug 


04 | 2019 

Cover Story 

Cove PHA bottles 

Preview: 

Highlights 




Sep / Oct 

Cover Story 






BioPlastEx’2019 

08.11.2019 - 09.11.2019 - Bangalore, India 

www.BioPlastEx.com 

8th Biocomposites Conference Cologne 

14.11.2019 - 15.11.2019 - Cologne, Germany 


Frontiers in Polymer Chemistry and Biopolymers 

18.11.2019 - 19.11.2019 - Rome, Italy 

https://www.longdom.com/polymerchemistry 

14th European Bioplastics Conference 2019 

03.12.2019 - 04.12.2019 - Berlin, Germany 

https://www.european-bioplastics.org/events/eubp-conference/ 

4th European Chemistry Partnering 

27.02.2020 - Frankfurt, Germany 

https://european-chemistry-partnering.com/ 


+ 

or 

Plastics beyond Petroleum-BioMass & Recycling 

12.05.2020 - 13.05.2020 - New York City Area, USA 

http://innoplastsolutions.com/conference.html 

The Greener Manufacturing Show 

16.06.2020 - 17.06.2020 - Cologne, Germany 

https://www.greener-manufacturing.com/welcome 

Mention the promotion code ‘watch‘ or ‘book‘ 

and you will get our watch or the book 3) 

Bioplastics Basics. Applications. Markets. for free 

(new subscribers only) 

1) Offer valid until 31 Dec. 2019 

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


Companies in this issue 

Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert 

Abioplastics 29 

Agiplast 30 

Agrana Starch Bioplastics 58 

AIMPLAS 34, 43 

Albis 29 

Allied Market Research 7 

AMIBM 16 

API 58 

Arkema 35 

BASF 7 58 

Beologic 34 

BeoPlast Besgen 59 

Bio4Pack 48 59 

Bio4Self 14 

Bio-Fed Branch of Akro-Plastic 58 

Biofribre 34 

Bio-On 7, 14 59 

Biotec 40 59, 63 

BPI 60 

Braskem 15, 39 

Buss 59 

CaixaBank 36 

Cake 36 

Caprowachs, Albrecht Dinkelaker 59 

Carbiolice 14, 30 

Cardia Bioplastics 58 

Corbion 26, 31 

Dantoy 15 

Dr. BOY 8, 29 

Dr. Heinz Gupta Verlag 60 

DuPont 42 

DWI Leibniz Inst. F. Interactive Mat. 24 

Erema 37, 59 

European Bioplastics 8, 28, 29 47, 60 

Evonik 35 

Faculty of Life Scienes, Albst Sigm. 45 

Farrel 53 

Federal Mogul Powertrian 52 

First Mile 6 

FKuR 15, 29, 47 2, 58 

Fraunhofer IAP 15 

Fraunhofer IVV 45 

Fraunhofer UMSICHT 60 

Furanix Technologies 53 

Gema Polimer 31 

Gianeco 58 

Global Biopolymers 58 

Go!PHA 6 60 

Grafe 58, 59 

Green Chemistry Campus 50 

Green Dot Bioplastics 58 

Green Serendipity 60 

Hexpol TPE 37 

ICCI SEA 18 

Indochine Bio Plastiques 59 

Inst. F. Bioplastics & Biocomposites 60 

Institut f. Kunststofftechnik, Stuttgart 60 

Institut für Textiltechnik ITA 20, 24 

INSTM, Univ. Pisa 45 

IRIS Technology Solutions 45 

JinHui ZhaoLong High Technology 15 1, 58 

Kaneka 8 59 

Kartell 15 

Kingfa 58 

Kompuestos 28 59 

Kuraray 42 

Lenzing 23 

Machinefabriek W. Bakker 22 

Messe Düsseldorf 28 28 

Michigan State University 60 

Microtec 58 

Minima Technology 59 

Mitr Phol 27 47 

Mitsubishi Chemical 8 

Modint 16 

narocon 8 60 

Natural Farm 39 

Natureplast-Biopolynov 59 

Natur-Tec 59 

Nölle Kunststofftechnik 15 

Norbert Schmid 34 

nova Institute 46 35, 38, 60 

Novamont 5, 30, 49 59, 64 

Novozymes 14 

Nurel 58 

Omya 30 

Plantic 42 

plasticker 49 

Polykum 31 

polymediaconsult 60 

Polymerization Shared Facility 50 

ProdTek 

PTTMCC 42 58 

RIKEN 8 

REWIN 50 

Saida 59 

Saudi Arabian Oil Company 53 

Saxon Textile Research Inst. 15 

SeaBird 18 

Senbis Polymer Innovation 22 

Sicomin 5 

Simcon 7 

SK Chemicals 52 

Sukano 34 17, 58 

TAIF Group 7 

Tecnaro 59 

Tepha 53 

The Good Stuffing Company 39 

TianAn Biopolymer 59 

Total 26, 31 

Total Corbion PLA 6, 26, 31 33, 59 

Treffert 59 

Trifilon 36 

Uhde Inventa-Fischer 59 

United Biopolymers 31 

Univ. Stuttgart (IKT) 60 

Vaude 35 

Vegware 6 

Wageningen Univ. 50 

Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe Polyester 58 

Zeijiang Hisun Biomaterials 58 

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharm. 58 

Editorial Planner 

2019/2020 

Issue 

Month 

Publ. 

Date 

edit/ad/ 

Deadline 

06/2019 Nov/Dec 02.12.19 01.11.19 Films/Flexibles/ 

Bags 

Edit. Focus 1 Edit. Focus 2 Basics 

Consumer & office 

electronics 

Multilayer films 

Trade-Fair 

Specials 

K'2019 Review 

01/2020 Jan/Feb 10.02.20 31.12.19 Automotive Foam t.b.c. t.b.c. 

02/2020 Mar/Apr 06.04.20 06.03.20 Thermoforming / 

Rigid packaging 

Additives / 

Masterbatches 

t.b.c. 

interpack preview 

Subject to changes 


Follow us on twitter! 

www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag 

Be our friend on Facebook! 

www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine 


MEET US AT THE K2019 

HALL 7 LEVEL 1 / STAND B 21 

A COMPLETE RANGE 

OF SOLUTIONS. 

BIOPLAST®, 

INNOVATIVE 

SOLUTIONS FOR 

EVERYDAY PRODUCTS. 

Made from potato starch, 

BIOPLAST® resins are 

designed to work on 

existing standard 

equipment for blown 

film, flat film, cast 

film, injection molded 

and thermoformed 

components. 

100 % biodegradable, 

BIOPLAST® is particularly 

suitable for ultra-light 

films with a thickness of 

approx. 10-15 μm. 

S002 

S002 

TRANSPARENT ODORLESS PLASTICIZER 

FREE 

OK COMPOST 

HOME 

FOOD- 

CONTACT 

GRADE 

GMO FREE 

www.biotec.de 

member of the SPHERE 

group of companies 

LJ Corporate – © JB Mariou – BIOTEC HRA 1183


EcoComunicazione.it 

r1_05.2017

Issue 05/2019

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?