Issue 03/2017

ISSN 1862-5258
Basics
FAQ (update) | 44
May/June
03 | 2017
Highlights
Injection Moulding | 14
Food Packaging | 36
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 12
... is read in 92 countries
Review
Beekeepers are concerned:
Don‘t breed wax-moths | 40

A GREEN ALTERNATIVE –
WITH A FUTURE.
As a manufacturer of plastic products for household articles, we are aware of our ecological responsibility.
The sustainable use of our valuable natural resources is an important part of our corporate culture. We
are constantly working on the development of products that are sustainable and in harmony with our
environment. Production processes are also continuously optimized therefore positively contributing
to the environmental balance.
The eco-friendly greenline series is produced with Braskem‘s Green PE supplied by FKuR.
✓ Biobased – renewable resources
✓ Saving fossil resources
✓ Reduction of CO 2
emissions
✓ 100 % recyclable
✓ Food safe
✓ Dishwasher safe
✓ BPA free
www.gies.de

Editorial
dear
readers
About a year ago, I became a beekeeper. One of the reasons I took up this new and
exciting hobby was because our bees are in trouble, and with their numbers in
decline, I wanted to do something to help. That - and because I really like honey.
Hence, the recent news picked up by virtually all media - who outdid themselves
with catchy headlines, such as “A Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Plastic Bags”
– struck a real chord. Please read my comment on pp 40. This was also the
reason for our cover photo: I though an attractive young beekeeper was greatly
preferable to an ugly caterpillar.
After a successful 2 nd bio!PAC conference and a busy week at interpack, I did
not make it to Chinaplas this year. So, our review is rather short. The interpack
review, however, is more comprehensive.
ISSN 1862-5258
Basics
FAQ (update) | 44
Highlights
Injection Moulding | 14
Food Packaging | 36
May/June
03 | 2017
Other highlight topics of this issue are Injection moulding and Food
packaging. Since a number of questions tend to be asked again and again by
newcomers to the field of bioplastics, European Bioplastics has compiled a
comprehensive set of FAQs. In the Basics section, we present some of these,
hopefully whetting your appetite for a visit to their (soon to be updated) website
to read them all.
The first speakers have already confirmed their participation in our next
bio!CAR conference, among them Ford Motor Company and Renault. End of
September, Stuttgart, Germany will again be the place to be for anyone and everyone
involved in Automotive Applications. The Call for Papers for the second edition of this event
is still open (see pp. 10).
And we are also again encouraging all our readers to submit proposals for the 2017
edition of the Global Bioplastics Award competition. Do you have a product or service
relating in some way to the world of biobased plastics that you think deserves the award or
you perhaps know someone who does? Please, let us know!
Meanwhile, enjoy the summer, and keep your fingers crossed for a good harvest of
yummy honey.
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 12
... is read in 92 countries
Review
Beekeepers are concernded:
Don‘t breed wax-moths | 40
Until then, please enjoy reading this latest issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE.
Sincerely yours
Michael Thielen
In this issue we wanted to have special focus on the People’s Republic of China.
But we weren’t that successful. Our Chinaplas report is rather short and we did
not get as many articles from Chinese companies as anticipated. After all my
respected colleague John Leung (Biosolutions) helped me out and contributed
his deal to the “China Special “.
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 3

Content
Imprint
03|2017
May / June
Events
8 Biobased materials conference
10 bio!CAR
Injection Moulding
14 Engineering bioplastic breakthrough
15 Biobased PA 6.10 compounds
Interpack Review
16 Interpack Review
Chinaplas Review
22 Chinaplas Review
China Special
23 China bioplastics alliance
From Science & Research
27 Food waste to construction and
automotive application
28 Bacteria produce polymers and
intermediates
Materials
30 Bio-epoxy resins from plant oil
32 New compostable film products
Food Packaging
36 Biobased food packaging in Germany
37 Development of the food packaging of
tomorrow
38 Compostable biobased packaging for
organic chips
3 Editorial
5 News
24 Application News
33 Material News
46 Glossary
50 Suppliers Guide
53 Event Calendar
54 Companies in this issue
Opinion
40 Could the wax moth solve the problem
of PE plastic waste
10 Years ago
42 Material Data Center
Survey
43 China Survey
Basics
44 FAQ update
Publisher / Editorial
Dr. Michael Thielen (MT)
Samuel Brangenberg (SB)
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Media Adviser
Samsales (German language)
phone: +49(0)2161-6884467
fax: +49(0)2161 6884468
s.brangenberg@samsales.de
Chris Shaw (English language)
Chris Shaw Media Ltd
Media Sales Representative
phone: +44 (0) 1270 522130
mobile: +44 (0) 7983 967471
and Michael Thielen (see head office)
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Kerstin Neumeister
Print
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1004 Riga, Latvia
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bioplastics magazine
ISSN 1862-5258
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bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in
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daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
News
PET Bottle recovery
systems can handle PEF
Interim approval constitutes a major step towards integration
of packaging from Synvina’s PEF in the circular economy
The European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) has given interim
approval for the recyclability of polyethylenefuranoate (PEF),
produced by Synvina C.V., Amsterdam, in the European bottle
recycling market. Following EPBP’s assessment PEF bottles are
expected to be disposable through existing recovery systems the
same way as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the conventional
material for plastic bottles. The interim approval applies to a PEF
market penetration of up to 2 %. This corresponds to the amount
of PEF that could be produced from Synvina’s intended 50,000
tonnes reference plant for furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). FDCA
made from renewable resources is the main building block for
PEF. A final statement based on PEF quality, packaging designs
and regional launch markets will be issued before market
introduction of the novel material.
“EPBP confirms that consumers are expected to be able
to return or dispose PEF bottles the way they are used to do
with PET bottles. This is a major milestone for our innovative
material based on renewables”, says Patrick Schiffers, CEO
of Synvina. He continues: “The recyclability has become one
of the most important aspects for the packaging industry to
meet the standards of the circular economy. EPBP’s interim
approval confirms that with PEF we are able to offer solutions
for our customers to meet these standards.”
PEF quantities in the European packaging market are
expected to exceed the 2 % market share on a medium term.
Therefore, Synvina works jointly with recyclers and brand
owners to develop a dedicated recycling stream for PEF
based bottles to separate the valuable PEF from conventional
plastics. PEF recycling in other markets like the US and Japan
will be reviewed near-time. The EPBP interim approval can be
found here.
With its recyclability, Synvina’s PEF offers a significant
advantage to the packaging industry in comparison to
alternative bio-based plastics or barrier materials. Moreover,
it also offers a higher mechanical strength, thus thinner PEF
packaging can be produced and fewer resources are required.
PEF is suitable as the main component or as a barrier layer
in cups and trays, flexible packaging as well as bottles for
carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, water, dairy
products, still and sports drinks, alcoholic beverages as well
as personal and home care products. MT
www.avantium.com | www.basf.com
New report calls to
suspend the use of
“oxo-degradables”
The amendment of the EU Directive on Packaging
and Packaging Waste from 2015 tasked the European
Commission with assessing the impacts of so-called “oxodegradable”
plastics on the environment and proposing “a
set of measures to limit their consumption or to reduce
any harmful impacts“. To inform the Commission’s
decision-making process, a comprehensive impact study
was contracted out to independent consultancy Eunomia.
The results of Eunomia’s report on “The Impact of the Use
of “Oxo-degradable” Plastic on the Environment” are very
clear in concluding that oxo-degradable plastics should
not be allowed to be sold in Europe.
The report confirms that oxo-degradable plastics
– referred to as pro-oxidant additive containing (PAC)
plastics – are “not suitable for any form of composting and
Anaerobic Digestion process”. There is still substantial
doubt – due to a lack of evidence – as to whether they do
biodegrade fully or within reasonable time, not to mention
the risk of potential toxic effects on soils of the pro-oxidant
additives. Other major concerns are raised with regard
to the recyclability of PAC plastics as they cannot be
identified and sorted separately with current technologies
and therefore can negatively affect the quality of recyclate
and recycled plastic products. “Evidence suggests that
oxidised PAC plastics can significantly impair the physical
qualities and service life of the recycled product” and
“recyclate made from mixtures containing PAC plastic
should not be used for long-life products”.
There is currently no suitable certification available
in Europe to make sure PAC plastics will perform
appropriately in the markets to which they are sold, and
in the environments they may end up. The report therefore
concludes that the European Commission should make
the development of (a set of) European standards,
including strict pass/fail criteria for the toxicological
tests, an absolute priority. In the meantime, the report
concludes, “the PAC plastics industry should be prevented
from selling their products”.
European Bioplastics has long warned about the
potentially harmful effects of oxo-degradable plastics on
the environment as well as the potential damage to the
reputation and image of truly biodegradable plastics.
Several cases of greenwashing and false claims have been
reported over the past years that have led to confusion and
misunderstanding about biodegradation in the general
public. In the light of the latest results of the report,
EUBP calls on the European Commission to suspend
the production, sale and use of oxo-degradable plastics
in Europe until appropriate standards, standardised
regulation of nomenclature, and suitable certification
schemes are available. MT
www.european-bioplastics.org
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 5

News
daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
MATER-BI carrier bags biodegrade completely in
anaerobic digestion plants
Novamont’s carrier bags were shown to degrade completely when processed in German anaerobic digestion plants, found
a German study. No bioplastic residue was found at the end of the composting process in any of the samples examined in the
four test sites.
A scientific study conducted by IGlux Witzenhausen and Witzenhausen-Institut examined the use of biodegradable bags made
from MATER-BI bioplastic. Tests were carried out at plants using equipment made by four different companies: Kompogas,
Thoeni, Bekon and WTT.
The bags were monitored during pre-treatment, anaerobic digestion, post-composting and maturation at each plant. The
percentage by weight of Mater-Bi in the input material was between 3.5 % and 3.8 %. Degradation began during the anaerobic
stage and was completed during composting. In total, the process took between five and ten weeks, depending on the plant.
No Mater-Bi residue was found in any of the samples examined at the end of the test, demonstrating that it had completely
degraded in all four plants.
The test was commissioned by Novamont in Germany, where organic waste plays a significant role in the national renewable
energy plan and is increasingly used to produce biogas. Efficient collection of this type of waste is therefore crucial for recovering
the most energy-rich component, namely kitchen waste. At present, however, even where separate collection of organic waste
is in place, studies show that a significant percentage of organic
waste is still sent to landfill.
The test was entirely successful, with complete degradation
of Mater-Bi carrier bags within the time normally needed for the
process at all four plants, which are representative of the majority
of anaerobic digestion facilities employed to process organic waste
in Germany, eliminating any reservations about use of the bags. MT
www.novamont.com
Anaerobic Digestion Plant
(generic photo)
Biobased and biodegradable plastics
Biobased plastics can be mechanically recycled just like conventional plastics and biodegradable plastics are not a solution
to the plastic soup in the oceans. These are two key findings in the report ‘Biobased and biodegradable plastics – Facts and
Figures’, recently released by Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (Wageningen, The Netherlands).
There are many misunderstandings about biodegradable and biobased plastics, some of them quite persistent. As this makes
the choice to switch to these materials difficult for companies, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research was commissioned by the
Dutch government to carry out an inventory of the current scientific research into these plastics. “Companies and interest groups
can state anything,” points out Christiaan Bolck, programme manager for materials at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research.
“This report is intended for those who wish to learn the facts. And it shows that the story is often more nuanced than it seems.”
The lack of clarity is partly due to terminology. The seemingly simple term ‘bioplastic’, for instance, normally refers to
plastics made mostly from plant biomass, but has also been used as a synonym for biodegradable plastic. These are, however,
two completely separate characteristics, and the report clearly distinguishes between them.
The confusion surrounding biobased and biodegradable plastics is in part also due to assertions that lack nuance. For
instance, saying that all plastic is bad for the environment is no more correct than stating that all bioplastics are green and
good for the environment.
Such statements are, however, often made by both companies and environmental action groups in the market, and they
eventually take on a life of their own. For example, we sometimes hear that the net CO 2
production of biobased plastics barely
differs from that of fossil-fuel plastics as any savings in oil are lost due to the energy consumption of the production process.
“However, our report shows that the production of many biobased plastics does result in less net greenhouse gas emissions
than traditional plastic,” Bolck says.
The report also records facts relevant to current debates about plastic packaging waste. For instance, it has been shown
that most of the biobased and biodegradable plastics currently on the market can be mechanically recycled just as easily as
ordinary types of plastic, but also that biodegradable plastic is no panacea to the environmental problems caused by littering.
Whether – and, especially, how fast – a type of biodegradable plastic is broken down by microorganisms depends largely
on the environment in which it ends up. “There are biodegradable plastics that completely break down in the sea within a few
months, but seabirds can still choke on a biodegradable plastic bag,” Bolck explains. MT
www.wur.nl/nl/nieuws
6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

News
Bio-concrete for Mars
Working with NASA, civil engineers at Stanford University have developed a form of bio-concrete that humans could produce
on Mars or the moon – and that might have important benefits here on Earth.
It’s not just pie in the sky. NASA would like to send humans to Mars by 2030. But if humans actually do reach Mars, or even
establish settlements on the moon, they would need thousands of tons of concrete to survive. That’s because both Mars and
the moon are bombarded constantly with both lethal radiation and micrometeorites that would quickly punch holes into any
ordinary structure.
Since it’s impossible to ship tons of cement from Earth to Mars, the best bet is for humans to start making it when they arrive.
Together, researchers of NASA’s Ames Research Center together Stanford School of Engineering have used animal protein to
make a promising form of bio-concrete that could solve problems on Mars as well as Earth.
Indeed, the production of concrete accounts for 5 % of all human-generated carbon emissions – a significant share. It’s the
binding agent – the boiled limestone – that accounts for much of that.
In search for a less energy-intensive alternative, the researchers turned to biology. Living organisms use proteins to make
things as tough as shells, bones and teeth, so the researchers began working on a concrete bound together with a protein from
bovine blood. The protein is a fairly cheap by-product of slaughterhouses, and it is known to become very gluey when mixed
with soil.
To replicate the conditions on Mars and the moon, Lepech has combined the protein with
simulated extraterrestrial soils that are similar to what’s on Mars and the moon. And because
Mars has much lower gravity than Earth – bad for cement mixing – the researchers did their
mixing with a vacuum technology that is used to make the composite materials in products such
as boat hulls. MT
https://engineering.stanford.edu/news/recent-news
Ordinary brick, left, and experimental brick made
of a protein/lunar regolith mixture. (Photo Mia Allende)
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 7

Event
“Bio-based Material”
conference and award
The International Conference on Bio-based Materials
in Cologne (Germany) is a well-established meeting
point for companies working in the field of bio-based
chemicals and materials. Almost 200 participants, mainly
from the industry and representing 25 countries, met on
May 10 th and 11 th for the 10 th edition of this event to discuss
the latest developments in the sector. 25 companies presented
their products and services at the exhibition.
Currently, the bio-based economy is developing well. We
see a lot of investment in medium-sized production plants
and double digit growth for new bio-based building blocks and
platform chemicals. They are precursors for new bio-based
polymers, composites, textiles, adhesives, solvents, detergents
or lubricants, which provide new features and properties for a
wide range of end products. The worldwide leading companies
in the field of new bio-based building blocks presented their
latest developments and applications at the event in Cologne.
The conference presentations highlighted bio-based
solutions with special features and properties. As
representatives of a new sustainable green chemistry, they
have a lot to offer and will conquer the market.
Traditional part of the conference is the Innovation Award
“Bio-based Material of the Year”. This year it was awarded
to three innovative materials in specific applications. The
competition focused on new developments in the bio-based
economy, which have had (or will have) a market launch in 2016
or 2017.
Six companies out of about 20 applicants were nominated
by the conference’s advisory board and experts of nova-
Institute. Each nominee introduced its innovation in a short
10-minute presentation to the audience. The three winners
were elected by the participants of the conference and
announced at the traditional gala dinner.
nova-Institute and the award sponsor InfraServ, are proud
to announce the winners of the “Bio-based Material of the
Year 2017” (from Finland and Germany), which are great
examples of this new generation of bio-based products with
improved features:
1: BIO-LUTIONS: Upgrading agricultural
residues to packaging materials
With its innovative mechanical process, BIO-LUTIONS
(Hamburg, Germany) produces high performance ecologically
sustainable packaging and disposable tableware made directly
from agricultural residuals. For this, BIO-LUTIONS works with
small farmers in India and China. Converted into self-binding
natural fibres, this innovation lets the contaminating and
energy-intense process of cellulose extraction to be a thing
of the past. The final products can either decompose under
normal conditions (just a the leaves of a tree), be used for biogas
production and can be recycled or burned with a nearly CO 2
neutral carbon footprint. Local raw material, local production
and local market – decentralisation is the key.
2: Paptic ® : The next generation of paper bags –
lighter and stronger
Paptic ® is replacing oil-based plastics with bio-based,
recyclable and reusable Paptic materials, which uses a
novel wood fibre for a (PLA-based) bioplastic composite
paper combining the benefits of paper, plastics and textiles.
Furthermore, this material can be recycled in existing paper
recycling facilities. First application of Paptic is carrier bags,
addressing the EU directive target for 55 % reduction of plastic
bag use by 2019. Paptic bags have been launched to market
in June 2016. The patented Paptic technology is based on
foam forming technology which is using 30 % less energy and
enabling up to 50 % light weighting of products, when compared
to traditional papermaking. The company Paptic Oy (Espoo,
Finland) is a spin-off of the VTT Technical Research Centre.
The lucky winner
BIO-LUTIONS
8 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Event
3: Phytowelt GreenTechnologies: Highquality
raspberry fragrance with the help of
biotechnology
The chemical synthesis of raspberry fragrance by
separating different ions is currently complex and
uneconomic. With its patented process, Phytowelt is
now able to produce only the desired (R)-alpha-Ione.
Therefore, the raspberry fragrance is chiral pure,
smells intensive and is, because of the biotechnological
production, a natural flavour component. It is used in
food, drinks, perfumes, drugs and other applications.
This raspberry fragrance is the first natural essence in
the market which can be produced in high quantity as
well as quality resulting in a high competitive advantage.
The other nominees
Two more developments were nominated for the award:
Cooper Tire (Findlay, Ohio, USA) presented guayule
natural rubber (guayule polymer – polyisoprene) for tire
applications. Guayule is a shrub that grows in regions such
as the Southwestern USA It holds promise as a source
of rubber for the tire industry — a possible alternative
to Hevea rubber, which could be in short supply in the
future and is subject to dramatic price fluctuations. This
year, Cooper and its consortium partners completed
a five-year bio-material study to assess how guayule
rubber could be used in modern passenger car tires. Key
wins include among others the creation of the first ever
concept tire where all of the natural and synthetic rubber
has been replaced with guayule.
Hexpol TPE (Eupen, Belgium / Åmål, Sweden) presented
Dryflex ® Green, a family of bio-based thermo
plastic elastomers (TPE). They are opening up previously
unreachable solutions to the bio-based thermoplastic market
by covering a wider range of hardnesses, including softer
grades, while incorporating high levels of renewable content
to over 90 %. Hexpol has also developed compounds using
organic fillers from plants, crops or trees; these give additional
organic appearance and haptics. Dryflex Green TPEs are highly
customisable, with grades tailored to meet specific application
requirements to give manufacturers of household goods, sports
equipment, toys, infant care and packaging new opportunities
for sustainability.
bioplastics MAGAZINE will report about both developments in
more detail in future issues. MT
www.nova-institute.eu | www.bio-based-conference.com |
www.bio-lutions.com | www.paptic.com | www.phytowelt.com |
www.coopertires.com | www.hexpoltpe.com
magnetic_148,5x105.ai 175.00 lpi 15.00° 75.00° 0.00° 45.00° 14.03.2009 10:13:31
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 9

Events
bioplastics MAGAZINE presents:
bio!CAR, the international conference on biobased materials in automotive
engineering will bill be held for the second time now at the Exhibition Centre
Stuttgart on 21 and 22 September as part of COMPOSITES EUROPE 2018. The
conference will be organised jointly by bioplastics MAGAZINE and the nova-Institut
in cooperation with trade fair organiser Reed Exhibitions and is supported the
German FNR (Agency for Renewable Resources).
Just as two years ago at its debut, the bio!CAR conference is aimed at reflecting
Conference on Biobased
Materials for Automotive
Applications
20-21 sep. 2017
the trend towards using biobased polymers and natural fibres in the automotive industry: more and more manufacturers and
suppliers are betting on biobased alternatives derived from renewable raw materials such as wood, cotton, flax, jute or coir, all
of which are being deployed as composites in the interior trims of high-quality doors and dashboards. According to the Hürth/
Germany based nova-Institut, the European car industry in 2012 processed approximately 80,000 tonnes of wood and natural
fibres into composites. The total volume of biobased composites in automotive engineering was 150,000 tonnes.
Bioplastics are equally useful for premium applications in the automotive sector. Biobased polyamides from castor oil are used
in high-performance components, PLA in door panels, soy-based foams in seat cushions and arm rests, and biobased epoxy
resins in composites. nova-Institut published an updated market study on biobased polymers and their worldwide deployment
(www.bio-based.eu/reports).
At bio!CAR, experts from all segments touching on biobased materials will present lectures on their latest developments.
Among other materials, the portfolio will include conventional plastics filled or reinforced with sophisticated natural-fibre
products as well as biobased, so called drop-in bioplastics, such as castor oil-based polyamides or polyolefins from sugar
cane-based bioethanol. Novel bioplastics such as PLA or biobased Polycarbonate will also be featured, as will thermoset
resins from renewable resources and biobased alternatives for rubber and elastomers. Speakers from companies such as Ford
Motor Company, Renault, nova-Institute, FKuR, Bcomp, Bio-On and others have already confirmed their participation.
www.bio-car.info
Bioconcept Car at bio!CAR 2017
Photo: Four Motors / Foto Flach
The first edition of bio!CAR in 2015 was proud to present the Bioconcept-Car Number 4: The VW Scirocco 2.0l TDI. This
year we will most probably be able to show on site the new Bioconcept Car: A Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.
Already for the 24-hour race at the German Nürburgring on May 27/28 the new Bioconcept-Car was equipped with biodoors
reinforced with different natural fibres, based on the technology of the previous Bioconcept-Car. The new bio-doors
were developed by the IfBB, Fraunhofer WKI, Porsche and Four Motors. Significant advantage: These doors are about 2/3
lighter in weight compared to the serial door made of aluminum. And of course the use of renewable resources.
More details about this car and other biobased materials will follow in the next issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE.
10 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

mark your calendar
bio CAR
organized by bioplastics MAGAZINE
biobased materials for automotive applications
september 2017 stuttgart
bio!car: Conference by bioplastics MAGAZINE
» The amount of plastics in modern cars is constantly increasing.
» Plastics and composites help in achieving light-weighting targets.
» Plastics offer enormous design opportunities.
» Plastics are important for the touch-and-feel and the safety of cars.
BUT:
consumers, suppliers to the automotive industry and OEMs are more and more looking
for biobased alternatives to petroleum based materials. That‘s why bioplastics MAGAZINE is
organizing together with nova-Insitute
bio!CAR:
Focussed mainly on biobased materials in automotive engineering, the 2 nd edition of this
international meeting is scheduled for 20-21 September parallel to COMPOSITES EUROPE
2017. The conference will be organised jointly by bioplastics MAGAZINE and the nova-Institute.
The event is further supported by the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).
www.bio-car.info
Media Partner
1 st media partner
supported by
VK
co-orgnized by
in cooperation with
Call for papers
still open

organized by
5 th PLA World Congress
08 – 09 MAY* 2018 MUNICH › GERMANY
is a versatile bioplastics raw
PLA material from renewable resources.
It is being used for films and rigid packaging,
for fibres in woven and non-woven applications.
Automotive industry and consumer electronics
are thoroughly investigating and even already
applying PLA. New methods of polymerizing,
compounding or blending of PLA have broadened
the range of properties and thus the range
of possible applications.
That‘s why bioplastics MAGAZINE is now
organizing the 5 th PLA World Congress on:
08 – 09 May* 2018 in Munich / Germany
Experts from all involved fields will share their
knowledge and contribute to a comprehensive
overview of today‘s opportunities and challenges
and discuss the possibilities, limitations
and future prospects of PLA for all kind of
applications. Like the three congresses
the 5 th PLA World Congress will also offer
excellent networking opportunities for all
delegates and speakers as well as exhibitors
of the table-top exhibition.
The team of bioplastics MAGAZINE is looking
forward to seeing you in Munich.
The conference will comprise high class presentations on
› Latest developments
› Market overview
call for papers now open
› High temperature behaviour
› Blends and comounds
› Additives / Colorants
› Applications (film and rigid packaging, textile,
automotive,electronics, toys, and many more)
Sponsor:
Contact us at: mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com
for exhibition and sponsoring opportunities
www.pla-world-congress.com
* date subject to changes
› Fibers, fabrics, textiles, nonwovens
› Reinforcements
› End of life options
(recycling,composting, incineration etc)
Supported by:
12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE PLASTICS AND RUBBER INDUSTRY
Publisher PROMAPLAST srl
Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/3
P.O.Box 124 - 20090 ASSAGO (Milan), Italy
Tel. +39 02 82283735 - Fax +39 02 57512490
macplas@macplas.it
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Supported by
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SAYS THANK YOU...
...to all of the attendees, speakers, sponsors, and media partners
who participated in bio!PAC 2017
www.bio-pac.info
GOLD SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS
MEDIA PARTNER
MACPLAS
Editorial
Emma Fiorentino
TECHNICAL MAGAZINE - ARGENTINA
2017
media kit2017
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 13

Injection Moulding
Engineering
bioplastic
breakthrough
Eastman introduced a new
versatile, cellulose-based
thermoplastic for injection
moulding
At Chinaplas, Eastman Chemical Company, a leading producer
of cellulosic materials headquartered in Kingssport,
Tennessee, USA, introduced Eastman TRĒVA,
a breakthrough in engineering bioplastics. “This material is
a next generation cellulose ester,” as Kevin Duffy, Manager,
Business Development in the Advanced Materials – Specialty
Plastics organization at Eastman told bioplastics MAGAZINE.
The exact formulation of course could not be disclosed.
Sustainability
Trēva’s composition is about half cellulose, sourced
from trees derived exclusively from sustainably
managed forests that are certified
by the Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC). The new material is BPAfree
and phthalate-free. “Like
other cellulosic products, the
basic building blocks are cellulose,
acetic acid and acetic anhydride. At
this point, only the cellulose is biobased,”
said Kevin.
Its excellent flow rates, durability and
dimensional stability allow for less material
usage, thinner parts, and longer product life, enhancing
lifecycle assessments.
Use performance
Trēva offers excellent chemical resistance, standing up
better than other engineering thermoplastics to some of the
harshest chemicals, including skin oils, sunscreens, and
household cleaners.
testing shows that Trēva flow rates are significantly better
than polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS blends, and
comparable to ABS.
Trēva is designed to allow for superior surface gloss, clarity
and warm touch and feel, enabled through a combination of
the base material and Eastman’s technological expertise.
The material also boasts great color saturation, and superior
secondary processing and decorating capability, creating
additional design and branding options.
Applications
Trēva can be used for example for the following applications:
• Eyeglass frames, wearable electronics, headphones, and
many other personal devices that come in direct contact
with the skin;
• Electronic display applications, such as lenses and covers,
that consumers need to see through;
• Electronics, housings, intricate cosmetics cases,
and other products with high design and complex
specifications;
• Automotive interior components wherein chemical
resistance and aesthetics are desired;
• And other demanding applications with high sustainability
and safety requirements.
And finally, Kevin Duffy told bioplastics MAGAZINE: “The
breakthrough is the significant improvement in dimensional
stability and creep resistance which has traditionally been
a problem for cellulose-based products. This will enable
Trēva to be used in a wide range of applications that
could not have been addressed before, primarily in
injection molding. Trēva brings excellent balance
of performance and functionality in a bio-based
material.” MT
www.eastman.com
The material’s low birefringence means eliminating the
unwelcomed rainbow effect some plastics experience with
polarized light, improving the user experience with electronic
device screens and retail displays.
Design and brand flexibility
Excellent flow characteristics also enable design freedom,
allowing Trēva to be used with complicated designs and
in filling thin parts. Under recommended processing
conditions, recent thin-wall 0.762mm (30 mil) spiral flow
14 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Injection Moulding
Biobased PA 6.10 compounds
BIO-FED specialises in marketing biodegradable and
biobased plastics. Until now the Cologne, Germany
based company’s activities were centred primarily on
products for film applications and individual products in the
injection moulding sector, with a strong focus on the biodegradablity
of the products. With the M∙VERA ® ECS product line,
this branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH is now adding renewable
resource based polyamide compounds to its portfolio.
Sustainability, biobased polymers and renewable
resources – these are all important issues in the plastics
industry today. In part driven by ongoing fluctuations
in the price of oil, but also in an effort to reduce energy
consumption and improve their carbon footprint, many
polymer manufacturers are looking for solutions, along
with the entire plastics-processing industry.
“PA 6.10 fulfils the standard definition of a bioplastic
since it is made up of approximately 60 % renewable
resources”, says Roland Andernach, Product Manager at
Bio-Fed. Castor oil from the seeds of the castor oil plant
(Ricinuns communis) forms the basis of sebacic acid, which
in turn serves as the basis for the product’s renewable raw
material content.
Unlike the previous products in the M∙Vera line, the ECS
products are partially biobased, but not biodegradable.
Because a long service life of the end product is desirable
in technical applications, and high material resistance is
required, these products are ideal to round out the Bio-Fed
range.
Not to mention that the material’s carbon footprint is
more favourable overall than that of polymers entirely of
fossil origin. This is due to the fact that the plant-based raw
materials have already removed CO 2
from the environment
during their growth phase. And since neither the seeds of
the castor oil plant nor the castor oil extracted from them
are used as food, there is no conflict with the food industry.
“M∙Vera ECS claims its place in the market as a technical
polymer, since it is characterised by greater resistance
to highly aggressive media and hot water compared with
PA 6 / PA 6.6. PA 6.10, for example, absorbs approximately
50 % less moisture than PA 6, exhibits greater dimensional
stability, and has better cold impact resistance and an
excellent surface finish”, explains Andernach.
From a technical standpoint, this material closes the gap
between PA 6 / PA 6.6 and PA 12. Yet the product’s working
properties still correspond to those of a PA 6. MT
www.bio-fed.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 15

Interpack Review
Bioplastics at interpack
Bioplastics were again strongly represented at this
year‘s interpack trade fair, which took place from 04
to 10 May in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The world’s biggest and most important trade
fair of the packaging sector and related process
industries presented a new record attendance of
2,865 companies. 74 % of the approximately 170,500
visitors travelled to the metropolis at the river Rhine
from more than 160 countries around the world.
The show started with our personal highlight, the
2 nd edition of bio!PAC – the conference on biobased
packaging. About 100 experts and interested visitors
came to the Congress center on the first three days
of interpack.
The bioplastics companies represented at the
exhibition again demonstrated that for a wide
spectrum of packaging applications bioplastics offer
solutions that can decisively reduce environmental
impact. After our comprehensive preview in the last
issue, the following pages shall give some more
examples of what was presented in Düsseldorf.
2017
NatureWorks and Partners
NatureWorks and other exhibitors
showcased the latest functional
innovations for Ingeo PLA. In terms
of barrier properties, strength,
heat resistance, material source
reduction, and a range of functional
characteristics, NatureWorks and
its customers are extending the
application range of Ingeo.
“The functional extensions of Ingeo,
one of the world’s most applied
bioplastics, are due to NatureWorks
and channel partner investments
in manufacturing and converting
technology and applications, tailoring
grades, and research and development
initiatives,” said Marc Verbruggen,
President and CEO of NatureWorks.
“Behind this creativity is the mutual
desire to find new packaging solutions
that perform better, move packaging
into new areas, reduce reliance on
fossil feedstocks, provide more varied
recovery options for packaging, and
lower the carbon footprint.”
In addition to dozens of new examples
of flexible and rigid packaging that were
displayed at the NatureWorks stand the
following companies presented their
Ingeo-based products.
www.natureworksllc.com
Constantia Flexibles International
Constantia Flexibles International demonstrated their latest work
targeting the development of a renewably resourced pouch with functional
barrier properties that provides the same food shelf life as petroleum based
pouches. Suitable for four side seal machines,
Constantia’s laminate combines paper and
Metalvuoto’s Ingeo Propylester film to achieve
high barrier structures with an easy tear
opening feature. Target applications include
dry soups, coffee, and nutritional supplements.
www.cflex.com
See Box Corporation
See Box, one of the world’s leading environmentally committed food
serviceware manufacturers (Taoyuan City, Taiwan), announced its new multimillion-dollar
capability to digitally print stunningly vibrant and attractive
graphics on its Riiqi Cup brand of Ingeo cold cups for sporting and music
events, festivals and fairs, and public and private food courts. These cups
are now in the process of being certified compostable. See Box invested
in the latest Swiss digital printing technology to add a new dimension to
food serviceware, an aspect that has the potential to increase the use of
compostable cups globally.
One of the largest producers of Ingeo-based cups, bowls, and lids See Box
believes this is the first application of digital printing on Ingeo bioplastic cold
cup food serviceware. The company did extensive research into available
technology and found in their Swiss supplier a digital printing technologist
that shared its commitment to quality and the environment. See Box and its
partner worked together to achieve the vibrancy desired.
To take full advantage of its new digital
printing technology, See Box is also launching
a new V Cup series of Ingeo cups designed to
maximize the print area available on the cup.
www.see-box.com
16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Interpack Review
Etimex
Etimex featured its new Ingeo-based,
heat stable thermoformed trays made
in collaboration with NatureWorks.
These new trays are designed to
serve more demanding, high end,
convenience packaging, including
ready meal applications, and to allow
hot fill applications like soft cheese.
Etimex creates high-quality packaging
solutions for pet, baby, and convenience
foods; pharmaceutical and technical
products; and meets the demands in
packaging solutions made from a variety
of plastic sheet.
www.etimex-pp.com
ISAP Packaging
Based on the newest Ingeo
performance grades, ISAP Packaging’s
latest developments in thermoforming
provide a unique, heat stable Ingeo cup
for dairy/dessert packaging. Ideal for
hot fill applications and those requiring
sterilization, ISAP’s structure provides a
100 % renewably sourced performance
alternative to many aspects of
polystyrene packaging.
www.isap-packaging.com/en
Natur-Tec
Also displayed was the new Ingeo
based technology platform, recently
introduced by Natur-Tec, that produces
formulations for heat resistant
serviceware with rigidity approaching
that of injection molded polystyrene
and higher toughness than either
polypropylene (PP) or polystyrene (PS)
cutlery.
www.natur-tec.com
Sidaplax (Plastic Suppliers)
Sidaplax from Ghent, Belgium, and its parent company Plastic Suppliers
Inc., USA, successfully launched their EARTHFIRST ® UL (Ultra-Light), the
newest member of the EarthFirst PLA film-family.
The large majority of generated leads were attracted by the opportunities
for downgauging on thickness of laminates and reducing weight for flexible
packaging structures, which EarthFirst UL offers by proposing highperformance
9, 12 and 15m films
At the bio!PAC conference, EarthFirst UL was mentioned in the
presentation of resin-supplier Natureworks as perfect sealant layer for
flexible packaging.
Different converters and brand-owners showed concrete interest in this
new film and test rolls are being shipped to be get the first pilot projects
started.
The EarthFirst UL is a much thinner version of the existing PLA-film
range. It can be used as a sealant layer in laminates, replacing significantly
thicker (L)LDPE films. The stiffness of PLA allows extreme down-gauging
without compromising on machine-ability. On the contrary, the high modulus
guarantees smooth unwinding, perfect web flatness and non-curling
laminates. The high yield (up to 89 m²/kg) has a positive effect on material
cost, and makes EarthFirst UL competitive vs. traditional thicker PE-films.
Additional advantages include higher productivity and reduced number of
roll changes, less need for warehousing space and lower transportation
cost.
www.plasticsuppliers.com
Taghleef Industries
Taghleef Industries (TI), one of the largest global manufacturers of
specialized films for the packaging of food and non-food products, labels,
industrial and graphic arts applications, headquartered in Dubai, UAE,
presented (among other products) their NATIVIA family of products.
Nativia is a range of bio-based and industrially-compostable films made
from 100 % renewable raw materials (Ingeo PLA). These bio-based films
come in a variety of aesthetic appearances such as transparent, solid white
and white voided.
At interpack TI presented their new Nativia D808 20 µm film, that
provides excellent barrier to grease and fatty juices from the foodstuff,
protecting the paper packaging against grease penetration. Compostable
and heat sealable, the new Nativia D808 transparent bi-oriented Ingeo film
offers improved heat stability to the Nativia property set (MST= 85°C).
Also during the show TI introduced Nativia NESS, the newest addition to
the Nativia family. Nativia NESS, is the recently developed white voided film
containing second generation starch derived from waste water of the potato
processing industry. This film recently helped Taghleef, along with Mars,
Rodenburg and Mondi, win the 11 th Global
Bioplastics Award (by bioplastic MAGAZINE)
for a chocolate bar wrapper developed for
Mars and Snickers bars packaging. With
thicknesses of 40 and 50 µm, Nativia NESS
has a white pearlescent appearance, which
reduces show-through. It can be converted on
flexo or rotogravure presses and complies with
EC regulations for direct food contact.
www.ti-films.com/en/nativia/products
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 17

Ecolopy: Anhui Jumei Biotechnology
Ecopoly, established in 2013 is engaged in research
and manufacture of fully biodegradable materials
and related applications. The company from Wuhu,
China is committed to be the leader of biodegradable
plastic industry, providing plastic manufacturers and
consumers with top grade full-biodegradable TPS/
PBAT, PLA resin and related derivatives, such as
shopping bags, food packaging and films etc. What’s
more, their product have been exported to Asia, Europe,
The United States and other countries and regions.
The product range includes: agriculture film, mulch
film, packaging for food, medicals and gifts, seafood
cases, food trays, industrial packaging such as carrier
bags, sacks, cling film, etc., automotive applications
such as toxine free interior parts. Further examples
are phone cases, PC and ipad cases and 3D printing
materials.
The products were tested for their biobased content
by the US based BETA laboratory as well as Vincotte
(OK-Biobased four star certification). Biodegradability/
compostability tested in accordance with EU EN13432,
American ASTM D6400 and China GB/T 20197. Finally
also a FDA food contact safe inspection was performed.
Ecopoly cooperates with Jiangsu Science and
Technology University, building a research laboratory
on biobased polymer materials that has got investment
from the Anhui province government. The 800 m²
workshop features equipment including of extruder,
injection moulding machine, film blowing line and
tensile testing equipment (among others).
www.ecopoly.cn
Green Day
Green Day is China,’s leading OEM manutacturer of PSM
and CPLA cutlery. The company from Xiamen, China supplied
to the most renowned and respected brands in North
American, European and Australian markets since 2005.
Their supply covers various sectors of foodservice industry,
such as restaurants, catering, hospitality, healthcare, inflight
catering, cafeteria, schools, etc. The product range includes
CPLA /PSM Cutlery, CPLA Cup Lids, etc.
All Green Day products are certified (BPI, DIN Dcertco)
to the international standards for compostability, such as
ASTM D6400 and EN 13432.
Green Day is a fully integrated manufacturer with
in-house design, prototype development and product
manufacture. Their R&D team consists of technical experts
specializing in the fields of macromolecular compounds,
biotechnological engineering, bioplastic research and
prototype development. The comprehensive industrial
experience and expertise will help customers to create the
desired products to meet the specific market demands.
The CPLA (crystallized PLA) cutlery is strong, sturdy and
stylish. The cutlery as well as the CPLA hot drink lids are
heat resistant up to 90°C. It is available in different sizes
and colours.
www.cngreenplastic.com
Firstpak Packaging
Firstpak Packaging Co., Ltd (Jiangsu, China) is a
leading green packaging solution provider covering
disposable clinical materials, food holders, gardening
containers, craftworks, single–use daily life articles,
and industrial packages.
At interpack Firstpak presented their renewable pulp
tableware. The different round plates, bowls, take away
food boxes, three compartment plates etc. made from
sugarcane bagasse are made from a 100 % renewable
waste material and are completely compostable the
tableware can be used for hot and cold food and it is
even microwavable. Among others the products are
FDA approved and certified according to EN 13432 and
ASTM D 6400
www.first-pak.net
Ningbo Futur International Trading
Futur International (Ningbo, China) is a marketer and
manufacturer of high quality food packaging products
for the foodservice, retail and consumer markets for the
domestic (Chinese) and international customers. The
company’s extensive range of quality products consists of
cutlery, cups, containers, bags etc. made from paper to
plastic and compostable materials.
The product range includes CPLA Cutlery - made from
crystallized PLA and fully renewable resources. BPI & DIN
Certco certified compostable in commercial or industrial
composting facilities. PLA coated paper hot cups are
lined with Ingeo PLA, which is compostable in industrial
composting facilities and made from food grade heavy duty
320 gsm paper. PLA hot lids are made from crystallized
Ingeo PLA in natural white color which is also certified
compostable.
In addition the company also offers sugarcane (bagasse
pulp) tableware. This includes mainly sugarcane clamshells,
plates and bowls which meet ASTM D6400 compostable
standard. Ideal to replace the traditional plastic or foam
products. A switch to sugarcane products does not cost
more but customers can make a big difference to the
environment.
www.futurcompostable.com
18 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Interpack Review
ICEE Containers
ICEE Containers Ltd Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, Victoria,
Australia has been offering collapsible EPS airpop ® boxes
for quite a while. Their new development is now a collapsible
or foldable and thus reusable insulating box made of E-PLA
particle foam.
The ICEE folding airpop box reduces spoilage in fresh
produce and keeps contents safe. It is ideally suited for the
growing demand in online grocery shopping, farm gate to
consumer direct deliveries, and the grower to supermarket
supply chain.
The ICEE folding airpop box can be easily security-sealed,
protecting against biohazards and environmental factors
for safe delivery to homes and supermarkets.
Fresh produce and other perishable and fragile items
such as flowers, electronics, seafood, meat, dairy, and
pharmaceutical products arrive safe and uncontaminated.
The low storage volume makes the ICEE folding airpop box
ideal for courier companies wishing to provide customers
with a thermally insulated, high protection package for
perishable and fragile items. The boxes are delivered flat
and picked up flat for return and re-use.
The convenience of storage and transport for the ICEE
folding airpop box also makes it ideal for humanitarian aid
programs to remote regions and military supply logistics.
The new version made from PLA is even compostable.
www.airpop.com
Coexpan
The Spanish company Coexpan from Madrid presented
thermoformable PLA Sheet. The rigid sheet and lid material
is made from renewably sourced PLA and offers excellent
stiffness, good thermoformability and can also be modified
(laminated) to produce high barrier (film and sheet) cups.
Applications can mainly be found in the dairy sector (e.g.
yoghurt cups and lids)
www.coexpan.com
A.J. Plast
A.J. Plast, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand is a
manufacturer of biaxially oriented films. Their capacity
for BOPLA films is about 5,000 tonnes per annum. The
biaxially oriented PLA films are available in transparent
and metallized versions and heat sealable versions,
both in gauges from 15 – 35 µm. The renewably
sourced and biodegradable films offer a good moisture
barrier, excellent transparency and printability as well
as excellent twist retention. Applications range from
flexible packaging, such as salad bags, flower wraps,
magazine pouches, candy packaging (twisted) to cups
and tray lids. Labels, paper lamination and bakery bags
are other examples.
Another product presented at interpack is the world’s
first BOPA (biaxially oriented polyamide) films from
biomass. More details about this product were not
available.
www.ajplast.co.th
Plantic
Plantic Technology Limited from Altona, Victoria,
Australia, now part of Kuraray, headquartered in
Tokyo, Japan, offers Plantic ® sustainable materials
based on starch. Water soluble when directly exposed
to water, Plantic offers ultra high barrier properties
when embedded between layers of other materials.
The thickness of the Plantic HP layer used in the final
structure can be varied to meet consumers desired
performance as well as sustainability credentials (see
graph).
Unlike other providers, whose primary material is
developed in a refinery, Plantic is grown in a field. The
company has developed a biodegradable, renewable,
organic alternative to conventional plastics based on
amylose rich starch.
OTR Measured
www.plantic.com.au
0,20
0,15
0,10
0,05
OTR Measurement of Plantic HP
cm 3 /m 2 /24hr∙atm: 10°C, 90/50% RH (Mocon test data)
0,00
100 120 150 200 300
Plantic HP Thickness (μm)
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 19

Interpack Review
Plastiroll
Plastiroll Oy from Ylöjärvi, Finland produces a
wide range of ecological packaging materials, from
recyclable fibre-based barrier materials to compostable
bioplastic materials.
With over 15 years of experience, Plastiroll is
today one of the most important manufacturers of
biodegradable packaging films and bags in Europe.
The product range includes Bioska Bio Films, Rock -
Bio-coextrusion coated paperboard and kraft paper,
Jazz - Compostable, and recyclable materials, with Eco
Barrier dispersion coatings and Classic-Recyclable
paperboard materials with coextrusion barrier coatings
and laminated structures.
Bioska — 100 % Biodegradable and compostable
packaging films, and bio-bags are produced under
the brand name Bioska. Bioska products are certified
according to DIN EN 13432 standard.
Rock - Bio-coextrusion coated paperboard and kraft
paper are produced under the Rock series of products.
These materials provide among others excellent grease
barrier, as well as resistance to water.
Jazz - Compostable, and recyclable materials, with
Eco Barrier dispersion coatings, are especially suitable
for fast food packages, and could be used in microwave
oven.
Classic -Recyclable paperboard materials with
coextrusion barrier coatings and laminated structures,
for food packaging and for industrial applications.
Plastiroll is also committed to continuous
development of environmental performance, and have
since 2010: FSC certification (FSC Mix COC / FSC CW)
and PEFC certification (PEFC COC - Chain of Custody).
Plastiroll has been able to reduce significantly the use
of energy for heating of bio-film factory by reclaiming
the process energy released from bio-film production.
The bio-film factory uses only wind power, and thus the
total energy consumption in bio-film production is CO 2
neutral.
www.plastiroll.fi
United Biopolymers
United Biopolymers S.A. headquartered in Figuera da Foz,
Portugal is a technology licensing company that enables
plastic compounders to access new markets and innovate,
plastic converters to manufacture biobased, biodegradable,
and bio-neutral plastic, and brand owners to satisfy the
end-users’ demand for greener plastics.
The company acquired in 2014 the patented BIOPAR ®
technology, which enables producing GuiltfreePlastics.
The products are based, up to 90 %, on renewable materials,
and can be – if required – 100 % biodegradable at the same
time.
Technically United Biopolymers’ bioplastics could replace
90 % of today’s polyethylene applications. Therefore, the
company’s vision is “to make Biopar the world’s standard
for the production and innovation in the area of starchbased
bioplastics”.
On their website United Biopolymers distinguishes three
types of products.
Biopar bio-based is a bioplastic, which contains some biobased
material as a raw material. This means, technically it
is a hybrid consisting of both oil-based polymers and some
(up to 40 %) from a renewable source. The final product is
not biodegradable
This product is ideal for any type of durable plastic
applications or barrier films used for modified atmospheric
packaging.
Biopar biodegradable is a biodegradable bioplastics,
which contains only biodegradable and up to 60 % bio-based
raw materials. It is compostable according to DIN13234.
This products is ideal for refusal bags, most packaging
applications, caps & closures, primary and secondary
packaging film, trays and cutlery, and all other plastic
applications that need to be compostable.
Biopar bio-neutral is the company’s most environmentally
friendly bioplastics. It can be based on up to 90 % of biobased
materials from renewable sources and it is 100 %
biodegradable.
Typical applications for Biopar bio-neutral are hygiene
applications (especially in biohazard areas), packaging
applications with a high-level risk of irresponsible disposal.
It offers also great potential for caps & closures, primary
and secondary packaging film, trays and cutlery, and all
plastic material used on cruise or freight vessels.
www.guiltfreeplastics.com
20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

COMPOSITES EUROPE
12th European Trade Fair & Forum for
Composites, Technology and Applications
Reserve your space
at the bio-based stand
in cooperation with nova-Institut!
19 – 21 September 2017
Messe Stuttgart, Germany
www.composites-europe.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/17] Vol. 12 21

Chinaplas-Review
Chinaplas 2017
(photo: Chinaplas / Adsale)
By: John Leung, Biosolutions
Hong Kong, China
This year at Chinaplas, the number of exhibitors in the
bioplastics zone decreased to a number of 27 which is
less than 50 % compared to the first launch of a bioplastics
zone at Chinaplas ten years ago. The bioplastics
market in China is rather small. Most of the resin manufacturer
such as Kingfa, Hisun, Jinhui, Sogreen or Tunhe are all
selling resins as well as compounds. As a result many small
compounders left this industry and newcomers seem not to
be too interested to enter the bioplastics industry because
they obviously cannot compete with resin manufacturers
in cost. The situation could be compared to Europe where
BASF is selling Ecovio.
Another observation in the bioplastics zone at Chinaplas
is, that there are still companies trying to sell additives to
make PE or PP biodegradable. Or companies that sell PE
and PP filled with starch or fibres, claiming their products to
be partly biodegradable.
The good point is that the number of such companies
has reduced to only two versus more than ten companies in
the past. The most important point to reduce this number
to zero is to educate consumers about the right concept of
bioplastics. Let’s hope that we don’t see those companies
misusing the concept of real bioplastics at the next
Chinaplas in Shanghai 2018.
Chinaplast is scheduled for four days. However, on the
fourth day virtually no visitors can be found at Chinaplas.
That is why a lot of exhibitors leave the fair at the fourth
morning or even the night before. Another side effect: On
the first three days the visitors come in large numbers, the
fair is overcrowded. I suggest that organizer may consider
reducing the exhibition duration to three days but extend
the opening hours until 9 p.m.. as the good experience
from the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre shows, which is
opened until 10 p.m. since 2011.
By the way: Chinaplas 2018 in Shanghai will move to a
new venue – the National Exhibition and Convention Center
(NECC), located in the Hongqiao district. In a press release,
Adsale said that it ran out of space in the Shanghai New
International Exhibition Center (SNIEC). The organizer
expects the show scale in 2018 to reach 300,000 m 2 .
Chinaplas 2018 in Shanghai event will be from 24 – 27 April
2018.
www.chinaplasonline.com
Chinaplas 2018
22 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

China-Special
Strategic Alliance in China
Promoting the development of China’s biodegradable industry
Introduction of Alliance
The China Biodegradable Industry Technology Innovation
Strategic Alliance was established by the China Production
and Research Promotion Association. This Association,
approved by the State Council, was established by the
National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry
of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry
of Industry and Information, the Ministry of Commerce,
SASAC (State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration
Commission) of the State Council, the State Intellectual Property
Department, the China Academy of Sciences, the China
Academy of Engineering, and the China Association for Science
and Technology, among others, in collaboration with universities,
research institutes, and enterprises with participation
and promotion. It forms a cross-section, cross-regional,
cross-industry, cross-subject high-level platform for research
and development that liaises between the government and
capital.
The China Biodegradable Industry Technology Innovation
Strategic Alliance encompasses the full spectrum of activities
in the field of biodegradability, from domestic green materials
to the best technology and resources available. The Alliance
offers access to technology advantages, industrial facilities,
support in achieving industrial scale production as soon as
possible, private capital during the first stage to optimise the
technology, supported by national policy or strengthened by
investment capital at the middle stage, and later increasing
industrial chain capacity through the capital operation and
listing in China stock market.
The domestic legislation
Jilin Province is the first province in China to legislate
“the ban on plastic law”. On February 13 th , 2014, the Jilin
Government promulgated the “Jilin Province ban on the
sale and use of disposable non-degradable plastic bags and
plastic tableware Act” (Jilin Provincial People’s Government
Legislation No. 244), prohibiting the production and sale of
By: John Leung, Biosolutions
Hong Kong, China
disposable non-degradable plastic shopping bags and plastic
tableware in the whole of province from January 1st, 2015
onwards.
On September 25 th , 2015, Jiangsu Province held the
twelfth session of the People’s Congress’s 18 th meeting, at
which the “Jiangsu Province Circular Economy Promotion
Ordinance” was adopted. This ordinance provided that
hotels, saunas and other service enterprises were to make
use of products conducive to the recycling of resources
and environmental protection, and provide consumers with
tips on environmentally-friendly behavior, implement cost
incentives and take other measures to encourage and guide
consumers to reduce the use of disposable consumer goods
from 1 st January 2016. One year after the implementation of
this ordinance, catering operators are required to provide
recyclable chopsticks, while supermarkets, shopping malls,
markets and other commodity retail outlets may no longer
give out non-degradable plastic shopping bags without charge
- or disguised as being without charge.
Promoting a biodegradable industry
demonstration base
The Alliance has chosen Southeast Guizhou independent
zone, Guizhou Province, to build a China biodegradable industry
demonstration base. The use of disposable biodegradable
materials instead of traditional plastic products offers a
fundamental solution to the problem of plastic waste pollution,
thus protecting the eco-tourism environment. The local
government has given strong support to the plan of building
biodegradable demonstration base. The benefits of establishing
a biodegradable industrial base in Guizhou Province are
twofold: not only will this serve to promote the sustainable
development of eco-tourism, industrial development will also
contribute to alleviating poverty in the region. Together, this is a
potent combination to promote the development of the circular
economy.
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 23

Application AutomotiveNews
Be-O water bottle
Damir Perkic calls himself an enthusiastic entrepreneur.
About a year ago he started with Be-O and developed
his first product which was launched on Kickstarter on
the 30 th of May – the Be-O reusable water bottle which
is made from sugarcane and is 100 % recyclable, BPA
free and dishwasher proof. Damir Perkic works at
Startup in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
“After working in the plastic industry for several
years I wanted to create a change within this industry.
We need to accelerate the transition from fossil based
plastics to naturally renewable plastics. With the
introduction of the world’s first reusable water bottle
made from sugarcane we will make the first step
within the larger bioplastics product range of Be-O”,
according to the progressive entrepreneur.
Searching for the right bioplastic which is made
from natural renewable materials, is 100 % recyclable,
dishwasher proof and has the right specifications for
a water bottle, Damir picked sugarcane based bio-PE
which is 100 % recyclable in the current waste stream
processes. Next to these factors it has great specifications
for a sustainable water bottle.
Damir Perkic is a concerned entrepreneur. “I
believe that the transition to bioplastics has to
accelerate but I also think that we as a social
enterprise have the responsibility to fund other
organizations which also focus in changing
the plastic industry for the good. That is why we
fund EUR 1,00 per sold bottle to one of the three
organizations which we picked. The color of the
bottle determines to which organization the
EUR 1,00 will be donated. If you buy the blue color
we donate to the Ocean Cleanup, for the green
color we will donate to Trees for the Future and
for the white color we will donate to Plastic Bank.
By focusing on these three organizations Be-O
wants to eliminate plastic waste from our oceans,
prevent plastic waste entering our oceans and
balance the CO 2
emissions in the air”, according
to Damir Perkic.
The Kickstarter campaign runs until the 6 th of
July 2017. MT
www.beobottle.com
Sustainable packaging for potting soil
Pokon (Veenendaal, The Netherands), the market leader in plant food and potting soils for the Dutch consumer market, has
recently introduced a new, sustainable potting-soil concept. This concept’s distinguishing feature is that it consists largely
of renewable raw materials. It also features organic fertilizer and bio-based packaging. All this has resulted in the fact that
Pokon is the first Dutch company with the MPS certificate for potting soils! MPS stands for More Profitable Sustainability.
Instead of film made entirely from fossil raw materials, no less than 40 % of this packaging is based on Green PE by Braskem.
This packaging has a significantly lower environmental impact, is 100 % recyclable, and is also suitable for storing compostlike
products for long periods of time, without composting or breaking down itself. Over the next few years, the proportion of
bio-based raw materials in use will increase still further. The final challenge, now and in the future, is to convince consumers
that there is a sustainable alternative. A concept like that demands a great deal from everyone involved. The limited availability
of good, renewable alternative raw materials, coupled with more expensive packaging, result in higher prices for consumers.
If consumers are to be convinced about product distinctiveness and about making a sustainable choice, then effective
communication on the store floor is crucial. Pokon has a longstanding reputation for compelling and distinctive presentations
on the store floor. For this concept, too, the store presentation has been carefully fine-tuned, with a look that is in keeping with a
naturally responsible choice. The concept has been received with great enthusiasm at the various trade fairs. This has resulted
in a dense distribution network that services leading Dutch garden centres.
“Pokon Naturado the market leader in plant food and potting soils is not only introducing a new,
sustainable potting-soil concept but also recognizing that the packaging can contribute to reducing
its carbon footprint,” says Marco Jansen, Braskem’s Commercial Director Renewable Chemicals
Europe & North America. “With this change, Pokon will significantly reduce the carbon footprint
of its packaging, the use of fossil resources without compromising on quality and recyclability. The
production of I’m green Polyethylene contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
For every kg of I’m green Polyethylene used in Pokon’s plastic sleeves more than 4.5 kg of CO 2
is
saved. With this, Pokon shows one more success case where an already sustainable product adds
to its value proposition by shifting from conventional to renewable packaging.”
“With this, Pokon shows one more success case where a new sustainable concept in both
product, certification by an independent organization and a superb point-of-sale presentation adds
to its value proposition by shifting from fossil to renewable packaging,” says Ben Scheer, Manager
Innovation and Sustainability at Pokon Naturado. MT
www.pokon.com | www.braskem.com
24 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Application Automotive News
3D filament and app
A few weeks ago B4PLASTICS (Maasmechelen, Belgium) and its development partner Trideus (Ham, Belgium) turn 3D
printing with plastic materials circular: COMPOST3D ® is the first 3D plastic filament in the world that connects design and
composting of 3D objects by means of a smartphone app. Since the origin of plastics, Compost3D is thereby the first plastic
product ever that gives consumers numeric end-of-life information dependent on the way of design and use.
How plastics come to life the moment we throw them away.
B4Plastics develops custommade eco-plastics for new functional
applications that gear up to the highest eco-level in their respective market
segments. Compost3D can be purchased via the webshop of Trideus.
Important print characteristics are announced as being best-in-class, such
as impact resistance, toughness, overhang and printing comfort. The typical
silk-look reflects the new eco-level that has never been reached before in the
3D printing world. The Compost3D filament comes with its own smartphone
app for Android and iOS. It calculates the time required for mineralisation
in a garden compost bin, dependent on each unique 3D object and printer
system. Compost3D gives customers thereby the control to bridge their 3D
prints creation, to their donation – back to Nature. MT
www.b4plastics.com | www.trideus.be
“Growing” plant-based footwear
Cotton + Corn is an initiative developed by the Reebok Future team to create shoes “made from things that grow.” The first
release will be a shoe that has an upper comprised of organic cotton and a base originating from industrial grown corn (a nonfood
source).
“This is really just the first step for us,” said Bill McInnis, Head of Reebok Future. “With Cotton + Corn we’re focused on all
three phases of the product lifecycle. First, with product development we’re using materials that grow and can be replenished,
rather than the petroleum-based materials commonly used today. Second, when the product hits the market we know our
consumers don’t want to sacrifice on how sneakers look and perform. Finally, we care about what happens to the shoes
when people are done with them. So we’ve focused on plant-based materials such as corn and cotton at the beginning, and
compostability in the end.”
“We like to say, we are growing shoes here at Reebok,” said McInnis. “Ultimately, our goal is to create a broad selection of
bio-based footwear that can be composted after use. We’ll then use that compost as part of the soil to grow the materials for
the next range of shoes. We want to take the entire cycle into account; to go from dust to dust.”
For the Cotton + Corn initiative, Reebok partnered with DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, a leading manufacturer of highperformance
bio-based solutions. DuPont Tate & Lyle has developed Susterra ® propanediol, a pure, petroleum-free, non-toxic,
100 % USDA certified bio-based product, derived from field corn. Susterra propanediol is used to create the sole of the Cotton
+ Corn shoes.
“Reebok’s philosophy is to Be More Human, and sustainability is a core
part of that belief. As human beings, we have a responsibility to leave this
planet as we found it for future generations,” said Reebok President Matt
O’Toole. Unfortunately, the fact is most shoes just end up in landfills, which
is something we are trying to change. As a brand, we will be focusing on
sustainability with the Cotton + Corn program as well as other initiatives
we have in the works.”
The Reebok Future team is Reebok’s innovation department dedicated to
creating new technologies, ideas, techniques and prototypes.
“Reebok has a long history of innovation and of being a socially
responsible company,” said O’Toole. “The Reebok Future team was created
to innovate not only the products we make, but also the process by which
we make them.
Cotton + Corn is another great example of this, and one that can have a
long-term positive impact on the world.” MT
www.reebok.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 25

Application News
Luxury cosmetics packaging
Total Corbion PLA presented a number of application
examples at interpack (4 – 10 May) in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Among these examples visitors could see applications in
packaging and serviceware based on Luminy ® PLA
(Poly Lactic Acid) resins from Total Corbion PLA. The
Luminy PLA portfolio, which includes both high heat
and standard PLA grades, is an innovative material
that is used in a wide range of markets from
packaging to consumer goods, fibers and
automotive.
One particularly interesting
example was an innovative solution
for luxury cosmetics packaging that
was demonstrated in the form of
biodegradable wood composite soap
case. Developed by the Finnish company
Sulapac Oy, the material Sulapac ® stands out above plastic
packaging with its unique and premium wooden appearance.
While it is manufactured only from safe, renewable and pure
raw materials and it does not contain any ecologically harmful
compounds, it still is as efficient and durable as a material as
conventional plastic.
After publishing an article on Good News from Finland
it “brought a fair few people to knock on the company’s
founders Suvi Haimi and Laura Kyllönen’s if not
doors, at least email inboxes”
“A lot of people asked us if we do seethrough
packaging materials for food,”
Haimi says laughingly on Good News.
“One day we hopefully will, but not right
now.”
Sulapac is proceeding segment by
segment, first aiming for the cosmetics
market. The idea stems from the
founding duo’s everyday experiences, or to
be more exact, their bathroom shelves.
“We were both frustrated by the fact that
although the cosmetics product itself is ecological, the
package around it isn’t,” Haimi explains. “It was a problem
we both wanted to tackle.” (source www.goodnewsfinland.
com). MT
www.total-corbion.com | www.sulapac.com
An edible water bottle makes a splash
Need hydration on the go? Ooho! is a single-serve
seaweed-based squishy spherical packaging for beverages
of every kind. Touted as being biodegradable and 100
% natural, the product
has created a sensation
- securing its initial
GBP 400,000 (EUR 462,000)
funding target through
Crowdcube within days and
more than doubling that to
date.
Skipping Rocks Lab, a
seaweed-tech startup based
in London and the company
behind the product, Ooho!
launched the initiative in
April 2017 with as goal
to create a waste-free alternative to plastic bottles and
cups. The company says its proprietary material is actually
cheaper than plastic and can encapsulate any beverage
including water, soft drinks, spirits and cosmetics.
“The consumption of non-renewable resources for singleuse
bottles and the amount of waste generated is profoundly
unsustainable. The aim of Ooho is to provide the convenience
of plastic bottles while limiting the environmental impact,”
said the company in a press statement. It added that it
sought to stop 1 billion plastic bottles reaching the ocean
every year and to stop 300,000 tonnes of CO 2
from ever being
emitted.
To make an Ooho ball, the liquid
to be encapsulated is first frozen,
then dipped into an algae mixture
that forms a membrane around the
ice, in a process called spherification
commonly used to make fake caviar.
The compostable membrane creates
a watertight seal around the contents
of the Ooho!. These have melted by the
time they are drunk. The spheres are
opened by biting the membrane, after
which the contents are consumed in
a single go. Or the whole Ooho! can
be eaten, membrane and all. Note
that the Ooho! comes with an outer membrane is designed
to protect the product, which simply slips off.
Skipping Rocks Lab is part of the Climate KIC start-up
acceleration program founded by the European Institute
of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and the scientific team is
based in Imperial College (London).
At the moment Ooho is mostly being sold at events, while
Skipping Rocks is working on setting up fully-automated
production machine for the product. MT
www.skippingrockslab.com
26 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

From Science & Research
Food waste to construction
and automotive applications
The European Project BARBARA (Biopolymers with
advanced functionalities for building and automotive
parts processed through additive manufacturing) is a
36 month research project within the EU Research and Innovation
programme Horizon 2020. With a EUR 2.7 million
budget, coming nearly exclusively from the EU, it brings together
11 partners from Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden and
Belgium. Coordinated by Aitiip, it envisages developing two
prototypes helping demonstrate the prospects offered by
that these new materials for key sectors of our economy
such as the construction and automotive industries.
The BARBARA project aims to develop new biobased
materials with innovative functionalities through the
incorporation of additives coming from biomass so that, by
means of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), - the most widely
spread technology for 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) -
prototypes with industrial applications can be obtained.
These new materials must be based on food waste
(from vegetables, fruits and nuts such as carrots, almonds
or pomegranates) or agricultural by-products (from
corn) and must possess specific mechanical, thermal,
aesthetical, optical and antimicrobial properties to make
them suitable for their industrial use in components for
two highly demanding sectors such as the construction and
automotive industries.
Plastics based on biomass materials (such as PLA) are
already in use for household 3D printing. Now the challenge
is using it at an industrial level while taking into account
the requirements which manufactured pieces need to meet
from the very early stage when engineering materials and
enriching additives are formulated.
BARBARA project partners encompass the whole
project chain, from suppliers of food and farming waste to
construction and automotive end-users key to validating
those demonstrator pieces made, through experts in
chemistry, industrial materials production, machine and
design processes, or those monitoring efficiency and
impact of actions carried out.
Aittip Technology Centre, is responsible for coordinating
the BARBARA project. Currently, it participates in seven
different projects within the Horizon 2020 programme.
The other companies and entities involved in the
BARBARA project are FECOAM and CARGILL (food waste
suppliers); Celabor, KTH and the University of Alicante
(they will participate in the development of the chemical
processes for the extraction of functional molecules and
polysaccharides); NUREL and Tecnopackaging (involved in
the development of materials and spools for 3D printing);
AITIIP (which will develop the new 3D printing procedure
and will manufacture the demonstrator prototypes for the
construction and automotive industries) and finally, Acciona
Construcción and Centro Ricerche FIAT, which will validate
those prototypes. The whole process will be monitored by
the Italian University of Perugia (LCA, LCC)
While the outcomes and impact from BARBARA may
also be of interest for other fields, the two chosen sectors
(construction and automotive) possess really interesting
characteristics for a project such as BARBARA which
encompasses research, basic chemistry and 4.0 industry.
BARBARA aims to develop demonstrator prototypes such as
car door handles, dashboard fascia for the automotive sector
or moulds for truss joints and structures used in the building
sector.
This initiative will also contribute to the growth of related
industries within the bio-economy and circular economy
European Framework.
The BARBARA project contributes to creating two
new value chains, as well as to the development of an
innovative and forward-looking modern industry with the
potential to revolutionise the production of new materials.
An industry more in tune with the environment and where
new and more environmentally friendly extractive processes
are implemented, thus potentially reducing energy and
materials´ consumption. MT
www.aitiip.com/en/rdi/projects/barbara-project.html
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 27

From Science & Research
Bacteria produce polymers
and intermediates
Biotechnologically produced building
blocks for chemistry and biodegradable plastics
The aim of the project group “Resource-friendly Biotechnology
in Bavaria – BayBiotech” is to contribute
to resource-friendliness through application specific
research projects in the field of biotechnology and to support
the transition to a sustainable bio-economy. The project
group was initiated by the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment
and Consumer Protection (Munich, Germany).
Recently scientists at the Technical University of Munich
(TUM), and the University of Bayreuth presented the results
of their research in Erlangen (all Germany).
“We want to build on our previous successes in
environmental protection on the road to a sustainable
bio-economy. The project group utilizes biotechnology
to advance innovative and environmentally friendly
manufacturing processes. With nature’s toolbox we could
produce future products using plants and bacteria. Today’s
wool sweater might be (part of) tomorrow’s car tire made
of botanical materials. Our goal is a sustainable bioeconomy
that combines ecology and economics through
the responsible use of biological resources,” says Ulrike
Scharf, the Bavarian Minister for the Environment and
Consumer Protection, whose Ministry funds the project
group with EUR 2 million.
Bespoke biopolymers
A key focus of the project lies on the biotechnological
production of bespoke biopolymers made of
polyhydroxybutyric acid (PHB) made by bacteria as a storage
substance. PHB has properties comparable to propylene,
which is produced from petroleum.
The bacteria always combine the individual building blocks
in the same manner. The material thus forms crystalline
regions, making it brittle. In the context of the project,
teams at the Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic Resources
and the Professorship of Biogenic Polymers in Straubing,
Germany demonstrated how mechanical properties of the
biopolymer can be improved by adding other polymers,
such as polylactides (PLA).
Separating the production of individual building blocks
and the polymerization opens the door to new processing
options. Therefore the team led by Thomas Brück, Professor
of Industrial Biocatalysis, has developed a resource-friendly
production methodology of PHB monomers from bran, a
cheap by-product of flour production.
Mixing these monomers with others made from
beta-butyrolactone, researchers at the TUM Chairs of
Macromolecular Chemistry and Chemistry of Biogenic
Resources introduces specific irregularities into the
polymer, thereby custom-tailoring the material properties
for given applications. The research also develops improved
metallic and biogenic catalysts opening the butyrolactone
ring.
Biotechnological production of chemical
intermediates
Many biotechnological processes make use of
spontaneously formed biofilms. However, these are often
quite sensitive and therefore cannot be adapted to all
desired reactions. That is why teams at the Chairs of Process
Biotechnology and Macromolecular Chemistry II of the
University of Bayreuth developed artificial biofilms in which
microorganisms are embedded into a bespoke synthetic
polymer matrix. This makes the bacteria significantly more
robust and allows them to be exploited for a wide variety of
cases.
Acetic acid bacteria are already being deployed in
the production of vitamin C. Since the bacterium must
react to myriad environmental stimuli, it has a variety
of enzymes on its exterior. Using newly developed
biomolecular methodologies, the researchers at the Chair
of Microbiology on the TUM Weihenstephan campus and the
Institute of Biochemical Engineering in Garching, Germany
succeeded in removing the unneeded enzymes. The energy
of the bacteria is thus concentrated on the biotechnological
production of the desired enzymes. This results in increased
activity and inhibition of undesired secondary reactions.
Compounds that behave in a mirror-like fashion to one
another are important building blocks in the synthesis of
pharmaceutical products. So-called enoate reductases
can accumulate hydrogen at double bonds, thereby
producing this property of chirality, as it is called. In this
way, for example, carvon, a component of cumin oil, can
be converted into the chiral dihydrocarvon. Using various
protein engineering techniques, scientists at the TU Munich
Institute of Biochemical Engineering have altered the
enzyme to increase its activity more than fourfold.
Synergy of group research
“The successful work of this research group demonstrates
the great benefit of interdisciplinary collaboration even if
distributed over different locations,” says Thomas Brück,
Professor of Industrial Biocatalysis at TU Munich. “Bringing
together the three TUM locations Straubing, Weihenstephan
and Garching, spans the arch from basic research to
application development and greatly accelerates the path to
actual implementation.
28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

From Science & Research
Buss Laboratory Kneader MX 30-22
”Contributors from the Technical University of Munich
were the Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic Resources and
the Professorship of Biogenic Polymers in Straubing,
the Chair of Microbiology in Weihenstephan and the
Institute of Biochemical Engineering, the Wacker-Chair
of Macromolecular Chemistry and the Professorship of
Industrial Biocatalysis in Garching. Further members of
the group were the Chairs of Process Biotechnology and
Macromelecular Chemistry II at the University of Bayreuth
and the Institute of Bioprocess Engineering at the University
of Erlangen, which coordinates the project group funded by
the Bavarian Ministry for the Environment and Consumer
Protection. MT
www.ibc.ch.tum.de
TUM Research Center for Industrial Biotechnology located at the
Research Campus Garching – Photo: Andreas Battenberg / TUM
Buss Kneader Technology
Leading Compounding Technology
for heat and shear sensitive plastics
For more than 60 years Buss Kneader technology
has been the benchmark for continuous preparation
of heat and shear sensitive compounds –
a respectable track record that predestines this
technology for processing biopolymers such
as PLA and PHA.
Casing cover made from a blend of Polyhxdroxybutyric acid and
polypropylen carbonate – Photo: Andreas Battenberg / TUM
> Uniform and controlled shear mixing
> Extremely low temperature profile
> Precise temperature control
> High filler loadings
Buss AG
Switzerland
www.busscorp.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 29

Materials
Bio-Epoxy Resins
from Plant oil
INTRODUCTION
Uncertainty in terms of price and unavailability of petroleum,
in addition to global, political and institutional
tendencies toward the principles of sustainable
development, is urging the chemical industry towards a
sustainable chemistry and particularly the use of renewable
resources in order to synthesize biobased chemicals and
products. There is an increasing demand for biobased, sustainable
performance materials, where the emphasis is laid
mainly on performance and endurance. Thus, fully biobased
epoxy cross-linked polymers are nowadays a real target and
also a great challenge for researchers.
BIO-EPOXY RESIN
Epoxy resins are widely used polymers due to their
diverse industrial applications [1] requiring superior
strength, excellent adhesion, good chemical resistance,
and excellent performance at elevated temperatures due
to which, they are used in coatings, electrical/electronic
laminates, adhesives, flooring and paving applications, and
high performance composites. Production of global epoxy
thermosetting polymers is estimated to be 2 million tonnes
in 2010 and is projected to reach 3.5 million tonnes by the
year 2020. Conventional epoxy resins are low molecular
weight pre-polymers or higher molecular weight polymers
which normally contain at least two epoxide groups. They
are formed by reacting epichlorohydrin with Bisphenol A
(BPA) to form diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A (commonly
abbreviated as DGEBA or BADGE). In recent years concerns
increased over the impact of Bisphenol A on the environment
and human health. BPA is a xenoestrogen and may have
feminizing effects even at nanogram levels. Environmental
studies indicate that this organic compound interferes with
nitrogen uptake in certain plants, namely legumes such as
beans. Several studies have also found levels of Bisphenol A
in municipal wastewater. In addition, it has been determined
that Bisphenol A is harmful to marine life. The conventional
epoxy resin has many adverse effects on the environment,
human health and they increase concentration of carbon
dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in atmosphere after thermal
decomposition / incineration of epoxy resins (polymers).
Bio-epoxy resins are low molecular weight biodegradable
polymers which are synthesized from natural oils (vegetable
oils). These resins are gaining much more importance
because of their environmentally friendly nature,
sustainability, green method of manufacture, excellent
biodegradability, lower energy cost in manufacture and
much lower carbon footprint. Bio-epoxy resins, usually
obtained from plant oil raw materials are the most
important thermosetting resins, which after cure, display
excellent mechanical strength, good thermal, electrical,
and chemical resistance, and fine adhesion to many
substrates. In most of the cases, bio-epoxy resins also
provide cost savings as compared to that of petroleumbased
polymer products and they biodegrade in a limited
period. These plant oil based polymers are environment
friendly in many ways. They are for example biodegradable.
The plants absorb carbon dioxide while growing reducing
greenhouse gases. Among the various plant seed oils, nonedible
oils have been used for the development of chemicals
and polymers thus avoiding food vs. fuel predicament.
Vegetable oil certainly is a future potential source of
renewable materials [2]. Furthermore, vegetable oil contains
triglycerides that can be used to make useful oleochemicals
and polymers. The present system has been developed from
non-edible epoxydised vegetable oil and plant source based
hardner (both are derived from renewable resource) which
forms the total system derived from 100% biobased.
APPLICATIONS
The most important aspect of the products described
here is that under suitable conditions it undergoes
complete biodegradation within 90 days. The bio epoxy
resin is biocompatable and non-toxic in nature. For testing
purpose elastomeric sheets prepared from the product
has been subjected to biodegradation under cow dung biocompost
and under bacterial granules (3-5 mm) obtained
from bacterial consortia in liquid nutrient media where
polymer samples were suspended in it. The progress of
biodegradation was monitored using SEM micrographs
and weight loss of polymer [3, 4]. A biodegradation test
using ASTM D 5338 by the Indian certifying agency is under
progress.
Various industrially useful products ranging from soft to
hard using fillers, additives and fibre composites can be
derived from these polymers. Examples are printing ink,
high gloss paint, lamination, Indian rakhi, deity Ganesha
idol, thin flexible transparent film for packaging, various
cast resin articles, like letters, play dolls, encapsulant for
electronic circuit board and fibre based composite.
A patented [5] two component bio-epoxy resin system
developed by Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada
University Nanded India has been under manufacture and
marketed by Supreme Silicones Pune India.
30 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Materials
By:
Omprakash Yemul
Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University,
Nanded, India
Omkar Waikar
Supreme Silicones
Pune, India
Summary
Bio-epoxy resin derived from vegetable oil promises one
the most vital part of today’s world to move toward more
sustainable life. Through several types of applications,
bio-epoxy resin offer many substantial advantages over
conventional petroleum based epoxy resin. Bio-epoxy
resin provides excellent biodegradability. Potentially much
lower carbon footprint is created compared with that with
conventional epoxy resin.
www.supremesilicones.com
References
[1] C. A. May, Epoxy resins-chemistry and technology, (1988) 2nd Ed. New
York: Marcel Dekker
[2] . Z. S. Petrovic, Polymers from biological oils. Contem. Mat-I, (2010); 1,
39-50.
[3] Y.M. Kolekar, H.N. Nemade, V.L. Markad, S.S. Adav, M.S. Patole, K.M.
Kodam, Decolourization and biodegradation of azo dye, reactive blue 59
by aerobic granules, Bioresour. Technol. 104 (2012) 818e822.
[4] E. Ikada, Electron microscope observation of biodegradation of polymers,
J. Environ. Polym. Degrad. 7 (4) (1999) 197e201
[5] O. S. Yemul, et. al. A process for the preparation of biodegradable
polymeric materials from algae oil. Indian Patent IN283327 (2017).
Bioepoxy resin based cast article, embedded circuit board and composite
0 day 50 days 0 day 50 days 0 day 50 days
(A) (B) (C)
Comparative images of Biodegradation stages of (A) Bisphenol A epoxy resin film, (B) Trimethylol Propane Triglycidyl Ether and (C) Bio-epoxy
resin film
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 31

Materials
New compostable film products
As a leader in manufacturing safer, more environmentally friendly corrosion inhibiting solutions for industries involving
metal, Cortec ® Corporation has put additional effort into offering a fully compostable film for basic packaging. Eco Film ®
is certified compostable according to EN 13432 (DIN Certco) and ASTM D6400 (BPI). When exposed to a typical commercial
composting environment, it will fully biodegrade into carbon dioxide and water within a matter of weeks, without introducing
toxicity to the soil, plants, or microorganisms involved in the process. Eco Film is helpful for organic waste diversion and
can also be used in a variety of packaging applications where waste reduction is a concern.
A common challenge in developing biodegradable, compostable, or bio-based films has been balancing eco-friendliness with
adequate physical strength for use. As many regions around the world adjust waste disposal viewpoints and regulations and
seek to reduce the use of low and high density polyethylene bags, Eco Film provides a physically stable compostable alternative
to standard plastic bags. Eco Film shows good shelf and curb stability because it is designed to only disintegrate when placed
in contact with the correct temperature and microorganism-containing material, such as the waste, soil, and compost found in
a commercial composting environment. Left on the shelf in its original packaging, it remains good for two years.
As early as 2002, a manufacturer of specialty cleaning and MRO application chemicals tried Eco Film as a packaging material.
Their previous attempt to use PLA bags had resulted in chemical spills, and the company was looking for a biodegradable film
with enough strength to avoid tearing and disintegration. Eco Film fulfilled these requirements with the added benefit of being
heat sealable [1].
Around the same time, a trial of Eco Film was performed in California, a state in the USA known for stringent environmental
standards. The tightening of state and local organic waste disposal standards increased the importance of finding an efficient
and cost effective waste collection method for one of California’s major cities. Bagged waste was found to be the easiest to
collect; however, the bags presented a source of non-compostable waste. Eco Film bags were evaluated as a compostable
alternative. The Eco Film bags degraded as indicated and exceeded criteria for strength and usability [2].
In the following decade, as interest in waste reduction programs grew, a large zoo in Cortec’s home state of Minnesota,
USA, decided to start a composting program to reduce landfill material by diverting food waste. A variety of compostable
plastics were tried, and Eco Film was chosen for use because it met all requirements and was produced by a fellow Minnesota
organization [3].
Potential uses for Eco Film are manyfold, ranging from compostable packaging for chemical companies to non-contaminating
collection bags for organic waste disposal. The options are even greater due to the availability of Eco Film in a variety of
compostable sizes and forms, ranging from 12.5 to 120 µm (0.5-4.8 mils) thick and customizable to single wound sheeting,
bag-on-roll products, center folds, gusseted tubes, and more.
While many of Cortec’s products are targeted to the corrosion inhibiting industry (including its compostable Eco-Corr Film ® ),
the creation of Eco Film is another example of Cortec’s environmentally-friendly consciousness, as Cortec seeks to not only
meet the corrosion inhibiting needs of its customers, but also to present viable options for waste reduction.MT
References:
[1] Cortec Corporation: “Cortec Case History 207.” March 2002. . 2 May 2017.
[2] Cortec Corporation: “Cortec Case History 221.” September 2002. . 2 May 2017.
[3] Cortec Corporation: “Cortec Case History 396.” August 2011. . 2 May 2017.
www.cortecadvancedfilms.com
32 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Material News
New range of PLA masterbatches
Sukano and Total Corbion PLA recently announced at interpack that a range of functional and optical PLA (Poly Lactic Acid)
masterbatches to further improve the performance of PLA will now be available from Sukano.
Sukano, a technology leader in PLA masterbatches, and Total Corbion PLA, a technology leader in PLA resins, are launching
a range of functional and optical masterbatches based on Total Corbion PLA’s Luminy ® neat resins. These masterbatches will
be exclusively available from Sukano.
Total Corbion PLA is already selling and marketing a range of Luminy neat PLA resins, including high heat resistant PLA and
standard PLA resins. “We are thrilled to announce the availability of Luminy-based PLA masterbatches to further complement
the properties of these neat PLA resins” says François de Bie, Marketing Director at Total Corbion PLA. “Converters can now
choose from a wide range of Sukano masterbatches to fine tune the performance of PLA in the final end use application.”
The range of Sukano PLA masterbatches includes specific functional masterbatches aimed at improving properties like
impact, mold release, anti-static or anti-block for nested products. Color masterbatches based on Luminy PLA will also be
available.
Sukano is committed to the global growth of PLA applications in the market. Customers looking to replace their traditional
oil-based plastics with more sustainable PLA bioplastics can now do so without compromising the functionality of their final
applications - thanks to the extensive range of PLA-based masterbatches from Sukano, now also available using Luminy as a
carrier.
“As we strategically join forces in the Bioplastics value chain to further promote new PLA applications and market
penetrations, the addition of Luminy-based masterbatches to our existing product portfolio further supports our customers’
needs and goals”, comments Alessandra Funcia, Head of Marketing at Sukano.
Luminy PLA resins are produced by Total Corbion PLA from cane sugar in Thailand and are certified compostable and
biobased. MT
www.total-corbion.com
www.sukano.com
Trend Report on
Policies impacting bio-based plastics
market development
and plastic bags legislation in Europe
The policy framework of bio-based plastics markets
nova-Institute’s new trend report “Policies
impacting bio-based plastics market
development and plastic bags legislation in
Europe” highlights policies around the world
and their positive and negative impacts on biobased
plastics market developments.
The development of an innovative industrial
sector is influenced by many different factors.
Among others, the political framework
conditions in which such a sector is built play
an important role. The newly published report
looks at how different parts of the world handle
the development of the bio-based plastics
sector politically. Countries and regions in
special focus are Europe, the U.S., China,
Japan, Thailand and Brazil.
The trend report explores global policy
initiatives from the fields research and
innovation, bioenergy and biofuels, industrial
innovation, circular economy, waste
management as well as agriculture and
forestry.
A must read for any investor or producer
– where is demand expected to increase?
Buy your trend report “Policies impacting biobased
plastics market development and plastic
bags legislation in Europe” now to get firsthand
insights into up-to-date developments
and trends. Find more information at
www.bio-based.eu/reports
Contact
Guido Müller
+49 (0) 22 33 / 48 14-44
guido.müller@nova-institut.de
Order the full report
The full report contains 74
pages and is available for
€ 600 plus VAT at:
www.bio-based.eu/reports
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 33

Material Automotive News
Biobased 1,6-hexanediol
Rennovia Inc., (Santa Clara, California, USA), a privately held company that develops novel catalysts and processes for the
cost-advantaged production of chemical products from renewable feedstocks, recently announced that it has successfully
commissioned, and is operating, all core pilot plant operations for its sugars to 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDO) process.
1,6-HDO is a specialty chemical widely used today in a variety of formulated products, including coatings, adhesives, and
elastomers. Rennovia’s novel production process employs its proprietary catalyst technology and is projected to provide 1,6-
HDO with drop-in performance properties. This biobased product is anticipated to have greatly reduced greenhouse gas and
environmental impacts versus petroleum-based 1,6-HDO. In addition, Rennovia’s 1,6-HDO is a platform intermediate to
several commodity chemicals with over USD 20 billion market value, including hexamethylenediamine (HMD), adipic acid, and
caprolactam. With biobased HDM (in combination with well-established biobased sebacic acid as the “10”-component) a fully
biobased PA 6.10 now moves within reach.
The completion of key piloting activities and the development of a 1,6-HDO commercial design package are anticipated by the
end of this year. Rennovia is in active discussions with a number of potential strategic partners to support the commercialization
of 1,6-HDO and downstream products. Archer Daniel Midlands Company (ADM), a current investor in the company, has
expressed strong interest in supporting Rennovia’s commercialization of these products through feedstock supply and coinvestment
value chain partnering.
“The recent dramatic increase in petrochemical raw material prices and HMD supply issues reinforce the need for new
and differentiated HMD capacity. We believe the timing is right to bring new 1,6-HDO and HMD technologies to the market
place.” said Robert Wedinger, Chief Executive Officer of Rennovia. “We look forward to selecting strategic partnerships to
commercialize our innovative processes for the production of cost-advantaged chemicals,” continued Dr. Wedinger.
“We continue to see a strong synergy in leveraging Rennovia’s breakthrough new catalyst technology at our manufacturing
facilities to diversify our product mix and efficiently produce higher value biobased chemicals and diversify our feedstock supply
for our customers,” said Kevin Moore, President of Renewable Chemicals for ADM. MT
www.rennovia.com
Bioplastics from fish processing residues
Organic waste generated by the fish industry and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste are a valuable resource from
whose recovery new products of high added value can be obtained, such as flame-retardant additives, edible coatings with a
gelatine base to extend the shelf life of fish or to be incorporated in multilayer packages, as well as chemical substances to
produce bioplastics.
To achieve this ambitious objective, AIMPLAS (Valencia, Spain) has been coordinating the European project DAFIA with 14
partners since last January. One of the project key objectives is to obtain new plastic materials from natural resources, such as
organic wastes from households and rest raw materials from the fish industry. From substances like acids and amines, which
can be produced by fermentation of the household wastes, AIMPLAS will synthesize new polyamides.
On the other hand, fish have in their spawns and semen (among others), a high content of nucleic acids that will be used as
a source to produce new flame- retardant additives to be applied in high added value applications, such as those required by
the automotive sector, among others.
Other substances that can be obtained from this fish rest raw
materials are gelatines, to be used as an edible coating of the
fish itself. This technology can prolong the shelf life of frozen
fish. In addition, this gelatine and other bioactive compounds will
be used in the project for the development of active packaging.
This project has been funded by the EU research and
innovation programme Horizon 2020 under grant agreement no
720770. Project partners are Politecnico di Torino, Sintef Ocean,
Sintef Materials & Chemistry, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet,
Ircelyon, Nutrimar, Innovaco i Recerca Industrial i Sostenible,
By:
Biotrend – Inovação E Engenharia em Biotecnologia, Daren
Jacek Laboratories Leciński, Andrea & Scientific Siebert-Raths Consultants, Mine Plastik, Bio Base
Daniela Jahn and Jessica Rutz
Europe Pilot Plant, Biopolis, Arkema and The National Non-
Institute Food Crops for Bioplastics Centre and (NNFCC). MT
Biocomposites
University www.aimplas.net
of Applied Sciences
and Arts, Hannover, Germany
34 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Material News
Bio-based PE shrink film
Bolloré, (Quimper, France) a pioneer in ultra-thin packaging, launched the first ultrathin packaging shrink film on a basis of
green polyethylene called B-Nat ® . It was developed to offer most attractive shelf presentation and the optic properties were
optimized. It is also a good product for multipacking applications due to his cohesion strength. Although I’m green PE is a
drop in solution for many applications, with Bolloré and its specialty films, it was quite a bit different. Bolloré worked hard to
adjust its process to develop B-Nat with Braskem’s grades and has already achieved 40 % renewable content. The production of
I’m green Polyethylene contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.“The development of B-Nat was an important
first step that needs early adopters to give us the confidence that we are on the right direction and allow us to develop with
Bolloré the next generation with even higher renewable content. In fact, I am sure this will be one more success case where an
already sustainable product adds to its value proposition by shifting from fossil to renewable,” says Martin Clemesha, Technical
Sales, Renewable Chemicals at Braskem.
“Bolloré has always considered the environmental impact
of its packaging films as a priority. Our first target was linked
to source reduction: As a result, our ultra-thin shrink film
range is made with a specific multilayer bio-oriented process
in order to down gauge with enhanced performance. The
second target was to recycle the plastic waste: Our shrink film
waste can now be reprocessed in the polyethylene stream.
The third target was to reduce the carbon footprint of the film:
Our R&D division has worked to find a sustainable alternative
to fossil material and has chosen the green PE of Braskem.
After a series of successful customer trials, B-NAT film is
now available to the market,” says Jean-François Glez, R&D
manager, Bolloré Packaging. MT
www.braskem.com | www.bollorefilms.com
New bio-colour-masterbatches
When it comes to biodegradable plastics, aesthetics matter as much as function. To meet market demand, AF-COLOR
(Niederzissen,Germany), a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, has added new biodegradable masterbatch carriers to its AF-
Eco ® product portfolio.
In bioplastics, pigmentation is an increasingly important aspect. Bioplastics today are pigmented almost exclusively using
colour masterbatches formulated with polymer carrier materials and the appropriate pigments. AF-Eco colour masterbatches
are based on biodegradable carrier polymers. The product line
has been expanded to include a broad range of biodegradable
masterbatch carriers. Now there‘s a carrier material that‘s just right
for every application.
“We aim to rise to the challenge of growing complexity in biobased
plastics applications, and this is how we plan to succeed. It will allow
us to minimise interactions with other polymer components in a
compound”, says Dirk Schöning, Sales Director at AF-Color.
“Now there are virtually no limits to our customers’ colour
requirements for biomasterbatches”, notes Inno Gaul, R & D Director
at AF Color. According to the manufacturer, just about every color
objective can be realised - event pearlescent effect colors.
The biomasterbatches are marketed exclusively by Bio-Fed under
the brand name AF-Eco. Like AF-Color, Bio-Fed is a branch of
Akro-Plastic. The company specialises in marketing biobased and
biodegradable plastics under the brand name M∙VERA ® . MT
www.af-color.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 35

Food packaging
Biobased food packaging
in Germany
By:
Harald Kaeb
Narocon InnovationConsult
Berlin, Germany
Biobased plastics are often associated with physical–
chemical properties (e.g. at, vapor and oxygen permeability,
modulus etc) that recommend them for the
packaging of food. Despite their apparent suitability, the
presence of biobased plastics on the German market is low.
In fact, solid market data on biobased plastic packaging
still are very rare. When it comes to the consumption of
real products in real market places, there is hardly any
knowledge about the various polymers used, or on specific
packaging types and what kind of food is packed in biobased
plastics - and why.
The German Federal Government wanted to know better
and thus had asked expert teams to answer a wide range of
questions to describe the market place in detailed statistics
including the consumption of biobased plastic packaging, to
describe all issues relevant to food contact packaging - from
barrier properties to legal safety requirements, including
environmental performance, waste management practice,
e.g. recyclability and recycling. The authors shall also
develop scenarios to project the development up to the year
2030. The study “Biobased plastics for foodstuff packaging”
is part of the bioeconomy strategy of the German Federal
Government, which seeks a gradual shift to a sustainable
biobased economy. Thus the study shall deliver hard facts
and solid information needed for developing best strategies
within the German Bio- and Circular Economy policy and
legislation context.
The bid was won by a consortium led by the Institute for
Energy and Environmental Research (ifeu) in Heidelberg,
in collaboration with the Fraunhofer-Institut für
Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung (IVV) in Freising, and
the market expert narocon InnovationConsulting Dr. Harald
Kaeb in Berlin. From September 2016 until early 2018 their
research will help create an exact picture of the current
market situation in Germany. The expert recommendations
will help the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture
(BMEL) and the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) to
orient and improve their work and support.
The expert team has already contacted many players and
interviewed them for getting their views and expertise. It is
still possible to address the team and give input, both in the
analysis of the problem and the development of proposed
approaches and solutions. A workshop is supposed to be
held at the end of the project to present some of the results
and discuss with relevant stakeholders and players the
outcomes and conclusions. For more information please
contact Benedikt Kauertz (benedikt.kauertz@ifeu.de) or
Harald Kaeb (kaeb@narocon.de).
At interpack Futamura presented their portfolio of food packaging, parts of which are marketed in Germany (photo Harald Kaeb)
36 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Food packaging
Development
of the food
packaging of
tomorrow
The bioplastic developed by Bio-on (San Giorgio di
Piano, Bologna, Italy) will be at the centre of a new
European project that, thanks to a budget of almost
4 million Euro, aims to create new sustainable and biodegradable
food packaging materials in the coming years.
The project BioBarr (New bio-based food packaging
materials with enhanced barrier properties) has received
funding of EUR 3.784.375 from the Bio Based Industries
Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon
2020 research and innovation programme and started on
1 st June 2017.
BioBarr, which received an excellent evaluation from
independent science experts at the European Commission,
will be coordinated by Tecnoalimenti S.C.p.A. over its
estimated 4-year duration and will involve seven prestigious
European partners, public and private, from Italy, Spain,
Denmark and Finland.
The researchers’ objects are as follows: to develop new
biobased and biodegradable food packaging materials, to
improve and strengthen their barrier functionalities and
to validate their application in real working environments
inside the food industry. The ambitious research and
development project will focus on PHAs biopolymers
(polyhydroxyalkanoates) produced using Bio-on technology
which, thanks to their high thermo-mechanical and
rheological performance, ductility and aesthetic
characteristics, are unmatched in the biopolymers market.
“We are extremely proud to take part in the BioBarr
project, to be an active part in this varied team of
complementary researchers and companies,” explains Bioon
Chairman and CEO Marco Astorri, “it will allow us to
study and increase the potential of our bioplastic in the food
packaging sector for new solutions in the wider consumer
sectors.”
Bio-on, listed on the AIM segment of Borsa Italiana, is
the project’s main scientific partner and will make use of
a European contribution of EUR 800,000 to carry out the
production, development and demonstration of PHAs film
to be adapted to the project’s objectives. Bio-on will also
work on setting up a complete study of the product lifecycle
according to modern LCA principles.
The PHAs bioplastics developed by Bio-on are made from
renewable plant sources with no competition with food
supply chains. They guarantee the same thermo-mechanical
properties as comparable conventional plastics (such as
PP) with the advantage of being 100 % eco-sustainable
and naturally biodegradable at ambient temperature.
This is why Bio-on’s PHAs bioplastics have been shown
to have extremely high potential as a replacement for the
conventional polymers currently used in food packaging.
To increase its adoption in this market sector, the BioBarr
Project will focus on the implementations of PHAs’ capacity
to protect the food (barrier properties) through the validation
of a series of food products with different shelf-lives.
“Food products generate a lot of waste plastic packaging.
The idea behind this project is to meet the demands expressed
by the food industry to offer the market food products with
a long shelf-life combined with environmentallyfriendly
packaging solutions,” says Raffaello Prugger, CEO of
Tecnoalimenti.
The project partners are: BIO-ON S.p.A. (Italy), Chimigraf
Iberica S.L. (Spain), Centro Nacional de Tecnologia y
Seguridad Alimentaria (CNTA) – Laboratorio de Ebro (Spain),
Danmark Tekniske Universitet (Denmark), Icimendue SRL
(Italy) and TTY-Saatio - Tampere University of Technology
(Finland). MT
www.bio-on.it
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 37

Compostable, biobased
packaging for organic chips
The introduction of Trafo Hummus Chips marks a further expansion of the range of organic crisps and snacks from FZ
Organic Food, based in Wolvega, The Netherlands. Not only the delicious flavour of this product is exceptional, but also its
packaging. FZ Organic Food has chosen a Bio4Pack packaging that is fully compostable, in accordance with the strict EN13432
standard – see the 7P0466 seedling logo – and is also four-star (i.e. > 80 %) biobased. In other words, more than 81 % of the
raw materials used are renewable. In short, the packaging fits perfectly into FZ Organic Food’s mission and vision.
Solution with vision
This Bio4Pack packaging solution is entirely fitting for a company with vision such as FZ
Organic Food, as it enables them to comply immediately with the wishes and requirements
of the Dutch Lower House with regard to the use of metallised multi-layer packaging. In
its current form, such packaging must be off the shelves by 2050. Bio4Pack’s sustainable
multi-layer packaging already fulfils the Lower House’s requirements and, as it has the
same material characteristics as the current multi-layer films, it can easily be processed
with standard machines.
What’s more, the film can be printed in up to eight colours. In a nutshell, Bio4Pack’s
sustainable, compostable crisp packet provides FZ Organic Food with packaging that
does justice to both the quality of the product and the future of our planet. MT
www.bio4pack.com | www.fzorganicfood.com
Market study on
Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers
Global Capacities and Trends 2016 – 2021
Bio-based polymers worldwide: Ongoing growth despite difficult market environment
nova-Institute’s market study “Bio-based
Building Blocks and Polymers – Global
Capacities and Trends 2016 – 2021” is unique
and gives the most comprehensive insight into
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capacities and applications for all relevant biobased
building blocks and polymers.
What makes the report unique?
■
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We have formed a high-level expert group
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We show real data for the year 2016 and
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The data of the annual nova market report
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+49 (0) 22 33 / 48 14-44
guido.müller@nova-institut.de
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The full report can be ordered
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38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Food Packaging
PRESENTS
The Bioplastics Award will be presented
during the 12th European Bioplastics Conference
November 28-29, 2017, Berlin, Germany
2017
THE TWELFTH 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 July 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
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 Nov. 28.
More details and an entry form can be downloaded from
www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/award
supported by
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 39

Opinion
Could the wax moth solve the
problem of PE plastic waste?
Food for thought
I’m a beekeeper, so I know only too well what havoc the
wax moth (or better the larvae of the greater wax moth
Galleria mellonella) can wreak on the wax combs in my
bee hives. Secondly, I also know that the wax moth is mainly
interested in wax combs used by the bees to breed their
offspring. Obviously, they are more interested in the proteins
from the cocoons that remain behind in the chambers
after the bees have hatched. In fact, the wax moths don’t
touch honeycombs, which are only used by the bees to store
honey. They only attack the brood combs. And thirdly, I’m an
engineer by education, and therefore have a scientific background.
Hence, I’m always reluctant to believe in miraculous
findings that create huge hype in the media - especially
when they are hailed as being THE solution for the world’s
plastic waste problem.
That said, I must admit that I really was excited about
the recent news – my interest piqued by various catchy
headlines, such as “A Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Plastic
Bags” [1, 2].
The wax moth and polyethylene
It all started when Federica Bertocchini, a scientist
and herself a beekeeper, found to her astonishment after
cleaning up and disposing of the mess wax worms had
created in her beehives, that the worms appeared to be
eating the PE-bags she had used to dispose of them in [2].
Together with Paolo Bombelli and Christopher J. Howe at the
University of Cambridge, she decided to investigate further
[3]. They embarked on some serious research: performing
FTIR analyses and even mashing wax worms up (a kind of
revenge?) to smear the wax worm paste on Polyethylene to
see what would happen. And indeed, they discovered that
the substance that the caterpillars left behind included
polyethylene glycol. A sign of biodegradation?
Professor Ramani Narayan from Michigan State
University, a respected expert in the field of biodegradation
of plastics says, that “the paper [3] provides no evidence
that the PE carbons is being completely utilized by the wax
moths and removed from the environmental compartment
-- as measured by the evolved CO 2
from biological
metabolism based on accepted International standards for
measuring and reporting biodegradability” [4].
A solution to tackle the problem of plastic litter?
Ramani Narayan is not convinced. “The study of the
interaction of PE plastic with wax moths may be useful
and provide for interesting biology,” he says. “However, to
widely extrapolate the fragmentation of the PE film as a
biodegradation concept that is a solution for plastic waste
management is very misleading and troublesome. The
formation of holes in a plastic bag due to mechanical action
(chewing of the film) and resultant loss of mass suggests
fragmentation and release of the small fragments into the
environment. This has the potential to cause harm to the
environment and human health” [4].
And he goes on: “Biodegradation is not a magical solution
to plastics waste management. To the contrary, release of
small fragments (microplastics) into the terrestrial and
ocean environment has been shown to cause harm to the
environment and to human health. Many papers in the
literature document that such fragments pick up toxins
from the environment like a sponge and become a vehicle
to transport toxins up the food chain.
Complete biodegradation of single use disposable
plastics along with food and other biowastes in managed,
closed loop disposal systems like composting and anaerobic
digestion is environmentally responsible. This helps divert
food and other biowastes from landfills and oceans.
As a matter of fact, the State of California prohibits
the unqualified use of the term biodegradable and only
certified fully biodegradable-compostable plastics going
into industrial composting systems are allowed. The
U.S. Federal Trade Commission (U.S. FTC) has similar
guidance on the use of terms like biodegradable and
compostable.”
Another interesting thought was published by The
Guardian [5]: The wax moth is a pest (remember, I’m a
beekeeper myself – and I can confirm). Wax moths are socalled
because they love to eat the wax from which bees
make their honeycombs – and so they can really devastate
bee colonies. Wax moths in their different species are
thought to cause more than (USD 5.2 million) worth of
damage annually in the United States alone.
With bee populations already under severe stress from
many different reasons, we probably should not start
breeding one of their common airborne enemies in huge
numbers. Bees play a crucial role in maintaining healthy
and thriving plant communities. Interfering in nature is
something we’ve done before - and usually with less-thanpropitious
results. With bee numbers already on the decline,
breeding wax moths just might create more problems
than it solves. Plastic pollution is our mess, a result of our
behaviour, and we need to take responsibility for fixing the
40 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Automotive Opinion
By:
Michael Thielen
problem. Pinning our hopes on the appetite of the wax moth
larva would somehow not seem the best strategy for doing
so.
And the science?
Back to Federica Bertocchini and her fellow researchers:
Ramani Narayan points out that the claim of fast
biodegradation to ethylene glycol based on a 3300 cm -1 band
in the FTIR is tenuous at best - anyone with knowledge of
FTIR would say that the observed peak simply represents a
–O-H stretching vibration which could be due to physically
adsorbed water. Proteins and carbohydrates of the wax
worm and their extracts would contribute to hydroxyl and
carbonyl signatures. It is not clear as to how this was
addressed or even if it was addressed. The authors report
a carbonyl; C=O peak in the FTIR, which is not consistent
with proposed ethylene glycol formation. Again carbonyl
peaks can arise from residual proteins of the wax worm [4].
And finally… it’s not as new as we may think. In 2014,
Chinese scientists published findings on “Polyethylene
biodegradation by bacterial strains from the guts of plastic
eating waxworms” [6, 7]. Back then, however, the news
escaped the lurid, sensationalist coverage that created the
current hype without seriously questioning the facts.
(Photo: Federica Bertocchini, Paolo Bombelli, and Chris
Howe)
References
[1] Bromwich, J.E., A Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Plastic Bags, The New
York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/27/science/plasticeating-caterpillar.html?_r=0
[2] Yong, E.: The very hungry plastic eating caterpillar, The Atlantic, https://
www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/04/the-very-hungry-plasticeating-caterpillar/524097/
[3] Bombelli, P.; Howe, C.J.; Bertocchini, F.: Polyethylene bio-degradation
by caterpillars of the wax moth Galleria mellonella, Current Biology 27,
R1–R3, April 3, 2017
[4] Narayan, R.: Comments on the publication as cited in [3],
www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/201703
[5] Yong, E.: The Very Hungry Plastic-Eating Caterpillar, The Guardian,
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/25/plasticeating-bugs-wax-moth-caterpillars-bee
[6] N.N.: Gut bacteria from a worm can degrade plastic; https://www.
acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2014/acs-presspacdecember-3-2014/gut-bacteria-from-a-worm-can-degrade-plastic.
html
[7] Yang, J. et.al.: Evidence of Polyethylene Biodegradation by Bacterial
Strains from the Guts of Plastic-Eating Waxworms, http://pubs.acs.org/
doi/abs/10.1021/es504038a
My bees, healthy and busy
Wax combs destroyed by Galleria mellonella © Maja Dumat
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 41

10
Published in
bioplastics MAGAZINE
News
Years
ago
Generation
of a new
Biopolymer
Database
photo: Instron
D
www.bv.fh-hannover.de
www.m-base.de
www.european-bioplastics.org
SEM-photo of a bioplastics
surface, affected by micro
organisms
(photo: FH Hannover)
uring the last 10-15 years a lot of different biopolymers
were introduced to the market. Unfortunately, only very
little qualified information about these materials in terms
of mechanical or thermal properties, permeability, degradation or
processing behaviour is available to the decision makers in the industry.
Even though there has been remarkable research effort in
the past, the results seem not to be accessible in a structured and
well organised form. “Also the quality of the available information
is doubtful, many files are out of date or incomplete. Interested
users need to spend too much time searching for qualified material
data and very often will not find answers to their questions”
as Professor Hans-Josef Endres, University of Applied Sciences
and Arts Hannover, Germany (Department of Bio-Process Engineering),
points out.
In order to improve the situation, the faculty started to create a
Biopolymer Database which contains a full overview of the market.
The guideline is the well known CAMPUS ® database, which has
become the international standard information system for conventional
Engineering Polymers.
“The new Biopolymer Database will allow quick and easy access
to information about biopolymer producers, contact persons
and material properties, like mechanical properties, permeability,
degradation or processing behaviour,” says Dipl.-Ing. Andrea Siebert,
research engineer at the same faculty.
The main goal of the project is to collect complete information
about available biopolymers, using uniform standards and to generate
comparable and complete material data.
The result will be a database, which is compatible with the internationally
accepted CAMPUS system and will be accessible
through the internet.
The project, that started at the end of 2006 is supported by the
German Government (Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Consumer Protection, coordinated by the Agency of Renewable
Resources - FNR). Project participants are M-Base Engineering +
Software from Aachen, Germany and European Bioplastics, Berlin.
Dipl.-Ing. Andrea Siebert: “It is important to point out, that during
this project, in contrast to old and recently published studies,
only all the latest materials, which are really available on the market
will be considered. In close cooperation with the biopolymer
producers crucial processing, utilisation and disposal material
data will be generated in a complete new test program organised
and conducted by the project team.”
For questions, suggestions or potential cooperation contact
andrea.siebert@fh-hannover.de.
In May 2017,
Hans-Josef
Endres
(Institute for
Bioplastics and
Biocomposites
IfBB) at the University of Applied
Sciences and Arts Hannover, Germany)
says:
Increasing demand for bioplastics also
means increasing demand for information
regarding material properties.
The aim of the database project described
in the 2007 article was the characterisation
of the bioplastics to close the still very large
information gaps at that time.
The material properties of the
bioplastics were determined for the first
time according to standardized methods
in a comprehensive and comparable way.
In addition, the bioplastic producers
who were then still coming from the
agricultural sector were sensitized about
the need to provide the material data.
These efforts, at the time pioneering
for bioplastics, contributed to the fact
that that the quality and quantity of
bioplastics material data is much
better today. In addition, almost every
bioplastics manufacturer is aware
today that comprehensive material
data are indispensable for the market
penetration of their materials.
Today, the material data of the
bioplastics considered 10 years
ago as well as new bioplastics
are, apart from the petrochemical
polymer materials, an integral
component of the Material Data
Center of M-Base.
www.materialdatacenter.com
photo: FH Hannover
12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/07] Vol. 2
http://tinyurl.com/200701
42 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Report
By:
Bioplastics Survey
Michael Thielen and John Leung
Within our series “special focus on certain geographical
areas” we present simple surveys, to get
an idea about the general perception of bioplastics
in these countries.
In this third edition of this new series, we visited a lively
shopping area in Beijing, China and asked again a (nonrepresentative)
number of normal people”.
This, however, was not an easy attempt. After interviewing
a few people, police arrived at the scene. They informed us,
that we need to apply for a formal permit before we can
conduct any survey. We then called the China Bioplastics
Union for support. After three hours discussion, we finally
convinced them that we could continue the survey. However,
a police officer was present during the rest of the survey.
We are grateful for this support. In fact, before the police
came, just two out nine people were willing to respond. But
with the police next to us, it was 28 out of 30 we approached.
Now to the results. Of course The People’s Republic
of China is a huge country so this survey, as all others
before can only be a very small glimpse and is far from
representative. We asked people in a shopping area in
Beijing so the results may be very different in rural areas.
Of those we interviewed, 50 % were male and 50 % were
female. And also half were aged between 20 and 40, while
the other half were between the ages of 40 and 60.
When asked whether they knew what bioplastics were,
around 12.5 % responded with yes. Again the other 87.5% all
indicated that they were interested in learning about what
bioplastics were. We briefly explained that conventional
plastics were made from oil, a scarce and depletable
resource … that burning petroleum-based products would
affect climate … that biobased plastics can be made from
renewable resources or waste streams, such as corn,
sugar beet, sugar cane or e.g. waste starch from the potato
industry … and that biodegradable/compostable plastics
(whether biobased or otherwise) can offer significant
benefits, depending on the application.
After this brief explanation, all of those interviewed
expressed the opinion that bioplastics were beneficial for
the environment and for the climate, or at least “less bad”,
as one young man was at pains to point out.
Asked whether they would buy products made of
bioplastics, if they should happen to see them on display
at the store, all commited that they would. 65.3 % reported
that they would be willing to pay more for such products,
with most responding: “a little more, yes”, or “but not twice
as much”… 6.35 % were undecisive.
In sum, not many consumers know about or are aware
of bioplastics and their potential. However, the results of
this survey reveal that given the knowledge and the chance,
consumers – at least those we interviewed- would opt for
products using bioplastics and even be willing to pay a small
premium. This indicates an obvious need for comprehensive
end consumer education. Consumer behavior can make
a significant impact on the ways products affect the
environment. Educating consumers about bioplastics offers
a huge opportunity to promote these materials and to effect
positive changes in the shopping choices people make.
female
20-40
years
40-60
years
Do you know what
bioplastics are?
Would you buy?
Would you pay more?
male
YES
12,5%
NO
87,5%
YES
100%
NO
0%
YES
65,63%
NO
28,13%
50%
53,6%
47,62%
46,4%
50%
52,38% 67%
25%
75%
33%
75% 25% 46,4% 53,6% 50% 50% 61,9% 38,1% 67% 33%
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 43

Basics
Frequently
asked
questions
By:
Michael Thielen
One of the most important aims of bioplastics MAGAZINE
is to answer any questions that people may have
about biobased and biodegradable plastics. However,
a number of questions tend to be asked again and again by
newcomers to the field. European Bioplastics has compiled
a comprehensive set of FAQs, which can be found on that
organization’s website. A condensed version of this FAQ
page was also published in bioplastics MAGAZINE, issue
03/2015. Now, however, European Bioplastics is thoroughly
updating its FAQ page, with added information and new
FAQ topics. It will be on their website soon. To keep readers
abreast of these changes, a few of the most noteworthy
are presented here. We have focussed on topics that are
current, hot or that address various misconceptions or
myths. The complete list of FAQs can be found on the FAQ
page on the website of European Bioplastics.
How does European Bioplastics define “bioplastics“?
Bioplastics are biobased, biodegradable, or both.
The term biobased describes the part of a material or
product that is derived from biomass. When making a
biobased claim, the unit (biobased carbon content or
biobased mass content) expressed as a %age and the
method of measurement should be clearly stated.
Biodegradability is an inherent property of certain
polymers that can be suitable for specific applications,
e.g. biowaste bags. Biodegradation is a chemical process
in which materials, with the help of microorganisms,
are metabilised into water, carbon dioxide and biomass.
When materials biodegrade under conditions and within
a timeframe defined by the European standards for
industrial composting EN 13432, they can be certied and
labelled as industrially compostable.
How large is the bioplastics market – currently and in
future? Currently, bioplastics represent about one per
cent of the about 320 million tonnes (Source: Plastics
Europe) of plastic produced annually. But as demand is
rising and with more sophisticated materials, applications,
and products emerging, the market is already growing by
about 20 to 100 % per year. According to the latest market
data compiled by European Bioplastics, global production
capacity of bioplastics is predicted to grow by 50 % in the
medium term, from around 4.2 million tonnes in 2016 to
approximately 6.1 million tonnes in 2021.
Can a sufficient supply of bioplastics be guaranteed? Supply
is well ensured to meet the growing demand in the short
and medium term. However, it is difficult to make long-term
forecasts due to the dynamic and innovative nature of the
bioplastic market. A reliable legislative framework in the EU
would be beneficial to further attract investment and ensure
supply in the long run.
In recent years, numerous joint ventures have been
established. Planned investments in bioplastic production
capacities have been made. Initial facilities producing various
types of bioplastics are operating in Europe, the Americas and
Asia. Additional facilities and biorefineries are currently being
set up in different regions from Italy to Thailand to produce
bioplastics, including starch compounds, PLA, biobased
PBS, biobased PE, or biobased PET. These investments and
scale-ups are reflected in European Bioplastics’ market
data, which show growth in capacity from 4.2 million tonnes
in 2016 to roughly 6.1 million tonnes in 2021.
What are the economic advantages of bioplastics? As
an important part of the bioeconomy, bioplastics are a
future lead market offering job creation, development of
rural areas and global export opportunities for innovative
technologies.
According to a recent job market analysis conducted
by EuropaBio, the European bioplastics industry could
realise a steep employment growth over the next decades.
In 2013, the bioplastics industry accounted for around
23,000 jobs in Europe. With the right framework conditions
in place, this number could increase more than tenfold by
2030, with up to 300,000 high-skilled jobs being created in
the European bioplastics sector.
The European bioeconomy sectors are worth 2 trillion
euros in annual turnover and account for 22 million jobs in
the EU. That is approx. 9 % of the EU’s workforce.
How accepted are bioplastic products by consumers? The
increase in the use of bioplastics is driven by an increasing
demand for sustainable products by consumers due to a
growing awareness of the impact on the environment. To
the environmentally conscious customer, the advantages
of being biobased give bioplastics the competitive
edge to conventional plastics. About 80 % of European
consumers want to buy products with a minimal impact
on the environment (Eurobarometer survey, European
Commission, 2013) and brands and companies turn to
bioplastic solutions to respond to these demands.
What is more, according to the German Agency for
Renewable Resources (FNR) and the Straubing Center
of Science (2009), consumers want to see more products
made from bioplastics on the market. Yet, consumers are
not always very well informed about bioplastics, which
leads to some misunderstandings and wrong expectations
about the nature of bioplastics and poses a challenge
44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Basics
for bioplastics penetrating the consumer market. Joint
efforts by the bioplastics industry and brands to inform
about bioplastic materials and products are however
contributing towards an increased awareness and better
understanding of bioplastics amongst consumers.
Is there a certain percentage threshold value that marks
the minimal biobased carbon content / biobased mass
content in a product/material to be called bioplastic?
There is no common agreement on a minimal value yet
due to varying regional regulations in Europe. In Japan an
industry-wide commitment sets the “biomass margin” at
“25 % renewable material”. According to the USDA Biopreferred
Programme, “the minimum share of renewable
material ranges from 7 to 95 %” depending on defined
product category rules.
Although there is no minimum value, acknowledged
labelling options for biobased plastics are available to
clearly and transparently indicate the biobased content
of a material or product. The certifiers Vinçotte and DIN
CERTCO offer a progressive certification scheme and
according labels based on ISO 16620-2 or the European
standard EN 16640 (or ASTM D 6866), which provide proof
the biobased carbon content of a material or product.
Is there competition between food, feed and bioplastics
regarding agricultural area? The feedstock currently
used for the production of bioplastics relies on only
about 0.01 % of the global agricultural area – compared
to 96 % of the area, which is used for the production of
food and feed. This clearly demonstrates that there is no
competition between food/feed and industrial production.
Of the 13.4 billion hectares of global land surface, around
37 % (5 billion hectares) is currently used for agriculture.
This includes pastures (70 %, approx. 3.5 billion hectares)
and arable land (30 %, approx. 1.4 billion hectares).
This 30 % of arable land is further divided into areas
predominantly used for growing food crops and feed
(26 %, approx. 1.26 billion hectares), as well as crops for
materials (2 %, approx. 106 million hectares, including
the 680,000 hectares used for bioplastics) , and crops for
biofuels (1 %, approx. 53 million hectares).
Moreover, advanced integrated production processes,
for example in biorefineries, are already able to produce
several different kinds of products out of one specific
feedstock – including products for food, feed, and products,
such as bioplastics.
Is the use of non-food feedstock feasible? Yes, to some
extend. Today, bioplastics are predominantly produced
from agro-based feedstock (i.e. plants that are rich in
carbohydrates). At the same time, the bioplastics industry
is investing in research and development to diversify
the availability of biogenic feedstock for the production
of biobased plastics. The industry particularly aims to
further develop fermentation technologies that enable
the utilisation of other ligno-cellulosic feedstock sources,
such as non-food crops or waste from food crops, in the
medium and long term. The production of ligno-cellulosic
sugars and ethanol in particular are regarded as a
promising technological approach.
Does the use of GMO feedstock for the production of
bioplastics, e.g. for packaging applications, have an
impact on human health? If GM crops are used for the
production of biobased plastics, the multiple-stage
processing and high heat used to create the polymer
remove all traces of genetic material. This means that
the final bioplastic product contains no traces of GMO.
Should the bioplastic be used for e.g. food packaging, this
packaging will be well suited for the purpose as it contains
no genetically modified material and cannot interact with
the contents. However most bioplastics in the market are
made from GMO free feedstock.
What is biodegradation? Biodegradation is a chemical
process in which materials are metabolised into CO 2
, water,
and biomass with the help of microorganisms. The process
of biodegradation depends on the conditions (e.g. location,
temperature, humidity, presence of microorganisms, etc.)
of the specific environment (industrial composting plant,
garden compost, soil, water, etc.) and on the material
or application itself. Consequently, the process and its
outcome can vary considerably.
What is the difference between oxo-fragmentable and
biodegradable plastics? The underlying technology
of oxo-degradability or oxo-fragmentation is based on
special additives, which are purported to accelerate the
fragmentation of the film products if incorporated into
standard resins. The resulting fragments remain in the
environment.
Biodegradability is an inherent characteristic of a
material or product. In contrast to oxo-fragmentation,
biodegradation results from the action of naturally
occurring microorganisms. The process produces water,
carbon dioxide and biomass as end products.
Oxo-fragmentable materials cannot biodegrade as
defined in industry accepted standard specifications such
as ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, ASTM, D7081 or EN 13432.
Do bioplastics contaminate mechanical recycling
streams? As with conventional plastics, bioplastics need
to be recycled separately (by stream type).
Bioplastic materials for which a recycling stream already
exists (e.g. biobased PE and biobased PET) can easily be
recycled together with their conventional counterparts.
Other bioplastics for which no separate streams yet exist,
are very unlikely to end up in mechanical recycling streams
due to sophisticated sorting and treatment procedures
(positive selection). PLA can technically be mechanically
recycled.
Info:
The complete set of European Bioplastics’ FAQ can be found
at their website:
http://www.european-bioplastics.org/news/faq/
A pdf-version of the FAQ
can be downloaded from
bioplasticsmagazine.de/201703
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 45

Basics
Glossary 4.2 last update issue 02/2016
In bioplastics MAGAZINE again and again
the same expressions appear that some of our readers
might not (yet) be familiar with. This glossary shall help
with these terms and shall help avoid repeated explanations
such as PLA (Polylactide) in various articles.
Bioplastics (as defined by European Bioplastics
e.V.) is a term used to define two different
kinds of plastics:
a. Plastics based on → renewable resources
(the focus is the origin of the raw material
used). These can be biodegradable or not.
b. → Biodegradable and → compostable
plastics according to EN13432 or similar
standards (the focus is the compostability of
the final product; biodegradable and compostable
plastics can be based on renewable
(biobased) and/or non-renewable (fossil) resources).
Bioplastics may be
- based on renewable resources and biodegradable;
- based on renewable resources but not be
biodegradable; and
- based on fossil resources and biodegradable.
1 st Generation feedstock | Carbohydrate rich
plants such as corn or sugar cane that can
also be used as food or animal feed are called
food crops or 1 st generation feedstock. Bred
my mankind over centuries for highest energy
efficiency, currently, 1 st generation feedstock
is the most efficient feedstock for the production
of bioplastics as it requires the least
amount of land to grow and produce the highest
yields. [bM 04/09]
2 nd Generation feedstock | refers to feedstock
not suitable for food or feed. It can be either
non-food crops (e.g. cellulose) or waste materials
from 1 st generation feedstock (e.g.
waste vegetable oil). [bM 06/11]
3 rd Generation feedstock | This term currently
relates to biomass from algae, which – having
a higher growth yield than 1 st and 2 nd generation
feedstock – were given their own category.
It also relates to bioplastics from waste
streams such as CO 2
or methane [bM 02/16]
Aerobic digestion | Aerobic means in the
presence of oxygen. In →composting, which is
an aerobic process, →microorganisms access
the present oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere.
They metabolize the organic material
to energy, CO 2
, water and cell biomass,
whereby part of the energy of the organic material
is released as heat. [bM 03/07, bM 02/09]
Since this Glossary will not be printed
in each issue you can download a pdf version
from our website (bit.ly/OunBB0)
bioplastics MAGAZINE is grateful to European Bioplastics for the permission to use parts of their Glossary.
Version 4.0 was revised using EuBP’s latest version (Jan 2015).
[*: bM ... refers to more comprehensive article previously published in bioplastics MAGAZINE)
Anaerobic digestion | In anaerobic digestion,
organic matter is degraded by a microbial
population in the absence of oxygen
and producing methane and carbon dioxide
(= →biogas) and a solid residue that can be
composted in a subsequent step without
practically releasing any heat. The biogas can
be treated in a Combined Heat and Power
Plant (CHP), producing electricity and heat, or
can be upgraded to bio-methane [14] [bM 06/09]
Amorphous | non-crystalline, glassy with unordered
lattice
Amylopectin | Polymeric branched starch
molecule with very high molecular weight
(biopolymer, monomer is →Glucose) [bM 05/09]
Amylose | Polymeric non-branched starch
molecule with high molecular weight (biopolymer,
monomer is →Glucose) [bM 05/09]
Biobased | The term biobased describes the
part of a material or product that is stemming
from →biomass. When making a biobasedclaim,
the unit (→biobased carbon content,
→biobased mass content), a percentage and
the measuring method should be clearly stated [1]
Biobased carbon | carbon contained in or
stemming from →biomass. A material or
product made of fossil and →renewable resources
contains fossil and →biobased carbon.
The biobased carbon content is measured via
the 14 C method (radio carbon dating method)
that adheres to the technical specifications as
described in [1,4,5,6].
Biobased labels | The fact that (and to
what percentage) a product or a material is
→biobased can be indicated by respective
labels. Ideally, meaningful labels should be
based on harmonised standards and a corresponding
certification process by independent
third party institutions. For the property
biobased such labels are in place by certifiers
→DIN CERTCO and →Vinçotte who both base
their certifications on the technical specification
as described in [4,5]
A certification and corresponding label depicting
the biobased mass content was developed
by the French Association Chimie du Végétal
[ACDV].
Biobased mass content | describes the
amount of biobased mass contained in a material
or product. This method is complementary
to the 14 C method, and furthermore, takes
other chemical elements besides the biobased
carbon into account, such as oxygen, nitrogen
and hydrogen. A measuring method has
been developed and tested by the Association
Chimie du Végétal (ACDV) [1]
Biobased plastic | A plastic in which constitutional
units are totally or partly from →
biomass [3]. If this claim is used, a percentage
should always be given to which extent
the product/material is → biobased [1]
[bM 01/07, bM 03/10]
Biodegradable Plastics | Biodegradable Plastics
are plastics that are completely assimilated
by the → microorganisms present a defined
environment as food for their energy. The
carbon of the plastic must completely be converted
into CO 2
during the microbial process.
The process of biodegradation depends on
the environmental conditions, which influence
it (e.g. location, temperature, humidity) and
on the material or application itself. Consequently,
the process and its outcome can vary
considerably. Biodegradability is linked to the
structure of the polymer chain; it does not depend
on the origin of the raw materials.
There is currently no single, overarching standard
to back up claims about biodegradability.
One standard for example is ISO or in Europe:
EN 14995 Plastics- Evaluation of compostability
- Test scheme and specifications
[bM 02/06, bM 01/07]
Biogas | → Anaerobic digestion
Biomass | Material of biological origin excluding
material embedded in geological formations
and material transformed to fossilised
material. This includes organic material, e.g.
trees, crops, grasses, tree litter, algae and
waste of biological origin, e.g. manure [1, 2]
Biorefinery | the co-production of a spectrum
of bio-based products (food, feed, materials,
chemicals including monomers or building
blocks for bioplastics) and energy (fuels, power,
heat) from biomass.[bM 02/13]
Blend | Mixture of plastics, polymer alloy of at
least two microscopically dispersed and molecularly
distributed base polymers
Bisphenol-A (BPA) | Monomer used to produce
different polymers. BPA is said to cause
health problems, due to the fact that is behaves
like a hormone. Therefore it is banned
for use in children’s products in many countries.
BPI | Biodegradable Products Institute, a notfor-profit
association. Through their innovative
compostable label program, BPI educates
manufacturers, legislators and consumers
about the importance of scientifically based
standards for compostable materials which
biodegrade in large composting facilities.
Carbon footprint | (CFPs resp. PCFs – Product
Carbon Footprint): Sum of →greenhouse
gas emissions and removals in a product system,
expressed as CO 2
equivalent, and based
on a →life cycle assessment. The CO 2
equivalent
of a specific amount of a greenhouse gas
is calculated as the mass of a given greenhouse
gas multiplied by its →global warmingpotential
[1,2,15]
46 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Basics
Carbon neutral, CO 2
neutral | describes a
product or process that has a negligible impact
on total atmospheric CO 2
levels. For
example, carbon neutrality means that any
CO 2
released when a plant decomposes or
is burnt is offset by an equal amount of CO 2
absorbed by the plant through photosynthesis
when it is growing.
Carbon neutrality can also be achieved
through buying sufficient carbon credits to
make up the difference. The latter option is
not allowed when communicating → LCAs
or carbon footprints regarding a material or
product [1, 2].
Carbon-neutral claims are tricky as products
will not in most cases reach carbon neutrality
if their complete life cycle is taken into consideration
(including the end-of life).
If an assessment of a material, however, is
conducted (cradle to gate), carbon neutrality
might be a valid claim in a B2B context. In this
case, the unit assessed in the complete life
cycle has to be clarified [1]
Cascade use | of →renewable resources means
to first use the →biomass to produce biobased
industrial products and afterwards – due to
their favourable energy balance – use them
for energy generation (e.g. from a biobased
plastic product to →biogas production). The
feedstock is used efficiently and value generation
increases decisively.
Catalyst | substance that enables and accelerates
a chemical reaction
Cellophane | Clear film on the basis of →cellulose
[bM 01/10]
Cellulose | Cellulose is the principal component
of cell walls in all higher forms of plant
life, at varying percentages. It is therefore the
most common organic compound and also
the most common polysaccharide (multisugar)
[11]. Cellulose is a polymeric molecule
with very high molecular weight (monomer is
→Glucose), industrial production from wood
or cotton, to manufacture paper, plastics and
fibres [bM 01/10]
Cellulose ester | Cellulose esters occur by
the esterification of cellulose with organic
acids. The most important cellulose esters
from a technical point of view are cellulose
acetate (CA with acetic acid), cellulose propionate
(CP with propionic acid) and cellulose
butyrate (CB with butanoic acid). Mixed polymerisates,
such as cellulose acetate propionate
(CAP) can also be formed. One of the most
well-known applications of cellulose aceto
butyrate (CAB) is the moulded handle on the
Swiss army knife [11]
Cellulose acetate CA | → Cellulose ester
CEN | Comité Européen de Normalisation
(European organisation for standardization)
Certification | is a process in which materials/products
undergo a string of (laboratory)
tests in order to verify that the fulfil certain
requirements. Sound certification systems
should be based on (ideally harmonised) European
standards or technical specifications
(e.g. by →CEN, USDA, ASTM, etc.) and be
performed by independent third party laboratories.
Successful certification guarantees
a high product safety - also on this basis interconnected
labels can be awarded that help
the consumer to make an informed decision.
Compost | A soil conditioning material of decomposing
organic matter which provides nutrients
and enhances soil structure.
[bM 06/08, 02/09]
Compostable Plastics | Plastics that are
→ biodegradable under →composting conditions:
specified humidity, temperature,
→ microorganisms and timeframe. In order
to make accurate and specific claims about
compostability, the location (home, → industrial)
and timeframe need to be specified [1].
Several national and international standards
exist for clearer definitions, for example EN
14995 Plastics - Evaluation of compostability -
Test scheme and specifications. [bM 02/06, bM 01/07]
Composting | is the controlled →aerobic, or
oxygen-requiring, decomposition of organic
materials by →microorganisms, under controlled
conditions. It reduces the volume and
mass of the raw materials while transforming
them into CO 2
, water and a valuable soil conditioner
– compost.
When talking about composting of bioplastics,
foremost →industrial composting in a
managed composting facility is meant (criteria
defined in EN 13432).
The main difference between industrial and
home composting is, that in industrial composting
facilities temperatures are much
higher and kept stable, whereas in the composting
pile temperatures are usually lower,
and less constant as depending on factors
such as weather conditions. Home composting
is a way slower-paced process than
industrial composting. Also a comparatively
smaller volume of waste is involved. [bM 03/07]
Compound | plastic mixture from different
raw materials (polymer and additives) [bM 04/10)
Copolymer | Plastic composed of different
monomers.
Cradle-to-Gate | Describes the system
boundaries of an environmental →Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA) which covers all activities
from the cradle (i.e., the extraction of raw materials,
agricultural activities and forestry) up
to the factory gate
Cradle-to-Cradle | (sometimes abbreviated
as C2C): Is an expression which communicates
the concept of a closed-cycle economy,
in which waste is used as raw material
(‘waste equals food’). Cradle-to-Cradle is not
a term that is typically used in →LCA studies.
Cradle-to-Grave | Describes the system
boundaries of a full →Life Cycle Assessment
from manufacture (cradle) to use phase and
disposal phase (grave).
Crystalline | Plastic with regularly arranged
molecules in a lattice structure
Density | Quotient from mass and volume of
a material, also referred to as specific weight
DIN | Deutsches Institut für Normung (German
organisation for standardization)
DIN-CERTCO | independant certifying organisation
for the assessment on the conformity
of bioplastics
Dispersing | fine distribution of non-miscible
liquids into a homogeneous, stable mixture
Drop-In bioplastics | chemically indentical
to conventional petroleum based plastics,
but made from renewable resources. Examples
are bio-PE made from bio-ethanol (from
e.g. sugar cane) or partly biobased PET; the
monoethylene glykol made from bio-ethanol
(from e.g. sugar cane). Developments to
make terephthalic acid from renewable resources
are under way. Other examples are
polyamides (partly biobased e.g. PA 4.10 or PA
6.10 or fully biobased like PA 5.10 or PA10.10)
EN 13432 | European standard for the assessment
of the → compostability of plastic
packaging products
Energy recovery | recovery and exploitation
of the energy potential in (plastic) waste for
the production of electricity or heat in waste
incineration pants (waste-to-energy)
Environmental claim | A statement, symbol
or graphic that indicates one or more environmental
aspect(s) of a product, a component,
packaging or a service. [16]
Enzymes | proteins that catalyze chemical
reactions
Enzyme-mediated plastics | are no →bioplastics.
Instead, a conventional non-biodegradable
plastic (e.g. fossil-based PE) is enriched
with small amounts of an organic additive.
Microorganisms are supposed to consume
these additives and the degradation process
should then expand to the non-biodegradable
PE and thus make the material degrade. After
some time the plastic is supposed to visually
disappear and to be completely converted to
carbon dioxide and water. This is a theoretical
concept which has not been backed up by
any verifiable proof so far. Producers promote
enzyme-mediated plastics as a solution to littering.
As no proof for the degradation process
has been provided, environmental beneficial
effects are highly questionable.
Ethylene | colour- and odourless gas, made
e.g. from, Naphtha (petroleum) by cracking or
from bio-ethanol by dehydration, monomer of
the polymer polyethylene (PE)
European Bioplastics e.V. | The industry association
representing the interests of Europe’s
thriving bioplastics’ industry. Founded
in Germany in 1993 as IBAW, European
Bioplastics today represents the interests
of about 50 member companies throughout
the European Union and worldwide. With
members from the agricultural feedstock,
chemical and plastics industries, as well as
industrial users and recycling companies, European
Bioplastics serves as both a contact
platform and catalyst for advancing the aims
of the growing bioplastics industry.
Extrusion | process used to create plastic
profiles (or sheet) of a fixed cross-section
consisting of mixing, melting, homogenising
and shaping of the plastic.
FDCA | 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, an intermediate
chemical produced from 5-HMF.
The dicarboxylic acid can be used to make →
PEF = polyethylene furanoate, a polyester that
could be a 100% biobased alternative to PET.
Fermentation | Biochemical reactions controlled
by → microorganisms or → enyzmes (e.g.
the transformation of sugar into lactic acid).
FSC | Forest Stewardship Council. FSC is an
independent, non-governmental, not-forprofit
organization established to promote the
responsible and sustainable management of
the world’s forests.
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 47

Basics
Gelatine | Translucent brittle solid substance,
colorless or slightly yellow, nearly tasteless
and odorless, extracted from the collagen inside
animals‘ connective tissue.
Genetically modified organism (GMO) | Organisms,
such as plants and animals, whose
genetic material (DNA) has been altered
are called genetically modified organisms
(GMOs). Food and feed which contain or
consist of such GMOs, or are produced from
GMOs, are called genetically modified (GM)
food or feed [1]. If GM crops are used in bioplastics
production, the multiple-stage processing
and the high heat used to create the
polymer removes all traces of genetic material.
This means that the final bioplastics product
contains no genetic traces. The resulting
bioplastics is therefore well suited to use in
food packaging as it contains no genetically
modified material and cannot interact with
the contents.
Global Warming | Global warming is the rise
in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere
and oceans since the late 19th century
and its projected continuation [8]. Global
warming is said to be accelerated by → green
house gases.
Glucose | Monosaccharide (or simple sugar).
G. is the most important carbohydrate (sugar)
in biology. G. is formed by photosynthesis or
hydrolyse of many carbohydrates e. g. starch.
Greenhouse gas GHG | Gaseous constituent
of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic,
that absorbs and emits radiation at
specific wavelengths within the spectrum of
infrared radiation emitted by the earth’s surface,
the atmosphere, and clouds [1, 9]
Greenwashing | The act of misleading consumers
regarding the environmental practices
of a company, or the environmental benefits
of a product or service [1, 10]
Granulate, granules | small plastic particles
(3-4 millimetres), a form in which plastic is
sold and fed into machines, easy to handle
and dose.
HMF (5-HMF) | 5-hydroxymethylfurfural is an
organic compound derived from sugar dehydration.
It is a platform chemical, a building
block for 20 performance polymers and over
175 different chemical substances. The molecule
consists of a furan ring which contains
both aldehyde and alcohol functional groups.
5-HMF has applications in many different
industries such as bioplastics, packaging,
pharmaceuticals, adhesives and chemicals.
One of the most promising routes is 2,5
furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), produced as an
intermediate when 5-HMF is oxidised. FDCA
is used to produce PEF, which can substitute
terephthalic acid in polyester, especially polyethylene
terephthalate (PET). [bM 03/14, 02/16]
Home composting | →composting [bM 06/08]
Humus | In agriculture, humus is often used
simply to mean mature →compost, or natural
compost extracted from a forest or other
spontaneous source for use to amend soil.
Hydrophilic | Property: water-friendly, soluble
in water or other polar solvents (e.g. used
in conjunction with a plastic which is not water
resistant and weather proof or that absorbs
water such as Polyamide (PA).
Hydrophobic | Property: water-resistant, not
soluble in water (e.g. a plastic which is water
resistant and weather proof, or that does not
absorb any water such as Polyethylene (PE)
or Polypropylene (PP).
Industrial composting | is an established
process with commonly agreed upon requirements
(e.g. temperature, timeframe) for transforming
biodegradable waste into stable, sanitised
products to be used in agriculture. The
criteria for industrial compostability of packaging
have been defined in the EN 13432. Materials
and products complying with this standard
can be certified and subsequently labelled
accordingly [1,7] [bM 06/08, 02/09]
ISO | International Organization for Standardization
JBPA | Japan Bioplastics Association
Land use | The surface required to grow sufficient
feedstock (land use) for today’s bioplastic
production is less than 0.01 percent of the
global agricultural area of 5 billion hectares.
It is not yet foreseeable to what extent an increased
use of food residues, non-food crops
or cellulosic biomass (see also →1 st /2 nd /3 rd
generation feedstock) in bioplastics production
might lead to an even further reduced
land use in the future [bM 04/09, 01/14]
LCA | is the compilation and evaluation of the
input, output and the potential environmental
impact of a product system throughout its life
cycle [17]. It is sometimes also referred to as
life cycle analysis, ecobalance or cradle-tograve
analysis. [bM 01/09]
Littering | is the (illegal) act of leaving waste
such as cigarette butts, paper, tins, bottles,
cups, plates, cutlery or bags lying in an open
or public place.
Marine litter | Following the European Commission’s
definition, “marine litter consists of
items that have been deliberately discarded,
unintentionally lost, or transported by winds
and rivers, into the sea and on beaches. It
mainly consists of plastics, wood, metals,
glass, rubber, clothing and paper”. Marine
debris originates from a variety of sources.
Shipping and fishing activities are the predominant
sea-based, ineffectively managed
landfills as well as public littering the main
land-based sources. Marine litter can pose a
threat to living organisms, especially due to
ingestion or entanglement.
Currently, there is no international standard
available, which appropriately describes the
biodegradation of plastics in the marine environment.
However, a number of standardisation
projects are in progress at ISO and ASTM
level. Furthermore, the European project
OPEN BIO addresses the marine biodegradation
of biobased products.[bM 02/16]
Mass balance | describes the relationship between
input and output of a specific substance
within a system in which the output from the
system cannot exceed the input into the system.
First attempts were made by plastic raw material
producers to claim their products renewable
(plastics) based on a certain input
of biomass in a huge and complex chemical
plant, then mathematically allocating this
biomass input to the produced plastic.
These approaches are at least controversially
disputed [bM 04/14, 05/14, 01/15]
Microorganism | Living organisms of microscopic
size, such as bacteria, funghi or yeast.
Molecule | group of at least two atoms held
together by covalent chemical bonds.
Monomer | molecules that are linked by polymerization
to form chains of molecules and
then plastics
Mulch film | Foil to cover bottom of farmland
Organic recycling | means the treatment of
separately collected organic waste by anaerobic
digestion and/or composting.
Oxo-degradable / Oxo-fragmentable | materials
and products that do not biodegrade!
The underlying technology of oxo-degradability
or oxo-fragmentation is based on special additives,
which, if incorporated into standard
resins, are purported to accelerate the fragmentation
of products made thereof. Oxodegradable
or oxo-fragmentable materials do
not meet accepted industry standards on compostability
such as EN 13432. [bM 01/09, 05/09]
PBAT | Polybutylene adipate terephthalate, is
an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester that has the
properties of conventional polyethylene but is
fully biodegradable under industrial composting.
PBAT is made from fossil petroleum with
first attempts being made to produce it partly
from renewable resources [bM 06/09]
PBS | Polybutylene succinate, a 100% biodegradable
polymer, made from (e.g. bio-BDO)
and succinic acid, which can also be produced
biobased [bM 03/12].
PC | Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester,
petroleum based and not degradable, used
for e.g. baby bottles or CDs. Criticized for its
BPA (→ Bisphenol-A) content.
PCL | Polycaprolactone, a synthetic (fossil
based), biodegradable bioplastic, e.g. used as
a blend component.
PE | Polyethylene, thermoplastic polymerised
from ethylene. Can be made from renewable
resources (sugar cane via bio-ethanol) [bM 05/10]
PEF | polyethylene furanoate, a polyester
made from monoethylene glycol (MEG) and
→FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid , an intermediate
chemical produced from 5-HMF). It
can be a 100% biobased alternative for PET.
PEF also has improved product characteristics,
such as better structural strength and
improved barrier behaviour, which will allow
for the use of PEF bottles in additional applications.
[bM 03/11, 04/12]
PET | Polyethylenterephthalate, transparent
polyester used for bottles and film. The
polyester is made from monoethylene glycol
(MEG), that can be renewably sourced from
bio-ethanol (sugar cane) and (until now fossil)
terephthalic acid [bM 04/14]
PGA | Polyglycolic acid or Polyglycolide is a biodegradable,
thermoplastic polymer and the
simplest linear, aliphatic polyester. Besides
ist use in the biomedical field, PGA has been
introduced as a barrier resin [bM 03/09]
PHA | Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or the
polyhydroxy fatty acids, are a family of biodegradable
polyesters. As in many mammals,
including humans, that hold energy reserves
in the form of body fat there are also bacteria
that hold intracellular reserves in for of
of polyhydroxy alkanoates. Here the microorganisms
store a particularly high level of
48 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Basics
energy reserves (up to 80% of their own body
weight) for when their sources of nutrition become
scarce. By farming this type of bacteria,
and feeding them on sugar or starch (mostly
from maize), or at times on plant oils or other
nutrients rich in carbonates, it is possible to
obtain PHA‘s on an industrial scale [11]. The
most common types of PHA are PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate,
PHBV and PHBH. Depending
on the bacteria and their food, PHAs with
different mechanical properties, from rubbery
soft trough stiff and hard as ABS, can be produced.
Some PHSs are even biodegradable in
soil or in a marine environment
PLA | Polylactide or Polylactic Acid (PLA), a
biodegradable, thermoplastic, linear aliphatic
polyester based on lactic acid, a natural acid,
is mainly produced by fermentation of sugar
or starch with the help of micro-organisms.
Lactic acid comes in two isomer forms, i.e. as
laevorotatory D(-)lactic acid and as dextrorotary
L(+)lactic acid.
Modified PLA types can be produced by the
use of the right additives or by certain combinations
of L- and D- lactides (stereocomplexing),
which then have the required rigidity for
use at higher temperatures [13] [bM 01/09, 01/12]
Plastics | Materials with large molecular
chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced
by chemical or biochemical reactions.
PPC | Polypropylene Carbonate, a bioplastic
made by copolymerizing CO 2
with propylene
oxide (PO) [bM 04/12]
PTT | Polytrimethylterephthalate (PTT), partially
biobased polyester, is similarly to PET
produced using terephthalic acid or dimethyl
terephthalate and a diol. In this case it is a
biobased 1,3 propanediol, also known as bio-
PDO [bM 01/13]
Renewable Resources | agricultural raw materials,
which are not used as food or feed,
but as raw material for industrial products
or to generate energy. The use of renewable
resources by industry saves fossil resources
and reduces the amount of → greenhouse gas
emissions. Biobased plastics are predominantly
made of annual crops such as corn,
cereals and sugar beets or perennial cultures
such as cassava and sugar cane.
Resource efficiency | Use of limited natural
resources in a sustainable way while minimising
impacts on the environment. A resource
efficient economy creates more output
or value with lesser input.
Seedling Logo | The compostability label or
logo Seedling is connected to the standard
EN 13432/EN 14995 and a certification process
managed by the independent institutions
→DIN CERTCO and → Vinçotte. Bioplastics
products carrying the Seedling fulfil the
criteria laid down in the EN 13432 regarding
industrial compostability. [bM 01/06, 02/10]
Saccharins or carbohydrates | Saccharins or
carbohydrates are name for the sugar-family.
Saccharins are monomer or polymer sugar
units. For example, there are known mono-,
di- and polysaccharose. → glucose is a monosaccarin.
They are important for the diet and
produced biology in plants.
Semi-finished products | plastic in form of
sheet, film, rods or the like to be further processed
into finshed products
Sorbitol | Sugar alcohol, obtained by reduction
of glucose changing the aldehyde group
to an additional hydroxyl group. S. is used as
a plasticiser for bioplastics based on starch.
Starch | Natural polymer (carbohydrate)
consisting of → amylose and → amylopectin,
gained from maize, potatoes, wheat, tapioca
etc. When glucose is connected to polymerchains
in definite way the result (product) is
called starch. Each molecule is based on 300
-12000-glucose units. Depending on the connection,
there are two types → amylose and →
amylopectin known. [bM 05/09]
Starch derivatives | Starch derivatives are
based on the chemical structure of → starch.
The chemical structure can be changed by
introducing new functional groups without
changing the → starch polymer. The product
has different chemical qualities. Mostly the
hydrophilic character is not the same.
Starch-ester | One characteristic of every
starch-chain is a free hydroxyl group. When
every hydroxyl group is connected with an
acid one product is starch-ester with different
chemical properties.
Starch propionate and starch butyrate |
Starch propionate and starch butyrate can be
synthesised by treating the → starch with propane
or butanic acid. The product structure
is still based on → starch. Every based → glucose
fragment is connected with a propionate
or butyrate ester group. The product is more
hydrophobic than → starch.
Sustainable | An attempt to provide the best
outcomes for the human and natural environments
both now and into the indefinite future.
One famous definition of sustainability is the
one created by the Brundtland Commission,
led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister
G. H. Brundtland. The Brundtland Commission
defined sustainable development as
development that ‘meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.’
Sustainability relates to the continuity of economic,
social, institutional and environmental
aspects of human society, as well as the nonhuman
environment).
Sustainable sourcing | of renewable feedstock
for biobased plastics is a prerequisite
for more sustainable products. Impacts such
as the deforestation of protected habitats
or social and environmental damage arising
from poor agricultural practices must
be avoided. Corresponding certification
schemes, such as ISCC PLUS, WLC or Bon-
Sucro, are an appropriate tool to ensure the
sustainable sourcing of biomass for all applications
around the globe.
Sustainability | as defined by European Bioplastics,
has three dimensions: economic, social
and environmental. This has been known
as “the triple bottom line of sustainability”.
This means that sustainable development involves
the simultaneous pursuit of economic
prosperity, environmental protection and social
equity. In other words, businesses have
to expand their responsibility to include these
environmental and social dimensions. Sustainability
is about making products useful to
markets and, at the same time, having societal
benefits and lower environmental impact
than the alternatives currently available. It also
implies a commitment to continuous improvement
that should result in a further reduction
of the environmental footprint of today’s products,
processes and raw materials used.
Thermoplastics | Plastics which soften or
melt when heated and solidify when cooled
(solid at room temperature).
Thermoplastic Starch | (TPS) → starch that
was modified (cooked, complexed) to make it
a plastic resin
Thermoset | Plastics (resins) which do not
soften or melt when heated. Examples are
epoxy resins or unsaturated polyester resins.
Vinçotte | independant certifying organisation
for the assessment on the conformity of bioplastics
WPC | Wood Plastic Composite. Composite
materials made of wood fiber/flour and plastics
(mostly polypropylene).
Yard Waste | Grass clippings, leaves, trimmings,
garden residue.
References:
[1] Environmental Communication Guide,
European Bioplastics, Berlin, Germany,
2012
[2] ISO 14067. Carbon footprint of products -
Requirements and guidelines for quantification
and communication
[3] CEN TR 15932, Plastics - Recommendation
for terminology and characterisation
of biopolymers and bioplastics, 2010
[4] CEN/TS 16137, Plastics - Determination
of bio-based carbon content, 2011
[5] ASTM D6866, Standard Test Methods for
Determining the Biobased Content of
Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using
Radiocarbon Analysis
[6] SPI: Understanding Biobased Carbon
Content, 2012
[7] EN 13432, Requirements for packaging
recoverable through composting and biodegradation.
Test scheme and evaluation
criteria for the final acceptance of packaging,
2000
[8] Wikipedia
[9] ISO 14064 Greenhouse gases -- Part 1:
Specification with guidance..., 2006
[10] Terrachoice, 2010, www.terrachoice.com
[11] Thielen, M.: Bioplastics: Basics. Applications.
Markets, Polymedia Publisher,
2012
[12] Lörcks, J.: Biokunststoffe, Broschüre der
FNR, 2005
[13] de Vos, S.: Improving heat-resistance of
PLA using poly(D-lactide),
bioplastics MAGAZINE, Vol. 3, Issue 02/2008
[14] de Wilde, B.: Anaerobic Digestion, bioplastics
MAGAZINE, Vol 4., Issue 06/2009
[15] ISO 14067 onb Corbon Footprint of
Products
[16] ISO 14021 on Self-declared Environmental
claims
[17] ISO 14044 on Life Cycle Assessment
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 49

Suppliers Guide
1. Raw Materials
AGRANA Starch
Bioplastics
Conrathstraße 7
A-3950 Gmuend, Austria
technical.starch@agrana.com
www.agrana.com
Jincheng, Lin‘an, Hangzhou,
Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China
China contact: Grace Jin
mobile: 0086 135 7578 9843
Grace@xinfupharm.comEurope
contact(Belgium): Susan Zhang
mobile: 0032 478 991619
zxh0612@hotmail.com
www.xinfupharm.com
1.1 bio based monomers
Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd.
No.33 Kefeng Rd, Sc. City, Guangzhou
Hi-Tech Ind. Development Zone,
Guangdong, P.R. China. 510663
Tel: +86 (0)20 6622 1696
info@ecopond.com.cn
www.ecopond.com.cn
FLEX-162 Biodeg. Blown Film Resin!
Bio-873 4-Star Inj. Bio-Based Resin!
Simply contact:
Tel.: +49 2161 6884467
suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com
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BASF SE
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Tel: +49 621 60-9995
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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
Corbion Purac
Arkelsedijk 46, P.O. Box 21
4200 AA Gorinchem -
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)183 695 695
Fax: +31 (0)183 695 604
www.corbion.com/bioplastics
bioplastics@corbion.com
62 136 Lestrem, France
Tel.: + 33 (0) 3 21 63 36 00
www.roquette-performance-plastics.com
1.2 compounds
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
39 mm
Polymedia Publisher GmbH
Dammer Str. 112
41066 Mönchengladbach
Germany
Tel. +49 2161 664864
Fax +49 2161 631045
info@bioplasticsmagazine.com
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
DuPont de Nemours International S.A.
2 chemin du Pavillon
1218 - Le Grand Saconnex
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 22 171 51 11
Fax: +41 22 580 22 45
www.renewable.dupont.com
www.plastics.dupont.com
API S.p.A.
Via Dante Alighieri, 27
36065 Mussolente (VI), Italy
Telephone +39 0424 579711
www.apiplastic.com
www.apinatbio.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
Sample Charge:
39mm x 6,00 €
= 234,00 € per entry/per issue
Sample Charge for one year:
6 issues x 234,00 EUR = 1,404.00 €
The entry in our Suppliers Guide is
bookable for one year (6 issues) and
extends automatically if it’s not canceled
three month before expiry.
Tel: +86 351-8689356
Fax: +86 351-8689718
www.jinhuizhaolong.com
ecoworldsales@jinhuigroup.com
BIO-FED
Branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH
BioCampus Cologne
Nattermannallee 1
50829 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49 221 88 88 94-00
info@bio-fed.com
www.bio-fed.com
NUREL Engineering Polymers
Ctra. Barcelona, km 329
50016 Zaragoza, Spain
Tel: +34 976 465 579
inzea@samca.com
www.inzea-biopolymers.com
www.facebook.com
www.issuu.com
www.twitter.com
www.youtube.com
Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe
Polyester Co., Ltd.
No. 316, South Beijing Rd. Changji,
Xinjiang, 831100, P.R.China
Tel.: +86 994 2713175
Mob: +86 13905253382
lilong_tunhe@163.com
www.lanshantunhe.com
PBAT & PBS resin supplier
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
Sukano AG
Chaltenbodenstraße 23
CH-8834 Schindellegi
Tel. +41 44 787 57 77
Fax +41 44 787 57 78
www.sukano.com
50 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

Suppliers Guide
1.6 masterbatches
TECNARO GmbH
Bustadt 40
D-74360 Ilsfeld. Germany
Tel: +49 (0)7062/97687-0
www.tecnaro.de
1.3 PLA
JIANGSU SUPLA BIOPLASTICS CO., LTD.
Tel: +86 527 88278888
WeChat: supla-168
supla@supla-bioplastics.cn
www.supla-bioplastics.cn
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
GRAFE-Group
Waldecker Straße 21,
99444 Blankenhain, Germany
Tel. +49 36459 45 0
www.grafe.com
2. Additives/Secondary raw materials
GRAFE-Group
Waldecker Straße 21,
99444 Blankenhain, Germany
Tel. +49 36459 45 0
www.grafe.com
3. Semi finished products
3.1 films
GRANCH BIOPACK CO., LTD
Huanggang, Hubei, China
Tel: +86-(0)713-4253230
Robin.li@salesgh.com
http://xsguancheng.en.alibaba.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
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
MODA: Biodegradability Analyzer
SAIDA FDS INC.
143-10 Isshiki, Yaizu,
Shizuoka,Japan
Tel:+81-54-624-6260
Info2@moda.vg
www.saidagroup.jp
7. Plant engineering
1.4 starch-based bioplastics
BIOTEC
Biologische Naturverpackungen
Werner-Heisenberg-Strasse 32
46446 Emmerich/Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 2822 – 92510
info@biotec.de
www.biotec.de
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
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
Infiana Germany GmbH & Co. KG
Zweibrückenstraße 15-25
91301 Forchheim
Tel. +49-9191 81-0
Fax +49-9191 81-212
www.infiana.com
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
4. Bioplastics products
Bio4Pack GmbH
D-48419 Rheine, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 5975 955 94 57
info@bio4pack.com
www.bio4pack.com
BeoPlast Besgen GmbH
Bioplastics injection moulding
Industriestraße 64
D-40764 Langenfeld, Germany
Tel. +49 2173 84840-0
info@beoplast.de
www.beoplast.de
Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies
4201 Woodland Road
Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA
Tel. +1 763.404.8700
Fax +1 763.225.6645
info@natur-tec.com
www.natur-tec.com
NOVAMONT S.p.A.
Via Fauser , 8
28100 Novara - ITALIA
Fax +39.0321.699.601
Tel. +39.0321.699.611
www.novamont.com
President Packaging Ind., Corp.
PLA Paper Hot Cup manufacture
In Taiwan, www.ppi.com.tw
Tel.: +886-6-570-4066 ext.5531
Fax: +886-6-570-4077
sales@ppi.com.tw
6. Equipment
6.1 Machinery & Molds
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
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
9. Services
Osterfelder Str. 3
46047 Oberhausen
Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227
Fax: +49 (0)208 8598 1424
thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de
www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de
Institut für Kunststofftechnik
Universität Stuttgart
Böblinger Straße 70
70199 Stuttgart
Tel +49 711/685-62814
Linda.Goebel@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de
www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de
narocon
Dr. Harald Kaeb
Tel.: +49 30-28096930
kaeb@narocon.de
www.narocon.de
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12 51

Suppliers Guide
www.pu-magazine.com
K2016, hall 15,
booth B27 / C 2 4 / C 27 / D2 4
Engineering Passion
05/2016 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
www.kraussmaffei.com/experts
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Automoti
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ussMaffei expert for lightw
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construction/composites
www.pu-magazin.de
04/2016 Oktober
Machines, plants & technologies for highly efficient polyurethane processing
>> METERING MACHINES
>> SANDWICH PANEL LINES
>> MOULDED FOAM LINES
>> SLABSTOCK LINES
>> COMPOSITES & ADVANCED APPLICATIONS
>> TECHNICAL INSULATION LINES
>> 360˚ SERVICE
K 2016 / Düsseldorf
19.10. - 26.10.2016, Hall 13, Stand B63
www.hennecke.com
69. Jahrgang, November 2016
We focus on solving your individual problems
and develop products which will significantly
improve your processing.
Innovative design, constant quality and maximum
consistency – that is what we provide.
Kettlitz-Chemie GmbH & Co. KG
Industriestraße 6, 86643 Rennertshofen (Germany)
Phone +49 8434 9402-0, Fax +49 8434 9402-38
info@kettlitz.com, www.kettlitz.com
Plasticizers, Processing Aids
Activators, Silanes
Desiccants, Antitack Agents
Heat Transfer Fluids
Volume 11, November 2016
tpe-e modification
hard-soft composites
new styrene-ethylene copolymer
low-density tpu foam
polytriazines as fire/flame retardant synergists
TPE-TPO
TPE-TPO
Volume 8, November 2016
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
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
10.3 Other Institutions
Simply contact:
Tel.: +49 2161 6884467
suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com
Stay permanently listed in the
Suppliers Guide with your company
logo and contact information.
For only 6,– EUR per mm, per issue you
can be present among top suppliers in
the field of bioplastics.
For Example:
Bioplastics Consulting
Tel. +49 2161 664864
info@polymediaconsult.com
10. Institutions
10.1 Associations
BPI - The Biodegradable
Products Institute
331 West 57th Street, Suite 415
New York, NY 10019, USA
Tel. +1-888-274-5646
info@bpiworld.org
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/
Green Serendipity
Caroli Buitenhuis
IJburglaan 836
1087 EM Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 6-24216733
www.greenseredipity.nl
Polymedia Publisher GmbH
Dammer Str. 112
41066 Mönchengladbach
Germany
Tel. +49 2161 664864
Fax +49 2161 631045
info@bioplasticsmagazine.com
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Sample Charge:
39mm x 6,00 €
= 234,00 € per entry/per issue
Sample Charge for one year:
6 issues x 234,00 EUR = 1,404.00 €
The entry in our Suppliers Guide is
bookable for one year (6 issues) and
extends automatically if it’s not canceled
three month before expiry.
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Companies in this issue
Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert
A.J. Plast 19
Acciona Constuctión 27
AF Colors 35
Agrana 50
Aimplas 34
Aitiip 27
Akro Plastic 15, 35
Anhui Junei Biotechnology 18
API Applicazioni Plastiche Industriali 50
Archer Daniels Midland 34
Arkema 34
Avantium 5
AVK 11
B4plastics 25
BASF 5, 13, 22 50
Bavarian Min. Env. Cons. Prot. 28
Bcomp 10
Be-O 24
Beoplast 51
Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant 34
Bio4Pack 38 51
Bio-Fed Branch of Akro-Plastic 15, 35 50
Bio-Lutions 8
Bio-On 10, 37
Biopolis 34
Biosolutions 22, 23
Biotec 13 51
Biotrend 34
Bollore 35
BPI 52
Braskem 13, 24, 35
Buss 29, 52
Cargill 27
Celabor 27
Centro Nac. de Tecn. y Seg. Alim. 37
Centro Ricerche Fiat 27
Chimigraf Iberica 37
Coexpan 19
Constantia Flexibles Intern. 16
Cooper Tire 9
Cortec Corporation 32
Danmark Tekniske Univ. 37
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet 34
Daren Labor. & Scient. Consultants 34
Dr. Heinz Gupta Verlag 52
DuPont Performance Materials 50
DuPont Tate & Lyle 25
Eastman Chemical Company 14
Ecopoly 18
Erema 51
Etimex 17
European Bioplastics 5, 11, 12, 13, 44 52
European PET Bottle Platform 5
Feocam 27
Firstpak Packaging 18
FKuR 10 2, 50
FNR 10, 13, 36, 42
Ford Motor Company 10
Fraunhofer IVV 36
Fraunhofer UMSICHT 51
Futamura 13, 36
FZ Organic Food 38
Global Biopolymers 50
GRABIO Greentech Corporation 51
Grafe 50, 51
Granch Biopack 51
Green Day 18
Green Dot Bioplastics 50
Green Serendipity 13 52
Hallink 51
Hexpol TPE 9 27
ICEE Containers 19
Icimendue 37
IFEU 36
Infiana Germany 51
InfraServ 8
Innovaco i Recerca Ind. i Sostenible 34
Inst. F. Bioplastics & Biocomposites 42 52
Ircelyon 34
ISAP Packaging 17
Jiangsu Science & Tech. Univ. 18
Jinhui Zhaolong 22 50
Kingfa 22 50
K-Profi 11
KTH 27
Kuraray 19
K-Zeitung 11, 13
Mars 17
M-Base 42
Metalvotot 16
Michigan State University 40 52
Mine Plastik 34
Minima Technology 51
Mondi 17
narocon InnovationConsulting 36 51
NASA 7
NatureWorks 13, 16, 17
Natur-Tec 17 51
Ningbo Futur Intern. 18
NNFCC 34
nova-Institute 8 33, 38, 52
Novamont 6 51
Nurel 27 50
Nutrimar 34
Paptic 8
Phytowelt Green Technologies 9
Plantic 19
Plastic Suppliers 17
plasticker 11, 13 9
Plastiroll 20
Pokon 24
Politecnico di Torino 34
polymediaconsult 52
President Packaging 51
PTT MCC Biochem 50
Reebok 25
Reed Exhibitions 10 21
Renault 10
Rennovia 34
Rodenburg 17
Roquette 50
Saida 51
See Box Corporation 16
Sidaplax 17
Sintef Materials & Chemistry 34
Sintef Ocean 34
Skipping Rocks Lab 26
Sogreen 22
Stanford University 7
Sukano 47, 54
Sukano 33 50
Sulapac 26
Supla 51
Supreme Silicones 31
Sustainability Consult 13
Sustainable Packaging Coalition 13
Swami Ramanand Univ 31
Synvina 5
Taghleef 17
Tampere Univ. of Tech. 37
Tech. Univ. Munich 28
Technopackaging 27
Tecnaro 51
Tecnoalimenti 37
TianAn Biopolymer 51
Tipa 51
Total Corbion PLA 26, 33, 12, 13 51
Trideus 25
United Biopolymers 20
Univ. Alicante 27
Univ. Bayreuth 28
Univ. Hannover 42
Univ. of Perugio 27
Univ. Stuttgart (IKT) 51
VTT Technical Research Center 8
Wageningen Food & Biobased 6
Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe Polyester 22 50
Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical 50
Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials 22 7, 51
Issue
Editorial Planner
Month
04/2017 Jul
Aug
05/2017 Sep
Oct
06/2017 Nov
Dec
Publ.
Date
edit/ad/
Deadline
2017
Edit. Focus 1 Edit. Focus 2 Edit. Focus 3 Basics
07 Aug 17 07 Jul 17 Blow Moulding Biocomposites
incl. Thermoset
02 Oct 17 01 Sep 17 Fiber / Textile /
Nonwoven
04 Dec 17 03 Nov 17 Films/Flexibles/
Bags
Beauty &
Healthcare
Polyurethanes/
Elastomers/
Rubber
Scandinavia
Special
North America
Special
Italy/France
Special
"biobased" - standards
and certification
(C14; mass balance)
Land use for bioplastics
(update)
Blown film extrusion
Trade-Fair
Specials
Composites
Europe
Preview
Subject to changes
54 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/17] Vol. 12

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