“Plastics play an essential role in modern society. However, their value chain is currently unsustainable, contributing to the generation of climate changing emissions and increasing waste and pollution. Reducing such impacts while retaining plastics’ usefulness requires a shift towards a more circular and sustainable plastics system”, states the European Environment Agency (EEA) in a [...]
Futerro to build PLA biorefinery in Normandy Belgian bioplastics manufacturer Futerro has announced plans to establish Europe's first vertically integrated biorefinery in Normandy, France for the production and recycling of polylactic acid, or PLA. The company already operates a PLA plant in China, which went into operation in October 2020. That first plant has a [...]
In each issue of the European Bioplastics Newsletter, we present 5 facts about a member of European Bioplastics. In this issue, Peter von den Kerkhoff, Account Executive EMEA at CovationBio, shares some interesting insights on his company. Peter von den Kerkhoff, Account Executive EMEA at CovationBio 5 Facts about: CovationBio, Newark, United [...]
Constance Ißbrücker, Head of Environmental Affairs at European Bioplastics e.V. Bioplastics are nothing new to the medical sector. In fact, it’s one of the sectors where bioplastics have been in use for a very long time because they offer significant benefits in terms of specific properties and functionalities. They also provide opportunities [...]
In a world increasingly troubled by the persistent harm that plastic — manufactured in petrochemical plants — has had on the environment, companies are investing billions of dollars to ramp up production of plastics made from natural, renewable materials that can be safely composted or can biodegrade under the right conditions. Bioplastics have long [...]
In each issue of the Bioplastics Bulletin, we present 5 facts about a member of European Bioplastics. In this issue, Gottfried Krapfenbauer, Product Manager Bioplastics AGRANA, shares some information about the Austrian producer of starch and starch-based bioplastics. 5 facts about AGRANA Starch, Austria As an Austria based, multinational company with over 9000 employees [...]
Swell idea: Bioplastic surf boards gain traction In France, a company is using 3D printing and bio-based materials to bring the surf community a more sustainable experience. Wyve, based in the Basque beach area, is replacing the polystyrene and EPS foam “blanks” that make traditional surfboards buoyant with inner hexagons that trap air. The [...]
Dutch researchers join forces to boost PHAs market introduction Invest-NL and Wageningen University & Research are joining forces to accelerate the market introduction of PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Wageningen Food & Biobased Research has been conducting technological research for 30 years into the production and usage possibilities of PHAs for various applications. They are currently participating [...]
Promising interim results of field test with compostable plastic bags in supermarkets Since mid-March 2021, in the German city of Straubingen, supermarkets of the EDEKA and REWE company participate in a field test with compostable vegetable and fruit bags. Recently, first very positive interim results of a consumer survey and a compost analysis have been published. According to the survey, consumers showed a very high level of acceptance for the use of compostable [...]
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 [...]
