Applications First
Applications First bioplastic baby spoon Once again, Holle from Riehen, Switzerland is illustrating what sustainable production means to them: With the first baby spoons worldwide that are made from high-quality organic and 100 % renewable material they are offering parents an alternative to plastic or metal spoons. The spoons were recently unveiled on the Biofach exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany. For Holle baby food, being one of the longest established organic baby food producers in Europe, sustainable production and economic sustainability have always been essential business principles. This becomes apparent not only in the high quality of Demeter brand Holle’s own organic baby food and that of its Bioland brand Lebenswert bio, but also in the origin of the raw materials used. With the first baby spoons worldwide made from 100 % renewable resources, the company takes one step further in its commitment to babies’ health and future well-being as well as to environmental sustainability. “Using organic materials for these spoons is really a minor sensation. Holle is doing pioneer work here, being the first to offer parents an alternative to plastic or metal spoons”, says Raphael Stäbler from ajaa!, who developed and produced the spoons in collaboration with Holle. Free from plasticizers and fully recyclable Unlike spoons made from conventional plastics, the new Holle baby spoons are made from organic materials and don’t contain petroleum or plasticizers. They consist mainly of glucose extracted from vegetable waste products. Chalk is used as a mineral filler for excellent stability. New parents can now feed their babies with a spoon that is made without genetic engineering, free from harmful substances and highly scratch-resistant. The spoon is made in Europe and is fully recyclable. “In the incinerator, the spoon will release just as much CO 2 as the plant it consists of previously absorbed”, says Stäbler. The shape of the spoon is specifically developed for babies from four months and older: It holds perfectly bite-sized portions and is curved in such a way that parents can easily feed their baby without spills. It can be boiled or sterilized and is dishwasher safe. The new Holle baby spoon is also food safe, tasteless and odourless. Transparent supply chain From the raw materials to the spoon in the shops – to Holle baby food, what matters most is cooperation and transparency along the entire supply chain. “We are in active dialogue with our partners and work closely together, because we can only meet the high expectations of our customers in a joint effort”, the Holle management states. The products are made from high-quality raw materials whose origins can be fully traced back. The bioplastic is a specially developed grade of PLA/PHA based Arboblend by Tecnaro (Ilsfeld-Auenstein, Germany) Holle’s organic baby spoons will be available in specialist shops from spring 2015. One set of spoons includes a green, a red, and an orange spoon. Each colour variant complies with European standards DIN EN 14372 and EN 71-3. These standards confirm that the products are absolutely safe to use and free from heavy metals. The new Holle baby spoons are made in Europe from renewable resources, they are free from harmful substances and plasticizers (Source: Holle baby food) www.holle.ch www.ajaa.de 44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10
Applications Kuskoa Bi – the first bioplastic chair The comfortable and generously-sized Kuskoa Bi, designed by Jean Louis Iratzoki is the first chair on the market to be manufactured in bioplastic. This biobased polymer is fully recyclable and its production gives rise to a significant environmental advantage as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Its particularly enveloping shell, that has classic simple lines reminiscent of those seen in the Eames’ DAW Chair, is cut out in such a way as to optimize back and arm support, is delicately placed on a solid wood trestle. A version in a soft wool-based upholstery is also available. Set against the backdrop of the Pyrenees in south-western France, nestling in a valley at the foot of the mountains is the Basque village of Itsasu and the workshop of the Basque furniture collective Alki. Surrounded by nature, this is a unique environment in which it is a privilege to work and one which the people at the Alki workshop strive to protect by seeking out new and integrated methods of production. “We are very much aware that everything we do, whether as individuals or groups, has a direct impact on the surrounding environment,” says Alki’s artistic director Jean Louis Iratzoki. This is why the oak used comes from sustainably managed forests and most of their upholstery is made from natural materials (wool, natural fibres, linoleum, etc.). The approach to the new project is no different. “We decided that the collection we are presenting here, Kuskoa Bi, had to be a comfortable, enveloping chair and to achieve this we opted for a semi-concave shell,” says Eki. The material that best enables this shape to be created is plastic. However, the production of plastic not only depletes the world’s diminishing fossil resources, it is also a pollutant that harms the environment and is therefore contrary to Alki’s fundamental principles on sustainable development. Eki Solorzano: “To find a solution to this dilemma, we carried out in-depth investigative research and found a new material: bioplastic“. The bioplastic used to manufacture the Kuskoa Bi shell is based on PLA, made from plant-based renewable resources (corn starch, sugarcane, natural fibres, etc.). It is a fully recyclable material that has a significant environmental advantage as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Eki: “True to our principles, we wanted to participate in this sustainable development approach by breaking new ground with the pioneering manufacture of a bioplastic chair.” MT www.alki.fr/en bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10 45
