Bioplastics Bulletin
News in brief – November 2017
Perstorp launches world’s first portfolio of renewable polyols: In response to the fast-growing global need for more sustainable coatings, resins and synthetic lubricants, Perstorp has developed a portfolio of renewable alternatives to the essential polyols Pentaerythritol (Penta), Trimethylolpropane (TMP), and Neopentyl glycol (Neo). Two new polyols – Evyron and Neeture - complete the company’s portfolio of the three essential polyols in renewable options. The new portfolio is based on a mass balance concept. Moreover, the new polyols are all ISCC certified, ensuring, among other things, full traceability of the bio-based raw material back to its country of origin. Currently [...]
Concrete policy asks for the revision of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy
Launched and adopted in 2012, Europe's Bioeconomy Strategy addresses the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into vital products and bio-energy. The strategy is needed to ensure that fossil resources are replaced with sustainable natural alternatives as part of the transition to a low-carbon circular economy. Its main purpose is to streamline existing policy approaches in this area. Initiated by the Circular Economy Action Plan in 2015, the Bioeconomy Strategy is currently under review, which will provide a good opportunity for new political momentum and orientation. In September this year, the European Commission confirmed its commitment to [...]
Final speaker line-up of the European Bioplastics Conference 2017
Every year, the European Bioplastics Conference features a well-rounded conference programme attracting senior executives from across the bioplastics value chain, policy bodies, NGOs, and brand owners. We are happy to announce the final speaker line-up of this year’s conference, taking place on 28-29 November 2017 in Berlin, Germany. François de Bie, Chairman of European Bioplastics, welcoming around 300 participants to the 11th European Bioplastics Conference 2016 (c) European Bioplastics The agenda of the 12th European Bioplastics Conference will cover a wide range of important areas, including the EU policy landscape, the latest technological innovations in new building-blocks, [...]
Five-year EU flagship project to establish an innovative supply chain for FDCA and PEF
Test bottles made from PET © Synvina PEFerence, a €25 million EU project, was officially launched at the end of September 2017. The partners will be cooperating for the next five years to establish an innovative value chain for FDCA (2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid) and PEF (Polyethylene furanoate), including the intended construction of a 50,000 tons reference plant in Antwerp.FDCA is the essential chemical building block for the production of PEF. Compared to conventional plastics, PEF is characterized by improved barrier properties for gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen. This can lead to longer shelf life of packaged products. Due to [...]
News in brief – October 2017
IKEA’s first large-scale bioplastic product: The popular re-sealable sandwich bag ISTAD is the first large-scale bioplastic product from IKEA. The bags are made from bio-based plastics derived from sugarcane where everything is either used or reused, so there is no waste in the production. IKEA estimates to sell 1.4 billion ISTAD bags this year, which is equivalent to saving 75,000 barrels of oil. The switch to bio-based plastics is a move towards IKEA’s goal to make all their plastic products from recycled or renewable materials by 2020. Get a glimpse of the production from the sugarcane industry and the passion [...]
Bioplastics discussed at Stakeholder Conference on EU Plastics Strategy
In preparation for the upcoming EU Plastics Strategy, the European Commission hosted the Stakeholder Conference ‘Reinventing Plastics – Closing the Circle’ on Tuesday, 26 September 2017, to engage with relevant stakeholders and gather feedback and input for the on-going process of drafting the plastics strategy. European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the interests of the bioplastics industry in Europe, was invited to provide insights and comments regarding the potentials and challenges of bioplastics and their contributions to a circular economy in Europe. EU Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, said that the EU Plastics Strategy [...]