Editorial dear readers The dramatic spread of the Corona virus has disrupted lives, communities and businesses worldwide. And no one knows how the pandemic will develop. However, in these uncertain times, we will continue to strive to keep you up-todate about everything that’s going on in the bioplastics world. In our bi-weekly newsletter, delivered directly to your mailbox, as well as on our website, you can read the latest bioplastics news and developments – and, importantly, information about industry events that have been cancelled, postponed or that have gone virtual. This issue also seemed a good opportunity to shine a light on the role played by bioplastics in combatting the epidemic. We’ve rounded up a number of applications in a 3-page Application News – Corona Special on pp 46-49. The second big highlight topic in this issue is Additives / Masterbatches. This not only includes colour pigment masterbatches (as our cover photo indicates), but also a wide range of other additives to enhance the processability or performance of bioplastics. The topic of our Basics this time is marine littering and the question of whether biodegradable plastics can be a part of a solution. EcoComunicazione.it WWW.MATERBI.COM And speaking of postponed events, this also includes our own conferences. While the new dates of the 6 th PLA World Congress (7+8 October, Munich, Germany) were announced in the last issue, we also needed to find a new solution for the 2 nd PHA platform World Congress in Cologne, Germany. Initially scheduled for September, we are now postponing the physical event to 30+31 March 2021. On Sept 2 nd , 2020, however, we will be hosting a 4-6 hour webinar on the latest developments relating to the PHA platform. See pp 8-9 for details. as kiwifruit peel The call for proposals for the 2020 edition of the Global Bioplastics Award is also open. So, if you think your product or service from the world of biobased plastics deserves the award, or you’d like to nominate somebody else’s, please let us know by August 31 st latest. adv kiwi_bioplasticmagazine_05.2020_210x297.indd 1 08/05/20 14:31 And as always, make sure to check the latest reports, breaking news and frequent updates of the event calendar at www.bioplasticsmagazine.com. We hope you enjoy reading bioplastics MAGAZINE. Sincerely yours r2_05.2020 bioplastics MAGAZINE Vol. 15 ISSN 1862-5258 Highlights Additives / Masterbatches | 13 Marine Littering | 61 May / Jun 03 | 2020 ... is read in 92 countries Follow us on twitter! www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine Michael Thielen bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/20] Vol. 15 3
