Issue 04/2023

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
3
dear
readers
Assuming this isn’t your first-time reading bioplastics MAGAZINE, you will have
noticed that this issue looks a little different (if it is your first – odd choice, but
welcome!). If the big golden “100” isn’t enough of a hint, I will gladly (but briefly)
explain it as it represents a milestone that fills me with pride and gratitude in
equal parts. bioplastics MAGAZINE has reached 100 issues! To celebrate this
achievement, we decided to make this issue exceptional. Next to a “Best
of bioplastics”, starting at the centre of the issue where we look back over
almost 18 years of content, we also have a bioplastics MAGAZINE first on
pp. 20 where our Head of Design (the handsome gentleman on the left side
of the cover), who tends to stay in the background, grabs the spotlight in a
somewhat different cover story.
On the next page, you will also find a brief explanation about our
rebranding and new title “Renewable Carbon Plastics”, which is a different
milestone in its own right.
As you can see, a lot is happening behind the scenes of Renewable Carbon
Plastics aka bioplastics MAGAZINE. We also have a brand new online archive
that is more intuitive and user-friendly – more details will follow soon.
Last but certainly not least – 100 issues do not just happen, and while I
am “only” officially working for the magazine for three years now as this
is a family business, my involvement goes back much further and some of
you have known me for many years. So I would like to take this opportunity
to thank all our supporters and friends that helped us over the years, be it
loyal advertisers that help us pay the bills, collaborators that contributed
content for the magazine and conferences, and of course, you – dear
reader, wherever and however you are reading this – Thank you
I am proud too, but I’ll spare you a list. There are many bits and pieces of
memories in this issue about challenges, milestones, changes and so on. But I
am also proud of the two young men next to me on the cover who are supporting
me in doing the magazine and our conferences. Or am I supporting them?
The achievements so far and the rebranding of the magazine were reason enough
to name Alex the Editor-in-Chief of Renewable Carbon Plastics. Congratulations.
But don’t worry. I’ll stick around, and I’m looking forward to meeting many of
you at the upcoming events. Be it our very own 3 rd PHA World Congress that is
leaving Europe for the first time to be held in Atlanta on 10 and 11 of October. Or
be it the European Bioplastics Conference later this year in Berlin.
Until then, I hope you enjoy reading this new, yet well-established publication.
Yours sincerely
@BIOPLASTICSMAG
@RENEWABLECARBONPLASTICS

Imprint
Content
July / Aug 04|2023
3 Editorial
5 News
13 10 years ago
50 Application News
56 Basics
58 Glossary
62 Suppliers Guide
65 Event calendar
66 Companies in this issue
Publisher / Editorial
Alex Thielen, Editor-in-Chief (AT)
Dr Michael Thielen,
Senior Consulting Editor, Publisher (MT)
Samuel Brangenberg, Reporter (SB)
Head Office
Polymedia Publisher GmbH
Hackesstr. 99
41066 Mönchengladbach, Germany
phone: +49 (0)2161 664864
fax: +49 (0)2161 631045
info@bioplasticsmagazine.com
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Media Adviser
Samsales (German language)
phone: +49(0)2161-6884467
fax: +49(0)2161 6884468
sb@bioplasticsmagazine.com
Michael Thielen (English Language)
(see head office)
Layout/Production
Philipp Thielen
Photography
Philipp Thielen
Print
Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala Ltd.
1004 Riga, Latvia
bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on
chlorine-free FSC certified paper.
Renewable Carbon Initiative
12 Food and feed crops for biobased materials
– Really?
14 No Sustainable Future without CCU
Materials
24 From Lord of the Rings armour to biobased
facades
26 Enzymatic Biomaterials Technology Platform
Best Of
34 Cover
35 New Series
36 Milestones
38 Important stories
40 The evolution to Renewable Carbon Plastics
41 Michael’s slice of life
From Science & Research
46 Biodegradable water-soluble support structures
for additive manufacturing
Blow Moulding
48 Biobased, recyclable bottles made from
bioplastics
TOP TALK
Events
16 3 rd PHA World Congress
25 8 th PLA World Congress
Cover Story
20 A centenary of sustainable innovations
Top Talk
28 Chemical recycling as a reset button
Advanced Recycling
28 Chemical recycling as a reset button
30 Microwave assisted depolymerisation
of PET
Biocomposites
32 PLA food packaging project
Sustainability
42 Sustainability with strategy
Report
44 Awareness and preferences for
bioplastics in Japan
bioplastics MAGAZINE
Volume 18 – 2023
ISSN 1862-5258
bM is published 6 times a year.
This publication is sent to qualified
subscribers (179 Euro for 6 issues).
bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in
100 countries.
Every effort is made to verify all information
published, but Polymedia Publisher
cannot accept responsibility for any errors
or omissions or for any losses that may
arise as a result.
All articles appearing in
bioplastics MAGAZINE, or on the website
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com are strictly
covered by copyright. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, copied,
scanned, photographed and/or stored
in any form, including electronic format,
without the prior consent of the publisher.
Opinions expressed in articles do not
necessarily reflect those of Polymedia
Publisher.
bioplastics MAGAZINE welcomes contributions
for publication. Submissions are
accepted on the basis of full assignment
of copyright to Polymedia Publisher GmbH
unless otherwise agreed in advance and in
writing. We reserve the right to edit items
for reasons of space, clarity, or legality.
Please contact the editorial office via
mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com.
The fact that product names may not be
identified in our editorial as trademarks is
not an indication that such names are not
registered trademarks.
bioplastics MAGAZINE uses British spelling.
Envelopes
A part of this print run is mailed to the
readers wrapped bioplastic envelopes
sponsored by Minima Technology Co.,
Ltd./Bioplastics products/Taiwan (R.O.C).
Cover
From left: Philipp, Michael and Alex
Thielen) (Photo: Dirk Schumacher)
@BIOPLASTICSMAG @BIOPLASTICSMAGAZINE @RENEWABLECARBONPLASTICS

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
5
From 100 to 1 – the start of a new era
Bioplastics MAGAZINE has been an established source of
information about and for the bioplastics industry for over 15
years. The global trade journal was for a long time focused
exclusively on bioplastics (i.e. biobased and/or biodegradable
and compostable plastics). Now, with its 100 th edition, the
magazine will rebrand to “Renewable Carbon Plastics”
starting with the current issue.
Plastic materials are indispensable for our current modern
society. While some applications could be replaced with other
materials, e.g. steel, wood, or glass, it is not possible in many
areas – and often, even if possible, not advisable. Plastics are
great materials due to their light weight, their mouldability
into almost any shape imaginable, and their low cost.
However, the last point of low cost has come at a price.
Plastic pollution and the contribution to global warming are
the result of decades of callous mismanagement on a global
scale. We all know the pathetically low recycling rates by now,
showing a huge end-of-life problem. The beginning of life of
most plastic materials isn’t much better as they are made
from fossil-based resources, be it oil, gas, or coal, and their
negative environmental impact.
Plastics made from biogenic sources (crops or waste
streams) can be a great alternative. There has been a
plethora of inventions and developments that the editorial
team of bioplastics MAGAZINE never worried about having
enough content. However, we also recognized that these raw
materials are not the only possible alternative.
The main objective is to avoid the new excavation of fossil
resources from the ground. So, in addition to using biogenic
resources, plastics made from direct carbon capture
(CCU = Carbon Capture & Utilisation) is another viable way to
avoid new fossil resources being used. Here carbon dioxide
(CO 2
) from the atmosphere or exhaust processes or methane
(C 2
H 4
) e.g. from biogasification, can be used to make plastic
raw materials. Another alternative is certainly recycling,
which has seen a revival of sorts in recent years.
That is why the editorial team of bioplastics MAGAZINE
started about two years ago to broaden their scope of topics
into plastics made from CCU and from Advanced Recycling.
The latter comprises technologies such as chemical recycling,
enzyme-based recycling, solvent-based recycling and the
like. Together with the well-established topic of bioplastics,
it completed the concept of renewable carbon in plastics.
So, it comes as no surprise that the team behind
bioplastics MAGAZINE has decided to change the title of the
publication, as with this expanding range of topics, the
name "bioplastics MAGAZINE" didn’t ring true any longer.
This lead to the new name of the publication – "Renewable
Carbon Plastics – RCP". The milestone of the 100 th edition
of bioplastics MAGAZINE seemed like a natural starting point
for this transformation. From 100 to 1, this issue is both the
100 th issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE as well as the first issue of
“Renewable Carbon Plastics”. Content-wise, not much will
change, as we have already been reporting about all renewable
carbon sources for plastics for a couple of years now.
“We all know that bioplastics won’t be able to solve the
problems we are facing by themselves”, says Alex Thielen,
new Editor-in-Chief of RCP and son of founder Michael
Thielen, “but cooperation and a combination of technologies
will lead to the change we all hope to see – the name change
is supposed to represent that philosophy”.
www.renewable-carbon-plastics.com
daily updated News at

6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
News
Picks & clicks
Most frequently clicked news
Here’s a look at our most popular online content of the past two months.
The story that got the most clicks from the visitors to bioplasticsmagazine.com was:
tinyurl.com/news-20230612
daily updated News at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Grandpuits PLA project update
(12 June 2023)
TotalEnergies Corbion (Gorinchem, the Netherlands) announced that it will
not pursue a new PLA bioplastics plant in Grandpuits, France.
This announcement followed a review of the investment case of the project
and is in line with the announcements of the company shareholders.
Monument Chemical plans to produce
CO 2
-based polyurethanes in USA
Monument Chemical (Indianapolis, IN, USA) is the first US
company to license Econic’s (Macclesfield, UK) process for
manufacturing polycarbonate ether (PCE) polyols made from
CO 2
as a sustainable source of renewable carbon.
With Econic’s technology, Monument will upcycle waste
carbon dioxide into polyols for high-performance foams,
laminates, coatings, and elastomers for use in automotive,
furniture, mattress, construction, and industrial applications.
Monument will begin production based on the Econic
process in late 2023.
Econic’s pioneering technology is based on its proprietary
catalyst and process that enables manufacturers to replace
up to 30 % of the fossil-based component in their polyols with
readily available captured CO 2
, in their existing production
plants. The technology allows the level of CO 2
to be controlled
at a molecular level, enabling customers to produce costcompetitive
polyurethane products with equal or higher
performance and a lower carbon footprint.
Don Phillips, Vice President and General Manager, Oxides,
of Monument Chemical, said, “Licensing the Econic process
marks a key milestone in Monument’s commitment to
providing specialty solutions to our customers in the US.
By embracing this groundbreaking technology, we can help
our customers deliver higher-performance products with
enhanced sustainability that will stand out in the marketplace”.
“The world’s drive to net-zero is forcing manufacturers to
move to sustainable carbon sources, without compromising
performance and cost. Monument recognizes that, and we are
delighted to be working with them to make this a reality in the
US polyurethane market. Our aim is to work with Monument
to help sustainably grow their business with Econic’s
groundbreaking technology”, said Econic CEO Keith Wiggins.
The ability of Econic’s technology to make polyurethane
products better and more sustainable by using CO 2
as a
renewable carbon source is being recognized by major
consumer brands and their supply chains. The company
recently announced that it has issued licences to polyol
manufacturers in India and China. AT
www.econic-technologies.com | www.monumentchemical.com
Our frame colours
Topics related to the
Renewable Carbon Initiative...
Bioplastics related topics, i.e.
all topics around biobased
and biodegradable plastics,
come in the familiar
green frame.
All topics related to
Advanced Recycling, such
as chemical recycling
or enzymatic degradation
of mixed waste into
building blocks for
new plastics have this
turquoise coloured frame.
When it comes to plastics
made of any kind of carbon
source associated with
Carbon Capture & Utilisation
we use this frame colour.
The familiar blue
frame stands for rather
administrative sections,
such as the table of
contents or the
“Dear readers” on page 3.
If a topic belongs to more
than one group, we use
crosshatched frames.
Ochre/green stands for
Carbon Capture &
Bioplastics, e. g.
PHA made from methane.
Articles covering
Recycling and Bioplastics ...
Recycling & Carbon Capture
We’re sure, you got it!

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
7
Bluepha and TotalEnergies Corbion collaborate
Bluepha, the leading synthetic biology company in China (Beijing), and TotalEnergies
Corbion (Gorinchem, the Netherlands), a global leader in PLA technology, have signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate the market adoption of PLA/PHAbased
solutions in China.
The collaboration aims to bring together the expertise and resources of both companies
to further advance the development of high-performance biopolymer solutions, combining
Bluepha ® polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with Luminy ® polylactic acid (PLA) technology.
"We are very excited about this collaboration with TotalEnergies Corbion", said Teng Li,
President & Co-founder of Bluepha. He continued: "TotalEnergies Corbion is a trustworthy
partner and Bluepha PHA mixed with Luminy PLA would be as a Chinese saying Adding
wings to the tiger. Together, the two companies can give more opportunities to our
downstream partners and contribute to a more sustainable future".
"By combining the complementary properties of these materials, we will significantly
expand the application possibilities for brand owners seeking fully biobased material
solutions", said Thomas Philipon, CEO of TotalEnergies Corbion.
Under the terms of the MOU, Bluepha and TotalEnergies Corbion will jointly promote
PLA and PHA market applications in China. Before the MOU signing ceremony, Thomas
Philipon took a tour of the Bluepha PHA Biorefinery, which completed construction in
October 2022 in Yancheng and recently began production of the Bluepha PHA product. AT
daily updated News at
www.bluepha.bio | www.totalenergies-corbion.com
Luminy PLA sustainable under
EU Taxonomy Regulation
TotalEnergies Corbion (Gorinchem, the Netherlands) has
announced that its Luminy ® polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics
successfully meet the stringent criteria of the European
Union (EU) Taxonomy Regulation on climate change
mitigation and adaptation.
The assessment can be found in the newly re-launched
whitepaper titled "Planting the Future with PLA", which
details the regulation and delves into more sustainability
aspects of biobased materials. The achievement underscores
the company's pivotal role in the global sustainable economy.
The EU Taxonomy Regulation is critical for sustainable
innovation because it sets a standard for what can be
labelled as 'sustainable' in business in the European Union.
The framework uses six environmental objectives: climate
change mitigation, climate change adaptation, sustainable
use and protection of water and marine resources, transition
to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and
protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.
The intent of the regulation is to help increase sustainable
investment and further drive the implementation of the
European Green Deal.
"TotalEnergies Corbion continues to work closely with
lawmakers, regulators, and non-governmental organizations
as we push to create more sustainable plastic alternatives",
said Maelenn Ravard, the company's Sustainability and
Regulatory Manager. "In addition to compliance with the
EU Taxonomy Regulation, our entire line of Luminy PLA is
certified 100 % biobased according to EN16785 and the
USDA biopreferred program. What’s more, our production
plant is ISO certified for environmental management, quality,
and safety and we follow the regulations set by the World
Wildlife Fund's sugarcane industry organization Bonsucro.
We are proud to set this standard for the bioplastics
industry moving forward".
Luminy PLA bioplastics are derived from sugarcane, an
annually renewable resource, and are among the few types
of bioplastics that are both biobased and biodegradable.
As outlined in the "Planting the Future with PLA", whitepaper,
creating a kilogram of PLA requires 1.75 m² of sugarcane
farmland which captures 1.8 kg of CO 2
from the atmosphere
as it grows. TotalEnergies Corbion's entire production
capacity requires just 0.08 % of arable land in Thailand, where
the company produces PLA locally. Simply put, the efficiency
of land use combined with the benefits of carbon capture
make PLA bioplastics a great option for reducing our global
reliance on fossil-based plastics.
TotalEnergies Corbion's Luminy PLA bioplastics enable
businesses all over the world to transition to more sustainable
materials without compromising on quality or performance.
They provide a viable alternative to conventional plastics,
aligning with the EU Taxonomy Regulation's objectives and
supporting the global shift towards a more sustainable future.
The white paper titled Planting the Future with PLA can be
downloaded on their website. AT
www.totalenergies-corbion.com

8 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
News
daily updated News at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Braskem expands Its
biopolymer production
by 30 %
In June, Braskem (São Paulo, Brazil) concluded a
30 % increase in the production capacity of its biobased
ethylene plant, located in the Petrochemical Complex of
Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The USD 87 million
investment aims to meet the growing global demand for
sustainable products
The plant now operates at an increased capacity, from
200,000 to 260,000 tonnes/year. Braskem’s biobased
ethylene is made from sustainably sourced, sugarcanebased
ethanol which removes CO 2
from the atmosphere
and stores it in products for daily use.
The initiative is an important advance in the company's
ambition to increase the production of biopolymers
to one million tonnes by 2030, and to become
carbon neutral by 2050.
"The expansion of biobased ethylene capacity reinforces
Braskem’s commitment to sustainable development
and innovation and proves the success of the strategy
we engaged in thirteen years ago, when we launched
the world’s first biobased polyethylene production at
industrial scale, with proprietary technology. We want to
meet society's and customers' demand for products with
less impact on the environment”, explains Walmir Soller,
VP Olefins/Polyolefins for Europe and Asia and responsible
for the I’m green TM biobased business globally.
Each tonne of plastic resin made from renewable
feedstock represents the removal of three tonnes of CO 2
from the atmosphere. Since the plant's beginning in
2010, more than 1.2 million tonnes of I’m green biobased
polyethylene have been produced. The recent increase in
production capacity will remove approximately 185,000
tonnes of CO 2
equivalent per year.
Braskem is the world leader in the production of
biopolymers. Today, the portfolio of biobased resins is
exported to more than 30 countries and is used in products
from more than 250 major brands, such as Allbirds, DUO
UK, Grupo Boticário, Johnson & Johnson, Natura & Co,
Nissin, and Tetra Pak. These biobased resins are used to
manufacture packaging, bags, toys, housewares, industrial
cables and wires, packaging films, hockey fields, and
reusable water bottles, among many other products.
The development and production of ethylene and
resins from biobased sources is the result of Braskem's
continued investment in disruptive innovation and
technology. Research, digital transformation, and bold
partnerships are the foundations upon which Braskem
searches for, and scales, sustainable solutions for society
and the environment. Braskem’s current sustainability
commitments include improving the circularity of plastics,
promoting human-centric development, and leading the
revolution in biobased materials. MT
www.braskem.com
New process for
biobased nylon
A research team from the Helmholtz Centre for
Environmental Research (UFZ) and Leipzig University (both
Leipzig, Germany) has now developed a process that can
produce adipic acid, one of two building blocks of nylon,
from phenol through electrochemical synthesis and the
use of microorganisms. The team also showed that phenol
can be replaced by waste materials from the wood industry.
This could then be used to produce biobased nylon.
The research work was published in Green Chemistry.
In T-shirts, stockings, shirts, and ropes – or as a
component of parachutes and car tyres – polyamides are
used everywhere as synthetic fibres. At the end of the 1930s,
the name Nylon was coined for such synthetic polyamides.
Nylon-6 and Nylon-6.6 are two polyamides that account for
around 95 % of the global nylon market. Until now, they have
been produced from fossil-based raw materials. However,
this petrochemical process is harmful to the environment
because it emits around 10 % of the climate-damaging
nitrous oxide (laughing gas) worldwide and requires a
great deal of energy. "Our goal is to make the entire nylon
production chain environmentally friendly. This is possible
if we access biobased waste as feedstock and make the
synthesis process sustainable", says Falk Harnisch,
head of the Electrobiotechnology working group at the
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). MT
www.ufz.de
Certification scheme
for home Compostable
carrier bags
Since July 2023, DIN CERTCO
(Berlin, Germany) offers a
new certification scheme
according to the new standard
EN 17427:2022 "Packaging –
Requirements and test scheme for
carrier bags suitable for treatment in
well-managed home composting installations". With this
certification scheme, carrier bags, fruit and vegetable
bags, and (organic) waste bags can be labelled with the
trusted certification mark "DINplus Home Compostable
Carrier Bags". The modular certification scheme can
also be used to certify the corresponding materials
and semi-finished items
With this unique certification system according to a
European standard, trust is created along the entire
value chain of manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and
regulatory authorities. MT
www.dincertco.de

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
9
Paques and Senbis collaborate on PHA
Paques Biomaterials (Balk, the Netherlands) and Senbis
Polymer Innovations (Emmen, the Netherlands) have partnered
strategically to develop new applications for a breakthrough
biopolymer with all the advantages of conventional plastics
but without its disadvantages.
Paques Biomaterials has been working on a new value
chain in which bacteria in organic waste streams produce the
biopolymer PHA for more than ten years. “Our background
is in biotechnology”, says Joost Paques, founder of Paques
Biomaterials, “and with this collaboration, biotechnology
and chemistry join forces which is a formula for success
for a biopolymer. We are convinced we will soon produce a
high-quality alternative to fossil plastics, which can be widely
applied and prevent microplastics”.
Senbis Polymer Innovations is a chemical R&D company
specialising in biopolymers. “We will help Paques Biomaterials
develop different PHA grades suitable for a wide range of
applications”, explains Gerard Nijhoving, managing director
of Senbis. “Paques Biomaterials develops the PHA, but we
give direction on which way it must be developed and then
evaluate it. Paques Biomaterials has a promising biopolymer
in hand with Caleyda. It is biobased and highly biodegradable
in all kinds of environments. Their product is unique because
it is made from waste streams and doesn’t use genetically
modified bacteria. That makes it sustainable and natural on
all sides. This involves a major challenge to deliver consistent
quality, as for plastic processing purity is the key.
Senbis has all commercially available biopolymers inhouse
and has researched them. We know what works for
which application. Many PHAs we see now need to catch up
in mechanical and thermal properties compared to other
bioplastics. If we can improve these topics with Paques
Biomaterials, their PHA Caleyda will soon be a serious
player in the market”.
“We also see much potential for this material for socalled
compounds. That means mixing the PHA with other
biopolymers. For some applications, you need a mix of
bioplastics to get the required mechanical properties and
velocity of biodegradability”, says Gerard Nijhoving. “Like
applications such as injection moulding, yarns, 3D printing
or films. With this knowledge, Paques Biomaterials can
optimise Caleyda where necessary, and we work together
towards a high-quality PHA. Furthermore, you can use
these compounds to serve new applications. We also see
opportunities for this in our customer portfolio and even within
our product development”.
The beginning of this new circular value chain is already at
an advanced stage. Paques Biomaterials has already signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kolon Industries
and Kolon Global in South Korea, launching large-scale
production of PHA from food waste. In Europe, the first full-scale
plants in which bacteria make PHA in industrial wastewater,
sewage sludge, and organic waste streams (vegetable/fruit
waste) are also under development. In cooperation with five
Dutch Water Boards and waste and energy company HVC,
Paques Biomaterials has been optimising this process with a
demo plant in the last few years. The PHA biomass is a reality,
and in the next phase of the value chain, this biomass will be
extracted and purified into a clean biopolymer PHA called
Caleyda. For this phase, the cooperation with Senbis is crucial.
With their knowledge and expertise, Paques Biomaterials will
make Caleyda, a natural and high-quality bioplastic without
the disadvantages of fossil plastics. AT
www.paquesbiomaterials.nl | www.senbis.com
daily updated News at
Avantium and SCGC partner on CO 2
– based polymers
Avantium (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), a leading technology provider in renewable chemistry, announces that it has
agreed to partner with SCGC (Bangkok, Thailand), a leading integrated chemical player in Asia and an innovator of chemical
innovations and solutions.
Under this partnership, Avantium and SCGC agreed to further develop CO 2
-based polymers and to scale up to a pilot plant with
an indicative capacity of 10 tonnes per annum.
Avantium is a frontrunner in developing and commercialising innovative technologies for the production of chemicals and
materials based on sustainable carbon feedstocks, i.e. carbon from plants or carbon from the air (CO 2
). One of Avantium’s
innovative technology platforms, called Volta Technology, uses electrochemistry to convert CO 2
to high-value products and
chemical building blocks including glycolic acid. By combining glycolic acid with lactic acid, Avantium can produce polylacticco-glycolic
acid (PLGA), a carbon-negative polymer with valuable characteristics: it has an excellent barrier against oxygen and
moisture, has good mechanical properties, is recyclable and is both home compostable and marine degradable. This makes PLGA
a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to, for example, non-degradable, fossil-based polymers.
Since early 2023, Avantium and SCGC have been working together to further evaluate PLGA. To this end, Avantium has produced
samples of different PLGAs, which have been evaluated at SCGC’s Norner AS facility. The two parties have now agreed to take the
next step in their cooperation and establish a Joint Development Agreement. Under this agreement, Avantium and SCGC intend
to further evaluate PLGA in order to subsequently scale up production of glycolic acid monomer and PLGA polyester in the next
two years to a pilot plant.
“We are delighted that we have entered into this partnership with SCGC, a partner that understands that innovation and bold
action is the key to lasting positive impact for a sustainable future. Under this partnership, we can further develop the very promising
carbon-negative plastic PLGA and bring this material to the next commercialization phase. Both Avantium and SCGC would also
welcome other strategic and complementary partners to participate in this collaboration”, says Tom van Aken, CEO at Avantium. AT
www.avantium.com | www.scgchemicals.com

10 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
News
daily updated News at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Neste will invest in liquefied waste plastic
upgrading unit at its Porvoo refinery
Neste (Espoo, Finland) has made the final investment decision to commence construction of upgrading facilities for liquefied
plastic waste at its Porvoo refinery in Finland.
With the investment of 111 million euros, Neste will build the capacity to upgrade 150,000 tonnes of liquefied waste plastic per
year. Upgrading is one of the three processing steps turning liquefied waste plastic into high-quality feedstock for new plastics:
pretreatment, upgrading and refining. The investment is part of a broader project (PULSE*), which has received an EU Innovation
Fund grant of EUR 135 million if fully implemented and is targeting a total capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year.
Pretreatment and upgrading of liquefied waste plastic play an important role in Neste’s approach to chemical recycling.
They allow the company to increase flexibility for processing lower-quality plastic waste and scale up processing the liquefied
waste plastic into high-quality petrochemical feedstock in its existing refinery in Porvoo.
“We have developed our capability to process circular raw material at the Porvoo refinery over the recent years and are now set
to build a respective facility. The new facility processing 150,000 tonnes of liquefied waste plastic, is planned to be finalized in the
first half of 2025”, states Markku Korvenranta, Executive Vice President of Neste’s Oil Products.
The project will see Neste building new assets at the Porvoo refinery, but also leveraging existing assets through retrofitting, to
scale-up chemical recycling fast and efficiently. The upgraded liquefied waste plastic will then be processed in the conventional
refinery, in which it will replace a portion of the fossil resources processed at the Porvoo refinery.
Required preparation works at the Porvoo refinery were successfully completed during the first half of 2023, enabling the
construction work to commence without any delay. AT
*) PULSE = Pretreatment and Upgrading of Liquefied waste plastic to Scale up circular Economy. Project PULSE is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions
expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Climate Infrastructure and Environment
Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Neste is the sole beneficiary of Project PULSE’s
funding by the European Union.
www.neste.com
Cooperation on
biobased BOPLA films
Xiamen Changsu Industrial (Xiamen, China) and
TotalEnergies Corbion(Gorinchem, the Netherlands)
have announced a strategic cooperation
agreement that will further advance the polylactic
acid (PLA) industry.
They will work together in the market promotion,
product development, and research and development
of new technologies and applications of biaxially
oriented polylactic acid (BOPLA).
Changsu Industrial is a leading global player
in high-performance specialty plastic films.
Changsu Industrial focus on three major product
segments: new energy, biodegradable, and
functional film materials. The development of
BOPLA is a good example of strong collaboration
between different players in the value chain.
BOPLA is made with biobased PLA using biaxial
stretching technology, making Changsu Industrial's
BOPLA product BiONLY ® biodegradable and capable
of significantly reducing the carbon footprint of
packaging materials. AT/MT
www.changsufilm.com | www.totalenergies-corbion.com
Avantium awarded
EUR 1.5 million EU grant
Avantium (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), a leading
technology provider in renewable chemistry, announces that it
has been awarded a EUR 1.5 million grant by the EU Horizon
Europe programme for its participation in the research and
development programme HICCUPS.
This programme aims to demonstrate the utilisation of CO 2
as a feedstock for the production of polyesters. The grant will
be paid out in tranches to Avantium over a period of four years,
starting in September 2023.
Under the HICCUPS programme, Avantium will convert CO 2
from biogas produced at wastewater treatment plants into the
sustainable plastic material PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid).
PLGA with 80 % glycolic acid or more has an excellent barrier
against oxygen and moisture and good mechanical properties.
It is furthermore recyclable and both home compostable
and marine degradable. PLGA can be used, for example, as a
coating material and in moulded plastic materials. This makes
PLGA an excellent alternative to fossil-based polyethylene.
The HICCUPS programme, which has received a EUR 5 million
EU Horizon Europe grant in total, will demonstrate the full value
chain from biogenic CO 2
to polyester end-use and is expected to
be executed over four years. AT/MT
www.avantium.com

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
11
Compostable bioplastics biodegrade in real
conditions, study confirms
Chaire CoPack, in partnership with AgroParisTech (Nancy,
France) and the University of Montpellier (France), has
conducted a scientific study that validates the biodegradation
of certified compostable food contact packaging in industrial
composting facilities.
The preliminary report of this study provides conclusive
evidence that certified compostable packaging is a
viable sustainable solution to waste management in the
food packaging industry.
The composting test used 20 tonnes of food – and bio-waste
collected from households, along with 323 kg of assorted
certified compostable packaging. In parallel, a control
compost test was conducted with no packaging added.
“We are thrilled to see the findings of this study”, said
Paolo La Scola, the Public Affairs Manager at TotalEnergies
Corbion (Gorinchem, The Netherlands). “The results send a
strong signal to governments across Europe to grant certified
compostable plastics access to biowaste collection and
composting infrastructure. It’s necessary to reduce plastic
waste mismanagement”.
The research, carried out over a four-month period
from October 2022 to February 2023, took place in real
industrial composting conditions without forced aeration.
Researchers from the University of Montpellier and
AgroParisTech monitored the study in collaboration with the
industrial composting platform of the Syndicat de Centre
Héraut in Aspiran (France).
The study examined commercially available food packaging
representative of the European market such as compostable
bags, film, food trays, and coffee pods composed of different
resins certified for industrial composting (EN 13432) or home
composting (NF T51-800). These products were made from
biodegradable and compostable resins like PLA, PBAT, and
complexed starch sourced from members of the French
Association of Biobased Compostables, including Novamont
and TotalEnergies Corbion.
The report is currently under review. The preliminary report
is available online. MT
https://tinyurl.com/biodegradabilitystudy2023
https://tinyurl.com/fate-of-compostable-plastic
daily updated News at
From corn stover to biobased ethylene
Dow's (Midland, MI, USA) agreement with New Energy Blue (Lancaster, PA, USA), staffed by experts with deep experience
in bio-conversion ventures, is the first agreement in North America to generate plastic source materials from corn stover
(stalks and leaves).
This is also Dow's first agreement in North America to utilize agricultural residues for plastic production.
“We are unlocking the value of agriculture residues in this new partnership with New Energy Blue”, said Karen S. Carter, Dow
President of Packaging & Specialty Products. “By committing to purchase their biobased ethylene, we are helping to enable
innovations in waste recycling, meeting demands for biobased plastics from customers, and strengthening an ecosystem for
diverse and renewable solutions”.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dow is supporting the design of New Energy Freedom, a new facility in Mason City, Iowa, that
is expected to process 275,000 tonnes of corn stover per year and produce commercial quantities of second-generation ethanol
and clean lignin. Nearly half of the ethanol will be turned into biobased ethylene feedstock for Dow products. This agreement also
gives Dow similar commercial supply options for the next four future New Energy Blue projects, supporting New Energy Blue's
ability to scale its production and support farmers by providing a reliable market for agricultural residues. The five projects are
expected to displace over one million tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions every year. Dow's share of these five projects
will also lead to a reduction in its sourcing of fossil fuels and subsequent GHG emissions.
This agreement would play a pivotal role in Dow's approach to building material ecosystems that value, source, and transform
waste into circular products. By collaborating with the best partners and technologies for collection, reuse, and recycling of
waste – in this case, using a renewable resource – Dow enables global material ecosystems to scale.
Through this agreement, Dow would increase its use of renewable yet still recyclable resources, transforming them into products
that consumers use every day. Since corn stover releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as it decomposes, Dow's agreement
with New Energy Blue would also help reduce carbon emissions from agriculture by reusing this otherwise wasted carbon.
Dow's use of biobased feedstocks from New Energy Blue is expected to be certified by ISCC Plus, an international sustainability
certification program with a focus on traceability of raw materials within the supply chain. While Dow intends to mix agriculturebased
ethylene into its existing manufacturing process, ISCC Plus's chain of custody certification would allow Dow's customers
to account for biobased materials in their supply chains. AT
www.dow.com | www.newenergyblue.com

12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
INITIATIVE
RENEWABLE
CARBON
Food and feed crops for
biobased materials – Really?
RCI publishes new insights into a hotly debated topic and urges for
careful and evidence-based debates
In 2023, the world faces a global hunger crisis. According to
the World Food Programme, “a record 349 million people
across 79 countries are facing acute food insecurity – up
from 287 million in 2021. This constitutes a staggering rise
of 200 million people compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic
levels. More than 900,000 people worldwide are fighting to
survive in famine-like conditions. This is ten times more than
five years ago, an alarmingly rapid increase”.
Against this backdrop, it may seem misanthropic to publish
a paper challenging the widely held view that the use of food
and feed crops for anything other than food and feed uses –
namely, for biobased chemicals and materials – is detrimental
to food security. However, RCI’s new publication aims to show
that the well-known biomass debate is flawed, subjective,
and not fully based on evidence – and as a result, distracts
from much more powerful causes of hunger in the world.
These are to a large extent climate change, conflict, extreme
inequalities in wealth distribution, heavy dependence on food
imports from industrial countries, overconsumption of meat,
losses along the value chain and the impact of the COVID
pandemic, according to the World Food Programme in 2023.
Competition between biomass uses is not mentioned among
the relevant causes.
Food Security
Feed Security
Market Stability
Climate
Multiple
Potential
Benefits
Farmers
The use of food and feed crops for biobased materials
(Source: nova-Institiute)
Land Productivity
Enviroment
The use of biomass for industrial applications, on the
other hand, has the potential to replace fossil feedstocks
and thus contribute to the urgently needed reduction of fossil
carbon emissions into our atmosphere to mitigate climate
change. While not denying the dire need to combat world
hunger, the authors of the paper argue that using food and
feed crops for chemicals and materials will not necessarily
exacerbate food insecurity, and in fact has the potential to
cause multiple benefits for local and global food security,
climate mitigation and other factors:
1. The climate wins. There is a need to shift away from
fossil feedstocks to achieve climate change mitigation.
Biobased materials are part of the solution and can
thus help to mitigate one of the leading causes of
hunger in the world.
2. Land productivity wins. The competition between
applications is not for the type of crop grown but for the
land. The overall availability of arable land, and therefore
food and feed on the planet determines what is possible and
what is not. Food and feed crops offer high yields through
long-term optimisation and a variety of co-products used
simultaneously in a variety of applications, making the
most out of the available land.
3. The environment wins due to increased resource efficiency
and productivity of food and feed crops and the reduced
land area, especially if agricultural practices are improved
to better respect soil health and ecosystems.
4. Farmers win because they have more options for selling
stock to different markets (food, feed, biofuels, material
industry) and therefore more economic security. This can
increase investment and ultimately the availability of
arable land and ensure sustainable rural development to
maintain EU agriculture.
5. Market stability wins due to increased global availability
of food and feed crops, reducing the risk of shortages and
speculation peaks. The influence of biofuels and biobased
materials on food prices is negligible.
6. Feed security wins due to the high value of the protein-rich
co-products of food and feed crops (which can also be used
to supply protein for human nutrition).
7. Food security wins due to the increased overall availability
of edible crops that can be stored and flexibly distributed
in times of crisis (emergency reserve), actually mitigating
risks of supply-cycle-triggered regional hunger events.

C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
for Plastics.
and Services.
Crop
Feed
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
13
The authors argue that “the bigger picture is not the
specific issue of whether food or non-food crops are being
used to produce biomaterials, but rather the integration of
any feedstock for biomaterials production into a landscape
and its social, environmental, and pricing effects there” (BFA
2022). The choice of feedstock in any given case depends
on many factors and is site-specific. There is no “onesize-fits-all”
solution.
Info:
Download the paper here for free:
Short version: https://tinyurl.com/rci-foodfeed-short
Long version: https://tinyurl.com/rci-foodfeed-long
RENEWABLE
All in all, this complex topic requires in-depth and detailed
analyses, and simplified claims will not do it justice. In the
worst case, simple claims will only distract from the real
causes of hunger in the world and at the same time prevent
a young and innovative industry from fulfilling its potential of
contributing to climate change mitigation and offering more
sustainable materials. The Renewable Carbon Initiative
encourages comprehensive discussions that balance the
need for food security with the potential benefits of biobased
materials derived from food and feed crops.
SHORT
LONG
Disclaimer: RCI members are a diverse
group of companies addressing the
challenges of the transition to renewable
carbon with different approaches. The
opinions expressed in this article may not
reflect the exact individual policies and
views of all RCI members.
www.renewable-carbon-initiative.com
10
Years ago
Published in
bioplastics MAGAZINE
Basics
Food or
non-food
Which agricultural feedstocks
are best for industrial uses?
T
he new paper by nova-Institute, Germany, is a
contribution to the recent controversial debate
about whether food crops should be used for
other applications than food and feed. It is based on
scientific evidence and aims to provide a more realistic
and appropriate view of the use of food-crops in biobased
industries, including the production of biobased
plastic materials, taking a step back from the often
very emotional discussion.
The authors, Michael Carus and Lara Dammer, take
the position that all kinds of biomass should be accepted
for industrial uses; the choice should be dependent on
how sustainably and efficiently these biomass resources
can be produced.
Of course, with a growing world population, the first
priority of biomass allocation is food security. At the end of
2011, there were about 7 billion people on our planet. The
global population is expected to reach more than 9 billion
people by 2050. This alone will lead to a 30% increase
in biomass demand. Increasing meat consumption and
higher living standards will generate additional demand
for biomass. According to EU Commission estimations, a
70% increase in food demand is expected, which includes
a projected twofold increase in world meat consumption.
Food and feed clearly are the supply priorities for
biomass use, followed by bio-based products, biofuels
and bioenergy. Fig. 1 shows the use of the 10 billion
Use of harvested agricultural biomass worldwide (2008)
tonnes of biomass harvested worldwide in 2008. Animal
feed predominates with a share of 60%, which will
increase even further.
4 % 4 %
Public debate mostly focuses on the obvious direct
competition for food crops between different uses: food,
32 %
feed, industrial materials and energy. However, the
authors argue that the crucial issue is land availability,
since the cultivation of non-food crops on arable land
would reduce the potential supply of food just as much
or even more. Therefore, they suggest a differentiated
approach to finding the most suitable biomass for
industrial uses.
In a first step, the issue has to be addressed of whether
60 %
the use of biomass for purposes other than food can be
justified at all. This means taking the availability of arable
land into account. Several studies show that some areas
Total biomass ca. 10 billion tonnes
will remain free even after worldwide food demand has
been satisfied. These studies also show potential for
further growth in yields and arable land areas worldwide
– even in the EU, there are between 2.5 and 8 million
Food Animal feed Material use Energy use
hectares arable land that are not currently in use. Despite
these potentials, arable land and biomass are limited
resources and should be used efficiently and sustainably.
As the numbers above show, the industrial material
use of biomass makes up for only a very small share of
biomass competition. Other factors have a much greater
by
Michael Carus, Managing Director
and Lara Dammer, Policy and Strategy
nova-Institute, Huerth, Germany
Notes: Shares of food an feed based on FAOSTAT; gap of animal
feed demand from grazing not included (see Krausmann et al. 2008)
Fig. 1: Worldwide allocation of harvested biomass by production
target (main product) in 2008. Respective amounts include raw
materials and their by-products, even if their uses fall into
different categories.
impact on food availability. Due to a growing demand
from a l sectors, the crucial question is how to increase
the biomass production in a sustainable way.
1. Increasing yields: Tremendous potential in developing
countries is hampered by a lack of investment in we l-
known technologies and infrastructure, unfavourable
agricultural policies such as no access to credits,
insufficient transmission of price incentives, and poorly
enforced land rights.
2. Expansion of arable land: Some 100 mi lion hectares
could be added to the current 1.4 bi lion hectares without
touching rainforest or protected areas. Most estimates
calculate up to 500 mi lion hectares. These areas wi l
require a lot of infrastructure investment before they can
be utilized [1, 2].
Both aspects mean that political reforms and huge
investment in agro-technologies and infrastructure
are necessary. There is also huge potential for saving
biomass and arable land:
• Reduced meat consumption would free up a huge
amount of arable land for other uses. Deriving protein
from cattle requires 40 to 50 times the biomass input
than protein directly obtained from wheat or soy;
• Reducing food losses wi l also free up huge areas
of arable land. Roughly one-third of food produced
for human consumption is lost or wasted globa ly,
amounting to about 1.3 bi lion tonnes per year [3];
• Increasing the efficiency of biomass processing
for a l applications by the use of modern industrial
biotechnology;
• Using a l agricultural by-products that are not inserted
in any value chain today. Lignoce lulosic residues in
particular can be used in second generation biofuels
and biochemicals;
• Fina ly, the use of solar energy, which also takes up
land, for fue ling electric cars is about 100 times
more land-efficient than using the land for biofuels
for conventional cars. In addition, solar energy can be
produced on non-arable land, too. Increased use of this
means of transportation would release huge areas of
arable land that are currently used for biofuels [4]
After the overa l availability of land has been verified,
the second step is to find out how bes to use these areas.
The use of the so-ca led first generation of biomass, such
as sugar, starch, plant oil and natural rubber, to obtain
different chemicals and materials, is virtua ly as old as
mankind (e.g. birch bark pitch use dates back to the late
Paleolithic era). It has been conducted on an industrial
scale for over 100 years. For example, starch is used on
a large scale in the paper industry. Today, a wide range
of chemicals, plastics, detergents, lubricants and fuels
are produced from these resources. Because of their
Opinion
potential direct competition with food and animal feed, the
idea of using lignoce lulosic feedstock as a raw material for
fermentable sugars and also for gasification was introduced
in the last ten years. Lignoce lulose means wood, shortrotation
coppice such as poplar, wi low or Miscanthus, or else
lignoce lulosic agricultural by-products like straw. These are
the so-ca led second-generation feedstocks. Very recently,
more and more research is being carried out into using algae
as a feedstock; this is known as a third-generation feedstock.
Whether the use of second-generation feedstocks wi l
have less impact on food security is questionable and is being
discussed in detail in the complete paper.
Several aspects give reasons to doubt this oftenpostulated
axiom. Recent studies have shown that many
food crops are more land-efficient than non-food crops.
This means that less land is required for the production of a
certain amount o fermentable sugar for example – which is
especially crucial for biotechnology processes, such as the
production of monomers or building blocks for bioplastics –
than would be needed to produce the same amount of sugar
with the supposedly “unproblematic”, second generation
lignoce lulosic non-food crops.
44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/13] Vol. 8
Basics
Valorization of components of industrially used food crops
Food/feed Industrial use
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Sugar Sugar Wheat Corn Soy Rapeseed/
beet cane
canola
magnetic_148,5x105.ai 175.00 lpi 15.00° 75.00° 0.00° 45.00° 14.03.2009 10:13:31
Proze s CyanProze s MagentaProze s GelbProzess Schwarz
Fig. 2: Valorization of components o food crops used in industry.
This considers only the special case of when a l carbohydrates
(sugar beet, sugar cane, wheat and corn) or oils (soy and canola)
are used for industrial material use only, their by-products being
subsequently used for food and feed. 1
Magnetic
www.plasticker.com
for Plastics
This is not very surprising, considering that starch, sugar
and plant oils are used by the crops as energy storage
for solar energy, and easy to utilize again. In contrast,
lignoce lulose gives the crop a functional structure – it is
not built to store energy, but to last and protect the plants
from microorganisms. Only specific enzymes (plus energy)
are able to saccharify the lignocellulosic structure and
transform it into fermentable sugars. Although terrific
improvements have been achieved in this field over the last
two decades, the technology is sti l in its infancy. The price of
the enzymes as well as their efficiency are, alongside capital
requirements, sti l the biggest obstacle to this strategy. As a
result, lignoce lulosic biomass is not an efficient option for
fermentation processes.
This means that the often raised question: “When wi l
your company switch from food crops to second generation
lignoce lulosic feedstock?” is too shortsighted and simplistic.
The authors argue tha the real question is: “What is the most
resource efficient and sustainable use of land and biomass
in your region?” It is not the issue of whether the crop can
be used for food or feed; it is a question of resource and land
efficiency and sustainability. The competition is for land. Land
used for cultivating lignocellulosic feedstock is not available
for food or feed production (see Chapter 6 in the complete
paper). So the dogma of “no food crops for industry” can
lead to a misallocation or underutilization of agricultural
resources, i.e. land and biomass.
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Also, the utilization o food crops in bio-based industries is
very efficient, since the process chains have been optimized
over a very long time and the by-products are used in food
and feed. Biorefineries for food crops have existed for many
years that convert a l parts of a harvested crop into food,
feed, materials and energy/ fuel, maximizing the total value.
If this maximum output value were not attained, the prices of
the food and feed parts would go up.
For example, using sugar, starch or oil for bio-based
chemicals, plastics or fuel leaves plant-based proteins,
which are an important feedstock for the food and animal feed
industry. At present, the world is mainly short of protein and
not of carbohydrates such as sugar and starch. This means
that there is no real competition with food uses, since the
valuable part of the food crops still flows into food and feed
uses. (More information is available in the complete paper.)
Table 1 and Fig. 2 above give an overview of the valorization
of processed fractions of crops, if the main use is material
use, dry matter only. The percentage is related to grain or
fruit only; additional (lignoce lulosic) fibres from straw,
leaves, etc. are no taken into account.
Another very important aspect that is rarely mentioned is
that food crops for industry can also serve as an emergency
reserve of food and feed supply, whereas second-generation
lignoce lulose cannot be used in the same way. This means
that food security can be assured through the extended use
of food crops. In a food crisis, sugar cane (Brazil) and corn
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/13] Vol. 8 43
Carbohydrates Oils Proteins Fibres (lignoce lulosic)
% Use % Use % Use % Use
Sugar beet 65–70% Industrial 5–7% Feed 5–7% Feed
Sugar cane 30% Industrial
Wheat 60% Industrial 10% Feed, Food 30% Feed, Food
Corn 75% Industrial 5% Food 15% Feed 5% Feed
Feed, Food
Proteins and
Soy 20% Industrial
Fibres 80%
Rapeseed/
Proteins and
40% Industrial
Canola
Fibres 60%
External origin
attributes of the environment
Internal origin
attributes of the biomass
Helpful
to achieving the objective
• Established logistic and processes (varieties,
cultivation, harvest, storage, quality control)
• Sugar cane and beet: Highest yields of fermentable
sugar per ha (high land effi ciency)
• Positive GHG balance and low non-renewable
resource depletion, high resource efficiency
• Protein rich by-product press cake or DDGS (Dried
Distillers Grains with Solubles) for feed
• Lower production costs than sugars from
lignoce lulose
• Easy to use for biotech processes
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
(US), for example, can be immediately redirected to the availability, resource- and land efficiency, valorization of byproducts
and emergency food reserves are taken into account.
food and feed market. This is especially possible with
crop varieties certified for food and feed.
This also means that research into first generation
First-generation crops also have the potential to give processes should be continued and receive fresh support e.g.
the farmer more flexibility in terms of his crop’s end from European research agendas and tha the quota system
use. If the market is already saturated with food exports for producing sugar in the European Union should be revised
of a crop, this a lows the crop to be diverted towards in order to enable increased production of these feedstocks
industrial use. The reverse is also true when there is a for industrial uses.
food shortage.
And the authors ask for a level playing field between
Therefore, growing more food crops for industry creates industrial material uses of biomass and biofuels/bioenergy
a quintuple win situation:
in order to reduce market distortions in the allocation of
• The farmer wins, since he has more options for se ling
biomass for uses other than food and feed.
his stock and therefore more economic security;
• The environment wins due to greater resource efficiency
o food crops and the sma ler area of land used;
References:
• Food security wins due to flexible a location of food
crops in times of crisis;
• Feed security also wins due to the high value of the
protein-rich by-products o food crops;
• Market stability wins due to increased global availability
of food crops, which wi l reduce the risk of shortages
and speculation peaks.
For all these reasons, the authors reques that political
measures should not differentiate simply between
food and non-food crops, but that criteria such as land
Table 1: Valorization of components o food crops used in industry.
This considers only the special case of when a l carbohydrates
(sugar beet, sugar cane, wheat and corn) or oils (soy and canola)
are used for industrial material use only, their by-products being
subsequently used for food and feed. 1 Sources: Kamm et al. 2006;
IEA Bioenergy, Task 42 Biorefinery 2012: Country Reports.
1 Table 1 and Figure 2 do not give an overview of actual current use o food crops, but only the special case when carbohydrates or oil are
used exclusively for industrial material use. The reality is somewhat di ferent: (1) Most of Brazil’s mi ls can produce both ethanol and sugar,
bu the amount of each product varies according to market conditions. The regular mix is 55 % ethanol and 45 % sugar. (2) With one raw
material, the European starch industry serves di ferent application sectors – confectionary and drinks, processed foods, feed, paper and
corrugating, pharmaceuticals, chemicals/ polymers and biofuels – in an integrated, continuous and balanced manner.
For this episode of “10 Years ago in bioplastics
MAGAZINE” it wasn’t even necessary to look for an
interesting article and ask the author for his or
her today’s view. This time it came by itself, so
we just need to point our readers
to the publication of nova
Intitute from 2013. MT
(soy milk
and tofu from
extracted proteins)
• Fast implementation and growth of the Biobased
Economy; required technology is state of the art
• Food security only possible with a globa ly growing
volume o food crops: Emergency reserves & market
stabilization; (partial substitution with non-food crops
would lead to artifi cial shortage)
• Economic security for the farmer due to more choices
of se ling his stock
Fig. 3: SWOT Analysis o food crop use for industry (nova 2013)
www.bio-based.eu
[1] Dauber, J. et al. 2012: Bioenergy from “surplus” land:
environmental and socio-economic implications; BioRisk 7: 5 –
50 (2012)
[2] Zeddies, J. et al. 2012: Globale Analyse und Abschätzung des
Biomasse-Flächennutzungspotentials. Hohenheim 2012
[3] FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
2011: Global food losses and food waste. Rome 2011
[4] Carus, M. 2012: From the field to the wheel: Photovoltaic is 40
times more efficient than the best biofuel; bioplastics MAGAZINE
(1/12), Vol. 7, 2012
nova paper #2 on bio-based economy: Food or non-food: Which
agricultural feedstocks are best for industrial uses? (2013-07)
nova papers on bio-based economy are proposals to stimulate
the discussion on curren topics of the bio-based economy
by inviting relevant stakeholders to participate in decisionmaking
processes and debates.
Download this paper and further documents at:
www.bio-based.eu/policy/en
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/13] Vol. 8 45
Helpful
to achieving the objective
• Direct competition to food and feed market
• Price level directly linked to food and feed
prices; high prices during food crisis
• High volatility of the raw material prices
• Decreasing production would cause shortages
on animal feed markets
• Sensitive to drought and dry winter freeze
• Under high pressure from public, NGOs and
politicians: Claimed impact on food prices and food
shortages
• Simple strong and populistic messages like “No Food
Crops for Industry”
• During food crisis: High prices and no secure supply
for the industry
• Insecure political framework; very complex EU
legislation concerning specifi c food crops (e.g. sugar)
Opinion
tinyurl.com/foodfeed2013
42 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/13] Vol. 8

14 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
INITIATIVE
RENEWABLE
CARBON
No sustainable future
without Carbon Capture
and Utilisation (CCU)
Why we need much more political recognition and support for CCU
CCU enables the substitution of fossil carbon in
sectors where carbon is necessary, supports the full
defossilisation of the chemical and derived material
industries, creates a circular economy, reduces the emission
gap, promotes sustainable carbon cycles, fosters innovation,
generates local value, and stimulates job growth.
The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) commissioned
the German nova-Institute to write the unique background
report entitled “Making a case for Carbon Capture and
Utilisation (CCU) – it is much more than just a carbon
removal technology”. The report is a science-based appeal
for CO 2
utilisation.
The central goal of the RCI is to facilitate the transition
from fossil to renewable carbon in all chemicals and
materials. Besides biomass and recycling, Carbon Capture
and Utilisation (CCU) is one of the three available options
to provide renewable carbon, but its potential is not yet
fully recognised by policymakers. One main cause is the
widespread misconception that CCU only delays emissions
and therefore does not contribute to climate change
mitigation or net-zero targets – two critical goals that are at
the heart of global climate policy. When policy accepts CCU,
it is often in the context of long-term storage of carbon or
atmospheric/biogenic carbon dioxide removal.
CCU is much more than a carbon
removal technology
The latest paper of the RCI makes a clear case in favour
of CCU: the technology offers multiple solutions to pressing
problems of our modern world and can support several
Sustainable Development Goals if implemented properly.
In total, 14 different benefits and advantages of CCU are
described and discussed in the paper. A key advantage is that
CCU supplies renewable carbon to – and thereby substitutes
fossil carbon in – sectors that will require carbon in the
long run. This includes the chemical sectors and products
like polymers, plastics, solvents, paints, detergents,
cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals. Several CO 2
-based plastics,
detergents, textiles, or fuels are already in production and
on the market (Figure 1). But CCU is also essential to a longterm
net-zero strategy, crucial for creating a sustainable
circular economy, providing solutions for scaling up the
renewable energy system and bringing multiple benefits for
innovation and business.
The relevance of the technology is not yet accepted in
Europe, but the RCI wants to make a very clear statement:
CCU is a central pillar for the biggest transformation of
the chemical and material industry since the industrial
revolution – to decouple the petrochemical industry from
fossil carbon, by using renewable carbon. CCU is a crucial
technology for the future, as it enables the substitution of
fossil carbon in sectors where carbon will be needed longterm
and supports the full defossilisation of the chemical
and derived material industries. CO 2
can be captured from
various sources and converted into a wide range of fuels,
chemicals and materials. Without CCU, only recycling and
biomass remain to supply the entire non-fossil carbon
demand of a sustainable, defossilised future. But all three
options combined maximise the technological potential
to find the best solutions for any given situation and allow
the creation of a circular carbon economy. By creating
sustainable carbon cycles, CCU reduces the emission gap
and promotes the circular economy. Moreover, CCU fosters
innovation, generates local value, and stimulates job growth.
The consequence of not embracing CCU will be prolonged
dependence on fossil feedstock.
Christopher vom Berg, one of the main authors of the paper:
“Every gram of carbon that can be kept in the cycle through
CCU does not have to be extracted (from fossil resources) or
injected into the ground through Carbon Capture and Storage
(CCS). CCU is the epitome of a circular (carbon) economy!”
Why is there only limited adoption
of CCU as of yet?
CCU is a young and energy-intensive industry with only a
few clear advocates. The technology competes with wellestablished,
upscaled industries that have powerful lobbies
(e.g., fossil industries, biofuels sector), across multiple
products and sectors. And the strong net-zero focus in
policy leads some stakeholders to disregard the remaining
future demand for carbon as a feedstock – and therefore
to push only for zero-carbon energy and carbon storage of
remaining emissions.
Harmonised regulatory support is lacking when it comes
to CCU. Instead, a patchwork of regulatory incentives and
barriers is in place. This patchwork currently encourages CCU
for fuels and long-term storage, but not for the only sector
that has a clear long-term need for carbon supply – chemicals
and materials. At the same time, CCU as a recent technology
lacks clear advocacy and struggles to gain a foothold under
competition in strong, long-established sectors. In order to
support the development of the entire carbon capture sector
and to enable the development of CCU into a central pillar of
comprehensive carbon management, proper endorsement
and support by a policy will be necessary.

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
15
DAC
(Direct Air
Capture)
Industry
Bioenergy
Plants
Recycling
Re-Utilisation in Materials
Carbon Capture
Incineration
Waste
Incineration
Landfill
End
of
Life
Sources
Utilisation O ptions
Energy
Storage
Biological
Uptake
Gaseous
Fuels
Power
Plants
Chemical Conversion
Energy Materials
Liquid
Fuels
Proteins
Fertiliser,
Urea
Direct
Utilisation
Beverage
Dry Ice
Fertiliser
in Green
House
RENEWABLE
Permanent
Storage
Minerals,
Cement,
Concrete
Longlasting
Application
Polymers,
Plastics
Solvents,
Paint,
Lacquer,
Coatings
Cleaning
with CO
Cooling
Systems
Fire
Extinguisher
Figure 1:
CO 2
as a feedstock:
CCU provides multiple
solutions for sustainability
(Source nova-Institiute)
It is RCI’s belief that Europe’s first priority should be
to minimise the emission gap (and thus the problem of
overshooting carbon emissions) as much as possible, while
developing carbon dioxide removals as the technological
back-up plan to achieve our climate targets. Failing on these
targets is simply not an option, and therefore well-established
carbon capture technologies need to be developed and
scaled. But with strong investment in renewable energies
and CCU, the remaining emission gap can be significantly
reduced to only the truly unavoidable emissions.
Michael Carus, one of the main authors of the paper: “It is
simply absurd that power stations and industry should store
their CO 2
emissions in the ground at great expense via long
pipelines (CCS), while at the same time continuing to use
fossil carbon from the ground – instead of driving the carbon
around in circles via CCU. It is a political scandal not to create
a policy framework in Europe that stimulates the capture and
use of ongoing fossil CO 2
emissions”.
Info:
The background report identifies and discusses 14 significant
benefits and advantages that CCU can deliver and promotes twelve
policies measures to fully
realise these benefits.
The entire report is available
for free:
https://tinyurl.com/rci-ccu-23
Disclaimer: RCI members are a diverse group of
companies addressing the challenges of the transition
to renewable carbon with different approaches.
The opinions expressed in this articlemay not
reflect the exact individual policies and views of all
RCI members.
www.renewable-carbon-initiative.com | www.nova-institute.eu

16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Events
bioplastics MAGAZINE presents:
The successful PHA World Congress, organized by bioplastics MAGAZINE together with
GO!PHA goes into its third edition. After 2018 and 2021 and a digital event in 2020, the
conference is now going to the USA.
On October 10 th and 11 th , 2023, the 3 rd PHA World Congress will be held
at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta.
The congress will address the progress, challenges, and market opportunities for the
formation of this new polymer platform in the world. Every step in the value chain will be
addressed. Raw materials, polymer manufacturing, compounding, polymer processing,
applications, opportunities, and end-of-life options will be discussed by parties active in each
of these areas. Progress in underlying technology challenges will also be addressed.
The hybrid event allows participation on-site as well as online. The event will be recorded and made available for convenient
watching (video-on-demand) until the end of the year. All presentations will be made available in PDF format as well.
Agenda
www.pha-world-congress.com
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
08:00 – 08:10 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Welcome Remarks
08:10 – 08:30 Anindya Mukherjee, GO!PHA PHA: Circular materials made by Nature
08:30 – 08:50 t.b.d. The importance of biopolymers in transforming our industries, economies and society
08:50 – 09:10 James Fields, Beyond Plastic PHA recyclability: identification and sorting in recycling systems
09:20 – 09:40
Linda Amaral-Zettler, NIOZ, Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute
PHA biodegradation mechanics in the marine environment
09:40 – 10:00 Sam de Coninck, Normec OWS Three decades of biodegradability & compostability testing on PHA: Facts & Fiction
10:00 – 10:20 Blake Lindsey, RWDC Industries The Global Plastics Crisis – PHA nature's solution
10:55 – 11:15 Katrina Knauer, NREL An enzymatic recycling system for mixed biopolyesters
11:15 – 11:35 Anton Zhloba, Jungbunzlauer Citrate Esters as Plasticisers for PHBV/PLA films
11:35 – 11:55 Yuanbin Bai, Bluepha Lessons in scaling up PHA production
12:05 – 12:25 René Rozendal, Paques Biomaterials PHA producing bacteria: nature’s way to recycle carbon
12:25 – 12:45 N.N., Circularise (t.b.c) Digital product passports and MassBalance bookkeeping
14:00 – 14:20 Eugene Chen, Colorado State University Redesigning PHAs with synthetic chemistry: opening up new possibilities of the PHA polymer platform
14:20 – 14:40
Wouter Post, Wageningen University &
Research
PHA based materials with programmed biodegradation for consumer and agriculture applications
14:40 – 15:00 Tine Zlebnik, ECHO Instruments Practical aspects of measuring biodegradation of plastics in automatic respirometers
15:35 – 15:55 Peng Ye, Farrel Pomini PHA Compounding and processing insights using a continuous mixer
15:55 – 16:15
Nick Sandland and Debjyoti Banerjee,
Teknor Apex
Tuning PHA performance with ASTM D6400 – ready compounding ingredients
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
08:00 – 08:10 Michael Thielen, Polymedia Publisher Welcome Remarks
08:10 – 08:30 George Chen, Tsinghua University PHA Past, Present and Future
08:30 – 08:50 Maximilian Lackner, Technikum Wien Advancements in gas fermentation for PHA production
08:50 – 09:10 Adi Goldman, Biotic Robust non-sterile fermentation of marine biomass to PHA
09:20 – 09:40 Francesco Montecchio, Alfa Laval Insights on process optimization for PHA downstream purification
09:40 – 10:00 William Bardosh, TerraVerdae Progress on applications development and market opportunities for PHAs
10:00 – 10:20 N.N., Kaneka (t.b.c.) t.b.d.
10:55 – 11:15 Julia Reisser, Uluu Replacing Fossil Plastic with Seaweed PHAs
11:15 – 11:35 Luigi Vandi, University of Queensland New generation ductile PHA Biocomposites made with native fibres
11:35 – 11:55 Molly Morse, Mango Materials Wastewater biogas feedstock for PHA fibre formulation and other uses
12:05 – 12:25
Eric Klingenberg, Mars and Brad Rodgers,
Danimer Scientific
Supply Chain Collaboration – Keys to successful compostable packaging innovations with PHA
12:25 – 12:45 Rick Passenier, GO!PHA Driving the PHA-polymer platform; navigating regulations and partnerships for growth
14:00 – 14:20 Raj Krishnaswamy, CJ Biomaterials New PHA Development Expands Biodegradability Landscape for Other Biopolymers
14:20 – 14:40 Bryan Haynes, Kimberly-Clark Advancements of PHA processing for hygiene applications
14:40 – 15:00 Paul Boudreault, BOSK Bioproducts How to turn industrial waste into sustainable packaging with a PHA based compound
15:35 – 15:55 Sridevi Narayan, Pepsico Utilizing PHA films for packaging applications; PHA innovation insights
15:55 – 16:15 Allegra Muscatello, Taghleef Industries Development of PHA films: the succes of formulation
Subject to changes

한국포장협회로고.ps 2016.11.21 8:26 PM 페이지1 MAC-18
Register now
10 + 11 October 2023
Atlanta, GA, USA
HYBRID
organized by
in Partnership with
www.pha-world-congress.com
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Supported by
Bronze Sponsors
Media Partner
KOREA PACKAGING ASSOCIATION INC.
(subject to changes)

18 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Events
Happy Birthday to FKuR
Bioplastics and circular material specialist FKuR celebrates
20 th anniversary
Renewable Carbon Plastics (aka bioplastics MAGAZINE)
sincerely congratulates FKuR (Willich, Germany) for 20
years of groundbreaking work in the field of bioplastics.
From an associated institute of the University of Applied
Sciences to a pioneer of the circular economy for a sustainable
plastics industry. Stories like this one are not only written in
Silicon Valley, but also in the Lower Rhine region in Germany.
What started back at the Willich site with just a few
employees and a laboratory extruder has now become a
major company in the bioplastics industry. FKuR develops
and produces innovative bioplastic compounds on the
company’s premises covering more than 7,000 m². The
company’s own granulates are complemented by a broad
distribution portfolio of biobased bioplastics and high-quality
post-consumer recyclates.
Meanwhile, the FKuR group of companies produces
and distributes its plastic solutions from three worldwide
locations. Embedded in the group are, in addition to FKuR
Kunststoff GmbH supplying the European market from the
company’s headquarters in Willich, the US marketing & sales
office of FKuR Plastics Corp. (Texas, USA) as well as the joint
venture SKYi FKuR Biopolymers Pvt Ltd, founded in 2019 and
producing in Pune, India.
20 years of bioplastics, 30 years of sustainability
“This year we are not only celebrating 20 years of FKuR,
but also more than 30 years of commitment to the circular
economy”, emphasizes Carmen Michels. FKuR’s roots go
back to 1992, when it was founded as a research institute
under the name Forschungsinstitut Kunststoff und Recycling
(FKuR). Since its beginnings, the company has been dedicated
to the topic of sustainability. It all started back then with the
question of how plastic products could be better recycled.
When plastics recycling in Germany evolved from its infancy
at the end of the 1990s, FKuR focused on the development
of biodegradable plastics. This step was followed by the
rebranding as FKuR Kunststoff GmbH with the corporate
philosophy Plastics made by Nature!
“For us, nature was and is the best recycler. That’s why,
with nature as our guideline and a passion for plastics, we
have developed a unique range of bioplastics and recyclable
granulates”, explains Patrick Zimmermann. As the
company’s history continued, it added biobased distribution
products to its own compounds, such as the biobased I’m
green Polyethylene (Bio-PE) from Braskem, the Bio-PET
from Taiwan’s Fenc Group, and most recently the high-quality
post-consumer recyclates from Kaskada Ltd.
The Managing Directors of FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, from left to
right Carmen Michels, Patrick Zimmermann, Daniel Peltzer.
Goal: Keep carbon in the cycle
“We are convinced that the future of plastics must be carbon
neutral — to protect our planet and for a more responsible
use of the limited resources we are given. Therefore, these
strategic cooperations were the next logical step for us in our
mission Plastics care for Future”, explains Daniel Peltzer.
Today, FKuR is one of the leading suppliers of sustainable
plastic granulates. From biobased and biodegradable
bioplastics to high-quality recyclates, FKuR offers its
customers unrivaled product diversity for a wide range of
applications and processing methods.
“FKuR’s central philosophy is a new way of thinking about
the future plastics age, as problem-ridden and successful
at the same time as it currently presents itself. The search
for sustainable solutions has become an important part
of our DNA. We are grateful and proud that we have been
able to make an important contribution to the sustainability
of the plastics industry over the past 20 years. Our thanks
go first and foremost to the people who make up FKuR, our
shareholders, all of whom are active in the company, as
well as our employees & staff, who work highly motivated
for our success. Guarantor of our success are in the same
way the partners who accompany us: Customers, suppliers,
development and distribution partners”, says Edmund
Dolfen, founder and visionary forerunner of FKuR. MT
www.fkur.com | www.fkur-polymers.com

available at www.renewable-carbon.eu/graphics
O
OH
HO
OH
HO
OH
O
OH
HO
OH
O
OH
O
OH
© -Institute.eu | 2021
PVC
EPDM
PP
PMMA
PE
Vinyl chloride
Propylene
Unsaturated polyester resins
Methyl methacrylate
PEF
Polyurethanes
MEG
Building blocks
Natural rubber
Aniline Ethylene
for UPR
Cellulose-based
2,5-FDCA
polymers
Building blocks
for polyurethanes
Levulinic
acid
Lignin-based polymers
Naphthta
Ethanol
PET
PFA
5-HMF/5-CMF FDME
Furfuryl alcohol
Waste oils
Casein polymers
Furfural
Natural rubber
Saccharose
PTF
Starch-containing
Hemicellulose
Lignocellulose
1,3 Propanediol
polymer compounds
Casein
Fructose
PTT
Terephthalic
Non-edible milk
acid
MPG NOPs
Starch
ECH
Glycerol
p-Xylene
SBR
Plant oils
Fatty acids
Castor oil
11-AA
Glucose Isobutanol
THF
Sebacic
Lysine
PBT
acid
1,4-Butanediol
Succinic
acid
DDDA
PBAT
Caprolactame
Adipic
acid
HMDA DN5
Sorbitol
3-HP
Lactic
acid
Itaconic
Acrylic
PBS(x)
acid
acid
Isosorbide
PA
Lactide
Superabsorbent polymers
Epoxy resins
ABS
PHA
APC
PLA
All figures available at www.renewable-carbon.eu/graphics
fossil
available at www.renewable-carbon.eu/graphics
All figures available at www.bio-based.eu/markets
renewable
allocated
© -Institute.eu | 2023
conventional
© -Institute.eu | 2021
Adipic acid (AA)
11-Aminoundecanoic acid (11-AA)
1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BDO)
Dodecanedioic acid (DDDA)
Epichlorohydrin (ECH)
Ethylene
Furan derivatives
D-lactic acid (D-LA)
L-lactic acid (L-LA)
Lactide
Monoethylene glycol (MEG)
Monopropylene glycol (MPG)
Naphtha
1,5-Pentametylenediamine (DN5)
1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO)
Sebacic acid
Succinic acid (SA)
© -Institute.eu | 2020
Mechanical
Recycling
Extrusion
Physical-Chemical
Recycling
available at www.renewable-carbon.eu/graphics
Refining
Dissolution
Physical
Recycling
Polymerisation
Formulation
Processing
Use
Enzymolysis
Biochemical
Recycling
Depolymerisation
Solvolysis
Thermal depolymerisation
Enzymolysis
Purification
Dissolution
Plastic Product
End of Life
Plastic Waste
Collection
Separation
Different Waste
Qualities
Solvolysis
Chemical
Recycling
Monomers
Recycling
Conversion
Pyrolysis
Gasification
Depolymerisation
Thermochemical
Recycling
Pyrolysis
Thermochemical
Recycling
Incineration
CO2 Utilisation
(CCU)
Gasification
Thermochemical
Recycling
Recovery
Recovery
Recovery
CO2
© -Institute.eu | 2022
© -Institute.eu | 2020
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
19
nova Market and Trend Reports
on Renewable Carbon
The Best Available on Bio- and CO2-based Polymers
& Building Blocks and Chemical Recycling
Summer
Special
20 % Discount
Code: Summer2023
( 01.06 – 31.08.23 )
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2)
as Feedstock for Chemicals,
Advanced Fuels, Polymers,
Proteins and Minerals
Technologies and Market, Status and
Outlook, Company Profiles
Bio-based Building Blocks
and Polymers
Global Capacities, Production and Trends 2022–2027
Mapping of advanced recycling
technologies for plastics waste
Providers, technologies, and partnerships
Polymers
Building Blocks
Diversity of
Advanced Recycling
Intermediates
Feedstocks
Plastics
Composites
Plastics/
Polymers
Monomers
Monomers
Naphtha
Syngas
Authors: Pauline Ruiz, Pia Skoczinski, Achim Raschka, Nicolas Hark, Michael Carus.
With the support of: Aylin Özgen, Jasper Kern, Nico Plum
April 2023
This and other reports on renewable carbon are available at
www.renewable-carbon.eu/publications
Authors: Pia Skoczinski, Michael Carus, Gillian Tweddle, Pauline Ruiz, Doris de Guzman,
Jan Ravenstijn, Harald Käb, Nicolas Hark, Lara Dammer and Achim Raschka
February 2023
This and other reports on renewable carbon are available at
www.renewable-carbon.eu/publications
Authors: Lars Krause, Michael Carus, Achim Raschka
and Nico Plum (all nova-Institute)
June 2022
This and other reports on renewable carbon are available at
www.renewable-carbon.eu/publications
Mimicking Nature –
The PHA Industry Landscape
Latest trends and 28 producer profiles
Bio-based Naphtha
and Mass Balance Approach
Status & Outlook, Standards &
Certification Schemes
Chemical recycling – Status, Trends
and Challenges
Technologies, Sustainability, Policy and Key Players
Plastic recycling and recovery routes
Principle of Mass Balance Approach
Virgin Feedstock
Renewable Feedstock
Feedstock
Process
Products
Monomer
Secondary
valuable
materials
Chemicals
Fuels
Others
Polymer
Use of renewable feedstock
in very first steps of
chemical production
(e.g. steam cracker)
Utilisation of existing
integrated production for
all production steps
Allocation of the
renewable share to
selected products
Primary recycling
(mechanical)
Plastic
Product
Secondary recycling
(mechanical)
Tertiary recycling
(chemical)
CO 2 capture
Product (end-of-use)
Quaternary recycling
(energy recovery)
Energy
Landfill
Author: Jan Ravenstijn
March 2022
This and other reports on renewable carbon are available at
www.renewable-carbon.eu/publications
Authors: Michael Carus, Doris de Guzman and Harald Käb
March 2021
This and other reports on renewable carbon are available at
www.renewable-carbon.eu/publications
Author: Lars Krause, Florian Dietrich, Pia Skoczinski,
Michael Carus, Pauline Ruiz, Lara Dammer, Achim Raschka,
nova-Institut GmbH, Germany
November 2020
This and other reports on the bio- and CO 2-based economy are
available at www.renewable-carbon.eu/publications
Genetic engineering
Production of Cannabinoids via
Extraction, Chemical Synthesis
and Especially Biotechnology
Current Technologies, Potential & Drawbacks and
Future Development
Plant extraction
Plant extraction
Cannabinoids
Chemical synthesis
Biotechnological production
Production capacities (million tonnes)
Commercialisation updates on
bio-based building blocks
Bio-based building blocks
Evolution of worldwide production capacities from 2011 to 2024
4
3
2
1
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2024
Levulinic acid – A versatile platform
chemical for a variety of market applications
Global market dynamics, demand/supply, trends and
market potential
HO
OH
diphenolic acid
H 2N
O
OH
O
O
OH
5-aminolevulinic acid
O
O
levulinic acid
O
O
ɣ-valerolactone
OH
HO
O
O
succinic acid
OH
O
O OH
O O
levulinate ketal
O
H
N
O
5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
OR
O
levulinic ester
Authors: Pia Skoczinski, Franjo Grotenhermen, Bernhard Beitzke,
Michael Carus and Achim Raschka
January 2021
This and other reports on renewable carbon are available at
www.renewable-carbon.eu/publications
Author:
Doris de Guzman, Tecnon OrbiChem, United Kingdom
Updated Executive Summary and Market Review May 2020 –
Originally published February 2020
This and other reports on the bio- and CO 2-based economy are
available at www.bio-based.eu/reports
Authors: Achim Raschka, Pia Skoczinski, Raj Chinthapalli,
Ángel Puente and Michael Carus, nova-Institut GmbH, Germany
October 2019
This and other reports on the bio-based economy are available at
www.bio-based.eu/reports
renewable-carbon.eu/publications

20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Cover Story
A centenary of sustainable
Unveiling the
issue
100 Better-More, 100 sounds like a rather
issues – a number that needs to be
talked about. In a time of Faster-
small number. If we talked about 100 years, surely
everyone would have a feel for how impressive and big
this number is, but 100 issues?
Many publications come
every month or even every
week. In this period, 100 issues
are not that far away. Since we
have a rhythm of six issues a
year (with two and four issues
in the early years), it takes some
time, to add up all those sixes
and make them a combined one
hundred. To be precise, it took us
more than 17 years to achieve this
triple-digit milestone.
Let me take you on a little
journey back in time to the
origins of bioplastics MAGAZINE.
Or, perhaps, even to the time
before that. The year is 2005, and
our CEO Michael Thielen was
still a startup-PR-consultant with a strong
background in plastics and blow moulding technology.
He was asked by IBAW (today European Bioplastics)
chairman Harald Kaeb to act as a PR consultant for the
Innovationparc – bioplastics in packaging at Interpack
2005 in Düsseldorf. And, like so many others, Michael
was intrigued. After Interpack the topic piqued his
interest, so he asked Harald “What’s the name of your
industry’s trade journal? I want a subscription!”
But guess what… there wasn’t one.
What a bummer – or was it?
The subject ignited Michael’s passion. According
to legend, it took only a couple of conversations with
various people (whose creativity and imagination were
fuelled by a drink or two) and the small crazy idea
developed and grew, becoming less and less crazy.
As you probably know, the bioplastics industry is full
of passionate and (hopelessly?) optimistic people –
trailblazers and inventors that foolhardily try to bring
change to the world. So it didn’t take long to find the
right experts, combined with professional approaches,
and the little crazy idea matured into
a full-blown epiphany, backed by a
proper business plan. As a result,
Michael founded the bioplastics
MAGAZINE in 2006 together with Sam
Brangenberg, who became a close
friend of the family over the years.
Starting with two and four issues
in the first two years, the third year
marked the beginning of our sixissue
cycle. Sure, if you want to do it
right and economically sound, you
need support. Of course, you can’t
do it all on your own, there are too
many tasks to be fulfilled. While
Michael was to a large part a “oneman-show”,
he was supported
by the minor shareholders Sam
Brangenberg (sales) and Mark
Speckenbach (layout and design).
And they also found enough people
“crazy enough” to invest in advertisement in a print
medium when many a soul was saying “magazines
and books will die out soon”. Against all odds, and
perhaps exactly because the bioplastics industry is full
of dreamers and visionaries, bioplastics MAGAZINE was
able to establish itself on the market as THE source of
all information on the subject of bioplastics.
What happened across 100 issues of content over
17 years can be seen on pp 34. This article, however,
is about our cover – a celebration of this milestone.
If you’re a loyal reader you will be familiar with the
approximate conception of the cover: usually a woman
with some kind of product that connects to one of the
topics in the magazine. Occasionally, it was a man or a
child (usually connected to toys) or even a puppet or a
doll. All embedded in our bio-green framework. Finally,
our logo and the highlights of the issues are on top so
that it is clear what this publication is all about.

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
21
innovations:
of bioplastics MAGAZINE
Since we are of course incredibly proud of this
anniversary issue, we also wanted to show this
succinctly on the cover. The concept naturally comes
first and dictates the basic framework of the look. In the
past, we have decorated milestones and anniversaries
with silver applications. We wanted to stick to that
concept and increase the significance – so we’re going
for gold baby. In addition, we replaced the organic
green frame in this issue with a dark background in
order to visually distinguish it from the 99 issues that
came before, and to emphasize even more that this
anniversary is exceptional. If this is too blatant for
you at this point, all I can say is, “Sorry – not sorry”. A
design like this stays with the big anniversaries, and
they don’t come along every day.
By Philipp Thielen
Head of Design & Digital Operator
bioplastics MAGAZINE
Let’s talk about “the cover girls”. While it is unusual
for a trade magazine to have people on the cover at all,
it was initially something that kind of just happened –
and if things happen twice in a row, it’s a rule (German
proverb – probably). And let’s be honest, 2006 was a
different time, the argument “sex sells” was less
controversial – even if we did not pick the “cover girls”
for their sex appeal. Yet, holding on to that tradition did
not come without criticism.
In the last three years, a lot of changes have taken
place, both in terms of content and structure. When it
came to the cover, we tried to incorporate the criticism
while holding on to the tradition of a “cover person”. The
“cover-girl concept” remained, however, we gradually
moved away from images that fit the topic, towards
showcasing women of the industry. The plastics
industry is still a male-dominated one, although times
are changing – and so are we. It was therefore crystal
clear to us that the cover of the 100 th issue would also
be different. If you look at the cover, you already know
what I’m getting at, but let me tell you more about it.
Three years ago, Alex started as an editorial assistant
for the daily-news. Thanks to his background with his
Master’s in Creative Writing, this was easy work which
gradually expanded to editing articles and, every once
in a while, writing one himself.
In terms of content, Alex had always had contact
with the magazine and the topic of bioplastics, as he
supported the magazine at trade fairs and conferences
for years, and of course, knew the magazine. Until today,
this perfectly fitting combination of technical knowhow
and interest, probably even passion for the
content has developed to such an extent that Alex
has now become the absolutely legitimate Editor-in-
Chief. Of course, you also know him from the editorial.
Alex is also responsible for the ”new” topics Advanced
Recycling and Carbon Capture and Utilisation – CCU
and has already built up certain expertise there.
If you are keen to know more about it, Alex talked about
it in a recent podcast (see link at the end).
Like Alex, I also have had contact with the industry
and the topic of bioplastics since I was a teenager,
helping out at a number of trade fairs and conferences.
In a way, we both grew up with the topic of bioplastics.
After eleven years as a commercial photographer
in the publishing industry, I joined the bioplastics
MAGAZINE team in 2022 and have since been responsible
for the design and layout, as well as the digital
operation at our conferences.
In summary, the one-man-show Michael has
become the family team of bioplastics MAGAZINE over
the past years. So what would be more fitting than to
feature this team on the cover on this special occasion?

Cover Story
22 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
It would be difficult to create a cover that relates more to the content of
the magazine, and it is, in my opinion, also a much better way to celebrate
such a significant anniversary than just a big number. I would also say
that all three of us are not prone to self-promote and while we are all
smartarses, I would describe us as rather modest overall. Here and there
in life, you simply have to celebrate significant events – and this anniversary
is definitely one of them.
Finally, I am also very pleased to mention at this point that our 100 th issue
of bioplastics MAGAZINE is also the first issue of Renewable Carbon Plastics
and heralds the start of our rebranding. With the growing importance of
Advanced Recycling and CCU, we have realised that for the industry and
healthy change, bioplastics alone is not enough and simply doesn’t ring
true any more, especially as we want to broaden our focus even further.
You can read more about this on pp 5.
I can only echo the words from the editorial and thank you, dear readers,
and of course all our partners throughout the years, for the journey
together. I am sure we have an exciting and interesting future ahead of us.
And now we celebrate.
www.plasticclimatefuture.com/podcast/bioplasticsmagazine
www.renewable-carbon-plastics.com

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
23
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24 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Materials
From Lord of the Rings armour
to biobased facades
Kaynemaile (Lower Hutt, New Zealand), a leading global
designer and manufacturer of architectural mesh for
commercial, residential, and public buildings, recently
announced a major shift from fossil-based raw materials to
biomass content. The company uses Makrolon ® RE, an ISCC
PLUS-certified, mass-balanced polycarbonate from Covestro
(Leverkusen, Germany).
With Kaynemaile’s origins in the Armoury department of
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy some 20 years ago, the
company has evolved into an international business built on
its innovative nil-waste liquid-state manufacturing process
coupled with a compelling design aesthetic and a team
focused on providing bespoke functional design solutions
Kaynemaile’s new RE8 Architectural
Mesh will deliver an ISCC PLUS
certified sustainable share of up to
88 % of its architectural product. Moving
Kaynemaile’s production away from
traditional fossil-based materials to a
bio-circular attributed material will offer
a reduction of the carbon footprint of the
polymer material by up to 80 %, cradleto-gate,
including biogenic uptake,
enabling circular economy efforts while
maintaining proven functionality, ISCC
PLUS certified and LEED-enabled.
“RE8 is a major milestone in
Kaynemaile’s 20-year commitment to
circular economy practices”, says Kayne
Horsham, Founder of Kaynemaile.
“From the start, we have sought a highperformance
sustainable feed-stock material solution that
exceeds building compliance standards yet has a lighter
environmental footprint. Covestro’s bio-circular attributed
polycarbonate portfolio is now able to deliver on this ambition”.
“Makrolon RE polycarbonate from Covestro offers designers
a sustainable material solution, while still maintaining the
key benefits of traditional polycarbonate”, says Joel Matsco,
Senior Marketing Manager, Covestro. “The polycarbonate
material enables an unencumbered design experience and
provides a second life to upstream waste and residues. We
look forward to seeing RE8 from Kaynemaile on buildings and
in spaces around the world”.
at scale. Kaynemaile’s manufacturing facility is ISCC PLUS
certified and the introduction of its RE8 bio-circular material
helps position architects, planners, and builders to meet
regulated carbon reduction targets.
“RE8 is the most significant initiative by the company
since its founding”, says Kayne Horsham. “We are proud
to be at the forefront of this future-proofing circular
economy technology”. AT
www.kaynemaile.com | www.covestro.com
Magnetic
for Plastics
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• Daily News
from the Industrial Sector and the Plastics Markets.
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for Plastics & Additives, Machinery & Equipment, Subcontractors
and Services.
• Job Market
for Specialists and Executive Staff in the Plastics Industry.
Up-to-date • Fast • Professional

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
25
8 th PLA World Congress
28 + 29 MAY 2024 › MUNICH › GERMANY
HYBRID EVENT
organized by
aka
Call for Papers
Save the Date
www.pla-world-congress.com
PLA is a versatile bioplastics raw material from
renewable resources. It is being used for films and rigid
packaging, for fibres in woven and non-woven applications,
injection moulded toys, automotive applications, consumer
electronics and in many other industries. Innovative
methods of polymerizing, compounding or blending PLA
have broadened the range of properties and thus the range
of possible applications. That‘s why Renewable Carbon
Plastics (also known as bioplastics MAGAZINE) is now
organizing the PLA World Congress in its 8 th edition:
28 + 29 May 2024 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 kinds of
applications. Like the seven previous congresses the
8 th PLA World Congress will also offer excellent networking
opportunities for all delegates and speakers as well as
exhibitors of the tabletop exhibition. Based on our good
experiences the conference will again be a hybrid event.
Participation is possible on-site in Munich as well as
online via live streaming or a recording of all presentations
after the event.

26 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Materials
Enzymatic Biomaterials
Technology Platform
IFF (New York, NY, USA) announced the launch of its
new-to-the-world Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials (DEB)
technology for the development of biobased materials
at scale. Designed to deliver meaningful sustainability
benefits – with performance comparable or superior to
fossil-based materials – DEB technology helps to address
growing preferences for environmentally-friendly, highperformance
biopolymers.
The technology platform offers manufacturers the
opportunity to meet regulatory changes and mounting
consumer demands to replace traditional fossil-based
synthetic polymers. DEB is poised to lead the rapidly
progressing bio-revolution by unlocking purposeful
and sustainable innovation across various applications
and products in home care, personal care, fabric care,
and industrial markets.
“With the DEB technology platform, scientists can now
build the functions of petroleum-based polymers into
biopolymer materials directly – customizing and finetuning
polysaccharides to enable sustainable performance
enhancements within the chosen application”, said Wayne
Ashton, VP of Home and Personal Care at IFF. “From my
perspective, this is one of the most innovative technology
platforms to launch industry-wide in the last 15 years”.
Biomaterials derived from renewable raw materials are
becoming a preferred option for many customers as they
can be considerably more sustainable than their traditional,
fossil-based counterparts. However, in the past, some
biomaterials have demonstrated performance weaknesses,
limiting their adoption and market penetration.
IFF’s cutting-edge DEB technology utilizes advanced
biotechnology to create unique, structurally diverse
polysaccharides like those found in nature, but at scale,
with an accuracy and consistency typically only found in
conventional plastics. Its new family of advanced tailored
biomaterials uses only plant-based sugars, water, and
enzymes; to open up access to a range of materials
with glycosidic linkage control, designed-in molecular
weights and morphology.
The promising potential of this innovative
technology platform has already been demonstrated
across several industries.
• Personal Care Applications – AURIST AGC, IFF’s first
personal care ingredient enabled by DEB technology
can significantly improve both wet and dry combability
in conditioning haircare products and is a readily
biodegradable alternative to synthetic incumbents.
The newly launched conditioning biopolymer won the
prestigious gold in the functional ingredients category
at the 2023 in-cosmetics Global Innovation Zone
Best Ingredient Award.
• Home Care Applications – Lyrature is a growing family
of nature-inspired, customizable, high-performance
biopolymers, designed to pursue fully biodegradable
detergents and cleansers. The DEB technology can be
applied as cleaning polymers, rheology modifiers, and
emulsion stabilizers.
• Industrial Applications – Nuvolve engineered
polysaccharides are currently being developed
successfully as performance-enhancing materials
for textile and performance additive applications and
together with partners across various industries such as
packaging, paper and board as well as nonwovens and
performance composites. Nuvolve solutions are designed
to meet the established polymer grade, industry
specifications that are expected from fossil-derived
products but are typically not met by the traditional
biomaterials available today.
IFF embeds its commitment to circular design across its
business as a guiding principle toward creating responsible,
sustainable, and closed-loop systems in which materials
are reused and waste becomes a resource. The Company
continues to seek partnerships with forward-thinkers to
drive the bio-revolution. To learn more about how Designed
Enzymatic Biomaterials from IFF are powering a new frontier
in biomaterial innovation, visit their website. AT
https://bioscience.iff.com

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
27
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28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Top Talk
Chemical recycling
as a reset button
D
oes chemical recycling actually reduce greenhouse
gas emissions in an overall life cycle assessment?
How does chemical recycling compare with
mechanical processes and thermal recycling?
The bi-weekly German plastics journal K-Zeitung
talked to Heikki Färkkilä, Vice President Chemical
Recycling at Neste Renewable Polymers and Chemicals.
The interview was conducted by Matthias Gutbrod
(K-Zeitung, www.k-zeitung.de).
MG: With mechanical recycling and waste-to-energy
incineration, there are established processes for dealing
with plastic waste. Why is chemical recycling necessary?
HF: Incinerating fossil-based plastic waste with energy
recovery is basically equivalent to burning fossil resources
that have taken a short detour as plastic products.
The incineration of plastic waste results in significant
greenhouse gas emissions. As progress is made toward zeroemission
alternatives for both electricity and heat generation,
the approach is becoming less convincing.
By keeping materials in circulation through recycling,
incineration and other scenarios such as landfilling or, in
the worst case, littering the environment can be avoided.
Mechanical recycling is indeed an efficient and proven method
to achieve this. However, it has its limitations. There are
waste streams that are very difficult or impossible to recycle
mechanically. In addition, there are medical or food contact
applications that cannot be covered with mechanically
recycled material for reasons of quality and purity. In other
applications, the recycled material must be mixed with virgin
plastics to achieve the desired quality.
In all of these cases, chemical recycling can come into play
by expanding the range of recyclable waste, allowing the use
of recyclates in sensitive applications, and replacing new
plastics in the mixtures with recycled plastics.
MG: Critics say chemical recycling is very energy-intensive
and the material yield is low. What counterarguments can
be put forward here?
HF: There is no doubt that chemical recycling is more
energy-intensive than mechanical recycling. However, it
also processes other waste streams and produces other
products by turning hard-to-recycle plastic waste into virgin
raw materials for new plastics. In terms of energy intensity,
pyrolysis-based liquefaction processes can obtain most of
the required energy from non-condensable gases generated
as a side stream from the waste itself. This minimizes the
need for additional energy. In terms of yield, up to 85 % of
the polymer content of waste plastics can be converted into
pyrolysis oil, which is then further processed into feedstock
for new plastics in very efficient, large-scale refineries.
MG: Chemical recycling could process various types of
mixed plastic waste, but to achieve high yields with justifiable
energy input, fairly clean and homogeneous plastic waste is
required. Do chemical and mechanical recyclers ultimately
compete for high-quality waste after all?
HF: If plastic waste is suitable for mechanical recycling,
it should be recycled mechanically in the first place.
Anything else would be economic nonsense. It is true,
however, that chemical recycling cannot accept every material
either. We will mainly be looking at polyolefins that have little
or no value for mechanical recycling due to impurities, dyes,
multi-layer or multi-material structures and the like. Neste is
expanding the range of chemically recyclable materials by
using its own processing technologies as part of the ‘PULSE’
project supported by the EU Innovation Fund (cf. page 10 in
this issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE - MT).
MG: Which waste fractions would even a chemical recycler
ultimately no longer want to recycle?
HF: Chlorine is one of the substances that cause difficulties
in chemical recycling processes. Therefore, materials such
as PVC will have to continue to wait for a recycling solution.
We would also sort out PET because there is already a wellfunctioning
recycling infrastructure in place.
It is interesting that you talk about “no longer” in your
question: Every time a material is mechanically recycled,
the quality decreases somewhat, which means that it
cannot be recycled infinitely this way. Chemical recycling
basically provides a reset button that restores the quality of
the material, so that it can then be mechanically recycled
again several times. This once again underscores the
complementary nature of both routes.
MG: Chemical recycling is considered costly due to preprocessing,
energy requirements, and the use of chemicals/
catalysts. Under what conditions can chemical recycling be
operated economically?
HF: The cost issue has brought us to where we are today:
With our backs to the wall against climate change. It is not
only with plastics that we have chosen the seemingly cheap
fossil route. But fossil resources are only cheap because
we ignore the consequential costs. Yes, more sustainable
alternatives are more expensive in most cases, but they are
also just more sustainable.
Fortunately, there are well-known brands and a growing
segment of consumers willing to value more sustainable
solutions. At the same time, regulation is also evolving,
which is necessary to accelerate the adoption of new circular
economy solutions. In general, we expect the cost of chemical
recycling to come down as the technology learning curve
and volumes increase.

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
29
MG: Are there already plants operating on
an industrial scale in Europe?
HF: Currently, chemical recycling is still in
a phase of commercialization and expansion,
with several liquefaction projects underway.
As Neste, we have been refining liquefied
waste plastic at our refinery in Finland
since 2020. For our PULSE project, we
have received a grant of 135 million Euros from the EU
Innovation Fund to further expand the pretreatment and
upgrading capacities of liquefied waste plastic at our Porvoo
refinery in Finland. We are aiming for a capacity to process
400,000 tonnes of liquefied plastic per year there. This is a
step toward our goal of processing more than one million
tonnes of used plastics per year by 2030.
MG: Plastics producers mix fossil and non-fossil raw
materials in their processes and allocate the non-fossil
quantities to very specific end products via a mass balance.
This even happens across individual product categories
and site boundaries. The danger of greenwashing
is great. Doesn’t this undermine the recognition
of chemical recycling?
HF: Mass balancing is a common concept, not only in the
plastics industry. It’s very useful when the product properties
don’t differ and building separate infrastructures would not
be economically viable. Take green power, for example: if
you buy green power from your electricity supplier, you get a
guarantee that the amount you use comes from renewable
energy sources, and you encourage the further development
of green power. However, the electricity for your TV can
also come from a coal-fired power plant because the grid
is one and the same.
The situation is similar with plastics. But from a climate
perspective, that doesn’t really matter. What matters
is the fact that fossil resources are being replaced and
more recycled or renewable materials are being used.
Transparency is important here. The danger of greenwashing
does not come from mass balancing but from the lack of
Heikki Färkkilä,
Vice President Chemical Recycling at
Neste Renewable Polymers
(Photo: Neste)
transparency about mass balancing.
Independent certification systems
are needed to confirm sustainability.
MG: How important are legal
recognition and mass balancing to
the success of chemical recycling?
HF: They are both very important.
Without legal recognition, it becomes
very difficult to justify the investments needed to industrialize
chemical recycling. Who will invest hundreds of millions or
billions of euros in recycling facilities if it is not yet clear
whether it will be recognized as recycling? Policymakers
have recognized this, but the movement is not yet keeping
pace with the reality of companies wanting to invest and
build large facilities.
In addition, mass balancing will be very important,
especially in the start-up phase: For some time, there simply
won’t be enough recycled material for the industry to run
large crackers exclusively on. What choice do they have
but to mix it with other materials? If mass balancing is not
accepted, the industry’s transition will be severely hampered
– and this applies not only to recyclates but also to renewable
materials, where the situation is similar.
MG: Neste has already chemically recycled initial
quantities of plastic waste. What experience has Neste
gained? What further plans does Neste have in this area?
HF: We have set ourselves a clear goal: By 2030, we want
to process more than one million tonnes of plastic waste
per year. To date, we have processed almost 3,000 tonnes of
liquefied plastic waste at our refinery in Porvoo, Finland, and
sold the recycled raw material to customers in the industry.
A more comprehensive version of this interview was
previously published in the German language in K-Zeitung,
issue 13 – 2023 (04 July 2023). Reprinted here in abridged
form with kind permission. Translation errors reserved.
www.k-zeitung.de | www.neste.com

30 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Advanced Recycling
Microwave assisted
depolymerization of PET
First-of-a-kind manufacturing plant for microwave assisted
depolymerization of PET to be built in Spain
Gr3n (Chiasso, Switzerland) announced at the end of July that
its goal of being the world’s leading supplier of enhanced
recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is closer to
becoming a reality, thanks to the signing of a binding Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with its shareholder Intecsa Industrial
(Madrid, Spain) to set up a joint venture. Together with Intecsa
Industrial, gr3n will join forces and build a “First-of-a-Kind” (FOAK)
manufacturing facility, commencing the EPC phase (Engineering,
Procurement and Construction) in Q4-2024 and aiming to be
operational in 2027.
“This is a huge step for gr3n, as it will allow us to grow even
more, showing enhanced recycling is something tangible
and that it is possible to bring MADE, our Microwave Assisted
Depolymerization, to market”, said Maurizio Crippa, gr3n Founder
and Chief Executive Officer. “Shareholders have the full view on
gr3n’s operations, so moving forward with one of them is further
confirmation of their trust but also of the strength of the data and
the results generated”.
Gr3n developed an innovative process, based on the application
of microwave technology to alkaline hydrolysis, which provides
an economically viable approach to the recycling of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), allowing for its industrial implementation.
The gr3n process is economically sustainable and industrially
viable as it breaks down any type of PET and polyester plastic
into its two core components (PTA and MEG monomers), which
can then be re-assembled to obtain virgin-like plastics, allowing
endless recycling loops. This new process has the potential to
change how PET is recycled worldwide, with huge benefits both
for the recycling industry and for the entire polyester value chain.
The company’s goal is to become the world-leading supplier
of recycled PET and polyester, addressing the global need for
virgin plastics and triggering a truly circular approach to plastic
recycling. gr3n is part of PETCORE Europe, Chemical Recycling
Europe, and Accelerating Circularity.
Gr3n’s process has the potential to change the way PET is
recycled worldwide, enabling huge benefits for both the recycling
industry and the entire polyester value chain. Many efforts have
been made in the past to transfer enhanced recycling from
research laboratories to the manufacturing industry, but the
economics and scepticism of the first adopters have constantly
blocked the progress of the proposed solutions. Thanks to the
MADE technology developed by gr3n, this approach is now feasible
and makes gr3n one of the few companies with the potential to
provide a reliable enhanced recycling solution that closes the
life cycle of PET and also offers food-grade polymer material,
processes a large variety of waste and reduces the carbon footprint
of these materials usually destined for incineration or landfill.

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
31
“Gr3n has the potential to change the recycling industry,
as their technology allows us to tackle things other
technologies cannot”, said Ramiro Prieto, Commercial and
New Business Units Director at Intecsa Industrial. “This
means expanding the raw material that can be recycled,
then accelerating the transition to the circular economy.
As Industrial partners and shareholders, we are part of the
board, but we have also had the opportunity to perform the
basic engineering of the industrial plant. Thus, we are well
acquainted with the technology which we firmly believe is
now ready to level up”.
“We’re really thrilled to see all the great things gr3n
is up to and how they’ve been pushing the boundaries
of technology, and we believe that gr3n’s technology will
be a key player in the path towards the closed loop of the
PET sector. Our partnership with gr3n reflects our focus
on accelerating the implementation of Intecsa’s deep
technical and operational expertise in industrial plants. At
Intecsa we are convinced that this will be a game changer”,
said Ernesto De La Serna, Director of New Developments
and Innovation at Intecsa Industrial.
The world’s first industrial-scale MADE PET recycling
plant will have the capability to process post-industrial
and post-consumer PET waste including hard-to-recycle
waste, to produce approximately 40,000 tonnes of virgin
PET chips from the recycled monomers saving nearly 2
million tonnes of CO 2
during its operating life. The post–
consumer and/or post-industrial polyesters will be both
from bottles (coloured, colourless, transparent, opaque)
and textiles (100 % polyester, but also mixtures of other
materials like PU, cotton, polyether, polyurea, etc. with up
to 30 % of presence in the raw textile).
REGISTER
NOW!
For your registration scan this QR code
or go to www.european-bioplastics.org/
events/ebc/registration
12 – 13 Dec 2023
Titanic Hotel, Berlin, Germany
The technical concept of the MADE plant is to break
down PET into its main components (monomers) so they
can potentially be re-polymerized endlessly to provide
brand-new virgin PET or any other polymer using one of the
monomers. Polymers obtained can be used to produce new
bottles/trays and/or new garments, essentially completely
displacing feedstock material from fossil fuels, as the
recycled product has the same functionality as that derived
traditionally. This means that gr3n can potentially achieve
bottle-to-textile, textile-to-textile, or even textile-to-bottle
recycling, moving from a linear to a circular system. MT
https://gr3n-recycling.com | www.intecsaindustrial.com

32 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Biocomposites
PLA food packaging project
PLA-fibre biocomposite and PLA-starch blends for food
packaging applications
Polylactic acid (PLA) is currently the strongest bioplastic
in terms of volume and global production capacity [1].
This trend is also expected to continue in the future –
by 2027, the global production capacity of PLA is forecasted
to be about 38 % of all bioplastics (2022 it was around 21 %)
[2]. PLA also offers the best value for money and is already
well understood in terms of processing properties. However,
for economic and other reasons, products made from PLA
are not currently recycled on industrial scale. Since PLA has
no direct fossil counterpart plastic, it cannot be integrated
into existing recycling processes, or only to a limited extent.
Furthermore, no sorting facilities are currently established
to sort PLA, as the material flow remains too low [3]. In order
to promote recycling for PLA, it is necessary that sufficient
material is available on the market.
This is where the joint project PLA2Scale comes in, funded
by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
(project management agency Fachagentur Nachwachsende
Rohstoffe – FNR – funding no: 2221NR033). The areas of
application for food packaging made of PLA are limited,
among other things, due to the gas barrier properties [4].
Should the areas of application be expanded, the material
flow of PLA could be sufficiently increased and thus sorting
and (mechanical and chemical) recycling could also become
economically interesting. The PLA2Scale project aims
to contribute to a significant increase in the PLA material
stream through substituted packaging materials in order
to strengthen the incentive effect for sorting/recycling
companies to recycle PLA as a new material stream alongside
conventional plastics.
The overall goal of the project is to increase the amount
of PLA-based food packaging to the market, taking
ecological design into account. In this context, ecological
design is understood to mean material-efficient use and
optimum product protection for the packaged goods.
To achieve an increase in the PLA material flow, among
others, two of the main research approaches aimed for are
summarized in Figure 1.
On the one hand, the oxygen barrier of PLA-starch blends
is to be increased in order to be suitable for more sensitive
foods such as convenience products, cheese, and sliced
sausage in modified atmosphere. On the other hand, the
gas barrier of PLA-fibre biocomposites is to be lowered.
Here, different fibres are used to create incompatibilities
that are necessary for gas transfer so that highly respiratory
foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables can be packaged
appropriately. These two approaches are expected to expand
the potential applications of PLA or PLA biocomposites for
market-relevant food categories. PLA blends and fibre
integration can not only adapt the function of PLA, but also
also reduce the price compared to pure PLA.
Since the start of the project in November 2022, the IfBB
(Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites of the Hannover
University of Applied Sciences and Arts) and the Sustainable
Packaging Institute (SPI) of the Albstadt-Sigmaringen
University are working in a consortium with ten industrial
partners and two associations on the new food packaging,
from raw material selection to up-scaling to industrial scale.
Overall, three main plastic processing routes for PLA,
PLA biocomposites, or PLA blends will be evaluated, namely
flat film casting, thermoforming, and injection moulding.
Over the past few months, the raw material selection for
the blend/biocomposite partners has been made, which will
be primarily from residual/side streams. For this purpose,
13 fibre products for the development of the PLA fibre
biocomposites have been investigated so far (e.g. apple fibres,
citrus fibres, by-products of the wood processing industry
such as sawdust, pea fibres, hemp shives) and three starchcontaining
side stream products for the PLA starch blends
have been tested. First trials have been performed for the
PLA biocomposites. Injection moulded test specimen discs
were produced and characterized. The SPI team is currently
doing flat film production trials on pilot scale with PLAsawdust
biocomposites (Figure 2).
PLA -fibre
biocomposite
Forrespiratory food
such as
•Fresh fruits
•Fresh vegetables
PLA
Figure 1: Schematic representation of
the objectives of compounding PLA in the
PLA2Scale project.
PLA-starch
blend
For sensitive food
such as
• Meat and cheese
•Refrigeratedfood

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
33
In the end, the gas permeability measurements serve as
the final decision criterion to decide which biocomposite
material, in which concentration, and which biobased
additives are suitable for flat films casting. For respiratory
foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh salads, a
water vapour permeability >10,000 g/m²d is required to
package these products adequately [4]. For PLA blends with
starch-based blend partners, potato-based raw materials
are currently being investigated, which are compounded into
PLA in the form of thermoplastic starch. Both approaches,
PLA-fibre biocomposite and PLA-starch blend will be further
processed into films and thermoformed trays at pilot and
industrial scale, which will be used for food packaging and
storage trials towards the end of the project to demonstrate
the feasibility of these systems.
In addition to the technical development, the IfBB will
conduct a life cycle assessment of the raw materials, the
processes, and the packaging materials developed. At the
end of the project, the substitution potential of the developed
packaging materials will be calculated in order to be able
to make statements about how much petrochemical
plastic packaging can be replaced and how this affects the
life cycle assessment.
The innovative potential of the PLA2Scale project is high.
Establishing enough PLA on the market to make sorting and
recycling economically viable, would have great effects on the
greenhouse gas potential as recycling as been shown to be
the best end-of-life option for PLA concerning the reduction
of greenhouse gas emissions [3].
References:
[1] IfBB – Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (ed.): Biopolymers – Facts
and statistics 2022, Hannover 2023.
[2] European Bioplastics e.V., 2023 (accessed online), Bioplastics market data,
https://www.european-bioplastics.org/market/#iLightbox[gallery_image_1]/1
[3] Spierling, S., Röttger, C., Venkateshwaran, V., Mudersbach, M., Herrmann, C.,
Endres, H.-J. Bio-based Plastics – A Building Block for the Circular Economy?,
Procedia CIRP, 69, 2018, p. 573-578.
[4] Detzel A., Bodrogi, F., Kauertz, B., Bick, C., Welle, F., Schmid, M., Schmitz, K.,
Müller, K., Käb, H.: Biobasierte Kunststoffe als Verpackung von Lebensmitteln,
BMEL, FNR. Endbericht. 2018. S. 1-122.
By:
Corina Reichert, Research Group Leader SPI
Manuel Hogg, Deputy Laboratory and Technical Centre
Manager Technican SPI
Markus Schmid, Institute Director SPI
Albstadt-Sigmaringen University,
Sigmaringen, Germany
Stephen Kroll, Deputy Institute Director IfBB
Marie Tiemann, Research Scientist
Andrea Siebert-Raths, Institute Director IfBB
Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts,
Hannover, Germany
Figure 2: PLA-sawdust extruded flat film with
different concentrations of sawdust and film
thickness (Source: Albstadt-Sigmaringen University)

34 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Best Of
bioplastics MAGAZINE
over the years
Currently in its 18 th year of publishing bioplastics MAGAZINE has reached
the milestone of 100 issues. Meanwhile, the rebranding process is in
full swing looking at future developments in the industry and the role
of plastic materials in the world in general. However, at such a significant
turning point it is also important to consider where we are coming from,
how it all started, and how the trade journal has changed and evolved
over the years. On page 20 you can read a bit about the founding of this
publication – here we felt it would be nice to show some of the milestones
big and small, professional and personal that occurred over the years.
Rather than simply going chronologically they are clustered together
combining certain themes. We hope you enjoy this, perhaps a
bit self-indulgent, trip down memory lane.
11/06
ONLINE
ARCHIVE
06/02
06/01
Cover
07/01
09/01
The first cover (06/01) was a photo taken the year before at Interpack
2005. And after we got a proposal for a cover girl for issue number 2, we
suddenly had a “rule”. Even if we already had our first “cover boy” in 2009
the concept didn’t stay without criticism, especially when we published the
kitty-cat with an appetite for a PLA-mouse. Another significant cover series
started in 2007, it was the first cover featuring the Bio-concept cars,
one of Michael’s favourite topics when reporting
on automotive applications.

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bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/09] Vol. 4 33
New Series
10/03
Preview
West Hall
West Hall Ballroom
PolyOne Corporation is exhibiting a complete family of bio-related
compounds and additives at NPE 2009 from the PolyOne Sustainable
Solutions portfolio, including Bio-colorants and additives: OnColor BIO and
OnCap BIO, as we l as OnColor WPC for wood plastic composites. BPAfree
materials presented are Edgetek Tritan fi led and unfi led compounds
and blends. GLS OnFlex BIO are bio-based TPEs. Furthermore there will be
custom bio-compounds based on PHBV (see also p. 14). A new family of biobased
compounds to be introduced a the show as we l.
In the Emerging Technologies Pavilion, located in the West Ha l, PolyOne wi l
be sponsoring an exhibit featuring their fu l portfolio of PolyOne Sustainable
Solutions in the Biopolymers section. PolyOne‘s full range of solutions can be
viewed at their booth in the West ha l.
www.polyone.com ETP / W10a and W113021
Emerging
Technologies
Pavilion
Entrance Entrance
The numbers in the yellow circles refer to the table on the next page
5 7
09/03
Skyway To
South Hall
Preview
Company Booth-Number See preview Number on
on page map
Amco Plastic Materials Inc. W12020 1
API SPA ETP / W1a 2
API-Kolon Engineered Plastics W122032 3
BASF ETP / W12120 22 4
bioplastics MAGAZINE ETP / W19a/19b
Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team W11802 2
Cereplast ETP / W11a 2
Chemtrusion, Inc. W9032 8
CMPND and OBIC ETP / Wa 9
DuPont W113011 22 10
Eastman Chemical Company S8084 South Ha l
EMS-GRIVORY America, Inc. W13040 11
EOS ( Electro Optical Systems ) W10021 12
Evonik Degussa Corp. S02 23 South Ha l
Ex-Tech Plastics, Inc. W118029 13
Felix Composites Inc. W103028 14
General Color, LLC W128034 1
Ha link RSB Inc. W13104 1
Heritage Plastics W10022 2 1
ICO Polymers W123043 18
IDES W128031 2 19
Jamplast, Inc. W1304 23 20
Kal-Trading Inc W12903 21
Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd. W103023 21 22
Kureha Corporation (America) Inc. W11901 21 23
Leistritz N04 21 North Hall
LTL Color Compounders, Inc. W138041 24
Merquinsa W131043 2 2
Te les (Metabolix, Inc.) W119020 2 2
Nanobiomatters W9028 21 2
Plastic Technologies, Inc. S2081 23 South Ha l
PolyOne Corporation (& GLS Corporation) W113021 24 28
Polyvel, Inc. S3042 South Hall
PSM (Teinnovations) W100038 22 29
Recycling Solutions, Inc. W1004 30
Sabic W123011 31
Southern Star Engineering Group N803 North Ha l
SPI Bioplastics Council ETP / W12b 22 32
Teknor Apex Bioplastics Division ETP / W18b and W1320 2 33
TP Composites Inc. W12031 34
TradePro Inc. W132011 3
U.S. Depart. Of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service W 3
United Soybean Board W13003 3
US Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center W94020 2 38
Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd W11203 2 39
The first letter of the booth number indicates the ha l (W: West, S: South, N: North).
ETP stands for the Emerging Technologies Pavi lion in the West ha l.
bioplastics MAGAZINE cannot give any guarantee tha this list is correct or complete.
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4 2
16/02
24 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/09] Vol. 4
Every once in a while we started a new series, some of which have run out,
but might be re-installed. Great popularity enjoy the show guides with a
floorplan of the major trade shows such as the K-show, Interpack, NPE,
or Chinaplas. Our on-site reports took us to sites in Bainbridge, GA (today
Danimer Scientific) and companies including Phario, Galactic, or Fraunhofer
IAP. In a row of “Personality” Interviews we asked bioplastics-celebrities like
Ramani Narayan or Michael Carus about their career but also private things
like breakfast preferences. It’s always fun to look for 10-year-old articles
and ask the authors for their current points of view about the topics.
Brand owners shared their views with us on bioplastics and what this
industry should do to gain acceptance. And finally, a look at the most
clicked daily news on the website is the start of each
issues news section.
Report
Fraunhofer
IAP
Bead cellulose with porous and smooth surface
32 bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/09] Vol. 4
I
n a new series bioplastics MAGAZINE plans to introduce, in no
particular order, research institutes that work on bioplastics,
whether it be the synthesis, the analysis, processing or application
of bioplastics. The first article introduces the Fraunhofer
Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung in Potsdam-Golm,
Germany
The Fraunhofer Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP
(The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research) is one
of about 60 Institutes within the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft e.V.,
a non-profit organization headquartered in Munich, Germany.
The institute‘s budget in 2008 was about € 12 million, 30% of
which was government funded and 70% acquired from other
sources (3% by way of publicly funded research projects and
3% directly from industry projects)
In the preface to the institute‘s 2008 Annual Report, Professor
Hans Peter Fink, director of the institute writes: “We are living in
the age of plastics. Polymers are everywhere, found in plastics
and in many other applications like fibers and films, foam plastics,
synthetic rubber products, varnishes, adhesives, and additives
for construction materials, paper, detergents, cosmetic and
pharmaceutical industries. In addition to innovative developments
in polymer functional materials, research is now focusing on the
sustainability of the polymer industry. Environmentally friendly
and energy efficient production processes and the utilisation of
bio-based resources, which are not dependent on petroleum,
are playing a vital role. The Fraunhofer IAP is well positioned in
this regard with its unique competencies in the area of synthetic
and bio-based polymers…“
PLA
Cellulose
Cellulose is the most frequently occurring biopolymer, and
as dissolving pulp it is an important industrial raw material. It
is processed into regenerated cellulose products such as fibers,
non-wovens, films, sponges and membranes. It can also be
processed into versatile cellulose derivatives, thermoplastics,
fibers, cigarette filters, adhesives, building additives, bore oils,
hygiene products, pharmaceutical components, etc.
Composites
Cellulose-based man-made fibers (rayon tyre cord yarn)
are a serious alternative to short glass fibers for reinforcing
even biopolymers such as PLA or PHA. Rayon fibers have
advantages over short glass fibers in terms of their low density
and abrasiveness. Furthermore, they do not pierce the skin
as do glass fibers, which makes them much easier to handle.
When rayon fibers are combined with PLA, a completely biobased
and biodegradable material is formed. One of the crucial
disadvantages of PLA is its low impact strength. In composites,
rayon fibers can increase impact strength significantly, as they
act as impact modifiers.
By reinforcing a polyhydroxyalkonoate (PHA) polymer with
cellulose-based spun fibers, biogenic and biodegradable
composites were obtained with substantially improved (in
some cases double) mechanical properties as compared with
the unreinforced matrix material. bioplastics MAGAZINE will
publish more comprehensive articles about these findings in
future issues.
09/05
In the area of biopolymers, the Fraunhofer IAP is active in
particular in the field of synthesis and material development of
bio-based polylactide (PLA) in connection with the establishment
of production facilities in Guben (on the German/Polish border).
A biopolymer application center is being planned at the site
in collaboration with the investor Pyramid Bioplastics Guben
GmbH. Here, a project group from IAP will develop PLA grades,
blends and composites for different fields of application such
as films, fibers, bottles, injection moulded or extruded products
and many more. The research and development of blends and
copolymers of L- and D-lactides is also part of the planned
activities.
Further research activities concentrate on naturally
synthesized polysaccharides such as cellulose, hemicellulose,
starch and chitin, which are available in almost unlimited
quantities.
The opportunities for using cellulose and starch biopolymers,
which have been available in almost unlimited quantities for a
long time, are far from being exhausted. One focus of the research
and development at the Fraunhofer IAP is on these versatile
raw materials. New products and environmentally friendly
production methods are being developed at the IAP thanks to
the growing amount of knowledge concerning the exploration,
characterization and modification of these polymers.
Starch
Starch is another indispensable resource with a long tradition.
The substance’s many functional properties make it suitable
for use in the food sector and for technical applications. Nonfood
applications include additives for paper manufacture,
construction materials, fiber sizes, adhesives, fermentation,
bioplastics, detergents, and cosmetic and pharmaceutical
products.
To further their aim of comprehensive utilization of biomass
for such materials, scientists at Fraunhofer IAP have developed
strong lignin competencies in recent years. They have also
investigated the use of sugar beet pulp for polyurethane
production.
The use and optimization of biotechnology with the aim of
directly applying the biomass by extraction and plant material
processing is a further focus of Fraunhofer IAP‘s biopolymer
research. With its comprehensive expertise in the field of
biopolymers and long-standing experience and knowledge of
polymer synthesis, the institute is highly qualified to develop
products and processes in various areas of biopolymers,
ranging from applied basic research in the laboratory to pilot
plant operation. - MT
www.iap.fraunhofer.de
Charpy, un-notched [kJ/m²]
- 23 °C
- 18 °C
native 15%
25% 30%
Un-notched Charpy impact strenght of rayon
reinforced polylactic acid vs. fibert content.
Charpy, notched [kJ/m²]
- 23 °C
- 18 °C
native 15%
25% 30%
Notched Charpy impact strenght of rayon
reinforced polylactid vs. fiber content.
SEM micrograph of a cellulose melt blown nonwoven
Report
Fiber content
Fiber content
17/05
16/01
Bioplastics Award 2011
b
ioplastics MAGAZINE is grateful to European Plastics News (EPN) who founded the Bioplastics
Awards in 2007 and jointly organised the award in 2010 together with bioplastics MAGAZINE. Crain
Communications, which is publisher of EPN and organiser of annual plastics industry conferences
in Europe, says it will remain a strong supporter of the awards, which is from now on presented exclusively
by bioplastics MAGAZINE.
Steve Crowhurst, Crain Communications Publishing Director, says: “Crain wholeheartedly supports the
Bioplastics Awards, which reflect the achievements of those companies making and using renewable
materials. This is a dynamic part of the global plastics industry and we will be following its growth closely
in print and online at Europeanplasticsnews.com.
Five judges from the academic world, the press and industry associations from America, Europa and
Asia have reviewed all of the proposals and we are now proud to present details of the five most promising
submissions.
The 6 th Bioplastics Award recognises innovation, success and achievements by manufacturers, processors, brand owners
and users of bioplastic materials. To be eligible for consideration in the awards scheme the proposed company, product, or
service must have been developed or have been on the market during 2010 or 2011.
The following companies/products are shortlisted (without any ranking) and from these five finalists the winner will be
announced during the 6 th European Bioplastics Conference on November 22 nd , 2011 in Berlin, Germany.
Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI): BioSac, the first biodegradable
and compostable packaging for the cement industry
BioSac is the first biodegradable and compostable packaging for the cement industry and the
latest application of LCI’s biolice. It has been developed collaboratively by LCI with the Barbier,
Mondi and Ciments Calcia groups.
Conventional cement bags consist of a double layer of kraft-type paper for strength and a
polyethylene-free (PE-free) for product conservation. However, this combination of different types
of materials prevents the immediate recovery of the packaging.
The innovative nature of BioSac comes from the composition of its ‘free film’, which now uses
give a technically innovative solution to the problems of managing this type of
11/05
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
35

36 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Best Of
Milestones
As early as for the first issue
we travelled to Switzerland and
talked to Nestlé about bioplastics.
The Top-Talk is a series that was
reinstalled just recently.
06/02
06/01
In the first year, we also
hopped across the pond for
the first time to present
bioplastics MAGAZINE to
an US audience at the NPE
trade show in Chicago.
07/02
11/02
For the fifth
anniversary issue,
we were lucky to find
Innovia (now Futamura)
to sponsor a metalcoated
Natureflex film
for a silver-coated
cover page.
The first conference organized in 2007 was the “PLA Bottle
Conference” soon to be replaced by the PLA World Congress
and to be followed by many other conferences. But other than the
big events, we always concentrated on very focused niche topics
such as bioplastics for toys or certain bioplastic materials. The
Bioplastics Business Breakfasts at the K-Show are always very much
appreciated by the trade show visitors.
10/04

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
37
12/01
More than 10 years ago the first
edition of the Bioplastics Basics
Book was introduced. Now in its 3 rd
edition and available in 6
languages.
The 10 th anniversary also
marked the presentation of our first bioplastics
MAGAZINE app. Since then you can read it anywhere
on any device. Well, from now on we terminate the
app, not without offering an even more comfortable
offer to read our magazine on the go.
16/01
21/02
20/05
In 2020
bioplasticsMAGAZINE.pl was
born. Our esteemed colleague
Wojciech Pawlikowski did a tremendous
job to create a Polish-language edition which also
impresses with its different, modern appearance.
3 years later, Wojchiech also translated the
basics book into Polish.
With the expansion of
the topics to CCU and Advanced
Recycling we created special
frame colours to indicate
the respective section of
articles. Sometimes tricky,
as articles may well fall
into more than
one category.
2015
We are particularly
proud, that as an offspring of
the 1 st PHA World Congress,
the global organization PHA
(GO!PHA) was founded, today
serving about 60 members
and co-organizing the 3 rd PHA
World Congress with us.
18/06

Best Of
38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
60 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
rainforest, one of the world’s greatest carbon
reservoirs. Its unparalleled biodiversity as well as
and its role in regulating the climate in southern
parts of South America, should rightly be protected.
That being said, it’s a common misconception that
that over 95 % of all deforestation in the region is
illegal (e.g., logging, mining, and “land grabbing”).
Brazil is a vast country, its northern most point
is closer to Canada than it is to its own southern
border. Climate and soil in the northern rainforest
are less suited to agriculture and legislation
Figure 5: Land use:
country, 2000 km away from the rainforest where almost
all sugarcane production takes place and where Braskem
sources their sugarcane from.
www.braskem.com
reviewed LCA Report on GREEN HDPE and FOSSIL HDPE carried out
by ACV Brasil following ISO 14040.
[2] https://www.cnabrasil.org.br/cna/panorama-do-agro
[3] https://plataforma.brasil.mapbiomas.org,
[4] www.epe.gov.br/pt/abcdenergia/matriz-energetica-e-eletrica
[5]: https://www.sugarcane.org/sustainability-the-brazilian-experience/
initiatives/
09/04
Basics
Misconception three: Brazilian
sugarcane contributes to deforestation
Deforestation is, understandably, a large concern
for many. Brazil has also been surrounded by
controversy for the continued loss of the Amazon
to responsible farmers compared to the southern regions
where Brazil has pioneered and mastered the development
of tropical agriculture. It’s here, at the centre-south of the
the rainforest is being cut down for agriculture,
which is rarely the case. Recent studies have shown
[1] Savings equate to the difference between the average carbon footprint
of PE in the EU (Plastics Europe) and I’m green PE as per specialist
How much land is needed
for bioplastics is an everrecurring
story, especially with the
ever-recurring misconception
about sugar cane and the
amazon rainforest.
requires farmers to keep 80 % of their properties
preserved. This makes the region less attractive
[6]: Shades of Green, Sustainable Agriculture in Brazil, Evaristo de
Miranda
[7]: https://www.sindacucar-al.com.br/galerias/feijao-com-cana/
[8]: https://www.agric.com.br/sistemas_de_producao/o_que_e_plantio_
direto.html
[9]: http://www.canaonline.com.br/conteudo/a-aplicacao-de-torta-defiltro-no-canavial-alem-de-nutrir-ajuda-a-reter-a-umidade-no-solomas-e-essencial-ser-aplicada-com-o-equipamento-correto.html
[10]: Shades of Green, Sustainable Agriculture in Brazil, Evaristo de
Miranda
[11]: NIPE—Unicamp, IBGE and CTC. Elaboration: UNICA)
23/03
Almost 92 % of sugarcane production is harvested in South-Central Brazil, and the remaining
8 % is grown in the Northeast region. This means all the areas cultivated for sugarcane
production are located almost 2,000 km from the Amazon, roughly the same distance
between New York City and Dallas, or Paris and Moscow.
Source: [11]
Important stories
From one of the many conferences
Michael attended one topic touched
his soul in a special way. It was an open-source
project for affordable 3D-printed and fully operational
mechanical hand for children in poorer parts of
the world who had lost their own hand in an
accident or war.
16/03

Yardclippings before… ... and after 3 weeks
46 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
By:
45
– for example Italy.
bioplastics MAGAZINE
47
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
39
Opinion
Biobased:
Lose the hyphen
by
Ron Buckhalt
U.S. Department for Agriculture
(USDA)
L
ook at this issue of bioplastics MAgAzine and you will
see nearly all things bio are not hyphenated. They are
one single word, biobased, biodegradable, bioplastics,
biopolymer, biorefineries, and biomass. even the name of the
publication, bioplastics MAgAzine, is not hyphenated. Look
at any U.S. Federal government document and you will see
most things bio, including biobased, are not hyphenated. This
was not always the case. Many of these words were hyphenated
when first used because they were new in use. So while
much progress has been made, we continue to see biobased
spelled with and without a hyphen.
As one who was working with biobased industrial products
in the early 1980’s directing marketing and communications
campaigns i had to constantly fight my computer which kept
correcting to bio-based. it was frustrating until i added to the
term biobased to my computer’s accepted dictionary. i have
even added biobased some years ago to the memory of the
new machine on which i am now working to make sure it is
accepted. Of course, the mid-80’s was also the same time
automatic spell check would change biobased to beefalo. i
actually saw one published document in the 80’s which the
author did not double check, but left it to spell check to take
care of, that had beefalo throughout. go figure. At that point i
promised myself that if i did nothing else in life i would do what
i could to make sure biobased became the accepted spelling.
So when we worked on ”greening the government” Federal
executive orders in the 80’s and legislation creating our
BioPreferred program in 2001-2002, we sought to standardize
the term to biobased in all Federal government documents.
Biobased is the way it is spelled in the 2002 and 2008 U.S.
Farm Bills that first created our BioPreferred program and
then amended it. Our intent was to make biobased a noun by
usage, not just an adjective always modifying product.
new words are created everyday and the dictionaries
eventually catch up. Words and terms like bucket list, cloud
computing, energy drink, man cave, and audio dub were
recently added. They have been around for a while. in the
13/03
case of biobased that has not yet happened. Biobased is not
in Webster, not even bio-based. Yet Wikipedia has it listed as
biobased. The name of our program, BioPreferred, was not in
the Farm Bill legislation. it is a made-up word for marketing
purposes to signify the Federal purchasing preference for
products made from bio feed stocks as well as the many
advantages to consumers and the environment. You won’t
find BioPreferred in a “proper” dictionary. even Wikipedia
just points to the BioPreferred web site and when you do a
computer search for BioPreferred our program name pops
up. We hold a patent on the term by the way.
in the large scheme of things whether we hyphenate
biobased or not is probably no big deal. But there are those of
us who believe biobased is a movement, not an adjective, and
that is why we have dedicated most of our working career to
advancing the cause and we want to spell it biobased and we
want to see it in Webster.
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/13] Vol. 8 57
Some authors are wondering why we
always correct bio-based into biobased,
i.e. without a hyphen. The reason goes back
about 10 years, when Ron Buckhalt, then
Director of the BioPreferred program
of USDA shared his opinion with us.
And we could only agree with him.
14/04
Working on the
Basics Book,
Michael dived into the history
of bioplastics. Thanks to the
German Plastic Museum
(Kunststoffmuseum) he found
very interesting details about the
very first plastics, which were
all actually bioplastics.
Report
Test to fail – or fail to test?
Faulty test design and questionable composting conditions lead
to a foreseeable failure of the DUH experiment
The impudence with which the
DUH wanted to prove in a test with
a predetermined outcome
that compostable products
are bad, and our proof of their
bad intentions was our masterpiece of
investigative journalism.
Report
In a recent presentation during the Bioplastics Business
T
he Deutsche Umwelthilfe (Environmental Action
Germany – DUH) invited the press in Mid-October,
including bioplastics MAGAZINE, for what they called
“a field test” (Praxistest). Under the title “Is ’compostable‘
compostable on the packaging it should be compostable as
start on October 12 th , 2022 in an industrial composting plant it comes out of the retail box”.
in Swisttal, Germany.
bioplastic really degradable?” a field test was scheduled to
bioplastics MAGAZINE participated in this first event and
witnessed the preparation of some experimental bags to be
buried in one of the huge compost heaps of the composting
plant. Some bags used for the trial had been prepared before
meeting the media representatives on site. Fresh yard
clippings were mixed with virgin, unused biowaste collection
bags, coffee capsules, plates, cutlery, candy bar wrappers,
and a sneaker marketed as biodegradable.
The first doubts that we had about the bioplastics samples
were that unused products were chosen for the experiment.
When asked about the use of empty, mint condition,
waste bags and unused coffee/tea capsules that had not
been exposed to heat, pressure, or water the response
was: “Because, if a product is marketed as biodegradable/
Oliver Ehlert of DIN CERTCO (Berlin, Germany), a
recognized certifying institute, comments: “Using products
such as certified compostable biowaste bags and coffee
capsules in unused condition neither corresponds to reality
nor to the test criteria (as described in e.g. DIN EN 13432).
Only biowaste bags filled with organic household waste or
coffee capsules filled with brewed coffee residues are in line
with real consumer behaviour”.
The samples and yard clippings were packed in orange-
coloured potato sacks, a method that would also be used by
BASF, for example, as a spokesperson of the DUH pointed
out. These sacks, closed with cable ties, were buried in one
of the huge compost heaps and marked with coloured flags
in order to easily find them again at the end of the test period.
The end of the field test was scheduled for the 2 nd of
November, just three weeks later. bioplastics MAGAZINE was
invited and participated in this second date too. To put this
timeframe into perspective to the certification that this
experiment was supposedly testing, “the usual certifications
for industrial compostability in Germany require composting
after 12 and 6 weeks respectively. This test provided for a
rotting time of only 3 weeks. As a rule, it is hardly possible
to achieve sufficient decomposition results in such a short
time interval”, Ehlert explained. The test conditions were,
therefore, in the best-case scenario half as long as the
certification requires and in worst-case one fourth of the time.
Predictions of DUH oracles and
hard realities of compost
As pointed out by Ehlert, the test had little hope to be
successful – depending on how you define success that is.
The DUH seemed to have jumped the gun regarding the
predictable failure (or success?) as they proclaimed the test
a failure on the 31 st of October (two days before digging out
and examining the test samples) stating (in German): “Our
bioplastics experiment has shown: Statements about the
degradation of bioplastics are not to be trusted. Even in
industrial composting plants, many plastic products marketed
as biodegradable do not degrade without leaving residues and
pollute the compost”. ([1] shows the version after the test).
It has been a while since we were involved in the academic
processes of scientific testing but, usually, you don’t make
conclusions before you have even seen the results. Another
aspec that makes this test rather dubious is the lack of one
or more control groups. This is no attempt to compare apples
with oranges of course, but what about comparing PLA with
oranges or other normal biowaste products that are difficult
to compost? However, there is no arguing with the past – we
have to deal with the results that we actually have, so let’s
look at these failed test objects.
By Alex and Michael Thielen
A closer look at the photographs we took on the 2 nd of
November very clearly reveals a couple of things:
1. The timeframe for such an experiment is
indeed much too short, and
2. compostable plastic products do begin to biodegrade.
Thus, to really nobody’s surprise, after three weeks the
bioplastics products did no turn into compost. But let’s not
jump to any hasty conclusions just yet, we wouldn’t wan to
appear biased when analysing the results of an experiment.
As i turns out we do have a control group after all, kind of
at least. While this seems not originally intended for this
purpose, we should look at all available data – let’s look
at regularly accepted biowaste used in this experiment,
i.e. yard clippings.
Looking at the before and after photos from the yard
clippings, you can see that the leaves and twigs are, well,
still leaves and twigs, albeit a bit more on the brown side.
This suggests tha they are en route to decompose but are
nowhere near what constitutes proper compost. If leaves and
twigs don’t properly break down in three weeks, then what
are we even talking about here?
Biowaste-bag before … ... and after 3 weeks
If you don’t break down – you fail.
If you do break down – you also fail.
Opinion
When examining the degraded bioplastic samples, Thomas
Fischer, Head of Circular Economy at the DUH showed small
flakes of disintegrated PLA cups into the press cameras and
called these a severe problem. These small particles, he
called microplastics, cannot be sieved out of the compost
and are seen as contaminants. As a result, the whole batch
of compost needed to be incinerated and could not be sold
as compost, according to Mr. Fischer. Had the composting
phase been a bit longer, these flakes would probably have
been completely degraded.
bioplastics MAGAZINE took a sample of this compost-fraction
and after another three weeks of (home) composting, the picture
is indeed significantly di ferent. The left photo shows the PLA
particles we could separate from approx 0.2 litres of compost.
Missed opportunity or trials made in bad faith?
The German Association for Compostable Products
(Verbund kompostierbare Produkte e.V., Berlin, Germany) is
severely disappointed in view of this experiment. In particular,
the selection of the tested products as well as the composting
conditions are considered misleading.
“In general, we welcome any trial that examines how well
our members’ products compost”, says Michael von Ketteler,
Managing Director of the association. “However, in this trial we
see fundamental flaws, the results of which were foreseeable
before the trial began. An opportunity was missed here”.
Yet, looking a the results and the (premature) reaction of
the DUH leaves a bad taste in our mouths. The statement
of the DUH calls (certified) claims of compostability “fraud”
aimed to mislead consumers with the goal of making a
quick buck on the back of the environmentally conscious.
These brazen claims not only attack a whole industry trying
to bring progress but also patronises consumers – and the
environmentally conscious consumer tends to know what is
and isn’t allowed in the bio bin.
DUH shows flakes of disintegrated PLA cups.
Trial violates waste legislation
Peter Brunk, chairman of Verbund, warns: “Non-certified
products, such as a shoe, have no place in the organic waste
bin, please”. Except for certified compostable biowaste
bags, no other products may be disposed of in the biowaste
bin or in composting facilities, according to the current
(German) biowaste ordinance. Thus, in the DUH composting
experiment, there is a clear violation of the current organic
waste law for almost all tested products. “I have major
scientific and waste law concerns about this experiment.
It gives the general public a completely false impression”,
criticises Peter Brunk.
Composting made in Germany – is the DUH
barking up the wrong tree?
“We advocate for sustainable lifestyles and economies”,
the (German version of) the website of the DUH proudly
proclaims while standing shoulder to shoulder with the
German composting industry which, at large, has been
against biodegradable plastics for as long as they are in the
market. Let’s examine how the business of composting works
in Germany and wha the purpose of composting is, to begin
with. The German business model of composting works via a
gate fee, a composter gets a certain fee per tonne of biowaste
that goes through the plant. This explains why the cycle times
of German composting facilities are so shor that even yard
trimmings seem to have trouble properly decomposing in the
given time frame as proven by the recent DUH experiment.
The German system is a problem focussed system – there
is biowaste that we don’t want in landfills that we need to
Breakfast, Bruno de Wilde, Laboratory Manager of Organic
Waste Systems (OWS – Ghent, Belgium) cited a study [2]
comparing the two systems. One core focus of the study
was how much kg of organic waste per person per year ends
up in composting facilities – and therefore not in landfill. In
Germany, it was 20-25 kg in 2010 and 25 kg in 2020 – hardly
any progress. In Italy on the other hand, it was 10-15 kg in
2010 and 60 kg in 2020, more than double the amount than in
Germany. The Italians seem to have done a much better job
than the Germans in increasing the amount of organic waste
that ends up in composting – why is that?
The difference seems to be philosophical in nature, it’s
fundamentally in how bio-waste is seen – in Germany it is
seen as a problem, in Italy as an opportunity (as it is also
the case in e.g. Austria, Spain and other European countries
around Germany). Italy has a problem with desertification
and soil erosion, high-quality compost is a remedy for these
issues and helps to promote “sustainable lifestyles and
economies”. Compost has a more intrinsic value in Italy,
while in Germany the focus is more on throughput. The Italian
system is solution driven and open to change. Let’s take the
example of one of our failed test subjects – coffee capsules.
Used coffee grounds are great for compost quality and a
huge quantity of coffee is in coffee capsules usually made
from aluminium or plastics. If the plastic is compostable, it
is a great way to deliver the coffee to the composters. This is
also not a problem in Italy because, as opposed to Germany,
compost quality is of higher importance than throughput –
compost cycle times are longer to increase quality and create
a mature compost (according to de Wilde, German compost
tends to be immature compost). Longer cycle times also allow
for compostable plastics to properly break down – they even
bring an added value in form of the coffee (in the example
of coffee capsules).
Compost quality and rigid systems
Why does this comparison between Italy and Germany
matter? A harsh view of the German system could be, that
it is rather rigid and only values total volumes of waste dealt
with in the shortest amount of time – anything that doesn’t
break down in that time, is a problem. The Italian system
seems more solution-focused, and more open to change,
22/06
which in the last decade has led to more biowaste diverted
from landfill – one of the main reasons we do composting. The
argument here is no that German compost is by definition
of inferior quality but rather tha the system seems to value
throughput over quality – it is designed that way. And the DUH
is not wrong to say that bioplastic materials, even certified
ones, should not end up in a system that is not designed for
them – and looking a the timeframes of certification and the
reality of composting cycles in Germany that argument holds
some water. And in the design phase of any application where
biodegradability and compostability are being considered, we
should always ask, “why should we do this – what is the added
value?” – and if there is none, don’t make it biodegradable/
compostable! To question and criticize the cases that don’t add
provided by compostable items, this should be acknowledged,
take for example biowaste collection bags or compostable
fruit and vegetable bags – and use such products, also in
Germany, rather than generally disapproving the concept
of biodegradability, not differentiating thoroughly enough.
And advocating for sustainable lifestyles and economies is
noble and worthwhile and it is good tha the DUH has these
goals, but maybe the problem lies not with biodegradable and
compostable plastics, but with a gate fee system that rewards
shorter cycle times.
Wouldn’t it be more sustainable and lead to better
compost when, e.g. coffee from coffee capsules ends up in
our compost? Sure, one could argue tha there are perhaps
recycling schemes that are suitable for those, but do they
work properly (it’s not like recycling these applications
is always easy, economical, or ecological)? We see these
materials can work in a composting system, supported
by rules and guided by certifications. The DUH could, for
example, invest some of its resources in investigating the
opportunities and the potential a system change might have
for sustainable lifestyles and economies – and by extension
the German consumer.
Conclusions
The DUH is a German organization and by all means should
focus on what is best for Germany, German consumers,
and the German environment. In Germany, only biowaste
bags are allowed in the biowaste collection system and for
good reason. And if handled properly, these will completely
break down in industrial composting environments. Yet, it
is always easy to defend the status quo, and to indulge in
plastic bashing – however, to critically evaluate or even try
to change a system is difficult. There is a strong argument
against using compostability claims for marketing, especially
if these claims are not based on third-party certification.
Biodegradability and compostability, as attributes, only
make sense if they actually add value to a product – and
a biodegradable shoe sole brings added value (reducing
microplastics created by wear and tear while using the shoe),
but perhaps it’s something that should simply be done, but
not be advertised with, to avoid customer confusion. To call all
such claims “advertising lies” and “fraud”, as the DUH does
in its press release is, however, arguable as well (we are not
saying tha there is no greenwashing – bu these things are
rarely all or nothing in nature).
At the end of the day, we see the whole experiment as a
biased and poorly performed action with only one goal
– bashing bioplastics. We would wish that the DUH would
be a bit more ambitious in its attempts, to operate with
scientific rigour and arguments based on hard facts when
proclaiming it a failure.
German language version available at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/202206
Opinion
value is right and important. Yet, in case added value can be
promoting “sustainable lifestyles and economies”. And at
the very least – wait until a test is actually finished before
stage, so let’s look at another European composting system
deal with, preferably quickly. Now, the DUH says that they
are active not only on the national, but also on the European
[1] h tps://www.duh.de/bioplastik-werbeluege/
[2] Vink, E. et al; The Compostables Project, Presentation at bio!PAC 2022,
online conference on bioplastics and packaging, 15-16 March, organized by
h tps: /www.derverbund.com
44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18

40 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
EcoComunicazione.it
r1_01.2020
Like us on Facebook!
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/21] Vol. 16 3
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
5
Best Of
12/05
15/06
2022
The Evolution to
Renewable Carbon
Plastics
16/06
The term “renewable
carbon” was already
mentioned for the first time in
issue 03/2008, and in 2012 we asked for
the first time “Are plastics made from CO 2
to
be considered as bioplastics?” 3 years later
(in 2015 and 2016) we published our first
reports on CO 2
-based plastics. After Alex’s
first “dear readers” editorial in 21/01, we
officially announced to broaden our scope to
include more topics from the other areas
that fall under Renewable Carbon in issue
2021/02. A special edition in 2022
comprised the first articles in
the new categories.
21/01
dear
readers
The last year has been a difficult one with the coronavirus raging
across the globe and governments scrambling to find solutions to stop
its spread. Many of us are currently in one form of lockdown or another
as the second, and in some countries even the third wave washes
over us. However, 2021 is starting hopeful, vaccines are approved
and being distributed, yet normalcy seems to be still out of reach
as new mutations seem to be popping up left and right.
During the crisis, we had to adapt and change our behaviour, to
protect us and others we had to innovate to fight this new threat.
Some of these changes will probably stay with us for a while as
the vaccination process might take a bit and even then, it is not
guaranteed that we will completely eliminate the corona threat.
But it makes me proud that many such life-saving innovations
came from the bioplastics community. In issue 03 of 2020, we
even had three full pages that focused entirely on covid related
application news.
We also had to adapt, had to go digital or postpone events. And
we plan to make our three events planned for 2021 hybrid events.
While we still hope to see most of you in person at the 2 nd PHA
platform World Congress (July 6-7), the bio!TOY (September 7-8),
or the bio!PAC (November 3-4), we are aware that for some of
you it might not be possible to attend physically for one reason
or another. Therefore, these events will be both physically and
digitally available.
But amidst all these changes it is good to have some constants.
For example, that the first issue every year features the topics of
Automotive and Foam. Yet even here we cannot stop the winds of
change – and in this case, we would not want to. We are happy to see
the growing interest of the automotive industry into more sustainable
solutions, which include more sustainable materials.
Last, but not least we look at the whats, hows, and whys of enzymes
in our Basics section.
We hope that in these trying times bioplastics MAGAZINE can give you
some respite. Hang in there, we are all in this together.
WWW.MATERBI.COM
as orange peel
adv arancia_bioplasticmagazine_01_02.2020_210x297.indd 1 24/01/20 10:26
bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 16 ISSN 1862-5258
Cover Story
Luca, the world’s first
Zero-Waste car | 16
Highlights
Automotive | 14
Foam | 26
Basics
Enzymes | 40
... is read in 92 countries
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. is read in 92 countries
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Jan / Feb
01 / 2021
Editorial
From 100 to 1 – the start of a new era
Bioplastics MAGAZINE has been an established source of
information about and for the bioplastics industry for over 15
years. The global trade journal was for a long time focused
exclusively on bioplastics (i.e. biobased and/or biodegradable
and compostable plastics). Now, with its 100 th edition, the
magazine wi l rebrand to “Renewable Carbon Plastics”
starting with the current issue.
Plastic materials are indispensable for our current modern
society. While some applications could be replaced with other
materials, e.g. steel, wood, or glass, it is not possible in many
areas – and often, even if possible, not advisable. Plastics are
great materials due to their light weight, their mouldability
into almost any shape imaginable, and their low cost.
However, the last point of low cost has come at a price.
Plastic pollution and the contribution to global warming are
the result of decades of ca lous mismanagement on a global
showing a huge end-of-life problem. The beginning of life of
from fossil-based resources, be it oil, gas, or coal, and their
negative environmental impact.
scale. We a l know the pathetica ly low recycling rates by now,
most plastic materials isn’t much be ter as they are made
Plastics made from biogenic sources (crops or waste
streams) can be a great alternative. There has been a
plethora of inventions and developments tha the editorial
team of bioplastics MAGAZINE never worried about having
enough content. However, we also recognized tha these raw
materials are no the only possible alternative.
The main objective is to avoid the new excavation o fossil
resources from the ground. So, in addition to using biogenic
(CCU = Carbon Capture & Utilisation) is another viable way to
resources, plastics made from direct carbon capture
avoid new fossil resources being used. Here carbon dioxide
(CO 2 from the atmosphere or exhaust processes or methane
(C 2 H 4 ) e.g. from biogasification, can be used to make plastic
raw materials. Another alternative is certainly recycling,
which has seen a revival of sorts in recent years.
That is why the editorial team of bioplastics MAGAZINE
started abou two years ago to broaden their scope of topics
into plastics made from CCU and from Advanced Recycling.
23/04
The la ter comprises technologies such as chemical recycling,
enzyme-based recycling, solvent-based recycling and the
like. Together with the we l-established topic of bioplastics,
it completed the concept of renewable carbon in plastics.
So, it comes as no surprise that the team behind
bioplastics MAGAZINE has decided to change the title of the
publication, as with this expanding range of topics, the
name "bioplastics MAGAZINE" didn’t ring true any longer.
Carbon Plastics – RCP". The milestone of the 100 th edition
This lead to the new name of the publication – "Renewable
of bioplastics MAGAZINE seemed like a natural starting point
for this transformation. From 100 to 1, this issue is both the
100 th issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE as we l as the first issue of
“Renewable Carbon Plastics”. Content-wise, not much wi l
change, as we have already been reporting about a l renewable
carbon sources for plastics for a couple of years now.
“We a l know that bioplastics won’t be able to solve the
problems we are facing by themselves”, says Alex Thielen,
new Editor-in-Chief of RCP and son of founder Michael
Thielen, “but cooperation and a combination of technologies
wi l lead to the change we all hope to see – the name change
is supposed to represen that philosophy”.
www.renewable-carbon-plastics.com
daily updated News at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
News
08/03
Sincerely yours
Alex Thielen

www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag
Michael’s slice of life
Cover-Story
14/06
C loning a
hand-carved
hand-puppet
Autodesk 123D catch
generates a CAD-file...
From a series of about 40 photographs ...
The undefined neck is
cut off in Netfabb...
And a new neck, consisting of
cylinders and a conical bore is
added in Autodesk 123D Design
More than once Michael’s private
life made its entrance into bioplastics MAGAZINE.
Be it the support of Philipp and Alex already as
teenagers or his passion for glove puppet theatre (a
“family tradition”), where he cloned a figurine in 3D
printing. As Minister in a Red Hussar’s uniform during a
Schützenfest, he organized PLA beer cups with a takeback
scheme and as a beekeeper, he clarified some
of the nonsense published about the polyethylene
eating wax moth.
Now the head can be 3D-printed
from FKuR/Helian woodFill PLA material
with wood fibre filling.
Miss Schniedermeyer on stage
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/14] Vol. 9 21
08/04
13/03
Editorial
dear
readers
Michael and Jenny (Covergirl 05/2011)
bioplastics MAGAZINE has already reported a couple of times about the PLA beverage cups
that are collected and recycled at large festivals, sport events or rock concerts. “So why not
do it myself?” I thought earlier this year. During a rather small local festival in my home
town of Mönchengladbach in Germany I succeeded in convincing the organizers to sell
beer in PLA cups (Ingeo cups supplied by Huhtamaki). And just like at the other festivals
or concerts, the guests were offered a free drink for each ten returned cups.
The collected cups will be sent to Purac to be recycled during one of the next uses of the
Perpetual Plastic Project’s recycling machine (see p. 54).
The festival is a typical German Schützenfest (see http://bit.ly/Y1SmVP for an nation), and this year I was one of the two Ministers to the King of Marksmen, , wearing
explaa
traditional red hussar’s uniform.
Now… after combining job and leisure… back to business: And back to recycling of
17/03
PLA, which is one of the highlights in this issue, even though we could not obtain the
latest news about the future of the chemical recycling system LOOPLA in time to
include it. The project will be continued by Futerro after Galactic decided to orient
its development towards more specific solutions for the food and pharmaceutical
sectors, and we still offer our readers a lot of other articles and news around the
recycling of PLA. We will certainly keep you updated on the future of LOOPLA…
The other editorial focus is on injection moulding of components for use in
durable applications. Because durable applications have become an increased
focus of attention in the bioplastics world, we also decided to dedicate the third
day of our Bioplastics Business Breakfast, during the upcoming K’2013 trade
fair, to durable applications.
Finally this issue is once again rounded off by another of our basics articles,
this time on succinic acid, and lots of industry and applications news. As usual, our
events calendar provides an overview about forthcoming conferences and trade shows. I’m
looking forward to seeing one or more of you at one of these events.
Until then, we hope you enjoy reading bioplastics MAGAZINE
Sincerely yours
Michael Thielen
Follow us on twitter!
Be our friend on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/13] Vol. 8
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
3
41

42 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Sustainability
Sustainability with strategy
What is the best way for companies to develop and implement
a sustainability strategy?
The importance of sustainability in business is growing
due to climate change, species extinction, increased
awareness of human rights and equality, and rising
energy prices. A well-developed sustainability strategy
offers companies, especially SMEs, competitive advantages,
cost savings, risk management, and employee engagement.
The efficient structuring process of a sustainability strategy,
including inventory, analysis, goal setting, action planning,
resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement, is
critical to success.
However, developing, launching, and implementing
a sustainability strategy is also a complex challenge. It
requires change management, consideration of external
conditions, measurability and reporting, and addressing
stakeholder expectations.
A sustainability strategy describes a company’s plan
for defining relevant sustainability issues and how to deal
with them. Ideally, it is part of the corporate strategy and is
clearly communicated internally and externally as to how
the company contributes to sustainable development. The
introduction of a sustainability strategy is not a one-off
project, but a continuous process.
A well-developed sustainability strategy enables
companies not only to meet sustainability requirements but
also to achieve market advantages. An intensive analysis
of one’s own value chain also enables a regular exchange
with important stakeholders. This brings the advantage of
gaining early insights into trends and developments that are
emerging in one’s own industry.
There are various sustainability strategies to drive
sustainable development. These include sufficiency (reducing
production and consumption), efficiency (increasing output
with the same input), and consistency (nature-friendly
material cycles, recycling, waste avoidance). To achieve
sustainability goals, it is important to use all three strategies
in a smart interplay.
Legal requirements and compliance:
Recently, in Europe, several laws have been passed
or drafted that have one thing in common: They require
companies to address sustainability.
CSRD / ESRS:
These include the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability
Reporting Directive) with the ESRS (European Sustainability
Reporting Standard) as a framework, which significantly
expands sustainability reporting obligations.
LfKSG:
Although the new German Supply Chain Act only applies to
companies above a certain size, drafts for a European Supply
Chain Act indicate that smaller companies will soon be held
accountable as well. Already today, corporations are passing
on the requirements placed on them to suppliers.
ESG:
In addition, the EU taxonomy regulation with its focus
on ESG (Environmental Social Governance) imposes
requirements in particular on capital market-oriented
companies with the aim of redirecting financial flows to more
sustainable activities.
Growing importance of compliance: In parallel with legal
developments and social discourse, risk awareness in
companies is increasing.

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
43
The following process can help companies
develop and implement a sustainability strategy:
1. Status quo identification and priority setting:
Sustainability is a broad field, and it is important to clearly
define and narrow down the areas for action. This is best
achieved with a comprehensive status quo determination of
the company regarding all aspects of sustainability. By using
the D4S software program, which is based on 14 of the most
important sustainability standards, this can be done in a few
days. Also, survey key stakeholders through a materiality
analysis and take the results into account. In addition,
perform a CO 2
emissions calculation of the company. Based
on the results of this analysis, the prerequisite for creating a
sound and validatable sustainability strategy with defined and
prioritized fields of action is given.
2. Create understanding and commitment:
Create a uniform understanding of sustainability in your
company and emphasize the three pillars of economy, ecology,
and social issues. Clarify for each individual company what
these terms mean in detail and which emphases should be
set. Another fundamental prerequisite for the successful
integration of sustainable measures and processes is
the commitment of the company. This starts with the
management. Concrete measures can include adapted job
descriptions, annual targets, team events, and much more.
3. Develop a sustainability vision and mission statement:
Be clear about what you want to achieve. What are your goals
for the transformation process? A sustainability vision takes
into account all global and local sustainability issues that
impact the company, as well as the principles by which the
company aligns itself. Define your goals and develop a target
picture with concrete cornerstones. Orientate yourself on this
target picture on the way to more sustainability.
4. Anchor the sustainability strategy in the company:
It is of crucial importance of a successful sustainable
corporate transformation that, starting with the executive
board, through the entire management level to the individual
employee, all skills and mechanisms are taken into account
and appropriate competencies are built up. It is essential to
establish a long-term sustainable corporate culture with
team dynamics and appropriate processes and “team norms”.
This shapes the self-image and actions of the employees and
has an extraordinarily large influence on motivation and thus
successful implementation.
5. Implementation through defined measures:
Define responsibilities and appoint a person to lead the
transformation process. Involve partners along the entire
value chain to make the implementation successful.
6. Measurability and continuous improvement process:
Define appropriate indicators and measure sustainability
performance. Use monitoring and reporting tools and
methods to inform progress and track sustainability goals.
Regularly review your measures and targets as laws and
customer requirements may change.
Overall, developing and implementing a sustainability
strategy is an ongoing process that requires continuous
adjustments and improvements. Companies can benefit
from a well-developed sustainability strategy while helping
to address global challenges.
www.begamo.com
By:
Christina Granacher
Managing Director
BeGaMo
Hohenfels, Germany
Save the date (German language event):
Nachhaltigkeit und Kunststoffe
– Die Zukunftsthemen
Schloß Hohenfels / Germany
20. + 21. September 2023
www.begamo.com

44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Report
Awareness and preferences
for bioplastics in Japan
New Study reveals: Despite complex consumer
preferences for bioplastics in Japan, adoption
of these materials could be enhanced through
educational interventions.
To facilitate the transition to a bioeconomy, understanding
consumer behaviour and preferences regarding bioplastics is
crucial. Researchers conducted a comprehensive study on the
factors influencing consumer choices in Japan. Their findings
show that Japanese consumers have limited comprehension
of bioplastics and do not exhibit unconditional preference
towards them. These findings could guide the development
of acceptable bioplastics and targeted strategies aimed
at improving consumer awareness, ultimately driving the
adoption of biobased and biodegradable plastics.
Non-biodegradable plastics are major contributors
to land and marine pollution, destroying habitats and
causing harm to both flora and fauna. Hence, the switch to
bioplastics is imperative to ensure sustainability. The success
of environmental initiatives aimed at increasing bioplastic
adoption critically hinges on understanding consumer
behaviour. However, consumer preferences and perceptions
around bioplastics, particularly in Japan and other Asian
countries, are not well understood.
A recent study published online on July 10, 2023, in the
Journal of Cleaner Production attempted to find answers to
questions surrounding Japanese consumers’ preferences for
bioplastics. “So far, attempts to improve bioplastic adoption
in Japan have been hindered by a lack of clarity on the factors
influencing consumer preferences. We attempted to shed
light on these factors in our comprehensive large-scale
study”, explains Takuro Uehara Professor at the College of
Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University, who led the study.
The goal of the study was three-fold: Understanding how
familiar consumers in Japan are with bioplastics, revealing
their preferences for bioplastics based on different factors,
and examining how educational interventions affect their
choices. To achieve this, the researchers surveyed over
12,000 respondents using questions focused on three
products – 500 ml PET water bottles, three-colour ballpoint
pens, and 500 ml shampoo bottles. The respondents were
divided into two groups: the treatment group, who were
educated on the basic distinctions between biobased and
biodegradable plastics, and the control group, who did not
receive educational interventions. Then, the researchers
performed discrete choice experiments and text mining
based on responses from these 12,000 participants.
Their findings yielded interesting insights, particularly
highlighting a common trend among Japanese consumers
and their European counterparts, which is a limited
comprehension of the distinctions between biobased,
biodegradable, and bioplastics. Surprisingly, most
respondents were unaware of the fact that not all bioplastics
are biodegradable and biobased. This demonstrated the
need to improve consumer awareness regarding the
characteristics and environmental impact of bioplastics.
Another important finding was the complexity of consumer
preferences for bioplastics in Japan and the influence
of general perceptions and personal values on these
preferences. Notably, the preference for bioplastics among
these consumers was not unconditional. Most consumers
were not in favour of using biomass in any of the three products.
Among the different types of feedstocks, they preferred
sugarcane to wood chips, and favoured waste cooking oil
the least. This was likely owing to their greater emphasis on
quality than on the trade-offs of biomass feedstocks.
Limited comprehension
of biobased,
biodegradable, and
bioplastics
Strong preference
for biodegradability
and domestically
made products
Lower
environmental
concerns
Characteristics
of Japanese
consumers
Choices affected
by perceptions
and values
Lack of unconditional
preference for
bioplastics
Emphasis on practical use
characteristics and quality
over environmental
impact

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
45
Nevertheless, there were several key factors the
respondents considered valuable in their preference
for bioplastics. These included the reduction in carbon
dioxide emissions, which was the most valued attribute
across all three products in both the control and treatment
groups. Another key factor was biodegradability, which
was associated with positive responses from participants.
Significantly, the respondents expressed a preference for
domestic products, although the reasons were generally
related to safety, quality, and reliability rather than
environmental considerations.
COMPEO
Leading compounding technology
for heat- and shear-sensitive plastics
Finally, the findings showed that educational
interventions can influence consumer decisions, increasing
their willingness to pay for more environmentally
friendly products, including those with better feedstock
incorporation and those enabling reductions in CO 2
emissions. For example, after learning that bioplastics can
be fossil-based, respondents gave greater value to products
with reduced CO 2
emissions. Interestingly, this preference
was only significant for water bottles, suggesting that
consumers were more sensitive to water bottles – which
tend to be less durable – than to the other two products.
Overall, the findings provide a picture of the kind of
products Japanese consumers prefer and the attributes
they focus on while making choices surrounding
bioplastics. Takuro Uehara comments, “Our results will
help Japanese industries and governments understand the
type of bioplastics that would be preferred and accepted
by consumers, giving them an impetus to develop more
such products and improve bioplastic use”. He adds,
“Information dissemination can influence consumer
preference for bioplastic products, which highlights the
importance of awareness campaigns”.
The findings from Takuro Uehara and his group could
serve as a foundational roadmap for increasing bioplastic
use in Japan and mark a significant step in Japan’s
transformation into a bioeconomy. MT
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp
Info:
The study was funded by the Environment Research and
Technology Development Fund of the Environmental
Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan
[JPMEERF21S11920].
The original paper: Consumer preferences and understanding
of biobased and biodegradable plastics (Journal of Cleaner
Production Volume 417, 10 September 2023) can be accessed
via DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137979
Uniquely efficient. Incredibly versatile. Amazingly flexible.
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• Moderate, uniform shear rates
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• Efficient injection of liquid components
• Precise temperature control
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www.busscorp.com

46 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
From Science & Research
Biodegradable water-soluble
support structures for
additive manufacturing
In the AquaLoes project, researchers from the Institut
für Kunststofftechnik (IKT) at the University of Stuttgart
(Germany) have developed biodegradable support structures
for 3D printing. They are made mainly of polyhydroxybutyrateco-valerate
(PHBV) and table salt and detach easily from the
components in a water bath. The dissolved components
can either be extracted from the water bath and recycled
or disposed of in wastewater without creating microplastics.
PHBV, which comes entirely from biological sources, is
biodegradable in fresh water and seawater.
In order to further develop the material concept to market
maturity, the IKT is currently looking for industrial partners.
Biodegradable plastics offer the great advantage of
an alternative disposal option compared to conventional
plastics. Critical voices believe that the use of biodegradable
plastics encourages littering. However, there are specific
applications where biodegradability offers reasonable
advantages. The best-known examples are products such
as mulch films and plant clips from the agricultural sector,
which are usually difficult to collect, clean, and recycle if
made from conventional plastics.
Another application field of bioplastics offers additive
manufacturing. Due to the almost limitless possibility of
producing various products such as toys, decorations, tools,
or household helpers, 3D printers are meeting with a great
deal of enthusiasm, especially in home applications.
The widely used fused filament fabrication (FFF) process,
describes the continuous, layer-by-layer deposition of a fused
strand to form three-dimensional geometries and is referred
to below as 3D printing. In this process, support structures
must be printed in many cases to prevent the component
from sagging in the event of overhangs or undercuts. These
structures must be removed from the component after
the printing process is completed. A common process
is the mechanical removal of these structures after the
component has solidified, which often leads to damage to
the component surface.
For this reason, the use of soluble materials for support
structures has become established in recent years. In this
process, the support structure is printed from a soluble
material using multi-material printing with the aid of a
second print head. After printing, the component and its
support structure are immersed in a suitable solvent, which
dissolves the support structure. This results in high-quality
surfaces even after the support structure has been removed.
A frequently encountered material for such soluble
support materials is, for example, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA),
which, however, does not easily biodegrade. Without further
purification steps, the support structures remain in the
wastewater of private and also industrial users in the form
of individual dissolved polymer chains and thus inevitably end
up in the environment. In this application, the use of a fully
biodegradable material, even in wastewater, would reduce
the environmental impact of the materials used.
Biodegradation depends not only on the type of material
used but also on the prevailing environmental conditions
such as temperature and microbial activity. Therefore, only
polymers that are biodegradable in a freshwater environment
can be considered for the application presented here. At the
same time, not only biodegradability determines the choice of
the appropriate polymer, but the printing process also requires
a certain strength of the substrate to support the structure.
These requirements speak in favour of plastics such as PHBV
as the ideal choice for biodegradable support structures.
The polymer PHBV is obtained biotechnologically. Certain
bacterial strains produce PHBV as a storage substance,
mostly from plant nutrients such as sugar, starch, or residual
and waste materials. This metabolic product can be extracted
from the bacteria and processed into plastics.
The IKT came up with the idea of developing a new material
for support structures based on PHBV. It has the advantage
of being completely biologically metabolized to water and
CO 2
even in seawater, which is a harsh environment for
many bacteria. Since PHBV itself is biodegradable in water
but not water-soluble, the researchers wanted to achieve a
quick fragmentation of the supporting material by mixing
it with table salt, which dissolves in water rather fast. The
PHBV fragments could then either be filtered out or, if they
remain in the wastewater, biodegrade by bacteria within a
manageable period of time.
In this project, more than 30 different formulations
were developed for the printing and dissolution tests.
For this purpose, a PHBV from TianAn Biologic Material
(Ningbo, China) was used as the base polymer. In addition,
due to its brittleness, a short-chain polyethylene glycol
from Sigma-Aldrich (Taufkirchen, Germany) was used
as a plasticizer, which does not adversely affect the key
property of biodegradability. To achieve dissolution of
the supporting structure, a very fine table salt from the
European Salt Company (Hannover, Germany) with a particle
size < 0.15 mm was used.

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
47
By:
Christian Bonten, Head of the IKT
Frederik Gutbrod, Research Assistant
Lars Schmohl, Research Assistant
Institut für Kunststofftechnik
University of Stuttgart, Germany
Compounding of the filled materials was carried out on
a ZSK 26 twin-screw extruder from Coperion (Stuttgart,
Germany) while the actual filaments (diameter 1.75 mm)
for the FFF process were produced by using a laboratory
extrusion line from Collin (Maitenbeth, Germany).
Example of a plastic filament made of 40 % PHBV, 20 % PEG
and 40 % table salt.
Photo: IKT, University of Stuttgart
The printability tests were carried out on a ToolChanger
from E3D (Chalgrove, UK). A particular advantage of this
machine is that up to four differently equipped printing
heads can be used without conversion. This means that this
printer can also be used for multi-material printing, as is
necessary for the use of a support structure material that
differs from the material of the part. The suitability of the
developed compounds was evaluated by printing a bridge
component. The component material as well as the watersoluble
support structure were extruded onto a raft during
the tests to prevent warping of the support.
To prove the water solubility, these components were
placed in deionized water. In addition, a LAQUAtwin Salt-
11 meter from HORIBA Advanced Techno (Kyoto, Japan)
was used to measure the salt content of the water after
storage of the components.
Through the tests, a formulation of 40 % PHBV, 10 %
PEG, and 50 % high fineness table salt was identified to
show the best results.
Especially in combination with the widely used polymer PLA
in 3D printing, the compound achieved high adhesion and
enabled the printing of defect-free components. However, the
high adhesion came somewhat at the expense of completely
residue-free removability.
A support plastic made of 40 % PHBV, 10 % PEG and 50 %
ultra-fine table salt resulted in the best properties for
3D printing. The compound is completely biodegradable
even in seawater.
Photo: IKT, University of Stuttgart
The release process required 24 h at room temperature
in a deionized water bath, with minor use of tooling. In
comparison, conventional support polymers such as
butenediol-vinyl-alcohol-copolymer (BVOH) require only
about 4 to 6 h to dissolve.
To further reduce the release time of the developed
compound, the option of rinsing the component in a
standard household dishwasher at elevated temperatures
was successfully tested. Since the new polymer is aimed at
the hobby sector, this method is readily implementable in
practice, but would also be associated with a complete fate
of the supporting polymers in the wastewater.
The biodegradable support polymer is not yet ready for
the market. In particular, there is still a need to increase
the elongation at break and to investigate the ability for
combinations with other 3D printing materials. The IKT team
is currently looking for interested industrial partners to jointly
develop the approach further. The University of Stuttgart has
already filed a patent for 3D printing support material made of
PHBV, salt and other polymers, plasticizers, and auxiliaries.
www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de

48 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Blow Moulding
Biobased, recyclable bottles
made from bioplastics
The aim of the joint project Bio2Bottle is to develop
a novel, durable, and biodegradable material for
the production of bottles that are suitable for the
storage of cleaning agents as well as
for organic farming.
The primary goal of the project,
which was funded by the German
Federal Ministry of Food and
Agriculture (BMEL), is to produce
bottles that can be used to store
cleaning products. The challenge
is to meet high standards, such as
a water vapour barrier, stability,
and melt viscosity necessary
for this application, while at the
same time using biodegradable
and recyclable materials. In the
long term, however, the project
partners are also aiming to open
up new areas of application for
the biobased plastic bottles
used, for example for packaging
fertilisers or food.
Initiated by IBB Netzwerk (München,
Germany), the idea for the ambitious
project was conceived during the
regular project meetings of the
established BioPlastik network.
Since the bioplastic bottles available on the market so
far have had various disadvantages, the three industrial
companies cleaneroo (Bremen, Germany), UnaveraChemLab
(Mittenwald, Germany),and FKuR (Willich, Germany) have
joined forces under the project coordination of Inna Bretz
from the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety
and Energy Technology UMSICHT (Oberhausen, Germany)
to tackle previous shortcomings together. In addition to
material selection, the focus is of course on the recycling
process – only a combination of both will make the product
competitive in the long term.
Procedure and results
The project will cover the entire value chain from additive
synthesis to material development, use of the bottles, and
recycling. For the concrete end application, the bottles
must fulfill further special requirements with regard to
their sterilisation (innovative cleaning agents) at the
project partner’s request. In addition, a complete
recycling process for chemical or
biotechnological utilisation of the
materials is to be developed.
As of today, a requirements
profile for the plastics to be
developed has been successfully
established. Suitable blend
components and promising
plastic blends have already been
produced on a pilot scale, and the
characterisation of PHA-based
components and the production
of the first hollow bodies with the
associated stability tests have been
carried out. In addition, promising
results have already been achieved
with regard to biotechnological
and chemical recycling.
Economic outlook
Now it is time to make the results
available to the general public and to draw
This is what a durable
their attention to the expected product. For this
biodegradable bottle could look like
in the future. © cleaneroo GmbH purpose, a logo was developed that combines
the project intention of bottle production with
the work of all partners and thus creates a common identity
and recognition value.
In the further course, the project is to be presented
primarily at selected, industry-specific events in order to gain
presence in the relevant target groups.
The high melt viscosity and the additional possibility of
biotechnological utilisation increase the project’s chances
of success both scientifically and economically. In addition,
material recycling is currently being tested and is expected
to be established by mid-2023. Finally, the ongoing testing of
biodegradability will also contribute to ensuring that nothing
stands in the way of achieving the set project goals. MT
tinyurl.com/bio2bottle

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
49
THE FUTURE OF
PLASTIC IS
BIODEGRADABLE.
Beyond Plastic is creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly future with natural
alternatives to conventional plastics. We work across various industries
— from beverage to cosmetics and beyond —
to develop PHA products that naturally break down in soil and marine environments,
leaving zero persistent microplastics behind.
WANT TO BE PART OF A
CLEANER FUTURE?
Let’s connect: sales@beyondplastic.com

50 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Application News
Sustainable lidding
film solutions
UK-based flexible packaging specialist Parkside
(Normanton, West Yorkshire) has launched a
revolutionary range of sustainable lidding films as a
next-generation solution for brands seeking to solve
their packaging sustainability challenges, as part of its
Sustainable 7 product strategy.
Comprised of renewable and certified compostable
films, paper-based solutions, and recyclable monomers,
Parkside’s range of lidding films is now augmented by
its unique ParkScribe ® laser scoring technology. This
enables the creation of easy peel-and-reseal PET lids
that are integral to the pack, meaning the film stays
attached through the recycling process.
“This is just one demonstration of the innovation
present in our lidding film range. Our latest range of
recyclable plastic, 30 %-plus recycled content, paperbased,
and compostable films enables customers to be
flexible when developing packaging that perfectly suits
the needs of their application”.
Parkside’s fully-accredited home and industrially
compostable duplex laminate films are regarded
as industry-leading in terms of sustainability and
performance throughout the supply chain for many food
applications – and when used with pulp trays, it provides a
fully compostable solution. However, the expanded range
also includes options that can provide a greater level of
oxygen or moisture barrier if needed for chilled meats,
soft fruits, dairy products, and more, helping to reduce
the impact of food waste.
Parkside’s range of high-quality sustainable lidding
films saw it pick up a prestigious FIAUK award for
Sustainably Produced Packaging in 2022 – one of two
awards it won on the night – for its collaboration with
Riverford Organics. The winning pack – a tray for soft
fruits – consisted of a pulp tray with a compostable lidding
film, setting Parkside’s range of lidding films up for an
even more successful 2023. MT
www.parksideflex.com
Re:soil – plant-based
biodegradable vegan
nail tips
Ryohei Mori at Green Science Alliance (Japan, Kawanishi)
developed plant-based biodegradable vegan nail tips
marketed under the “Re:soil” trademark.
The brand name Re:soil originates from the concept of
developing cosmetic products which return back to soil by
biodegradation. This time, nail tips were made from plants
so that they can be called vegan nail tips. There are a few
vegan nail polish products in the market already, but one
would not see vegan nail tips. This type of nail tips can
contribute to reducing CO 2
emissions. Furthermore, since
these products are biodegradable, they can contribute to
reducing plastic pollution too.
Green Science Alliance is aiming to replace all the
petroleum, fossil fuel based chemical products with natural
plant biomass based chemical products. The mother
company is Fuji Pigment, and they have been developing
petroleum-based colour chemical products for over 85
years. Ryohei Mori always had concerns about environmental
damage. He has established an internal startup company
named Green Science Alliance which focuses on developing
natural biomass based chemical products such as biomass
biodegradable plastics, biomass biodegradable resin,
biomass coating, biomass glue, biomass paint, biomass
colour etc... He is trying to replace all the petroleum-based
chemicals into natural biomass-based chemicals in the
world. In addition, recently, he already had developed waterbased
biomass biodegradable nail polish and 100 % vegan
nail remover. And this time, Ryohei Mori has developed vegan
nail tips. Vegan (plant) component is approximately 72 %.
The company is trying to increase the vegan component
in the near future. AT
https://en.nano-sakura-shop.com/

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
51
Biobased baby diapers
Andritz (Graz, Austria) technology and expertise enable Naturopera (Boulogne-
Billancourt, France) to produce biobased diapers.
International technology group Andritz has successfully delivered, installed, and
commissioned a converting line for manufacturing baby diapers at Naturopera’s new
plant in Bully Les Mines, France.
The eXcelle converting line from Andritz Diatec features special technology to produce
both traditional and biobased baby diapers, supporting Naturopera in its efforts to
become a leading producer of a new generation of sustainable diapers.
While most diapers available on the market consist of 70 % fossil-based plastic, Naturopera is preparing to produce diapers
made of 90 % biobased raw materials. This ground-breaking diaper concept was developed in a close collaboration between
Naturopera and Andritz. It replaces the traditional spunbond and meltblown nonwoven layers with spunlace nonwovens mostly
made of natural fibres. A prototype of the 90 % biobased diaper was recently produced at Bully Les Mines.
Claire Stévignon, Babycare Marketing manager at Naturopera says: “Thanks to the support of Andritz Perfojet for the spunlace
fabrics and Andritz Diatec for converting, we are moving in the direction of producing biobased diapers. We will soon start offering
green premium diapers using the jointly developed concept. This initiative will make an important contribution towards more
sustainability in diaper production”.
The Andritz converting machine operating at Naturopera is highly flexible, taking just a few settings to switch to the production
of biobased diapers. It is designed for a multiple-size process, features an operator-friendly interface, and guarantees a
production speed of 800 ppm.
Naturopera is a French company producing baby care, femcare and household products with a strong focus on local production
and sustainability. AT
www.andritz.com
PLA-based sanitary napkins launched in India
Niine Sanitary Napkins (Uttar Pradesh, India), a leading
provider of premium and affordable hygiene solutions
in India, introduces the country’s first PLA-based
biodegradable sanitary pads.
These pads are CIPET-certified, with more than 90 % of
the pad decomposing within 175 days and the rest within a
year. The entire packaging, including the outer cover and
disposable bags, is biodegradable. They offer exceptional
performance in absorption, comfort, and leakage protection,
comparable to regular sanitary pads. Moreover, these
pads are 100 % chemical-free and vegan, providing a safe
and sustainable alternative. PLA, derived from renewable
resources like corn starch or sugarcane, is a biodegradable
and compostable polymer, exemplifying Niine’s commitment
to reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. With the
prestigious CIPET (Central Institute of Plastics Engineering
& Technology) certification, Niine sets a new industry
standard, emphasising its dedication to environmental
responsibility and innovation.
India faces a staggering challenge with the disposal of
approximately 1.021 billion soiled disposable sanitary napkins
every month. These pads are heavily composed of plastic and
take an alarming 500 – 800 years to decompose fully. Improper
disposal methods, including burning, flushing down toilets,
or leaving them in exposed landfills, not only pose a severe
threat to the environment but also endanger the health of
sanitation workers. In response to this critical issue, Niine
has taken a significant step by introducing one of the most
environmentally friendly sanitary napkins. These napkins are
crafted using a combination of eco-friendly materials such as
wood pulp, biobased resins and oils, and PLA-based materials.
They adhere to the highest standards of biodegradability,
certified by renowned institutions like CIPET and ISO.
Notably, Niine’s pads exhibit enhanced compostability,
decomposing effectively even in underground environments
without requiring specific conditions like exposure to sunlight
or air. By offering a sustainable solution, Niine aims to
mitigate the adverse impact of conventional sanitary napkin
waste, ensuring a healthier environment for all.
Niine is a revolutionary brand in India, offering the country’s
first biodegradable sanitary napkins with a PLA-based top
sheet. These napkins are crafted from pure, safe, and skinfriendly
materials, providing a soft and cotton-like feel.
With superior masking and faster absorption, Niine ensures
dryness and leakage protection. They are free from harsh
chemicals and artificial fragrances, making them ideal
for sensitive skin. MT

52 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Application News
Biobased TPE for biopharmaceutical tubing
In mid-July, Avient Corporation (Cleveland OH, USA) announced the availability of its newest bio-derived healthcare solution,
Versaflex HC BIO thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
Developed as a more sustainable alternative for biopharmaceutical tubing, the initial Versaflex HC BIO BT218 grade is formulated
with nearly 40 % first-generation biomass content, resulting in a lower carbon footprint than traditional alternatives.
“Improving sustainability is a challenge in all industries but is especially true in the strict regulatory world of healthcare.
This product is an example of our ongoing commitment to using material science to help address this growing need in various
ways”, said Matt Mitchell, director, global marketing, Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient. “Creating specialty materials that
reduce carbon emissions at the beginning of the product life cycle is one way we can support customers in fulfilling sustainability
commitments and maintain critical performance demands”.
Avient’s new Versaflex HC BIO TPE offers a sustainable
alternative for biopharma tubing applications
The 71 Shore A formulation provides critical application performance
such as weldability, kink resistance, and tensile strength comparable to
leading medical tubing materials, including silicone and standard TPEs.
In contrast, the bio-derived grade offers greenhouse gas emissions at
2.35 kg CO 2
e / kg product, a nearly 25 % lower cradle-to-gate product
carbon footprint (PCF) than Avient’s standard Versaflex HC BT218 grade.
Avient’s PCF calculation method follows the ISO 14067:2018 standard
and is certified by TÜV Rheinland.
Certified for USP Class VI and ISO 10993, the new Versaflex HC
BIO BT218 grade is manufactured in the United States with global
commercial availability. MT
www.avient.com
Biobased barrier coating for food packaging
Melodea, a leading sustainable barrier coatings producer for packaging
(Rehovot, Israel), introduces its newest innovation, MelOx NGen . MelOx NGen
is a high-performance barrier product specifically engineered to allow for the
recyclability of plastic food packaging and beyond. In addition to its excellent
eco profile, the new barrier has proven superior in its key role of maintaining
food freshness and substantially reducing plastic waste.
MelOx NGen is a water-based, plant-sourced coating designed to line the
inside surface of numerous forms of plastic food packaging such as films,
pouches, bags, lidding, and blister packs used to house CPG products and is
currently being rolled out to the global plastic industry. Approved by FDA and
BfR as compatible for food contact, the coating helps protect and extend the
shelf-life of foods such as snacks, confectionary, nutrition bars, meats, and
dairy products as well as pharmaceuticals.
MelOx NGen is a new iteration of Melodea’s award-winning biobased and
renewable material MelOx for paper packaging but designed specifically
for use on plastic. Used to line packaging as a transparent layer, it offers
a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to petroleum-based Ethyl Vinyl
Alcohol copolymers – EVOH which are currently widely used in packaging
for their food preservation properties as well met-PET (metallised) plastic
materials commonly used to produce lids.
MelOx NGen, could help expand the scope of plastic food packaging eligible
for recycling. It can empower food packagers to fulfil their sustainability goals
and align themselves with government regulations aimed at reducing the
utilization of single-use plastics.
As a part of a long-term strategy for reducing plastic consumption and
waste, the EU has implemented the Plastic Waste Directive. This directive sets
targets for the recycling and reuse of plastic packaging waste. It established
a minimum recycling target of 50 % for plastic packaging by 2025, increasing
to 55 % by 2030. Moreover, in 2021 the EU
approved a tax of EUR 800 per tonne of nonrecycled
plastic containers and packaging
produced in member states’ markets. The tax
aims to incentivize the adoption of recycling
practices and discourage the use of nonrecyclable
materials.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has
been a global surge in demand for EVOH,
resulting in a significant spike in prices.
These prices climbed from USD 5.50 per
kg in 2019 to anywhere between USD 11.00
and 14.00 per kilo at the end of 2022 and
are expected to rise further. This surge has
prompted food packagers to seek alternative
solutions and channels. MT
www.melodea.eu

New bioplastic jar
Lumene (Espoo, Finland), a Nordic pioneer in circular beauty, is introducing
a new, bio-attributed jar made of side streams of Finnish forest industry.
As pioneering circularity for over 20 years, Lumene is the frontrunner in
using upcycled materials. This is now extended beyond formulations with the
new biobased jar material as circularity is emphasized more in Lumene’s
packaging choices. Lumene wants to minimize the use of excess packaging
materials, maximize packaging recyclability, and utilize the use of recycled
plastic and renewable raw materials in all areas possible. In recent years,
the company has taken big leaps in packaging development by introducing
lightweight jars, refills, as well as recycled and biobased materials in
beauty product packaging.
The new bio-attributed jar is made of side streams of Finnish forest industry.
Tall oil, a side stream material of pulp manufacturing, is used to produce
biobased feedstock, which is the raw material for plastic production. When
fossil-based plastic is
replaced by bioplastic,
the carbon dioxide
emissions of the pack
are reduced significantly.
“At Lumene the
packaging forms a large
part of the product’s
carbon footprint. The
50 ml jar is our most
used packaging with
1.5 million pieces
annually. That is why it
has an important role
in our sustainability
roadmap. With the new jar Lumene reduces the use of fossil plastic
by 64 tonnes annually. For consumer the change is not evident. The
biobased jar has the same appearance and properties as the current,
fossil-based plastic jar. However, it is a more sustainable option for
a conscious consumer and one possibility to make a better choice”,
said Essi Arola, Head of R&D, Packaging and Sustainability at Lumene.
Lumene is the first beauty brand to launch a biobased packaging application
with both the jar and the label made of innovative wood-based residue. The
new jar, lid and label are bio-attributed but the soft plastic in the liner inside
the lid is still made of fossil-based plastic, representing 3 % of the whole
weight. The liner is used to make the pack airtight and is not yet available
with biobased option.
Since the jar is made of side stream material, no additional forest logging
is required. The jar is also fully recyclable in PP stream. The project is carried
out in cooperation with UPM Biofuels (Helsinki, Finland) and the biopolymer
producer SABIC (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), the producer of the certified renewable
polymers. The new biobased solution is based on a mass balance approach
with a fully certified value chain (ISCC Plus certification).
28 th Fakuma
International trade fair
for plastics processing
D 17. – 21. Oct. 2023
a Friedrichshafen
www.niine.com
- Injection molding
technology
- Thermoforming and
forming technology
- Extrusion technology
- Additive manufacturing /
3D printing technology
- Tools, materials,
process engineering
and services
The new bio-attributed jar will be launched gradually, starting in August
2023 with Nordic-C [Valo] moisturizers. AT
www.Lumene.com | www.upmbiofuels.com | www.sabic.com
@ www.fakuma-messe.com
Ä #fakuma2023 ü?äög
Organizer:
SP. E. SCHALL GmbH & Co. KG
f +49 (0) 7025 9206-0
m fakuma@schall-messen.de
bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
53

54 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Applications
Your choice matters
Arapaha, a Dutch purpose-driven start-up from
Maastricht, has recently launched its first signature
bio-circular products that underline the company’s
philosophy: “Discover a lifestyle in balance with our planet”.
The company designs products for the home,
work, sports, and outfit markets. Products are
designed with closed-loop recycling in
mind. These products are manufactured
with bio-circular polymers. It’s bio
because Arapaha develops and
launches products based on
biopolymers such as PLA. It’s
circular because the company
applies design-for-recycling
principles and guarantees productto-product
recycling.
recycle
Arapaha products are to the
furthest extent made from one
single biopolymer to make recycling
easy. The first tangible products on
the market are DRAAG a shopping bag
and draag, a fashionable small handbag.
These bags have in common that the various
form factors are from one type of biobased polymer.
That means that the outer felt, the knitted inner liner, the
woven belt and the injection moulded protective bottom
studs and the thimbles that secure the belt are made from
polylactic acid (PLA). At the end of their functional life, the
bags do not need to be disassembled prior to shredding as
a first step in the recycling process. Arapaha has developed
and patented a unique molecular recycling process to
depolymerize PLA products into oligomers. These oligomers
can be polymerised again to rPLA having the same quality as
virgin PLA. The colourants and additives used, the polyester
(PET) sewing thread and the magnetic closure do not
hamper recycling. Each Arapaha product holds a unique QR
code. This QR code gives access to a product passport with
information on materials used, the origin of the raw
materials, manufacturing and
much more. Furthermore,
the QR code gives hints and
tips on care and repair. At
the end of its functional life,
the product can
be returned free
of charge and the
company will take
care of re-use, repair
or recycling depending
on the product’s state.
create
repeat
return
In this way, Arapaha creates a lifestyle in balance with our
planet. It’s possible!
The company’s in-depth knowledge of recycling processes,
biobased materials and manufacturing is shared and
deepened further in (inter)national partnerships and
projects with raw materials suppliers, universities,
research institutes, and manufacturers. Arapaha
has been very active in projects like BEGIN
(Fully recyclable rugs based on advanced
biomaterials; Circular Chain Projects),
REPLACER (recycling of materials
made from advanced grades of
polylactic acid in a closed-loop for
CO 2
emission reduction; project
Top Sector Energy), SPLASH
(sustainable PLA based hockey and
use
other sports clothing; Circular Chain
Projects) and PLACE (a PLA based
Circular Economy; project European
Regional Development Fund) to name
a few. Together with partners, Arapaha
has proven that dyeing of PLA yarn with
super-critical CO 2
(scCO 2
) results in colourfast
yarns and substantially reduces the environmental
footprint compared to traditional yarn dyeing. Using
scCO 2
leads to a substantial reduction in the use of water,
dyes, and chemicals.
In e.g., project PLACE it has been proven that molecular
recycling of a complete shopping bag consisting of various
form factors of PLA without prior disassembly can be
processed. Furthermore, it was found that combining PLA
with a suitable modifier enhances the impact strength
of injection moulded products. Even more so, the impact
strength exceeds that of ABS, a polymer known for
its impact performance.
The company holds patents on closed-loop recycling of
PLA and scCO 2
dying of PLA yarn.
On short notice,
Arapaha will publish the
results of an extensive
life cycle assessment
of “advanced grade
PLA product with novel
end-of-life treatment
of depolymerization”
done in cooperation
with the TNO institute
in the Netherlands. MT
www.arapaha.com

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
55
Ruian Gregeo
A biodegradable plastic production enterprise in China.
Direct manufacturer and supplier of PBAT, PBS, Biodegradable Compounds.
Ruian Gregeo is a leading supplier of integrated solutions for new environmental
protection materials. Gregeo insists on technological innovation and has developed a
variety of new material products independently, with product lines covering entirely
biodegradable materials.
PBAT Material Property:
Patent and Certificate:
Jiangsu Ruian Applied Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Website: www.ruiangeo.com
Email: ruiankeji@ruiangeo.com
Twitter: RuianGregeo

56 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Basics
Overcoming challenges in PHA
injection moulding
The plastics industry is increasingly aware of the need
to reduce the environmental impact of traditional
plastics and embrace more eco-friendly alternatives.
Biodegradable biopolymers, like PHAs, offer a promising
solution, but their unique properties pose challenges in the
injection moulding process. This article shall explore four
common challenges and how to overcome them.
Thermal Degradation:
PHAs have a limited processing window between their
thermal degradation and melting temperatures, making
them sensitive to temperature and residence time.
To address this, fine-tune the control (PID) settings for the
extruder and mould heating controller and reduce idle time
to a minimum. Additionally, be mindful of shear forces during
transportation from the extruder to the mould cavity by using
mould constructions that lower shear. Employ a tuned hot
runner for successful material transfer. Having experienced
operators is crucial to identifying and addressing visual
degradation or defects promptly.
Melt Flow and Crystallinity
Optimising melt parameters is vital for creating highquality
PHA products. Higher melt flow helps fill voids in the
mould cavity, but achieving the right balance of crystallinity is
essential. Some applications require partial crystallisation in
the mould, which necessitates higher mould temperatures.
However, excessive crystallinity can increase brittleness.
Finding the optimal strength and flexibility for the finished
part will involve trial and error based on the specific resin.
Consider using non-stick coatings on mould cavities to avoid
parts sticking to the mould.
Drying Process
Proper drying of PHAs is crucial since they can hold up to
1 % moisture when saturated, leading to further degradation.
The ideal processing moisture content is below 500 ppm.
Ensure to dry the resin above 70°C for at least four hours,
and use a calibrated moisture analyser to confirm it’s within
the processing window.
Purging
Adequate purging is vital during PHA processing. When
the material sits idle in the barrel or hot runner, degraded
material can build up. Choose an appropriate purge resin
with a melt flow and melting temperature that closely match
the PHA to cleanse degraded material and carbon deposits.
Skilled operators who can recognise these limitations will
minimise downtime and reduce waste.
Bioplastics, especially PHAs, hold great promise for a
sustainable future. It can be very tempting to mix PHA’s with
other biopolymers or even traditional polymers to broaden
processing windows. However, there is a great risk to
compromising their natural ability to be fully biodegradable or
even compostable. Generating or shedding toxic microplastic
that can harm the environment needs to be considered. And
the author strongly discourages the temptation to produce
products aimed at greenwashing exercises.
As more companies and consumers prioritise eco-friendly
products, PHAs and other bioplastics will become increasingly
important. To stay ahead of the curve, manufacturers should
embrace these materials and tackle their unique challenges.
Beyond Plastic takes pride in its 75+ years of combined
experience in various injection moulding processes.
And they are dedicated to creating a more sustainable
future by offering custom compounded alternatives to
conventional plastics using PHA.
www.beyondplastic.com
By:
Fred Pinczuk, CTO
Beyond Plastic
Commerce,
CA, USA

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
57
Basics book on Bioplastics
Now available in 6 languages
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email: books@bioplasticsmagazine.com
phone: +49 2161 6884463
ADVANCED
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28–29 November
Cologne (Germany)
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advanced-recycling.eu
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Program
lars.krause@nova-institut.de
TOPICS OF THE CONFERENCE
• Markets and Policy
• Circular Economy and Ecology of Plastics
• Physical Recycling
• Biochemical Recycling
• Chemical Recycling
• Thermochemical Recycling
• Other Advanced Recycling Technologies
• Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)
• Upgrading, Pre- and Post-treatment
Technologies
Dominik Vogt
Conference Manager
dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de
Organiser

58 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Basics
Glossary 5.1 last update issue 06/2021
In bioplastics MAGAZINE the same expressions appear again
and again that some of our readers might not be familiar
with. The purpose of this glossary is to provide an overview
of relevant terminology of the bioplastics industry, to avoid
repeated explanations of terms such as PLA (polylactic acid)
in various articles.
[bM ... refers to more comprehensive article previously published in bioplastics MAGAZINE)
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 nonrenewable
(fossil) resources).
Bioplastics may be
f based on renewable resources and
biodegradable;
f based on renewable resources but not be
biodegradable; and
f based on fossil resources and biodegradable.
Advanced Recycling | Innovative recycling
methods that go beyond the traditional
mechanical recycling of grinding and
compoundig plastic waste. Advanced recycling
includes chemical recycling or enzyme
mediated recycling
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]
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]
Since this glossary will not be printed in
each issue you can download a pdf version
from our website (tinyurl.com/bpglossary).
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 (radiocarbon dating method)
that adheres to the technical specifications as
described in [1,4,5,6].
Biobased labels | The fact that (and to
what percentage) a product or a material is
→ biobased can be indicated by respective
labels. Ideally, meaningful labels should
be based on harmonised standards and
a corresponding certification process by
independent third-party institutions. For the
property biobased such labels are in place by
certifiers → DIN CERTCO and → TÜV Austria
who both base their certifications on the
technical specification as described in [4,5].
A certification and the 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
14
complementary to the 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 | 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 biobased 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, because it 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 warming potential
[1,2,15]
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 by
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

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
59
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.
CCS, Carbon Capture & Storage | is a
technology similar to CCU used to stop large
amounts of CO 2
from being released into
the atmosphere, by separating the carbon
dioxide from emissions. The CO 2
is then injecting
it into geological formations where it is
permanently stored.
CCU, Carbon Capture & Utilisation | is a
broad term that covers all established and
innovative industrial processes that aim at
capturing CO 2
– either from industrial point
sources or directly from the air – and at
transforming it into a variety of value-added
products, in our case plastics or plastic
precursor chemicals. [bM 03/21, 05/21]
Cellophane | Clear film based on → cellulose.
[bM 01/10, 06/21]
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, 06/21]
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 they 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.
Circular economy | The circular economy
is a model of production and consumption,
which involves sharing, leasing, reusing,
repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing
materials and products as long as possible. In
this way, the life cycle of products is extended.
In practice, it implies reducing waste to a
minimum. Ideally erasing waste altogether,
by reintroducing a product, or its material, at
the end-of-life back in the production process
– closing the loop. These can be productively
used again and again, thereby creating further
value. This is a departure from the traditional,
linear economic model, which is based on a
take-make-consume-throw away pattern. This
model relies on large quantities of cheap, easily
accessible materials, and green energy.
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. 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 | are 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
glycol made from bio-ethanol. Developments
to make terephthalic acid from renewable
resources are underway. 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 plants (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 | are proteins that catalyze
chemical reactions.
Enzyme-mediated plastics | are not
→ bioplastics. Instead, a conventional nonbiodegradable
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, the 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).

60 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Basics
FSC | The 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.
Gelatine | Translucent brittle solid substance,
colourless or slightly yellow, nearly tasteless
and odourless, 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 are 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
→ greenhouse gases.
Glucose | is a monosaccharide (or simple
sugar). It is the most important carbohydrate
(sugar) in biology. Glucose 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 waterresistant
and weatherproof, or that absorbs
water such as polyamide. (PA).
Hydrophobic | Property: water-resistant, not
soluble in water (e.g. a plastic which is water
resistant and weatherproof, 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 0.02 % of the
global agricultural area of 4.7 billion hectares.
It is not yet foreseeable to what extent an
increased use of food residues, non-food crops
or cellulosic biomass in bioplastics production
might lead to an even further reduced land use
in the future. [bM 04/09, 01/14]
LCA, Life Cycle Assessment | 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, eco-balance or cradle-to-grave
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 mainland-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, several standardisation
projects are in progress at the ISO and ASTM
(ASTM D6691) 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
sizes, such as bacteria, fungi or yeast.
Molecule | A 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 the 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. for baby bottles or CDs. Criticized for its
BPA (→ Bisphenol-A) content.
PCL | Polycaprolactone, a synthetic (fossilbased),
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 bioethanol
(sugar cane) and, since recently, from
plant-based paraxylene (bPX) which has been
converted to plant-based terephthalic acid
(bPTA). [bM 04/14. bM 06/2021]
PGA | Polyglycolic acid or polyglycolide is a
biodegradable, thermoplastic polymer and the
simplest linear, aliphatic polyester. Besides
its use in the biomedical field, PGA has been
introduced as a barrier resin. [bM 03/09]

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
61
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 some
bacteria that hold intracellular reserves in
form of of polyhydroxyalkanoates. Here the
micro-organisms store a particularly high
level of 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 PHAs 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 produced
similarly to PET, 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 Carbon | entails all carbon
sources that avoid or substitute the use of any
additional fossil carbon from the geosphere.
It can come from the biosphere, atmosphere,
or technosphere, applications are, e.g.,
bioplastics, CO 2
-based plastics, and recycled
plastics respectively. Renewable carbon
circulates between biosphere, atmosphere,
or technosphere, creating a carbon circular
economy. [bM 03/21]
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 resourceefficient
economy creates more output or value
with lesser input.
Seedling logo | The compostability label or
logo Seedling is connected to the standard
EN 13432/EN 14995 and a certification process
managed by the independent institutions
→ DIN CERTCO and → TÜV Austria. Bioplastics
products carrying the Seedling fulfil the criteria
laid down in the EN 13432 regarding industrial
compostability. [bM 01/06, 02/10]
Saccharins or carbohydrates | Saccharins
or carbohydrates are named for the sugarfamily.
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 finished products
Sorbitol | Sugar alcohol, obtained by reduction
of glucose changing the aldehyde group
to an additional hydroxyl group. It 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 polymer
chains in a 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 known
→ amylose and → amylopectin. [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 butanoic 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.
Sustainability | 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. It 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. 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. 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. 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 Bonsucro, are
an appropriate tool to ensure the sustainable
sourcing of biomass for all applications around
the globe.
Thermoplastics | Plastics which soften or
melt when heated and solidify when cooled
(solid at room temperature).
Thermoplastic Starch | (TPS) → starch that
was modified (cooked, complexed) to make it a
plastic resin
Thermoset | Plastics (resins) which do not
soften or melt when heated. Examples are
epoxy resins or unsaturated polyester resins.
TÜV Austria Belgium | Independant certifying
organisation for the assessment on the
conformity of bioplastics (formerly Vinçotte)
WPC | Wood Plastic Composite. Composite
materials made of wood fibre/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
biobased 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

62 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Suppliers Guide
1. Raw materials
AGRANA Starch
Bioplastics
Conrathstraße 7
A-3950 Gmuend, Austria
bioplastics.starch@agrana.com
www.agrana.com
Mixcycling Srl
Via dell‘Innovazione, 2
36042 Breganze (VI), Italy
Tel.: +39 04451911890
info@mixcycling.it
www.mixcycling.it
Biofibre GmbH
Member of Steinl Group
Sonnenring 35
D-84032 Altdorf
Tel.: +49 (0)871 308 – 0
Fax: +49 (0)871 308 – 83
info@biofibre.de
www.biofibre.de
39 mm
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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 listed among top suppliers in the
field of bioplastics.
For Example:
Polymedia Publisher GmbH
Hackesstr. 99
41066 Mönchengladbach
Germany
Tel.: +49 2161 664864
Fax: +49 2161 631045
info@bioplasticsmagazine.com
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Sample Charge:
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per entry/per issue
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The entry in our Suppliers Guide
is bookable for one year (6 issues)
and extends automatically if it’s not
cancelled three months before expiry.
Arkema
Advanced Bio-Circular polymers
Rilsan ® PA11 & Pebax ® Rnew ® TPE
WW HQ: Colombes, France
bio-circular.com
hpp.arkema.com
BASF SE
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Tel.: +49 621 60 – 6692
joerg.auffermann@basf.com
www.ecovio.com
Gianeco S.r.l.
Via Magenta 57 10128 Torino - Italy
Tel.: +390119370420
info@gianeco.com
www.gianeco.com
Tel.: +86 351 – 689356
Fax: +86 351 – 689718
www.jinhuizhaolong.com
ecoworldsales@jinhuigroup.com
Bioplastics – PLA, PBAT
www.lgchem.com
youtu.be/p8CIXaOuv1A
bioplastics@lgchem.com
PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd.
info@pttmcc.com / www.pttmcc.com
Tel.: +66(0) 2 140 – 563
MCPP Germany GmbH
+49 (0) 211 520 54 662
Julian.Schmeling@mcpp-europe.com
MCPP France SAS
+33 (0)2 51 65 71 43
fabien.resweber@mcpp-europe.com
Xiamen Changsu Industrial Co., Ltd
Tel.: +86 – 92-6899303
Mobile: +86 185 5920 1506
Email: andy@chang-su.com.cn
Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe
Polyester Co., Ltd.
No. 316, South Beijing Rd. Changji,
Xinjiang, 831100, P.R.China
Tel.: +86 994 2716195
Mob.: +86 186 99400676
maxirong@lanshantunhe.com
www.lanshantunhe.com
PBAT, PBS, PBSA, PBST supplier
Zhejiang Huafon Environmental
Protection Material Co.,Ltd.
No.1688 Kaifaqu Road,Ruian
Economic Development
Zone,Zhejiang,China.
Tel.: +86 577 6689 0105
Mobile: +86 139 5881 3517
ding.yeguan@huafeng.com
www.huafeng.com
Professional manufacturer for
PBAT /CO 2
-based biodegradable materials
1.1 Biobased monomers
1.2 Compounds
Earth Renewable Technologies BR
Estr. Velha do Barigui 10511, Brazil
kfabri@ertbio.com
www.ertbio.com
eli
bio
Elixance
Tel.: +33 (0) 2 23 10 16 17
Tel PA du +33 Gohélis, (0)2 56250 23 Elven, 10 16 France 17 - elix
elixbio@elixbio.com/ www.elixbio.com
www.elixance.com - www.eli
FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
Siemensring 79
D - 47877 Willich
Tel.: +49 2154 9251-0
Tel.: +49 2154 9251 – 51
sales@fkur.com
www.fkur.com
P O L i M E R
GEMA POLIMER A.S.
Ege Serbest Bolgesi, Koru Sk.,
No.12, Gaziemir, Izmir 35410,
Turkey
+90 (232) 251 5041
info@gemapolimer.com
http://www.gemabio.com
Global Biopolymers Co., Ltd.
Bioplastics compounds
(PLA+starch, PLA+rubber)
194 Lardproa 80 yak 14
Wangthonglang, Bangkok
Thailand 10310
info@globalbiopolymers.com
www.globalbiopolymers.com
Tel.: +66 81 9150446
www.facebook.com
www.issuu.com
www.twitter.com
www.youtube.com
Microtec Srl
Via Po’, 53/55
30030, Mellaredo di Pianiga (VE),
Italy
Tel.: +39 041 5190621
Fax: +39 041 5194765
info@microtecsrl.com
www.biocomp.it
BIO-FED
Member of the Feddersen Group
BioCampus Cologne
Nattermannallee 1
50829 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49 221 88 88 94 – 00
info@bio-fed.com
www.bio-fed.com
GRAFE-Group
Waldecker Straße 21,
99444 Blankenhain, Germany
Tel.: +49 36459 45 0
www.grafe.com

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
63
Green Dot Bioplastics Inc.
527 Commercial St Suite 310
Emporia, KS 66801
Tel.: +1 620 – 73-8919
info@greendotbioplastics.com
www.greendotbioplastics.com
TECNARO GmbH
Bustadt 40
D-74360 Ilsfeld. Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)7062/97687-0
www.tecnaro.de
Sunar NP Biopolymers
Turhan Cemat Beriker Bulvarı
Yolgecen Mah. No: 565 01355
Seyhan /Adana,TÜRKIYE
info@sunarnp.com
burc.oker@sunarnp.com.tr
www.sunarnp.com
Tel.: +90 (322) 441 01 65
GRAFE-Group
Waldecker Straße 21,
99444 Blankenhain, Germany
Tel.: +49 36459 45 0
www.grafe.com
a brand of
Helian Polymers BV
Bremweg 7
5951 DK Belfeld
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 77 398 09 09
sales@helianpolymers.com
https://pharadox.com
Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd.
No.33 Kefeng Rd, Sc. City, Guangzhou
Hi-Tech Ind. Development Zone,
Guangdong, P.R. China. w
Tel.: +86 (0)20 6622 1696
info@ecopond.com.cn
www.kingfa.com
Natureplast – Biopolynov
6 Rue Ada Lovelace
14120 Mondeville – France
Tel.: +33 (0)2 31 83 50 87
www.natureplast.eu
NUREL Engineering Polymers
Ctra. Barcelona, km 329
50016 Zaragoza, Spain
Tel.: +34 976 465 579
inzea@samca.com
www.inzea-biopolymers.com
Plásticos Compuestos S.A.
C/ Basters 15
08184 Palau Solità i Plegamans
Barcelona, Spain
Tel.: +34 93 863 96 70
info@kompuestos.com
www.kompuestos.com
Sukano AG
Chaltenbodenstraße 23
CH-8834 Schindellegi
Tel.: +41 44 787 57 77
Fax: +41 44 787 57 78
www.sukano.com
Trinseo
1000 Chesterbrook Blvd. Suite 300
Berwyn, PA 19312
+1 855 8746736
www.trinseo.com
1.3 PLA
Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd.
www.brightcn.net
bright@brightcn.net
Tel.: +86 – 55-26031978
TotalEnergies Corbion bv
Stadhuisplein 70
4203 NS Gorinchem
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 183 695 695
www.totalenergies-corbion.com
PLA@totalenergies-corbion.com
Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co.,Ltd.
No.97 Waisha Rd, Jiaojiang District,
Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
Tel.: +86 – 76-88827723
pla@hisunpharm.com
www.hisunplas.com
1.4 Starch-based bioplastics
BIOTEC
Biologische Naturverpackungen
Werner-Heisenberg-Strasse 32
46446 Emmerich/Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 2822 – 92510
info@biotec.de
www.biotec.de
Plásticos Compuestos S.A.
C/ Basters 15
08184 Palau Solità i Plegamans
Barcelona, Spain
Tel.: +34 93 863 96 70
info@kompuestos.com
www.kompuestos.com
UNITED BIOPOLYMERS S.A.
Parque Industrial e Empresarial
da Figueira da Foz
Praça das Oliveiras, Lote 126
3090 – 51 Figueira da Foz – Portugal
Tel.: +351 233 403 420
info@unitedbiopolymers.com
www.unitedbiopolymers.com
1.5 PHA
Bluepha PHA
A Phabulous Blend With Nature
contact@bluepha.com
www.bluepha.bio
CJ Biomaterials
www.cjbio.net
cjphact.us@cj.net
Kaneka Belgium N.V.
Nijverheidsstraat 16
2260 Westerlo-Oevel, Belgium
Tel.: +32 (0)14 25 78 36
Fax: +32 (0)14 25 78 81
info.biopolymer@kaneka.be
TianAn Biopolymer
No. 68 Dagang 6th Rd,
Beilun, Ningbo, China, 315800
Tel.: +86 – 57 48 68 62 50 2
Fax: +86 – 57 48 68 77 98 0
enquiry@tianan-enmat.com
www.tianan-enmat.com
1.6 Masterbatches
Albrecht Dinkelaker
Polymer- and Product Development
Talstrasse 83
60437 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)69 76 89 39 10
info@polyfea2.de
www.caprowax-p.eu
Treffert GmbH & Co. KG
In der Weide 17
55411 Bingen am Rhein; Germany
+49 6721 403 0
www.treffert.eu
Treffert S.A.S.
Rue de la Jontière
57255 Sainte-Marie-aux-Chênes,
France
+33 3 87 31 84 84
www.treffert.fr
1.7 Composites
Sustainable Composites
Tel.: +1 604 – 372-4200
www.ctkbio.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 Sheets
Customised Sheet Xtrusion
James Wattstraat 5
7442 DC Nijverdal
The Netherlands
+31 (548) 626 111
info@csx-nijverdal.nl
www.csx-nijverdal.nl
4. Bioplastics products
Bio4Pack GmbH
Marie-Curie-Straße 5
48529 Nordhorn, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)5921 818 37 00
info@bio4pack.com
www.bio4pack.com

64 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Suppliers Guide
Minima Technology Co., Ltd.
Esmy Huang, Vice president
Yunlin, Taiwan (R.O.C)
Mobile: (886) 0 – 82 829988
Email: esmy@minima-tech.com
Website: www.minima.com
w OEM/ODM (B2B)
w Direct Supply Branding (B2C)
w Total Solution/Turnkey Project
7. Plant engineering
EREMA Engineering Recycling
Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH
Unterfeldstrasse 3
4052 Ansfelden, AUSTRIA
Phone: +43 (0) 732 / 3190-0
Fax: +43 (0) 732 / 3190 – 23
erema@erema.at
www.erema.at
9. Services
10.2 Universities
IfBB – Institute for Bioplastics
and Biocomposites
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/
Naturabiomat
AT: office@naturabiomat.at
DE: office@naturabiomat.de
NO: post@naturabiomat.no
FI: info@naturabiomat.fi
www.naturabiomat.com
Osterfelder Str. 3
46047 Oberhausen
Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227
thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de
www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de
Institut für Kunststofftechnik
Universität Stuttgart
Pfaffenwaldring 32
70569 Stuttgart
Tel.: +49 711/685 – 62801
info@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de
www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de
Natur-Tec ® - Northern Technologies
4201 Woodland Road
Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA
Tel.: +1 763.404.8700
Fax: +1 763.225.6645
info@naturtec.com
www.naturtec.com
NOVAMONT S.p.A.
Via Fauser , 8
28100 Novara - ITALIA
Fax: +39.0321.699.601
Tel.: +39.0321.699.611
www.novamont.com
6. Equipment
6.1 Machinery & moulds
Buss AG
Hohenrainstrasse 10
4133 Pratteln / Switzerland
Tel.: +41 61 825 66 00
info@busscorp.com
www.busscorp.com
6.2 Degradability Analyzer
Innovation Consulting Harald Kaeb
narocon
Dr. Harald Kaeb
Tel.: +49 30 – 8096930
kaeb@narocon.de
www.narocon.de
nova-Institut GmbH
Tel.: +49(0)2233 – 60 14 00
contact@nova-institut.de
www.biobased.eu
Bioplastics Consulting
Tel.: +49 2161 664864
info@polymediaconsult.com
10. Institutions
10.1 Associations
BPI – The Biodegradable
Products Institute
331 West 57th Street, Suite 415
New York, NY 10019, USA
Tel.: +1 – 88-274 – 646
info@bpiworld.org
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
Green Serendipity
Caroli Buitenhuis
IJburglaan 836
1087 EM Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 6 – 4216733
www.greenseredipity.nl
10.3 Other institutions
GO!PHA
Rick Passenier
Oudebrugsteeg 9
1012JN Amsterdam
The Netherlands
info@gopha.org
www.gopha.org
MODA: Biodegradability Analyzer
SAIDA FDS INC.
143 – 10 Isshiki, Yaizu,
Shizuoka, Japan
Tel.: +81 – 54-624 – 155
Fax: +81 – 54-623 – 623
info_fds@saidagroup.jp
www.saidagroup.jp/fds_en
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

ioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
65
Upcoming Events
You can meet us
Interfoam Vietnam 2023
23.08. – 25.08.2023, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
www.interfoamvietnam.com
PLAST Milan
05.09. – 08.09.2023, Milan, Italy
www.plastonline.org/en
Nachhaltigkeit und Kunststoffe – Die Zukunftsthemen
21.09. – 22.09.2023, Schloß Hohenstein, Germany
www.begamo.com
3 rd PHA platform World Congress – 2023 USA
10.10. – 11.10.2023, Atlanta, USA
by bioplastics MAGAZINE
www.pha-world-congress.com
The Greener Manufacturing Show North America
11.10. – 12.10.2023, Atlanta, USA
www.greener-manufacturing.com/usa
Fakuma
17.10. – 21.10.2023, Friedrichshafen, Germany
www.fakuma-messe.de
15 th Bioplastics Market
18.10. – 19.10.2023, Bangkok, Thailand
www.cmtevents.com/aboutevent.aspx?ev=231021
The Greener Manufacturing Show Europe
08.11. – 09.11.2023, Cologne, Germany
www.greener-manufacturing.com
European Congress on Biopolymers and Bioplastics
16.11. – 17.11.2023, Rome, Italy
https://scisynopsisconferences.com/biopolymers
Diversity of Advanced Recycling of Plastic Waste
28.11. – 29.11.2023, Cologne, Germany
https://advanced-recycling.eu
European Bioplastics Conference 2023
12.12. – 13.12.2023, Berlin, Germany
www.european-bioplastics.org/events/ebc
ArabPlast
13.12. – 15.12.2023, Dubai, UAE
https://arabplast.info
2 nd Annual World Biopolymers and Bioplastics Innovation Forum
28.02. – 29.02.2024, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.leadventgrp.com/events/2nd-annual-world-biopolymers-and-bioplasticsinnovation-forum/details
Subject to changes.
For up to date event-info visit https://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/event-calendar/
daily updated eventcalendar at
Next issues
Issue
Month
Publ.
Date
edit/ad/
Deadline
Edit. Focus 1 Edit. Focus 2 Trade Fair Specials
05/2023 Sep/Oct 02.10.2023 01.09.2023 Fibres / Textiles / Nonwovens Polyurethanes / Elastomers
06/2023 Nov/Dec 04.12.2023 03.11.2023 Films / Flexibles / Bags Barrier materials
01/2024 Jan/Feb 05.02.2024 23.12.2023 Automotive Foam
02/2024 Mar/Apr 10.04.2024 10.03.2024 Thermoforming / Rigid Packaging Masterbatch / Additives NPE Preview
03/2024 May/Jun 03.06.2024 06.05.2024 Injection moulding Beauty / Healthcare NPE Review
Subject to changes.

66 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/23] Vol. 18
Companies in this issue
Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert Company Editorial Advert
Agrana 62 Fuji Pigment 50
Nissin 8
AgroParisTech 11
Gema Polimers 62 Normec OWS 16
Albstatt-Sigmaringen Univ. 32
Gianeco 62 nova-institute 12,13,14 19,64
Alfa Laval 16
Global Biopolymers 62 Novamont 11 64,68
Allbirds 8
GO!PHA 16
NREL 16
Andritz 51
Gr3n 30
Nurel 63
Arapaha 54
Grafe 62,63 Paques Biomaterials 9,16
Arkema 62 Green Dot Bioplastics 63 Parkside Flexibles 50
Avantium 9
Green Scientific Alliance 50
Pepsico 16
Avient 52
Green Serendipity 64 PETCORE 30
BASF 62 Grupo Botánico 8
plasticker 24
BeGaMo 42
Helian Polymers 14 63 Plásticos Compuestos 63
Beyond Plastic 16,56 49 Helmholtz Ctr. f. Envir. Res. 8
polymediaconsult 64
Bio4Pack 63 HFF 27
PTT/MCC 62
Bio-Fed 62 Horiba Advanced Techno 47
Renewable Carbon Initiative 12,14
Biofibre 62 HVC 9
Ritsumeikan Univ. 44
Biotec 63,67 IBAW 21
Ruian Gregeo 55
Biotic 16
IBB Netzwerk 48
RWDC Industries 16
Bluepha 7,16 63 Inst. F. Bioplastics & Biocomp. 31 64 Sabic 53
BMEL 48
Institut f. Kunststofftechnik 46 64 Saida 64
BOSK Bioproducts 16
ISCC plus 11,24,53 SCGC 9
BPI 64 JinHui ZhaoLong High Technology 62 Senbis Polymer Innovations 9
Braskem 8,18
Johnson & Johnson 8
Shenzhen Esun Industries 63
BUSS 45,64 Jungbunzlauer 16
Sigma-Aldrich 46
Caprowax Dinkelaker 32 63 Kaneka 16 63 Sukano 63
Chaire CoPack 11
Kaskada 18
Sunar 63
CIPET 51
Kaynemaile 24
Sustainable Packaging Institute 31
Circularise 16
Kingfa 63 Syndicat de Centre Heraut 11
CJ Biomaterials 16 63 Kolon Industries 9
Taghleef Industries 16
Cleanero 48
Kompuestos 63 Technikum Wien 16
Collin 47
Leipzig Univ. 8
Tecnaro 63
Colorado State University 16
LG Chem 62 TerraVerdae 16
Coperion 47
Lumene 53
Tetrapak 8
Covestro 24
Mango Materials 16
Tianan Biologic 46 63
CTK Bio 63 Mars 16
TNO 54
Customized Sheet Extrusion 63 Melodea 52
TotalEnergies Corbion 6,7,10,11 63
Danimer Scientific 16
Michigan State University 64 Treffert 63
DIN Certco 8
Microtec 62 Trinseo 63
Dow 11
Minima Technology 64 Tsinghua University 16
Earth Renewable Technologies 62 Mixcycling 62 TÜV Rheinland 52
ECHO Instruments 16
Monument Chemical 6
Uluu 16
Econic Technologies 6
narocon InnovationConsulting 64 United Biopolymers 63
Elixance 62 Natura & Co 8
Univ. Montpellier 11
Erema 64 Naturabiomat 64 Univ. Stuttgart (IKT) 46 64
European Bioplastics 21 31,64 Natureplast-Biopolynov 63 University of Queensland 16
European Salt Company 46
Naturopera 51
UPM Biofuels 53
Fakuma (Schall) 53 NaturTec 64 Wageningen Univ. & Research 16
Farrel Pomini 16
Neste 10,28
Xiamen Changsu Industries 10 62
FENC 18
New Energy Blue 11
Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe 62
FKuR 18,48 2,62 Niine 51
Zeijiang Hisun Biomaterials 63
FNR 31
NIOZ, Woods Hole Oc. Inst. 16
Zeijiang Huafon 62
Fraunhofer UMSICHT 48 64

In 1992 Biotec was founded in a garage in
Emmerich am Rhein in Germany and became one
of the pioneers of the biopolymer field.
Our steady growth now shows:
Installed capacity 60,000 t/a
Employees (2022) ∼90
Turnover
∼100M €
Production site ∼8.700 m 2
Responding to changing market needs and to support our
customers we continue to develop new solutions.
We are happy to introduce
BIOPLAST 700
BIOPLAST 800
PLA-free Transparent Biodegradable
Food contact Compostable Sealable
Compostable Heat Stable Biodegradable
Thermoforming >60% BBC Food contact
www.biotec.de

_01.2023