Events
Events www.shutterstock.com / Toria 2 nd PLA World Congress PLA is a versatile bioplastics raw material from renewable resources. It is being used for films and rigid packaging, for fibres in woven and non-woven applications. Automotive industry and consumer electronics are thoroughly investigating and even already applying PLA. New methods of polymerizing, compounding or blending of PLA have broadened the range of properties and thus the range of possible applications. That‘s why bioplastics MAGAZINE is now organizing the 2 nd PLA World Congress on: 14-15 May 2012 in Munich / Germany Experts from all involved fields will share their knowledge and contribute to a comprehensive overview of today‘s opportunities and challenges and discuss the possibilities, limitations and future prospects of PLA for all kind of applications. Like the first one the 2nd PLA World Congress will also offer excellent networking opportunities for all delegates and speakers as well as exhibitors of the table-top exhibition. 2 nd PLA WORLD C O N G R E S S 14 + 15 MAY 2012 * MUNICH * GERMANY Call for Papers bioplastics MAGAZINE invites all experts worldwide from material development, processing and application of PLA to submit proposals for papers on the latest developments and innovations. The conference will comprise high class presentations on • Latest developments • Market overview • High temperature behaviour • Barrier issues • Additives / Colorants • Applications (film and rigid packaging, textile, automotive, electronics, toys, and many more) • Fibers, fabrics, textiles, nonwovens • Reinforcements • End of life options (recycling,composting, incineration etc) Please send your proposal, including speaker details and a 300 word abstract to mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. bioplastics MAGAZINE is looking forward to seeing you in Munich. Online registration will be available soon. Watch out for the Early–bird opportunities at www.pla-world-congress.com 10 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/11] Vol. 6
Events The Bio-based Economy and Bioplastics – The Plastics Evolution 2011 is set to be a defining year of the bioplastics industry in Europe, with implications for the industry around the world. The European Commission is expected to finalise European Strategy and Action Plan towards a sustainable bio-based economy by 2020 in October or November 2011. This will act as the roadmap for the bio-based economy in Europe and for European policy-making for the next decade. Ahead of this, European Bioplastics has organised a high-level conference entitled ‘the Bio-based Economy and Bioplastics – The Plastics Evolution’ at the European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium) on 22 September 2011. The conference will be preceded on 21 September by a cocktail reception and product exhibition close to the European Parliament to demonstrate to all European stakeholders the tangible and demonstrable reality and potential of bioplastics today. The conference, will be hosted and chaired by Mr. Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP, the Chair of the Governing Board of the Knowledge4Innovation Forum of the European Parliament. The conference will be a unique opportunity to engage with key European stakeholders – policy-makers, politicians and industry – on the bio-based economy and bioplastics. The event will feature the benefits and potential contribution of bioplastics to the EU’s commitment to a transition to a bio-based economy. High-level representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, EU national governments and industry will provide their insights into the future of the bio-based economy in Europe. Mr. van Nistelrooij is a leading voice in the European Parliament on innovation in Europe. His hosting the conference recognises the important role that the bio-based economy plays in the innovation agenda of the European Union. It also emphasizes the potential contribution of the bio-based economy to regional development in Europe. This potential has been demonstrated in the Netherlands through the development of regional and cross-border ‘bio-based clusters’ throughout the country. The Dutch Bioplastics Value Chain Dutch leadership on the bio-based economy has been reflected in recent months by a new initiative established in the Netherlands entitled the Dutch Bioplastics Value Chain. The Value Chain initiative, which has been supported by European Bioplastics and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, has brought together actors across the full spectrum of the bioplastics value chain to address the opportunities and constraints of bioplastics in the European markets. Constraints that were highlighted included access to feedstock, access to finance, and the importance of consumer communication. Mr. van Nistelrooij further raised awareness around the issues raised in the course of the Value Chain discussions by posing a written question directly to the European Commission on the issue of bioplastics and what support to the bio-based economy the Commission will be providing. The question dealt with many of the issues raised by the Value Chain, and emphasised the opportunities for regional and rural development through the bio-based economy. As demonstrated by the recent announcements of global brand leaders such as Coca-Cola, Heinz and Danone, the bioplastics message is becoming more and more mainstream within industry. What is needed now is to ensure that this momentum is reflected at the highest levels politically and through policy which can help stimulate the growth of the industry in the coming years. Save the date www.european-bioplastics.org bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/11] Vol. 6 11
