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27 March 202324 March 2023

Six Materials Nominated for the Innovation Award “Renewable Material of the Year 2023”

New materials will enable sustainable products in areas such as textiles, cosmetics, packaging, as well as elastic and biodegradable materials for a variety of applications. Participants at the “Renewable Materials Conference” will vote for the winners

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Fungus points the way to stronger, more lightweight materials

The tinder fungus’s newly discovered properties are inspiring biodegradable alternatives to current plastics and other materials

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24 March 202321 March 2023

What is the difference between ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’?

Any product is 'biodegradable' in compost under aerobic conditions when it can be broken down by the action of microorganisms in the presence of oxygen

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22 March 202317 March 2023

FKuR: New dishwasher-safe bioplastics and natural-colored recyclates from FKuR

Distribution of EuCertPlast certified PE and PP recyclates from Kaskada Ltd.

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Ingevity to highlight Capa® caprolactone high performance polyol technology and expanded vegetable oil-based offerings at the European Coatings Show 2023

The coatings application manager at Ingevity, Amanda Tosh, will present a study on the benefits achieved when using polycaprolactone-based polyols in 2K polyurethane coatings

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20 March 202315 March 2023

Bluepha Officially Launches 2 Grades Natural PHA Materials to Realize a Phabulous Blend with Nature

Plastic pollution has received increasing attention worldwide - but we believe that Bluepha™ PHA has the potential to make a difference in the future as a new group of natural materials

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17 March 202314 March 2023

BluCon Biotech welcomes strategic investment by major chemical group LG Chem

LG Chem, a leading chemical company, have entered into an investment agreement

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16 March 202313 March 2023

Global AIMPLAS Seminar Highlights Biopolymers

Innovations for agriculture and packaging that use bioplastics or sustainable bio-composites were featured

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15 March 202310 March 2023

Why Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund is investing in this entrepreneur and her plastic waste solution

In recognition of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund is highlighting stories of women leading startup companies that are delivering on important sustainability challenges

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BluCon Biotech welcomes strategic investment by major chemical group LG Chem

LG Chem, a leading chemical company, have entered into an investment agreement

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13 March 20238 March 2023

SKZ is supporter and prize sponsor at the 39th “Jugend forscht” regional competition in Lower Franconia

The German Plastics Center (SKZ) supports STEM education as a prize sponsor in the "Jugend forscht" competition. The projects of the young researchers impressed and topics related to plastics such as "Harzi - the bioplastic" could be awarded

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10 March 20238 March 2023

PILI, a French biotech and green chemistry company, raises $15.8M to accelerate its industrial scale-up and the decarbonization of the color industry

Bpifrance led this round through the fund Ecotechnologies 2, with participation from Famille C Participations and existing investors, such as Elaia Partners

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9 March 20236 March 2023

Textile microplastics: New standard assesses fibre release, biodegradation and ecotoxicity for the first time

Studies have shown that washing textiles releases microfibres into the wash water, which cannot be sufficiently retained by wastewater treatment plants

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IKEA to use bio-based glue for reduced climate footprint

To reduce the climate footprint of board production, IKEA is switching from fossil-based to bio-based glues. Today, 5% of the climate footprint of the total IKEA value chain is connected to the use of glue in board materials. With this change, the goal is to reduce fossil-based glue use by 40% and greenhouse gas emissions from glue by 30% by FY30

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Cross-linked chitosan/tannin extract as a biodegradable and repulpable coating for paper with excellent oil-resistance, gas barrier and UV-shielding

A new study shows chitosan-/tanninextract based epoxy as biodegradable and recyclable coating for paper - with excellent water, oil and UV-aging resistance

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Production of Bioplastics Will Triple by 2027 and Reach 6.3 Million Tonnes

AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, inaugurated the eighth edition of its International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites, where nearly 20 speakers discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the bioplastics industry, and presented their innovations and success stories

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6 March 20231 March 2023

INEOS Styrolution’s Styroflex® proven to be a superior cost-effective binder for bio based products

Styroflex is a styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SBC) with the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer that is suitable for extrusion and injection molding

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3 March 202328 February 2023

PA Consulting and PulPac announce Bottle Collective to minimise single-use plastic waste

New Collective will create a fibre bottle alternative to help minimise the use of single-use plastic bottles in food, drink, consumer health and FMCG industries

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2 March 202327 February 2023

Lenzing and NFW partner to provide sustainable leather alternatives for fashion

The plant-based MIRUM® is a categorically unique material class, perfect for luxury accessories, fashion, footwear, automotive, and home goods

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28 February 202323 February 2023

From Lab to Market: Bio-Based Products Are Gaining Momentum

Propelled by government investment and shareholder demand, manufacturers are pushing to get bio-based products into the marketplace. These new materials — made from plants, fungi, and microbes — aim to replace those that contain toxins and are difficult to recycle or reuse

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27 February 202322 February 2023

Evonik partners with AMSilk to manufacture sustainable silk proteins

The silk can be used in a broad range of applications including high-quality fashion, smart materials in automotives, and medical devices

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24 February 202321 February 2023

PHA – Let the feasting begin

The PHAtiCuS project unites the skills of Fraunhofer UMSICHT, FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY, UnaveraChemLab, and Fritzmeier Environmental Technology

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22 February 20239 April 2025

Paving the way for a renewable-powered future: New EU research project EMPHASIS to develop novel supercapacitors

A cutting-edge energy storage system to meet increasing global energy demands 

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Processing of bioplastics in biogas production: a forward-looking waste management solution

New paper shows that the increasing amount of compostable bioplastics in our waste can be collected and processed with no ecological risk to produce biogas

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21 February 20231 March 2023

Bluepha PHA Global Product Launch Event Announcement

Bluepha has been working on a new generation of biodegradable material, Bluepha™ PHA for over 6 years, and now it's ready to go to market

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20 February 202315 February 2023

Degradation of Plastic Waste using newly Developed Biocatalysts

Researchers of the University of Greifswald and from Covestro developed two corresponding methods

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17 February 202314 February 2023

Structural proteins for the development of sustainable materials: BRAIN Biotech and AMSilk cooperate to develop high-performance bio-based protein fibers

New developments like those currently being developed by BRAIN Biotech and AMSilk could revolutionize the performance materials market

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16 February 202314 February 2023

Cellulose Fibres Conference on 8-9 March 2023 in Cologne and online

Session on Sustainability and Environmental Impacts - Sustainability and Concern for Environmental Impact are Driving Developments in the Textile Industry

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Metsä Spring leads funding round in Fiberwood to make insulation and packaging fossil free

This Finnish startup upcycles side streams of the mechanical wood industry to create 100% ecological and recyclable insulation and packaging materials that are free from fossil-based materials

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13 February 20238 February 2023

Textile and food waste mixes biodegradation for composite mycelium materials

Researchers of Fabricademy found various micro-organisms such as fungi are capable of biodegrading cellulose and other complex plastic molecules

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9 February 20236 February 2023

Researchers develop 100% biodegradable paper straws that do not become soggy

Korean scientists synthesized polybutylene succinate (PBS), by adding a small amount of cellulose nanocrystals to create a new compostable coating material

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8 February 20236 February 2023

Could natural decay be a solution to plastic pollution after all?

The worm saliva contains enzymes that can dissolve plastic bags and packaging, and NIOZ researchers even proved that plastics can be broken down by sunlight

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Want a stronger biodegradable plastic? Add a ‘pinch’ of cream of tartar

Several researchers from KRICT and KTH wanted to see if “seasoning” a biodegradable bioplastic like PBS with fruit-derived tartaric acid or citric acid could improve the plastic’s mechanical properties

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7 February 20236 February 2023

Bacteria really eat plastic

Scientists at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research found out, that bacteria can break down about one percent of the fed plastic per year into CO2 and other harmless substances

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Replacing single-use plastic film with algae-based biodegradable edible film

A promising project in line with the EU objectives of fighting plastic pollution aims to create a substitute for single-use plastic film in conserving frozen fish

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6 February 20231 February 2023

Turning food waste into biodegradable bioplastics

Researchers in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences received a $2.4 million USDA grant to create affordable bioplastics and reduce plastic waste remaining both on land and in the sea

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An introduction to bioplastics in medical applications

From medical blisters to body implants, medical plastics are extensively used in the healthcare sector. They have been considered as potential materials for tools and products used in medicine

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31 January 202326 January 2023

Wingram Introduces a Green & Sustainable Material: BioAcetate S70

BioAcetate S70’s primary usage is within the eyewear industry. Alternative applications include but are not limited to, household appliances, electronic cigarette parts, and smart phone accessories and covers

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27 January 202324 January 2023

Do Plants Clean the Air? The Future of Air Purifying Plants

Recent studies have proven that houseplants offer health benefits like improving concentration and productivity, reducing stress levels, and boosting your mood

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26 January 202317 December 2024

New tailwind for renewable carbon plastics in EU policy?

nova-Institute’s take on the recently published EU proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation as well as the new policy framework for biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics

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23 January 202320 January 2023

Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2023 – From Hygiene Products, Sustainability Improved Technologies to Cellulose from Textile Waste and Banana Production Waste

Six award nominees will present promising sustainable solutions for the industry in the field of cellulose fibres value chains. The full innovation potential of the cellulose fibre industry will be displayed to a wide audience in Cologne (Germany), and online

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18 January 202312 January 2023

Sustainable lignin-PLA composites for food packaging

Future research will include additional testing antioxidants and degradation studies. A new study with comprehensive results has been submitted for peer-review publication

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17 January 202311 January 2023

Schleich: “We strive to use only sustainable materials”

In five years, Schleich figurines will be recyclable or biodegradable. Additionally, the company seeks Cradle to Cradle® certification by 2027 and is working on finding recycled or bio-based materials

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Devan launches Purissimo® NTL, a full biobased, biodegradable allergen control technology

New biobased finish to reduce allergens

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16 January 202316 January 2023

Increasing fiber consumption in 2021

These positive trends contrast with the previous years; mainly because capacities are growing in Asia & Oceania again, led by China

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13 January 20236 January 2023

New ‘Spray-On Wrapper’ Offers Plastic-Free Food Packaging Alternative

The spray on wrapper’s main ingredient is pullulan, an edible fiber that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “generally recognize[s] as safe” (GRAS)

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11 January 20236 January 2023

BioCir Slides: The Full Story

Balena Steps Out with 100% Biodegradable Footwear

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C&A teams up with circular bioeconomy start-up traceless materials to replace plastic hooks

The pilot phase with traceless materials fits in with C&A’s recent circularity initiatives, including Cradle to Cradle Certified® product innovations and collaboration with material sciences company Recover™

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10 January 20235 January 2023

Strong and biodegradable

A polyester plastic of great mechanical stability, which is also easily recyclable and even compostable: Stefan Mecking, chemist at the University of Konstanz, and his research group present a new material

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9 January 20239 January 2023

Successful completion of the iMulch project – Impact of agricultural mulch films on terrestrial ecosystems

iMulch investigated the impact of plastics on organisms, soil functions, drainage systems and adjacent water bodies