Foam Important
Foam Important characteristics of BioFoam containing substrates were investigated. Research showed that the stability of BioFoam is comparable to that of fresh coconut and by adding a modified E-PLA with open cells the water retention (see infobox) can be adjusted. For pF curves see graph. It was also established that BioFoam granules are suitable as a filler when transporting perennials and bulbs (lily and phlox) and gave a better product than the current packaging (fig. 7). A test cultivation in a hydroculture gutter system with a variety of crops (pivots) and with BioFoam beads as a part of the substrate showed that the growth is fully comparable to a standard substrate. Up to 100% BioFoam was used as a substrate in a hydroculture application showing no loss of growth rate. At the end of life stage it offers the potential to retain the nutrients that are contained in the substrate (roots) by composting - nutrients that otherwise may become lost when using perlite or mineral wool. These opportunities are now further explored and invitations are open to growers to be among the first users to participate in the industrialisation and scaling up. This project was made possible under the umbrella of the BioBest programme enabled by the province of Gelderland with participation of Synprodo, Synbra Technology, WUR Food & Biobased Research and WUR Applied Plant-CSO. [1] J. Noordegraaf, J. de Jong, P.de Bruijn, R. Hartmann BioFoam: PLA Particle Foam (further) expaning in Europa; Paper presented at the International Conference Particle Foam Conference Berlin, Germany, 28 and 29 November 2012 [2] J. Noordegraaf, A Comparative LCA on building materials. bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 6, issue 02/2011 www.synbra-technology.nl www.wageningenur.nl/en.htm Water retention (vol %) Fig 7. Phlox after transport with traditional transport protection (1) and with BioFoam (5) leads to a much improved preservation and quality of the bulbs. 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Info: Start -10 cm -32 cm -50 cm Refill column pressure (cm water) Standard (peat) BioFoam BioFoam Mod 1 BioFoam Mod 2 BioFoam Mod 3 BioFoam Mod 4 Graph 1. Water retention curves comparing various BioFoam modifications under investigation, compared with traditional peat. Waterretention curves are used to show how much water a given substrate can hold at various suction forces. The amount of water a given substrate can hold and the force a plant has to apply to take it up is very important for the growth. This amount is measured in volume% and the suction force (or how easy it is for a plant to take up water) is measured with a water column. -10 cm corresponds with 1 kPa suction pressure. The graph clearly shows different water retention for the various substrates at the start of the experiment. By modifying BioFoam the water retention can be modified this way controlling the water uptake of the plants. The graph also shows that at the end of the experiment most substrates can be refilled to return to the starting amount of water. 36 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/13] Vol. 8
6. Biowerkstoff-Kongress th www.bio-based.eu/conference www.bio-based.eu/conference Int. Conference 2013 6on Industrial Biotechnology and Bio-based Plastics & Composites 10 – 12 April 2013, Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany KBBPPS Project – Pre-standardization research for bio-based products in the EU: 1st Advisory Workshop, 9 April 2013, Maternushaus, Cologne: www.bio-based.eu/kbbpps Highlights from the worldwide leading Countries in Bio-based Economy: USA & Germany More than 250 participants expected! Entrance Fee Conference incl. Catering Two Days (10 – 11 April 2013) € 750 Three Days (10 – 12 April 2013) € 900 First Day (10 April 2013): € 450 Policy and Industry Second Day (11 April 2013) € 400 Industry Third Day (12 April 2013) € 350 Science & Technology Contact person Venue plus 19 % VAT. Michael Carus CEO nova-Institute GmbH +49 (0) 2233 48 14 40 contact@nova-institut.de Maternushaus Cologne Kardinal-Frings-Str. 1-3 50668 Cologne, Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 221 16 310 E-Mail: info@maternushaus.de Programme: Three-day conference programme and more than 30 confirmed speakers! The following high-profile companies, universities, institutes and organisations have already confirmed their participation: USA: Beta Analytic Ltd. // Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) // Cornell University // DuPont // Light Light Solutions LLC // Michigan State University // Myriant Corporation // NatureWorks LCC // University of Texas // University of California // WSU Institute for Biological Chemistry Germany: BASF SE // Bayer MaterialScience // Bioeconomy Council (of the Federal Government of Germany) // Biotec GmbH // Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) // CLIB2021 // DIN CERTCO // European Bioplastics // FKuR Kunststoff GmbH // Institut für Kunststofftechnik // Johann Borgers GmbH & Co. KG // Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces // Research Institute Biopos // Tecnaro GmbH // The Fraunhofer Institute IAP // The Fraunhofer Institute IGB // The German Association of Biotechnology Industries (DIB) // University of Applied Sciences Bremen // University of Applied Sciences Hanover // University of Bayreuth // University of Stuttgart Innovation Award „Bio-based Material of the year 2013“ - Apply now! Deadline 15 February 2013 Contact: Lena Scholz (lena.scholz@nova-institut.de) phone: +49 (0) 2233 48 14 48 Exhibition – Bio-based Chemicals, Plastics and Composites Exhibition booths starting at 800 €. Contact: Dominik Vogt (dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de) phone: +49 (0) 2233 48 14 49 Organiser In Cooperation with Sponsor of the Conference Sponsor Innovation Award The Biological Materials Group www.nova-institute.eu www.hs-bremen.de www.biotec.de www.coperion.com Additional Sponsors for the Conference are very welcome!
