Review Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications The intention of the new (2011) Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications, written by 40 scientists from industry and academia, is to explore the extensive applications made with bioplastics & biocomposites for the packaging, automotive, biomedical, and construction industries. Edited by Srikanth Pilla (Research Staff in the BIONATES theme at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison) reports on current research and applications in the bioplastics and biocomposites arena. This interdisciplinary science integrates pure and applied sciences such as chemistry, engineering and materials science. The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications packaging; civil engineering; biomedical; automotive; general engineering. Srikanth Pilla (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, and Scrivener Publishing LLC, Salem, 2011, 594 p., hardcover, EUR 169.00, ISBN 978-0-470-62607-8 By Michael Thielen The book is available via the bioplastics MAGAZINE bookstore www.bioplasticsmagazine.com The majority of the chapters review the properties, processing, characterization, synthesis and applications of the bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites. This includes polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), guar gum based plastics, cellulose polyesters, starch based bioplastics, vegetable oil derived bioplastics, biopolyethylene, chitosan, etc. as well as thermosetting bioplastics and biocomposites with a focus on the automobile industry In addition the book shows ways how to improve the properties of bioplastics, polymer blends, and biocomposites by combining them with both synthetic and natural fillers and reinforcements such as nanoclays, nanotubes (CNTs), and natural fibers (both wood and plant fibers). The Handbook is a good choice for engineers, scientists and researchers who are working in the fields of bioplastics, biocomposites, biomaterials for biomedical engineering, biochemistry, and materials science. The book will also be of great importance to engineers in many industries including automotive, biomedical, construction, and food packaging. The book is the first application oriented book in the field of bioplastics and biocomposites. It is well written with plenty of illustrations and useful literature references. Studies that expand the boundaries of bioplastics that will allow for the new materials to be applied to most generic engineering applications. It is structured in six parts and a total of 19 chapters. A comprehensive index allows the quick location of information the reader is looking for. 10 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/12] Vol. 7
Event (f.l.t.r.) Michael Carus (nova-Institut Cord Grashorn (Linotech) Martin Vollet (Livemold) Nina Kehler (Resopal) Tanja Schaefer (Resopal) Frank Mack (Coperion) Robert Schwemmer (NAPORO) 2012 Biomaterials Innovation With 110 participants from 15 countries, the ‘5th International Congress 2012 on Bio-based Plastics and Composites & Industrial Biotechnology’ (14-15 March, Cologne, Germany) focused on Scandinavia, Italy and Germany. Organiser nova-Institute and sponsors Proganic and Coperion expressed their satisfaction with both the latest developments and the lively discussions at the congress. Innovation prizes were awarded to the companies Naporo, Martin Fuchs Spielwaren and Resopal. www.coperion.com www.naporo.com www.martin-fuchs-spielwaren.de www.resopal.de www.biowerkstoff-kongress.de Biomaterials, i.e. bio-based plastics and composites, are becoming increasingly visible on the market and playing an important role in establishing a bio-based economy that will one day completely replace petrochemistry. Companies such as Novozymes (Denmark), Borregard (Norway), Novamont (Italy), Bayer Material Science (Germany), Evonik (Germany) and Henkel (Germany) presented their concepts for biorefineries, new bio-polymers and natural-fibre-reinforced composites. The congress sponsor Proganic, based in Bavaria, exhibited a wide range of new products – especially kitchen articles – made from its Proganic ® material, which is composed of PLA, PHA, minerals and natural waxes, making it 100% bio-based. This material is now used to make fibres and yarns, opening up a whole world of potential new uses. The 2012 ‘Biomaterial of the Year’ innovation prize, now in its fifth year and this time sponsored by Coperion GmbH (Stuttgart/Germany), attracted a great deal of interest. The congress’s advisory committee drew up a shortlist of five innovative products out of some 20 proposals- The relevant firms presented their innovations in a short talk and with some exhibits. The audience then voted for their favourites. Bulrush plants (iStockphoto) 1st prize: NAPORO GmbH – Fibre mouldings made from bulrush NAPORO GmbH from Austria manufactures low-density fibre mouldings for various uses from the little-used bulrush. The binding process works through the NAPORO ‘NATglue’ technology, whereby waxes and oils derived from the marsh plant are activated as binding agent. Bulrush is a wild plant that grows to heights of up to 4 metres, forms large, highly resistant clumps in wetlands and can be managed sustainably. 2nd prize: Martin Fuchs Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG – ‘spielstabil bioline’ toy range made from modified PLA (see p. 24) 3rd prize: Resopal GmbH – RE-Y-Stone made from recycled paper with bagasse resin. MT bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/12] Vol. 7 11
