Previous Winners
Bioplastics Awards 2006
Best Innovation in Bioplastics
Winner
Metabolix – Laboratory route to bioplastics from switchgrass
Metabolix has been developing technologies to produce plastics from plants since 1992. The company is in the process of constructing a commercial scale plant, together with partner Archer Daniels Midland, that will produce PHA polymer by fermentation of sugars and vegetable oil. However, there is concern among bio-economy specialists that reliance on commercial agricultural crops for feedstock may not be viable long term.
Metabolix has demonstrated on a laboratory scale a second generation manufacturing process that produces plastics in the leaves and stems of switchgrass, which can be cultivated on low quality non-agricultural land. The post-extraction biomass can be used for bio-ethanol production, combining green energy production with displacement of fossil fuels and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The judges said this could underpin future bioplastics market development opportunities by eliminating cost limitations of current manufacturing technologies.
Runners Up
Alcan Packaging – Ceramis transparent barrier coating
Biobag International – organic waste collection system
Biomer – injection mouldable polyhydroxybutyrate
Sukano – performance modifying bioplastics masterbatches
Best Bioplastics Processor
Winner
Treofan – Biophan PLA film production activities
Global packaging film producer Treofan was one of the first of the major players to explore potential for production of compostable PLA films. It has placed considerable emphasis on developing both the film products – working closely with PLA producer Natureworks and specialist barrier coating producer Alcan – as well as the manufacturing process. The company is now NatureWorks’ largest user in Europe.
Marketed under the Biophan brand, Treofan underlined its strategy for the bioplastics marketplace with the decision to relocate its Biophan production facility from France to its major films production unit at Neunkirchen in Germany.
Its commitment to bioplastics was further underlined last year when it announced a co-branding licence agreement with NatureWorks, which it believes will help it to market the products worldwide, and the launch of a dedicated website that explains the Biophan product to new and potential users.
The judges said Treofan set the standard in developing bioplastics based products for a wide variety of end-use markets.
Runners Up
Autobar – PLA sheet production
Biobag International – bioplastic bag production
GroenCreatie – moulded bioplastic agricultural items
Best Bioplastics Application – Food Packaging
Winner
Coopbox Europe – Naturalbox foamed bioplastic food trays
Coopbox’s foamed PLA food tray development has made a big impact on the packaging market, combining new bioplastic resins with modern processing technologies to deliver a product that meets today’s demanding market requirements.
The company invested two years into developing its foamed PLA processing technology. The result is a versatile and water resistant tray that provides a weight saving over unfoamed alternatives along with the rigidity required to support stretch wrap lines.
A further benefit of the foamed construction is the ability to integrate a meat juice absorption feature, eliminating the need for tray inserts.
Coopbox carried out production scale composting trials in Italy determining that the EN13432 certified product really does biodegrade in commercial composting systems. The judges said the Coopbox technology has only just begun to find its full potential, which is likely to reach beyond its current food markets.
Runners Up
Alcan Packaging – Ceramis transparent barrier coating
Cereplast – bioplastic coating for paper cups
Huhtamaki – bioplastics food packaging
Nestlé – bioplastics confectionery trays
Best Bioplastics Application – Non-Food Packaging
Winner
Innovia Film – bioplastics feminine hygiene product wrapper
Innovia Films developed a bio-based packaging solution for Slovenian company Tosama that met its desire to move towards biodegradable packaging materials for its Viriana feminine hygiene products without compromising on appearance or performance.
The company exploited the high moisture barrier, low static and dead fold attributes of its NF30 line of cellulose-based heat sealable NatureFlex films to deliver an effective wrapping solution that runs at high line speeds – essential given Viriana’s 20% share of its market.
A key factor in the selection of the NF30 material was its ability to be composted at ambient temperatures, making it suitable for home composting as well as disposal in waste water systems.
The judges said the Innovia packaging solution demonstrates excellent product protection with no sacrifice in packaging performance, appearance or processibility.
Runners Up
Alcan Packaging – Ceramis transparent barrier coating
RPC Cresstale and Metabolix – lipstick casing
Best Bioplastics Application – Non Packaging
Winner
Arkema – Rilsan polyamide 11 fuel lines
While most bioplastics producers focus their attention on biodegradability, bioplastics can contribute to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing consumption of non-renewable resources.
Arkema’s Rilsan polyamide 11 – which is derived from renewable castor oil resources – provides environmental benefits in a high performance durable engineering resin.
Already a popular choice for use in automotive fuel lines, the polymer has been found to provide an exceptionally high level of resistance to the aggressive bio-diesel fuels currently under development, giving it a double environmental gain.
Rilsan PA11 is accredited as a biomass-based polymer by the Japan Organics Recycling Association, the only internationally recognised accreditation of bio-derivation.
The judges said the Arkema polymer demonstrates clearly that the biodegradability is not the only argument for bioplastics – sustainability and durability can go together, too.
Runners Up
Batelle – thermoplastics biopolymer coating
Ecozema – bioplastics housewares Unitika – bioplastic phone casing
Best Bioplastics Marketing Initiative
Winner
Biobag International – Biobag brand development strategy
When Biobag International, formerly PolarGruppen AS, was taken over by its current management in 1997 it embarked on a new strategy to establish the operation in the European marketplace.
First step was to develop a market partner network based on franchising the Biobag organic waste management system (pictured left).
This strategy was supported by an intensive sales training programme – all of its 35 sales staff receive regular training updates while every partner takes part in an annual three-day product and market briefing.
The judges decided that the BioBag marketing programme was comprehensive, covered a wide geographical area, and was implemented in a well organised way at every level with the company.
Runners Up
Belu – Bottled water launch
Novamont – Biorefinery launch
Treofan – Biophan films website
Best Bioplastics Retailer
Winner
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has been using bioplastics packaging since 2002 but it was the relaunch of the retailer’s So Organic brand that gave it the platform to demonstrate its commitment both to sustainable packaging materials and development of acceptable waste management systems.
Last year the company trialled the first UK retail own brand use of Novamont’s Mater-Bi polymers. It followed this with the announcement that it is to convert 500 lines to non-GM biosourced packaging.
The company has also implemented brand standards for its packaging designed to further increase the use of bioplastics across its entire business. A key element in this is to move towards the use of home compostable packaging that does not require multiple separation.
The judges believe this strategic implementation, accompanied with a full review of how it communicates end-of-life management issues to its customers, marks a major milestone in retailer involvement.
Runners Up
Albert Heijn, The Netherlands
Coop Italia, Italy
Delhaize, Belgium
Personal Contribution to the Bioplastics Industry
Winner
Catia Bastioli – Novamont
The recipient of the first Bioplastics Award for Personal Contribution to the Bioplastics Industry – Catia Bastioli – has spent more than 15 years working to develop both bioplastics materials and end-use markets.
Bastioli is an internationally recognised expert on all aspects of bioplastics, has filed more than 50 patents covering synthetic and natural polymers, written close to 100 scientific papers, and has edited several definitive publications about bioplastics.
She is the leader of a dedicated team of researchers and marketing specialists and has worked hard to develop not only the materials, but also the structures that will eventually lead to a sustainable bioplastic economy.
The latest – and perhaps the biggest – step in that direction was taken earlier in 2006, when Bastioli launched her vision of the bio-refinery. This ground-breaking project aims to bring together an integrated network of agricultural producers to create a machine for bioplastics production