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Bio magazine

European biocomposite production reached 410,000 tons in 2017

The biocomposite production in Europe is estimated to amount to 410,000 tons in 2017, according to nova-Institute.Over 30 compound companies produce and trade 80,000 tons of granulate with wood and natural fibers in Europe. In addition to the common petrochemical plastics PE, PP, TPE and PVC, biopolymers such as Bio-PE, PLA, PBS, PBAT or PHA are utilized.Depending on the target application, wood flour, wood fibers, cellulose fibers, bast fibers such as hemp, flax, jute or kenaf, but also bamboo, cork or the fibers of the sunflower seed shells are used.The overall annual growth rate of the European biocomposite production is about 3% which is roughly in line with the average growth of the plastics market.▲ Growth of biocomposites in different applications.Much higher growth rates of up to 30% have been identified in various innovative application fields of biocomposites. These application fields range from technical applications over furniture to consumer goods that are produced mainly with injection molding, 3D and other production methods like roto molding.Furthermore, in the area of traded granulates the overall growth rate has also been substantially higher as the average (15%).The full market report will be first presented at the Biocomposites Conference Cologne (BCC) in Germany) on December 6-7. Organized by nova-Institute, the conference is expected to host 300 participants from 30 countries as well as more than 30 exhibitors.Source: CPRJ Editorial Team (AL)Link: https://www.adsalecprj.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-67028576/tc-en_CPRJ_EN_20171122/NewsArticle.aspx

Ms. Park 2017-11-24

How sustainable are biodegradable and plant-based plastics?

By Tom Szaky ▲ Coca-Cola's PlantBottle is an example of a durable bioplastic (rather than a biodegradable bioplastic), meaning it will last like a traditional PET bottle, but that it is also recyclable. Finding solutions for the world’s plastic problem is an uphill battle. Manufacturers and consumers alike are now accustomed to products and packaging made lighter, less costly and more convenient by plastic, the iterations of which have only grown more complex. As it stands, we are manufacturing approximately 300 million tons of plastics across the world every year, and this number continues to grow. The scope of the world’s plastic problem goes beyond straining Earth’s finite resources; it is also a waste management issue. It is estimated that up to 129 million tons (43%) of the plastic used per year is disposed of by landfill or incineration, and approximately 10 to 20 million tons of plastic ends up in the oceans. Rethinking all aspects of the plastics supply chain in terms of full lifecycle, from sourcing to end-of-life, is the key for manufacturers and major brands aiming to design into a more circular plastics economy. Driven by demand for more sustainability and positive environmental impacts in consumer packaged goods (CPGs), there is a growing industry for bioplastics—plastics made from plant biomass, such as corn. One argument in support of increased use of bioplastics is mainly that the raw materials used to generate it are more sustainably sourced than petroleum-based plastic. Abundant availability of raw materials for manufacturing bioplastics place less strain on resource supply, as well as cause less strain to the earth from sourcing processes. Drilling for oil to use for petroleum-based plastic may disturb land and ocean habitats, and is a major source of emissions and airborne byproducts. Bioplastics can be broadly broken down into two categories: durable and biodegradable. For instance, the PlantBottle is a durable bioplastic alternative to traditional PET bottles made by Coca-Cola. Made with up to 30% ethanol sourced from plant material, the PlantBottle won’t decompose, but it can be recycled with traditional PET containers and bottles. It is important to note that this is an outstanding example, as not all bioplastics are recyclable. Of the many bioplastic varieties currently on the market or in development, no variant has attracted more attention than those dubbed “biodegradable.” Biodegradable bioplastics, like increasingly popular PLA (polylactic acid), are exactly as they sound: in theory, they break down naturally in the environment or may be composted. This is unique, as the vast majority of plastics today will never break down. Petroleum plastics may degrade into smaller and smaller pieces, but most won’t decompose or be absorbed by the surrounding environment. Where bioplastics theoretically are an answer to our dependence on fossil fuels to manufacture the plastics the world demands, biodegradable bioplastics are meant to be a solution for the world’s plastic waste problem. However, in most cases, biodegradable bioplastics will only break down in a high-temperature industrial composting facility, not your average household compost bin. Plus, these are not recyclable. This wouldn’t be as much of a concern if we had a great composting infrastructure, but we don’t. With only about 200 industrial composting facilities in the United States and 50 million tons of organic waste still ending up in landfills across the country each year, we are ill-equipped to adequately compost any meaningful volumes of biodegradable plastic. In fact, many operational industrial composting facilities today won’t even accept PLA and other biodegradable plastics—they are seen as contamination risks. A better solution might be to place the focus on durable bioplastics that are made from plant materials, but can still be recycled. This way, the valuable energy and material inputs can be kept in the production cycle longer. It also makes far more sense to build a bio-based plastic that fits into our existing infrastructure, rather than building an entirely new biodegradable plastic composting infrastructure from scratch. If we hope to truly make durable bioplastics as viable as they could be, we will need to start curbing the demand for plastics overall. With less demand, the market will be in a far better place to meet demand with more contained impacts to the environment. How do we reduce the demand for plastic? When manufacturers and major brands commit to packaging designs that are more durable and made to last, consumers have the opportunity to make more sustainable purchasing decisions. http://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainable-packaging/how-sustainable-are-biodegradable-and-plant-based-plastics-2017-05-30

Ms. Kang 2017-06-12

Hexion to focus on bio-based resin technologies at expanded R&D center in Edmonton

Hexion Inc. (Columbus, Ohio; www.hexion.com) announced an expansion of its technology center at its forest products complex in Edmonton, Alberta. The expanded research and development facility will focus on developing next-generation resin chemistry for panel production that will complement the Company’s existing EcoBind lower emitting resin technology and build on the inherent flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) properties of our current resin systems. The expanded lab is focused on emerging phenolic resin technology that substitutes phenol with bio-based raw materials, such as lignin. An abundant, natural polymer, lignin is an organic material that has significant potential as an adhesive substitute in wood panel production. “Hexion is committed to innovation that improves the sustainability of engineered panel products,” says Mark Alness, Senior Vice President, Americas Forest Products. “The substitution of lignin and other bio-based raw materials for phenol will result in greater use of these renewable raw materials in the coming decade. This investment is in line with Hexion’s ongoing commitment to develop low emitting EcoBind technology products.” The technology center expansion is set to be complete by the third quarter of 2017. In addition to state-of-the-art analytical equipment, Hexion has also invested in new panelboard press technology at the Edmonton lab to test the bio-based resins in an actual production environment due to the difficulty in working with natural feedstocks. The “pilot plant” is meant to mimic commercial production in a typical Alberta facility and demonstrate that the new resins and press, working in concert, can deliver the same or better panel properties as traditional materials. The new lab also leverages an investment in lignin production announced by Alberta Innovates (AI), a program designed to help diversify the Alberta economy by accelerating growth of the bio-industrial sector. http://www.chemengonline.com/hexion-expands-resin-focused-rd-center-in-edmonton/?printmode=1

Ms. Kang 2017-06-12

Grape Seed Extract Could Extend Life of Resin Fillings

A natural compound found in grape seed extract could be used to strengthen dentin — the tissue beneath a tooth’s enamel — and increase the life of resin fillings, according to new research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. No filling lasts forever, whether it’s composite-resin or amalgam. But dentists find amalgam — a combination of mercury, silver, tin or other materials — easier to use and less costly. Plus, it can last 10 to 15 years or more. Composite-resin fillings are more aesthetically pleasing because the mixture of plastic and fine glass particles can be colored to match a patient’s teeth. However, the fillings typically last only five to seven years. In research published in the Journal of Dental Research, Ana Bedran-Russo, associate professor of restorative dentistry, describes how grape seed extract can make composite-resin fillings stronger, allowing them to last longer. The extract, Bedran-Russo said, can increase the strength of the dentin, which comprises the majority of the calcified extracellular tissue of teeth, forming the layer just beneath the hard external enamel. Dentin is mostly made of collagen, the main structural protein in skin and other connective tissues. Resins have to bind to the dentin, but the area between the two, or the interface, is a weak point, causing restorations to breakdown, Bedran-Russo said. “When fillings fail, decay forms around it and the seal is lost. We want to reinforce the interface, which will make the resin bond better to the dentin,” she said. “The interface can be changed through the use of new natural materials.” More than 90 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have cavities, according to a federal report. A cavity is a hole that forms in the tooth when acid produced by bacteria erodes the minerals faster than the tooth can repair itself. The dentist removes the decay, or caries, with a drill and seals the hole with a filling. Secondary caries and margin breakdown are the most frequent causes of failed adhesive restorations, Bedran-Russo said. Despite numerous advances in dental restorative materials, degradation of the adhesive interface still occurs. Bedran-Russo has discovered that damaged collagen can repair itself with a combination of plant-based oligomeric proanthocyanidins — flavonoids found in most foods and vegetables — and extracts from grape seeds. Interlocking the resin and collagen-rich dentin provides better adhesion and does not rely on moisture. “The stability of the interface is key for the durability of such adhesive joints, and hence, the life of the restoration and minimizing tooth loss,” Bedran-Russo said. One of the possible benefits of using grape seed extract is that it prevents tooth decay, she said. She and Guido Pauli, professor of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy in the UIC College of Pharmacy, recently collaborated on another study that showed extract from the root bark of Chinese red pine trees has similar properties to the grape seed extract. Co-authors on the Journal of Dental Research study are Ariene Leme-Kraus, Berdan Aydin, Cristina Vidal, Rasika Phansalkar, Joo-won Nam, James McAlpine, Pauli and Shao-nong Chen, all of UIC. The research was funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (grant number DE021040), one of the National Institutes of Health.

Ms. Kang 2017-06-12

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Plastic Bags, Researchers Say

Researchers in Europe have found that the larvae of a common insect have an unusual ability to digest plastic, a discovery that could lead to biotechnical advances that help deplete the continual buildup of one of the world’s most stubborn pollutants. Scientists discovered that the wax worm, a caterpillar used for fishing bait that takes its name from its habit of feeding on beeswax, is able to break down the chemical bonds in polyethylene, a synthetic polymer and widely produced plastic used in packaging, bags and other everyday materials. ▲ Scientists have discovered that a caterpillar used for fishing bait may hold the key to breaking down plastics.Credit Cesar Hernandez/CSIC, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Federica Bertocchini, a scientist with the Spanish National Research Council, stumbled upon the insects’ unusual ability several years ago. An amateur beekeeper, Ms. Bertocchini had plucked several worms out of her beehives and was keeping them in a plastic bag. She soon discovered that the worms had chewed holes in the bags and, realizing the potential implications, got in touch with peers at the University of Cambridge, Paolo Bombelli and Christopher J. Howe. A paper that the group published this week in Current Biology explains how they discovered exactly what allows the worms to break down the plastic.Continue reading the main story In an interview Wednesday, Mr. Howe explained that it was important to determine whether the worms — which are the larval form of the greater wax moth and are commercially bred to be used by fishermen — were actually breaking chemical bonds in the plastic, and not just chewing the material down into smaller pieces. To answer the question, the researchers employed what Mr. Howe delicately referred to as a “homogenated worm.” The scientists ground the larvae in a blender and spread the resulting paste on the plastic. That showed that it was some chemical or combination of chemicals within the insects that was causing the plastic to degrade. “We think that it’s some enzyme that’s involved,” Mr. Howe said. “We don’t know if it’s actually produced by the worms or actually is produced by bacteria in the gut of the worms.” That mystery enzyme or enzymes is breaking the long chain of carbon atoms at the center of the plastic into smaller containing molecules, Mr. Howe said. And while the researchers are not yet sure what those smaller molecules are, it is likely that they will be easier to recycle and reuse than the plastic from which they came. Next, the scientists will begin to isolate individual elements within extracts from the worms, in an attempt to narrow down the chemical breaking the plastic’s bonds. If they are able to isolate that enzyme, then it might be possible to obtain the gene governing it and to insert that gene into a bacteria, which could be easier than cultivating the worms. Eventually, that bacteria could be used as the basis of a biotechnology process, Mr. Howe said. He cautioned, however, that it would be at least several years before the initial discovery could lead to such a result. “It’s certainly not going to be the case that within six months we’ve solved the world’s plastic problem,” he said. “I certainly wouldn’t want your readers to think that within a few months, they can start throwing away plastic bags without worrying about it.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/27/science/plastic-eating-caterpillar.html?_r=0

Ms. Kang 2017-05-15

The Policy Framework of Bio-Based Plastics Markets

The newly published report “Policies impacting bio-based plastics market development and plastic bags legislation in Europe” from nova-Institut GmbH, Hürth, Germany, looks at how different parts of the world handle the development of the bio-based plastics sector politically. Motivations for supporting the bio-based plastics sector (and the bio-based economy in general) vary strongly from region to region. In the US, the driver for bio-based products and plastics are resource security and agricultural market policy, while in Japan there is a strong drive towards products with a green image. In Europe, resource utilization, GHG emissions, recyclability and compostability are important drivers in developing supporting policies. Industrial development is an important driver in South East Asia, Brazil and China. ▲ Bioeconomy: More than circular economy (© nova-Institut) In contrast to biofuels, there are currently no strong, comprehensive policy frameworks in place to support bio-based materials (such as mandatory targets, tax incentives, etc.), and, as a result, these products suffer from a lack of raw material supply, low investment security or also consumer confidence. However, a variety of policies from different sectors influence bio-based materials. The report analyzes which policy frameworks can have a beneficial influence on the developments of bio-based plastics and provide positive environments to setting up bio-based businesses. Strong political support can only be found in Italy and France for biodegradable solutions in the packaging sector. In this sector, the global demand for biodegradable packaging shows a double digit yearly growth. http://www.kunststoffe.de/en/news/overview/artikel/the-policy-framework-of-bio-based-plastics-markets-3478056.html?et_cid=5&et_lid=5

Ms. Kang 2017-05-15

Denso using plant-derived plastics for Toyota Motor's products

Currently, Denso's starch-derived bio-PC, which provides high hardness, yet can be shaped into complex designs, is being used to make plastic bezels for Toyota Motor Corporation’s genuine car navigation systems.Denso using plant-derived plastics for Toyota Motor's productsKARIYA, JAPAN: Japanese automotive components manufacturer Denso Corporation is using bio-polycarbonate (PC) made from starch and urethane resin extracted from castor oil in some of its products, informed the company in a media release.Currently, Denso's starch-derived bio-PC, which provides high hardness, yet can be shaped into complex designs, is being used to make plastic bezels for Toyota Motor Corporation’s genuine car navigation systems.The company said, "Starch-derived bio-PCs have higher surface hardness, better optical characteristics, and superior hydrolytic stability than conventional petroleum-derived PCs. Moreover, they refract less light, exhibit better color-forming properties, and thus do not need to be painted before being used."Castor oil, a vegetable oil extracted from castor beans, is used as a material in paints, waxes, and other products.Automotive exhaust gas sensors, which measure the concentration of specific gases present in vehicle exhaust gases, must have high heat resistance. Therefore, the resins used in sensor control units have traditionally been expensive silicone-type resins. Denso’s newly developed urethane resin costs less than silicone resins and can withstand up to 150 °C, while significantly reducing the amount of gases produced when being melted and formed into shapes. This is the first such resin of its kind in the world, claims Denso. http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/auto-components/denso-using-plant-derived-plastics-for-toyota-motors-products/57767755

Ms. Kang 2017-04-07

Southern Perspective: Plastic made from shrimp shells?

Linda A. B. DavisWhile the Pensacola area supports a lot of farmland, we're mostly known outside of the region for our coastlines, and therefore, the seafood. Why wouldn't we take advantage of a natural source of readily available food? From fish to lobster to snails, we eat it all.Actually, I use the word "we" in a very liberal sense. I'm a pretty picky seafood eater (fish, scallops and deviled crab), but the rest of you seem to enjoy it, especially shrimp. They're a great big "nope" for me, but they're touted in several sources I found as being the most popular type of seafood. Now, it seems these tiny crustaceans can benefit us and the oceans on an even larger scale.Researchers at Harvard University announced in 2014 they developed a new kind of plastic using the discarded shells of shrimp. Think about how nasty that trashcan smells when you're done cleaning the leggy little critters. The disgusting heap now just gets tossed to the curb. Soon, though, we might be able to recycle it to help solve a major ecological problem we've caused ourselves and ocean life, that of marine debris.This new plastic is known as "shrilk," and is truly biodegradable. It breaks down in just a few weeks. Once that happens, it can then act as fertilizer to help new life grow. These benefits have caused scientists to take a hard look at its possible uses.Think about all the plastic we use today. Plastic shopping bags and garbage bags are the most up and coming projects, but even disposable diapers are on the radar for the future. The list could go on to include water and soda bottles or any sort of food or beverage holders, really. Once discarded, how much of it could be gone within a few weeks?Made of chitosan, the main material in shrimp shells, and a fibroin protein found in silk, shrilk has a remarkable tensile strength. It's also very flexible when wet, which makes sense, since shrimp live in the water. It's currently being produced for egg cartons, chess pieces (how random) and cell phones.Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, the second most common organic material on Earth. Shrimp shells are a more likely source for us, but it's in all crustaceans. That means lobsters, crabs and even barnacles, too. Chitin's also a main component of insect exoskeletons and butterfly wings. What? No, this doesn't mean anyone's going to be pulling the wings off of butterflies.What it does mean is that in coming years, we on the Gulf Coast could be asked to help save our planet by recycling shrimp shells. The shrimp are going to get eaten anyway, so why not? Our oceans are worth it.http://www.pnj.com/story/news/neighborhoods/2017/04/02/southern-perspective-plastic-made-shrimp-shells/99828824/

Ms. Kang 2017-04-07