Content 04|2014 Jul/Aug
Content 04|2014 Jul/Aug Biocomposites Composites go green: Composites Europe. ..............10 Alea iacta est: WoodForce ............................12 Green composites: The coming New Age ................14 Natural fibre composites for injection mouldings .........15 Thin-walled composite structures. .....................16 Flax for high-tech applications ........................18 Editorial ............................. 3 News ............................. 5 - 8 Application News ..................... 28 Glossary ............................ 39 Event Calendar ....................... 49 Suppliers Guide ...................... 46 Companies in this issue ............... 50 Events bio!pac .............................. 9 bio!car ............................... 9 Composites Europe ................... 10 Event Calendar ....................... 49 From Science & Research Composites based on soybean hull. ....................20 Blow Moulding Biodegradable packages for dairy products .............22 Avantium raises investment. ..........................23 100 million PLA bottles per year .......................24 Blow moulded air ducts made from bio-PA ..............25 Basics Stretch blow moulding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Politics Material use first! Proposal for a reform ................30 The bioplastics industry in Korea ......................42 Market Green Premium: Who is willing to pay more? ............33 Report Generation Zero: Bioplastics were the very beginning“. ....36 Opinion Mass Balance ......................................44 Imprint Publisher / Editorial Dr. Michael Thielen (MT) Samuel Brangenberg (SB) contributing editor: Karen Laird (KL) Layout/Production Mark Speckenbach Head Office Polymedia Publisher GmbH Dammer Str. 112 41066 Mönchengladbach, Germany phone: +49 (0)2161 6884469 fax: +49 (0)2161 6884468 info@bioplasticsmagazine.com www.bioplasticsmagazine.com Media Adviser Caroline Motyka phone: +49(0)2161-6884467 fax: +49(0)2161 6884468 cm@bioplasticsmagazine.com Print Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala Ltd. 1004 Riga, Latvia Print run: 3,800 copies bioplastics MAGAZINE ISSN 1862-5258 bM is published 6 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (149 Euro for 6 issues). bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on chlorine-free FSC certified paper. bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in 91 countries. Not to be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. The fact that product names may not be identified in our editorial as trade marks is not an indication that such names are not registered trade marks. bioplastics MAGAZINE tries to use British spelling. However, in articles based on information from the USA, American spelling may also be used. Editorial contributions are always welcome. Please contact the editorial office via mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. Envelopes A part of this print run is mailed to the readers wrapped in bioplastic envelopes sponsored by Minima Technology (Taiwan) Cover Cover: Alliance | fotolia 4 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/14] Vol. 9 Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/bioplasticsmag Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/bioplastics-MAGAZINE/103745406344904
News PlantBottle in the spotlight on Capitol Hill Coke’s PlantBottle technology was recognized last month on Capitol Hill as one of the innovations helping to fuel the bio-based manufacturing boom. Scott Vitters, general manager of the global PlantBottle platform, testified at a hearing for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Washington, D.C. The June 17 session examined the role products made from agriculture crops instead of petroleumbased chemicals are playing in revitalizing American manufacturing, growing the economy and creating jobs. PlantBottle, Vitters explained, plays a vital role in achieving the company’s long-term, zero-waste vision. PlantBottle looks, functions and recycles just like traditional PET plastic, but – being made up to 30% by wt. from plants - with a lower dependence on fossil fuels and a lighter environmental footprint. This innovation has removed more than 190,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions since 2009, the equivalent of 500,000 barrels of oil. Vitters highlighted the partnerships that have enabled Coca-Cola distribute more than 25 billion PlantBottle packages in 31 countries. The company aims to convert 100 % of new PET plastic used in its bottles to PlantBottle technology by 2020. To continue to meet global demand for The Coca-Cola Company’s beverages, maintain public trust and sustain growth, we must transition from traditional, fossil-based materials to renewable, recyclable bio-based sources. Following the hearing, the PlantBottle team participated in a “Spotlight on Innovation” expo, which highlighted more than 30 innovators representing 25 states leading the charge in bio-based manufacturing. The team spoke one-on-one with a Senators and Congressional staff members, who were complimentary of the PlantBottle program and commended Coke’s leadership on the development of bio-based products. MT An archived webcast of the hearing can be viewed at http://1.usa.gov/1psqs43 (Source: Coca-Cola Journey, Unbottled-blog) www.coca-colacompany.com Meredian harvests first locally grown canola Meredian, Inc. (Bainbridge, Georgia, USA) harvested its first 400 hectares (1,000 acres) locally sourced canola crop in Decatur County, Georgia in the second half of May. The canola oil used in Meredian’s production is the single most important, yet costly factor in their manufacturing process. While theoretically, the company can use any plant derived oil to convert carbon into biopolymers, canola is the perfect option because it possesses the ability to be grown locally, which cuts down on unnecessary and costly transportation steps. Growing locally stimulates Georgia’s economy, while allowing Meredian to continue their mission of manufacturing biopolymers from renewable, natural resources that equal or exceed petroleum-based plastics in price and performance. “We are thrilled about the successful harvest of our pilot canola fields,” said Paul Pereira, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Meredian, Inc. “The first harvest marks a major milestone in meeting the full scale needs of this facility.” USDA certified scales and seed analysis equipment were used to check and verify that the crop’s moisture content was within specifications. In some parts of the 400 hectares that were planted, more than 2,4 tonnes were produced per hectare (43 bushels/acre). Despite the less than desirable conditions the crop endured over the season, the canola was healthy and undamaged. The success of this season supports Meredian’s decision in choosing locally grown canola as their major source to produce their completely biodegradable PHA. The seeds that are not crushed to meet production needs will be used for next year’s harvest, which will be planted this fall and set to be harvested in Spring 2015. Based on the interest of farmers, Meredian expects between 4,000 and 6,000 hectares of canola fields to be planted this fall for Meredian. Eventually, the company hopes to utilize 40,000 hectares to grow canola in order to sustain the capacity of their 27,000 tonnes (60 million pound) fermentation facility.MT www.meredianinc.com shutterstock bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/14] Vol. 9 5
