bioplastics MAGAZINE 04-2012 by bioplastics MAGAZINE

ISSN 1862-5258

July / August

04 | 2012

Highlights Bottle Applications | 32 Bioplastics from Waste Streams | 16

Basics

bioplastics

magazine

Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Protein | 37 Cover-Story PEF a new 100% biobased polyester | 12

1 countries

... is read in 9

FKuR plastics - made by nature!

ÂŠ Pictures:

ÂŽ

Bottles made from Green PE.

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH Siemensring 79 D - 47877 Willich Phone: +49 2154 92 51-0 Fax: +49 2154 92 51-51 sales@fkur.com

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For further information, contact your local partner: North America: sales.usa@fkur.com UK & Ireland: UK@fkur.com Italy: Italy@fkur.com France: France@fkur.com Scandinavia: Scan@fkur.com Israel: Israel@fkur.com

Editorial

dear readers We are now more than half way through the year, and fast approaching yet another (the seventh!) Bioplastics Award. We strongly encourage all our readers to put forward what they feel are potential winners for this ‘Bioplastics Oskar’, which will be presented on November 6th in Berlin. You can put forward your own developments or suggest outstanding developments made by others. For details see page 9, or visit our website. One of the focal topics in this issue is ‘bottle applications’, represented by, among others, the cover story about PEF as one of the promising new 100% biobased materials for bottles (and more). The other highlight is ‘bioplastics from waste streams’. We were really overwhelmed to find out that there are so many different approaches into this direction representing a serious alternative to bioplastics made from crops that can also be used for food and animal feed. We publish here articles about bioplastics made from, for instance, waste streams in the bakery business, chicken feathers, fish scales, blood meal from slaughterhouses, mango kernels, kiwi fruit residues, proteinous materials that become available as residues from biodiesel production or even bioplastics made with carbon from municipal waste water.

Overlapping this ‘waste’ topic to a certain extent are a number of articles in the basics section covering ‘bioplastics made from proteins’. As you read this issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE the Olympic Games in London will still be in full progress. Should you get the chance to visit London and the Games, please watch out for bioplastics products and let us know what you find. In our next issue we are planning a report on this topic. Until then, we hope you enjoy reading bioplastics MAGAZINE.

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine

Sincerely yours Michael Thielen

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Avantium Cemicals BV Photo: iStockphoto.com/Berc [m]

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A part of this print run is mailed to the readers wrapped in envelopes sponsored and produced by FKuR, Maropack and Kobusch-Sengewald

Envelopes

Editorial contributions are always welcome. Please contact the editorial office via mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com.

bioplastics MAGAZINE tries to use British spelling. However, in articles based on information from the USA, American spelling may also be used.

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.

Not to be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

July/August

bioplastics MAGAZINE is read in 91 countries.

04|2012

bioplastics MAGAZINE (Eu) is printed on chlorine-free FSC certified paper.

ISSN 1862-5258 bioplastics magazine is published 6 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (149 Euro for 6 issues).

bioplastics magazine

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Head Office

Julia Hunold, Mark Speckenbach

Layout/Production

Dr. Michael Thielen Samuel Brangenberg

Publisher / Editorial

Imprint Content

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05 - 09 Application News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 - 36

Event Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Suppliers Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 - 52 Companies in this issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

16 Bioplastics from agro waste 18 Bread 4 PLA

20 Bioplastic products from kiwi waste

22 Microbial Community Engineering

26 PHA from waste water

30 Fish scales to goggles

31 Bioplastics from chicken feathers

Bottle Applications

32 Caps & Closures from bio resources

Basics

38 Proteineous meals for bioplastics

40 Bioplastics from proteins

42 Bioplastics from the slaughterhouse

Opinion

44 Single-use carrier bags

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/bioplastics-MAGAZINE/103745406344904

News

Collaborative to accelerate development The Coca-Cola Company, Ford Motor Company, H.J. Heinz Company, NIKE, Inc. and Procter & Gamble announced in early June the formation of the Plant PET Technology Collaborative (PTC), a strategic working group focused on accelerating the development and use of 100% plant-based PET materials and fiber in their products. PET is a durable, lightweight plastic that is used by all member companies in a variety of products and materials including plastic bottles, apparel, footwear and automotive fabric and carpet. The collaborative builds upon the success of The Coca-Cola Company’s PlantBottle™ packaging technology, which is ~30% by wt. made from plants (the monoethylene glycol component) and has demonstrated a lower environmental impact when compared to traditional PET plastic bottles. Currently, Heinz licenses the technology from Coca-Cola for select Heinz ketchup bottles in the U.S. and Canada. This new collaborative was formed to support new technologies in an effort to evolve today’s material that is partially made from plants to a solution made entirely from plants. By leveraging the research and development efforts of the founding companies, the PTC is taking the lead to affect positive change across multiple industries. PTC members are committed to researching and developing commercial solutions for PET plastic made entirely from plants and will aim to drive the development of common methodologies and standards for the use of plant-based plastic including life cycle analyses and universal terminology.

“Fossil fuels like oil have significant impacts to the planet’s biodiversity, climate and other natural systems” said Erin Simon, Senior Program Officer of Packaging for World Wildlife Fund (WWF). “Sustainably managing our natural resources and finding alternatives to fossil fuels are both business and environmental imperatives. It’s encouraging to see these leading companies use their market influence to reduce dependence on petroleumbased plastics. We hope other companies will follow their lead.” These leading brand companies are making a commitment to support research, expand knowledge and accelerate technology development to enable commercially viable, more sustainably sourced, 100% plant-based PET while reducing the use of fossil fuels. PTC member companies look forward to working together to meet each member’s future business goals and lead the charge toward 100% plant-based materials. www.thecoca-colacompany.com http://corporate.ford.com www.heinz.com www.nikeinc.com www.pg.com

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

News

Biobased PBS on commercial scale Showa Denko K.K. (SDK), at its Tatsuno Plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, has succeeded in producing BionolleTM, a biodegradable aliphatic polyester on a commercial scale using bio-derived succinic acid. SDK has started providing film-grade samples of this product. Bionolle comprises PBS, Polybutylene Succinate and PBSA, Polybutylene Succinate Adipate grades, which can be fully decomposed after use into water and carbon dioxide and have been used in compost bags and mulch films. To reduce CO2 emissions, SDK has worked to use bio-derived raw materials. Specifically, SDK has developed the volume production technology for Bionolle that uses succinic acid made from starches or sugars. This means that about 50% of main raw materials for Bionolle are now bio-derived. As for Bionolle StarclaTM, in which starch is mixed with Bionolle, the ratio can be increased to about 70%. Both of Bionolle and Bionolle Starcla have been certified compostable by OK Compost and DIN CERTCO according to EN13432. The product is being test-marketed to some customers, including Natur-Tec®, a division of Northern Technologies International Corp., Circle Pines, Minnesota, USA. The company is already using conventional grades of Bionolle for certain high-volume consumer goods packaging applications developed by Harita-NTI Ltd, its jointventure in India. Vineet Dalal, Vice President and Director of Global Market Development for NTIC’s Natur-Tec Business Unit, said, “Our customers are increasingly demanding higher biobased carbon content in our materials, in order to reduce the overall carbon footprint of their finished products. We are excited at the possibility of incorporating SDK’s bio-derived Bionolle into our compounds and converted plastic products, to meet this burgeoning market demand.” In view of the increasing international awareness of the need for environmental protection, SDK aims to expand the sales of Bionolle biodegradable plastic based on bioderived raw materials. By the end of this year, SDK will be able to secure the supply of 10,000-20,000 tons a year of bio-derived succinic acid. The company will therefore step up its activity to meet new demand. MT http://www.sdk.co.jp

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Successful partnership between Tecnaro and Braskem Tecnaro GmbH, Ilsfeld-Auenstein, Germany closed a contract in 2011 with Braskem from Brazil. Tecnaro produces compounds with sugar cane based Green PE from Braskem in a special product line of the material family ARBOBLEND®. The biopolymer compounds include grades for injection molding, (film) extrusion, thermoforming, melt spinning, etc. “Objective of the cooperation is the development of new applications in order to increase the product portfolio made from Green PE” says Claudia Cappra, Commercial Manager of Braskem. Tecnaro was selected by Braskem to increase the penetration of customized compound solutions based on Green PE in the European market. “We are pleased to cooperate with Braskem and hereby realize an important step in the further exploration of the Brazilian and German market”, says Dr. Lars Ziegler, Director R&D of Tecnaro. Once again, this cooperation shows the long-term relation of Tecnaro with Brazil. The German company keeps a sales representation in Sao Paulo since 2001. In 2005 a comprehensive training program was introduced focusing on the utilization of renewable resources in the plastics industry. This was elaborated and implemented by Tecnaro within Private Public Partnership (PPP) Projects supported by BMZ/Sequa gGmbH and in cooperation with the Brazilian center for research and education SENAI CIMATEC and other partners. In addition, new biomaterials have been developed and the awareness regarding bioplastics has been increased in Brazil. MT www.tecnaro.com www.braskem.com

News 3% 1% 4%

0% 7%

Polylactic Acid

3% 4%

2% 4%

Starch-Based

14%

46%

Cellulose

55%

26%

45%

Bio-Based Polyamides

20%

29%

Degradable Polyesters

12%

2006

Bio-Based Polyethylene

2011

Other

2016

US Demand for Bioplastics US demand for bioplastics is forecast to climb at a 20% annual pace through 2016 to 250,000 tonnes, valued at $680 million, as Freedonia, a Cleveland, Ohio, USA based business research company published in a new study titled ‘Bioplastics’. Although they have achieved a considerable degree of commercial success, bioplastics remain in an early stage of development, representing only a small niche within the overall plastics industry. Going forward, technical innovations that enhance the properties of bioplastics and lower their price will drive growth. Today biodegradable resins still account for the vast majority of bioplastics volume (2011). However, Freedonia foresees the emergence of non-biodegradable bioresins to dramatically alter the market landscape going forward. Over the next decade, these materials will rise to more than two-fifths of volume demand, up from 13% in 2011. Growth will be propelled by large-volume production of bio-based polyethylene, as well as the eventual commercialization of bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Since these resins are chemically identical to their conventional counterparts, market acceptance is forecast to occur at a rapid rate. Among these bio-based plastics, PET is projected to offer significant growth potential over the longer term, particularly as large corporations are investing heavily in the development of this material (see also p. 5 in this issue of bioplastics MAGAZINE).

the expansion of production capacity, which will reduce prices and enable this resin to compete more effectively with its petroleum-based counterpart. MT

Source: The Freedonia Group, Inc. (Cleveland, OH). The study is available via the bioplastics MAGAZINE bookstore for US$ 4900. www.freedoniagroup.com.

Shaping the future of biobased plastics

Polylactic acid (PLA) is expected to remain the most extensively used resin in the bioplastics market through the forecast period. Advances will be promoted by a widening composting network, advances in terms of recycling of PLA and greater processor familiarity, as well as ongoing efforts to diversify PLA feedstocks. Bio-based polyethylene - which entered the market in 2010 - is expected to offer the best opportunities for growth through 2016, increasing rapidly from a small base. These exceptionally strong gains are predicated on

www.purac.com/bioplastics bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

News

Composting pilot project in China In conjunction with World Environment Day, Ecoplast Technologies Inc (‘Ecoplast’), Wuhan, China, its wholly owned subsidiary in Wuhan, Huali Environmental Technology (‘Huali’), and BASF jointly announced on June 2nd that they have formed a partnership with the Wanke Community in Wuhan to promote composting of source-separated organic waste in certified compostable and fully biodegradable bags made of BASF’s Ecoflex® and Ecoplast’s PSM. To demonstrate the closed-loop concept for organic waste, the high quality compost produced during the duration of the project (June to August) will be used as organic fertilizer in the community and on farms in Wuhan Xingzhou. “The launch of this joint project in conjunction with World Environment Day aptly exemplifies the theme ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?‘ as it serves to demonstrate how a community can contribute to and benefit from a more sustainable future. The project will serve as a tangible case study in support of waste division policies and the enactment of favorable legislation,” said Xianbing Zhang, Chairman and CEO, Ecoplast. “The potential savings in greenhouse emissions by composting of organic waste has not been well explored in Asia. It is for this reason that BASF has initiated many composting projects worldwide with partners such as Ecoplast. Diverting organic waste from landfills to composting also helps to recover nutrients that would otherwise be lost. As the result, the nutrients can be returned to the soil in the form of compost, which helps to improve soil quality, reduce fertilizer use and serve as a cost-effective alternative for landscaping,” said Dr. Tobias Haber, Head, Specialty Plastics Asia Pacific, BASF. Landfilling of organic matter is environmentally detrimental as it generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In comparison, industrial composting with compostable and fully biodegradable bags is a distinctly more efficient and effective waste management option for organic waste. www.basf.com www.ecoplastech.com

Info: BASF has been actively involved in similar projects worldwide to demonstrate the potential of composting as a feasible and effective waste management option for organic waste. Most recently in Australia, BASF partnered with Woolworth (supermarket chain), Zero Waste Australia and the Murrumbidgee Shire Council in the Cooperation for Organics Out of Landfill (COOL) project, providing proof that composting of organic waste on farm as well as by local councils, can be done safely, hygienically and at a low cost. A video which documents the project over a 12 week period is also available at http://youtu.be/J-x1xsz_6Jw

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Biobased kids house On 4 June 2012 a Biobased Kidshouse sponsored by Purac was opened by the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. The Biobased Kidshouse is an initiative of BE-Basic, an international public-private partnership, funded by the Dutch government in the field of sustainable chemistry and ecology. The biobased kidshouse intends to educate children with respect to biobased materials, in order to promote a biobased economy towards future generations. The Biobased Kids House is located in the area Education & Innovation, next to the ‘My Green World’ pavillion at the Floriade in Venlo, The Netherlands, and has been created entirely from innovative, biobased building materials. Every part of the house has been produced from materials based on natural resources and the materials can easily be reused or recycled. Some examples include wall switches and cable ducts made from bioplastics and roof insulation panels made from expanded PLA foam. The project demonstrates how biobased construction can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. Rop Zoetemeyer, former CTO of Purac, comments: “This project is a good example of educating our children about the opportunities of biobased materials in order to stimulate the next generations to develop a thorough biobased economy”. www.purac.com

P R E S E N T S

T H E se v enth A N N U A L G L O B A L A W A R D F O R DEVELOPERS, MANUFACTURERS AND USERS OF BIO-BASED PLASTICS.

Call for proposals

til Please let us know un

st August 31 :

and does rvice or development is se t, uc od pr e th at Wh 1. n an award development should wi or ce rvi se t, uc od pr is 2. Why you think th ganisation does oposed) company or or pr e th (or ur yo at Wh 3. page) and may also be ed 500 words (approx 1 ce ex t no r technical ld ou sh try en Your rketing brochures and/o ed to ma , les mp sa , hs ap gr es must be prepar supported with photo sent back). The 5 nomine Nov. 06/07 be ot nn (ca n tio nta me docu rlin on eoclip and to come to Be provide a 30 second vid ded from

try form can be downloa More details and an en ine.de/award www.bioplasticsmagaz

The Bioplastics Award will be presented during the 7th European Bioplastics Conference November 06/07, 2012, Berlin, Germany

supported by

Sponsors welcome for different award categories

Enter your own product, service or development, or nominate your favourite example from another organisation

Book Review

t is always a good recommendation for a new technical book if it can successfully meet the extensive needs of a specialist readership. This description applies very well to the work by authors Hans-Josef Endres and Andrea Siebert-Raths entitled ‘Technische Biopolymere’, and published in 2009 in German language by the Carl Hanser publishing group. The fact that the publication of an English edition (‘Engineering Biopolymers’) was a correct and logical step is made clear by the long list of producers of such plastics from all parts of the world. It is good to know that the book has also been brought up to the latest ‘state of the art’ via a thorough review. With more than 600 pages this publication provides an excellent overview on the subject of bioplastics. Within those pages the reader will find details of all the relevant standards that apply to bioplastics and which refer to important matters such as biodegradability and percentage of biobased content – some of the properties that differentiate bioplastics from conventional plastics. Manufacturing processes and the structure of the different polymers is extensively described in exact detail. A large number of tables and diagrams provide the technical specialist with information on the properties of the materials so that he may quickly evaluate their possible suitability for the various plastics processing methods used, or for a particular application.

Standard work on the subject of bioplastics

Certainly an outstanding feature of the book is the extensive presentation, mainly in tabular form, of the specification of the different plastics, making it possible to compare the performance and properties of several different bioplastics. These comparisons are based on a biopolymer data base developed by the Hanover technical university together with M-Base Engineering + Software that is kept permanently up to date. The book also contains some very useful background information on the numerous producers of biopolymers and compounders. The whole picture is rounded off by some basic considerations on the possible recovery of the plastics after use in certain products, and to their environmental profile. The authors understand the importance of this aspect and explain it in a straightforward way to readers who certainly have a more technically-oriented background. If there was ever a book with the credentials to be seen as the ‘standard work on bioplastics’ for specialists in the plastics industry then this is it.

Engineering Biopolymers Markets, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications by Hans-Josef Endres and Andrea Siebert-Raths Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich Germany 2011 676 pages ISBN 978-3-446-42403-6

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Possibly the only drop of bitterness for the reviewer of the book is its title – which should perhaps refer more clearly to ‘bioplastics’ (or ‘Biokunststoffe’). Genuine biopolymers such as starch, cellulose or proteins – and even DNA – cannot, without a certain degree of appropriate technical preparation, be processed on the machinery used today by the plastics industry, but we should not be ashamed to use the term ‘plastic’, and so avoid any confusion. Bioplastics are, after all, the youngest, but successfully growing, kids of the plastics family. Dr. Harald Käb (narocon) www.hanser.de www.ifbb-hannover.de http://biopolymer.materialdatacenter.com www.narocon.de This review was previously published in German language in KUNSTSTOFFE, 5/2012, p. 104, Carl Hanser Publishers Both books (German and English version) are available in the bioplastics MAGAZINE bookstore (see. P. 53) and www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/books

Event

The Re-Invention of Plastics ‘Bioplastics – The Re-Invention of Plastics‘, a conference that was organized by Yash Khanna (InnoPlast Solutions, Inc) for the second time now attracted about 140 delegates and speakers from twelve countries (North America, Europe and Asia) to San Francisco on June 13 to 15. In the Hilton Hotel (Financial District of San Francisco), the conference started with A workshop about ‘BioPlastics – State of the art & Future Trends by 3 speakers of IHS consulting company. Chaired by Roger Avakian (PolyOne) in the first of three sessions of the first conference day industry experts shared their experiences and information about their activities in terms of Bioplastics in different applications from packaging to durable … . The second session addressed traditional plastics from food/non-food biomass, such as bio-PE and bio-PET followed by an interesting mix of presentations from brand owners such as Coca-Cola, IBM or Toyota. The second day started with a two sessions on biobased building blocks such as Furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) (see p. 12 for more details). After a session about bioplastics modifiers the conference ended with session number seven about the end-of-life perspectives of bioplastics. MT www.bioplastix.com

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Cover Story

The world’s next-generation polyester 100% biobased polyethylene furanoate (PEF) By Peter Mangnus VP Partnering & Commercialisation YXY Avantium Chemicals BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

n 2009 The Coca-Cola Company launched its PlantBottle, a (partially) bio-based plastic bottle for its Coca-Cola and Dasani brands. In the same year Frito Lay introduced a bio-based chips bag for SunChips. Recently Nike introduced its new bio-based GS football boot. The direction of major brand owners is to move away from petroleum based materials and they are ramping up their efforts to introduce renewable materials.

has developed its YXY (pronounced ~iksy) technology, a proprietary process to convert plant based carbohydrates into building blocks for making bio-based plastics, biobased chemicals and advanced biofuels. The company is backed by an international group of venture capital firms, including Sofinnova Partners, Capricorn Cleantech, ING and Aescap. Avantium has been listed for two consecutive years as a global top 100 cleantech company.

Avantium, an innovative renewable chemicals company based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is commercializing a new bio-based polyester: polyethylene furanoate (PEF) for large applications such as bottles, films and fibers. With PEF’s exceptional barrier properties and increased heat resistance it has come on the radar screen of the leading brand owners in the beverage industry. Looking at its differentiating polymer properties, its cost competitive production process, and the strongly reduced carbon footprint, one must conclude that PEF has the potential to become the world’s next-generation polyester. In December 2011 the Dutch company announced its development partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, followed by a similar agreement with Danone in March 2012, to develop and commercialize PEF bottles for carbonated soft drinks and water. With the support of these brand powerhouses in the beverage industry Avantium seems to be on a winning course to make PEF the new 100% renewable and recyclable standard for the polyester industry.

Over the past few years the company made significant progress in the development and commercialization of the YXY technology.

The road to a new bioplastic Avantium has a 12-year track record of discovering, developing and optimizing catalytic processes for the refinery, chemical and renewables industries. Using its advanced catalyst research technology, the company

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

The basic philosophy behind it is to develop products from renewable sources that compete both on price and on performance with petroleum-based products, while also having a superior environmental footprint. Built upon Avantium’s core capability of advanced catalysis R&D, this chemical catalytic process allows the production of cost-competitive next-generation plastic materials and chemicals. YXY’s main building block, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), can be used as a replacement for terephthalic acid (TA). O

OH O

O Terephthalic acid (TA)

O Furan- dicarboxilic acid (FDCA)

Avantium has announced collaborations with leading brands and industrial companies to create a strong demand for products based on YXY technology. In addition to the joint development programs for 100% bio-based PEF bottles,

Cover Story

Plant-based carbohydrates

MMF

70%

FDCA

PEF

Bottles

30% MEG

Crude Oil

Fibers

30% PX

Film

PET

70%

Avantium’s YXY technology (in blue), the production chain of PEF versus PET

similar contracts were signed with Solvay, Rhodia and Teijin Aramid for the creation of Furanic polyamide-based materials. In December 2011, Avantium officially opened its pilot plant at the Chemelot Campus in Geleen, the Netherlands. This pilot plant has been successfully started and is running 24/7. Its main purpose is to demonstrate the PEF technology at scale but is also producing sufficient volumes of FDCA and PEF for application development. The first commercial plant will have a production capacity of around 50,000 tonnes per year. Preparations for this commercial production plant have already started, and Avantium expects the plant to come on stream in 2016. The company is in the process of securing the financial resources for the first commercial scale FDCA plant, after which it will announce the site location.

PEF: the next generation polyester The focus is clearly set on PEF, a polyester-based on FDCA and MEG (monoethylene-glycol). When using bio-based MEG, PEF is a 100% bio-based alternative to PET. PEF can be applied to a wide variety of commercial uses, including bottles, textiles, food packaging, carpets, electronic materials and automotive applications. One of the benefits of PEF is that it can be processed in existing PET assets. Avantium has used an existing PET pilot plant to produce PEF at pilot plant scale and the company has used existing PET processing equipment such as PET blow molding machines and PET fiber spinning lines. PEF is in many ways similar to PET: it is a colorless and rigid material. However there are some remarkable differences between PEF and PET. PEF has a glass transition temperature of 86°C, which is 10-12°C higher

than PET. Its higher heat resistance makes PEF a versatile packaging material, for example, for hot fill or in-container pasteurization. Table 1 presents additional properties for PEF. To any packaging expert PEF’s remarkable barrier properties stand out as a significant improvement over PET. PEF outperforms the barrier properties of PET in every way – it shuts out oxygen 6-10x better; carbon dioxide is 2-4x better; and water vapour 2x better. Table 2 shows some of the applications where these improvements can help satisfy an unmet market need.

Table 1: PEF properties Property

PEF (relative to PET)

86°C (Higher 11°C)

Tm HDT-B (@ 0.45 N/mm2, ASTM E2092) CO2 barrier improvement

235°C (Lower 30°C) 76°C (cf. 64°C for PET)

Oxygen barrier improvement

6-10x

2-4x

Table 2: Unmet needs in PET packaging (* CSD = Carbonated Soft Drinks) Unmet need for packaging CO2 CSD* Juices

Milk

H2O

Vitamin Water Beer

x x x

x x

Ketchup

Coffee/Tea

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Cover Story

For brand owners and packaging developers the improved barrier properties of PEF offer a range of innovation opportunities such as the extension of shelf life, further light weighting of bottles, the packaging of smaller volume carbonated drinks, and the replacement of glass by PEF for oxygen sensitive products. In a fast growing category of plastic packaging materials PEF offers the opportunity to increase plastic packaging penetration in a number of attractive market segments.

PEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strongly reduced carbon footprint To assess the environmental footprint of YXY technology, Avantium is working with the Copernicus Institute at Utrecht University, the Netherlands, an independent organization specialized in making Life-Cycle-Analysis (LCA). Comparing YXY technology for making PEF with petroleum based PET, the Institute made a cradle-to-grave assessment of non-renewable energy use (NREU) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Energy Environ. Sci., 2012, 5, 6407â&#x20AC;&#x201C;6422). The results of this assessment demonstrated that the production of PEF reduces GHG emissions by 50-70% compared to PET and yields a 4050% reduction in NREU. The YXY technology platform is still in pilot development, so the ultimate reduction in non-renewable energy use and GHG emission may be even larger, if additional improvements in the process can be realized.

Renewable feedstock The technology introduced here is a catalytic technology that converts plant-based carbohydrates into Furanics building blocks. The most important monomer is FDCA which is the key building block for the production of PEF. Like a number of other companies in the renewable chemical industry, Avantium is following a feedstock flexibility strategy, meaning that it can use different types of feedstock that are available today (corn, sugar cane, sugar beet) and feedstock that will become available in the future (agricultural waste, forest residues, waste paper, etc.). The ultimate choice of feedstock will depend on the geographical location of the production plant, the availability of feedstock, its sustainability and economic factors. Avantium is actively working on the use of feedstock from second-generation non-food crops to ensure that these are fully useable for the YXY technology. The company collaborates with a range of companies that work on the processing of non-food crops and waste streams into commercially viable carbohydrate streams.

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Cover Story

Recyclable and renewable To successfully commercialize PEF bottles it is essential that PEF can be integrated into the existing infrastructure for the collecting and recycling of existing plastics. Avantium is working with its development partners to fully explore the recycling of PEF, and will engage with partners in the recycling community to ensure that PEF bottles can be recycled for different applications. Preliminary tests have demonstrated that PEF recycling will be very similar to PET recycling, by grinding and re-extruding the polymer (primary recycling), by remelting post-consumer waste followed by solid-state processing (secondary recycling) and by depolymerization through hydrolysis, alcoholysis, or glycolysis followed by repolymerization (tertiary recycling).

Conclusion Where many bioplastics companies are pursuing biobased drop-in materials (bio-based versions of products that are made today from fossil resources, such as biopolyethylene, or bio-PET) it is interesting to see the PEF developments at Avantium. Using its proprietary YXY technology, Avantium converts plant-based carbohydrates into FDCA, a green monomer, to make the new polyester called PEF. According to Avantium, PEF is not only a renewable and recyclable material, but is also has differentiating properties that create a range of exciting innovation opportunities. In particular PEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fascinating oxygen and carbon-dioxide barrier properties make it a very attractive material for bottle and film applications. The product is still in the development phase so there are still questions that need to be answered by the developers of PEF over the coming years. An example is the recycling of PEF: the integration of PEF into the existing recycle stream looks promising but will need to be carefully managed. Avantium collaborates with leading brands and industrial companies to create a strong demand for biobased products based on its YXY technology. The company has already signed partnerships with The Coca-Cola Company and Danone for the development of 100% biobased PEF bottles, and with Solvay, Rhodia and Teijin Aramid for the creation of Furanic polyamide-based materials. Bolstered by the already existing partnerships, Avantium is actively seeking other like-minded brands and companies to help to challenge the status quo. www.avantium.com www.yxy.com

80 70 60

NREU

50 40 30 20 10 0

PET

PET+

PEF

PEF+

CO2 3 > 50% reduction

PET

PET+

PEF

PEF+

Comparison of PEF versus PET (revised 2010 PET data set) NREU = non-renewable energy useage (GJ/tonne) CO2 equivalents for GHG potential (tonne CO2 equiv/tonne) PET+ and PEF+ means: biobased MEG

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

Bioplastics from agro waste

ioplastics are still rather expensive and are sometimes (rightly or wrongly) blamed for potential competition with food production. SPC Biotech Pvt. Ltd at Hyderabad, India, has developed a new process for manufacturing PLA, cost effectively, from agro waste such as mango kernel, tamarind seeds, and other locally available agro waste. In general bioplastics based on PLA attempt to reduce the negative environmental impact of petroleum-based conventional plastics and global plastic pollution. Landfills and oceans around the world for instance are being polluted with conventional plastics; PLA bioplastics are designed to biodegrade into CO2, water and biomass within weeks of being disposed of. Most PLA based bioplastics, however, are developed from the edible parts of plants as opposed to inedible agricultural waste. In addition turning sugar into plastics has been a rather expensive and inefficient process. SPC Biotech is now able to reduce the potential impact of PLA production on the global food supply by using inedible agricultural waste as the raw material. SPC has developed a novel process in

which hydrolysed mango starch (from the mango kernel, i.e. from agricultural waste) is converted into high-quality PLA. SPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s R&D team has successfully evolved a technique to actually train and select bacteria which can convert glucose into lactic acid with a 73% to 78% process efficiency. Although the bacteria have been successfully breaking down sugars obtained by the hydrolysis of mango starch, they have not been able to process two components that resulted from the process of breakdown, namely maltose and glucose. This failure led to the fact that a substantial amount of fermentable sugars from the hydrolysed materials was left unused. However, co-culturing of two bacteria which can effectively use maltose and glucose to reduce the residual sugars produced the best result with more than 86% process efficiency. As a part of the ongoing research initiative to improve existing technology, the R&D team at SPC is actively engaged in an adaptive evolutionary process to train the bacteria, by growing and selecting only the most efficient strains for better utilization of sugars from hydrolysed agro-waste. The results have been successful. After several

The overall process for development of PLA from mango kernels

Acid Hyrolysis

Pulverization

Mango Kernel

seeds

Kernel powder

Purification Lactic Acid 88%

Fermentation Sodium Lactate

Polymerization

Ring Opening Polymerization L-Lactide

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Dextrose Solution

POLY LACTICACID (GRANULES)

Culture strain

By M.S.Shankara Prasad Managing Director Dr. Sateesh Kumar Vice President (Technical) both: SPC Biotech, India

3. Kooperationsforum mit Fachausstellung months of adaptive process relatively few bacteria could quickly digest all of the fermentable sugars present in the medium. And surprisingly enough, these trained bacteria could also digest moderately tolerable level of contaminated hydrolysate.

Biopolymere Funktionen – Technologien – Anwendungen

SPC Biotech reduces bioplastic production’s potential competition to food and animal feedstuffs by using inedible agricultural waste such as mango kernel, rice waste etc. as the raw material, rather than the edible parts of plants. SPC Biotech has developed a cost effective and sustainable process to produce bioplastics at a competitive price compared to conventional plastics and other PLA bioplastic producers. These bioplastics will be at least 40% cheaper than the closest competitor, and due to the design of SPC’s unique machinery, there will be a 30% reduction in the total capital cost of the project. Presently, the company is working on a commercial project that will produce 1,000 tonnes of PLA bioplastic per year and expects commercial activity to commence by the end of 2012. After validating the performance at 1,000 tonnes per year, SPC will begin a 10,000 tonne per year project and will need to raise about $15 Million USD.

Herzogschloss Straubing 20. November 2012

www.greenplastics.org

Besichtigung von Firmen und Instituten 19. November 2012

Fig 1: Growth rate of bacteria before and after adaptive evelutionary procecess measured by determining the Optical Density (OD)

Growth curve

Informationen und Anmeldung: www.bayern-innovativ.de/biopolymere2012

3 2 1 0 0 50 100 TIME (hrs) Wild strain

Bildnachweis: istock, Evonik Industries AG, H.Hiendl GmbH & Co. KG

O.D. at 660 nm

Adopted strain

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

he bakery industry is one of the world’s major food industries and varies widely in terms of production scale and process. The western European bread industry produces 25 million tonnes of bread per annum, of which the industrial or plant sector’s share is 8 million tonnes. Germany and the UK are the main operations with 60 % of plant sector production. France, The Netherlands and Spain produce another 20% among them. Nowadays bakery solid waste is commonly eliminated using landfills or incineration processes. Landfill causes the waste to decompose, which eventually leads to production of methane (a greenhouse gas) and groundwater pollution (organic compounds). Furthermore, incineration of bakery waste can also release nitrogen oxide gases.

Bread 4 PLA Biodegradable food packaging from bakery industry waste

By Rosa González Department of Extrusion Miguel Angel Sibila Department of Chemical Laboratory Both Technological Institute of Plastics (AIMPLAS) Paterna (Valencia), Spain

Alternative treatment options such as using the waste for production of valuable products have been proposed for bakery waste even though these treatments represent very low-added value options so far. Recycling constitutes an environmentally friendly way for this waste, although economically it represents a very low added value. On the other hand, carbohydrates such as starch, which is the main constituent of the bread dry weight, are preferably used as substrate/nutrients for several biotechnological processes (fermentation). However this application consumes a very low percentage of this type of waste.

Providing solutions: BREAD4PLA project The industrial feasibility of an innovative, user friendly and sustainable environmentally sound solution for bakery waste is being analysed by different specialized centres through the European project entitled BREAD4PLA1, specifically the Technological Institute of Plastics (AIMPLAS) in Spain, the Technological Institute of Cereals (CETECE) in Spain, the Agricultural Institute (ATB) in Germany and the Biocomposites Centre (BC) in the UK. The project, which is coordinated by AIMPLAS, is funded by the European Commission’s programme LIFE+ and supported by different stakeholders such as Panrico and Grupo Siro, which are providing different types of bakery wastes for the project. The project promotes the waste recovery on the specific agro-food sector of the bakery industry and aims to develop high added-value products from bakery waste. In particular, the BREAD4PLA project aims to demonstrate, on a pilot plant scale, the technical viability of the production of poly(lactic) acid (PLA) by the polymerization of lactic acid (LA) obtained by fermentation processes of bakery waste. The new PLA produced, will be used in the packaging of bakery products, closing the life cycle of the product.

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Bioplastics from Waste Streams

The project Consortium unites four specialized partners in the different sectors involved in the development of the new packages from waste of the bakery industry, covering the whole chain:

closing the life cycle by the production of plastic packages based on renewable materials.

CETECE: recovery and treatment of organic waste from the bakery industry / packaging validation for bakery products.

The project analyses and demonstrates the potential of natural non-food sources for bioplastics production. The main objective of BREAD4PLA is to demonstrate, in a preproduction continuous pilot process, the viability of PLA synthesis from waste products of the bakery industry and its use in the fabrication of a 100% biodegradable film to be used in the packaging of bakery products.

ATB: production of lactic acid by enzymatic processes BC: production of PLA by polymerization AIMPLAS: PLA modification processing to obtain films

compounding

and

Objectives and innovations of BREAD4PLA

Other specific objectives are:

The BREAD4PLA project is a three-year project started in October 2011. At this stage, different bakery wastes, such as bread crusts, expired bread and pastry products, have already been selected and the fermentation processes on a large scale are being optimised for the production of lactic acid.

Applications of bakery waste on bioresources

To increase the value of bakery waste by its recovery for lactic acid production. To show the technical viability of the pre-industrial process of lactic acid from bakery waste. To scale-up the polymerization process of PLA using lactic acid obtained from bakery waste fermentation. To obtain a 100% biodegradable thermoplastic film of PLA from the bakery waste 95% from renewable resources.

PLA is a biodegradable and compostable polymer well known as suitable for different kinds of food packaging such as for milk, cheese, and bakery. Approximately half of the total lactic acid consumed in the world is produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by lactic acid bacteria. In order to supply the increasing demand for lactic acid, more economical materials such as starch hydrolysates, whey and molasses have been evaluated. Bakery waste represents an important source of energy to produce high added-value products such as chemical precursors for the synthesis of biopolymer materials. Generally, bakery waste contains a relatively high content of available starch and sugar, which can be used for production of lactic acid by fermentation of these materials with the aid of microorganisms. Getting PLA from bakery solid waste constitutes an innovative and eco-friendly treatment option and allows

To replace the current human food raw material to produce PLA from a residual one, avoiding the problems related to fluctuations in food prices.

Acknowledgements BREAD4PLA project has received funding from the European Community‘s Programme LIFE+ (sub-programme Environmental Policy and Governance, Policy area: Waste & Natural resources) under grant agreement LIFE+ 10E NV/ ES 479. www.bread4pla-life.eu www.aimplas.es 1 Demonstration plant project to produce poly-lactic acid (PLA) biopolymer from waste products of the bakery industry (BREAD4PLA).

Analysis of the organic waste of the bakery industry

Package characterization and validation

PLA properties modifications by compounding & film processing

Bakery industry

Pilot plant production of lactic acid using enzymatic process

Production of PLA

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste streams

Martin Markotsis with the biospife

The biospife with Zespri kiwifruit

Bioplastic products from kiwi waste

ew Zealand has extensive forestry, agricultural and horticultural industries that produce significant volumes of biomass waste. Scion, New Zealand’s forestry research institute, is discovering and developing new ways to use biomass that add value and reduce waste. Scion’s research includes the transformation of biomass wastes into novel additives and improved biopolymers, adhesives, coatings or composites to create a range of added-value waste-derived industrial products. These all contain various types and amounts of processed and modified biomass waste streams and can be processed by extrusion, injection moulding, or thermoforming. Two of the recent research successes are ‘Waste 2 Gold’ and the Zespri® biospife.

‘Waste 2 Gold’ is a major research programme with the goal of converting biomass waste into valuable products. Scion has recently developed exciting new technology that converts solid waste from municipal sewerage treatment plants into useful industrial feedstock chemicals. This technology, called TERAX™, is a hydrothermal oxidation process and has generated lots of interest from local authorities. The Rotorua District Council was so impressed that it has partnered with Scion to build and operate a pilotplant scale facility at its municipal wastewater treatment plant, which deals with waste from the 60,000 inhabitants of this New Zealand city. Industrial waste water (such as pulp and paper mill effluent) can be used as growth environments for special bacteria that not only produce bioplastics but also remediate the water. Details of some of Scion’s other biomass-based bioplastic developments can be found in previous issues of bioplastics MAGAZINE [1,2].

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Another successful collaboration is with Zespri, the company that markets New Zealand kiwifruit worldwide. A survey, commissioned by Zespri, identified approximately 50,000 tonnes per year of waste biomass from the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. Sustainability is an important driver for Zespri who decided to partner with Scion to investigate environmentally friendly products and processes for utilising these residues in plastic products within Zespri’s value chain. Kiwifruit waste comes either from whole fruit unsuitable for fresh sales or export or residues from fruit processing operations, such as juicing. A key issue with kiwifruit waste is its high moisture content. Scion has developed new technology that transforms these residues into a plastically processable intermediate, which can then be blended or formulated with other bioplastics/plastics. This next step was to use this fruit-waste bioplastic instead of oil-based plastic. The spife was chosen because it is a unique combined spoon-knife utensil designed for cutting, scooping and eating kiwifruit. Currently, spifes are made from polystyrene which Zespri has found contributes 3% to the company’s total carbon footprint. Scion and Zespri are working together to develop a novel biospife to retail with kiwifruit. A bioplastic formulation has been optimised to generate a material that can be processed on existing injection-moulding equipment as well as having mechanical properties similar to, or better than, the current general purpose polystyrene. Scion’s life cycle analysis (LCA) team studied the biospife production and found the real environmental advantage of the kiwifruit bioplastic came with composting at the end of life.

Bioplastics from Waste streams

Thermoformed trays made from kiwifruit bioplastic/PLA formulation

Composting trial of the biospife

By Alan Fernyhough and Martin Markotsis Biopolymers and Chemicals, Scion Rotorua, New Zealand

So, the vision for the biospife is a bioplastic utensil that can be placed into an industrial composting waste stream, along with the kiwifruit skins, once the consumer has finished eating. This would remove the need for people to sort the biospife and kiwifruit waste into different recycling bins. Zespri in Europe had such a positive response to prototype biospifes, displayed at the BioVak trade fair for sustainable agriculture in The Netherlands, that commercial scale biospife production trials are now underway. The biospife is both renewable, being formulated from plant materials such as kiwifruit and corn, and compostable under industrial composting conditions. Scion is currently measuring the composting profile of the biospife using their in-house biodegradation test facility. Developing a bioplastic from kiwifruit residues is a winwin for everyone; excess fruit material is diverted from waste streams and converted to a higher value product, the carbon footprint for Zespri is reduced, and there are clear marketing benefits.

scale biospife production from supply of fruit, bioplastic formulation and compounding, through to injection moulding. Scion is also working with other companies, such as LignoTech Technologies, who have developed technology to transform corn ethanol waste biomass (DDGS) into a costeffective, low density, bio-based filler material for plastic composites which they are looking to commercialise in the USA. www.scionresearch.com www.zespri.com REFERENCES: [1] Fernyhough, A. From Waste 2 Gold: Making bioplastic products from biomass waste streams, bioplastics MAGAZINE, 2 (4), 2007. [2] Fernyhough, A. Bioplastic Products from Biomass Waste Streams, bioplastics MAGAZINE, 3 (5), 2008.

With the successful development of kiwifruit bioplastic formulations for the biospife, Scion’s biopolymers and chemicals team have begun to investigate other possible kiwifruit bioplastic products in Zespri’s value chain such as packaging materials. Scion and Zespri had been working with another company, Alto, to mould the biospifes. These three companies also worked together to trial a similar fruit bioplastic/PLA formulation in the thermoformed trays used in packaging and displaying the kiwifruit. This success demonstrates Scion’s ability to add value throughout the logistics and supply chain for commercial-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji1B-RQuDk0

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

Microbial Community Engineering

By Leonie Marang Yang Jiang Jelmer Tamis Helena Moralejo-Gárate Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht and Robbert Kleerebezem all: Delft University of Technology Delft, The Netherlands

Producing Bioplastic from Waste

roduction of waste is a sign of inefficiency. The amounts of waste generated in agro-industrial production chains are nevertheless enormous. Effective reclamation and valorisation of these heterogeneous organic residues is one of the main challenges towards the establishment of a sustainable society. In recent years the Environmental Biotechnology group at Delft University of Technology developed a biotechnological process in which organic waste streams are used to produce bioplastic - thus converting the waste into a resource.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates The polymer that is produced is a polyhydroxyalkanoate, or in short PHA. PHAs are storage polymers accumulated by many different groups of bacteria in nature as an energy reserve similar to fat storage by animals. PHA is therefore a bioplastic that, besides being produced from renewable resources, is fully biodegradable and the only bioplastic completely synthesized by microorganisms. Chemically, PHA is a polyester of hydroxy fatty acids. Many different hydroxy fatty acids have the potential to be incorporated into the polymer – over 90 different monomer units have been identified. Interestingly, the type of monomer that is produced and incorporated in the polymer depends mainly on the available substrate, i.e., on what you feed to the bacteria. The properties of the polymer can thus be tuned by adjusting the composition of the substrate. In general, the properties of the most common PHAs are similar to those of polypropylene (PP).

Engineering the Environment instead of Bacteria In traditional biotechnological processes pure cultures of a specific bacterium are used. These bacteria have often been genetically modified to improve the productivity (Figure 1). At this moment, PHAs are being commercially produced according to this approach. However, the cultivation of these bacteria requires sterile

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

equipment and well-defined substrates such as glucose. This is not desirable for two reasons. Firstly this results in a high cost price – PHA is currently still 2-5 times more expensive than comparable petroleum-based plastics. Secondly, the use of pure glucose for bioplastic production competes with food production. To make PHA a truly sustainable bioplastic the researchers at Delft University of Technology use an alternative approach: microbial community engineering. The conceptual idea of microbial community engineering is that genetic engineering is often not needed when recognizing that microorganisms in nature already provide us with a wealth of catalytic potential. The Dutch microbiologist L. Baas Becking once stated that “Everything is everywhere, but the environment selects”. Inspired by this statement, the team at Delft works on the engineering of the environment instead of the bacterium to select a natural bacterium that thrives under the conditions that they chose.

The Environment Selects In order to create an environment in which PHA-storing bacteria can be selected, a natural bacterial community is subjected to alternating periods of substrate presence (feast) and absence (famine). During the feast phase, when substrate is present, bacteria can use the substrate either for growth or storage. During the subsequent famine phase only those bacteria that stored can continue to grow and thus increase in number. Bacteria that did not store substrate cannot grow. Therefore, bacteria that quickly store a lot of substrate as soon as it becomes available have a competitive advantage over bacteria that use substrate only for growth during the feast phase. Before feeding new substrate to the enrichment reactor, part of the bacteria is removed. In this way, the number of bacteria in the reactor is being controlled and it is assured that only bacteria that are able to store enough PHA can survive in the system. After repeating this selection cycle numerous times, the microbial community is enriched with PHA-producing bacteria, whereas non-PHA producers are washed out. Eventually, the

Bioplastics from Waste Streams WORK HORSE

GENOME ANALYSIS

GENETIC ENGINEERING

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY MICROBIAL COMMUNITY ENGINEERING

MICROBIAL COMMUNITY

SELECTIVE PRESSURE

DOMINANT WORK HORSE

Photo: iStockphoto.com/ MiguelMalo

Figure 1: Industrial biotechnology versus microbial community engineering.

In this third step, in order to produce large amounts of PHA, the microbial community is continuously fed with substrate and the bacteria will store as much PHA as they can. Under these conditions, the bacteria produce up to nine times their own dry weight of PHA (Figure 3). Comparing these natural bacteria with their genetically modified competitors from industry, they can accumulate similar amounts of PHA and are able to achieve these high PHA contents in a shorter period of time.

bacterium that can produce the largest amount of PHA at the highest rate will dominate the microbial community.

Producing the Polymer Although the enrichment of a microbial community with a high storage capacity is the key to the production of PHA from waste, the overall process consists of four steps (Figure 2). In the first step, the organic waste, mainly consisting of carbohydrates, is converted to a mixture of volatile fatty acids by anaerobic fermentation. These fatty acids are more suitable for PHA production than the original carbohydrates, and will be used as a substrate in the following two steps.

In the fourth and final step, the PHA is recovered from the cells and purified for its use as bioplastic.

A Bright and Natural Future

The second step is the enrichment of PHA-producing bacteria, as described above. Once a stable enrichment is obtained, this reactor will be operated as a microbial community production step. The microbial community that is harvested from the enrichment reactor at the end of each cycle is used for the actual production of PHA.

Using enrichments of natural bacteria for the production of PHA has several advantages. First, instead of glucose, organic waste streams can be used as the substrate. This will reduce the substrate costs, especially since waste (water) currently has a negative value. Second, through

Figure 2: Schematic overview of the PHA production process: converting organic waste streams into a versatile biopolymer that, for one, can be used as a bioplastic.

AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES

BIOPLASTICS ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION

ORGANIC WASTE

fatty acids

MICROBIAL ENRICHMENT

BIOPOLYMER PRODUCTION

INDUSTRIAL WASTE

biomass & biopolymer

BIOCHEMICALS

biomass

PRODUCT RECOVERY

BIOFUELS

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste Streams (1)

(2)

(3)

Figure 3: Microscopy images of the bacteria at the end of the PHA production step. In this case lactate was used as the substrate. (1) Phase contrast image; (2) Fluorescence image showing the different populations within the enrichment in different colours; (3) Fluorescence image taken after staining the intracellular PHA with Nile blue A.

continuous enrichment of the PHA-producing community in a strongly selective environment, there is no need for sterile process conditions. This will not only reduce the energy costs, but also the equipment cost. Overall, the approach of engineering the environment instead of the bacterium can reduce the cost price of PHA by half. To enable industrial implementation of this highly promising technology the team at Delft University of Technology has initiated research on the development of the overall production chain for PHA production from waste. A multidisciplinary project has been established

Conference on

CO2

WW W.C O2-c

Carbon Dioxide as Feedstock for Chemistry and Polymers

within the ‘From waste to resource’ research program of the Dutch Technology Foundation STW in cooperation with other Dutch universities and companies. This allows the investigation of up-scaling aspects in a pilot scale process, downstream processing for biopolymer extraction, polymer characterisation and application, as well as overall life-cycle aspects. www.bt.tudelft.nl www.w2r.nl

5th – 6th September 2012

hemistry .eu

9th International Symposium

10th – 11th October 2012, Haus der Technik, Essen (Germany)

Partners

Organiser

“Materials made of Renewable Resources” Main topics: · Biopolymers · Natural fibre composites · Alternative Cellulose · Wood based materials Accompanying exhibition

Institute

for Ecology and Innovation

www.nova-institute.eu

www.hdt-essen.de

www.co2-chemistry.eu www.clib2021.de 24 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

www.kunststoffland-nrw.de

www.arbeit-umwelt.de

www.narotech.de

CO2 as chemical feedstock – a challenge for sustainable chemistry

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

PHA from waste water Transformation of residual materials and waste water into valuable bioplastics

By Onno de Vegt, KNN Milieu BV, Groningen, The Netherlands and Alan Werker, AnoxKaldnes AB Lund Sweden Bram Fetter, Suiker Unie Groningen, The Netherlands Ronald Hopman, Veolia Water Ede,The Netherlands Bas Krins, Applied Polymer Innovations Institute BV, Emmen, The Netherlands Rik Winters, Bioclear BV, Groningen, The Netherlands

ince the 1980s biodegradable plastics, like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), have led a life of commercial anticipation alongside much advancement in science and engineering research, demonstrating the material potential. In spite of the progress evidenced in an almost overwhelming sea of publications in peer review and patent literature, PHA based bioplastics have not yet attained a mainstream commercial status - and that after more than 30 years. But why not? One may argue that it is purely a question of price competition with cheaper conventional non-biodegradable plastics. One may further argue that it is a question of material properties and/or a critical available mass of raw material needed to entice more widespread practical implementation and commercial commitment. These questions are part of the BioTRIP project that aims at defining the technical, environmental, organizational and economic principles in real life case studies that demonstrate a viable proof of principle for commercializing the production of PHAs from waste and other material streams.

To this end the project BioTRIP (the Dutch abbreviation BioTRIP stands for, “BIOlogische Transformatie van Reststromen In marktgevraagde bioPolymeren”), with six commercial partners representing a residual to renewable resource stakeholder network, was established in November of 2011. The consortium of companies that cooperates in the development of the biopolymer concept in alphabetic order are Anoxkaldnes, API Institute, Bioclear, KNN, Suiker Unie and Veolia Water.

Biopolymer production The key process is a novel concept being developed by AnoxKaldnes (Lund, Sweden) for the production of PHA in biological wastewater treatment plants and is known as the Cella™ technology. A variety of residual streams from municipal and industrial sources has been investigated over the past ten years and it has been observed that considerable potential for producing and extracting commercially relevant quantities of PHAs exists for open culture bioprocesses used for environmental protection. PHA’s are particularly attractive given the diversity of performance characteristics that can be achieved. Instead of using a pure culture of PHA producing bacteria,

Activated Sludge Enriched for PHA Production Phenotypic Behaviour from Nile Red Staining

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

the complex bacterial flora in a wastewater treatment plant are being employed. The process configuration and conditions are used to favor the enrichment of naturally occurring PHA-producing bacteria. The waste treatment plant is transformed from a waste sludge generation plant into a biopolymer production plant. In this way, wastewater becomes a raw material for renewable products and services. Moreover, other organic materials may also be of potential interest. When process residual management yields biopolymers as well as other gains and synergies in products and services one begins to enter a biobased society comprising an industrial ecology of environmental and bioresource engineering activities. To develop the biopolymer production technology further to the marketplace successfully using residual streams that would otherwise be a ‘waste’ for treatment requires the right balance. Striking the right balance, satisfying the interests of people, society and the plant, is the challenge of the BioTRIP project and its stakeholders interested in the development of a win-win economy embracing goals of a biobased society. The project, with its foundation in practical and real world implementation goals in specific case studies, focused on establishing viability of technical solutions towards commercial material flows in today’s marketplace. Practical questions that will be answered within the framework of the BioTRIP project are for instance: Can renewable platform chemicals be realistically derived from waste management services? Is there incentive to use the volatile fatty acid (VFA) potential of organic residuals as a platform to produce more than ‘just’ biogas? What is the potential to realize PHA quality with high-end market applications? What is the incentive and synergy potential up the value added chain? Do businesses lend support towards a full-scale technology demonstration? These questions are the core challenges of BioTRIP in case studies involving both industrial and municipal sources of enrichment biomass as well as industrial and municipal sources of residual carbons as a platform for PHA production.

Fachkongress

Biobasierte Polymere – Kunststoffe der Zukunft am 25. / 26. September 2012 im Umweltforum Berlin www.fnr.de/biokunststoffe-2012

In support of the project objectives are prototype pilot facilities for producing kilogram quantities of enrichment biomass per week while treating residual streams from food industry (Eslöv Sweden) and organic contamination

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

in municipal wastewater (Brussels, Belgium). The biomass harvested from these piloting prototypes in turn are used to accumulate kilogram quantities of PHA, using a number of available volatile fatty acid feedstocks from within the project stakeholder group. The research and development is directed towards realizing maximization of PHA yield and the control of PHA quality while still serving needs in residuals management and environmental protection. A PHA recovery pilot plant has been commissioned by AnoxKaldnes in Sweden to purify the PHA from the mixed culture biomass for critical evaluation of recovered PHA and non-PHA products.

Quality of the biopolymers produced and product-market combinations At the core BioTRIP aims to identify at least one viable business case that links both material flow from residuals to market, interconnected with the chain of stakeholder interests. Since there is a close relationship between PHA quality and its processing, critical characterization of the biopolymer quality is essential. The VFA-composition of the feedstock influences the type of PHA produced, and therefore this is an important aspect of the business case. Different residual streams from distinct industrial and/or municipal sources therefore are anticipated to flow to different application windows. Therefore, an interaction between the Cella technology, the residual carbon suppliers, and the required type and quality of biopolymer for processing and developing high-end market applications is an integral part of BioTRIP. The quality of the biopolymers produced in this way is being characterized by API. Assay of quality of the

Resources

biopolymers produced should tell the scope for processing of PHAs into high-end market products. The potential for new product-market combinations are being explored.

Biobased business development activities In order to realize a full-scale demonstration project for PHA production as a by-product from services in residuals management, business development activities are taking place alongside technical and economic questions of surrounding specific solutions of the processâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practical implementation. Sensitivity analyses of relevant CAPEX and OPEX estimates are to provide for feedback to identify challenges and opportunities falling within the stakeholder network and/or the modes of Cella technology application. BioTRIP is on the road and practical investigations have begun. Stay tuned for outcomes and perspectives to be reported in due course.

Acknowledgement The BioTRIP project is made possible by the European Community, European Regional Development Fund, and the province of Groningen, Groningen Innovative Action-3. The authors acknowledge and are grateful for support to the goals of BioTRIP in the Cella prototyping activities from Aquiris (Belgium), VA Syd (Sweden) and Veolia Environment (France). www.knnadvies.nl

Energy

Biopolymers

Organic Waste

Minerals

Clean

Biofuel

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Water

Visions become reality.

COMPOSITES EUROPE 9 -11.10.2012 | Messe Düsseldorf 7th European Trade Fair & Forum for Composites,Technology and Applications www.composites-europe.com Partners:

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New ‘basics‘ book on bioplastics This new book, created and published by Polymedia Publisher, maker of bioplastics is now available in English and German language.

MAGAZINE

The book is intended to offer a rapid and uncomplicated introduction into the subject of bioplastics, and is aimed at all interested readers, in particular those who have not yet had the opportunity to dig deeply into the subject, such as students, those just joining this industry, and lay readers. It gives an introduction to plastics and bioplastics, explains which renewable resources can be used to produce bioplastics, what types of bioplastic exist, and which ones are already on the market. Further aspects, such as market development, the agricultural land required, and waste disposal, are also examined. An extensive index allows the reader to find specific aspects quickly, and is complemented by a comprehensive literature list and a guide to sources of additional information on the Internet. The author Michael Thielen is editor and publisher bioplastics MAGAZINE. He is a qualified machinery design engineer with a degree in plastics technology from the RWTH University in Aachen. He has written several books on the subject of blowmoulding technology and disseminated his knowledge of plastics in numerous presentations, seminars, guest lectures and teaching assignments.

110 pages full color, paperback ISBN 978-3-9814981-1-0: Bioplastics ISBN 978-3-9814981-0-3: Biokunststoffe

Pre-order now for € 18.65 or US-$ 25.00 (+ VAT where applicable, plus shipping and handling, ask for details) order at www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/books, by phone +49 2161 6884463 or by e-mail books@bioplasticsmagazine.com

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

Fish scales to goggles

efore you can enjoy a nice fish meal in a good restaurant the fish has to be scaled. But what happens to the tonnes of fish scales that end up as a byproduct each year? Whilst doing his masters at the Royal College of Arts (RCA, London, UK), design student Erik de Laurens got interested in finding local and sustainable ways of producing plastic-like materials. During his research he was inspired by a company that produces leather from fish skins, left over from the food industry. He realized some things are completely disregarded and yet have an enormous potential for production. Looking into history Erik was fascinated to learn that the tanning of fish skin was a process known for centuries. If fish skins could become leather, surely fish scales - the only byproduct of leather tanning- could become something too. Knowing that fish-scales in their composition were somewhere between horn and bone, both materials resembling plastics, Erik dived into old manufacturing books from the 19th century and adapted a technique of processing horn through heat and pressure. It turned out to work incredibly. During the process the fish scales release collagen which bonds the fish scales together. The material has the visual qualities of stone and the touch of Bakelite. It is moldable, biodegradable and recyclable. In order to test the material Erik designed 3 pairs of goggles and glasses inspired by swimming goggles and a table with an inlay of a fish. Currently Erik is looking for funding to push the development of this material further. www.erikdelaurens.com

(Photos courtesy Erik de Laurens)

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Waste Streams

Bioplastics from chicken feathers

“Others have tried to develop thermoplastics from feathers,” said Yiqi Yang, Ph.D., who is an authority on biomaterials and biofibers in the Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (USA). “But none of them perform well when wet. Using this technique, we believe we‘re the first to demonstrate that we can make chicken-feather-based thermoplastics stable in water while still maintaining strong mechanical properties.” One major goal to find alternatives for petroleum based plastics is to use agricultural waste and other renewable resources to make bioplastics. Starch, cellulose and proteins are derived from renewable resources and are biodegradable but are not readily processable thermoplastics. Chemical modifications mainly esterification, etherification and grafting of synthetic polymers such as methyl, ethyl and butyl acrylates and methacrylates are done to make these biopolymers thermoplastic. Two major limitations of bioplastics are low elongation and poor stability in water. Poultry feathers are inevitably generated and are available in large quantities at very low cost. Yang explained that feathers are made mainly of keratin, a tough protein also found in hair, hoofs, horns, and wool that can lend strength and durability to plastics. However, feathers are non-thermoplastic and chemical modifications

are necessary to make feathers thermoplastic. Researchers in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have chemically modified feathers to make them thermoplastic. Feathers were acetylated, etherified or grafted with vinyl monomers to develop thermoplastic products. After chemical modifications, the feathers were thermoplastic and could be compression molded into transparent films. The films obtained had high elongation and good stability in water. Among the different chemical methods studied, grafting provided a better opportunity to control the elongation and stability of the films. Grafting retains the main structure of the feather keratin and attaches thermoplastic polymers to the keratin backbone as side chains. This allows the feather films to be flexible and biodegradable. Chemically modified feathers would be suitable to develop inexpensive biobased and biodegradable products through extrusion, compression and injection molding. Potential products of what Yang‘s group terms ‘featherg-poly(methyl acrylate)’ plastic include films, packaging materials, fibers, resins for composites and other molded parts. The researchers have demonstrated the possibility of developing biothermoplastic products from feathers and are ready to commercialize the technology which would take 2-3 years from the time commercialization is pursued. http://www.unl.edu/ncmn/

(photo: iStockphoto.com/wakila)

n a scientific advance literally plucked from the waste heap, scientists described a key step toward using the billions of pounds of waste chicken feathers produced each year to make a new biobased thermoplastic.

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bottle Applications

Caps & Closures from bio resources

ISICO Verpackungstechnik GmbH of Oestrich-Winkel in Germany has been observing the development of the bioplastics market for many years. At an early date they began developing caps made from different bioplastics. Over the course of the last few years the range of suitable raw materials based on biopolymers has increased significantly, for both biobased and biodegradable plastics. The largest percentage of the bioplastics that Kisico uses are made from renewable raw materials and are biodegradable. In most applications however, it is impossible to achieve the compostability according to ISO 14851 or 13432 for caps and closures because the required wall-thickness is too big. This means that the time taken for composting is too long, even if the bioplastic is completely biodegradable (it just takes longer). Depending on the application and on customer requirements the most suitable material has to be selected from a wide range of already approved materials. Plastics made on the basis of wood and lignin have the visual appearance of something natural. The same applies to materials with visible, natural fillers. These fillers can be waste material from agricultural food production, such as wheat bran or corn samp these plastic materials are not biodegradable because of the basic material used. Often the rheological and mechanical properties are not ideal. Thus a deep knowledge of the raw materials is crucial during the development and design of new caps. If the filler has a high fibre content, or other coarsely ground particles, the properties of the raw materials have to be taken into consideration. Raw materials based on cornstarch or polylactide have the widest range of properties. They can be designed and produced to be very smooth but can also be brittle and hard. This is achieved using different blends and composites. In most cases they are made from renewable materials which are also compostable. They can in fact be completely made of waste from the food and the animal feed industries. As a consequence no additional agricultural land has to be used for production of the raw material.

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bottle Applications

A lot of caps from the standard Kisico range can be made from these materials. Small threads starting at10 mm up to large threads of more than 70 mm can be realized. Both onepiece and two-piece tamper-evident caps are produced from these materials. A typical example is a two-piece tamperevident cap with a PP28 thread. The caps can be coloured in almost every Pantone or RAL colour. For many years cellulose has been used as basic material for cellulose acetate (CA) and other cellulose derivatives. Today the cellulose used often derives from sustainable forestry. The cellulose based caps made by Kisico can be transparent or both translucent and opaque coloured. Even so, they have a very shiny surface and so are particularly suitably for cosmetic applications. During the colouring of caps made from bioplastics it is important to ensure that the colour is made from natural pigments and does not have a negative impact on compostability. The colour components must not be toxic

for microorganisms. This applies especially to copper ions, which are often used for green and blue colours and can create problems. The product range from Kisico also includes hinged caps made of bioplastics. To find suitable biopl;astic materials made of bioplastics it is necessary to carry out a great deal of experimental work and testing. The requirements for the mechanical properties within the hinge are high and must be the same as provided by mineral oil based materials. Even after repeated opening and closing of the hinge it should not break and the cap has to seal correctly throughout the product life. Kisicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience also enables the company to offer complete packaging solutions. This includes blow-moulded containers, such as bottles, which are developed and produced together with our partners. www.kisico.de

Bio meets plastics. The specialists in plastic recycling systems. An outstanding technology for recycling both bioplastics and conventional polymers

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Application News

PLA jewellery packaging Under the GreenPack umbrella brand, international packaging manufacturer Leser GmbH from Lahr, Germany is offering its new EARTH series, the first jewellery packaging made from 100% PLA. In these times of increased environmental awareness and social responsibility, more and more companies are opting for products made from renewable materials. With the ‘Earth’ series – the world’s first jewellery packaging made from 100% bioplastic – Leser skilfully merges design with sustainability. “The ‘Earth’ series is an important step for our company on the path to sustainable products. We will introduce further product lines under the ‘GreenPack’ umbrella brand, which will live up to the concept of sustainability 100% and without compromise,” says Dietmar Klaus, sales manager at Leser – Packaging and More. The ‘Earth’ series is offered in five standard sizes in the colours white, black, blue and green. Special sizes, colours and designs are also possible upon request. ‘Earth’ therefore offers packaging solutions for a wide variety of products from fields such as cosmetics, personal care products, writing utensils, accessories, optics, electronics and many more. MT www.leser.de

Youtube: http://bit.ly/PCE74H

New trekking pole API S.p.A., Mussolente, Italy recently presented a new trekking pole with a biodegradable grip produced in collaboration with Fizan, Rosà, Italy, a leading producer of ski and trekking poles that has always maintained a commitment to using sustainable materials in their manufacturing processes. This trekking pole is only the most recent in a long series of products made using APINAT, the series of 100% biodegradable thermoplastic polymers (according to European Standard EN 13432) made by API Spa using up to 40% of renewable raw materials. The excellent rheological properties of APINAT mean that grips can be injected moulded in thicknesses up to 5 mm without the need for any further action on the moulds, while reducing cylinder temperatures by 30°C providing considerable energy savings. This, together with APINAT’s significant crystallisation features, means that moulding cycle times can be reduced without compromising the quality of the finished product. From a purely functional standpoint the intrinsic polarity of APINAT means that it adheres extremely well to the metal surface of the pole and also has excellent resistance to atmospheric conditions and sweat, providing the same level of performance as the thermoplastics traditionally used for this type of application. Lorenzo Brunetti, Vice President of API, explained that as well as the technical challenges of the application, API has made a conscious decision to produce sporting goods for outdoor use that respect the environment, something that lovers of trekking are concerned about. “We wanted to provide these people with something extra, some firsthand experience to help them appreciate not only the technical and functional value of these new biodegradable polymers but also to generate an increased awareness of the environmental benefits that these products produce.” MT

www.apinatbio.com

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

www.biowerkstoff-kongress.de www.bio-based.eu

First Bioplastic Ultimate Frisbee

While most of us know frisbees as toys or leisure goods used by adolescents in parks, for many others these flying discs have a place in serious kinds of sports, i.e. Ultimate, Freestyle, Discgolf and Disc-Dogging.

For the leisure and giveaway sector, New Games is already looking for new biobased solutions. MT

on Industrial Biotechnology and Bio-based Plastics & Composites April 10th – 11th 2013, Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany

Highlights from the world wide leading countries in bio-based economy: USA & Germany

New Games – Frisbeesport from Deggen hausertal in Germany is a supplier of high quality frisbees for both the leisure area (including promotional giveaways) and for the serious sports sector. In search of some alternative materials in an effort to get away from petroleum based plastics Thomas Napieralski, Managing Director of the company New Games, tried several different bioplastics. Now they can for example offer frisbees for Discgolf made of a Bioflex grade, by FKuR (Willich, Germany), with about 35% renewable content. “Even if discgolfers always try to find and recover their wayward flying saucers, it’s good to know that the discs will eventually completely biodegrade even if they are completely lost”, says Thomas Napieralski. For Ultimate sport, New Games together with Tecnaro (Ilsfeld-Auenstein, Germany) over a period of three years developed Eurodisc, a very precise 175 gram sport frisbee made from a special grade of Arboblend. This material is made from 96% renewable resources. “The new Ultimate frisbee can be injection-moulded in our new Eurodisc II mould and it has excellent aerodynamic qualities over more than 100 metres”, Napieralski proudly explains. For the end of life New Games do not suggest disposing of the frisbees in a composting bin but rather using the yellow bin (in Germany) or the grey residual waste bins. As long as there are no recycling schemes for these bioplastics at least in some countries such as Germany they will end up in waste-to-energy incineration where they represent a source of ‘renewable energy’.

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bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Application News

Compostable film for organic tea Lebensbaum Ulrich Walter GmbH, Diepholz, Germany, a pioneer in the production of organic tea, coffee and herbs recently decided to pack its range of organic teas with Innovia Films’ compostable cellulose-based material, NatureFlex™ NVR. Lebensbaum’s success has been built on a combination of pure tasting ingredients, ecological foresight and social responsibility. Introducing packaging materials based on renewable resources is part of Lebensbaum’s sustainability strategy as Dr Achim Mayr, Managing Director, explained: “NatureFlex combines the packaging quality and functionality we are looking for with our ambitioned environmental consciousness, which fits with our mission.” “We are delighted to offer new innovative packaging solutions based on NatureFlex especially for the tea and coffee industry,” explains Joachim Janz, Sales Account Manager, Innovia Films. “Our customers can tick various boxes easily relating to product safety and the objective to use a sustainable packaging material. NatureFlex films offer both suitable aroma barrier and a functional barrier to mineral oil migration which has been scientifically confirmed to last for five years. Mineral oil barrier is especially welcome in the tea industry, where recent German publications highlight that various tea products have weaknesses concerning mineral oil protection. The use of renewable cellulose derived from certified managed plantations and the fact it is certified home compostable rounds off this new packaging solution!” NatureFlex NVR is a two-side coated, heat sealable renewable and certified compostable film with an intermediate moisture barrier, ideally suited to box overwrap and individual flow wrap applications such as this one. www.innoviafilms.com www.lebensbaum.de

The Lebensbaum box and individual teabags have been wrapped with NatureFlex NVR film.

Sustainable soles Gucci, headquartered in Florence, Italy announced the launch of Sustainable Soles, a special edition of eco-friendly women’s and men’s shoes designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini and part of the Prefall 2012 Collection. This new project conveys the House’s mission to interpret in a responsible way the modern consumer’s desire for sustainable fashion products, all the while maintaining the balance between the timeless values of style and utmost quality with an ever-growing green vision. The Sustainable Soles include the Marola Green ballerinas for her and the California Green sneakers for him, both realized in ‘bio-plastic’ – an biodegradable (elastomer) material in compost used as an alternative to petrochemical plastic. Successfully tested in laboratories and certified by the main European international standard: EN 13432 and ISO 17088, this material is completely biodegradable without leaving any waste or environmental impact. More details about the type of bioplastics however, were not disclosed by Gucci before going to press. The Marola Green flat ballerina - entirely made of this material - is characterized by cut out details and the GG logo motif, and is available in the polished tones of blush, taupe, black and black with an interlocking G in white. The men’s California Green sneakers – in a low or high top version - combine the bio-rubber soles with the upper part in genuine vegetable tanned black calfskin, biologically certified strings and rhodium-plated metal details. Additionally, the green Gucci logo has been designed on a recycled polyester label. This innovative project symbolizes an important challenge and commitment for Gucci, as recently confirmed by the brand’s participation at the latest edition of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit: the world’s most important conference on sustainability and fashion, dedicated to the future of green style. www.gucci.com

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Basics

Proteineous meals for bioplastics By: Murali M. Reddy Amar K. Mohanty Manjusri Misra all: Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre University of Guelph, Canada

ioplastics provide a sustainable application platform for proteineous meals, such as soy meal, and canola meal etc. that are available in large quantities due to rapid expansion of biodiesel industries [1]. It is estimated that production of proteineous meals will grow by 21.7% in the US and 105.9% in Europe due to the new mandates on biodiesel production [2] in the period between 2006 and 2015. This is equal to an increment of 22.5 million tonnes in 2006 to 43.6 million tonnes in 2015 in EU alone [2]. These proteineous meals can be suitable candidates for the development of new bioplastics due to their inherent biodegradability and renewable carbon content. Although many studies have been carried out in designing bioplastics from proteins using solvent casting and compression molding, the commercial viability of these bioplastics is hinging on adopting industry prevalent processing techniques such as extrusion, cast film and blown film processing and injection molding [3-5].

Canola Meal (Canola Oil Industry)

The research team at the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre (University of Guelph, Canada) has been exploring the possibility of the direct utilization of proteineous meals for bioplastic applications. The work focuses on the utilization of soy meal, canola meal and jatropha meal (Fig.1) for the development of biodegradable composites and thermoplastic blends. An analysis shows that the costs of these meals are significantly less than traditional raw materials such as starch. The process of converting proteineous meal into a thermoplastic material is not straight forward since proteins are heat sensitive and display a very narrow processing window due to the presence of a large amount of different functional groups. Although both wet processing and dry processing can be used for processing proteineous meals, dry processing like melt extrusion provides an opportunity for industrial scale manufacturing. Protein based

Jatropha Meal (Jatropha Oil Industry)

Soy Meal (Soybean Oil Industry)

Figure 1: Proteineous Meals from Different Oil Seed Crops

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Basics 160

156

Tensile Strength [MPa] Elongation [%]

120

20 5

Figure 3: Tensile Properties of Soy Meal Blends: A): Soy Meal- Biopolyester (30/70 wt %) B): Thermoplastic Soy Meal- Biopolyester (30/70 wt %)

thermoplastics are obtained in two steps; plasticization/ destructurization followed by blending with biopolyesters. The process of plasticization/destructurization is shown in the Fig.2. Soy meal and canola meal has been successfully utilized in dry processing via twin screw extrusion to obtain a thermoplastic like material [6]. This thermoplastic meal was blended with tough biopolyesters like polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) to obtain flexible blends [7]. The study showed that destructurization and plasticization has improved interactions between the meal and the biopolyesters and thereby improving the mechanical properties of the meal based bioplastics. Also, soy meal was successfully converted into thermoplastic using conventional twin screw extrusion in one step process. The blends of soy meal based thermoplastic with PBS, PCL and PBAT were successfully utilized in both injection molding and cast film processing. A comparison of tensile properties of soy meal based blends with biopolyester is shown in the Fig.3, where it can be clearly seen that with thermoplastic conversion of the meal, the properties have improved significantly. However, one of the drawbacks in utilizing the meal for film applications is its fibre content which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t elongate during film processing and restricts its thickness. To overcome this, different techniques were adopted which effectively removes fiber from these meals before initiating plasticization and destructurization step. Ternary blending approach was used to improve the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic blends [6].

Soy Meal

Plasticization / Destructurization

+ Denaturants & Plasticizers

Melt Extrusion

Figure 2: Thermoplastic Conversion of Soy Meal via plasticization/destructurization

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Thermoplastic Soy Meal

Bioplastics from Protein

There are multitudes of advantages in utilizing these proteineous meals for bioplastics applications which include renewability and biodegradability. Biodegradability helps in removing the biodegradable plastic from the environment by the action of microorganisms. This should occur in timely manner for restoring carbon and sustainability. Today all around the world, there is clear demarcation on biodegradability and compostability, where the compostability is time bound biodegradability. Many of the bioplastics including PLA, PCL, PHBV and PBS degrade under controlled composting environments [8]. However their degradation rate is slow compared to the standard compostable materials like cellulose [8]. Furthermore, these bioplastics show very slow degradation profiles in soil and studies have shown that the incorporation of natural materials can accelerate their degradation [9]. Hence, incorporation of proteineous meals can improve the degradation profiles of these bioplastics. Finally, based on the studies conducted by Nova Institute, Germany, biomass utilization for materials application results in 5-9 times more employment and also improves 4-9 times economic value of the meal than any other conventional applications [10]. More importantly this approach helps in utilizing the bio-carbon for plastics applications. Films and sheets obtained from soy meal based formulations on a conventional cast film processing unit are shown in the Fig.4. The cost estimation studies shows that these plastics can be very competitive compared to most of the starch based formulations available. Furthermore, jatropha meal which is not edible can be utilized for this purpose and the technology can be extended to any new oil crop based proteineous meals.

Thermoplastic SoymealBiopolyester Blend

Proteineous meals based bioplastics can be used in both flexible and rigid applications. These bioplastics can be especially useful in one trip applications such as cutlery, shopping bags and trash bags. Also, composites can find applications in sports goods, automotive applications. Acknowledgements: – Hannam Soybean Utilization Fund (HSUF) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) New Directions & Alternative Renewable Fuels ‘Plus’ Research Program 2009 # SR9223. References: 1. Reddy M. M, Mohanty A.K and Misra M, Chem. Eng Prog, 2012, 108(5),37-42 2. Taheripour F, Hertel T W, Tyner W.E, Beckman J.F, and Birur D.K, 2010, Biomass and Bioenergy, 34(3), 278. 3. Verbeek C.J. R., van den Berg E.L, Macromol. Mater. Eng. 2010, 295, 10–21 4. Song F., Tang D.L., Wang X.L., and Wang Y.Z., Biomacromolecules, 2011, 12 (10), pp 3369–3380 5. Wu Q, and Zhang L., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2001, 40 (8), pp 1879–1883 6. Reddy M. M, Mohanty A.K and Misra M, Macromol. Mater. Eng. 2011, 9999, 000–000, DOI: 10.1002/mame.201100203 7. Reddy M. M, Mohanty A.K and Misra M, J. Mater. Sci,2012, 47 (6),p 2591 8. Rudnik E. Compostable polymer materials: Elsevier Science; 2008. 9. Teramoto N, Urata K, Ozawa K, Shibata M. Polymer degradation and stability. 2004;86: 401-9. 10. Nova Institute for Ecology and Innovation, GmbH, “The Development of Instruments to Support the Material Use of Renewable Raw Materials in Germany,” Hürth, Germany (2010). www.bioproductscentre.com

Sheets

Cast Film Process

Figure 4: Sheets and Films obtained from Soy Meal based Bioplastics

Films

Colored Films

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Basics

T Fig. 1: Cropping system using protein based bioplastic pots

Bioplastics from proteins By David Grewell Associate Professor and Chair of Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team Iowa State University, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Ames, Iowa, USA

Fig. 2: Golf Tees, wood composites with protein adhesives, animal toys and lubrication sticks (transparent samples are renewable oil based samples from Dr. Kesslers group at Iowa State University)

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

he concept of using protein as a plastic is not novel. While nature has been using protein for structural purposes, Henry Ford was one of the first to make automotive components, such as body panels, from soy protein plastics. Proteins are naturally occurring polymers that consist of amino acids linked together to form a long globular molecular structure. In nature, these proteins can have a wide range of properties and functions. Today, research efforts at Iowa State University (ISU) as well as at other institutions are building on Ford’s idea and turning protein plastics into commercial products tailored to the demands of the current economy. These materials have many inherent benefits compared to petrochemical plastics, including being biorenewable and biodegradable. However, as with any new technology, researchers have had to overcome many challenges to the successful implementation and use of these new materials, such as optimization of formulations to meet market needs, development of processing, and testing and characterization to determine their performance. Because they are readily available, plant proteins have been the primary feedstock for producing protein plastics, in particular corn and soy proteins. While widely available, these proteins have a globular molecular structure, which is not conducive to load bearing applications, unlike collagen that gives bones their strength and integrity. To overcome this shortcoming, researchers have developed chemistries, processing conditions, and benign solvents (e.g., water, glycerin, ethanol) to linearize (denature/plasticize) the molecular structures to enhance mechanical performance through molecular reconfirmation. The plastics formulations are relatively easy and involve only a few steps: 1) protein extraction (denaturing); 2) plasticization through heat, benign solvents (such as water, ethanol, or polyethylene glycol), 3) shearing (through a conventional plastic extruder); and 4) pelletization. The pellets are similar to those already used by the plastics industry and can be processed using existing polymer processing equipment. They can be injection molded, extruded, blown into films, and, with slight modification to the formulations, even sprayed. Researchers at the ISU Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team (BBRT) along with other institutes have been working on a cropping system, made in part or in whole, of protein plastics. These cropping systems, pots (Fig. 1) are not only sustainable, renewable and biodegradable, they have an added feature: Once the plant is in the soil together with the pot, the pot degrades and inherently releases nitrogen into the soil because of the protein’s natural nitrogen content. This selffertilizing effect allows gardeners and growers to be ‘green.’ Similar applications under development at ISU include golf tees, protein-based adhesive composites panels, animal toys and lubrication sticks (Fig. 2) as well as temporary lawn and garden markers. According to Dr. James Schrader (Assistant Scientist, Department of Horticulture) at ISU, “Horticulture plant containers (pots) made from corn- and soy-protein polymers have potential to provide a fertilizer effect for plants grown in them.”

Bioplastics from Protein Fig. 4: Temporary lawn flags / markers

Fig. 3: Erosion control products

“Administrative, communications, and grant development assistance from the Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR) have enabled BBRT researchers to focus on science,” said Dr. Darren Jarboe, program manager for the CCUR and BioCentury Research Farm. “This focus and the diversity of participating researchers, for example artists, chemists, and engineers, have allowed the group to identify unique opportunities and develop proposals, such as the cropping systems project.” Other applications include plastics for erosion control and ground cover matting as seen in Fig. 3. The sheets can be made as matting or as a weave to allow plant growth. Research suggests that nitrogen amounts released from pots made of 100% corn and soy plastics may be too high to sustain healthy plant growth and that blending these protein polymers with biopolymers that have lower nitrogen contents may help optimize the inherent fertilizer effect of protein-based containers for horticulture crop production. In addition, researchers at ISU have been working with companies such as Creative Composites, Ankeny, Iowa, USA, to develop environmentally friendly, temporary lawn flags/ markers (Fig. 4). Researchers at the University of Illinois, led by Dr. Graciela Padua, have been using these natural polymers as food additives, even replacing petrochemical rubber in chewing gum. This biorenewable, non-stick gum is environmentally friendly. In addition, Dr. Padua has developed edible food packages based on corn protein. Dr. Jinwen Zhang at the University of Washington has been developing degradable foams produced from soy protein and polylactic acid (PLA). Dr. Zhang has been able to produce relatively homogeneous mixtures of soy protein and PLA to produce relatively high-strength plastics. In addition to soy and corn protein (both plant based), a team of Iowa State researchers, including Drs. Permenus Mungara and Jay-lin Jane, also investigated feather protein for plastic production. Results of the study demonstrated that chicken or turkey feathers can be used for bioplastics production. A drawback of this approach was the odor transferred to the product due to the current process used in

the slaughterhouse. Feather protein has good potential for making bioplastics, once the process of feather harvesting can be improved. Another example for animal based protein are casein proteins. These are extracted from milk and are composed of glutamic acid, proline, valine, leucine and lysine, which account for more than 60 % of the amino acid residues. They are unique in comparison to plant proteins because of their randomly coiled structure and the lack of cysteine and resulting crosslinking disulfide bonds. These properties and their excellent barrier properties make casein a promising base material for coatings. Similar to other protein polymers, casein shares the shortcoming of water sensitivity and inferior mechanical properties compared to petroleum plastics. Historically, aldehyde was used as a crosslinking agent to stabilize casein; these resins were utilized to manufacture buttons, imitation ivory and other novelty items as early as at the beginning of the last century. Recent research has explored the utility of these proteins as a plastic foam material utilizing glyceraldehyde as a crosslinker. Within the United States much of this fundamental research and development has been supported by the national grower associations such as the United Soybean Board (USB) and National Corn Growers Association. According to Russ Carpenter, Chair of the United Soybean Board’s New Uses Committee and a soybean farmer from Trumansburg, N.Y., soy protein research characterizes a key component of USB’s Long Range Strategic Plan. “Investments in novel applications for soy proteins help the United Soybean Board address its strategic objectives of meeting customer demand for a wide range of quality soy products,” Carpenter said. “By capitalizing on the demand for biobased, sustainable products, the soy checkoff can increase the value of U.S. soy oil across the entire value chain.” www.biocom.iastate.edu/

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Basics

Bioplastics from the slaughterhouse Animal-based protein for thermoplastic products

By: Johan Verbeek University of Waikato School of Engineering Biopolymers and Composites Group Hamilton, New Zealand

www.waikato.ac.nz

he complexity of proteins as macromolecules greatly restricts their processability as thermoplastics. Proteins may consist of up to 20 different amino acids leading to a vast variety of intermolecular interactions in this heteropolymer. In their native state proteins fold into a variety of structures, classified as primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures. The primary structure is determined by the amino acid sequence while the higher order structures are determined by the way the three dimensional structure has formed. The most important structures, leading to a proteinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s semicrystalline nature are alpha helices and beta sheets. The challenge to the plastics engineer is to unravel the proteinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s structure to enable extrusion and injection moulding. Its properties are then determined by the final structure as it shifts between either predominantly helical or sheet-like structures and the overall degree of crystallinity. Despite the potential environmental advantages of proteinbased plastics, these materials do have some challenges. Most important of these are difficult processablility, weak mechanical properties and their water sensitivity. Many of these could be overcome by blending with other polymers or appropriate additives. However, these new bioplastics will have to be fit for purpose rather than claiming general applicability in the plastics industry. For example, using a biodegradable material where biodegradation is a requirement rather than a marketing benefit. Research at the University of Waikatoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Polymers and Composites Group have developed a thermoplastic based on bloodmeal which is a by-product of the meat industry [1]. Bloodmeal is more than 80% protein (most of which is hemoglobin) making it an ideal precursor for a thermoplastic, similar to the many plant-based sources that have been used. Waikatolink is the intellectual property commercialisation office of the University of Waikato, and it is now commercializing the technology through a spin off company called Novatein Ltd. Work is mostly supported by a local rendering company (Wallace Corporation Ltd.) and the industry body, Meat and Live Stock Australia (MLA).

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Bioplastics from Protein

Figure 1: Injection moulded plant pots

Figure 2: Composting NTP over 12 weeks (from left to right).

The process of making Novatein Thermoplastic Protein (NTP) is not overly complicated and is based on using an additive cocktail of protein denaturants and plasticizers, extrusion and pelletizing. NTP can be extruded and injection moulded, but its properties currently prevent film blowing. The material’s compostability makes it an attractive material for applications where rapid degradation is required, such planting pots, seedling trays, golf tees, clay targets and possibly wads for shot-gun ammunition. NTP loses about half its mass in 3 months under commercial composting conditions [2]. One of the attractive features of NTP is that the protein raw material is completely bioderived as well as being a byproduct of a different industry. It is easy to assume that such a product should be completely environmentally friendly, however, it is important to assess it’s entire life cycle. For NTP, the group has evaluated its cradle-to-gate eco-profile thereby avoiding specific product applications and allowing a comparison to some other bioplastics (although LCAs should not typically be used for that). The most appropriate way to consider NTP’s eco-profile was to consider blood as a waste with regard to farming and meat processing, but include energy consumption and gas emissions during blood drying. This takes into account the motivations for farming and meat processing, but also recognizes that there are other treatment options for blood that do not produce blood meal used in manufacturing NTP. It was shown that NTP is comparable to other bioplastics in terms of non-renewable primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions [3, 4]. Probaby the most promising attribute of NTP is that it can be rendered with waste from meat processing. For example, slaughtering cows requires clips used for closing animals’ wind pipes (weasand clips) to prevent stomach contents from contaminating the meat. These plastic clips end of in the rendering process, contaminating products such as pet food; making these from NTP could avoid their recovery. Research in the Polymers and Composites group mainly focuses on improving mechanical properties and

Figure 3: Conceptual weasand clip

processability of NTP. To this extent it has been shown that it can be blended with polyethylene and some biodegradable polyesters. By using an appropriate compatibilizer, a product with exceptional ductility and strength can be produced by blending LLPE and NTP. Although its bioderivable content is reduced, the improvement in properties such as water resistance could be considered more important. More recently, structural changes during processing have been investigated using synchrotron light FTIR. It was found that different phases exist within the material that is rich or poor in different protein secondary structures; it is though that this is one of the aspects influencing it’s film blowing ability. Other work include decolouring and deodourising bloodmeal to create wider market application, recovering fibre from chicken feathers and manufacturing protein-intercalated clay using waste water from meat processing and rendering. Hopefully some products will be seen on the market within the next two years and Novatein Ltd. is actively working with its partner organizations, however the bioplastics market is interesting and new materials like these require a significant technology push. The Author would also like to acknowledge a large team of researchers that have contributed to this project; they are Mark Lay, Kim Pickering, Lisa van den berg, Jim Bier, Aaron Low, Velram Mohan, Rashid Shamsuddin, Marcel Ishak and Darren Harpur for his work on commercialization. 1. Verbeek, C.J.R., et al., Plastics material. New Zealand, NZ551531, 2. Verbeek, C., Hicks, T.; Langdon, A. Biodegradation of Bloodmeal-Based Thermoplastics in Green-Waste Composting. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. 2011, 1-10. 3. Bier, J., Verbeek, C.; Lay, M. An ecoprofile of thermoplastic protein derived from blood meal Part 2: thermoplastic processing. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 2012, 1-11. 4. Bier, J., Verbeek, C.; Lay, M. An eco-profile of thermoplastic protein derived from blood meal Part 1: allocation issues. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 2012, 17(2), 208-219.

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Opinion

Single-use carrier bags Littering, legal banning and biodegradation in sea water.

By Francesco Degli Innocenti Ecology of Products and Environmental Communication Novamont S.p.A. Novara, Italy

www.novamont.com

ingle-use carrier bags are a shining example of overpackaging all around the world. Needless to say, the thin, single-use carrier bags have a bad reputation, and mostly based on fact! The first problem is that they are generally used just once, which is a waste of resources and can become a litter problem. Carrier bags are always the highest-ranking in the ‘top 10’ marine litter items as reported in the UNEP Report ‘Marine Litter: A Global Challenge’ [1]. However, to be fair we should mention that single-use carrier bags are also frequently reused as waste bags for garbage collection. In this case they play a positive role because they help in reducing the consumption of resources, by substituting waste bags (a waste bag is not produced whenever a carrier bag is used instead; this is called ‘avoided impact’ in Life Cycle Assessment). The problem is that, whenever bio-waste separate collection is in place (and this is an unrelenting trend), the use of plastic carrier-bags is negative, because they are not biodegradable. The organic recycling of biowaste requires plastic-free streams to assure high recycling rates. The plastic carrier bags are not ‘multi-purpose’ waste bags. The last important consideration is that for most packaging any reduction is difficult to achieve because this usually implies negative consequences on the shelf-life of the food. On the contrary, single-use carrier bags can be substituted, without negative effects on the consumer and on retailers, by a more sustainable solution: the durable reusable carrier bag. All these factors have generated a series of initiatives to reduce the consumption of single-use carrier bags. Many retailers, committed to reducing the environmental impact of their businesses, have tried to shift towards more sustainable solutions. Also specific legislation has been developed in some countries to force this shift in consumption habits and some legislation has already been announced. In particular, some months ago, UK Prime Minister David Cameron warned supermarkets that unless stores deliver ‘significant’ reductions in the use of single-use bags over the next 12 months, they could either be banned outright from giving them away or be legally required to charge customers for them. In Italy a ban on the commercialisation of plastic

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Opinion

bags has been already in force since January 2011. The Italian ban on single-use carrier bags can be considered as an interesting experiment, the results and implications of which should be fully assessed. The first lesson is that consumers are ready to change their habits quickly to adopt more sustainable behaviour following legislation promoting packaging reduction. A study has shown that the use of single-use carrier bags has dropped significantly (50%) after the enforcement of the ban [2]. According to a survey conducted by ISPO [3] the reduction of single-use plastic carrier bags was of about 20%. These, and other statistics that will very likely be prepared in the future, show that prevention, the top priority in European waste policy, has been easily achieved with apparently no big distress to the consumer. The implicit consequence is: the lower the amount of single-use carrier bags in circulation, the lower the risk of littering. Therefore, restriction to single-use carrier bags helps efficient use of resources, waste prevention, and litter prevention. Less resources are consumed, less waste needs to be recovered and less pollution is produced. Only biodegradable and compostable [4] single-use carrier bags can still be sold by the Italian retailers when, for instance, the consumer has forgotten to bring a reusable bag. The use of biodegradable and compostable singleuse carrier bags is having very interesting consequences. The relative increase of biodegradable and compostable carrier bag volumes has resulted in the promotion of a new industrial chain and fostered innovation and development of the bio-economy while new ventures have been immediately announced by important international companies. There have also been improvements in bio-waste collection and recycling [5]. Biodegradable and compostable carrier bags can be re-used as ‘multi-purpose’ waste bags, allowing secondary use, and are suitable both for residual waste (any waste that cannot be collected in a separate way), as well as for bio-waste (e.g. kitchen waste). This is usually well communicated to the consumers by slogans such as: ‘use and re-use for the separate collection of waste’ and others, printed on the bags which become a vehicle for education. The risk that a non-biodegradable bag is improperly used to collect bio-waste is cancelled out if the householder is supplied with only biodegradable and compostable bags.

This in turn improves the quality of biological recycling and relevant environmental benefits. A plastic-free compost maintains fertility of soils, where bioplastics originate, in a virtuous ‘cradle-to-cradle’ (or, strictly speaking, soil-to-soil) loop. All this is possible thanks to another Italian law that allows only certified biodegradable and compostable waste bags for the separate collection of bio-waste. This has turned out to be an interesting example of support for the bio-economy. Innovation needs a proper ‘landscape’, namely framework conditions that favour the development of the industrial/commercial process. State aid is not necessarily needed, but rather smart, sustainable, and inclusive legislation that finds comprehensive solutions for different problems. But what if the biodegradable and compostable carrier bags, in spite of all the communication that accompanies it, are littered into the environment? Recent developments in the sector of biodegradation research show that suitable carrier bags that reach the sea are effectively susceptible to biodegradation [6]. But this should not be misunderstood: the biodegradability of products cannot be considered as an excuse to spread waste that should be recovered and recycled. Human population and the current levels of consumption - and consequently of waste production - are huge. The environmental burden of littering is unbearable, even for biodegradable products. Sewage that is composed of biodegradable substances must be treated in a wastewater treatment plant before discharge into the sea or a river. The same applies for EN 13432 biodegradable and compostable carrier bags. [1] www.unep.org/pdf/unep_marine_litter-a_global_challenge.pdf [2] Italian Ministry of the Environment: Analisi di Impatto della Regolamentazione (A.I.R.) (Regulatory Impact Analysis). [3] “I nuovi bio-shopper - Indagine su conoscenza e valutazione dei nuovi bio-shopper tra la popolazione italiana”, 2° edizione (23-25 January 2012). [4] According to the European harmonised standard EN 13432 [5] www.assobioplastiche.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ Massimo_Centemero_-conf-Stampa-12.01.2012-DEF.pdf [6] Tosin M, Weber M, Siotto M, Lott C and Degli-Innocenti F (2012). Laboratory test methods to determine the degradation of plastics in marine environmental conditions. Front. Microbio. 3:225. doi: 10.3389/ fmicb.2012.00225

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Basics

Glossary 2.0

updated

In bioplastics MAGAZINE again and again the same expressions appear that some of our readers might (not yet) be familiar with. This glossary shall help with these terms and shall help avoid repeated explanations such as ‘PLA (Polylactide)‘ in various articles. Readers who would like to suggest better or other explanations to be added to the list, please contact the editor. [*: bM ... refers to more comprehensive article previously published in bioplastics MAGAZINE)

Cradle-to-Gate | Describes the system boundaries of an environmental →Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which covers all activities from the ‘cradle’ (i.e., the extraction of raw materials, agricultural activities and forestry) up to the factory gate Cradle-to-Cradle | (sometimes abbreviated as C2C): Is an expression which communicates the concept of a closed-cycle economy, in which waste is used as raw material (‘waste equals food’). Cradle-to-Cradle is not a term that is typically used in →LCA studies. Cradle-to-Grave | Describes the system boundaries of a full →Life Cycle Assessment from manufacture (‘cradle’) to use phase and disposal phase (‘grave’). Crystalline | Plastic with regularly arranged molecules in a lattice structure

Bioplastics (as defined by European Bioplastics e.V.) is a term used to define two different kinds of plastics: a. Plastics based on renewable resources (the focus is the origin of the raw material used) b. → Biodegradable and compostable plastics according to EN13432 or similar standards (the focus is the compostability of the final product; biodegradable and compostable plastics can be based on renewable (biobased) and/or non-renewable (fossil) resources).

Density | Quotient from mass and volume of a material, also referred to as specific weight DIN | Deutsches Institut für Normung (German organisation for standardization) DIN-CERTCO | independant certifying organisation for the assessment on the conformity of bioplastics Dispersing | fine distribution of non-miscible liquids into a homogeneous, stable mixture

- based on renewable resources and biodegradable;

Carbon neutral | Carbon neutral describes a product or process that has a negligible impact on total atmospheric CO2 levels. For example, carbon neutrality means that any CO2 released when a plant decomposes or is burnt is offset by an equal amount of CO2 absorbed by the plant through photosynthesis when it is growing.

- based on renewable resources but not be biodegradable; and

Catalyst | substance that enables and accelerates a chemical reaction

- based on fossil resources and biodegradable.

Cellophane | Clear film on the basis of → cellulose.

Energy recovery | recovery and exploitation of the energy potential in (plastic) waste for the production of electricity or heat in waste incineration pants (waste-to-energy)

Aerobic - anaerobic | aerobic = in the presence of oxygen (e.g. in composting) | anaerobic = without oxygen being present (e.g. in biogasification, anaerobic digestion)

Enzymes | proteins that catalyze chemical reactions

[bM 06/09]

Cellulose | Polymeric molecule with very high molecular weight (biopolymer, monomer is → Glucose), industrial production from wood or cotton, to manufacture paper, plastics and fibres.

Ethylen | colour- and odourless gas, made e.g. from, Naphtha (petroleum) by cracking, monomer of the polymer polyethylene (PE)

Amorphous | non-crystalline, glassy with unordered lattice

CEN | Comité Européen de Normalisation (European organisation for standardization)

Amylopectin | Polymeric branched starch molecule with very high molecular weight (biopolymer, monomer is → Glucose)

Compost | A soil conditioning material of decomposing organic matter which provides nutrients and enhances soil structure.

[bM 05/09]

[bM 06/08, 02/09]

Amylose | Polymeric non-branched starch molecule with high molecular weight (biopolymer, monomer is → Glucose) [bM 05/09]

Compostable Plastics | Plastics that are biodegradable under ‘composting’ conditions: specified humidity, temperature, → microorganisms and timefame. Several national and international standards exist for clearer definitions, for example EN 14995 Plastics Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specifications.

European Bioplastics e.V. | The industry association representing the interests of Europe’s thriving bioplastics’ industry. Founded in Germany in 1993 as IBAW, European Bioplastics today represents the interests of over 70 member companies throughout the European Union. With members from the agricultural feedstock, chemical and plastics industries, as well as industrial users and recycling companies, European Bioplastics serves as both a contact platform and catalyst for advancing the aims of the growing bioplastics industry.

Bioplastics may be

Biodegradable Plastics | Biodegradable Plastics are plastics that are completely assimilated by the → microorganisms present a defined environment as food for their energy. The carbon of the plastic must completely be converted into CO2 during the microbial process. For an official definition, please refer to the standards e.g. ISO or in Europe: EN 14995 Plastics- Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specifications. [bM 02/06, bM 01/07]

Blend | Mixture of plastics, polymer alloy of at least two microscopically dispersed and molecularly distributed base polymers. Bisphenol-A (BPA) | Monomer used to produce different polymers. BPA is said to cause health problems, due to the fact that is behaves like a hormone. Therefore it is banned for use in children’s products in many countries. 46

BPI | Biodegradable Products Institute, a notfor-profit association. Through their innovative compostable label program, BPI educates manufacturers, legislators and consumers about the importance of scientifically based standards for compostable materials which biodegrade in large composting facilities.

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

[bM 02/06, bM 01/07]

Composting | A solid waste management technique that uses natural process to convert organic materials to CO2, water and humus through the action of → microorganisms. When talking about composting of bioplastics, usually industrial composting in a managed composting plant is meant [bM 03/07] Compound | plastic mixture from different raw materials (polymer and additives) [bM 04/10)

Copolymer | Plastic composed of different monomers.

Elastomers | rigid, but under force flexible and elastically formable plastics with rubbery properties EN 13432 | European standard for the assessment of the → compostability of plastic packaging products

Extrusion | process used to create plastic profiles (or sheet) of a fixed cross-section consisting of mixing, melting, homogenising and shaping of the plastic. Fermentation | Biochemical reactions controlled by → microorganisms or enyzmes (e.g. the transformation of sugar into lactic acid). FSC | Forest Stewardship Council. FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not-forprofit organization established to promote the responsible and sustainable management of the world’s forests. Gelatine | Translucent brittle solid substance, colorless or slightly yellow, nearly tasteless and odorless, extracted from the collagen inside animals‘ connective tissue.

Basics Glucose | Monosaccharide (or simple sugar). G. is the most important carbohydrate (sugar) in biology. G. is formed by photosynthesis or hydrolyse of many carbohydrates e. g. starch. Granulate, granules | small plastic particles (3-4 millimetres), a form in which plastic is sold and fed into machines, easy to handle and dose. Humus | In agriculture, ‘humus’ is often used simply to mean mature → compost, or natural compost extracted from a forest or other spontaneous source for use to amend soil. Hydrophilic | Property: ‘water-friendly’, soluble in water or other polar solvents (e.g. used in conjunction with a plastic which is not water resistant and weather proof or that absorbs water such as Polyamide (PA). Hydrophobic | Property: ‘water-resistant’, not soluble in water (e.g. a plastic which is water resistant and weather proof, or that does not absorb any water such as Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP). IBAW | → European Bioplastics Integral Foam | foam with a compact skin and porous core and a transition zone in between. ISO | International Organization for Standardization JBPA | Japan Bioplastics Association LCA | Life Cycle Assessment (sometimes also referred to as life cycle analysis, ecobalance, and → cradle-to-grave analysis) is the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused. [bM 01/09]

Microorganism | Living organisms of microscopic size, such as bacteria, funghi or yeast. Molecule | group of at least two atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Monomer | molecules that are linked by polymerization to form chains of molecules and then plastics Mulch film | Foil to cover bottom of farmland

(PHA), a polymer belonging to the polyesters class. PHB is produced by micro-organisms apparently in response to conditions of physiological stress. The polymer is primarily a product of carbon assimilation (from glucose or starch) and is employed by micro-organisms as a form of energy storage molecule to be metabolized when other common energy sources are not available. PHB has properties similar to those of PP, however it is stiffer and more brittle.

-12000-glucose units. Depending on the connection, there are two types → amylose and → amylopectin known.

PHBH | Polyhydroxy butyrate hexanoate (better poly 3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) is a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), Like other biopolymers from the family of the polyhydroxyalkanoates PHBH is produced by microorganisms in the fermentation process, where it is accumulated in the microorganism’s body for nutrition. The main features of PHBH are its excellent biodegradability, combined with a high degree of hydrolysis and heat stability.

Starch-ester | One characteristic of every starch-chain is a free hydroxyl group. When every hydroxyl group is connect with ethan acid one product is starch-ester with different chemical properties.

[bM 03/09, 01/10, 03/11]

PLA | Polylactide or Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable, thermoplastic, linear aliphatic polyester from lactic acid. Lactic acid is made from dextrose by fermentation. Bacterial fermentation is used to produce lactic acid from corn starch, cane sugar or other sources. However, lactic acid cannot be directly polymerized to a useful product, because each polymerization reaction generates one molecule of water, the presence of which degrades the forming polymer chain to the point that only very low molecular weights are observed. Instead, lactic acid is oligomerized and then catalytically dimerized to make the cyclic lactide monomer. Although dimerization also generates water, it can be separated prior to polymerization. PLA of high molecular weight is produced from the lactide monomer by ring-opening polymerization using a catalyst. This mechanism does not generate additional water, and hence, a wide range of molecular weights are accessible.

PBS | Polybutylene succinate, a 100% biodegradable polymer, made from (e.g. bio-BDO) and succinic acid, which can also be produced biobased.

[bM 01/09]

PC | Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester, petroleum based, used for e.g. baby bottles or CDs. Criticized for its BPA (→ Bisphenol-A) content.

Renewable Resources | agricultural raw materials, which are not used as food or feed, but as raw material for industrial products or to generate energy

PCL | Polycaprolactone, a synthetic (fossil based), biodegradable bioplastic, e.g. used as a blend component.

Saccharins or carbohydrates | Saccharins or carbohydrates are name for the sugar-family. Saccharins are monomer or polymer sugar units. For example, there are known mono-, di- and polysaccharose. → glucose is a monosaccarin. They are important for the diet and produced biology in plants.

PE | Polyethylene, thermoplastic polymerised from ethylene. Can be made from renewable resources (sugar cane via bio-ethanol) [bM 05/10]

PET | Polyethylenterephthalate, transparent polyester used for bottles and film PGA | Polyglycolic acid or Polyglycolide is a biodegradable, thermoplastic polymer and the simplest linear, aliphatic polyester. Besides ist use in the biomedical field, PGA has been introduced as a barrier resin [bM 03/09] PHA | Polyhydroxyalkanoates are linear polyesters produced in nature by bacterial fermentation of sugar or lipids. The most common type of PHA is → PHB. PHB | Polyhydroxybutyrate (better poly-3-hydroxybutyrate), is a polyhydroxyalkanoate

Plastics | Materials with large molecular chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced by chemical or biochemical reactions.

Semi-finished products | plastic in form of sheet, film, rods or the like to be further processed into finshed products Sorbitol | Sugar alcohol, obtained by reduction of glucose changing the aldehyde group to an additional hydroxyl group. S. is used as a plasticiser for bioplastics based on starch. Starch | Natural polymer (carbohydrate) consisting of → amylose and → amylopectin, gained from maize, potatoes, wheat, tapioca etc. When glucose is connected to polymerchains in definite way the result (product) is called starch. Each molecule is based on 300

[bM 05/09]

Starch derivate | Starch derivates are based on the chemical structure of → starch. The chemical structure can be changed by introducing new functional groups without changing the → starch polymer. The product has different chemical qualities. Mostly the hydrophilic character is not the same.

Starch propionate and starch butyrate | Starch propionate and starch butyrate can be synthesised by treating the → starch with propane or butanic acid. The product structure is still based on → starch. Every based → glucose fragment is connected with a propionate or butyrate ester group. The product is more hydrophobic than → starch. Sustainable | An attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future. One of the most often cited definitions of sustainability is the one created by the Brundtland Commission, led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland. The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as development that ‘meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ Sustainability relates to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment). Sustainability | (as defined by European Bioplastics e.V.) has three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. This has been known as “the triple bottom line of sustainability”. This means that sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental protection and social equity. In other words, businesses have to expand their responsibility to include these environmental and social dimensions. Sustainability is about making products useful to markets and, at the same time, having societal benefits and lower environmental impact than the alternatives currently available. It also implies a commitment to continuous improvement that should result in a further reduction of the environmental footprint of today’s products, processes and raw materials used. Thermoplastics | Plastics which soften or melt when heated and solidify when cooled (solid at room temperature). Thermoplastic Starch | (TPS) → starch that was modified (cooked, complexed) to make it a plastic resin Thermoset | Plastics (resins) which do not soften or melt when heated. Examples are epoxy resins or unsaturated polyester resins. WPC | Wood Plastic Composite. Composite materials made of wood fiber/flour and plastics (mostly polypropylene). Yard Waste | Grass clippings, leaves, trimmings, garden residue.

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

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Events

Event Calendar Biopolymers & Biocomposites Workshop

14.08.2012 Memorial Union, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA, www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop/bioworkshop.html

naro.tech 9th International Symposium 05.09.2012 - 06.09.2012 Essen, Germany www.narotech.eu

Fach Pack

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Carbon Dioxide as Feedstock for Chemicals and Polymers 10.10.2012 - 11.10.2012 Haus der Technik“ Essen, Germany www.co2-chemistry.eu

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Bioplastics - today and tomorrow 23.11.2012 - Zagreb,Croatia

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bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/12] Vol. 7

Suppliers Guide 1. Raw Materials 10

Showa Denko Europe GmbH Konrad-Zuse-Platz 4 81829 Munich, Germany Tel.: +49 89 93996226 www.showa-denko.com support@sde.de

www.cereplast.com US: Tel: +1 310.615.1900 Fax +1 310.615.9800 Sales@cereplast.com Europe: Tel: +49 1763 2131899 weckey@cereplast.com

Natur-Tec® - Northern Technologies 4201 Woodland Road Circle Pines, MN 55014 USA Tel. +1 763.225.6600 Fax +1 763.225.6645 info@natur-tec.com www.natur-tec.com

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180

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Jincheng, Lin‘an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China China contact: Grace Jin mobile: 0086 135 7578 9843 Grace@xinfupharm.com Europe contact(Belgium): Susan Zhang mobile: 0032 478 991619 zxh0612@hotmail.com www.xinfupharm.com 1.1 bio based monomers

PURAC division Arkelsedijk 46, P.O. Box 21 4200 AA Gorinchem The Netherlands Tel.: +31 (0)183 695 695 Fax: +31 (0)183 695 604 www.purac.com PLA@purac.com

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1.2 compounds

220

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240

250

www.facebook.com www.issuu.com

260

www.twitter.com 270

www.youtube.com

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

API S.p.A. Via Dante Alighieri, 27 36065 Mussolente (VI), Italy Telephone +39 0424 579711 www.apiplastic.com www.apinatbio.com

GRAFE-Group Waldecker Straße 21, 99444 Blankenhain, Germany Tel. +49 36459 45 0 www.grafe.com

WinGram Industry CO., LTD Benson Liu Great River(Qin Xin) Plastic Manufacturer CO.,LTD Mobile (China): +86-18666691720 Mobile (Hong Kong): +852-63078857 Fax: +852-3184 8934 Benson@greatriver.com.hk 1.3 PLA

Guangdong Shangjiu Biodegradable Plastics Co., Ltd. Shangjiu Environmental Protection Eco-Tech Industrial Park,Niushan, Dongcheng District, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, 523128 China Tel.: 0086-769-22114999 Fax: 0086-769-22103988 www.999sw.com www.999sw.net 999sw@163.com

Shenzhen Esun Ind. Co;Ltd www.brightcn.net www.esun.en.alibaba.com bright@brightcn.net Tel: +86-755-2603 1978 1.4 starch-based bioplastics

ROQUETTE Frères 62 136 LESTREM, FRANCE 00 33 (0) 3 21 63 36 00 www.gaialene.com www.roquette.com Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd. Gaotang Industrial Zone, Tianhe, Guangzhou, P.R.China. Tel: +86 (0)20 87215915 Fax: +86 (0)20 87037111 info@ecopond.com.cn www.ecopond.com.cn FLEX-262/162 Biodegradable Blown Film Resin!

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients ZAC „Les Portes de Riom“ - BP 173 63204 Riom Cedex - France Tel. +33 (0)4 73 67 17 00 Fax +33 (0)4 73 67 17 10 www.biolice.com

Suppliers Guide 1.6 masterbatches

3. Semi finished products 3.1 films

PSM Bioplastic NA Chicago, USA www.psmna.com +1-630-393-0012

Jean-Pierre Le Flanchec 3 rue Scheffer 75116 Paris cedex, France Tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 23 00 Fax: +33 (0)1 53 65 81 99 biosphere@biosphere.eu www.biosphere.eu

Grabio Greentech Corporation Tel: +886-3-598-6496 No. 91, Guangfu N. Rd., Hsinchu Industrial Park,Hukou Township, Hsinchu County 30351, Taiwan sales@grabio.com.tw www.grabio.com.tw 1.5 PHA

Division of A&O FilmPAC Ltd 7 Osier Way, Warrington Road GB-Olney/Bucks. MK46 5FP Tel.: +44 1234 714 477 Fax: +44 1234 713 221 sales@aandofilmpac.com www.bioresins.eu

Metabolix 650 Suffolk Street, Suite 100 Lowell, MA 01854 USA Tel. +1-97 85 13 18 00 Fax +1-97 85 13 18 86 www.mirelplastics.com

GRAFE-Group Waldecker Straße 21, 99444 Blankenhain, Germany Tel. +49 36459 45 0 www.grafe.com

PolyOne Avenue Melville Wilson, 2 Zoning de la Fagne 5330 Assesse Belgium Tel.: + 32 83 660 211 www.polyone.com

www.earthfirstpla.com www.sidaplax.com www.plasticsuppliers.com Sidaplax UK : +44 (1) 604 76 66 99 Sidaplax Belgium: +32 9 210 80 10 Plastic Suppliers: +1 866 378 4178

Cortec® Corporation 4119 White Bear Parkway St. Paul, MN 55110 Tel. +1 800.426.7832 Fax 651-429-1122 info@cortecvci.com www.cortecvci.com

Eco Cortec® 31 300 Beli Manastir Bele Bartoka 29 Croatia, MB: 1891782 Tel. +385 31 705 011 Fax +385 31 705 012 info@ecocortec.hr www.ecocortec.hr

2. Additives/Secondary raw materials

Arkema Inc. Functional Additives-Biostrength 900 First Avenue King of Prussia, PA/USA 19406 Contact: Connie Lo, Commercial Development Mgr. Tel: 610.878.6931 connie.lo@arkema.com www.impactmodifiers.com

Taghleef Industries SpA, Italy Via E. Fermi, 46 33058 San Giorgio di Nogaro (UD) Contact Frank Ernst Tel. +49 2402 7096989 Mobile +49 160 4756573 frank.ernst@ti-films.com www.ti-films.com 3.1.1 cellulose based films

GRAFE-Group Waldecker Straße 21, 99444 Blankenhain, Germany Tel. +49 36459 45 0 www.grafe.com

INNOVIA FILMS LTD Wigton Cumbria CA7 9BG England Contact: Andy Sweetman Tel. +44 16973 41549 Fax +44 16973 41452 andy.sweetman@innoviafilms.com www.innoviafilms.com

Minima Technology Co., Ltd. Esmy Huang, Marketing Manager No.33. Yichang E. Rd., Taipin City, Taichung County 411, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Tel. +886(4)2277 6888 Fax +883(4)2277 6989 Mobil +886(0)982-829988 esmy@minima-tech.com Skype esmy325 www.minima-tech.com

NOVAMONT S.p.A. Via Fauser , 8 28100 Novara - ITALIA Fax +39.0321.699.601 Tel. +39.0321.699.611 www.novamont.com

4. Bioplastics products The HallStar Company 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Ste. 1620 Chicago, IL 60606, USA +1 312 385 4494 dmarshall@hallstar.com www.hallstar.com/hallgreen

Tianan Biologic No. 68 Dagang 6th Rd, Beilun, Ningbo, China, 315800 Tel. +86-57 48 68 62 50 2 Fax +86-57 48 68 77 98 0 enquiry@tianan-enmat.com www.tianan-enmat.com

Huhtamaki Films Sonja Haug Zweibrückenstraße 15-25 91301 Forchheim Tel. +49-9191 81203 Fax +49-9191 811203 www.huhtamaki-films.com

Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH Duesseldorfer Strasse 23-27 68219 Mannheim, Germany Phone: +49 (0)621-8907-233 Fax: +49 (0)621-8907-8233 bioadimide.eu@rheinchemie.com www.bioadimide.com

alesco GmbH & Co. KG Schönthaler Str. 55-59 D-52379 Langerwehe Sales Germany: +49 2423 402 110 Sales Belgium: +32 9 2260 165 Sales Netherlands: +31 20 5037 710 info@alesco.net | www.alesco.net

WEI MON INDUSTRY CO., LTD. 2F, No.57, Singjhong Rd., Neihu District, Taipei City 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel. + 886 - 2 - 27953131 Fax + 886 - 2 - 27919966 sales@weimon.com.tw www.plandpaper.com

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Suppliers Guide 7. Plant engineering 10

President Packaging Ind., Corp. PLA Paper Hot Cup manufacture In Taiwan, www.ppi.com.tw Tel.: +886-6-570-4066 ext.5531 Fax: +886-6-570-4077 sales@ppi.com.tw

Simply contact:

Tel.: +49 2161 6884467

6. Equipment 6.1 Machinery & Molds

suppguide@bioplasticsmagazine.com 70

Stay permanently listed in the Suppliers Guide with your company logo and contact information.

Molds, Change Parts and Turnkey Solutions for the PET/Bioplastic For only 6,– EUR per mm, per issue you Container Industry can be present among top suppliers in 284 Pinebush Road the field of bioplastics. Cambridge Ontario Canada N1T 1Z6 For Example: Tel. +1 519 624 9720 Fax +1 519 624 9721 info@hallink.com www.hallink.com

100

120

130

39 mm

110

Polymedia Publisher GmbH Dammer Str. 112 41066 Mönchengladbach Germany Tel. +49 2161 664864 Fax +49 2161 631045 info@bioplasticsmagazine.com www.bioplasticsmagazine.com

140

Sample Charge: 150

160

Roll-o-Matic A/S Petersmindevej 23 5000 Odense C, Denmark Tel. + 45 66 11 16 18 Fax + 45 66 14 32 78 rom@roll-o-matic.com www.roll-o-matic.com

39mm x 6,00 € = 234,00 € per entry/per issue

Sample Charge for one year:

Bioplastics Consulting Tel. +49 2161 664864 info@polymediaconsult.com

8. Ancillary equipment

10. Institutions

9. Services

10.1 Associations

Osterfelder Str. 3 46047 Oberhausen Tel.: +49 (0)208 8598 1227 Fax: +49 (0)208 8598 1424 thomas.wodke@umsicht.fhg.de www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de

UL International TTC GmbH Rheinuferstrasse 7-9, Geb. R33 47829 Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany Tel: +49 (0)2151 88 3324 Fax: +49 (0)2151 88 5210 ttc@ul.com www.ulttc.com

6 issues x 234,00 EUR = 1,404.00 € 170

180

The entry in our Suppliers Guide is bookable for one year (6 issues) and ProTec Polymer Processing GmbH extends automatically if it’s not canceled Stubenwald-Allee 9 three month before expiry.

64625 Bensheim, Deutschland Tel. +49 6251 77061 0 Fax +49 6251 77061 500 info@sp-protec.com www.sp-protec.com

190

6.2 Laboratory Equipment

200

MODA : Biodegradability Analyzer Saida FDS Incorporated 3-6-6 Sakae-cho, Yaizu, Shizuoka, Japan Tel : +81-90-6803-4041 info@saidagroup.jp www.saidagroup.jp

230

240

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www.facebook.com www.issuu.com

260

www.twitter.com 270

www.youtube.com

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

BPI - The Biodegradable Products Institute 331 West 57th Street, Suite 415 New York, NY 10019, USA Tel. +1-888-274-5646 info@bpiworld.org

European Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr. 19/20 10117 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49 30 284 82 350 Fax +49 30 284 84 359 info@european-bioplastics.org www.european-bioplastics.org

10.2 Universities Institut für Kunststofftechnik Universität Stuttgart Böblinger Straße 70 70199 Stuttgart Tel +49 711/685-62814 Linda.Goebel@ikt.uni-stuttgart.de www.ikt.uni-stuttgart.de

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220

nova-Institut GmbH Chemiepark Knapsack Industriestrasse 300 50354 Huerth, Germany Tel.: +49(0)2233-48-14 40 Fax: +49(0)2233-48-14 5

Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH Holzhauser Strasse 157–159 D-13509 Berlin Tel. +49 30 43 567 5 Fax +49 30 43 567 699 sales.de@uhde-inventa-fischer.com Uhde Inventa-Fischer AG Via Innovativa 31 CH-7013 Domat/Ems Tel. +41 81 632 63 11 Fax +41 81 632 74 03 sales.ch@uhde-inventa-fischer.com www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com

narocon Dr. Harald Kaeb Tel.: +49 30-28096930 kaeb@narocon.de www.narocon.de

Michigan State University Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science Professor Ramani Narayan East Lansing MI 48824, USA Tel. +1 517 719 7163 narayan@msu.edu

Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites

IfBB – Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover Faculty II – Mechanical and Bioprocess Engineering Heisterbergallee 12 30453 Hannover, Germany Tel.: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 22 69 Fax: +49 5 11 / 92 96 - 99 - 22 69 lisa.mundzeck@fh-hannover.de http://www.ifbb-hannover.de/

Bookstore Order now! www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/books phone +49 2161 6884463 e-mail books@bioplasticsmagazine.com * plus VAT (where applicable), plus cost for shipping/handling details see www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/books

NEW

Michael Thielen

Bioplastics - Basics. Applications. Markets.

General conditions, market situation, production, structure and properties New ‘basics‘ book on bioplastics: The book is intended to offer a rapid and uncomplicated introduction into the subject of bioplastics, and is aimed at all interested readers, in particular those who have not yet had the opportunity to dig deeply into the subject, such as students, those just joining this industry, and lay readers. r 5o * 0 8.6 € 1 $ 25.0 US

Author: Jan Th. J. Ravenstijn

The state of the art on Bioplastics

NEW

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00*

69.

€1

red

Hans-Josef Endres, Andrea Siebert-Raths

Engineering Biopolymers

Markets, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications Hans-Josef Endres, Andrea Siebert-Raths

Technische Biopolymere

Rahmenbedingungen, Marktsituation, Herstellung, Aufbau und Eigenschaften

44*

79,

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Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications Engineering Applications

‘The state-of-the-art on Bioplastics 2010‘ describes the revolutionary growth of bio-based monomers, polymers, and plastics and changes in performance and variety for the entire global plastics m arket in the first decades of this century... 0* 0.0 ,50 rice € 1 uced p

Edited by Srikanth Pilla

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The intention of this new book (2011), written by 40 scientists from industry and academia, is to explore the extensive applications made with bioplastics & biocomposites. The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications packaging; civil engineering; biomedical; automotive; general engineering. It is structured in six parts and a total of 19 chapters. A comprehensive index allows the quick location of information the reader is looking for.

This book is unique in its focus on market-relevant bio/renewable materials. It is based on comprehensive research projects, during which these materials were systematically analyzed and characterized. For the first time the interested reader will find comparable data not only for biogenic polymers and biological macromolecules such as proteins, but also for engineering materials. The reader will also find valuable information regarding micro-structure, manufacturing, and processing-, application-, and recycling properties of biopolymers

79,

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Sustainable Solutions for Modern Economies Apocalypse now? Was the financial crisis which erupted in 2008 the ‘writing on the wall’, the Menetekel for the Industrial Age? Is mankind approaching the impasse of Easter Island, Anasazi and Maya societies shortly before collapse – ‘‘which followed swiftly upon the society’s reaching its peak of population, monument construction and environmental impact’’? Or will mankind be capable of a new global common sense?

9.0

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bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

Companies in this issue Company

Editorial Advert

A&O Filmpac

Aescap

AIMPLAS

Alesco

Company

Editorial Advert

Hallstar

Harita NTI

Huhtamaki Films 51

Company RheinChemie

Roll-o-Matic Roquette Frères

IHS

Rosà

34 30

ING

Royal College of Arts

Applied Polymer Innovations Institute

InnoPlast Solutions

Saida

Aquiris

Innovia Films

Scion

Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites

Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co.

Iowa State University

51 18

Avantium

BASF

Bayern Innovativ

1 17

Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co.

52 20 50

Showa Denko 50

Sidaplax

SINAI CIMATEC

KNN Milieu

Sofinnova Partners

Lebensbaum

Solvay

Biocomposites Centre

Leser

SPC Biotech

Suiker Unie

BMZ/Sequa

BPI - The Biodegradable Products Institute

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients

M-Base Engineering + Software

Taghleef Industries

Meat and Live Stock Australia

Tech. Inst. Of Cereals

Braskem

Messe Erfurt (naro.tech)

Tecnaro

Capricorn Cleantech

Messe Nürnberg (Brau-Beviale)

Teijin Aramid

Center of Crop Utiliztion Research

Messe Nürnberg (Fachpack)

Tianan Biologic

Cereplast

Coca-Cola

5, 11, 12

Copernicus Institute

Cortec

Danone

DuPont

Dutch Technology Foundation Ecoplast Technologies

Metabolix

Uhde Inventa-Fischer

UL International TTC

United Soybean Board

University Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Delft

University of Guelph

University of Illinois

National Corn Growers Association

Natur-Tec

New Games

NGR 52

nova-Institut

Novamont

Novatein

Ford

Fraunhofer UMSICHT

5, 12

Gucci

H.J. Heinz

Hallink

Editorial Planner

51, 56

University of Waikato (New Zealand)

University of Washington

41 28 26

Wallace Corporation

President Packaging

50, 51 52

Procter & Gamble

Wei Mon 5

Wuhan Huali

PSM

Zespri

Reed Exhibitions (Composites Europe)

6, 50

Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu

2012 / 2013

Month

pub-date

deadline

Editorial Focus (1)

Editorial Focus (2)

Basics

05/2012

Sept/Oct

01.10.12

01.09.12 ed. 15.09.12 ad.

Fiber / Textile /Nonwoven

Polyurethanes / Elastomers

Bioplastics from CO2

06/2012

Nov/Dec

03.12.12

03.11.12 ed. 17.11.12 ad.

Films / Flexibles / Bags

Consumer Electronics

PTT

01/2013

Jan/Feb

04.02.2013

21.12.12 ed. 21.01.13 ad.

Automotive

Foam

t.b.d.

Subject to changes

bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/12] Vol. 7

World Wildlife Fund WWF

Issue

www.bioplasticsmagazine.com

25, 51

WinGram Industry

ProTec Polymer Processing GmbH Purac

Veolia Water

Polyone

University of Utrecht

Guangdong Shangjiu Biodegradable Plasticd

24, 35

plasticker

FritoLay

50, 51

University of Stuttgart IKT

VA Syd

Polymediaconsult

Grafe

6 51

Plastic Suppliers

Freedonia Grace Biotech Corporation

50 11

European Bioplastics

2, 50

51 11

Nike

Minima Technology

FKuR

5, 35

Michigan State University

Erema Fachagentur Nachw. Rohstoffe (FNR)

51 18

Toyota

narocon

www.twitter.com/bioplasticsmag

Be our friend on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/bioplasticsmagazine

50 51

Kisico

Bioclear Biosphere

API

ATB

IBM

Arkema

Rhodia

AnoxKaldnes

Editorial Advert

Event / Fair

A real sign of sustainable development.

There is such a thing as genuinely sustainable development.

Since 1989, Novamont researchers have been working on an ambitious project that combines the chemical industry, agriculture and the environment: “Living Chemistry for Quality of Life”. Its objective has been to create products with a low environmental impact. The result of Novamont’s innovative research is the new bioplastic Mater-Bi®. Mater-Bi® is a family of materials, completely biodegradable and compostable which contain renewable raw materials such as starch and vegetable oil derivates. Mater-Bi® performs like traditional plastics but it saves energy, contributes to reducing the greenhouse effect and at the end of its life cycle, it closes the loop by changing into fertile humus. Everyone’s dream has become a reality.

Living Chemistry for Quality of Life. www.novamont.com

Inventor of the year 2007

Within Mater-Bi® product range the following certifications are available

The “OK Compost” certificate guarantees conformity with the NF EN 13432 standard (biodegradable and compostable packaging) 3_2012