Bioplastics Bulletin
Europe’s bioplastics industry needs a level playing field
Europe’s bioplastics industry needs a level playing field, writes Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of European Bioplastics (EUBP) for the Parliament Magazine. Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director, EUBP Bioplastics are a fast-growing, innovative sector. Many of the world’s leading companies are turning to bioplastics to meet the growing demand for more sustainable products without having to compromise on performance or profitability. For almost every conventional plastic material and application, an equivalent, or even superior, alternative made from bioplastics is readily available on the market. The bioplastics industry is able to meet the increased demand as a result [...]
How a strong EU bioeconomy can deliver on the UN Sustainability Development Goals
On 9 July, the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) invited EU policy makers and relevant stakeholders to join a discussion forum on the ‘Benefits of the Bioeconomy‘ in Brussels. Guided by two keynote presentations by Céline Charveriat, Executive Director of the Institute for European Environmental Policy and Dirk Carrez, Executive Director of the Bio-based Industries Consortium and speaking on behalf of EUBA, the forum discussed how a strong EU bioeconomy can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The forum took place at a critical time — in between discussions on the future of the CAP post 2020 [...]
Sustainable feedstock sourcing
As the market for bioplastics grows, inevitable questions around the sustainability of bio-based products continue to be of relevance to the brands and organisations who are driving this growth. We sat down with Rolf Hogan, Executive Director of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials, to discuss the key trends in the bioeconomy, the kinds of specific sustainability risks involved for the bioplastics industry, and what we can look forward to at this year’s RSB Annual Meeting, held alongside the EUBP Conference. Rolf Hogan, Executive Director of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials What key trends has RSB been looking [...]
Member portrait: University of Bologna
Paola Fabbri, Associate Prof. of Materials Science and Technology and Maurizio Fiorini, Associate Prof. of Principles of Chemistry for Applied Technologies at University of BolognaAlma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna In each issue of the Bioplastics Bulletin, we present five facts about a member of European Bioplastics. This month, Paola Fabbri, Associate Prof of Materials Science and Technology at University of Bologna, and Maurizio Fiorini, Associate Prof of Principles of Chemistry for Applied Technologies, shares some information on one of the oldest and leading universities in the field of bioeconomy and biotechnology research. 5 facts about [...]
World’s first biobased, circular car created using Luminy from Total Corbion PLA
The world’s first bio-based, circular car has been successfully designed and built in the Netherlands by the Technical University of Eindhoven. This is the first time that a car chassis and all bodywork has been made from natural and bio-based materials - no metal or traditional plastics were used for the structural parts of the car. The parts are made up of light and strong sandwich panels, based on natural fiber flax and Luminy® PLA supplied by Total Corbion PLA. The car, named Noah by the TU/ecomotive student team, was designed as a city car and features two seats [...]
News in brief – July 2018
VTT developed a biodegradable material that is 100% bio-based. The first model product is a designer chair manufactured as a joint effort between VTT, Plastec Finland and KO-HO Industrial design. © VTT Thermoformable bio-based material to replace fossil-based plastics in furniture: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd has developed a thermally formable, biodegradable material, which is 100% bio-based. According to VTT, the new material is suitable for furniture applications, making it an attractive alternative to wood and the various biocomposite materials already available in the market, while offering further advantages due to its formability and colouring [...]