Natural Plastics

Novamont, Europe’s leading manufacturer of naturally-sourced bioplastics, has renewed its partnership with the AIAB (Italian Organic Farming Association) in order to promote the use of certified biodegradable, compostable products made from Mater-Bi®. They can be used in a vast range of commodities and sectors: disposable tableware used in canteens, self-service restaurants and cafés, in shops, in biodegradable compost-friendly bags used for shopping or the collection of food waste, and even in biodegradable mulching sheets.

Mater-Bi® is a bio-polymer containing vegetable starches and oils, patented by Novamont and used to make biodegradable products. Under the agreement, these products will bear the "AIAB Recommended" logo, guaranteeing that they have been made from Mater-Bi®, with the aim of minimising the amount of waste generated, reducing the impact on the environment and contributing to the creation of innovative best practices.
Among the early results of the agreement is the AIAB-recommended Mater-Bi® mulch film, which will be launched at the AIAB Federal Congress to be held in Milan from 1-4 December. This innovative new product has been designed to introduce radical changes in the agricultural industry – and organic farming in particular – by completely eradicating the problem of removing and disposing of used mulch film, which creates plastic waste. Conventional mulch film needs to be removed and disposed of properly at the end of their useful life, a process which is both costly and labour-intensive.

The advantages of this solution have been illustrated by an LCA environmental impact analysis.
The study examined two disposal scenarios: the legal method and the illegal process of burning the sheets on the field. It was found that the use of Mater-Bi® mulch film could reduce the CO2 equivalents by 49% for each hectare of soil covered. That figure could rise as high as 73% in the second scenario, in which the law on disposal of mulch films is not complied with.

Considering the whole of the agricultural industry – which consumes about 43,000 tonnes of mulch film every year - replacing 50% of the traditional plastic film with Mater-Bi® film would slash the annual output of greenhouse gases by 32,500 tonnes (the amount of emissions produced by a town of 37,500 inhabitants), if the traditional plastic film is disposed of correctly.

“We are delighted to renew our mutually beneficial partnership with the AIAB in order to raise awareness among farmers and the general public about responsible, sustainable consumption and the production methods. We both share the belief that it is possible to achieve economies of scale which do not generate waste and can promote best practices, especially at local level, starting with the agricultural sector. Biodegradable and compostable products are a real example of this approach, which is based on cutting-edge sustainable technologies” commented Andrea Di Stefano, Novamont Director of Corporate Relations.

The Mater-Bi® mulch film contains renewable resources including non-GMO starches obtained from corn, other cereals and vegetable oils. Once buried, it degrades naturally into the soil. For farmers, the new film relieves them from the burden of having to remove the old film, saving them a considerable amount of time and also helping to protect and enrich the soil: a truly green method of farming that also protects the health of consumers.

Source:  www.novamont.com

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