Bioplastics News from World

Demand for bioplastic packaging forecast to reach 884,000 tonnes

Global demand for bioplastic packaging is forecast to reach 884,000 tons by 2020, as per a report by Pira International. This translates to a compound annual growth rate of 24.9% from 2010-15 slowing to a CAGR of 18.3% in the five years to 2020.

According to the study, a new breed of bioplastics will be major drivers as packaging market demand gradually shifts from biodegradable and compostable polymers towards biopackaging based on renewable and sustainable materials. Braskem, the Brazilian plastics and chemicals supplier offers grades of polyethylene in which the ethylene is derived from sugar cane.

Tetra Pak and P&G are among brand owners who are testing the supplier's "green" polyethylene this year. Bioplastics are defined in the report as materials that are either biodegradable and compostable and derived from both renewable and non-renewable sources, or materials that are non-biodegradable and derived from renewable resources.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 07.02.2011. 00:44

Bio-waste becomes plastic using "trained" bacteria

TU Delft doctoral candidate and researcher Jean-Paul Meijnen has shown that bacteria can be “trained” to break down plant waste into the chemicals that are the basis of bioplastics. The bacteria goes through a little gene therapy, a little evolutionary selection and finally training to achieve this feat.

Corn based plastics have been around for a while. You find this type of plastic in disposable dinnerware and drink bottles. Unfortunately, these plastics use the food portion of the corn making them a less desirable product because it diverts food out of the food stream.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 23.11.2010. 19:27

Bacteria that turns veggies into bioplastics

Researchers have been able to 'train' bacteria to convert all the main sugars in vegetable, fruit and garden waste efficiently into 'green' products like bioplastics. By adapting the eating pattern of bacteria and subsequently training them, NWO and TU Delft Researcher Jean-Paul Meijnen succeeded in converting sugars in processable materials, so that no bio-waste is wasted.

Lignocellulose, the complex combination of lignin and cellulose present in the stalks and leaves of plants that gives them their rigidity, is such a material.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 20.11.2010. 19:21

Milk protein, clay used to make biodegradable foam plastic substitute

Scientists have developed a new ultra-light biodegradable foam plastic material made from two unlikely ingredients: The protein in milk and ordinary clay.

The new substance could be used in furniture cushions, insulation, packaging, and other products.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 18.11.2010. 19:19

Imagin Molecular Corp. Acquiring Planet Green Bottle

Imagin Molecular Corp. has agreed in a letter of intent to issue 49 percent of the post capitalization of the company in exchange for 84,000,000 Positron Corp.’s common shares plus 100 percent of the equity of the Planet Green Bottle.

All IMGM shares are to be distributed to shareholders or affiliates of Planet Green. Certain Planet Green shareholders have agreed to accept IMGM Preferred Shares which will be convertible into IMGM common shares only if the new company is successful in achieving milestones of revenue of at least $10, $25, $50 and $100 million a year over the next seven years.

Directors of IMAGIN have agreed to recommend a name change of IMGM to Planet Green BioTechnology, Inc. Meanwhile, IMAGIN will increase its position as a major shareholder of Positron Corp.

• Continue reading • Comments (0) 27.12.2009. 21:13