Content Imprint Events 7 Re-Invention of Plastics via Renewable Chemicals (review) 8 SUSTPACK 2015 (review) 10 8 th International Conference on Bio-based Materials (Award pereview) 12 bio!PAC Biobased Packaging (programme) 28 Chinaplas – Show Guide with floorplan 34 NPE 2015 – (review) Certification 20 OK biodegradable MARINE Applications 43 Biotex Flax improves impact performance for bamboo bike 44 First bioplastic baby spoon 45 Kuskoa Bi – the first bioplastic chair 02|2015 March / April Rigid Packaging 16 New bio-based, solvent-free lidding films 17 New cast PLA films 18 Thermoformable high-barriermaterial Polyurethanes / Elastomers 22 Bio-based PolyTHF 23 Biobased TPE to create innovative new products 24 A milestone towardsbiobased polyurethanes 25 First biobased TPE suspension for bed slats 25 New bioderived Elastane for knit and woven fabrics Cover Story 14 Present biodegradable plastics development in China Basics 50 Can bioplastics polish the image of packaging? 52 Pioneer in biobased packaging Materials 46 Natural Fibre LFT for Lightweighting 48 Itaconic acid-based monomers and polymers Report 49 Polypropylene from palm oil 3 Editorial 5 News 40 Application News 55 Suppliers Guide 54 Event Calendar 58 Companies in this issue Publisher / Editorial Dr. Michael Thielen (MT) Samuel Brangenberg (SB) contributing editor: Karen Laird (KL) 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 Chris Shaw Chris Shaw Media Ltd Media Sales Representative phone: +44 (0) 1270 522130 mobile: +44 (0) 7983 967471 Layout/Production Ulrich Gewehr (Dr. Gupta Verlag) Max Godenrath (Dr. Gupta Verlag) Mark Speckenbach (DWFB) Print Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala Ltd. 1004 Riga, Latvia bioplastics MAGAZINE is printed on chlorine-free FSC certified paper. Total print run: 3,500 copies (plus 1,000 printed in China) 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 read in 91 countries. Every effort is made to verify all Information published, but Polymedia Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any losses that may arise as a result. No items may be reproduced, copied or stored in any form, including electronic format, without the prior consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in articies do not necessarily reflect those of Polymedia Publisher. All articies appearing in bioplastics MAGAZINE, or on the website www. bioplasticsmagazine.com are strictly covered by copyright. bioplastics MAGAZINE welcomes contributions for publication. Submissions are accepted on the basis of full assignment of copyright to Polymedia Publisher GmbH unless otherwise agreed in advance and in writing. We reserve the right to edit items for reasons of space, clarity or legality. Please contact the editorial office via mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com. 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. Envelopes part of this print run is mailed to the readers wrapped in envelopes Cove Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/bioplasticsmag Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine
daily upated news at www.bioplasticsmagazine.com News Additives to biodegrade plastics don’t work A new study from Michigan State University shows that several additives that claim to break down polyethylene (i. e., plastic bags) and polyethylene terephthalate (i. e., soda bottles) simply don’t work in common disposal situations such as landfills or composting. “Making improper or unsubstantiated claims can produce consumer backlash, fill the environment with unwanted polymer debris and expose companies to legal penalties,” said Susan Selke, co-author of the study and MSU packaging professor. The results, featured in the current issue of Environmental Science and Technology, are a culmination of a three-year study that focused on five additives and three categories of biodegradation, which cover the majority of methods available on the market today. The team studied biodegradation with oxygen, such as in composting; biodegradation without oxygen, such as in an anaerobic digester or a landfill; and simply burying plastics. “There was no difference between the plastics mixed with the additives we tested and the ones without,” said Rafael Auras, co-author and MSU packaging professor. “The claim is that, with the additives, the plastics will break down to a level in which microorganisms can use the decomposed material as food. That simply did not happen.” “(Do) not make claims that are untrue,” Selke said. “The proper management of waste plastics is the proper management of waste plastics.” And for now, that means not using any of the disposal methods or additives included in the study as feasible options, Selke said. It’s a growing trend that many U.S. cities and countries have banned or have adopted legislation taxing the retail use of plastic bags, one of the largest sources of polyethylene waste. Plastic manufacturers are also seeking solutions to this problem, Selke said. “Package-user companies funded this study because they wanted to know if the additives that are being marketed to them work,” she said. “They wanted scientific proof to evaluate the products and disposal approaches that are available to them to break down plastic.” MT Source: http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2015/additives-to-biodegrade-plastics-dont-work Biotec and Kaneka join forces BIOTEC GmbH & Co. KG (Emmerich am Rhein, Germany) and Kaneka Corporation (Osaka, Japan) signed a broad Joint Development Agreement for the application of biopolymers. BIOTEC develops and manufactures bio-based, biodegradable and compostable compounds under the trade name BIOPLAST. Kaneka is the producer of a 100 % bio based and innovative PHBH polymer with the brand name AONILEX ® , which is new to the market. Both companies agreed to combine development resources to create new bio based compounds for the application fields of pharmaceutical capsules, extrusion coated paper and cardboard, various other flexible and rigid films and packaging solutions. This strategic partnership is expected to spark innovation and additional development in the plastic markets by maximizing the product development talents and resources at both companies, while driving scale and efficiency through the partners’ respective supply chains. These new applications, which Kaneka and BIOTEC focus on, aim to contribute significantly to the development of a more sustainable and environmental friendly society. John Persenda, Chairman of the Advisory Board of BIOTEC, said: “We are pleased to have signed this joint agreement that broadens our new product developments based on biodegradable resins. We are now delighted to be in a position to work closely together, extending our reach across a wide range of applications”. Mamoru Kadokura, President of Kaneka Corporation, proudly added: “Strong partnerships in the value chain are indispensable to manifest our new AONILEX ® biopolymers in a broad range of innovative and sustainable applications. We are delighted to participate in creation of new value of plastics through this joint development works”. KL www.biotec.de bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10 5
