Bio-Fed signs distribution agreement with KBK in Japan
Cologne-based materials producer Bio-Fed and Tokyo-headquartered Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha, Ltd. (KBK), have signed an agreement naming KBK as Bio-Fed’s distribution partner for the Japanese market. Bio-Fed, a branch of Akro-Plastic GmbH and a member of the Feddersen Group, produces and distributes biodegradable and/or bio-based plastic compounds under the brand name M·Vera. In recent years, the company has added ISCC Plus and REDcert sustainable certified M·Vera compounds made from biomass-balanced polypropylene (PP) to its portfolio.
Sulzers bioplastics technology selected for new PLA plant in China
Sulzer Chemtech Ltd. (Winterthur, Switzerland) has been awarded by Yangzhou Huitong Biological New Material to supply technology and key equipment for its polylactic acid (PLA) production facility in Jiangsu Province, China, which will have a capacity of 30’000 tons per year. The plant will be able to produce a large portfolio of PLA grades serving a broad range of end-use applications from food packaging to kitchen utensils or toys. Replacing traditional plastics with non-fossil-based plastics directly contributes to an improved carbon footprint.
BASF takes wraps off Verdessence biopolymers brand
BASF has launched Verdessence, a trademarked brand for the German chemical giant’s biopolymers made from renewable raw materials for personal care applications. The branding coincides with the release of Verdessence Tara, a thickening and texturizing product. Extracted from sustainable and regenerative Peruvian tara seed gum, BASF said it helps to create “smooth and shapely textures” suitable for “skin microbiome friendly formulations”. The Verdessence biopolymers range includes the existing Verdessence Alginate (formerly Hydagen 558 P) and Verdessence Xanthan (formerly Rheocare XGN). Completing the line-up is Verdessence Glucomannan (formerly Hydagen Clean), which was launched last summer.