Metabolix, the USA based producer of PHA biopolymers carries out a manufacturing site assessment including a capital plan, engineering study, site owner’s interview, cost estimate operations and intermediate level biopolymer production. The company has planned to defer commitment for contract production at the site. With the plan of significant improvement in output of Mirel PHA biopolymers, the main objective of this deal will revolve around the production of a-PHA biopolymer that will be utilized in current development plans for the unique PHA product.

Read more about this plan here - http://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/news/meldungen/20141228Metabolix-focus-on-a-PHA.php

According to the statement of Joseph Shaulson, CEO of Metabolix, the company believes that biopolymer production is the best approach at this time. As the company expects increase in output from the pilot facilities, it is important to keep the capital investment at the modest level this year and enhance the runway offered by finance and restructure accomplished already. Further, same approach is supposed to work well for speeding the availability of a-PHA material to develop market.  Joseph further adds that the company needs to work upon a strong strategy going further towards evaluation and development of production expansion ideas for the business. This is important for the company with the idea of bringing on production of PHA on wide level.

VTT in Finland plans to develop eco-friendly option for polystyrene

EPS i.e. Expanded Polystyrene is nothing but a waste product as it is utilized as packaging material and insulator all around the world. VTT, a technical Research Centre in Finland is working for development of a reasonable and eco friendly option for polystyrene from PLA bioplastic. PLA is a biopolymer made up of renewable materials using lactic acid. The research centre is looking for excellent methods for foaming the bioplastics in order to prepare beads which can be later subjected for refining into insulators. Although, EPS is a non toxic product but degrades into a waste product so it is important to replace it with some eco-friendly material. Burning of EPS is harmful as the compounds resulting from this process are health hazardous.

Read more about this matter here at -  
http://m.phys.org/news/2014-12-team-environmentally-friendly-alternative-polystyrene.html

It is very important to consider the proper environment for foaming of bioplastics with the help of CO2. VTT is planning for introducing development of the product in industrial processing including lab work and factory testing. Thus, the research group wants new partners for a collaborative program in this direction and carrying out effective operations.  

One more thing to know here is that PLA products similar to the polystyrene ones are in existence yet but they are costlier so VTT is looking for the idea for production of efficient and cheaper products.

Meridian Inc to harvest its first Canola crop for production of bioplastics

The first Canola crop by a Meredian Inc., the Georgia based company is ready to manufacture biopolymers. According to the company’s spokesperson, raw material for the production of bioplastic products will be evolved with the help of this crop. Local fields around the production site are employed for cultivation of the crop. The most important thing in this entire process is the Canola oil but it is really a costly source. On the other hand, any plant derivative oil can be used as an option for conversion of carbon into biopolymers. Canola is the best for this process as it can be grown locally without any additional efforts. This idea cuts down the cost of freight and care of the far situated crop. Read more about this matter here at -
http://domesticfuel.com/2014/06/25/meredian-harvests-first-canola-crop-for-biopolymer/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+DomesticFuel+(Domestic+Fuel)

Meridian is working consistently in its project of developing natural and sustainable resources that can be used as an alternate of petroleum products from the performance and cost point of view. Executive Chairman of the company, Paul Pereira states that the board members are interested in successful production of biopolymers through the Canola fields. It is really a milestone in the growth of the company to harvest the first crop for meeting increasing demand of biobased polymers.

Recyclable feedstock to produce biopolymer for production of biobased plastic

Exponential growth and development of bioplastics in the international plastic industry gives rise to eco friendly production in a fast manner. As bioplastics are obtained from natural sources and developed with the feature of biodegradability and composite properties, they are preferred by most of the plastic manufacturing groups all over the world. There are two main factors to influence the growth of these products; high level technical expertise and regularly increasing demand of sustainable products. PLA i.e. the polylactic acid became the most demanded bio-based polymer during recent years. Read more about this matter here at - http://www.smartquimic.com/index.php/english/item/130-bioplastics-new-materials-for-a-more-sustainable-future

Fermentation of sugars leads towards production of lactic acid and polylactic acid. Some of the renewable energy sources such as sugar beet, corn, sugar cane etc. are employed for development of PLA. As the subjected resources can be recycled at least once annually, the supply of energy resources for production of PLA remains adequate throughout the year. Nowadays, leading researchers focus their researches for development of lactic acid through non food crops.

The most important thing to know about the polymer is that after polymerization of lactic acid to polylactic acid, the biopolymer gains some good properties such as durability, thermo-stable feature and reinforced status.  

Braskem begins new R&D center for renewables

Braskem SA of Brazil is one of the leading thermoplastic resin developers in America; this group is also known as the largest biopolymer manufacturer on international level. This group is again in discussion for launching a research program on renewable chemical products during the first week of June, 2014.  Total fund available for this project this year is $ 13.3 million. Sao Paulo state in Campinos will focus upon chemistry and biotechnology based operations to research upon renewable chemical materials. Development of biochemical and chemical routes, purification systems is applicable on industrial level.

Read more on this matter here at - http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20140610/NEWS/140619993/braskem-opens-new-rd-center-focused-on-renewables#

As the company is experienced in production of low, high and linear low density polyethylene ethanol since Sep, 2010, it is working well upon the investment of $ 88.9 million for innovation and research of projects this year. Certain main projects of the company involve technologies for manufacturing of biobased butadiene and propylene. With the help of micro-organism metabolic and technological improvements, the company plans better for the production of ethylene as a raw material. The whole new lab for this purpose in Braskem has been featured with HTS, an advance automated robot which is capable of multiplying the job of researcher well.

Innovia covers Interpack with a green lid

SAGIFI, an Italy based company is going to commercialize home compostable films designed for lidding applications, NatureFlex HK1. Now, in the Naples municipality compostable food service trays with lidding of the Hermetic sealing film are used by schools. At interpack, market development manager of Innovia Film, Claude D’ Amico said to PKN that he believes that the latest lidding film will catch attention of the Australian Market because it is an easily degradable packaging material to offer ultimate class functioning. Also, it offers a catchy marketing proposition along with the idea of helping companies meet their environmental aims.

About the bio based products of Innovia in the Australian market, Amico stated that till the time most of the demands come from small entrepreneurs have more flexibility for considering adoption of new technology; that’s why, we are now looking for more ideas to catch interest of large brand owners also. Below are the three key features to pull interest of entrepreneurs –
• Compostable packaging
• Reduction in food wastage
• Renewable property
Know more about this matter here http://www.packagingnews.com.au/news/news-from-interpack-innovia-puts-a-green-lid-on-it

The latest lidding film consists of NatureFlex plus is a biopolymer sealant layer that enhances technical efficiency of cellulose based packaging film. It not only offers an awesome boundary for moisturising the extended shelf life but also possess an awesome heat seal performance and integrity.

Huhtamaki introduces range of redesigned BioWare paper cups

A Finnish company, Huhtamaki, has launched a new range of re-designed BioWare products including cold cups and hot cups which are completely biodegradable.

The new product flaunts a logo which says “Love Nature”. This was done with the intention of increasing their charm in the eyes of the prospective customers by making the products look aesthetically appealing. It also has a dual purpose of sending off an environmental message which BioWare products support.

The Love Nature BioWare hot cups of single wall paper are available in four colors – Earth, Moss, Sand and Pebble. The range of cup sizes includes 4oz, 9oz, 12 oz and 16oz. The BioWare solo wall paper cold cups sporting the Love Nature logo in a fresh lime color comes in the following sizes – 12oz, 16oz and 22oz.

This new range of BioWare products are in accordance with the European norm of compostability of packaged products, EN13432. Paperboard material is used in the manufacturing process which includes a lining of bio-polymer material which is derived from plant starches. According to Huhtamaki claims, under ideal composting conditions in a facility, the cups would decompose in a period of 60 days. The source of this article is the content found at the following link - http://packagingmaterials.packaging-business-review.com/news/huhtamaki-introduces-new-bioware-paper-cups-130314-4194910.

Four times stronger bio-polymer receives nomination for prestigious award

The University of Sheffield and CPD (supplier of cleaning and hygiene products, based in UK) has developed a new bio-polymer which has received a nomination for the Hull Daily Mail Business Award for Innovation and Technology.

CPD founder and chief executive Shaun Chatterton says that Floreon composts faster and requires less energy for production. He considers the new material to have huge potential for diversification and other benefits. He talked to PRW about its potential to change the entire notion of packaging and transform the way people think about plastics. With Floreon, they have managed to do much more than their initial idea of replacing water bottles, PET plastics and other derivatives.

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the top materials scientists at the University of Sheffield ultimately lead to the development of this polymer. Floreon can be produced using 62% less energy and is four times sturdier than standard bio-plastic PLA. Chatterton commented on the manufacturing process of the polymer, saying that it requires only 180 degrees Celsius of heat during production as compared to other rival polymers that require 280 to 300 degrees Celsius.

Apart from all these advantages, Floreon is a completely biodegradable polymer and it can be recycled back to virgin PLA in an energy efficient way without going through the process of “down-cycling” that is done for other plastics.

Source: http://www.prw.com/subscriber/newscat2.html?cat=1&channel=340&id=4187