Issue 01/2017

Material-News
New biodegradable plastic
for horticultural applications
Green Dot Bioplastics (Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, USA) has developed a new biodegradable biocomposite for horticultural
applications made from reclaimed biobased feedstocks.
What is more symbolic of sustainability than nurturing a healthy garden? Greenhouses and gardeners can now lessen the
environmental impact of plastic pots with a new high-performing biodegradable plastic from Green Dot Bioplastics.
Made from 80 % reclaimed and 80 % biobased material, Terratek ® BD2114 from Green Dot Bioplastics is a renewable and
biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic pots. Reclaimed plant fibers serve as a visual reminder that this planter will safely
return to nature once its useful life has ended. Biodegradation rates will vary according to environment and part size.
Using biodegradable plantable pots made with Terratek BD2114 can reduce greenhouse water consumption by more than 80 %.
Current compostable planters are most often made from paper, peat or cardboard. These absorbent materials allow water to quickly
evaporate from potting soil, requiring growers to water plants more often. Terratek BD2114 does not absorb water, retaining moisture
in the potting soil.
Plantable pots made with Terratek BD2114 also provide advantages for retailers. The biocomposite plastic is more durable and has
a longer shelf life compared to traditional biodegradable pots. The plastic can be easily colored to enhance product differentiation.
Green Dot Bioplastics CEO, Mark Remmert explained, “Our new Terratek biodegradable biocomposite offers unique functional and
aesthetic attributes with a lighter environmental footprint compared to horticulture containers currently in use.”
Terratek BD2114 from Green Dot is an ideal material to make plantable pots or tree and shrub containers more sustainable. The
company can provide custom formulations of biobased and biodegradable materials to fit all types of horticultural applications. MT
www.GreenDotBioplastics.com
AVALON Industries takes over all biobased
chemistry activities from AVA-CO2
AVALON Industries AG, the new entity of Swiss-based company AVA-CO2 Schweiz AG, announced in mid-December it is
taking over all biobased chemistry activities from AVA-CO2 with immediate effect.
In response to rapid application developments relating to biobased chemical 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and following
increased 5-HMF demand from value chain partners, Avalon Industries was created to take advantage of new market
opportunities and to prepare for future large-scale production in order to meet the huge demand of the rapidly growing market
for biobased chemicals – specifically in the areas of bioplastics as well as biobased resins and adhesives. A subsidiary of AVA-
CO2, Avalon Industries is taking over all operational activities from AVA-CO2 and will focus on the global implementation of
the Hydrothermal Processing (HTP) technology for the industrial-scale production of 5-HMF. This technology was successfully
developed and patented by AVA-CO2 over the last seven years.
AVA Biochem BSL AG, the operator of the ‘Biochem-1’ production plant in Muttenz, Switzerland, becomes an Avalon Industries
subsidiary and will continue to focus on 5-HMF production for the fine chemicals market. With this Avalon Industries is now
taking control of the existing 5-HMF production capacity, as well as the expertise and know-how related to the proprietary HTP
technology. In this constellation, Avalon Industries is fully equipped for the future successful, commercial, industrial-scale
implementation of 5-HMF production.
“We are excited about this new development, which brings us closer towards the large-scale commercialisation of 5-HMF
and its downstream applications such as 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF) as well as non-toxic,
biobased resins and adhesives,” a spokesperson of Avalon mentioned in a press release. MT
www.avalon-industries.com
20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/17] Vol. 12