Bioplastics News
News in brief: April 2021
UK Government may ban oxo-degradable plastics following consultation The UK Government says it may introduce a ban on oxo-degradable plastics, following its consultation seeking evidence to develop standards for biodegradable, compostable and bio-based plastics. After having received 85 responses, it is now also exploring the issues that were raised in the government’s consultation on an extended producer responsibility scheme for packaging, as well as in its consultation on introducing greater consistency for household and business recycling [...]
News from the members: February 2021
FKuR and SKYi establish joint venture in India FKuR Kunststoff GmbH and India's SKYi Innovations LLP recently established the Skyi FKuR Biopolymers Pvt Ltd joint venture at the end of 2019 to further strengthen their cooperation. The local production of biodegradable, partially biobased plastics has now begun. This is a further step in implementing the FKuR mission to leave the world a little better than we found it by [...]
Member portrait: Sirmax Biocomp S.R.L.
In each issue of the Bioplastics Newsletter, we present some facts about a member of European Bioplastics. This month, Dr. Alberto Zanon, Sales Manager Biocomp, Sirmax Group, shares some interesting insights on his company. 5 facts about Sirmax Biocomp S.R.L., Italy Sirmax Biocomp S.R.L. - former Microtec S.r.l. - is a private company, part of the Sirmax Group, based in Italy (Pianiga, Venice), which aims to offer biodegradable solutions mainly for the [...]
News in brief: March 2021
Polymateria misuses RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols RecyClass, a cross-industry initiative that offers recyclability certifications and recycled content traceability certification for plastic packaging, informed about a misuse of its RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols by the British start-up Polymateria. After RecyClass had refused a request by Polymateria, the company commissioned Impact Solutions to carry out a recyclability test for their polyethylene film with biodegradable additive technology called PLM-G. Later, the laboratory published a report that verified [...]
EU research project BIOnTop explores protein coatings to enhance barrier properties of bio-based films
BIOnTop’s research teams are pursuing various strategies to optimise biopolymers with a specific focus on protein-based coatings. European Bioplastics supports the BIOnTop project as consortium partner. Most sensitive foods are packaged in multi-layer composite films to ensure sufficient flavour, water vapor, and oxygen barriers to maintain products’ quality and increase its shelf life. However, most of these composite materials cannot be recycled. BIOnTop aims to [...]
Using LCA to compare bio-based and fossil-based plastics is not that simple
Constance Ißbrücker, Head of Environmental Affairs at European Bioplastics e.V. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has evolved to be the preferred tool to assess the environmental sustainability of certain products and materials. Recently it has also been used with great enthusiasm to compare bio-based with fossil-based plastics. It seems to be an easy instrument to draw conclusions on certain advantages or [...]