Fujitsu launches the eco-friendly Mouse M440 ECO
Mouse M440 ECO is an essential input device in new design, made from 100% bio material with PVC free cable. Following all hand movements smoothly and precisely, the elegant M440 ECO works on nearly every surface. It features two buttons and one scroll wheel button. The human-centric shape makes it comfortable for both right and left-handed users. M440 ECO is equipped with the convenient USB Plug&Play, and it is also the best companion with our green family Keyboard KBPC PX ECO.
Repurpose® Compostables launches greenest coffee cup in the world.
Revolutionary, new, plant based, insulated, compostable One CupÔ requires no sleeve or double cupping, making it the greenest hot cup on the market
Repurpose® Compostables, a manufacturer of premium, high quality food service products, based in Los Angeles, announced today the debut of their One CupÔ, the exciting new insulated hot cup that is 100% compostable. No more double cupping. No more sleeves. The insulated technology keeps hot beverages warmer for longer, and prevents heat from escaping the cup, protecting the user and creating a more comfortable feel with only one product. The revolutionary new One CupÔ requires no sleeve, uses 65% less CO2 than a traditional cup to produce, and can be composted in 90 days. The One CupÔuses FSC-Certified paper, the highest standard for sustainable forestry, and is certified compostable. Traditional insulated cups are made by adding additional layers of paper; however, the Repurpose One CupÔ does the same with our patented insulation material on a single wall cup. This high quality food service product finally offers the greenest possible alternative to Styrofoam and non-compostable insulated cups.
“At Repurpose we are always working to produce the highest performing, highest quality food service products that also help consumers lower their impact on the environment,” said Lauren Gropper, Chief Executive Officer of Repurpose Compostables. “Our new insulated cup with Ingeo™ based lining eliminates the need for double cupping which we have found in speaking to vendors is a hidden cost that people don't realize. The One CupÔ also eliminates the need for a sleeve, another wasteful product associated with hot beverages. In many cases vendors are using four individual pieces. Finally a one product solution exists that is also compostable, comes from renewable resources and is affordable.”
Repurpose products are made from plants, not petroleum, using Ingeo™ resin and meet ASTM 6400 compostability standards. Founded in 2009, Repurpose®Compostables offers a line of high quality, compostable food service products for businesses and consumers. Repurpose also offers custom products solutions in every category. Our mission is to educate the public about the problems of continuing to use petroleum based plastic products and offer renewable, plant based, compostable alternatives. Additionally, Repurpose works with businesses, municipalities, and individuals to retrofit any traditionally plastic based product with a bioplastic alternative at competitive prices. Find out more at www.repurposecompostables.com.
Cereplast Signs Second European Distribution Deal in 2011
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, announced today that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Euroink Romania to supply Cereplast bioplastic resin to the Romanian marketplace. This partnership marks the second European distribution deal that the company has entered into since the start of 2011.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cereplast will supply Euroink Romania with Cereplast Compostables® Resins and Cereplast Sustainables™ Resins for use in its masterbatch process for adding colorant to bulk, uncolored resins that is used to manufacture bags, garden furniture, household items, industrial parts, among other products. Euroink Romania is a producer of flexographic inks, solvents, and distributor of raw materials, masterbatches and associated products for the plastics and packaging industry.
In recent years, Romania has positioned itself as a manufacturing hub for Western European plastics companies as many of them have moved their operations to the country. This new contract has opened a number of opportunities for supplying companies with bioplastic resin, many of which also serve regions beyond Romania.
"We are thrilled to work collaboratively with Euroink Romania to provide the Romanian market with the bio-based resin needed to meet surging demand for bioplastic materials across Europe," said Frederic Scheer, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "This partnership reflects Cereplast's aggressive growth strategy and continued commitment to expanding the company's distribution with local partners throughout Europe. Eastern Europe is an important geographic region for us as it serves as the continent's manufacturing hub."
"Our agreement with Cereplast enables us to supply our customers with environmentally sustainable materials for product and packaging manufacturing," said Stefan Marin, sales manager of Euroink Romania. "This agreement expands our product offering and strengthens our positioning as a leading distributor of flexographic inks, solvents and masterbatches in Romania."
About Cereplast, Inc.
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® Resins are ideally suited for single use applications where high bio-based content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables™ Resins combine high bio-based content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.
Source: www.cereplast.com
Cereplast Signs Distribution Agreement with ColorTec to Bring Bioplastics to Southern Italy and Slovenia
Company Positioned to Tap a Potential Billion Dollar Bioplastic Market in Italy as a Result of Legislation Banning Plastic Bags
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, announced today that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Italy-based ColorTec S.r.l. to supply bioplastic resin to the Southern Italian and Slovenian markets. This partnership reflects Cereplast's continued commitment to working with local partners throughout Europe to bring bioplastic materials to the continent for the manufacturing of products and packaging. Manufacturers, in Italy in particular, are increasingly seeking out plastic alternatives to comply with legislation that go into effect in 2011.
"Recent environmental legislation, such as the plastic bag ban that went into effect this year in Italy, is driving demand for bioplastics, which are non-petroleum-based products," said Mr. Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "We are confident that demand will continue to rise in Europe as stores in Italy alone use approximately 20-24 billion plastic bags a year, which accounts for one-fifth of all European use. This is the equivalent of a potential $1 billion bioplastics market in Italy as plastic bag manufacturers now have to replace traditional plastic with environmentally-friendly materials."
Under the terms of the agreement, Cereplast will provide ColorTec with its patented Compostable 3000 film grade for use in its masterbatch process for the production of shopping and garbage bags. The Cereplast 3000 film is designed to have strong puncture strength, toughness, and can be processed on existing blown film extrusion machines.
ColorTec is a leader in designing and developing masterbatches for adding colorant to bulk, uncolored resins. Its color and additive masterbatches are used in all major plastic processing methods, including blown and cast films, blownware, injection molding, extrusion coating, wire and cable, pipe and conduit, fiber spinning, among others.
ColorTec has a dominant position in Southern Italy and works closely with the municipalities in the country that have made the use of bioplastic trash bags mandatory as of January 1, 2011. As reported by British Plastic & Rubber in December 2010, Italy accounts for approximately 20 - 24 billion plastic bags in total consumption or 330 per person, annually.
"Our partnership with Cereplast enables us to meet the growing demand we're experiencing for non petroleum-based products in Slovenia and the Southern Italian region. In particular, demand is increasing in Italy as a result of the country's ban on the use of plastic bags," said Gaetano Paolillo, Sales & Marketing Director of ColorTec. "This collaborative agreement allows us to add high quality bioplastic resin to our product offering and cements our position as a leading masterbatch supplier in Southern Europe."
About Cereplast, Inc.
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® Resins are ideally suited for single use applications where high bio-based content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables™ Resins combine high bio-based content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.
Source: www.cereplast.com
Global Lactic Acid Market to Reach 328.9 Thousand Metric Tons by 2015, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Lactic Acid markets. The global market for Lactic Acid is forecast to reach 328.9 thousand metric tons by the year 2015. Key factors driving market growth include rise in demand from existing end-use markets and emergence of new product applications
The global market for lactic acid, largely immune to the recent turmoil in the global economy, is presently experiencing steady growth. Volume growth, achieved by rise in demand from existing end-use markets and emergence of new product applications, is expected to continue driving growth for the next few years. Lactic acid, with a variety of purity levels, is used in food and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, biodegradable plastics and other chemical sectors. Over the last few years, demand for lactic acid in industrial applications has far surpassed the demand in food and beverages market. Industrial application market is set to become one of the largest consumers of lactic acid and is expected to consume over half of the world lactic acid production in the near future.
Lactic acid based biodegradable polymers followed by lactate solvents are likely to drive the demand for lactic acid, esters and its salts in various industrial applications. Food & Beverages Industry constitutes a major market, driving growth in the lactic acid market. China as well as other Asian countries is expected to display strong demand for lactic acid in food and beverages, as the acid would be largely used in various local-made food items, pH adjusters and food fortifiers. Use of lactic acid in various personal care and pharmaceutical products such as intravenous solutions, moisturizers, shampoos, anti-aging alpha-hydroxy skin creams and soaps would continue to be on the rise in the matured as well as emerging nations.
The United States represents the largest region for lactic acid worldwide, as stated by the new market research report on Lactic Acid. Growth-wise, Europe is projected to be the fastest growing regional market for lactic acid, with a CAGR of more than 8.0% over the analysis period. In terms of end-use, Food Additives constitutes the largest application area for lactic acid globally. On the other hand, Biodegradable Plastics represents the fastest growing end-use application for lactic acid.
With demand for lactic acid-based biopolymers expanding at the cost of conventional polymers on counts of environmental friendliness, easy recyclability and cost-effectiveness, emergence of new lucrative opportunities are portended for lactic acid consumption in the coming years. Another major trend in the lactic acid market includes the emergence of Polylactide (PLA) as a key biodegradable polymer. PLA, a chemical product manufactured using lactic acid as the primary feedstock, is an important raw material for the production of biodegradable plastics. Although presently still a niche market, biodegradable plastics is expected to merge into the mainstream market in the upcoming years, driven largely by rising oil prices and stringent government regulations and greater consumer interest towards the use of greener products. Lactic acid market is expected to benefit significantly from the backlash arising out of growing environmental pollution caused by plastic disposal, escalating costs of petroleum feedstock and wide scale availability of naturally occurring cheap feedstock. Thus, biodegradable plastic is set to become one of the most promising end-use markets for lactic acid. As a result, leading lactic acid manufactures worldwide are engaged in developing various new and innovative PLA technologies with an intention to benefit from this growing market.
Major players profiled in the report include Archer Daniels Midland Company, CSM N.V., PURAC, Galactic S.A, Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Co. Ltd., Musashino Chemical Laboratory Ltd., and Musashino Chemical (China) Co. Ltd.
The research report titled “Lactic Acid: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of the lactic acid markets, impact of recession on the markets, current market trends, key growth drivers, product overview, recent product introductions, recent industry activity, and profiles of major/niche global as well as regional market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and projections for Lactic Acid market for the years 2007 through 2015 for the following geographic markets - US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Latin America. Key end-use segments analyzed include Cosmetic Products, Biodegradable Plastics, Food Additives and Other Applications. Also, a seven-year (2000-2006) historic analysis is provided for additional perspective.
For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit –
http://www.strategyr.com/Lactic_Acid_Market_Report.asp
About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world’s largest market research publishers. The company employs over 800 people worldwide and publishes more than 1200 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers thousands of smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.
Source: www.prweb.com
Biobent Polymers’ Revolutionary Panacea™ Bioplastics Set New Industry Standard for Performance
Univenture’s newly established Polymers Division introduces a family of bio-composites that provide enhanced sustainability and eliminate traditional performance compromises.
Biobent Polymers™, a new division of global plastics manufacturer Univenture, today launched its Panacea™ family of bioplastics. The new bio-composite is the industry’s first bioplastic resin to maintain the characteristics of the base plastic material while replacing up to 40% of the petroleum normally used in plastics manufacturing. The award-winning technology behind Panacea™ was developed by Battelle Memorial Institute with funding from the Ohio Soybean Council, and licensed exclusively to Univenture, an innovative manufacturer of eco-friendly plastic packaging and products. The announcement was made by Keith Masavage, Chief of Strategy and Operations at Univenture.
The first two products which Biobent will offer, Panacea PP™ and Panacea PE™, are polypropylene and polyethylene based products that will be priced competitively in the bioplastics market. Most bioplastics are significantly more expensive than their petroleum derived counterparts, but this will not be the case for the Panacea™ products. The innovative process used to make the Panacea™ line is capable of blending traditional thermoplastics with a low cost, unrefined agricultural co-product – soy meal. The net result is high performing bio-composite materials with a cost structure competitive with purely petroleum derived plastics.
“Panacea™ is the first line of bioplastics without traditional compromises,” stated Mr. Masavage. He added that “Bioplastics have been on the market for decades but every material introduced to date has required sacrifices in performance or price, and often both. Only Panacea offers enhanced sustainability, high performance and a competitive price.”
Funded by the Ohio Soybean Council, researchers at Battelle developed a patent pending process to combine soybean meal with “off the shelf” plastic resins. The resulting bio-composite replaces 10%-40% of the petroleum-based resin with low-cost agricultural co-products. This unique bio-composite was tested in Univenture’s patented UniKeep™ binders, which were injection molded at its manufacturing facility in Marysville, Ohio. The successful production of UniKeep binders affirmed the commercial potential of this revolutionary technology. In late 2009 this innovation received a coveted R&D 100 Award. The R&D 100 Award was founded by R&D Magazine in 1963 to promote the 100 most technically innovative products developed each year, in applications as diverse as environmental sciences, energy devices, semiconductor, software, and communications.
Panacea PP™ and Panacea PE™ evaluation kits are available upon request. For a free evaluation kit, contact Bruce Thornbloom at bthornbloom@biobent.com or (937) 645-4600.
About Univenture
Univenture Inc. has been designing and manufacturing plastic products, including those made of bio-based plastics, since its founding in 1988. The company was listed on the Inc. 500 fastest growing privately held companies five times and the Small Business Administration named founder, Ross O. Youngs, National Business Person of the Year in 1997. The dedicated focus of the Univenture team has resulted in numerous industry awards and accolades for its innovation, commitment to customers and sales growth.
Source: www.biobent.com
USDA Launches New Biobased Product Label to Boost Demand for Products Made from Renewable Commodities and Support Green Jobs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's BioPreferred program announced today that a final rule to initiate a voluntary product certification and labeling program for qualifying biobased products will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow. This new label will clearly identify biobased products made from renewable resources, and will promote the increased sale and use of these products in the commercial market and for consumers.
"Today's consumers are increasingly interested in making educated purchasing choices for their families," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "This label will make those decisions easier by identifying products as biobased. These products have enormous potential to create green jobs in rural communities, add value to agricultural commodities, decrease environmental impacts, and reduce our dependence on imported oil."
Biobased products are those composed wholly or significantly of biological ingredients – renewable plant, animal, marine or forestry materials. The new label indicates that the product has been certified to meet USDA standards for a prescribed amount of biobased content. The final rule applies to product manufacturers and distributors who wish to label products with USDA's distinctive product mark.
With the launch of the USDA biobased product label, the BioPreferred program is now comprised of two parts: a biobased product procurement preference program for Federal agencies, and a voluntary labeling initiative for the broad-scale marketing of biobased products. BioPreferred is a low cost, high return market development program demonstrating environmental leadership and creating green jobs and new markets for farmers, manufacturers, and vendors. In addition, biobased products help not only to increase U.S. energy independence by reducing the use of petroleum in manufactured products but also to reduce the introduction of fossil carbon into the atmosphere, thus mitigating potential climate change impacts.
Through implementation of the BioPreferred program, USDA has already designated approximately 5,100 biobased products for preferred purchasing by Federal agencies. The new label will make identification of these products easier for Federal buyers, and will increase awareness of these high-value products in other markets. USDA estimates that there are 20,000 biobased products currently being manufactured in the United States and that the growing industry as a whole is responsible for over 100,000 jobs.
To see an example of USDA's new BioPreferred product label, visit www.biopreferred.com.
USDA's BioPreferred program was created by the 2002 Farm Bill to increase the purchase and use of biobased products within the Federal government and the commercial market. Congress reauthorized and strengthened the program in the 2008 Farm Bill to further promote the sale of biobased products. To learn more, please visit www.biopreferred.gov.
Source: www.usda.gov
Consumer Awareness of Environmental Issues to Drive Sustainable Packaging Development
Consumer awareness of environmental issues and new material developments are the most important drivers in the development of sustainable packaging, according to a new industry poll.
Pira International, the worldwide authority on the packaging, paper and print industry supply chains, conducted a survey of key players across the global packaging value chain. 79% of respondents rated 'Increased exposure of consumers to environmental issues' and 'Advances in materials technology' as either a growth drive or major growth driver.
The Future of Sustainable Packaging to 2020: Convenience Vs the Environment analyses sustainable packaging initiatives from the consumers' perspective, over the next decade. It looks at what drives consumer demand for convenient packaging, as well as the demand for environmental preservation.
Sustainability refers to growth that meets the needs of the present, without robbing future generations of the raw materials or environmental quality that they will need to meet their own needs.
The packaging industry cannot help but become the sustainability focal point and primary benchmark for other industries. Not only is packaging a resource intensive sector in an increasingly resource constrained world, but tons of packaging waste are ending up in landfills daily. However, this challenge also provides an opportunity to gain competitive advantage through the development of an environmentally sustainable strategy without sacrificing the all-important needs of the consumer.
Making packaging friendly to the environment often conflicts with the traditional functions of packaging and more specifically with the consumers' demands for convenience.
To understand the impact of this important trend, Pira International has published a major new study which explores the market for sustainable packaging and the conflict between the convenience and the environment.
Based on extensive primary research, the study identifies a range of important factors that suggest a greater interest in the sustainability agenda by the business world. Other factors, however, drive the consumer's choice when it comes to making a buying decision.
Terms often used to describe sustainability, but confuse the environmentally conscious consumer.
(Source: Pira International)
According to Pira, for the consumer, packaging represents convenience, safety, and comfort. For the business, packaging represents profits and survival. The gap between consumers' ethical attitude and their purchasing decisions concerning ecological products is important to the packaging industry. The main reasons for this gap are:
- A lack of communication and understanding regarding the meaning of sustainability
- Ambiguous promotions regarding these products and the abundance of "green-washed" products (those making false or misleading claims about environmental aspects)
- Suspicion that sustainable packaging will result in a higher priced product or a product that has less protection and function than before
- When asked what makes a packaging system environmentally friendly, shoppers around the world consistently offer a one-word answer - recycling.
Packaging producers and consumers often judge environmental friendliness from different information sources, so there are numerous opportunities for discrepancy. A unified vision of sustainable packaging that both the industry and consumers can agree upon is needed.
New packaging designs using environmentally friendly materials and processes are important to the concept of sustainability, but protecting the product from damage or spoilage may have a far greater environmental impact than the packaging itself. According to the study, the factors that must be considered under the umbrella of sustainability are:
- Materials
- Overall energy use and transport
- Packaging waste minimisation
- Reuse and source reduction
- Recycling
- Biodegradability and composting
- Waste-to-energy conversion
- Retail and consumer value.
In the future, Pira expects the environmental optimisation of packaging will be conducted by more educated and environmentally conscious people as well as by computer programs specifically designed for the task.
The Future of Sustainable Packaging To 2020: Convenience Vs the Environment is available now for £3,750 more information, contact Stephen Hill on +44 (0) 1372 802 025 or email Stephen
Press contact: For editorial queries, details of the study or an expanded article please contact: Rebecca Leigh +44(0)1372 802207 or email Rebecca
From February 22-24, 2011 Pira will be holding the fifth annual Sustainability in Packaging conference. This year's event will feature more than 50 leading companies with case studies covering all aspects of sustainability, from materials, groundbreaking design, supply chain challenges, marketing messages, consumer demand and other drivers of sustainable innovation to strategic vision of how sustainability fits with a company's overall image and where to go next.
Pira International
Pira International - the worldwide authority on packaging, paper and print industry supply chains
Established in 1930, Pira provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance.
Source: www.Pira-international.com
NEW biodegradable bags and compounds from the collaboration between ICEA and Novamont
Sacchet ®: the new bag made of Mater-Bi biodegradable and compostable achieved thanks to an agreement between Novamont and ICEA.
ICEA, Institute for Ethical and Environmental Certification, and Novamont, a leading Italian company in the bioplastics sector, have signed a partnership to distribute products in Mater-Bi ® between organic producers.
Sacchet ® is another tool for agricultural producers and operators of specialty shops, already very attentive and active in environmental sustainability, to alert customers to new eco-friendly and environmentally friendly behavior through the distribution of biodegradable and compostable bags, which can be reused for collecting differentiated staffing and reduce environmental impact.
Sacchet is a promotional item, which will be marketed with the help of ICEA and Novamont, with a 45% discount on list price.
Mater-Bi ®, patented by Novamont bioplastic, biodegradable and naturally compostable according to Italian standard UNI EN 13432, can provide resistance and strength very similar to traditional plastics, but it contains renewable resources of agricultural origin. Decreases emissions of greenhouse gases, reduces the consumption of energy and renewable resources, completes a virtuous circle: raw materials of agricultural origin return to the earth through processes of biodegradation and composting without the release of pollutants.
More information at toll free number 800.933394 or www.sacchetico.it
***
Novamont SpA, owned by Banca Intesa San Paolo and Investors Associates, is a leader in the manufacture of bioplastics obtained from renewable raw materials of agricultural origin. With 200 employees (30% of them working in R & D), has allocated more than 7% of its turnover in 2010 (equal to EUR 87 million) in research and development. It boasts a total production capacity of 80,000 tons per year. The company has a patent portfolio that includes 90 patent families and 800 internationally registered patents. It is based in Novara with manufacturing plants in Terni. It operates directly or through distributors in Germany, France, Benelux, Scandinavia, Denmark, United Kingdom, United States, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
***
Through inspections and certifications for more than 12 000 companies with a strong ethical, environmental and social ICEA - Institute for Ethical and Environmental Certification is the most important European organizations in the areas of biological control and sustainable growth. ICEA (www.icea.info) combines historical associations of organic farming, bio-architecture, finance, ethics and consumer protection, including Banca Popolare Etica, Anab, Acu, CSQA. With 300 engineers and 24 regional offices in Italy and abroad, working in the areas of food (organic food and farming) and non-food (cosmetics and detergents, environmental, forestry and sustainable tourism, textile, organic, fair trade, ethical finance, certification SA8000, eco-friendly furniture, green building materials). It also carries out research and development, training, and work actively in the international arena. With a long list of credits in Italy and abroad, the Institute works to provide you with independence and impartiality, alongside a service company that grows in a sustainable way and consumers who buy responsibly.
Translated from the original in Italian: http://www.materbi.com/default.asp?id=732&id_n=5985
Volvic's sugar-based PET bottle hits the UK
Danone-owned water brand Volvic has launched its ‘greener bottle’, made with 25% recycled plastic and 20% plant material, on the UK market.
The bottle has a 38% lower packaging carbon footprint and 16% lower lifecycle footprint than the previous 50cl Volvic bottle, thanks to the materials used. The plant material – BioPET – is made from PET produced using some feedstocks manufactured from fermented and dehydrated sugarcane waste. The resulting bottle is 100% recyclable, says the firm.
The bio material is made in India, using sugarcane molasses from the country, spokesperson Felicity McKane told European Plastics News.
Volvic is also reducing the weight to 15g from 17g and the bottles, which are already on sale in France and Germany, are manufactured at the company’s own facilities in France.
McKane said that the company is not commenting on how the initiative will affect manufacturing costs but said that consumers will not pay more for their regular bottled water purchases.
Stéphane Cousté, director of the nature committee at Evian Volvic Worldwide, described the new design as a “real breakthrough”, which is part of plans to reduce the global carbon footprint of the Volvic brand by 40% by 2012.
Over the past 15 years, Volvic has reduced the weight of its plastic packaging by 30%, claims the firm.
Source: www.europeanplasticsnews.com
Cereplast Opens European Headquarters in Germany to Service Growing Bioplastic Demand in Europe
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, announced today that it has opened a European headquarters in Bönen, Germany to support the rapid expansion of its European operations.
Cereplast's new European headquarters will provide a complete suite of services to clients in the pan-European region and handle logistics between its U.S. and Germany-based offices. The office is located at Siemensstrasse 42, D-59199 in Bönen, Germany. Bönen is 10 miles east of Dortmund, the seventh largest city in Germany.
"In 2010, Cereplast entered into a number of multi-million dollar agreements with European manufacturers and distributors, including Sezersan Ambalaj and RI.ME. Masterbatch S.r.l., and the pipeline for new contracts for Cereplast resin across Europe continues to grow rapidly," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Our new European headquarters will help provide European-based clients with regional support and provide Cereplast with an effective platform and capacity to grow our European operations. This marks the first step toward achieving our plan to open a manufacturing plant in Europe during 2012 that will handle at least 200MM pounds, a production capacity double the size of our U.S. factory."
In addition to increased consumer awareness concerning the environment, demand in Europe for Cereplast bioplastic resin continues to grow as a result of legislation banning the sale of plastic bags in countries across Europe, including the ban on plastic bags approved by the Italian Parliament on December 23, 2010.
European manufacturers are increasingly seeking out plastic alternatives to comply with legislation that go in to effect in 2011.
About Cereplast, Inc.
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® Resins are ideally suited for single use applications where high bio-based content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables™ Resins combine high bio-based content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.
Source: www.cereplast.com
BIOPAR® from Biop Biopolymer Technologies AG
BIOPAR® is a potato starch based biopolymer with the capability to 100% biodegrade – DIN 13432 - into water and carbon. Biodegrades in the environment by the help of the micro organism present in this environment. There is no need to compost BIOPAR® in an industrial composting facility but of course you can. On the other hand the so called shelf-live of the converted BIOPAR® is at least 5 years without the loss of properties. No micro organism, No Biodegradation!
BIOPAR® does not use starch predestined for the food chain, human nor animal. The starch used comes from a potato especially grown to produce starch. This is usually a non edible potato. This particular starch finds its use already for decades in the Paper, Textile, lubricants for oil drilling, glues, wall paints etc.
BIOPAR® can be used for producing products typically made out of Polyethylene – PE, LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE or Polypropylene – PP or PVC. It can be processed on the same production lines, requires however 2/3 less energy than the conventional plastics on temperatures up to 140C° instead of 240C°.
Changing the world’s environment by using plastics is so common spread that it is hard to resist discussions about the usage of plastics in general. Plastics preserve the quality of foods keeps away dirt and prevents contaminations etc. of many non food products. The negative side effects – the consequential damage - of the use of plastics occur during the second live of the plastics, or the irresponsible disposals of the plastics are the main focus of BIOPAR®
BIOPAR® solves a few negative issues that occur out of this. BIOPAR® cannot prevent littering by the users nor can BIOPAR® prevent people from being irresponsible. BIOPAR® however helps to eliminate all consequential damage caused by this irresponsible behaviour.
BIOPAR® is better in the first live usage and performs best in the second-live option.
Myriant Technologies to Begin Construction of New, Sustainable Specialty Chemical Plant in Lake Providence
Today, Gov. Bobby Jindal joined Myriant Technologies LLC chairman Stephen Gatto and Port of Lake Providence Director Wyly Gilfoil to announce Myriant Technologies, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Myriant Lake Providence, Inc. will soon begin building a new 392,000 square-foot plant at the Port of Lake Providence that will be the world's largest bio-based succinic acid plant.
The project will create 176 new direct and indirect jobs in the area and represent a capital investment of approximately $80 million. This total includes 49 new direct jobs at an average annual salary of nearly $40,000 plus benefits, and an estimated 127 new indirect jobs. Additionally, the 18-month core construction period is scheduled to begin in early 2011, and will require at least 250 construction workers.
"Our commitment to making Louisiana the best place in the world for businesses to invest and succeed continues to create more opportunities for our workers to pursue their dreams right here at home," said Gov. Jindal. "Myriant's new, sustainable specialty chemical manufacturing plant is great news for Lake Providence and for Northeast Louisiana. Not only does this project create nearly 200 new jobs for the people of Northeast Louisiana, it also is a beacon to innovators everywhere by using cutting-edge technology to help reduce our dependence on foreign imported oil. This type of alternative energy manufacturing venture is one of our top target growth industries that helps to diversify the economy of our state, attract more businesses, and create more jobs. Our state's great low-cost manufacturing environment, well-established transportation and logistics networks, and skilled workforce trained in specialty chemicals provide several competitive advantages for companies like Myriant."
"This project puts Louisiana at the forefront of innovation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said U.S. Department of Energy, or DOE, Secretary Steven Chu.
The world's largest bio-based succinic acid refinery was awarded funding in January 2010 from the DOE and will also benefit from funding provided by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, or DOTD, to the port via its Port Priority program. In addition, Louisiana Economic Development is providing an incentive package that includes turnkey workforce solutions from LED FastStart, a five percent to six percent rebate on payroll expenses and certain sales taxes through the Quality Jobs program, and property tax abatement for materials used in new manufacturing through the Industrial Tax Exemption program.
Once operational in 2012, the project will use sorghum and carbon dioxide to produce up to 30 million pounds per year of succinic acid. Succinic acid is traditionally produced from petroleum-based feedstocks and used in a wide variety of applications, including the production of polymers, fibers, surfactants, detergents and flavors. Bio-based succinic acid can directly substitute for the petroleum-based version, thus providing a renewable bio-based industrial chemical building block and reducing U.S. dependence on imported oil while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"Myriant is thrilled to be on the verge of launching this breakthrough project," said Gatto. "We are extremely impressed by and grateful for the support and coordination from the state, from the Governor, LED, Louisiana DOTD, the Port of Lake Providence and Sen. Mary Landrieu. We are thankful for all of these constituents, as well as DOE, and their recognition of the vital role this technology will play in job creation, economic growth and environmental security."
Key site selection factors included the strategic location at the Port of Lake Providence, with its combination of rail, highway and barge access, as well as incentives offered by the state. The Lake Providence location provides a variety of feedstock options for the facility, as well as low-cost transportation options for both the inputs and products.
About Myriant Technologies
Headquartered in Quincy, Mass., Myriant Technologies LLC uses proprietary technology to advance the development of low-cost cellulosic sugars for the sustainable manufacturing of high-value specialty chemicals. The company's D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant's second commercial product, succinic acid, will begin commercial production in 2012.
Visit Myriant Technologies website to learn more.
