Constance Ißbrücker, Head of Environmental Affairs at European Bioplastics e.V. The Single-use Plastics Directive (SUPD) coming into effect on 3 July 2021 will not only ban several plastic applications, such as cutlery, plates or drinking straws from the market. It will also prohibit all products made from so-called oxo-degradable plastics. The Directive [...]
Chemical recycling has gained increased attention as a promising recovery technology, especially for post-consumer plastic waste. It is seen as a complementary solution to mechanical recycling, being better suited for difficult to recycle plastics like multi-layer solutions or heavily contaminated plastics. Yet, its availability at commercial scale is currently still limited, and a legislative framework at European [...]
In each issue of the Bioplastics Newsletter, we present some facts about a member of European Bioplastics. This month, Frédéric Van Gansberghe, Chief Executive Officer of Futerro, shares some interesting insights on his company. 5 facts about Futerro, Belgium Futerro is working on polylactic acid (PLA) technology since 1992, mastering the complete production cycle, from sugar to PLA. Commercial production has started in January 2021 with an annual [...]
BioSupPack project supported by EUBP The EU-funded BioSupPack project, supported by European Bioplastics (EUBP), is geared towards contributing to the European bio-based circular economy by developing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based packaging solutions derived from residues. It is a viable recycling process for these bio-based plastic materials to make sure resources stay in the loop. [...]
EarthFirst Films by PSI produces first PHA home compostable packaging film EarthFirst Films by PSI, a global bioplastic film technology and manufacturing company, announced in an 18 May statement the successful completion of the first commercial run of PHA - polyhydroxyalkanoate - home compostable packaging film. Although the PHA materials have been certified, the film will go through [...]
SUP Directive Guidelines: a long list of inconsistencies and questions left unanswered With almost one year of delay on the timetable set by the Single-Use Plastics Directive, the long-awaited Guidelines have been finally published at the end of May 2021. From now on, the document will represent the vademecum for the activities of both the national [...]
Francesco Degli Innocenti, EUBP Working Group Standardisation The development of a framework for bio-based and biodegradable/compostable plastics is a key deliverable of the new Circular Economy Action Plan, which was published by the European Commission in March 2020. Several studies have been launched and published since then to lay down the scientific basis [...]
In each issue of the Bioplastics Newsletter, we present some facts about a member of European Bioplastics. This month, Levin Batschauer, Sales Manager Bioplastics, Business Unit Compounding, Recycling, and Battery of Coperion GmbH, shares some interesting insights on his company. 5 facts about Coperion, Germany Coperion is an international technology leader in compounding and extrusion systems, feeding and weighing technology, bulk material handling systems and services. It designs, develops, manufactures, and [...]
Everything you need to know about the UK’s incoming Plastic Packaging Tax From April 2022, a new tax on plastic packaging will be in place in the UK. Which products will be affected, how much is it, what penalties and sanctions are in place if manufacturers don’t comply, and what steps should the industry [...]
NatureWorks and IMA announce strategic partnership NatureWorks, the world’s leading manufacturer of low-carbon Ingeo PLA biopolymers, and IMA Coffee, global market leader in coffee handling, processing, and packaging, have announced that they have entered into a joint strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the market for high performing K-Cup compatible compostable single-serve coffee pods in North America. The multi-year partnership [...]
