Michigan Sugar Company, Micro-Midas and Michigan Molecular Institute together works for development of the bio-packaging industry

The idea of utilizing waste products for some useful purpose interests every leading company of the world nowadays. Micro-Midas, Michigan Sugar Company and Michigan Molecular Institute together signed a project of $150K SBIR research grant from the US Dept. of Energy. This grant is provided for creation of various ways for conversion of raffinate waste, sugar beet waste into various useful chemicals. According to Dr. Patrick Smith, the MMI Research scientist conversion of sugar beets into sugar is really a complicated procedure involving numerous procedures. During the processing of sugar, a residue called as Raffinate stream lefts behind. As this substance bear sucrose and other sugars in it, the substance is of low-value material which can be converted into a high value chemical product. 

Read more about the research program here at – http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2014/09/28/mmi-micromidas-targeting-sugar-beet-waste-for-plant-bottle-feedstock/

Smith further states that a team of consumer companies having some reputed banners together creates a consortium that offers fun for bio-based routes to PET. The consortium is named as ‘Plant Bottles’ having the objective of offering bio-packaging materials like the plant bottle.  Smith further adds that most of the phase 1 projects make way to the phase 2. The next phase is something that requires more optimization and scaling up with the goal of creating pilot plant in Michigan.

Innovia to dive into the production of biolaminate layers for packaging

Innovia, an established name in the world of biopackging preparation has joined hands with Bio4pack, Caturra Coffee and QV Foods for production of far efficient Biolamination Layer. Basically, a biolamination product bears one or two layers made up of non plastic but adhesive substrate. Actually, the conventional lamination layer possesses toxic effects on human health, that’s why production of bio based laminate layer is being entertained by the company. Some of the toxic components used for this purpose such as PVC and formaldehyde are now being excluded from the application. Read full story here at –
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Regions/Europe/Innovia-Films-NatureFlex-biolaminate-packaging

According to the marketing manager of packaging and sustainability of the company, Andy Sweetman, most of the customers don’t understand while buying products that the laminate layer in packaging of those products consists of two or more layers which are laminated together, so that their properties also joins together to develop some toxic effects. The principle of biobased lamination is based upon the idea of excluding those conventional products from the list and replacing it with far sustainable bioproducts. In this way, the two most important results to be appreciated are recycling of the product becomes possible and the product can be subjected for renewable deals.

Innovia is known well for utilizing the Natureflex Film, a high gloss layer with degree of permeability for moisturizing the packaging in order to prevent dehydration on a side as this can lead to growth of moulds on the other side.