NatureWorks and IMA announce strategic partnership NatureWorks, the world’s leading manufacturer of low-carbon Ingeo PLA biopolymers, and IMA Coffee, global market leader in coffee handling, processing, and packaging, have announced that they have entered into a joint strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the market for high performing K-Cup compatible compostable single-serve coffee pods in North America. The multi-year partnership [...]
UK Government may ban oxo-degradable plastics following consultation The UK Government says it may introduce a ban on oxo-degradable plastics, following its consultation seeking evidence to develop standards for biodegradable, compostable and bio-based plastics. After having received 85 responses, it is now also exploring the issues that were raised in the government’s consultation on an extended producer responsibility scheme for packaging, as well as in its consultation on introducing greater consistency [...]
In each issue of the Bioplastics Newsletter, we present some facts about a member of European Bioplastics. This month, Dr. Alberto Zanon, Sales Manager Biocomp, Sirmax Group, shares some interesting insights on his company. 5 facts about Sirmax Biocomp S.R.L., Italy Sirmax Biocomp S.R.L. - former Microtec S.r.l. - is a private company, part of the Sirmax Group, based in Italy (Pianiga, Venice), which aims to [...]
Polymateria misuses RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols RecyClass, a cross-industry initiative that offers recyclability certifications and recycled content traceability certification for plastic packaging, informed about a misuse of its RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols by the British start-up Polymateria. After RecyClass had refused a request by Polymateria, the company commissioned Impact Solutions to carry out a recyclability test for their polyethylene film with biodegradable additive technology called PLM-G. Later, the [...]
BIOnTop’s research teams are pursuing various strategies to optimise biopolymers with a specific focus on protein-based coatings. European Bioplastics supports the BIOnTop project as consortium partner. Most sensitive foods are packaged in multi-layer composite films to ensure sufficient flavour, water vapor, and oxygen barriers to maintain products’ quality and increase its shelf life. However, most of these composite [...]
Constance Ißbrücker, Head of Environmental Affairs at European Bioplastics e.V. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has evolved to be the preferred tool to assess the environmental sustainability of certain products and materials. Recently it has also been used with great enthusiasm to compare bio-based with fossil-based plastics. It seems to be an easy instrument to draw [...]
Contrary to popular belief, certified, industrial compostable organic waste bags neither bear harm for soil or human health, nor do they contribute to the problem of microplastics, as experts underline. On the contrary, they convey chances for a higher quality and quantity of collected organic waste. Read in the following a guest commentary by the Verbund kompostierbare Produkte e.V. (Association for Compostable Products / “Verbund”). For many years now, the [...]
On 3 March 2021, the EUBP webinar “Organic recycling within the circular economy: the role of compostable plastics” explored the contribution of biodegradable and compostable plastics to help the EU to meet its organic waste recovery targets by the end of 2023. In order to establish a truly circular economy, the EU needs to capture this untapped potential by collecting and organically recycling this waste into high value compost for soil enrichment. In her welcome statement, our host MEP [...]
On 8 February, the European Parliament adopted its Own Initiative Report on the Circular Economy which recognised the role of bioplastics for the future. Amongst other issues highlighted, the MEPs emphasised the potential role of bio-based and biodegradable and compostable plastics in the circular economy whilst noting that bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics alone will not provide a solution to the environmental concerns related to plastics. [...]
Neste's renewable products reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million tons in 2020 In the course of 2020, Neste’s renewable products helped customers in several geographic markets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10.0 million tons altogether. This amount equals the annual carbon footprint of 1.5 million average EU citizens (source: World Bank) or [...]
