In addition, a dozen companies, including sponsors Waker, IMCD, Kompuestos, Novamont, Primebiopolymers, Clariant, Asobiocom, Total Corbion, Echo Instruments and Enco, will present their innovations and success stories.
Through presentations by more than 20 specialist speakers on biopolymers, the debate will open on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable bioplastics and biocomposites. Elena Domínguez, from AIMPLAS, will present the study for the evaluation of biodegradability criteria that the technology center is carrying out for the European Union on polymers in fertilizer products and mulching film. Constance Ißbrücker, from European Bioplastics, will present the latest market data and European Union policies. Theodora Nikolakopoulou, from the European Commission, will address the legislative perspectives on biodegradable bioplastics in open environments and the new European legislative framework for bioplastics, while national perspectives will be covered by Jordi Simón, from Asobiocom. The section dedicated to standardization and certification will be led by entities such as TÜV Austria, DIN-CERTCO, and the Catalan Waste Agency (Agència de Residus de Catalunya).
Innovations and Success Stories:
Companies from across the value chain will showcase their innovations in materials and products at this seminar. These range from additives that facilitate the processability or compatibility of biopolymers to water bottles made from recycled PLA with the same properties and quality as virgin material, including pyrotechnic devices for air shows manufactured with bioplastic using extrusion blow molding, and of course, a full range of compostable containers, closures, and bottles that can be processed using conventional machinery and offer the same properties as traditional plastics.
AIMPLAS will also present the results of some of its projects for the packaging industry, such as biodegradable barrier packaging made from food waste, plastic film obtained from coffee grounds, active packaging made from cheese industry waste to extend cheese shelf life, and cartridges for 3D food printing. For the agricultural sector, they will present natural-based paints for controlling mealybug infestations in the field, foams for hydroponic crops made from poultry feather waste, and a compostable cardboard-like product made from pruning and pressing waste from grape cultivation.
In addition to the success stories and the opportunity to attend the workshops of two projects coordinated by AIMPLAS, ELIOT and BIONTOP, the second day will feature a panel dedicated to the environmental impact of bioplastics in open environments, in which entities such as APE, ERCROS, the University of Vigo and Cajamar will address the issue from the perspective of agricultural soils and the marine environment.
