Right: Danone packs its Actimel brand in Braskem’s bio-based PE for Brazil
Greater use of renewable resources is no longer just an option, it is a necessity. We must drive the transition from a fossil-based to a bio-based society with research and innovation as the motor.” European Bioplastics has welcomed the EU’s new
strategy but said it would like to have seen more specific measures to encourage better market access and feedstock supply, and to incentivise public procure- ment. “What we need are strong measures to support the market development of bioplastics products,” said Andy Sweetman, who chairs the board of European Bioplastics.
Some might disagree that, with a growing number of big name chemical firms investing in biochemical feedstock production, this market needs further support. But Utrecht’s Patel sees good reason to want to continue to encourage the development of new biodegradable polymers. “Plastic marine litter, litter on land and plastics
found in sea animals is growing and causing increased concern. Some of the existing biodegradable polymers and a completely new genera- tion of biodegradables could maybe substantially alleviate this problem. We need to work on this in parallel, with the goal of developing green and harmless polymers, combined with unproblematic additives, inks and sealants,” he says.
Purac started up its 75,000 tonne/ year lactide monomer plant in Thailand this year to realise performance PLA applications