Issue 04/2018

ISSN 1862-5258
Jul / Aug
04 | 2018
Cover Story:
Vienna schoolgirls
develop homecompostable
coffee
capsules| 34
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 13
Basics
PEF | 48
Highlights
Blow Moulding / Bottles | 16
Coffee Capsules & Pods | 34
... is read in 92 countries

Eastlon
BIO-PET
RE-THINKING THE BOTTLE:
Different Bioplastics for one Application.
A fi ne and high-value bottle can be made from different types of bioplastics.
Rebhan was spoilt for choice and fi nally took all for their biobased packaging
portfolio GREENline:
• Bio-Flex ® , a PLA blend,
• Eastlon, the Bio-PET by Fenc,
• Braskem's Green PE.
All resins are supplied by FKuR, naturally.

Editorial
dear
readers
This year is the hottest summer in Germany that I can remember in 15 years. Unbelievably,
we’ve had bright sunshine and high temperatures since the end of May. And one of the
fundamental rules in weather like this is to drink a lot. Preferably water. But I prefer coffee.
As I’m trying to minimize coffee-related waste at my home, I usually drink my
coffee freshly brewed from freshly ground coffee beans in a modern, fully automatic
coffee machine. But I must admit that there are benefits to today’s conveniently
pre-dosed coffee pods and capsules: the wide variety of tastes and flavours, the
different strengths available - with or without caffeine - while at home… the same
coffee in each and every cup… . On the other hand, (traditional) coffee pods and
capsule are causing at least some – to put it mildly – environmental concern.
Could coffee pods and capsules made of biobased and/or biodegradable plastics
offer a sustainable alternative? This is one of the highlight topics discussed in this
issue. We’ve even included an article about a coffee capsule made of (sugar cane)
paper, which are not exactly bioplastics, but in my opinion, still an alternative to
aluminium worth reporting on.
The other highlight topic is Blow Moulding / Bottle Applications which this time
also includes the Basics section, where we have a closer look at PEF.
Two more things I’d like to direct your attention to are:
The 1 st PHA platform World Congress on 4 and 5 September in Cologne. We
are happy to have no fewer that 28 speakers lined up to present the latest PHA
developments and who are looking forward to networking with you.
Second, we’re currently calling for submissions for the 2018 edition of the Global
Bioplastics Award. If you think your product or service from the world of biobased plastics
deserves the award, or you’d like to nominate somebody else’s, please let us know.
Until then, please enjoy the summer - and have a great time reading this latest issue of
bioplastics MAGAZINE.
Sincerely yours
Michael Thielen
Follow us on twitter!
www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag
Like us on Facebook!
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 3

Content
Imprint
Jul / Aug 04|2018
Blow Moulding
14 No Message in the bottle –
The bottle is the message!
18 100% biobased PET bottle
closer to reality
Applications
24 Natural fibres for motorsports
Report/Opinon
26 20 years Tecnaro
Materials
31 New biocomposite for
thermally formable products
33 New compound certified as
biodegradable in soil
42 Multilayer transparent barrierfilms
Coffee capsules & pods
36 Enjoying coffee with compostable
coffee capsules
37 Replacing aluminium with paper
38 Coffee Klatch
40 Bio-PBS to increase benefits
of PLA coffee capsules
41 PürPod 100
From Science & Research
43 Bioplastic from cactus
44 From coffee grounds to plastic
3 Editorial
5 News
10 Events
26 Application News
34 Cover Story
48 Basics
52 10 years ago
54 Suppliers Guide
57 Event Calendar
58 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: 3.600 copies
bioplastics magazine
ISSN 1862-5258
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bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in
92 countries.
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or omissions or for any losses that may
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spelling may also be used.
Envelopes
A part of this print run is mailed to the
readers wrapped in bioplastic envelopes
sponsored by Minima Technology Co.,
Ltd. , Taiwan
Cover
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daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
News
Global L-lactide market set for explosive growth
The global L-lactide market was valued at US$ 781.81
Mn in 2017 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 14.1%
from 2018 to 2026, according to a new report titled "L-lactide
Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends,
and Forecast, 2018–2026," published by Transparency Market
Research (TMR).
The main driver behind this growth is the rising demand
for bioplastics. Polylactic acid – PLA – is a commonly used
bioplastics that is derived from L-lactide. Around the globe,
consumers are increasingly indicating a preference for
biodegradable materials as their awareness grows about the
environmental impact of the use of fossil-based materials.
North America accounts for a major share of the global
L-lactide market.
The properties of L-lactide, such as sustainability, its barrier
properties and appearance, make it ideal for use in packaging
applications. Stringent regulations on plastic consumption
in developed regions such as North America and Europe are
expected to have a positive influence on the expansion of the
L-lactide market.
Next to packaging, another area that is likely to stimulate
the growth of the global L-lactide market is that of biomedical
applications.
Demand for L-lactide from various medical fields, such
as controlled drug delivery systems, tissue regeneration,
and medical implants, is on the rise owing to the favourable
biocompatibility and the mechanical properties of the material.
L-lactide is finding increasing use in biomedical applications
such as orthopaedics, drug carriers, facial fracture repair,
tissue engineering, and uteral stents, which is expected
to add to the growth potential of the L-lactide market. The
emergence of nanotechnology and material science using
biomaterials has prompted researchers and manufacturers
of medical devices to come up with advanced technologies
using L-lactide.
L-Lactides are also increasingly being applied in soil
retention sheeting, agricultural films, and waste bags.
Agricultural mulches, seeding strips, and tapes can today
be made from PLA. Mulches help reduce evaporation and
conserve moisture, increase soil temperature, and keep weeds
under control. The successful replacement of petroleumbased
materials will offer new value added markets for
agricultural commodities and reduce the dependence on
foreign crude oil and gas.
The global L-lactide market is dominated by the food &
beverage packaging segment. L-lactides have been used as
packaging materials in the last few years, mainly as containers
for dairy, bakery, and fresh food products. Food containers,
bags and cups, disposable serviceware and utensils,
lamination or coatings for paper and paperboard, foam
products for trays, and other packaging materials and films
manufactured using L-lactide are gaining popularity due to
the favourable material properties and superior performance
of the material. However, the low heat distortion temperature
of L-lactide restricts its use to ambient temperatures.
In terms of consumption, North America accounted
for a major share of the global L-lactide market in 2017.
Implementation of favourable government policies and
regulations on plastic consumption have propelled the
expansion of the L-lactide market in developed countries.
The federal government aims to drive demand for biobased
products through procurement programs. Increased
consumer preference for biodegradable materials and rise in
environmental concerns are anticipated to drive the L-lactide
market in North America. MT
bit.ly/2NKvN5c
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:
Bio-based multilayer transparent barrier films are now reality
(19 June 2018)
Four key players in the bioplastics industry - Eurotech Extrusion Machinery,
NatureWorks, Nippon Gohsei and Sukano - have successfully processed a
multilayer transparent bio-based barrier film, offering a potential replacement
for conventional fossil fuel-based structures in dry food packaging...
See also the full article on page 38
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 5

News
daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Biocomposite demand driven by
global construction boom, says new report
The vendor landscape for the global market for
biocomposites has seen a significant rise in the number
of manufacturers, leading to intense competition, writes
Transparency Market Research in a recent report.
As the market witnesses the entry of numerous wellestablished
manufacturers of popular composites such as
glass fiber and cotton fiber, the market is expected to become
more competitive in the near future. Despite this, the market
features a vast set of untapped growth opportunities in new
applications across industries such as construction and
automotive.
Tapping these growth opportunities may require strategic
collaborations with companies in emerging economies and
expansion of manufacturing capabilities to effectively serve
the rising demand. Some of the leading companies operating
in the global biocomposites market are Tecnaro, UPM,
FlexForm Technologies, Green Bay Decking, Universal Forest
Products, and Jelu-Werk.
According to the report, the global biocomposites market
will exhibit an impressive 9.46% CAGR over the period
between 2017 and 2025, rising from a valuation of US$4,730.4
mn in 2016 to US$10,549.4 mn by 2025.
Of the key materials used to manufacture biocomposites,
wood presently accounts for a dominant share in the overall
market, thanks to its excellent binding properties and easy
availability. The segment of flax is expected to expand at the
fastest pace over the forecast period, accounting for a notable
share in the overall market by the end of the report’s forecast.
From the geographical standpoint, the market in Asia
Pacific is presently the leading contributor of revenue to the
global biocomposites market, thanks to the rapid pace of
industrialization in emerging economies. The region is also a
key market for biocomposites owing to the massive demand
across industries such as consumer goods, construction, and
automotive.
The key factors working in favor of the global biocomposites
market include stringent government regulations advocating
the increased use of environment-friendly products with the
view of reducing the negative impacts of rising pollution on
the health of environment and global warming. The recyclable
nature of biocomposites, coupled with their much higher
safety quotient as compared to materials such as glass fibers
and carbon fiber when it comes to a number of applications,
could also spell growth for the market.
The easy availability of most raw materials required for the
production of a variety of biocomposites across the globe is
also a key factors expected to work well for the expansion
of the global biocomposites market over the next few years.
However, certain limitations concerning pure biocomposites
in aspects such as mechanical strength, coupled with their
unstable costs and fluctuating availability of raw materials
could cost the market negatively to a certain degree over the
forecast period. MT
tinyurl.com/biocomposites-17-25
Corbion CEO Tjerk de Ruiter appointed as new
EuropaBio Chairman
EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, has released a statement announcing that its Executive Board and
General Assembly of Members this week confirmed the appointment of Tjerk de Ruiter as Chairman of the association.
De Ruiter is CEO of Dutch industrial biotech innovator Corbion, a global market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives,
and a leading company in emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, minerals, vitamins and algae ingredients.
Commenting on his appointment, De Ruiter said: “I am thrilled to become EuropaBio’s new Chairman at a time when our
sector has a great story to tell about the solutions it can provide in response to some
of the bigger questions people and planet are facing today.” EuropaBio, he added, is
uniquely positioned to promote more knowledge about biotech innovation in Europe
and to share the enthusiasm of biotech innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs
with the wider public. “In light of next year’s European elections, one of our first
priorities will be to ensure policymakers understand that Europe's biotech is globally
leading with the innovative solutions the sector provides and that ensuring the right
framework for its growth is key for Europe’s future.”
De Ruiter’s mandate as Chairman is not remunerated and runs until 2020.. MT
www.europabio.org
6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

News
Bioplastic from frying oil
Used frying oil is a hazardous waste,
available in large quantities around
the world. If it can be used to make
polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) instead
of having to be treated as waste, the
environment benefits.
Save the date
see page 10-11 for details
Professor Pavel Alexy of the STU Faculty of
Chemical and Food Technology in Bratislava is currently
collaborating intensively with the scientists of the Technical
University of Brno and a commercial company, developing
the technology for processing waste oils to secondgeneration
polyhydroxybutyrate.
The STU team is collaborating with a number of
companies and universities on the practical application
of the material. Among the commercial uses under
consideration are plastic containers, cutlery, packaging
foils and mulch foils.
And together with a design agency called the crafting
plastics! studio, the STU chemical engineers have come
up with an idea of using bioplastics for sunglasses frames;
their design won the 2017 National Design Award in the
category of Value-added Design. It was also nominated
for the German Design Award and currently is exhibited at
the Venice Biennale of Design and Architecture. The young
designers managed to get support for the project through
the Kickstarter.com. crowdfunding portal.
Medical applications also present new opportunities.
The STU is currently collaborating with specialists at the
Comenius University Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava and
the top experts in implants development at the Technical
University in Košice. Bioplastics may serve as temporary
implants supporting complicated fractures. Research is
also being carried out in the field of tissue engineering; in
the laboratories, complete substitute organs are grown on
a bio-substrate that will gradually decompose. MT
Elephant grass is new
local feedstock for
bioplastics
Although indigenous to the sub-tropic, Miscanthus
Giganteus, or elephant grass, as it is more commonly
known, has put down roots in Europe as well.
In the Netherlands, it has been planted around the
country’s major airport, Schiphol, to keep the geese
away. A start-up company is now a making bioplastic
called Vibers from it.
According to Jan-Govert van Gilst elephant grass
contains "‘the same energy value as coal and lots of
cellulose fibers", making it suitable as an alternative
resource to produce various materials. An idealist who is
set on eliminating fossil-based plastic packaging, he saw
potential in the crop and founded his company, NNRGY,
in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands.
Elephant grass is a fast-growing crop, which absorbs
four times as much CO 2
as a forest. It requires neither the
use of pesticides or fertilizer to thrive and is not invasive.
NNRGY developed a biodegradable, compostable
bioplastic called Vibers that is made from elephant grass
and residual product from the potato processing industry.
In 2017, a new film was successfully developed for
the packaging industry. It is thermoformable on existing
machinery and at low temperatures, which saves energy.
It can be processed as biodegradable waste. The seedling
logo has been applied for, however, the testing process is
still ongoing. MT
www.vibers.nl
tinyurl.com/fryingoil2phb
Avantium opened pilot biorefinery
Avantium; Amsterdam, The Netherlands officially opened
a pilot biorefinery for its Zambezi technology in Delfzijl,
Netherlands. The opening ceremonies took place in
Amsterdam on 10 July and in Delfzijl on 13 July.
The Delfzijl plant will pilot Avantium’s latest technology
to convert plant-based non-food feedstock to high purity
industrial sugars and lignin. The industrial sugars are used
in chemistry and fermentation processes to produce a broad
range of durable materials, while lignin is used in energy
generation.
Tom van Aken, Chief Executive Officer of Avantium, called
the opening ‘a milestone in our work to support the transition
to a circular economy’. “We are already looking beyond the
pilot phase. We have a consortium of partners committed to
developing a commercial-scale plant,” he said.
Avantium previously announced it had founded a consortium
to develop an ecosystem for the biorefinery technology. The
consortium consists of AkzoNobel, RWE, Staatsbosbeheer
and Chemport Europe, an incubator for green chemistry. Each
brings specific expertise for the planned commercial-scale
biorefinery.
Gert-Jan Gruter, Chief Technology Officer of Avantium,
said that “glucose is a core building block for the transition
towards a bio-based economy”. He noted that all materials
made from petroleum today can be replaced by with materials
derived from glucose.
Patrick Brouns, regional minister of the province of
Groningen, is pleased to welcome Avantium to Delfzijl, and
the “innovation, green chemistry and highly skilled jobs”
the company is bringing to the region, which fit well with
the existing local chemistry, energy and agricultural sectors
and knowledge institutions. “With Chemport Europe, we also
support the future commercial-scale biorefinery in Delfzijl, ”
he said. MT
www.avantium.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 7

News
EU project seeks to improve
sustainability in aviation industry
Modern aircraft are made from synthetic, non-renewable
materials. Many of these are composites such as carbon and
glass-fibre-reinforced plastics that are man-made through
energy-intense processes.
To improve the sustainability of the aviation industry,
researchers are investigating renewable and recycled
materials to replace such composites. However, biobased
and recycled alternatives must meet the strict requirements
required for safe and efficient flight.
The EU-funded ECO-COMPASS project has identified
potential bio-sourced and recycled materials that can be
developed into eco-friendly composites for aircraft. Fibre
reinforcements are used throughout aircraft and can
contribute more than half of their structural mass.
The project team set out to look for alternative materials
to create fibre reinforcements in planes and found that
biobased fibres from plants and recycled carbon fibres have
great potential. The team has also developed a biobased resin
system that has promising properties for a range of in-aircraft
applications.
“The bio-materials, recycled carbon fibres and bio-resins
should be suitable for use in the secondary structure and
interior of aircraft,” says project coordinator Jens Bachmann
of the German Aerospace Center (DLR, Deutsches Zentrum
für Luft- und Raumfahrt). “They typically require less energy
to produce than the materials used at present.”
Collaboration with China
Key to the success of this project is the collaboration with
researchers in China and industrial partners such as Airbus
and Comac. By working together on a global scale, experts are
combining their knowledge and expertise so that sustainable
composites will be available to the aviation industry globally.
“The aviation industry continues to grow worldwide – global
partnerships help us share knowledge and make rapid
improvements to technologies,” notes Bachmann. “This
collaboration has helped us learn more about fibres grown in
China, such as ramie, that could be a good alternative to flax
which is a standard fibre grown and used in Europe.
“Now, we are improving their properties by combining
Chinese expertise in materials development with European
expertise in modelling and simulation.”
Identifying the materials to develop
In future, the composite materials identified and developed
during this project could become a part of planes in the
form of interior panelling, gear doors, winglets and other
secondary structures. Initial results have shown that biobased
composites made from flax and ramie plant fibres have the
potential to be used in natural-fibre-reinforced plastics for
aviation.
In addition, the Sino-European team is developing a new
biobased epoxy resin made from rosin derivatives obtained
from conifer plants. It is likely that this technique of embedding
natural fibres into the resin will enable one component of
the fibre-reinforced composite to be replaced with biobased
constituents.. MT
tinyurl.com/biocomposites-aviation
United Caps added bio-PE caps to its portfolio
UNITED CAPS, an international manufacturer of caps and closures, has announced it is making significant progress on its
growth initiatives.
The company has completed an extension of its R&D facility in Messia, France, to meet the demands of business growth and
deliver faster time to market for customers. It also recently acquired Spanish closures company Embalatap and has added
bioplastics-based GREENER closures sourced from sugar cane and new anti-counterfeiting measures to its portfolio.
In pursuit of more environmentally sustainable solutions, Uited Caps has collaborated with
Braskem to deliver eco-friendly United Caps Greener bio-sourced plastic caps and closures
made from sugar cane as an addition to the United Caps product portfolio.
"We already have added bioplastics-based products to our portfolio: such as the victoria
closure, a 30/25 screw closure designed for still drinks; and the Proflat Seal, ideal for dairy
products and still drinks," said Benoit Henckes, CEO of United Caps. "These are being warmly
received by our customers, and we expect their availability to drive new customer interest
as well."
www.unitedcaps.com
generic photo
8 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

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Cover-Story
New convenient and compostable waste
bags have hit German retail stores
Frankenthal, Germany-based RKW has launched a
biodegradable star-sealed bag for organic household waste
in Germany. Certified as fully compostable, it is also the first
T-shirt star-sealed bag available on the market made from
more than 50 % renewable PLA - material.
For family-owned film manufacturer
RKW, sustainability is an integral part of its
business mission, and this includes the use
of biodegradable or biobased films. RKW
Vietnam, which is specialized in consumer
packaging, produces the compostable bags
in Ho Chi Minh City.
Star-sealed, the new bag is created
without gussets and sealed in a single spot,
making it highly practical and virtually leakproof.
For organic waste, many people use
paper bags, which, while fully biodegradable, tend to become
soggy and tear easily when taken out of the bin. The bags come
with carrying handles that can be used to tie them shut, and
the star-sealed bottom that consumers are familiar with from
conventional plastic-based trash bags. Fully compostable and
hence suited for organic waste, the bags will be supplied by
major retailers.
“RKW is a pioneer on the market,” says Manh-Hung Ngo,
Product Manager at RKW Vietnam. “So far,
bags with up to 40 % renewable content have
been available in markets such as France
or Italy. We were able to design bags with a
significant higher proportion. Hence, these
waste bags are another milestone towards
a more sustainable future.” The bag is fully
compostable and certified to European
standard EN13432 by the DIN Certco
institute in Berlin (Germany).
The bag is suited for bins with different
shapes and prevents the leakage of liquids.
Multiple layers strengthen the bottom,
avoiding damage to the bag. Combining the practical features
with benefits in terms of sustainability, the new bags are a
more environmentally friendly and a convenient option for
consumers. MT
www.rkw-group.com
ALL ABOUT POLYMERS
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 9

Events
organized by
Co-organized by Jan Ravenstijn
www.pha-world-congress.com
Programme: 1st PHA platform World Congress
Tuesday, Sep 04, 2018
08:45-09:15 Jan Ravenstijn Biomaterials Consulting Dealing with the opportunities and challenges of the PHA-platform.
09:15-09:40 Mats Linder – circular economy consultant The role of PHA in a circular economy for plastics
09:40-10:05 Andrew Falcon, FullCycle Bioplastics A Circular Economy Solution: PHA Bioplastics from Organic Waste
10:05-10:30 Michael Carus, nova Institute
11:10-11:35 Jos Lobée, Modified Materials
Production capacities of bio-based polymers – status and outlook & political and
social framework for further growth
Replacing lead weights in angling, the long road from obvious
problem to actual change.
11:35-12:00 Erwin LePoudre, Kaneka Marketing of Biodegradable Polymer PHBH as a Solution to Plastic Waste Issues
Phil van Trump, Danimer
12:00-12:30
& Garry Kohl, PepsiCo
Applications of PHA polymers in Barrier food packaging films
12:30-12:55 Eligio Martini, MAIP The first biotechnopolymer: PHBH compounds, e.g. for electrical switches (ABB)
14:05-14:30 Remy Jongboom, Biotec Industrial applications of PHBH in compounds
14:30-14:55 Harald Kaeb, narocon Pitfalls and opportunities for marketing PHA products
14:55-15:20 Sam Deconinck, OWS Biodegradation of PHAs: not simply a fixed feature
Eike Langenberg &
15:55-16:20
Carsten Niermann, FKuR
Meet the needs for future legislations: Innovative PHA compounds
16:20-16:55 Fred Bollen, LifetecVision
Exploiting competitive advantage and creating market attractiveness
for PHA-polymers
16:55-17:20 Karel Wilsens, AMIBM Nucleating agents for PHAs and other biopolymers
Wednesday, Sep. 05, 2018
08:40-09:05 Lenka Mynářová, Hydal/Nafigate PHA – Circular Economy Concept
09:05-09:30 Ruud Rouleaux, Helian Polymers PHBV, manufacturing, applications and its use in 3D printing compounds.
09:30-09:55 René Rozendal, Paques
09:55-10:20 Martijn Bovee & Leon Korving – Phario High quality PHBV from wastewater
10:55-11:20 Christophe Collet, Scion Research From pine to PHA products
11:20-11:45 Li Teng, Bluepha
Demonstration of PHBV production from waste streams at large scale: the link to
the PHBV market
Industrial-scale Low-cost P(3HB-co-4HB) Production via an open
Fermentation Process
11:45-12:10 Stefan Jockenhövel, AMIBM Role of Biodegradable Polymers for (Regenerative) Medicine
12:10-12:35 Murray Hasinoff, Purcell Agri-Tech PHA coating for slow release fertilization
13:50-14:15 Guy Buyle, Centexbel The use of PHA polymers for textile applications
14:15-14:40 Molly Morse, Mango Materials Production of PHA-polymers from waste methane
14:40-15:05 Shunsuke Sato, Kaneka
Fermentative production of PHBH and metabolic engineering for regulation of its
material properties
15:40-16:05 Urs Hänggi, Biomer Virgin PHB has thermoplastic properties, but is not a thermoplast
16:05-16:30 Silvia Kliem, IKT, Univ. Stuttgart Impact modification of PHB by building of a blockcopolymer
16:30-17:05 Pieter Samyn, Hasselt University
Formulation and processing of PHB with fibrillated cellulose for nanocomposite
films and paper coatings
Subject to changes. Please visit the conference website
for the current version of the programme. Here you also
find more info on the speakers ans well as abstracts of all
presentations
10 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Automotive
Register now
04-05 Sep 2018
Cologne, Germany
organized by
Co-organized by
Jan Ravenstijn
www.pha-world-congress.com
PHA (Poly-Hydroxy-Alkanoates or polyhydroxy fatty acids)
is a family of biobased polyesters. Examples for such
Polyhydroxyalkanoates are PHB, PHV, PHBV, PHBH and
many more. That’s why we speak about the PHA platform.
Depending on the type of PHA, they can be used for applications
in films and rigid packaging, biomedical applications,
automotive, consumer electronics, appliances, toys, glues,
adhesives, paints, coatings, fibers for woven and non-woven
and inks. So PHAs cover a broad range of properties and
applications.
Also depending on the type, most PHAs are biodegradable in
a wide range of environments, such as industrial and home
composting, anaerobic digestion (AD), in soil, fresh- and even
seawater.
As PHAs are gaining more and more interest, bioplastics
MAGAZINE and Jan Ravenstijn are now organizing the 1st PHAplatform
World Congress on 4-5 September 2018 in Cologne
/ Germany.
Platinum Sponsor:
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsor:
1 st Media Partner
Media Partner:
MODERN
PLASTICS
INDIA
Supported by:
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/18] Vol. 13 11

News
IKEA and Neste go for bio-PE
IKEA and Neste are now able to utilize renewable residue
and waste raw materials, such as used cooking oil, as well
as sustainably-produced vegetable oils in the production
of plastic products. The pilot at commercial scale starts
during fall 2018. It will be the first large-scale production of
renewable, biobased polypropylene plastic globally.
Ikea wants to have a positive impact on people and the
planet while growing the business, which includes using more
renewable and recycled materials and explore new materials
for Ikea products. As part of this journey, Ikea is working to
change all of the plastic used in Ikea products to plastic based
on recycled and/or renewable materials by 2030.
By changing to plastic based on renewable material, Ikea
can secure the production for the future, and eliminate the
need for extraction of finite fossil fuel for the purpose of
making plastic and thus reduce the impact on climate change.
One of the ongoing projects towards eliminating virgin fossilbased
raw materials in plastic products is a collaboration
between Ikea and Neste, which was initiated in 2016. Thanks
to this collaboration, Ikea and Neste are now able to turn
waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil, as
well as sustainable vegetable oils into polypropylene (PP) and
polyethylene (PE) plastic.
“This new material represents a significant step towards
a fossil free future. No one has ever before been able to
produce PP
plastic from
a fossil-free
raw material
other than
on a laboratory scale. Together with Neste, we are ensuring
that there is an opportunity to scale up the production of this
material”, says Erik Ljungblad, Category Manager Plastic
Products at Ikea of Sweden.
“The production of biobased plastics at a commercial
scale is a major achievement in the cooperation between
Neste and Ikea, while it also marks a significant milestone
in Neste’s strategy. Ikea is the first company to benefit from
the developed supply capability that helps companies and
brand owners towards replacing fossil-based raw materials
with sustainable biobased raw materials,” says Senior Vice
President Tuomas Hyyryläinen from Neste’s Emerging
Businesses business unit.
The pilot at commercial scale of PP and PE plastic, chosen
to contain 20 % renewable content, will start during fall 2018.
The production of biobased plastics will be based on Neste’s
100 % renewable hydrocarbons. Ikea will use the new plastic
in products that are part of the current product range, such
as plastic storage boxes, starting with a limited number of
products. As capacities improve, more products will follow. MT
www.neste.com | www.ikea.com
nova-Institute Events in 2018/2019
18 September 2018 · Airport Cologne/Bonn, Germany
www.bio-based.eu/nova-sessions
1 – 2 October 2018 · Maritim Hotel, Cologne, Germany
www.REFAB.info
6 – 8 November 2018 · Messe Stuttgart, Germany
www.composites-europe.com
20 – 21 March 2019 · Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany
www.co2-chemistry.eu
16 th International Conference
of the European Industrial
Hemp Association
June 5 th – 6 th 2019
15-16 May 2019 · Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany
www.bio-based-conference.com
5-6 June 2019 · Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany
www.eiha-conference.org
Contact: Mr. Dominik Vogt, +49 (0) 2233 48 14 49, dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de · All conferences at www.bio-based.eu
12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

io PAC
organized by bioplastics MAGAZINE
call for papers
biobased packaging conference 28 - 29 may 2019 düsseldorf
supported by
Coorganized by
www.greenserendipity.nl
Packaging is necessary for:
» protection during transport and storage
» prevention of product losses
» increasing shelf life
» sharing product information and marketing
BUT :
Packaging does not necessarily need to be made from petroleum based plastics.
Most packaging have a short life and therefore give rise to large quantities of waste.
Accordingly, it is vital to use the most suitable raw materials and implement good
‘end-of-life’ solutions. Biobased and compostable materials have a key role to play
in this respect.
Biobased packaging
» is packaging made from mother nature‘s gifts.
» can be made from renewable resources or waste streams
» can offer innovative features and beneficial barrier properties
» can help to reduces the depletion of finite fossil resources and CO 2
emissions
» can offer environmental benefits in the end-of-life phase
» offers incredible opportunities.
That‘s why bioplastics MAGAZINE (in cooperation with Green Serendipity is now
organizing the third edition of bio!PAC
Call for Papers now open: Please send your proposal to mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com
www.bio-pac.info
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 13

Events
Nature always finds the solution
Bio-on inaugurated first plant for the production of special PHA bioplastics
By Michael Thielen
Bio-on (Bologna, Italy), a company that describes itself
as an Intellectual Property Company (IPC) that supplies
technologies to produce or use Polyhydroxyalkanoates-
(PHAs) through licenses, officially inaugurated a production
plant of its own during a ceremony on June 20 th . The new plant
will produce PHB and PHBVV bioplastics for high added value
niche markets such as the microbeads used in the cosmetics
sector.
All PHA bioplastics developed by Bio-on under the brand
name Minerv are made from renewable plant sources
with no competition with food supply chains. They guarantee
the same thermo-mechanical properties as comparable
conventional plastics with the advantage of being 100% ecosustainable
and naturally biodegradable
The new plant is located in Castel San Pietro Terme, near
Bologna, Italy. The theme of the grand opening was “La natura
trova sempre la soluzione” (Nature always finds the solution).
In an impressive multimedia presentation, Bio-on’s
Chairman and CEO Marco Astorri first showed to the more
than 300 invited guests the shocking reality of marine
pollution caused by plastic waste. Video clips showed birds
on a picturesque Pacific atoll, dead from ingesting bottle tops
and other litter they had mistakenly thought to be food.
Astorri then showed a few ancient 1950s commercials and
the famous scene from “The Graduate”, in which plastics are
lauded as the material of the future, The further presentation
focused on the use of microbeads in cosmetics: an exemplary
case of plastic waste that is literally washed down the drain.
These microbeads, which serve as thickeners or stabilisers
in such widely used products as lipstick, lip gloss, mascara,
eye-liner, nail polish, creams, shampoo, foam bath and even
toothpaste, pollute the environment; once they are rinsed off
after use, they become a permanent part of the natural cycle:
they are swallowed by plankton in the rivers and seas and
thus enter the food chain, to ultimately end up on our plates.
The level of pollution is so serious that the USA was the
first country to bring in a law (Microbead-Free Waters Act
of 2015) banning the use of oil-based polymers in body care
products. Some countries, such as Canada, UK, Sweden and
France, recently followed suit while others, such as Ireland,
Netherlands, Italy, have announced they will do so, as stated
in Bio-on’s press release accompanying the inauguration.
This provided a convenient segue to introduce PHAs as a
family or platform of biobased and biodegradable polyesters
in general - and the Minerv PHAs which are to be produced in
the new plant, in particular. The first product to be produced
at the new plant will be Minerv Bio Cosmetics, the bioplastic
microbeads for cosmetics designed to replace the oil-based
and non-biodegradable plastic particles currently used
Using Minerv Bio Cosmetics bioplastic in cosmetics
products eliminates these pollutants because the micro
particles of bioplastic are naturally biodegradable in water
and, therefore, do not enter the food chain. What is more,
the biopolymer developed at the Bio-on laboratories actually
decomposes into a nutrient for some micro-organisms and
plants present in nature. The benefit for the environment is
therefore two-fold.
In his presentation Marco Astorri went on to introduce
Professor Jian Yu from the University of Hawaii in Manoa,
with whom Bio-on has been working for 10 years on
the development of their Minerv PHA products. And the
cooperation will continue. “We have big and (still) secret plans
for the future,” Marco Astorri said with a smile.
The new plant is located on a plot measuring some
30,000 m 2 ; it has 3,700 m 2 covered space and 6,000 m 2 land
for development. The current production capacity is 1,000
tonnes per year, rapidly expandable to 2,000 tonnes/a. The
plant, managed by Bio-on Plants, the division responsible
for production, future expansion and new plants, is equipped
with the very latest technologies and the most advanced
research laboratories. Here, over 20 researchers in the CNS
division (Cosmetic, Nanomedicine & Smart Materials) can
test new carbon sources from agricultural waste to produce
new types of biodegradable bioplastic and increase the
range of technologies offered by Bio-on. The company also
demonstrates its focus on sustainability in its choice of site,
opting to convert a former factory without occupying any new
land. The overall investment in the production hub and new
research laboratories is EUR 20 million.
“We are very pleased because since March 2017, when the
first stone was laid, we have kept to our schedule and kept
the promises we made to the market,” says Marco Astorri.
“Our technicians and partners have been incredibly reliable
throughout the process.”
“Like all complex industrial plants, the new production hub
is running a series of tests before becoming fully operational
in autumn. The entire production cycle is run from an
innovative control room at the heart of the plant,” explains
Riccardo Casoni, Bio-on Plants director, “and this is where
the entire industrial process will be tested before production
begins 24/7.
The new production hub is also the headquarters of the
Business Unit RAF (Recovery And Fermentation), which
develops and optimises bioplastic fermentation and extraction
processes to obtain the best possible product yield; and
CNS (Cosmetic, Nanomedicine & Smart Materials), which
uses cutting-edge scientific equipment to test new types of
bioplastic and develop new applications. The areas of operation
are Cosmetics, Nanomedicine, Biomedical, Nutraceuticals,
Bioremediation, Organic Electronics and Advanced Materials.
CNS laboratories are the base for over 20 researchers from
various parts of the world and many different scientific
disciplines, such as chemistry, physics, biology, pharmacy,
14 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Save the date
Events
see page 10-11 for details
materials engineering, biotechnologies, electronics, and mathematics
with an average age of 30.
In the meantime Bio-on announced that it has successfully
completed the first test phase. So far, all tests have been successful
and performed on schedule. “As announced during the inauguration,
we expect to be fully operational by autumn” explained Riccardo
Casoni, “and to be able to produce and to market as early as 2018 a
quantity of PHAs micro powders of about 150 tonnes”.
“Respecting the project deadlines and being able to increase the
production is fundamental”, said Marco Astorri, “since it does not escape
anyone that the new European directive on the reduction of pollution
caused by traditional plastic, which the European Parliament will have
to approve in September, will open a huge market for biodegradable
plastics. And Bio-on has a unique competitive advantage since our
bioplastic is 100 % biodegradable not only on land but also in water”.
Marco Astorri opening the presentation
In a separate meeting on the sidelines of the inauguration in June
bioplastics MAGAZINE spoke to Diego Torresan, Business Development
Manager of Bio-on.
Asked about my introductory sentence of this article, Diego confirmed
tha Bio-on is not the standard biopolymer producer. Their core business
is and will continue to be related to the intellectual properties. So their
main customers are companies that own the biomass, or plastic users
that want to convert from oil-based to renewably based plastics or as
a third group companies that want to buy the biomass and produce
PHA for the plastic users. And the inauguration of the new plant
- a reference plant - does not change this core business, as Diego
emphasised. The products from the new plant - powders - will be used
and sold as powders, mainly for these cosmetic applications or to do
more research, “just like the polymers coming from the pilot plant that
we are running since 2011”, Diego said.
Apart from the cosmetics sector, Bio-on sees a lot of similar niche
markets, such as nanomedical applications, industrial 3D-printing,
and a lot of application in agriculture, e.g. for controlled release
encapsulation and the like. Possible market segments can also be
found in structural applications such as furniture, automotive parts
or toys. Another interesting field of application the so-called bioremediation.
bioplastics MAGAZINE reported in issue 04/2017 about Bioon’s
revolutionary new technology to eliminate oil pollution in the sea
within 3 weeks.
Claudio Luti, President of Kartell (left) and Marco Astorri
Grand Opening Ceremony and Party
Another question concerned the abovementioned renewable plant
sources with no competition with food supply chains. Diego explained
that the sources for Minerv resins are agro-industrial co-products such
as the molasses from sugar cane, crude glycerol from the biodiesel
production or co-products from dates to name just a few.
Concerning potential pressure from shareholders Diego said that
the company that was founded and owned by Marco Astorri and Guy
Cicognani only sold 10% of the company to shareholdes in 2014. Today
30% is owned by shareholders, so there is no pressure influencing any
decisions.
www.bio-on.com
The new plant (Photo:Bio-on)
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 15

Blow moulding
No message in the bottle –
NaKu’s PLA bottle offers a responsible alternative
Established in 2007, Vienna, Austria-based NaKu has
garnered acclaim for its use of innovative technologies
in the development of sustainable packaging solutions.
NaKu launched its first plant-based bottle for exclusive
customers back in 2011 and has since built up extensive
experience in meeting the challenges regarding production,
filling and shelf life.
“Our NaKu bottle is now used by special customers, who
are breaking new ground in packaging solutions,” says
Johann Zimmermann, Managing Director of NaKu.
Conventional bottles claim to be made without harmful
substances such as phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA), antimony
or endocrine disrupting substances. The NaKu bottle offers
all of that, but much more as well. As it is made from PLA,
the NaKu bottle is derived from 100 % renewable resources.
Its uniqueness is due to the main ingredient, lactic acid, a
natural compound that is also produced and metabolized
in the human body. Non-toxic and environmentally friendly,
lactic acid is naturally present in many foodstuffs, and
therefore also edible (E270, consumption without any limit
according to EFSA positive listing 2011).
The PLA used to produce the NaKu bottle is obtained from
sugar or starch. The bottle is about 10 times cheaper and 20
times lighter than comparable solutions made out of glass.
It is the ideal packaging material for still water, fruit
juices, smoothies and milk products as well as solid foods,
including pills, herbs, sweets, nutritional supplements and
much more. Even cosmetics may someday be packaged in
PLA packaging.
“For me as a (bio)plastics technician, it doesn’t matter
which kind of form I produce. Of course I am also able to
produce cans, container, basins, and bowls etc… whatever
you need for your product package,” asserts Johann
Zimmermann.
The NaKu bottle is fully biodegradable and can be
incinerated in a carbon neutral natural cycle. But PLA is
also recyclable, which is the preferred option for the NaKu
bottle in the future. However, until production of the bottles
reaches the critical volume needed to make recycling
commercially feasible , waste-to-energy incineration
remains, at least for now, the best end- of-life solution.
“Our aim is the use of natural plastics to design the next
generation of convenient products satisfying both economic
and ecologic requirements. Short transport distances and
local production is the key to keep this cycle as small as
possible,” Zimmermann says, thereby setting the bar high.
To meet this standard, the material must have a minimal
environmental impact and comply with the concept of
closed cycles (cradle to cradle). The properties of the
material used for the bottle are very similar to PET and it is
easy to process on conventional machines. Hence there is
no need to buy new equipment in order to produce the PLA
bottle. Due to the 7 % weight advantage, fewer transports
are required, and CO 2
emissions can be drastically reduced.
Further reduction in emissions – up to by 50 % - is possible
during the production process itself, as processing takes
place at lower temperatures and requires less energy. The
carbon footprint of these bottles is 75 % lower compared to
glass bottles.
16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Blow moulding
the bottle is the message!
to conventional options
By:
Johann Zimmermann
NaKu, Vienna, Austria
The material is biodegradable under certain conditions.
However, this should be communicated very carefully, as
it should not encourage people to litter. Biodegradability
is never an excuse for littering nor is it a solution for
littering. Proper disposal, whether through waste-toenergy
incineration, recycling (when feasible) or industrial
composting where possible, should always to be pursued.
The NaKu bottle is safe to use, light, break resistant and
cheap. More importantly, it offers options for responsible
disposal at the end of its life cycle and is the first plantbased
bottle that leaves no trace behind, either in the body
or in nature.
In a nutshell: the innovative NaKu bottle is clear and
bright, can be dyed and individual designed, it is stiff and
firm, break resistant, safe to use, 7 % lighter than PET,
suitable to food, stable to oils, fats and water. The bottle can
be used at temperatures up to 55-65 °C. First transparent
prototypes can withstand 90°C and NaKu is working to
improve this. More importantly, being reusable, recyclable
and biodegradable under certain conditions it offers options
for responsible disposal at the end of its life cycle. And it
is available for competitive prices. NaKu also offers caps
made of bio-PE as well as compostable PLA labels and
shrink sleeves.
The bottle made of plants is the first of its kind that leaves
no trace behind in the body or in nature.
www.naku.at
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 17

Blow moulding
100 % biobased PET bottle
closer to reality
Commercializing cost-competitive renewable aromatics
Momentum is building as Anellotech, headquartered at Pearl River New York, USA, moves closer to
commercializing its Bio-TCat TM catalytic technology and developing a 100 % biobased PET bottle.
A
sustainable technology company, Anellotech is focused
on the innovative production of cost-competitive
renewable chemicals and fuels from non-food
biomass. Their Bio-TCat technology uses efficient thermal
catalytic processes to converts biomass feedstocks materials
(e.g. wood, sawdust, sugar cane bagasse, and other
non-food materials) into BTX aromatics (a mixture of benzene,
toluene and xylene) which are chemically identical to
petroleum-based counterparts. They can be used in a range
of chemical applications and as a biofuels blendstock for
gasoline.
The first shipment of BTX has recently been sent to joint
development partners IFPEN and its subsidiary Axens (both
Rueil-Malmaison, Paris, France) for purification studies to
make bio-paraxylene – the key aromatic chemical needed
to make 100% renewable beverage bottles a reality. Bioparaxylene
from TCat-8 ® will be used to make purified
terephthalic acid (PTA) and subsequently 100% bio-based
PET bottles a reality. The other monomer, monoethylene
glycol (MEG) to make fully biobased PET is already
commercially available made from sugar cane.
BTX aromatics are currently used to make commodity
plastics such as polyester, polystyrenes, polycarbonates,
nylons and polyurethanes, which are subsequently used
to manufacture consumer goods such as food packaging,
clothing, footwear, carpeting, automotive and electronic
components – as well as beverage bottles. Creating
biobased BTX aromatics from renewable materials could
dramatically alter the basic raw material sourcing for a
wide range of consumer goods with important sustainability
implications for society.
Striving for 100 % bio-based
Anellotech knows that strategic collaboration is key for
faster and more efficient technology development. One of
their main partnerships is with global consumer beverage
company Suntory (Minato, Tokyo, Japan). Anellotech has
collaborated with them since 2012 to advance development
and commercialization of cost-competitive bio-aromatics,
including bio-paraxylene.
Suntory currently uses plant-derived MEG (30 %) for its
Mineral Water Suntory Tennensui ® brands. Together, the
two companies want to create a 100 % biobased PET bottle
through this alliance, part of their joint commitment to
sustainable business practices.
Work is progressing to make this a reality. The first steps
towards making prototype bottles have already begun. Since
the announcement of a successful two-week continuous
18 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Blow moulding
trial in March 2018 in Anellotech’s pilot plant in Silsbee,
Texas, USA, over 1,200 hours of cumulative on-stream time
have been achieved at TCat-8, while BTX has been generated
for product testing and evaluation and process development
data collected for future commercial plant design.
David Sudolsky, President & CEO of Anellotech, said
“Following our announcements earlier this year on process
development and continuous operation, we are glad that
significant progress continues at our TCat-8 pilot plant. We
continue to move the technology towards commercialization
and shipping the pilot plant’s product for downstream
evaluation is another major milestone. Having collaborated
with Suntory since 2012 to advance development of costcompetitive
bio-aromatics, we hope bio-based plastics
made from our Bio-TCat process and a 100 % biobased
(PET) bottle soon become a reality.”
Anellotech is keen to partner with other innovative
consumer product companies and brand owners aiming
to meet sustainability goals with a low carbon footprint
technology using non-food biomass feedstock. Producing
BTX aromatics using the Bio-TCat technology can
dramatically reduce industrial carbon footprints and provide
a reliable and economical source of bio-aromatics.
A biobased future is a more sustainable future
If the industry can ensure performance, delivery and
quality, the renewable chemicals sector will help take biobased
chemicals into the mainstream.
Anellotech is confident that biobased plastics made
from its Bio-TCat process are becoming ever-closer to
commercial status and they hope the dream for a 100 %
bio-based bottle soon becomes a reality. MT
www.anellotech.com
Join us at the
13th European Bioplastics
Conference
– the leading business forum for the
bioplastics industry.
4/5 December 2018
Titanic Chaussee Hotel
Berlin, Germany
REGISTER
NOW!
@EUBioplastics #eubpconf
www.european-bioplastics.org/events
For more information email:
conference@european-bioplastics.org
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 19

Blow Moulding / Bottle Applications
New bio-MEG
demonstration plant
Avantium N.V., a leading technology development
company and forerunner in renewable chemistry, has
started construction of a new demonstration plant
that will help advance the production of bio-based monoethylene
glycol (MEG) made directly from renewable sugars.
As MEG is a component for making everyday consumer
goods, such as PET and PEF (cf. pp. 48) plastics and
polyester textiles, the development of an environmentally
friendly plant-based alternative has strong potential. Today,
more than 99% of MEG is produced from fossil resources
and the market demand for this product is expected to
grow from 28 million to 50 million tons in the next 20 years.
Biobased MEG, as for example used for bio-PET30 (e.g.
Coca-Cola Plant Bottle) has been available for quite a
while, mainly from India or Brazil.
“Our novel single-step process can finally fulfil this
demand in an environmentally sustainable manner that
both consumers and leading brands have been seeking. I am
proud of our team for making this important technological
breakthrough. This enables renewable products growth for
consumers that increasingly demand products brought to
them in a responsible manner,” said Tom van Aken, Chief
Executive Officer of Avantium.
The new plant will use Avantium’s pioneering Mekong
technology to convert renewable sugars into bio-based
MEG. The plant – part of a previously disclosed €15-20
million investment in our most advanced technologies – will
be operational in 2019, employing up to 20 people.
Alongside this important investment decision by
Avantium, the European Innovation Council has selected the
Mekong technology as part of its €146 million investment in
top-class innovators, entrepreneurs, small companies and
scientists with bright ideas and the ambition to scale up
internationally. “We are honored to be selected among the
79 innovative projects following face-to-face interviews with
a jury of innovators, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists,”
said Van Aken.
The objectives of the demonstration plant are to scale
up the novel bio-MEG technology, validate the technical
and economic feasibility of the process, and to collect
data to execute an environmental life-cycle analysis (LCA)
quantifying the sustainability benefits of the Avantium
technology. The demonstration plant site has not yet been
announced, said the company, who added it was in the
process of deciding between two locations. Construction
will take place at an offsite location to control environmental
conditions for complex chemistry and to protect the
intellectual property of the technology. The plant will be
delivered fully assembled to the chosen location and is
expected to be completed in the second half of 2019.
“This is a major step forward in the development of
our Mekong technology,” said Zanna McFerson, Chief
Business Development Officer of Avantium. “In addition to
the environmental benefits, this demonstration plant will
replicate commercial scale conditions of producing costeffective
bio-MEG; a drop-in product identical to the fossilderived
product. We are exploring partnership opportunities
in bringing this technology to full-scale commercialization
globally.” MT
www.avantium.com
Monoethylen glycol (MEG)
20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Blow Moulding / Bottle Applications
VELOX offers newly developed
transparent bio-plastic by SK
Chemicals for hot-fill applications
(Photo Syda Productions/Fotolia)
Bio-copolyester for
cans and bottles
Newly developed transparent bio-plastic as an alternative to
aluminium for aerosols and to heat-set PET for hot-fill applications
VELOX and SK Chemicals recently presented ECOZEN
HF ® , a bio-copolyester range especially suitable for the
aerosol and food packaging industries
VELOX GmbH (Hamburg, Germany), one of Europe’s leading
solution providers of raw material specialities for the plastics,
composites, additives and paint & coatings industries, and
its long-term partner SK Chemicals Co. Ltd. (Seongnam,
Gyeonggi-do province, South Korea) are presenting the next
innovation for plastic packaging applications such as aerosol
containers as well as cosmetic and hot fill bottles. Ecozen HF
is a newly developed bio-copolyester range that is perfectly
suitable for aluminum, glass and pet replacement wherever
heat and pressure resistance combined with transparency is
required. first customers have already started sampling the
grades.
“Ecozen HF has similar processing requirements to PET
and can be used in the same injection-stretch blow moulding
(ISBM) process. However, the new grades by SK Chemicals
perform perfectly in areas where PET can sometimes fail,
such as in high temperature and high-pressure applications”,
explains François Minec, General Manager at Velox. “For
example, PET is sometimes used to produce aerosol bottles.
These bottles can often fail due to high residual stress and
the low temperature resistance of PET, especially in the
summer months when possible leakage is the result. Ecozen
HF offers an ideal alternative here.”
Besides remarkable resistance to pressure, stresscracking
and high temperatures, Ecozen HF is characterised
by excellent transparency and easy processing. As a glass
replacement, e.g. for food packaging, it not only helps to
reduce weight and transportation costs but can also be
used to produce hot-fill containers without the need for
an expensive PET heat-setting process or the need for
crystallising the bottle or jar neck. Similarly, as an aluminum
substitute in the cosmetics packaging industry, Ecozen HF
combines high pressure-resistance with design flexibility
and transparency. In addition, Ecozen HF is totally miscible
with PET in the recycling stream. MT
www.velox.com | www.skchemicals.com
HIGH WE DRIVE THROUGHPUT. THE
DIAMEETS CIRCULAR ECONOMY. QUALITY.
Whether it is inhouse, postconsumer
or bottle recycling:
you can only close loops in a
precise and profitable way if
machines are perfectly tuned
for the respective application.
Count on the number 1
technology from EREMA
when doing so: over 5000
of our machines and systems
produce around 14 million
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like this every year –
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That’s Careformance!
CAREFORMANCE
We care about your performance.
1710013ERE_ins_bioplastics magazine.indd 1 bioplastics MAGAZINE 18.10.17 [04/18] Vol. 14:313 21

Application AutomotiveNews
Foldable reusabel transport packaging
WALTHER Faltsysteme sets new standards for
sustainability in returnable logistics: The specialist for
foldable reusable transport packaging presents for the first
time a plastic folding box, 93 % of which was produced from
renewable raw materials (a blend of sugar based resins,
minerals and natural waxes). The folding
box will initially be available in the
external dimensions 600 x
400 x 220 mm. The future
areas of application for
the innovative container
are diverse: standard
dimensions and the latest
RFID technology guarantee
reliable processes from highly
automated intralogistics and supplier
transport to the use in stores. With this
pilot project, Walther Faltsysteme is further
developing its proven GREENLINE product range: the
company manufactures 100 % of its Greenline transport
boxes from regenerative plastic.
The latest innovation in the Greenline product line is
produced by injection moulding and shall be available in
all colours. Reason for the further development from using
regenerative plastics towards using more and more lastics
from renewable raw materials is the increasing demand
for lean and environmentally friendly reusable transport
packaging in all sectors. “With around 17 million tonnes of
packaging waste per year, producers, suppliers and dealers
are looking for an efficient solution. The product
development of a folding box made of
renewable raw materials brings
us one step closer to our goal of a
low-pollution recycling economy”,
explains Thomas Walther, Managing
Director of Walther Faltsysteme.
The Greenline product line convinces
with its sustainable development concept:
with proper handling, the containers score
with a comparatively long service life of
around 100 cycles. The regenerative material
can also be used for about two to three additional
product life cycles after the recycling process. Walther
Faltsysteme has already circulated more than 500,000
transport containers made of regenerative material. MT
www.faltbox.com
New organic almondmilk
with cashew in its first plant based bottle
or fewer, such as vanilla extract and responsibly sourced
coconut sugar. These new nutmilks avoid excessive use of
stabilizers and thickeners, allowing the taste of the real
ingredients to shine.
“Every ingredient has a purpose, and every flavor comes to
life in its own unique way,” said Aubrey Yuzva, Senior Brand
Manager, So Delicious Dairy Free. “It’s so delicious, you’ll be
so surprised it’s such a simple recipe with no extra.”
So Delicious ® Dairy Free, Eugene, Oregon, makers of
delicious dairy-free foods and beverages, is expanding its
nutmilks with the launch of three new So Delicious Organic
Almondmilks with Cashew – in primarily plant-based
packaging, i.e. bottle mede of Braskem’s Green PE. A leader
in dairy-free products for the past 30 years, So Delicious has
made its mark on the industry with over 100 delicious dairyfree
choices.
The brand continues its legacy with this launch of organic
almondmilk with cashew, which has seven ingredients
In an effort to continue to grow as a clean and sustainable
brand, So Delicious has also developed the first primarily
plant-based bottle in the refrigerated dairy case for the new
line of organic almondmilk with cashew, so consumers can
fall in love with the bottle, too. The recyclable bottles are at
least 80 % plant-based, reducing the brand’s dependence
on fossil fuels.
Their latest Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-Free,
Certified Vegan and Certified Organic nutmilk is available in
three flavors; vanilla, unsweetened and original, all of which
are 50 calories or fewer per serving. Each flavor includes
cashews for added creaminess and is free of carrageenan,
artificial flavors, artificial colors, dairy and soy. MT
www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com
22 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Application Automotive News
Materials from Total Corbion PLA used to build
world’s first biobased circular car
The world’s first biobased circular car, designed and
built in the Netherlands by the Technical University of
Eindhoven, was presented earlier this month by the team
of students responsible for its design and realization.
This is the first time that a car chassis and all bodywork
has been made from natural and biobased materials - no
metal or traditional plastics were used for the structural
parts of the car. The parts are made up of light and strong
sandwich panels, based on natural fiber flax and Luminy ®
PLA supplied by Total Corbion PLA.
The car, named Noah by the TU/ecomotive student team,
was designed as a city car and features two seats and a
spacious trunk. Noah is currently undertaking a European
tour of car manufacturers, suppliers and universities to
inspire others.
In addition to its biobased composition, it is also ultralight
and electrically-powered. Noah reaches a top speed
of 110 km/h and the battery range lasts up to 240 km. At
360kg, the weight of the car excluding batteries is less than
half the weight of comparable production cars. In addition
to being biobased, the parts are also recyclable, resulting
in a 100% circular car, sustainable in all life phases.
The PLA supplied by Total Corbion PLA for use in the
car is biobased and recyclable and made from renewable
resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint versus
many traditional plastics. High heat Luminy PLA grades
were used to construct the car, in order to ensure durability
and sufficient heat resistance.
François de Bie, Senior Marketing Director at Total Corbion
PLA, is pleased with the achievement: ‘The result of this
fantastic project shows just how far biobased materials have
come, to produce such a complex product as a car. Noah is the
proof that PLA is suitable for so much more than packaging.
This is the first ever car to feature a fully biobased chassis
and body panels. At Total Corbion PLA, we look forward to
working together with the entire value chain to bring more
high performance, durable and circular applications to
market’. MT
www.tuecomotive.nl | www.total-corbion.com
Sustainable skin care products in sustainable packaging
Denmark-based grums Aarhus produces scrub products
without microbeads. Their secret ingredient? Coffee
grounds.
According to grums, coffee grounds refresh and firm
the skin, are anti-inflammatory and enhance
the circulation. Best of all, they don’t harm the
environment when they go down the drain.
For this company, choosing the right packaging
was very important. Braskem’s I’m Green sugarbased
polyethylene offered the sustainablility
credentials grums was looking for. The company
opted to plant-based plastic for all its packaging
and by doing so, will significantly reduce the carbon
footprint of its packaging, as well as the use of fossil
resources. For every kg of I’m green polyethylene
used ,more than 5 kg of CO 2 is saved.
“We contacted more than 50 packaging suppliers to
find exactly what we needed - a green solution. When
making an innovative and sustainable product as a
brand you also want the packaging of the product
to share the same values. By using packaging
made from sugar cane our products are complete. This
is also one of our selling points and it adds storytelling to
our products which we, and our customers, enjoy. We are
very glad that Braskem is making these greener solutions
that we want to support and make use of in our company,”
says Mikkel Knudsen, founder of grums.Their latest
Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-Free, Certified
Vegan and Certified Organic nutmilk is available in
three flavors; vanilla, unsweetened and original, all of
which are 50 calories or fewer per serving. Each flavor
includes cashews for added creaminess and is free of
carrageenan, artificial flavors, artificial colors, dairy and
soy. MT
www.grumsaarhus.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 23

Applications
Natural fibres for motorsports
Bcomp’s high performance renewable fibres vs. standard carbon fiber
layup for motorsports
• Maintained performance at lower weight, or increased
stiffness at maintained weight (compared to standard
carbon fibre composites)
• Safer crash behaviour without sharp shattering, and
increased vibration damping
• Up to 30 % cost savings
• Lower eco footprint – more sustainable material, less
material, and used material can be taken care of within
the standard waste management system
Bcomp, Fribourg / Switzerland announced a few new
applications in motosports applications. The Flax fibre
based powerRibs proprietary reinforcement technology
forms a unique grid that supports thin-walled shell
structures for e.g. motorsport body parts or automotive
interiors. Combining extremely high performance (stiffness,
vibration damping) with low weight, safer crash behaviour,
powerRibs can be combined with ampliTex technical
fabrics for a high-performance, full flax panel; alternatively,
the flax-based powerRibs can also be combined to a glassor
carbon fibre base.
The ampliTex technical fabrics combine the finest flax
fibres with a radical composites approach, and Bcomp’s
cutting edge natural fibre know-how. This results in the
highest performing natural fibre fabrics on the market,
yielding the perfect partner for powerRibs to form superior
lightweight panels with high vibration damping, stiffness
and safer crash behaviour, all using natural flax fibres.
DAB Motors for Yamaha, Biarritz
The Alter XSR900 commissioned by Yamaha is a prime
example of Simon Dabadie‘s (founder of DAB motors)
constant search to push the limits of motorcycle building
using the latest technology and materials to create
an extraordinary combination of futurism and vintage.
The result is a stunning motorcycle where the highperformance
ampliTex technical fabrics not only contribute
to light-weight and more sustainable body parts with a flirt
to vintage looks, but also enables the unique front light with
their translucency.
race ready EPCS V2.3 Tesla P100DL
Electric GT Holdings Inc. (headquartered at Circuit Pau-
Arnos, France) and SPV Racing just unveiled the raceready
version of the EPCS V2.3 Tesla P100DL at Circuit de
Barcelona-Catalunya. Under the foil there is another layer
to the story: the racing edition is lightweighted with body
parts in natural fiber ampliTex and powerRibs, contributing
to the 500kg weight reduction vs. the road edition. The
EPCS edition Tesla also leverages the flax fibres unique
translucency as the roof has a fully inte-grated LED screen
that will display statistics and information during the
races – an entirely new and revolutionising grip to bring
the audience closer to the race and a part of modernising
racing to attract new audiences. MT
www.bcomp.ch | www.dabmotors.com/alter.html
www.spv.racing | www.electricgt.co
24 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Automotive
PRESENTS
The Bioplastics Award will be presented
during the 13 th European Bioplastics Conference
December 04-05, 2018, Berlin, Germany
THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL GLOBAL AWARD FOR
DEVELOPERS, MANUFACTURERS AND USERS OF
BIOBASED AND/OR BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS.
Call for proposals
Enter your own product, service or development,
or nominate your favourite example from
another organisation
Please let us know until August 31 st
1. What the product, service or
development is and does
2. Why you think this product,
service or development should win an award
3. What your (or the proposed) company
or organisation does
2018
Your entry should not exceed 500 words (approx. 1 page)
and may also be supported with photographs, samples,
marketing brochures and/or technical documentation
(cannot be sent back). The 5 nominees must be prepared
to provide a 30 second videoclip and come to Berlin on
December 4 th , 2018.
More details and an entry form can be downloaded from
www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/award
supported by
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 25

Report
20 years Tecnaro
Congratulations – but also some serious words of the founders
Helmut Nägele and Jürgen Pfitzer
Gucci sunglasses and shoe
Biobrush
A
pioneer in bioplastics for 20 years, TECNARO from
Ilsfeld, Germany is still acting with a fighting spirit.
“First be smiled at, then fought against and finally
regarded as a matter of course” - this was formulated
by Arthur Schopenhauer for the truth and has now been
transferred by the laudator in his speech to two pioneers
from Heilbronn, Germany. Helmut Nägele and Jürgen
Pfitzer, Managing Directors of Tecnaro, have resolutely
pursued their idea of using renewable resources in order
to manufacture their bioplastics named liquid wood-
ARBOFORM ® , ARBOBLEND ® and ARBOFILL ® - with all
properties of plastic. Today, in the company’s twentieth
year of existence, they proudly say “we have succeeded”.
All over the world, their formulas are contained in everyday
objects such as fashion, automobiles, facades, craftsmen-,
trade and industrial needs. Tecnaro’s formulas are used for
Benetton hangers or Friedwald forest cemetery urns, for
example.
Of course, so many times Nägele und Pfitzer and their
team have continued in research and development, have
transferred their ideas into practice, have selected and
discarded all changes and started again – until they
developed formulas for a wide/broad application range.
However, they are made from sugar, starch, natural wax,
organic oil or wood extractives like cellulose and lignin.
According to Helmut Nägele, up to 70 % of all conventional
plastic may be replaced technically by Tecnaro resins or
compounds. Tecnaro’s recipes are used in Audi R8, in
punches and staplers from Novus, in shoes and sun glasses
from Gucci and in the multiple-award-winning Biobrush
toothbrushes. In Addition, the bio version of the glue sticks
ReNature“ and the text markers Edding 24 which are
well-known worldwide, are made from Tecnaro materials.
For a long time, a leading manufacturer of corn mills has
been using casings made of wood. Now, with good reason
Mockmill as a first kitchen appliance wears a dress made
from bio plastics Arboblend.
Strong network created around the Tecnaro Team
During the last 20 years, a most remarkable and strong
plastic technology network has been created around the
Tecnaro Team which comprises innovative customers,
research and development partners, flexible suppliers,
authorities and associations acting in a prudent manner,
fair market players, keen understanding consultants and
auditors as well as strong financial partners. Thanks to its
competent sales representatives and Albis Plastic GmbH
Hamburg, Tecnaro materials are reaching even the most
far-away countries.
“We need to grow even more but have already amazingly
powerful partners in the entire world“, say the two managing
directors and add “together we are everywhere!”
26 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Report
“There’s nothing left to desire“ results Öko-Test
Besides Arboform und Arbofill, Arboblend is one of
Tecnaro’s basic formulas. And whether it concerns returnable
coffee-to-go beakers, organic freezer bags, coffee capsules,
cooking- or baby spoons, highest standards are valid for
food contact. Therefore, the German magazine Öko-Test
thoroughly tested the Ajaa Lunchbox made from Arboblend
and awarded it the overall rating “very high quality” and drew
a positive conclusion “there’s nothing left to desire“(6/2018
issue).
Tecnaro‘s biopolymers leave the factory in form of
granules. They are made from renewable raw materials and
are biodegradable or long term resistant. The materials can
be processed, for example, by injection molding, extrusion,
calendering, pressing, thermoforming and blow molding.
The trophies of Green Brands Germany, for example, are
made via 3D printing process. And by using an additive
manufacturing system Freeformer which is a revolutionary
manufacturing technology from Arburg, functionally
planetary gears (working similarly like a clockwork) are
made in a single work step, without further assembly.
Tecnaro also scores at another place on the playing
field: the ball Binabo from TicToys (Leipzig, Germany) has
accurately landed to the 2018 Football World Cup. Before
they start playing with the Binabo, children can assemble
it from pieces. However, from the Binabo parts, something
else may be assembled, too. This different football made
from Arboblend was designed based on an example from
Myanmar which is made from rattan fencing. And of course,
the new one is made from 100% renewable raw materials,
too.
Steadily in upward trend
With a team of more than 30 employees and thereof a lot of
highly qualified academics, the trend for Tecnaro is upwards.
Besides a high media attention, the number of prizes and
awards is increasing almost every year (see separate infobox).
Today, the level of being laughed at has overcome. Does
everything fit now? Shouldn’t the world embrace the German
pioneers for their rescue visions about plastic replacement?
And this in times in which the world’s oceans are in danger
of suffocating in plastic waste whirls. The reversal away from
fossil raw materials and oil to sustainable and renewable
resources was never before as topical as today.
Helmut Nägele, Managing director of Tecnaro, says: “like
the turn in energy politics, the raw material shift should be
propagated accordingly and repeated continually. It’s a fact
that the world’s resources of oil are finite. Already today, oilmultis
are buying forests on a large-scale in order to keep
at least their market power within global competition. “
Ajaa lunch-boxes
Binabo toy
Edding highlighters
Nighthawk Headphones
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 27

Opinion
Bioplastics facade mock-up, Campus University Stuttgart, Germany
ReNature glue stick
Punch and stapler (Novus)
Questionable closeness to industry
Meanwhile, Nägele und Pfitzer see themselves
having reached step two which means to be
combated. Here, the main challenge will not be the
competition to the oil industry but even hostility out
of a totally unexpected corner, from acteurs which
Tecnaro thought they would give backing. However,
a world-wide environmental organization has
just thrown down a gauntlet. “Initially, this nonprofit
environmental organization tackled with
questionable theses against a near to finalization
contract concerning a product being developed
over months for a large customer. Afterwards, the
related partners of this organization took benefit
of this business opportunity based on Tecnaro’s
development”, says Pfitzer.
“We’ve lost our faith”, say the two Tecnaro
leaders.
“As a manufacturer of biobased granules from
renewable resources we constantly have to answer
questions from anywhere and have to keep expensive
records additionally. However, this procedure
would not have to be performed by manufacturers
of oil-based polymers. It seems really bizarre
that such environmental organizations have now
discovered established bioplastics for themselves
and are commercializing this technology and,
against their better knowledge, create distortions
of competition – and in this case even in favor of
conventional oil-based plastics”, says Jürgen
Pfitzer.
In this context, Pfitzer cites an Italian proverb
which says: “Anyone who does everything for the
sake of money will soon do everything for the
money.”
Fiscal advantage for oil-based plastics
This year, Tecnaro is focusing on other topics
witch are especially its 20-years anniversary and
the trend-setting market movement thus arriving
even under the wide knowledge of the fact that
oil-based plastics has still favorable terms of tax
(at least in Germany). This special position within
fiscal legislation goes back to the 60’s and has
today only little public awareness. In this context,
it is remarkable that at that time, their justification
was that oil-based plastic waste would not be
burnt, in contrast to fuel.
Nägele and Pfitzer are not alone in considering
the subsidy for oil-based plastics as unjustified.
In this context, just recently, Robert Habeck,
Chairman of the German Green party, has required
to introduce an EU-wide tax on oil-based plastics
for disposable items. This was published in the
media accordingly. Nägele und Pfitzer consider
it absurd that there is a tax allowance of several
millions of euros per year for the plastic flood. “For
years, we have been recommending an additional
CO 2
-emission tax on products made of fossil
raw materials and now, we found out that these
28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Opinion
are even exempt from mineral oil tax“, says Jürgen
Pfitzer, shaking his head.
“And this has an influence on the whole biobased
industry, too. Within our industry, the price is an
important decision criterion“, says Helmut Nägele.
Jürgen Pfitzer adds: “Especially in terms of fossil
raw materials or for uranium and rare earth, for
example, but also on use of pesticides and on bottling
water in Africa it has shown that opportunities and
profits are always privatized and risks and losses
socialized!
The ecological footprint of products is usually
excluded from the account. Besides tax allowances,
this procedure results in a further distortion of
competition at the expense of environment and
common public.
“It is not acceptable that a few big oil companies
and multi-billionaires and its shareholders take profit
from generally available but globally limited resources
of raw materials or to throw toxic pesticides on the
market that simply kill everything except their own
cereals. Equally worrying is the fact that bottlingwater
in Africa with the “innovation” of simply digging
deeper wells than it is possible for the villagers.
Simultaneously, the general public has to carry the
risks and costs for climate changes through CO 2
-
emissions, oil rig- or oil tanker accidents, defective
pipeline, polluted oceans, dying bees, insects,
animals and plants, Destruction of arable land due to
rising sea levels, devastation of entire regions or other
environmental disasters with irreparable damage,
global wars for oil and resulting refugee flows.
However, if these costs were to be distributed
according to the polluter-pays principle, as is usual
everywhere else, and preferably with a share of the
costs shared by the arms industry, peace in the world
would be achieved tomorrow,” said Managing Director
Jürgen Pfitzer.
Customized for double production capacity
Above all – on the 2 nd of July, 2018, Tecnaro
celebrated its 20 th anniversary. A further reason
to be pleased is the investment in a factory-new
machine. It is a twin-screw extruder delivered by
KraussMaffei Berstorff and allows, thanks to the
added sophisticated plant engineering, to double
production capacity at Tecnaro. With this plant, the
specialists from Ilsfeld are optionally prepared for the
increasing demand of custom-made organic plastic
compounds. Furthermore, the machine is planned
to be used for research and development purposes
and to conduct extensive tests using an upscaling
procedure, for example. Here, formulations can be
tested for practicality with a throughput of up to one
ton per hour.
Once again: First be smiled at, then fought against
and finally regarded as a matter of course. However,
the Binabo ball is now in everyone’s court and stands
for a better future without fossil plastics. MT
www.tecnaro.de
Awards and Prizes:
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
ZDF WISO German Founders Award
Euromold Award in Gold
1. Einfach Genial Preis of the MDR
• 2002 Award from the Material ConneXion New York for
ARBOFORM as “Best Product in Show 2002“
• 2007 VR-Innovationspreis 2007
• 2008 Werkbund Label 2008
• 2009 Deutsche Industriepreis 2009
• 2010
• 2011
European Inventor Award (handed over at a
ceremony in Madrid by the European Patent Office
and today’s Spanish royal couple Queen Letizia and
King Felipe
Diesel Medal for the most sustainable innovation
of the year
• 2015/16/17 Green Brand Germany Siegel
Awards eceived by Tecnaro’s customers:
• 2008
• 2016
• 2017
• 2017
German Design AWARD 2018 – WINNER
Deutscher Verpackungspreis
reddot Award 2017-best of the best
GreenTEC Award 2017 (2. Place)
• 2018 Green Good Design Award 2018
• 2018 German Innovation AWARD 2018
Mockmill cereal grinder
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 29

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30 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Materials
New biocomposite for
thermally formable products
VTT, Espoo, Finland, has developed a
thermally formable, biodegradable
material, which is 100 % biobased. Its
suitability for applications such as furniture
makes it an attractive alternative to wood and
biocomposite materials available in the market,
not only because of its biodegradability but
also due to its formability and colouring properties.
Biocomposites made from entirely biobased raw
materials can be used to replace fossil raw material
derived plastics, which have traditionally been used
in industrial applications. Being thermoformable,
the material is well suited for various manufacturing
processes and products.
“All the goals we set were achieved: the material is 100 %
biobased, cellulose fibres account for a significant proportion,
it looks good and it has excellent performance characteristics”,
says Lisa Wikström, Research Team Leader from VTT.
At the end of their life-cycle, products made from this material
can either be re-used, composted, or burned to generate energy
without any fossil-based carbon dioxide emissions making it kind
of “renewable energy”.
“New biobased, thermally formable materials
and composites are a promising alternative
for the plastic products market. However, a
big breakthrough is yet to come. A major
shift requires cooperation between
material and process developers as well
as designers,” Wikström concludes.
The first model product is a designer
chair manufactured as a joint effort
between VTT, Plastec Finland and KO-
HO Industrial design (Jurva, Finland).
The chair, manufactured using traditional
compounding and injection moulding technologies, is
made from wood-based cellulose fibres, renewable and
industrially compostable, thermoformable polylactide, and
biobased additives.
VTT developed the material in the ACEL research
programme funded by Clic Innovations Ltd. (Helsinki, Finland)
and the proof of concept stage was carried out with Plastec
Finland an injection moulding company from Vimpeli.
www.vtt.fi
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 31

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32 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13
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Materials
New compound certified
as biodegradable in soil
The injection moulding material M·VERA ® GP1012 by BIO-
FED, Cologne, Germany, a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH,
Hamburg, Germany), has been tested by TÜV AUSTRIA
Belgium and has been awarded the OK biodegradable SOIL
certificate as per EN 13432.
This bio-polyester compound is suitable for
processing in injection moulding and can be easily
processed by all commercial machines. It consists of
100 % renewable materials, is heat resistant to over
100 °C and has an excellent balance of stiffness
and toughness. This compound is suitable for
use in agriculture and horticulture and can also
be used for coffee capsules. Due to its light color,
M·Vera GP1012 can be coloured with the AF-Eco
biomasterbatch from Bio-Fed’s sister branch AF-
Color.
To qualify for the OK biodegradable SOIL TÜV
certificate, at least 90 % of the material must degrade
into carbon dioxide and water. The degradation is tested by
accredited laboratories under controlled and standardised
conditions over a period of no longer than two years.
Coffee capsules – a
possible application for
M·Vera GP1012
All elements of the compounds meet the FDA
requirements for use in products that come into contact
with foodstuffs. The requirements for other certificates
such as “OK compost HOME”, as well as approval for
products intended to come into contact with food as per EU
10/2011, are expected to be met in the first half of 2019.
Since 2014 Bio-Fed produces and markets biodegradable
and/or biobased compounds under the M∙Vera brand.
As a branch of Akro-Plastic, a specialist for innovative
customer-oriented plastic compounds, Bio-Fed is part of
the international Feddersen Group which has its head office
in Hamburg.
The Bio-Fed product portfolio consists a broad range
of bioplastics compounds with different properties, such
as biodegradability and/or high biobased content. The
M·Vera products are already well-established in a number
of applications and can be used with various processing
methods. In addition, all M·Vera compounds can be colored
individually – for example with the AF-Eco biopolymerbased
masterbatches which are certified in accordance with
EN 13432. The AF-Eco range consists of color and carbon
black masterbatches as well as additive masterbatches.
In addition to materials for processing in the field
of injection moulding, Bio-Fed also manufactures
biocompounds for use in extrusion, e.g. blown film that
meets the strict legal requirements in France and Italy.
A large proportion of these compounds are renewable
materials (biobased carbon content over 40 %) and meet the
requirements for the relevant ‘end-of-life’ scenarios such
as “OK compost INDUSTRIAL” and “OK compost HOME”.
We STARCH
your plastics.
Made in Austria.
AMITROPLAST ®
THERMOPLASTIC STARCH
BIO-BASED & HOME-COMPOSTABLE.
PERFORMING. COST COMPETITIVE. FOR YOU.
AMITROPLAST ® allows you to incorporate 50 % or more of
thermoplastic starch in your compound for film extrusion
and injection moulding.
www.bio-fed.com
bioplastics.starch@agrana.com
AGRANA.COM
THE NATURAL UPGRADE
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 33

Cover-Story
Vienna schoolgirls develop
home- compostable
coffee capsules
By Michael Thielen
Avoid waste, save aluminium: Two students of the TGM Austrias
biggest engineering college located in Vienna, developed
a biobased material for coffee capsules that actually
biodegrades well, even in the compost box at home.
“We are very proud that it works,” says Samantha Onderka (19),
graduate at the TGM. Together with Katharina Schleinzer (18),
she observed how the novel coffee capsules in their self-made
compost box disintegrated within a few weeks. “It’s great to see
the capsules change and degrade.”
Coffee capsules for espresso machines are a convenient thing,
but they generate a lot of waste. A typical capsule is made of 1.13
grams of aluminium. Three cups of coffee a day create more than
1.2 kilograms of aluminium-waste in one year.
The two students of the TGM therefore hurled themselves
particularly eagerly at a diploma project in preparation for their
matura (A-levels) that could make the world a little bit better:
Gabriel-Chemie, an international company with headquarters in
Gumpoldskirchen, Lower Austria, needs a new, environmentally
friendly material for coffee capsules. Andreas Höllebauer, Head
of Research at Gabriel-Chemie, explained the idea: “We are
looking for a bioplastic for coffee capsules. The material should
be of natural origin and demonstrably very easy to degrade, not
only in industrial composting plants, but quite normally in the
home and garden”. Gabriel-Chemie mainly produces colours and
additives for plastics and is therefore interested in the subject of
coffee capsules. “We have been working with the TGM for many
years,” explained Höllebauer, “so it made sense to advertise this
research task as a Matura project.”
Katharina and Samantha added: Common bioplastic capsules
are only compostable under industrial composting conditions
(temperatures between 50 °C and 80 °C, humidity around 50 % and
the right population of microorganisms) in corresponding plants. At
the same time, legal regulations in certain regions (such as Austria
or Germany) prohibit the disposal of coffee capsules via a composting
plant. The capsules currently available on the market that we know of
are also not really suitable for biodegradation in home composting, as
degradation would take far too long without ideal conditions. However,
we wanted to develop a material that could be composted in our own
garden even under sub-optimal conditions.
Plastic from nature
Katharina and Samantha experimented with various mixtures
based on natural, renewable raw materials. Bioplastics are often
made from sugar, starch or biomass. However, the final result
should be waterproof and easy to form. The girls tested seven
different bioplastics, which they produced themselves from
various ingredients. Which took a lot of patience. Although the
TGM is equipped with a machine for this purpose, it is of course a
laboratory device designed for small sample quantities and filled
by the spoonful.
“To produce five kilograms of each new material, we had to
spoon granules into the hopper for hours,” sighed Katharina. The
granules were mixed and melted until the new material flowed
out of a die. “Then we tested extensively whether the material
should meet certain criteria. The bioplastics had to pass a tensile
test and a tensile impact test and of course also needed the right
properties for processing”.
Of seven mixtures, exactly one was left to be considered as a
candidate. It consists of materials entirely made from renewable
raw materials. Using a special 3D laser printer (stereolithography),
the students designed and built a mould with which they could
actually produce coffee capsules from their new material in a
thermoforming process.
End-of-life more important than production
The most important thing about this invention is its end-oflife
solution. Would the coffee capsules actually completely
biodegrade in a normal compost heap? Samantha and Katharina
built a compost box suitable for domestic use and threw their
coffee capsules literally “on the dung”. The experiment was
successful. In the course of the weeks up to their Matura exam
the girls could observe and document how the capsules became
ever smaller and smaller.
“We have found a bioplastic that can solve the problem with
coffee capsules in the long term,” says Samantha happily.
Outlook
The current discussion about resource-efficient use and
the avoidance of waste from disposable products offers great
potential for ecologically more sustainable materials that were
previously not commercially competitive. The Austrian Eco-Label
is currently being awarded to biodegradable biopolymers used in
the packaging sector. The material solution developed within this
project would qualify for this. In the meantime, the project also
was praised with the Borealis Innovation Award 2018.
And the project will be continued. TGM and Gabriel-Chemie
want to take a closer look at the degradation mechanism and
further refine the formulation. Further processing tests will also
be carried out in addition to the previous work.
www.tgm.ac.at www.gabriel-chemie.com
34 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Cover-Story
Industrial Solutions for Polymer Plants
Polylactide Technology
Uhde Inventa Fischer Polycondensation Technologies has expanded its product portfolio to
include the innovative state-of-the-art PLAneo ® process for a sustainable polymer. The
feedstock for our PLA process is lactic acid, which can be produced from local agricultural
products containing starch or sugar. The application range of PLA is similar to that of polymers
based on fossil resources as its physical properties can be tailored to meet packaging, textile
and other requirements. www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 35

Coffee capsules & pods
By:
Martin Bussmann
BASF
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Enjoying coffee with
compostable coffee capsules
Coffee capsules are convenient for consumers, easy to dispense and practical. However, in Germany
alone, they generate around 5,000 tonnes of waste each year. Compostable bioplastics by BASF for the
manufacture of coffee capsules set an example against this trend – with tailored ecovio ® grades for the
production of a wide range of flexible and rigid compostable packaging.
Cappuccino for breakfast, an espresso in the afternoon
– simply by pushing a button on your own coffee
machine. Portioned capsules are particularly popular
with coffee lovers as they are easy to use and make quality
coffee quickly. However, the packaging potentially pollutes
the environment. Commercially available capsules consist
of aluminium and conventional plastic and are either burned
after use or are difficult to recycle. At the same time, there
is increasing public interest in sustainable products that
contribute to circular economy.
As early as 2013, BASF developed a biodegradable coffee
capsule with Swiss Coffee Company for gourmet coffee using
its certified compostable and partly biobased ecovio, which
was optimised for injection moulding for this purpose. While
the material had until then only been used in mulch films
and bags, it was now possible for the first time to implement
ecovio commercially in an injection moulding application -
and at the same time meeting the particular requirements
of coffee capsules: The capsule can withstand the high
pressure and the heat that are generated by the machine
in the brewing process. Flavour-tight barrier secondary
packaging, which is also compostable, ensures that the
coffee aroma is optimally maintained. The application
won the 2014 Global Bioplastics Award presented by
bioplastics MAGAZINE.
Since this breakthrough, BASF has been working
continuously on its product portfolio to enable different
processing technologies for the manufacture of coffee
capsules. It is focusing on improving application-specific
requirements such as dimensional stability under heat and
an oxygen barrier. For thin-walled capsules, the injection
moulding grade ecovio IA1652 offers a greater dimensional
stability under heat along with ideal mechanical stability.
Now also on the market: the grade ecovio T2308, which
allows thin-walled capsules to be manufactured also by
thermoforming. Another milestone is the development of
technologies for inserting an oxygen barrier, which means
that both the injection moulding grade ecovio IA1652 and
the thermoforming material ecovio TA1241 can be given an
oxygen barrier during the production of the capsules.
In 2017, BASF and the French company Capsul’in were
awarded the Pierre Potier innovation prize for a coffee
capsule made of ecovio IA1652. The award, presented by
the French Ministry of Economy and Industry on behalf
of the French Federation for Chemistry Sciences and
the Federation of the Chemical Industry, recognises
innovation in sustainable development and encourages
environmentally friendly approaches. The ecovio coffee
capsules, which are certified compostable, are broken down
in industrial composting plants into water, CO 2
and quality
compost, and metabolised by microorganisms. Within
twelve weeks the capsules are degraded into industrial
compost. The development of compostable coffee capsules
therefore allows not only a more responsible handling of
packaging, but also a transformation of the raw material
back to valuable compost at the end of its life cycle and a
reduction of unnecessary waste.
www.ecovio.basf.com
Manufactured by injection moulding: thin-walled coffee capsules
made of ecovio IA1652 (Photo: BASF)
Thermoformed coffee capsules made of ecovio TA1241 enable
high dimensional stability under heat, good mechanical stability
and at the same time a reliable oxygen barrier. (Photo: BASF)
36 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Coffee capsules & pods
Replacing
aluminium
with paper
The world’s first mass produced coffee capsule
made of paper is set to replace aluminum and plastic
capsules.
The Bremen, Germany based coffee capsule company
Velibre brings onto the market the first Nespresso ® -
compatible coffee capsule made of paper.
“After more than two years of development, which required
over a million Euros of investment, Velibre can finally present
the finished version of our new paper capsule. This capsule
can be put into the home compost as well as in the biowaste
collection bin”, says managing director David Wolf- Rooney.
The serial production has just started and the finished
capsule will be available in the third quarter of 2018. Wolf-
Rooney expects Velibre to produce over 300 million capsules
in the next Year. “We are more than convinced of the giant
potential of our paper capsule. This belief comes from the
enormous interest in the Velibre capsule from various market
leaders in the coffee capsule industry. It also comes from the
concrete offers related to the purchase of Velibre which is in
the double-digit millions. The value of the capsule will develop
throughout the next years towards the 100 Million Euros
level”, reveals David Mr. Wolf-Rooney. He adds: “traditional
coffee capsules produce a huge amount of waste and our
vision is to completely banish the use of plastic or aluminum
capsules from the market. To secure this vision we will make
the Velibre know-how, our technology and our production
capacities freely available to all manufacturers of coffee
capsules. From now on, no company
has to produce environmentally harmful
variants as they can get all the capsules they
want from Velibre. This is the real revolution behind Velibre”.
The newly developed paper capsule supports the
company’s goal to systematically revolutionizing the coffee
capsule market. The paper capsule can be easily recycled via
home compost and – as the only capsule in the world so far –
via organic waste collection systems. The capsule completely
biodegrades to CO 2
, water and biomass after a few weeks,
depending in the composting environment.
The capsule is made of sugarcane fibers. These fibres
are a residual material created in large volumes during the
production of sugar. Therefore, it does not need its own land
for production and it is not in any competition with food. All
materials used are also 100 % free of genetically modified
raw materials. The components of the capsule are already
certified according to the standard EN 13432 for industrial
composting facilities. For the standards Vincotte OK
compost HOME and DIN-certified garden compostable the
corresponding certification processes are in process.
A global patent was established in 2016 for the unique
product and a German utility patent has already been
registered. MT www.velibre.com
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for Plastics
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Up-to-date • Fast • Professional
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 37

Coffee capsules & pods
Coffee klatch
Aldo Zanetti,
Business Unit
Manager at
Trinseo
Single-serve Coffee Capsules and
Biodegradable Material – the Perfect Match – an Interview
Trinseo, headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, USA, is a global materials
company that has acquired API (Mussolente, Italy), a producer of thermoplastic
elastomeric compounds and bioplastics. Trinseo has recently launched new grades of biodegradable
and compostable bioplastics for single-serve coffee capsules. bioplastics MAGAZINE spoke with Aldo
Zanetti, Business Unit Manager at Trinseo.
When did Trinseo enter the bioplastics market?
In 2006, Trinseo, formerly known as API, launched the
first soft biodegradable and compostable material – APINAT
BIO ® . In those early days, this was still a novel approach.
Still we felt the time had come to add sustainability as a
core competence to our already innovative conventional
compounds. We protected this biodegradable compound
technology with an international patent.
How did biodegradable products progress from
here?
Over the years, we developed biodegradable materials for
a variety of different applications. In 2011, conforming to the
new Italian regulation, we introduced a biodegradable and
compostable film solution to replace
polyethylene shopping bags. In 2014,
we launched the first biodegradable
and compostable compound
for single-serve coffee capsules.
Additionally, we have developed a unique
and wide-ranging spectrum
of biodegradable color
masterbatches compatible
with all of our bio resins.
Since the acquisition of API, Trinseo has
introduced further innovations and new materials suitable
for various applications, particularly in the packaging and
agricultural sectors.
In your opinion, why should companies use
biodegradable material when producing coffee
capsules?
Global coffee consumption is continuously progessing
towards single-serve capsule machines. Every year
around 50 billion capsules are sold worldwide. Although
single-serve capsules are extremely convenient, they
have the downside that the aluminum and plastic create
a lot of waste. Single-serve coffee capsules are not easily
recyclable and mixed materials such as exhausted coffee
powder, plastic and aluminum are sent to a landfill without
being separated. The coffee industry urgently needs a
more sustainable packaging option. Biodegradable and
compostable capsules are, in my opinion, therefore one of
the most viable solutions.
Why are single serve coffee capsules so suitable
assuming they are collected and sent to a
composting facility?
The combination of coffee powder with biodegradable
material constitutes a ‘perfect match’. Coffee powder is
organic and is itself a good fertilizer. The brewing process
adds temperature and humidity, thereby triggering the
biodegradation of the capsule into compost, CO 2
and water.
What about other material properties? Can your
material compete with conventional plastics?
Besides being biodegradable under EN 13432, our new
APINAT BIO® grades are derived from 60 to 90 % biobased
sources. Our grades fully comply with both
U.S. FDA and EU food contact regulations.
Our materials exemplify exceptional
dimensional stability and easy
processability at the manufacturer’s
site. They can be processed with
cycle times comparable to those of
conventional plastics, maintaining a
manufacturer’s hourly output at the
same levels. The material grades have
been successfully tested and approved
in all current production technologies such
as injection molding, extrusion and extrusion-compression
molding. So, yes, we can compete with conventional plastics
in the coffee capsule business.
Which material properties would you now like
to further improve?
Our first priority is to enhance the barrier towards water
vapor and oxygen, thereby extending capsule shelf-life. This
is the area where developments are most concentrated.
We are also working on improving our material’s thermal
stability for the purpose of extending its use in complex
capsules and for higher brewing temperatures and
pressures.
What about your participation in the EU LIFE-
PLA4Coffee project?
Because of our extensive knowledge and experience in
the development of biodegradable plastic compounds, ICA,
38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Coffee capsules & pods
biopolymere.
6. Kooperationsforum mit Fachausstellung
a manufacturer of automatic packaging machinery
and coffee capsules (headquartered in Bologna,
Italy), selected us as a project partner. The aim of
LIFE-PLA4Coffee project was to validate PLA based
compound formulations with improved functional
properties for the production of compostable
coffee capsules. This interesting and productive
collaboration has helped us to deepen our knowledge
about the specific needs of this sector.
How does your experience help
customers to decide whether to invest in
biodegradable solutions?
We have a long and deep knowledge in diverse
application fields like packaging, footwear, automotive
and technical products. We understand the complexity
of many different applications so when customers
approach us asking about biodegradable solutions
for specific applications, our experience enables
us to evaluate the technical feasibility and provide
advice on environmental benefits and suitability for
each single application. We do not support projects
in which the use of biodegradable solutions does not
constitute a measurable environmental advantage.
In addition we support our customers on legal
framework conditions, which can vary depending on
country and application.
Over the years and through joint developments with
customers, combined with our technology expertise,
we have expanded our biodegradable compounds
portfolio, ranging from low to high rigidity, to meet a
wide spectrum of requirements for packaging and
agricultural applications. MT
www.trinseo.com
18091 werbersbuero.de | Foto: ©artemegorov - stock.adobe.com
B a y e r n
Innovativ
Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Halle
Straubing, 24. Oktober 2018
www.bayern-innovativ.de/biopolymere2018
Cluster
Neue Werkstoffe
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 39

Coffee capsules & pods
Bio-PBS to
increase
benefits
of PLA coffee
capsules
BIO PBS
Flexible
Higher
Faster
Translucent
Higher
Lower
Lower
By:
Fabien Resweber & Pissapak Srihaphan
PTT MCC Biochem Company Limited
Bangkok, Thailand
Flexibility
Impact strength
Biodegradability
Heat resistance
Process temp.
Heat-seal temp.
Transparency
Rigid
Lower
Slower
Lower
Higher
Higher
PLA
Transparent
The coffee capsules sold by one major brand in 2013 alone
created enough waste to encircle the earth more than
ten times. The high fraction of water and coffee grounds
makes them difficult to incinerate or recycle, a problem that
could easily be circumvented by using compostable capsules
based on BioPBS. The benefits of BioPBS were introduced
during a presentation at two separate Single Serve Capsules
conferences, one last year in Berlin, the other this year in Chicago,
in which the outstanding compostability of this material
was highlighted.
BioPBS reduces cycle time while increasing HDT
and Izod Impact strength
One key benefit of blending BioPBS with PLA for injection
moulding is that the degree of crystallinity of the matrix
increases. PLA is an amorphous material with
a very long cooling time. Adding BioPBS can
therefore significantly shorten its cycle time. In a
PLA blend with 20% BioPBS, the crystallization
process is accelerated, reaching a percentage of
crystallinity of 50 %; in a 40/60 blend of BioPBS/PLA
a peak level of 80 % can be reached. Cycle time
can be cut in half compared to cPLA , without
compromising capsule mould productivity.
Increasing the BioPBS content to 60 % or higher
also improves the thermal properties of PLA,
allowing the HDT A (0.45 MPa) value to be increased to
almost 100 °C. As a result, BioPBS-based capsules
will not twist or lose their shape during use, nor clog
up the coffee machine. Increasing the BioPBS ratio
from 20 to 40 has the additional advantage of improving
the Izod impact strength of the material. Even better
results are achieved if a 60/40 blend of BioPBS/PLA is used.
Basically, the more BioPBS that is added, the more flexibility
that can be expected from the compound. On the other hand,
the PLA component increases the biobased content and adds
solidity to the cap body.
BioPBS meets new challenges for coffee capsules
Previously, compostable coffee capsules had a limited
oxygen barrier and required secondary packaging for
wrapping. New solutions for compostable oxygen barriers
now exist for all coffee capsule designs, decreasing the
total amount of packaging needed. Barrier solutions mainly
include the use of compostable IML (In-Mould-Labelling) or
a compostable barrier layer injection molded in a co-injection
process, and are perfectly compatible with BioPBS-based
compostable capsules.
In countries or cities where organic waste is collected, fully
compostable capsules can be included in that composting
stream, increasing the amount of waste being recycled through
this organic recycling process. However, since industrial
composting facilities are not yet accessible worldwide, there
is now a strong market demand for a coffee capsule that will
biodegrade in a home composting environment at ambient
temperatures. BioPBS offers a way to make this possible,
as this material provides a fast degrading polymer matrix,
even at ambient temperature. BioPBS is increasingly gaining
acceptance and is used as the raw material in various global
sustainable coffee capsule brands for injection
moulded and mesh parts.
Total solution for compostable coffee
capsules
BioPBS can be applied in all the various parts
of the coffee capsule, depending on the grade
used. BioPBS lidding film (BioPBS sealant +
barrier cellulose) provides an excellent oxygen
barrier; BioPBS body or cap offers flexibility,
heat resistance, and reduced cycle time. Finally,
BioPBS can be used in a mesh (nonwoven filter)
part on the bottom of the capsule to retain the
ground coffee.
The burgeoning popularity of single serve coffee
capsules is cause for concern, as their use generates
a vast amount of waste. Changing to a BioPBS capsule
could definitely help solve this waste problem.
Environmental benefits
Formulating a coffee capsule material with a high BioPBS
content can contribute to the reduction of non-recyclable
waste and decrease the impact on the environment. Capsules
made with BioPBS can be treated as organic waste, which
means they can be disposed of in the organic waste bin (where
available and permitted) without separating them from the
coffee grounds. In applications like this, where it is impossible
to re-use or recycle, compostable materials definitely
contribute to cleaner end-of-life options and lower disposal
costs.
www.pttmcc.com
40 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Coffee capsules & pods
PürPod100
In 2015 Club Coffee, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, introduced
PürPod100, what was, as stated by the company, the
world’s first 100 % compostable, fully certified singleserve
pod.
“The amount of used single-serve pods sent into the
waste stream last year could have circled the earth eleven
times. That’s not acceptable,” said John Pigott, CEO, Club
Coffee. “We have the most viable solution available to that
issue – a pod that will be certified as 100 % compostable
and can be converted to useful compost.”
“As a large manufacturer and distributor of packaged
coffee, we have a responsibility to our customers, and
to society, to reduce the environmental impact of our
activities.”
The PürPod100 is made from renewable, biobased
materials (more details were not disclosed) that are 100 %
compostable, and the ring of the pod is made using coffee
chaff – the skin of the coffee bean that comes off during
the roasting process. Every single part of the PürPod100 is
designed to be digestible by, and accessible for, bacteria.
The PürPod100 is compatible with most Keurig brewing
systems, including the new Keurig 2.0 brewers.
“Still, plastic (and aluminium – MT), single serve coffee
pods are included in this disposable waste stream. Where
curbside food scrap collection programs exist, certified
compostable products have the ability to help increase
waste diversion while reducing contamination in the finished
compost,” said Al Rattie, Director of Market Development,
US Composting Council. “We hope that companies like Club
Coffee will continue to work with the USCC to not only develop
products that are tools for diversion, but also help support
the growth of the food scrap collection and processing
infrastructure needed to close the loop on products like
compostable coffee pods. The resulting production and
land application of high quality compost is essential for the
creation of healthy soils and a sustainable society.”
The PürPod100 was developed in conjunction with international
experts and scientists at the University of Guelph.
“Science shows that composting is an effective and
conscientious solution to this growing environmental
problem”, added Pigott. “Recycling isn’t a convenient or welldeveloped
solution because hot pods full of coffee grounds
must be carefully separated and cleaned before collection.”
Steve Mojo, then executive director of the certifying body
BPI, said, “Club Coffee’s () pods represent a significant
improvement in single-serve coffee. Everyone involved in this
technological advancement are commended for their hard
work. All BPI approved products meet ASTM D6400 or ASTM
D6868 based on independent lab testing, whose results are
verified by NSF International.” In the meantime Club Coffee
received certification for the PürPod 100 products.MT
www.clubcoffee.ca
RING
Made with coffee bean skins and
other compostable materials
LID
Made with paper and
other compostable materials
FILTER
Made with plant-based materials
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 41

Materials
Multilayer transparent
barrierfilms
Four key players in the bioplastics industry - Eurotech Extrusion Machinery, NatureWorks, Nippon
Gohsei and Sukano - have successfully processed a multilayer transparent biobased barrier film. This
allows packaging manufacturers to count coextruded film structure as a potential replacement for
conventional fossil fuel-based structures in dry food packaging.
Flexible multilayer plastic packaging design remains
a major challenge, as most conventional multilayer
films are neither recyclable nor compostable. As of today,
there is a lack of recyclability for this kind of packaging
that still makes up over 75 % of the food industry usage.
Understanding this gap in the market, four key players
in the bioplastics industry have joined together to find a
solution. Eurotech Extrusion Machinery (Tradate, Italy),
NatureWorks (Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA), Nippon Gohsei
(headquartered in Osaka, Japan) and Sukano (Schindellegi,
Switzweland) have now successfully processed a multilayer
transparent biobased barrier film.
Ingeo resin processed into a film is already used in many
types of flexible packaging. Using Ingeo provides for a
reduced carbon footprint, as well as compostability as an
end of life option. For higher gas barrier requirements, a
coating or a metallization surface treatment of the film
is typically required. However, the need for this coating
or metallization can be eliminated through the use of a
barrier polymer to produce a coextruded structure. This
provides an additional, new option for packing foods which
require an extended shelf life, while still offering clarity and
compostability.
The coex film processed at Eurotech used a K5A 5
layer blown film lab machine in a configuration using two
extruders 25 mm, and three extruders 20 mm, including the
die lip of 100 mm diameter and 1.4 mm gap.
The total film thicknesses of 45 µm, 280 mm width,
contains Ingeo PLA 4043D from NatureWorks and is used
in the inner A layer, with an outer bubble layer E including
Sukano masterbatches processing aids. These PLAbased
Sukano masterbatches were specifically designed
for this application. The tie layers use BTR8002P and the
barrier layer uses G-polymer both from Nippon
Gohsei. This combination of formulation
and process conditions yielded a
stable bubble, excellent film
transparency, and good roll
quality.
Testing showed that
the use of Sukano
masterbatches
offered increased melt
strength, and therefore
better processability,
good transparency and
better adhesion during sealing.
Mechanical properties were also
maintained. As an additional benefit
each material used in the film has either been tested and
certified or assessed to be biodegradable and industrially
compostable according to European norm EN 13432. Less
film sticking was managed via the use of slip agent biobased
masterbatches, which increased the processing window
and ensured good processability conditions and a lower
COF (coefficient of friction), therefore conferring better film
properties for secondary fabrication steps.
For the barrier layer Nichigo G-Polymer, the World’s first
Extrudable High Barrier Amorphous Vinyl Alcohol Resin,
was used. This provided key benefits in packaging, such
as excellent gas and aroma barrier and high transparency,
while supporting compostability and recyclability properties
of the final film produced. Outstanding water solubility for
solution coating barrier applications and extrudability were
also evident. The G-Polymer barrier is so effective that it can
replace Alu-foil in many packaging applications. And even
at 4mm thickness of mono-layer G-Polymer, transparency
was glass-like. The tie layer BTR8002P gives high adhesion
between layers, maintaining high transparency
The achievement of this multilayer transparent biobased
barrier film allows packaging manufacturers to count
multilayer film structure as a potential replacement for
conventional fossil fuel-based structures in dry food
packaging such as lid films for coffee capsules or lidding
films for cups and trays, flow packs, trays for snacks, and
biscuits packages. And it may even extend to certain humid
foods such as ham, fish, and meat when used with proper
packaging design. MT
www.sukano.com | www.natureworksllc.com
www.nippon-gohsei.com | www.eurexma.com
Bio-Barrier
with
Nichigo
G-Polymer
Existing
Barrier
(PP/EVOH/PP)
Barrier Layer [µm] 13 12
Humidity in Barrier [%] 26 4
WVTR [g/capsule
day]
OTR [cm 3 /capsule
day Air]
38°C 90%RH 0.059 0.007
23°C Inner Dry,
Outer 50%RH
0.0002 0.0008
42 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

From Science & Research
Bioplastic made of cactus
(Photo: EFE)
With the juice of nopal, a plant of the cactus family and
basic ingredient in Mexican cuisine, a Mexican researcher
has created a natural biodegradable plastic
that can reduce pollution.
Sandra Pascoe, from the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac
(Univa) in Guadalajara, western Mexico, developed this plastic
after several experiments with this cactus often used in salads
and traditional Mexican stews.
At first, she experimented with dried pieces of nopal, which
she mixed with additives, but the process was slow and the
physical and chemical characteristics changed a lot. “The
material oxidized quickly”, she told the Mexican news agency
EFE.
Sandra then began to use the juice of the species’opuntia
ficus indica’, the most common among the nopal trees and
widely used as a vegetable. Later she took the so-called
opuntia megacantha, which is famous for its fruit called tuna,
very juicy but covered all over with thorns.
“Basically, the plastic is made from the sugars in the nopal
juice, the monosaccharides and polysaccharides it contains,”
the researcher explained.
Sandra pointed out that the cactus has a very viscous
consistency that comes from these sugars, pectin and organic
acids and “that viscosity is what we are taking advantage of so
that a solid material can be produced”, she said.
In her lab at the Department of Exact Sciences and
Engineering, Pascoe glycerol, natural waxes, proteins and
colorants with the juice after it has been strained to remove its
fibers, creating a formula that is then dried on a hot plate to
produce thin sheets of plastic.
This process was registered with the Mexican Institute
of Intellectual Property (IMPI) in 2014 and the development
became possible with funding from the National Council of
Science and Technology (Conacyt) of Mexico.
The researcher told EFE that with the support of the
campus of Biological and Agricultural Sciences of the
University of Guadalajara, she is in the process of investigating
the degradation characteristics of this plastic, i.e. in what
conditions and how long it takes to decompose in a natural
environment.
“We have done very simple degradation tests in the
laboratory. We have put it for example in water and we found
that it does disintegrate. However, we still need to do a
chemical test to see if the material has really been completely
disintegrated. We have also done tests on moistened compost
soil and the material is also disintegrated”, she added.
Sandra said that in addition to shopping bags, the nopal
juice plastic could be used for applications such as cosmetic
containers, imitation jewelry and toys.
Tests are currently being conducted to establish how much
weight the plastic can bear which will help determine what
other products it could be used for.
She explained that projects have already been done at
student level to generate prototypes “very simple and it is clear
that there is potential to do a lot more with this material”.
At the moment thermal properties and the density of the
plastic are being determined to learn how much weight it
can resist in case of being transformed into bags and other
products.
The next step on the path towards commercialization will be
to make or buy a machine that can produce prototypes of the
plastic bags in order to market them to businesses.
The innovation is in the process of being patented. Once this is
granted by the IMPI, it will be possible to generate agreements
to transfer the technology to interested companies, Sandra
Pascoe concluded. MT Source: EFE tinyurl.com/cactusplastic
(Photo: Kerstin Neumeister)
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 43

From Science & Research
From coffee grounds to plastic
Introduction
Europe is one of the largest importers of coffee. However,
currently industrial utilization of the coffee grounds generated
during production is carried out only to a limited extent [1], [2].
Some companies already have recognized the potential of
the “coffee ground” residue and have even brought plastic
products to the market containing coffee grounds (3D printing
filaments, cappuccino cups, yarns, etc. [3] [4] [5]). However,
there are no (biobased) plastic compounds containing coffee
grounds commercially available on the market, which are
suitable for processing methods like injection molding or
extrusion blow molding.
In a first feasibility study in 2016, the processing as well as
the effect of the residues on biobased polymers were analyzed
at the IfBB - Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites,
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover [2]. To save
fossil raw materials like crude oil, coffee grounds have been
primarily used as a filler to substitute conventional polymers.
Furthermore, the residues were used as a colouring agent
in different kinds of polymers. In the current project, novel
fully biobased composites, especially for applications such
as coffee consumer goods, computer accessories and for the
office sector are being developed and modified.
Used material
The additivation of the coffee grounds was carried out in a
PLA matrix (injection molding type). Other additives such as
an impact modifier (IPM) and wood fibers (NF) were also used
to enhance the performance (improved load transmission
through fiber reinforcement) and appearance.
Coffee Grounds
Large differences in the particle size or agglutination of the
coffee grounds leads to agglomeration during extrusion, as
previous studies show. Therefore, a non-homogenous dosage
of the coffee grounds into plastic would hinder an industrial
processing [2]. For an optimized process and to control, as
well as to determine, material properties (stiffness, strength,
crystallization, etc.), the quality control of particle size and
distribution of the coffee grounds are decisive.
Figure 1: SEM image (magnification: 100X) PLA + Coffee grounds + NF
coffee grounds
NF
44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

From Science & Research
By:
Daniela Jahn, Sebastian Spierling, Andrea Siebert-Raths
IfBB – Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites,
Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts – IfBB
Hanover, Germany
Experimental Procedure
For extrusion processing, a technical co-rotating
KraussMaffei twin-screw extruder ZE 34 Basic was used. The
matrix and impact modifier were added at the beginning of the
extruder in the melting zone. The dosage of coffee grounds
and natural fibers was conducted via a side feeder unit.
Adapted screw configurations enabled a cautious
incorporation without damaging the PLA, the residue or the
fibers. Due to specific screw configurations, predrying of the
material was not required, i.e. prior opened vacuum degassing
extracts the remaining humidity during the process.
For production of test specimens via injection moulding, a
KraussMaffei KM50-180 AX injection moulding machine was
used (tensile test bars type 1A DIN EN ISO 527).To prevent
molecular chain degradation by hydrolysis, pellets were dried
before processing under 500 ppm) [6]. Subsequently, the
microstructures and mechanical and thermal-mechanical
properties of the coffee ground compounds were determined.
Material Properties
To analyze the connection of coffee particles and natural
fibers in the PLA, the samples were analyzed by scanning
electron microscopy (SEM). Figure 1 shows the coffee particles
and natural fibers fully embedded in the PLA matrix. Thus, a
good fiber-matrix adhesion, which results in an optimized load
transmission of the fibers/coffee particles under mechanical
loads, could be realized.
As known from the literature, by adding fillers or fibers as a
function of the concentration the flowability (MFR) and impact
strength is reduced. By implication, the tensile modulus is
increased [7]. The situation is similar with the coffee grounds
used (Figure 2). Both with coffee grounds and with natural
fibers, the impact strengths are reduced, which in turn
increased the tensile modulus of elasticity. Due to the
addition of particles and fibers, a reduction in the cycle
time during the injection molding process was identified
for all the materials. This positive effect suggests that the
crystallinity (K) of the materials was increased.
Figure 2: Thermomechanical
properties
of coffee grounds
compounds
Tensile
strength
150%
PLA
Cycle
time
100%
50%
Tensile
modulus
PLA + Coffee
grounds
PLA + 10% NF
0%
HDT-B
Impact
strength
PLA + 10% Coffee
grounds + 10% NF
PLA + 10% Coffee
grounds + 10% NF
+ 8% IPM
MFR
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 45

From Science & Research
This usually leads to the fact, that the materials in the injection
molding process achieve the dimensional stability in such a
way that they can be ejected earlier (reduced cycle time).
However, the increase of K is not apparent from the HDT-B.
The degree of crystallization (K) is determined according to
a melting enthalpy (ΔHm) of the second DSC heating curve
(DSC 204 F1 Phoenix Netzsch) using the material dependent
theoretical value for a 100% crystalline material. For PLA, this
theoretical value is 93 J/g (ΔHLit )(Figure 3) [8].
The degree of crystallization can be calculated by the
formula (K = (∆Hm )/(∆HLit.)*100 [%] ) [9].
Depending on PLA, the melting enthalpy and the crystallinity
is increased by the addition of residues and / or fibers from

©
©
-Institut.eu | 2018
-Institut.eu | 2017
Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/reports
Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/reports
©
-Institut.eu | 2017
Full study available at www.bio-based.eu/markets
Bio- and CO 2 -based Polymers & Building Blocks
The best market reports available
Data for
2017
Bio-based Building Blocks
and Polymers – Global Capacities
and Trends 2017-2022
Bio-based polymers:
Evolution of worldwide production capacities from 2011 to 2022
Million Tonnes
6
5
4
3
Dedicated
Drop-in
Smart Drop-in
without
bio-based PUR
2
1
2011
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
18-05-22
Authors: Raj Chinthapalli, Michael Carus, Wolfgang Baltus,
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2018
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3,5
actual data
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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
Succinic
acid
Epichlorohydrin
1,4-BDO
MEG
2,5-FDCA
Ethylene
D-LA
Sebacic
1,3-PDO
acid
11-Aminoundecanoic acid
MPG
DDDA
Lactide
Adipic
acid
E-mail: j.ravenstijn@kpnmail.nl
Mobile: +31.6.2247.8593
Author: Doris de Guzman, Tecnon OrbiChem, United Kingdom
July 2017
This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at
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Authors: Lara Dammer, Michael Carus and Dr. Asta Partanen
nova-Institut GmbH, Germany
May 2017
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www.bio-based.eu/reports
Author: Jan Ravenstijn, Jan Ravenstijn Consulting, the Netherlands
April 2017
This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at
www.bio-based.eu/reports
Policies impacting bio-based
plastics market development
and plastic bags legislation in Europe
Asian markets for bio-based chemical
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Market study on the consumption
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plastic products in Europe
2015 and 2020
Share of Asian production capacity on global production by polymer in 2016
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80%
60%
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40%
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0%
PBS(X)
APC –
cyclic
PA
PET
PTT
PBAT
Starch
Blends
PHA
PLA
PE
Disposable
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Rigid
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Authors: Dirk Carrez, Clever Consult, Belgium
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Dr. Harald Kaeb, narocon Innovation Consulting, Germany
Lara Dammer & Michael Carus, nova-Institute, Germany
March 2017
This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at
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Author: Wolfgang Baltus, Wobalt Expedition Consultancy, Thailand
This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at
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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.
www.bio-based.eu/reports
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 47

Basics
Biocatalytic process
to produce FDCA
By:
Stephan Roest
Market Development Manager
Corbion
Gorinchem, The Netherlands
PEF has become the popular new plastic on the block,
and companies like Corbion (Gorinchem, The Netherlands)
are working hard on its market introduction.
The new monomer FDCA is key to the plastic, and makes
it possible to produce PEF as an alternative to for instance
PET. Of all the companies working on the commercial-scale
production of FDCA, Corbion is the only one that uses a biocatalytic
route to produce FDCA from sugars.
Corbion is pioneering a highly efficient biocatalytic
process to produce 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) as
a monomer for the bioplastic PEF (polyethylenefuranoate).
Corbion has been developing this route since 2013, when
it obtained the biotechnology route with the acquisition of
biotech company Bird Engineering. The biocatalytic route
to FDCA is a perfect match with Corbion’s fermentation and
purification experience and capabilities in lactic acid.
Like a jacuzzi
Starting from C6 sugars, Corbion first produces the
intermediate 5-hydroxymethylfuryfral (HMF). The raw-
HMF is then fed to microorganisms that transfers the HMF
into FDCA. Conventional ways use selective oxidation with
platinum (or other noble metal or non-noble metal) catalysts.
One advantage of Corbion’s biocatalytic process is that is
has very mild conditions: to get the best production from
the microorganisms, the process has to be as comfortable
as possible for them, being: neutral pH, no-pressure, 37 °C
and a bit of aeration. You can picture it as a jacuzzi!
On top of that, due to the enzymatic conversion, the
process shows very high yields (>99%) and has a very high
selectivity resulting in high purity FDCA with virtually no byproduct.
This also allows to use raw-HMF without the need
to purify the HMF inbetween.
Corbion has been purifying organic acids from
fermentation-broths for over 85 years which is a great
experience to build on when it comes to purifying the FDCA
from the broth. This process results in a very pure polymergrade
FDCA that has found its use in many polymer and
chemical applications already, that are now being tested
and validated for market introduction.
Making PEF a reality
FDCA can replace oil-based purified terephthalic
acid (PTA), as used to produce PET and a wide variety
of other plastics. FDCA is not a direct replacement for
PTA, as PEF is not a direct replacement for PET since
their chemical structures are slightly different. However,
they are sufficiently similar to allow FDCA to be used in
combination with monoethylene glycol (MEG) in existing
PET polymerization plants , making FDCA an infrastructure
drop-in.
PEF is a sustainable bioplastic that – if combined with
biobased MEG - can be produced 100% biobased, boosting
the sustainability credentials in key applications such as
packaging.
PEF bioplastic has already attracted a lot of attention
as promising material across several industries, as
manufacturers can see its potentially huge impact on the
world. The benefits are clear (see table below). For food
and beverages, for example, PEF enables to keep the
products fresh longer than PET, due to the higher barrierproperties
of the material. This also reduces the amount
of food waste. Compared to PET, PEF is stronger allowing
for further light weighting of a packaging product, saving
material and transportation costs. Also the higher glass
transition temperature is of value: as it is above 85 °C, the
PEF allows for hot-filling of nutritious or oxygen sensitive
drinks, like sports-drinks, without the need to enforce the
top and shoulder of the bottle with extra material, that is
nowadays is required for PET.
Choosing biobased plastics like PEF means contributing
to the transition towards a circular economy. Not only can
PEF be recycled, just as well as PET, but it is also fully
biobased which means a decoupling from fossil resources.
With these advantages, it’s not hard to see why PEF has
become so popular in the last couple of years.
PEF properties table
PEF PET Benefit
Barrier O 2
6 – 10 x 1 x
• Increased shelf life / reduced food waste
• No need for additional barrier layers
CO 2
4 – 6 x 1 x
• Increased shelf life / reduced food waste
• No need for additional barrier layers
H 2
O 2 x 1 x • Better performance in warm and humid areas
Mechanical
Tensile
Modulus
~1.6 x 1 x
• Perfect for rigid bottles / Increased top load
• Allow for further light-weighting
Thermal T g
(°C) 86 – 87 74 – 79 • Hot-filling at 85 °C of oxygen sensitive drinks (PET bottle needs enforcement to allow this)
T m
(°C)
213 –
235
234 –
265
• Co-extrusion possibilities
• Reduced processing temperatures
48 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Basics
COMPEO
Corbion makes it happen
The people at Corbion are excited to be at the
forefront of this innovation in this field. For FDCA and
PEF, they are actively working together with partners
throughout the value chain – from sugar suppliers to
brand owners – to introduce this new material to the
market on commercial scale, and make it happen.
Leading compounding technology
for heat- and shear-sensitive plastics
HO
O
O
O
O
OH
O
FDCA
HO
OH
PTA
www.corbion.com
Development of PEF film by Corbion
Uniquely efficient. Incredibly versatile. Amazingly flexible.
With its new COMPEO Kneader series, BUSS continues
to offer continuous compounding solutions that set the
standard for heat- and shear-sensitive applications, in all
industries, including for biopolymers.
• Moderate, uniform shear rates
• Extremely low temperature profile
• Efficient injection of liquid components
• Precise temperature control
• High filler loadings
www.busscorp.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 49

Basics
PEF and PET bottle recycling
Last year Synvina, the joint venture of Avantium and BASF,
received interim approval from the European PET bottle
platform (EPBP) for the market introduction of PEF up to
2 % of the total European PET consumption. The actual recyclability
of a PEF end-product, as any product, will however depend
on how it is designed and where it is launched, influencing
what type of collection and sorting infrastructure is present and
if this can divert the products components to recycled material
streams. Why then, did the EPBP already grant an interim approval?
One of the reasons was that Synvina already at an early
stage gathered and shared a significant amount of data that
demonstrated that PEF is not only sortable, but that low levels of
PEF are compatible with PET. Although not unique, this is a rare
feature for plastics while the more common incompatibility has
caused issues for some bioplastics in the past. In this article we
take a deeper look into the nature of this compatibility and how
it can put PEF in a unique position for a circular bottle economy.
Why introduce a new bottle material?
PET bottles are amongst the most successful examples
of plastics recycling. However, in smaller size bottles, PET by
itself is not always able to reach a logistically relevant shelf life.
For example the mechanical criteria of a 8 oz (237ml) bottle
can be met with 9-13 grams of PET while yielding a CO 2
shelf
life of only 4-6 weeks (4.2→3.5 Vol). To increase this, a bottle
is often complemented by a coating or barrier layer. Coating
equipment is not always economically attractive, for example
if (seasonal) demand changes require flexible output. Using
multilayer preforms for bottle production on the other hand may
impose recyclability limitations for the bottles; infrared sorting
equipment may still recognize them as PET while the barrier
layer, if not removed, may disrupt rPET quality.
PEF has been previously shown to enable logistically
attractive shelf lives in small bottles and this is continuously
being improved, as exemplified by the recent achievement of 16
and 20 weeks shelf life in 10g and 14g PEF bottles respectively.
Simultaneously PEF more and more exceeds mechanical
performance over PET, while PET remains economically
unattractive to produce from 100 % renewable sources. As such,
PEF is becoming increasingly attractive as a bioplastic that
brings material reductions beyond any other solution for small
size plastic bottles. And because PEF is chemically different
than any other plastic, near-infrared sorting equipment can
automatically sort them from the PET stream.
Controlling after-use material streams
As most new (non-drop-in) bioplastics, PEF is chemically
different from known materials and therefore has a unique
infrared spectrum. This allows PEF bottles to be sorted out
using automated near-infrared (NIR) sorting technology.
Recent ambitions for higher recycling targets drive increased
use of such technology to create separate streams beyond
the most common streams of PET and HDPE, for example
PP, PS and opaque PET. These infrastructure changes may
also accommodate the creation of streams for bioplastics with
interesting end-of-life options such as composting or recycling
into new high value products. In the case of PEF, the similar
chemistry to PET may even allow the use of existing PET
Vol. CO2
Vol. CO2
4,30
4,20
4,10
4,00
3,90
3,80
3,70
3,60
3,50
3,40
3,30
0 5 10 15 20 25
4,30
4,20
4,10
4,00
3,90
3,80
3,70
3,60
3,50
3,40
Weeks
3,30
0 5 10 15 20 25
Weeks
237 mL Bole
-17.5% CO 2
237 mL Bole
-17.5% CO 2
recycling technology and assets. Nevertheless, automated
sorting is not fail-safe and many recovery systems rely to a
large extent on human sorting, either by the consumer or by
professional sorters, for whom a PEF bottle is not always easy
to distinguish from PET.
PEF and PET compatibility
Synvina has done multiple recycling tests using PEF and
PET resins and bottle flakes, and consistently found that low
levels of PEF did not affect the thermal profile of PET in a DSC
experiment, while increasing levels started to induce melt point
depression particularly at longer extrusion times. Furthermore,
extrudates remained transparent. Further analysis by 13C NMR
showed increased splitting of the furan ring ipso carbon with
increased residence time, which an earlier study on PET copolyesters
attributed to a transition from a blocky long-segment
to a random co-polyester [1]. These observations confirm that
PEF and PET undergo trans-esterification during processing,
yielding a random co-polyester as the end-product. Extruded
pellets remained transparent and had a lower tendency to form
crystalline haze than neat reprocessed PET.
50 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Basics
By:
Jesper van Berkel, Technical Application Manager, Synvina
Amsterdam, The Netherland
The 2 % and 5 % concentrations were selected for testing
following the EPBP protocol at PTI Europe, which comprises
the typical steps of a recycling process at 5kg-scale. These
steps are outlined below with some of the critical control
points.
• Bottle grinding g Dust formation
• Flake washing & Drying g Flake and/or water
discoloration, sticking
PEF in PET T g, mid
T m, peak
0 % 79 °C 249 °C
2 % 79 °C 248 °C
5 % 78 °C 247 °C
10 % 78 °C 245-247 °C
25 % 76 °C, 86 °C 207 °C, 240-246 °C
• Re-extrusion into pellets g IV loss, side products or
fumes
• Solid State Polymerization g IV build, sticking of pellets
• Injection into plaques/bottles with 50 % vPET g
Transparency, color, bottle properties
PEF in RPET (plaques following EPBP route with 50 % vPET)
2x
g
PEF Molecule
PET Molecules
{
None of the steps in the recycling process were found to
display surprising phenomena in the presence of PEF, and all
intermediate and final intrinsic viscosity measurements yielded
comparable values. The only notable difference was that for
the 5% loading the coloration of final plaques, as expressed by
Δb* = 2.1 compared to the PET reference, was higher than the
acceptable range of Δb* = 1.5. This is an aspect which we expect
to improve with further improvements in PEF resin color. 1.5 L
Bottles could be blown of the final resin, yielding properties as
per the table below.
Conclusion
PEF can serve as a high value bioplastic material for
applications where PET alone is not sufficient, and opposed
to other barrier technologies this value can be retained when
the bottles are recycled. Although yet to be demonstrated at
scale, this can offer many opportunities; PET bales with nonrecyclable
barrier bottles can be avoided, while PET bales with
PEF may be used to reduce haze formation or as a source of
separately accumulated PEF for individual rPEF campaigns
with high value output. Ultimately, a separate stream of PEF
bales can be created for an effective after-use economy.
[1] H. Ma, M. Hibbs, D.M. Collard, S. Kumar, D.A. Shiraldi, Macromolecules
2002 (35), 5123-5130
www.synvina.com
Property
(1.5L 43g
bottle)
Final
composition
Burst
Pressure
Vol incr. at
burst
Thermal
stability
Drop test
vertical 4°C
Drop test
vertical 22°C
Top Load
@1.0 mm
deflection
Method
Mass
balance
Linear
increase
Linear
increase
4.25 vol CO 2
,
24h 38°C,
Base pushup
1.8 m,
vertical
bottom
down, 72h
1.8 m,
vertical
bottom
down, 72h
Typical
Result
PET
2% Route 2 5% Route 2
PET+
1% PEF
PET+2.5%
PEF
11.0 bar 11.8 bar 11.5 bar
565 mL 594 mL 565 mL
-4.0 mm -4.2 mm -4.1 mm
8/8 OK 8/8 OK 8/8 OK
8/8 OK 8/8 OK 8/8 OK
Empty 225 N 240 N 225 N
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 51

Automotive
Surr
complex
of
10
Years ago
Published in
bioplastics MAGAZINE
Electronics
Surround system of loudspeaker boxes with
spherical shape: housing material Arboform
of 10 mm wall thickness, lacquer coated
Lignin Matrix Composites
for Loudspeaker Boxes
Article contributed by
H. Nägele, J. Pfitzer, both of Tecnaro
GmbH, Ilsfeld-Auenstein, Germany
N. Eisenreich, W. Eckl, E. Inone-
Kauffmann, E. Walschburger all
Fraunhofer-ICT, Pfinztal,Germany
B
iocomposites obtained exclusively from renewable
resources meet the requirements of sustainable
processes and eco-innovation, and will expand future
material research for engineering applications in industry.
The properties, treatment and processing of these
materials have to meet industrial standards concerning
raw materials from biomass, fibres, wood extraction constituents
and biopolymers, to enable their supply to mass
consumer goods manufacturers, the construction industry,
and the automotive and electronics industries. Thermoplastic
matrices of composites include biopolymers such as
polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxy-butyrate (PHB) and starch,
as well as lignin from the paper industry. Reinforcement is
carried out by the use of natural short fibres from hemp,
flax and wood 1-4 . The natural polymer lignin is generated
as a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, at a rate
of approximately 60 million tonnes in chemical pulp mills
every year, worldwide. This biomass extraction can also be
carried out in an environmentally friendly way by using only
water 5,6 . Thermal use of lignin for the power supply of the
chemical pulp mills dominates its current utilisation rather
than its use as a material for components. Its integration as
a component in engineering materials has proven to be difficult
7,8 . However, recent work has succeeded in establishing
lignin as the main component of a new class of engineering
materials: Arboform®, based only on renewable resources,
applicable for use in industrial equipment parts 9,10 . Technical
advantages of these materials over synthetic polymers,
such as the acoustic properties of lignin matrix composites
(Arboform), could strongly support their application.
The material consists of lignin, natural fibres for
reinforcement, and natural additives to support processing
and performance. It exhibits wood-like properties. Various
sources of lignin - from different pulping procedures - and
of natural fibres such as wood, hemp, flax, sisal, kenaf
etc. - can be used. The choice of the lignin depends on the
application field of the product. However, the material can
be processed like a thermoplastic material and used for
various engineering products. The processing includes:
• Mixing of the constituents: ligni
(30-60%) and natural additives
mixer.
• Pelletizing of the mixture at amb
granules. This step avoids comp
used for plastic compounds
• Processing of the granules at rela
by standard injection moulding (
facture parts
This processing of lignin com
on standard industrial injection m
synthetic plastic resins. The tempe
from 100°C in zone 1 to 170°C in z
temperature can be between 155 and
nozzle (2.5 – 4.0 mm). The back-pr
high enough to enable a smooth rotat
injection pressure is relatively high (>1
injection speed. The holding pressure
of the machine’s capacity and the rela
seconds. The cooling time must be ext
compared to that of a synthetic thermo
The mould tools should be desig
production of special materials. Impor
design should take into account:
• The shrinkage on injection moulding i
not exceed 0.3%
• Core-pullers should be foreseen for d
are useful to achieve fast working cycle
• Hot runner nozzles work only in limited
Depending on the fibre content the
can vary between 2 and 8 GPa and th
Strength between 2 and 6 kJ/m 2 , but the
be extended to 16 by the use of impac
elongation at fracture is between 0.3-0.6
expansion coefficient establishes below 5
no resonance frequencies are found and a
of vibration leads to excellent acoustic pr
enables the material to be used in loudspeak
Two types of loudspeaker housings wer
manufactured according to the procedures d
The material itself exhibits a unique structu
from part to part (see fig. 1). Original colour
brown, green and red. Figures 2 and 3 show
boxes including a lacquered surface finish.
info@tecnaro.de
eri@ict.fraunhofer.de
Housing parts of the complex loudspeaker
design as obtained directly from the mould
16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/08] Vol. 3
52 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Automotive
In July 2018, Helmut Nägele
Managing Director, Tecnaro says:
ound system of loudspeaker boxes,
shape: housing material Arboform
with 5 mm wall thickness, lacquer
coated
n (40-70%), natural fibres
(

Suppliers Guide
1. Raw Materials
Simply contact:
Tel.: +49 2161 6884467
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For Example:
AGRANA Starch
Bioplastics
Conrathstraße 7
A-3950 Gmuend, Austria
bioplastics.starch@agrana.com
www.agrana.com
BASF SE
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Tel: +49 621 60-9995
martin.bussmann@basf.com
www.ecovio.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
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
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
39 mm
Polymedia Publisher GmbH
Dammer Str. 112
41066 Mönchengladbach
Germany
Tel. +49 2161 664864
Fax +49 2161 631045
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www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
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www.facebook.com
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www.twitter.com
www.youtube.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
Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe
Polyester Co., Ltd.
No. 316, South Beijing Rd. Changji,
Xinjiang, 831100, P.R.China
Tel.: +86 994 2716865
Mob: +86 18699400676
maxirong@lanshantunhe.com
http://www.lanshantunhe.com
PBAT & PBS resin supplier
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
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
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
54 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

Suppliers Guide
TECNARO GmbH
Bustadt 40
D-74360 Ilsfeld. Germany
Tel: +49 (0)7062/97687-0
www.tecnaro.de
1.3 PLA
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
TIPA-Corp. Ltd
Hanagar 3 Hod
Hasharon 4501306, ISRAEL
P.O BOX 7132
Tel: +972-9-779-6000
Fax: +972 -9-7715828
www.tipa-corp.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
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
www.total-corbion.com
pla@total-corbion.com
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
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
NOVAMONT S.p.A.
Via Fauser , 8
28100 Novara - ITALIA
Fax +39.0321.699.601
Tel. +39.0321.699.611
www.novamont.com
6. Equipment
6.1 Machinery & Molds
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
GRAFE-Group
Waldecker Straße 21,
99444 Blankenhain, Germany
Tel. +49 36459 45 0
www.grafe.com
Bio4Pack GmbH
D-48419 Rheine, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 5975 955 94 57
info@bio4pack.com
www.bio4pack.com
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
BIOTEC
Biologische Naturverpackungen
Werner-Heisenberg-Strasse 32
46446 Emmerich/Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 2822 – 92510
info@biotec.de
www.biotec.de
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
2. Additives/Secondary raw materials
BeoPlast Besgen GmbH
Bioplastics injection moulding
Industriestraße 64
D-40764 Langenfeld, Germany
Tel. +49 2173 84840-0
info@beoplast.de
www.beoplast.de
Molds, Change Parts and Turnkey
Solutions for the PET/Bioplastic
Container Industry
284 Pinebush Road
Cambridge Ontario
Canada N1T 1Z6
Tel. +1 519 624 9720
Fax +1 519 624 9721
info@hallink.com
www.hallink.com
6.2 Laboratory Equipment
Grabio Greentech Corporation
Tel: +886-3-598-6496
No. 91, Guangfu N. Rd., Hsinchu
Industrial Park,Hukou Township,
Hsinchu County 30351, Taiwan
sales@grabio.com.tw
www.grabio.com.tw
1.5 PHA
GRAFE-Group
Waldecker Straße 21,
99444 Blankenhain, Germany
Tel. +49 36459 45 0
www.grafe.com
3. Semi finished products
3.1 films
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
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
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
Infiana Germany GmbH & Co. KG
Zweibrückenstraße 15-25
91301 Forchheim
Tel. +49-9191 81-0
Fax +49-9191 81-212
www.infiana.com
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
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
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13 55

Suppliers Guide
‘Basics‘ book
on bioplastics
110 pages full
color, paperback
ISBN 978-3-
9814981-1-0:
Bioplastics
ISBN 978-3-
9814981-2-7:
Biokunststoffe
2. überarbeitete
Auflage
This book, created and published by Polymedia
Publisher, maker of bioplastics MAGAZINE
is available in English and German language
(German now in the second, revised edition).
The book is intended to offer a rapid and uncomplicated
introduction into the subject of bioplastics, and is aimed at all
interested readers, in particular those who have not yet had
the opportunity to dig deeply into the subject, such as students
or those just joining this industry, and lay readers. It gives
an introduction to plastics and bioplastics, explains which
renewable resources can be used to produce bioplastics,
what types of bioplastic exist, and which ones are already on
the market. Further aspects, such as market development,
the agricultural land required, and waste disposal, are also
examined.
An extensive index allows the reader to find specific aspects
quickly, and is complemented by a comprehensive literature
list and a guide to sources of additional information on the
Internet.
Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH
Holzhauser Strasse 157–159
D-13509 Berlin
Tel. +49 30 43 567 5
Fax +49 30 43 567 699
sales.de@uhde-inventa-fischer.com
Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG
Via Innovativa 31, CH-7013 Domat/Ems
Tel. +41 81 632 63 11
Fax +41 81 632 74 03
sales.ch@uhde-inventa-fischer.com
www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com
9. Services
Osterfelder Str. 3
46047 Oberhausen
Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227
thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de
www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de
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
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
10.2 Universities
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/
10.3 Other Institutions
The author Michael Thielen is editor and publisher
bioplastics MAGAZINE. He is a qualified machinery design
engineer with a degree in plastics technology from the RWTH
University in Aachen. He has written several books on the
subject of blow-moulding technology and disseminated his
knowledge of plastics in numerous presentations, seminars,
guest lectures and teaching assignments.
Bioplastics Consulting
Tel. +49 2161 664864
info@polymediaconsult.com
10. Institutions
10.1 Associations
Green Serendipity
Caroli Buitenhuis
IJburglaan 836
1087 EM Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 6-24216733
www.greenseredipity.nl
Order now for € 18.65 or US-$ 25.00
(+ VAT where applicable, plus shipping and handling,
ask for details) order at www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/
books, by phone +49 2161 6884463 or by e-mail
books@bioplasticsmagazine.com
Or subscribe and get it as a free gift
(see page 57 for details, outside Germany only)
BPI - The Biodegradable
Products Institute
331 West 57th Street, Suite 415
New York, NY 10019, USA
Tel. +1-888-274-5646
info@bpiworld.org
56 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

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04.12.2018 - 05.12.2018 - Berlin, Germany
www.european-bioplastics.org/events/eubp-conference/
Plastics beyond Petroleum - BioMass & Recycling
25.06.2019 - 27.06.2019 - New York City Area, USA
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. Vol. 13 13 57

Companies in this issue
Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert
Agrana Starch Bioplastics 33, 54
Airbus 8
Ajaa 26
Albis Plastic 26
AMIBM 10
AMIBM 10
Anellotech 18
API 38 54
Audi 26
Avantium 7, 20, 50
Axens 18
BASF 36 54
Bayern Innovativ 39
Bcomp 24
BeoPlast Besgen 55
Bio4Pack 55
Biobrush 26
Bio-Fed 33 54
Biomaterials Consulting 10
Biomer 10 55
Bio-on 14
Biotec 10 55
Bluepha 10
BPI 41 56
Braskem 8, 22, 23
Buss 49, 55
Caprowachs, Albrecht Dinkelaker 55
Capsul'in 36
Cardia Bioplastics 54
Centexbel, 10
Clic innovations 31
Club Coffee 41
Comac 8
Corbion 6, 48
DAB Motors 24
Danimer 10
DIN-Certco 9
DLR 8
Dr. Heinz Gupta Verlag 9
Edding 26
Electric GT 24
Erema 21, 55
EuropaBio 6
European Bioplastics 19, 56
Eurotech Extrusion Machinery 5, 42
FKuR 10 2, 54
Flex Farm technologies 6
Fraunhofer UMSICHT 56
FullCycle Bioplastics 10
Gabriel Chemie 34
Global Biopolymers 54
GRABIO Greentech Corporation 55
Grafe 54, 55
Green Bay Decking 6
Green Dot Bioplastics 54
Green Serendipity 13 56
grums aarhus 23
Gucci 26
Hallink 55
Hasselt University 10
Helian Polymers 10
Hydal/Nafigate 10
IFPEN 18
Ikea 12
Indochine Bio Plastiques 55
Infiana Germany 55
Inst. F. Bioplastics & Biocomposites 44 56
Inst. f. Kunststofftechnik, Stuttgart 10 56
Jelu Werk 6
JinHui Zhaolong 54
Kaneka 10 55
Kingfa 54
KraussMaffei 45
LifetecVision 10
MAIP 10
Mango Materials 10
Michigan State University 56
Microtec 54
Minima Technology 55
Mockmill 26
Modified Materials 10
NaKu 16
narocon InnovationConsulting 10 56
Natureplast-Biopolynov 54
NatureWorks 5, 42
Naturtec 55
Neste 12
Nippon Gohsei 5, 42
NNRGY 7
nova Institute 10 12, 47, 56
nova-Institut 8 17,32, 56
Novamont 55, 60
Novus 26
NSF International 41
Nurel 54
OWS 10
Paques 10
PepsiCo 10
Phario 10
Plastic 31
plasticker 37
polymediaconsult 56
PTT MCC Biochem 40 54
Purcell Agri-Tech 10
RKW 9
Saida 55
Scion Research 10
SK Chemicals 21
So Delicious 22
STU Faculty Chem Food Tech 7
Sukano 5, 42 54
Suntory 18
Swiss Coffee Company 36
Synvina 50
Tecnaro 6, 26, 52 55
Tesla 24
TGM, Vienna 1, 34
TianAn Biopolymer 10 55
TicToys 27
Tipa 54
Total Corbion PLA 23 55
Trinseo 38
TU Eindhoven 23
Uhde-Inventa Fischer 35, 56
UHU 26
United Caps 8
Univ Brno 7
Univ del Valle de Atemajac 43
Universal Forest Products 6
UPM 6
US Compostinf Council 41
Velibre 37
Velox 21
VTT 31
Walther Faltsysteme 22
Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe 54
Yamaha 24
Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharm. 54
Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials 31, 54
Issue
Editorial Planner
Month
05/2018 Sep
Oct
06/2018 Nov
Dec
Publ.
Date
edit/ad/
Deadline
2018
01 Oct 18 28 Sep 18 Fiber / Textile /
Nonwoven
03 Dec 18 02 Nov 18 Films/Flexibles/
Bags
Edit. Focus 1 Edit. Focus 2 Edit. Focus 3 Basics
Polyurethanes/
Elastomers/
Rubber
Bioplastics
from Waste
Streams
Poland & Baltic
States Special
t.b.d.
Industrial Composting,
Challenges / Hurdles
Shelf Life of Bioplastics
Trade-Fair
Specials
Subject to changes
58 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/18] Vol. 13

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A BIOPLAST SUITING
YOUR NEEDS.
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Made from potato starch, BIOPLAST® resins are designed to work on
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100 % biodegradable, BIOPLAST® is particularly suitable for ultra-light
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