MUNDOMATERIAL

IntertechPira, a division of Pira International, is organising the Biopolymers Symposium 2010. The event will take place in Denver, Colorado in October. The symposium is recommended to manufacturers, brand owners, end users, innovators and policy makers. It will cover a wide range of subjects, including the following: Pioneering work on green policy in California Identification of non-food sources of raw material for resin production Market overviews from the US and Europe Regulation, labeling and marketing End of life management options Technological innovation in packaging and beyond Of particular interest to me are the sessions related to non-food sources of raw material for resin production and end of life management options. These areas could become a restraint in market growth due to negative public perceptions. Biopolymers appeal is based on environmental benefits. For biopolymers to continue growth in the medium term, the research into durable applications is a must too, as disposable... 
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A new market research, published by Frost & Sullivan, entitled “Strategic Assessment of the Bioplastics Market in Brazil and Mexico” analyzes production plans, main resins sold and applications currently in use in both countries. The study also aims at providing a look into the future for bioplastics in the region, with regards to future demand and prospective feedstocks. Brazil At the moment, production in Brazil is constraint to pilot scale. In 2009, the Bioplastics market in Brazil was composed mostly by the resins PLA, Starch-based, and PHB, representing revenues of US$ 4.4 million.However, large production scales in Brazil are expected to give a new shape to this market in the region, as for 2015, large scale production units are expected to be producing bioplastics, such as Braskem biobased polyethylene and Solvay bio-based PVC. Braskem bioplastics plant will be the largest in the world, providing to Brazil an expected CAGR of 140.7% in the period 2009-2015. Note:... 
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In early March 2010, the European Union approved a genetically mofidied potato crop to be grown in Europe, the first one since in 1998 Monsanto’s MON 810 maize was approved, which is engineered to be resistant to the European corn-borer caterpillar. The approved potato variety is Amflora, developed by BASF for industrial applications such as lubricants, sprays and animal feed. When the news came out, some people suggested that it was to be used in the production of bioplastics. I always considered a bit risky to used GMO in the production of a product that bases part of its market appeal on environmental benefits and considered that European producers of bioplastics have an advantage over producers elsewhere that do use GMO crops as feedstock. It has to be said that resistance towards GMO is mostly a European concern and that public resistance to them in other world regions is not that high. Naturally produced starch is a combination of amylose and amylopectin, both polymers of glucose.... 
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A while back I wrote a post about Bicycles and the materials they are made of. I gave some examples of bicycles made with renewable materials, like composites reinforced with flax fibres. I’ve already show you a few pics of bicycles made with bamboo that I’ve found while visiting Expoquimia. Today I’d like to show you more bamboo bikes, adding laminated bamboo and engineered wood ones. First is the Bamboosero Bikes project, lead by Craig Calfee. It helps developing communities to produce bamboo bikes, which are then sold around the world. The ease to find the raw material and to work with it to produce sustainable and reliable bicycles is clearly shown in the video below. Right now this project is set in Ghana, but the promoters would like financial support to export the idea to other countries. Renovo Hardwood Bikes (Portland, USA) builds hollow frames with engineered wood and complete bikes with laminated bamboo. Although Bamboosero bikes are a more complete project... 
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Note from Lucía: Today’s post is written by guest author Nuno Helder, material specialist currently working as design engineer of flexible composites in the Aerospace Industry. Today I’d like to present the upcoming conference “Biopackaging: From Feedstock to Waste Stream”. This conference, held in London 8-10th September 2009, will be of special interest for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). The event will gather representatives of the whole supply chain of bioplastics, as well as investors, researchers and regulator bodies. On the 8th of September there will be a workshop on the “Principles and Concepts of Biobased and Biodegradable Materials/Plastics”, which should be a splendid opportunity for those new to the subject. The diagram below identifies the type of attendees that will attend this venue or have done so in previous editions. I have gone through the list of previous attendees and all areas are well represented, with the exception of investment institutions.... 
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