Latest market trends on bio-based building blocks released by nova-Institute: According to the latest market study by the nova-Institute on “Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers – Global Capacities and Trends 2016 – 2021”, production capacities for bio-based polymers worldwide continue to grow despite difficult market environments. With 6.6 million tonnes production capacities in 2016, 2% of all polymers are already bio-based. The industry has had a turnover of €13 billion in 2016. Nova-Institute’s market study provides the most comprehensive overview of global figures on bio-based building blocks. European Bioplastics’ annual market data update 2016 is based on this report, from which the defined scope of new economy bioplastics have been extracted. You can find the full report here.
Lego-compatible bricks made from bioplastics: BanBao, a Chinese toy manufacturer announced a new line of Lego-compatible bricks and modules made 100% from bioplastics derived from sugarcane waste. The new bricks were developed in collaboration with Biopromotions, a Dutch company specialised in products made from bio-based and biodegradable plastic materials. The bricks are fully compatible with those of the competitor Lego, who announced an investment of 1 billion DKK in 2015 to find sustainable plastic materials to manufacture their Lego modules.
Partnership initiated for second generation feedstock reference plant: Avantium announced a partnership with AkzoNobel, Chemport Europe, RWE and Staatsbosbeheer for the development of a reference plant of a wood to chemicals biorefinery in Delfzijl. The reference plant will be based on a new technology developed by Avantium that aims for a cost-effective process for the production of high-purity glucose from non-food biomass such as forestry residue, pulp or agricultural by-products, so called second generation feedstock. This glucose is suitable for the production of a range of innovative materials such as PLA, PEF, PBAT or PHA.
New bio-based coating for railcars with improved properties: Berlin-based Lankwitzer Lackfabrik and Covestro developed a new, bio-based coating for railcars. 70 percent of the carbon in the polyurethane coating comes from biomass. The abrasion resistance and gloss stability of the coating were even 70 percent higher compared with standard coatings. It also exhibits a high resistance to cleaning agents, particularly those used to remove graffiti (DB standard “Blatt 39”), and to alkaline agents, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid. Polish railway vehicle manufacturer Newag SA has become the first to test an innovative coating system on two diesel locomotives.
