ThefeaturehasbeendevelopedbyPolybags,oneoftheUK'sleadingpolythenepackagingmanufacturers,andprovidescustomerswithareal-timeinstantquoteontheirorder,24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek.
Asimpleorderformontheirwebsite-Polybags.co.uk-providescustomerswithfivesimplechoicesontheirprintedcarrierbagorder:quantity,bagsize,bagandinkcoloursandhowmanysidesofthebagtheywishtofeaturetheirdesign,whichmayincludelogos,slogansorothercompanybranding.
Customersthenjustenterafewpersonaldetails,click'Confirm'andtheirpersonalisedquoteisgeneratedinseconds,withthepricedisplayedonthescreenandalsoemailedtothecustomerfortheirrecords.Thewholeprocesstakeslessthan60seconds.
TheinstantquotesystemisthefirstofitskindintheUKandmarksasignificantdevelopmentintheprintedcarrierbagmarket,wherecustomershaveuntilnowhadtocompleteanorderformandawaitacallbackduringofficehourstodiscusstheirrequirements.Customerswhooncemighthavewaitedawholeweekendtoreceiveaquote,cannowgetoneanytimeofday,365daysayear.
AccordingtothePolybagswebsite,theirnewprintedcarrierserviceis"simple,fast&cheap",withthenewinstantquotesystemjustpartofanewstreamlinedorderprocess,fromwebsitetoproductionline.
Withjustfivepopularsizestochoosefrom,allmadefrom55micron(220gauge)polytheneforsmoother,thickerbags,Polybagsareofferingqualityprintedcarriersfromaslittleas4pabag-thelowestpricesavailableontheweb.
Arevolutionarynewanti-slipboardissettoshakeuptheworldoffast-movingconsumergoods(FMCG)transit.
ThepackagingbreakthroughhasbeencreatedbyDufaylite,theUK'snumberonemanufacturerofrecycledpaperhoneycomb,aspartoftheirexpandingEnviroliterangeofsecuretransitpackaging.
Createdusingthebrand'ssignaturehoneycombtechnology,theanti-slipboardfeaturesacoatingonthesurfaceofpaper,allowingforslipanglesofupto45degrees.
IdealforlayerpadsusedinFMCGtransitpalletpackaging,theanti-slipboardwillhelptoimprovetheshipmentprocessformanycompaniesandsuppliersbyofferingamoresecurebasetomaintainproductintegrityduringtransit.
AshleyMoscrop,GroupDirectoratDufaylite,said:"SlippingandmovementoflayerpadsinFMCGpalletpackagingprovestobeadailychallengeforsuppliersandcontractorsintheindustry,sowe'rethrilledtobeabletolaunchtheanti-slipboard,whichisamoresecuretransitalternative."
Thenewproductisfullyrecyclablethroughtraditionalcardboardwastestreams,offeringtheeco-friendlybenefitsthataresynonymouswiththeEnviroliterange.
WiththebusyChristmasperiodnowuponus,polytheneandpackagingretailersareofferingincredibleloss-leaderdealsonsomeoftheirstapleproducts.
Thecompanyhavealsointroducedawholenewrangeofwallpaperandwrapping-papercarrierbagsandanexpandedrangeofretaildisplaybagsforclothingtocopewithChristmasdemand.
MeanwhileinNorthAmerica,NashvilleWrapshavebeenofferinganextensiverangeofdealssinceblack-fridayandmega-mondayonpapershoppingbags,colouredtissueandGlossgiftboxes.
WhiledownunderinAustralia,QISPackagingareonceagainleadingtheantipodeanwaywithsometerrificseasonaloffersonChristmasribbonsandChristmaswrappingwithmorepromisesofmoreproductsduetocomenearerChristmas.
Sowhereveryouareintheworld,ifyourbusinesseverusespackagingnowisagreattimetosecurethedealsandgettheproductsyouneedtoseeyouwellintotheNewYear!
Achildren'sfoodmanufacturerintheUnitedStateshastakentheideaofeco-packagingtothenextlevel-afewinchesbelowground!
WhenkidsfinishtheirpotofMightyOatscereal,producedbyLittleDuckOrganics,theyjustsoakthepackaginginwaterbeforeburyingitinthegroundand-heypresto!-theycangrowtheirowntastyvegetables.
TheinnovativePlantablePackagingconcept-whichfeaturesaseed-linedoutercarton-wasdevelopedinpartnershipwithUFPTechnologies,aproducerofspecialitypackaging.
Thelatesteco-packaginginnovationfromUFP,PlantablePackagingismadefrom100%recycledand100%recyclablefibre-boardmaterialthatcanbelinedwithvarietyofflower,herbandvegetableseeds,tosuittheneedsoftheproduct.
Whensoakedinwaterforanhourandthenplantedintheground,theseedsinthecartonbegintoemergeand,inthecaseofMightyOats,yieldeithertomatoes,lettuceorcarrots.
Combinedwithacerealpotmadefromstarch-basedplasticresin,thefully-compostablepackaginghelpsLittleDucksOrganicstocreateasustainableproductthatproducesminimalwaste,withtheaddedfunofgrowingyourownvegetables.
Byencouragingkidstotestouttheirgreenfingers,thePlantablePackagingfitswellwiththehealthy,sustainableimagegivenoutbyLittleDucksOrganics,whoseproductsareall100%organic,non-GMOandcontainnoaddedsugar.
Aimedatkidsagedfourmonthsoldandupwards,theMightyOatsrangearemadefromavarietyofancientgrains,fruits,andspicesandcomesinthreeflavours:BlueberryCinnamon,StrawberryVanillaandCoconutBanana.
Bycombiningahealthyproductandafun,educationaltaskwiththepackaging'svividcolours,catchyartworkandcleverdesigns-includingapottedplanticonandthewords'CompostMe'-it'seasytoseehowMightyOatsmightappealtokidsandparentsalike.
"Christmasiscoming,Thegooseisgettingfat,Buyplasticbagsformassivediscounts,It'sthetimeofyearforthat!"
WiththebusyChristmasperiodsoonuponus,nowistheperfecttimeforretailerseverywheretostockupontheirpackagingandtakeadvantageofthefantasticoffersavailablewithpolythenemanufacturersaroundtheworld.
IntheUK,Polybagsaregettingintothefestivespiritbyofferingfantasticdiscountsonsomeoftheirmostpopularcarrierbags.Theyhave25%offtheirentirerangeofvarigaugecarrierbags-availableinclearorwhitepolytheneoravarietyofcolours-whilstofferingtheUK'sbest'MadetoOrder'quoteforprintedcarriers,helpingretailerstostandoutfromthecrowdatthisbusytimeofyearwiththeirownbrandedChristmasbags(minimumorder3,000).
Polybagsarealsooffering15%offboththeirrangeofpremiumfashioncarriers-verypopularwithgiftshopsandjewellerystores-andtheirpremierrangeofblacksacks,madeofstrongblackpolythenethatistoughtotear,makingthemperfectforbuddingsantaseverywhere.
InNorthAmerica,MapleleafPromotionsareofferingfantasticdiscountratesontheirrangeofpersonalisedclearorcolouredplasticbagsforbothAmericanandCanadianclients,whiledownunderinAustralia,QISPackagingareonceagainleadingthewaywithsometerrificseasonaloffers.TheseincludeastockclearanceonsmallbrownpaperbagsandgreatdiscountsonbulkordersofChristmasbags,wrappingpaperandcolouredpaperbags,tobringabitoflifetoyourfestiveshopping.
Sowhereveryouareintheworld,ifyourbusinessisinneedofsomefestivecheerforitspackagingthisChristmas,nowisagreattimetostockupforthebusiestfewweeksoftheyear,takingadvantageofsomegreatfestiveofferswhileyou'reatit.
18thApril2013-Vegware,acompanyprovidingenvironmentally-friendlyfoodpackaging,hasbeatenhundredsofentrantsacrosstheUKtowintheFSBStreamlineBusinessAwards.
ThepioneeringfirmistheonlyUKbusinesstoprovidecompletelycompostablefoodpackaging,avoidingresorttolandfillortoxicincineration.Its'eco-catering'productsrangefromwineglassestocutlery,allofwhicharebasedonrenewableorrecyclablematerials,andareentirelyplastic-free.
Fromjustateamoftwostaffin2009,thecompanynowhascustomersandfranchisesacrosstheglobe,servingthehospitalityandcateringindustrieswhichhavetraditionallyhadapoorrecyclingrate.
JoeFrankel,MDandfounderofVegwarecommented:"Wesawthatfoodserviceneededpackagingwhichcanactuallyberecycledafteruse,andrespondedtothatchallenge.OursolutionofcertifiedcompostablecateringdisposalsandfullrecyclingsupportishelpingtheUK'sbiggestoperatorsmeetsustainabilitytargetsandsavemoney.Asaresult,wehaveenjoyedtenfoldgrowthinthreeyears,andnowemployateamof26,upfromtwoinlate2009.TheFSBwinisourfifththisyearalone,andisfantasticrecognitionthatVegwareismakingapositivecontributiontotheUKeconomyandglobalsustainability,andwearetrulydelightedtoseeourachievementsrewarded."
Conventionalfoodservicepackagingismadeofamixtureofdifferentmaterials.Whilstmanyofthesematerialsmayintheoryberecyclableifkeptcleanandseparate,oncegluedtogetherandthencoveredinfoodresidue,theitemisgenerallycondemnedtobeingburiedoratbest,burnt.Vegwareensuresthatallmaterialsarecompostablewhichmeanstheycanbeplacedinthesamebinasfoodwasteafteruse,withnoneedforsorting.
Theawardsrecognisethecontributionofsmallbusinessesinfuellingtheeconomy'sgrowth,andtheinnovativeapproachbusinessownersaremakingtoboosttheirfortunes.
DarrenWilson,ManagingDirector,Streamlinesaid:"SmallbusinessesplayacrucialroleinsupportingtheUKeconomyandasVegwarehasshown,thetrajectoryforgrowthcanbestaggering.Vegwareidentifiedaclearneedinthemarketplace,recognisedtheincentivesforbusinessestogetonboard,andmadeacompellingfinancialandenvironmentalcaseforpotentialcustomers."
ColinWillman,Chairman,FSB(MemberServices)commented:"Wewereimpressedbythestaggeringgrowthofthiscompany,whichnowhasanestablishedfootprintincountriesfromtheUStoAustralia.Vegwarefulfillsarealneedintheworldofcateringandprovesthatecocredentialsarerightattheheartofoureconomy'sfuture."
source:ATaylor,Cctopuscomms
Customisedmailbagsfeaturinglogosandsalesmessageshelpcompaniestodistinguishthemselvesinasimilarwaytousingcarrierbags.Inacompetitivemarketplace,asmart,clearbrandingmessageonapackageorparcelcanhelpacompanystandoutfromthecrowd.
Bespokepackagingshowsthatacompanymeansbusiness.Itincreasesbrandvisibilityandprovidesanextraformofmarketingthatdoesn'tcosttheearth.
TheremaybenoOlympicsin2013but,intheworldofbrandedpackaging,theraceisstilldefinitelyon.Willyourcompanywingoldthissummer
Polybagscanalsohelpyouchoosethecorrectformatfortheenvelopesormailingbagsandgiveyoufreesamples.Ifyouarereadingthisbefore1stofSeptember2012youwillhaveachancetohave50%offallsetupcostswhenorderingprintedmailingbags.
WefoundaveryinterestingarticleonOurWorld2.0tellingthestoryofaJapanesecompanycalledBlestwhichhavedevelopedoneofthesmallestandsafestplastic-to-oilconversionmachinesoutonthemarkettoday.It'sfounderandCEO,AkinoriItoispassionateaboutusingthismachinetochangethewaypeoplearoundtheworldthinkabouttheirplasticrubbish.FromsolvingourlandfillandrubbishdisposalissuestoreducingouroildependencyontheMiddleEast,hismachinemayonedaybeineveryhouseholdacrossJapan.
Whenthearticlewasre-published,justoversixmonthsago,thevideobriefabouttheinventionoftheplastic-to-oilconvertingmachinehadgotaviralboostandhadexceeded115,000viewsonYouTube,todayishasalmost2millionhits.
Asstatedonthearticlethisisevidencethatconcernover"theplasticproblem"iscertainlynotgoingaway.
Whileholdingupabagofrubbish,AkinoriItostates,"It'sawastetothrowaway,isn'titThisisatreasure."
Coca-Colahascontinueditspromotionofpackagingrecyclingbycollectingmorethansixtonnesofpackagingatlastweekend'sSonispheremusicfestival.
Coca-ColaEnterprisesislookingtoincreasetherecoveryofdrinkspackaginginpublicplacesintroducingschemesatanumberoffestivalsthissummer,includingtheIsleofWightfestival,VFestivalandlastweekend'sSonisphereatKnebworth.
Overthethree-dayfestival,plustwodaysforsettingupatcleaningupafterwards,Coca-Colacollectedfivetonnesofcans,600kgofbottlesand450kgoflidsthatwillallberecycled.
PlasticpackagingspecialistFaerchPlasthaslaunchedarangeofproductsforpetfoods,thatitclaimsarealowcostenvironmentalalternativetotins.
ThecontainersareproducedfromAmpet,anambientpolyethylenematerialdevelopedbyFaerchPlastforthepackagingofambientproducts.Accordingtothemanufacturerthematerialislightweightanddoesn'ttaintthetasteofthefood.
"Thepetfoodmarketisanidealtargetforus"saidFaerchPlastchiefexecutiveLarsGadeHansen."Ampetisanenvironmentallyfriendlyalternative,whichoffersthepossibilityofcompletelynewandinnovativedesigns".
ForDennisMcGrew,chiefexecutiveofNatureWorks,thehighpriceofcrudeoilandnaturalgasisnotunwelcomenews.
NatureWorks,formerlyCargillDow,producesaplasticmadefromplantstalk,notfossilfuel.McGrew,aformerplasticsexecutiveatDowChemical,saysthataspricesforfossilfuelssoarandastheenvironmentbecomesaneverlargerconcern,ecofriendlyplasticsarebecomingincreasinglycompetitive,thoughtheystillremainanichemarket.
Thatbioplasticsaretrendingupwardisclear.Inthepastmonth,anumberoflargechemicalconcernshaveincreasedtheircommitmenttomarketsegment,includingBraskem,thelargestBrazilianpetrochemicalgroup,andDowChemical.InSeptember,PlanticTechnologiesofAustraliaannouncedthatDuPontwouldmarketitsstarch-basedresinsandsheetplasticsinNorthAmerica,anewmarketforacompanypreviouslylimitedtosellinginEuropeandAustralia.
Investorslookingforanearlyupsideinthisemergingmarkethavetheirworkcutoutforthem,asthenear-termprofitpotentialisuncertain.
"Ithinkwhatyouareseeingisamorepull-drivenevent,wherealotofdifferentcompaniesinmaterialsandpackagingarelookingtogreenuptheirownoperationsusingalternativestohydrocarbonplasticmaterials-hencethepullontheDowsandDuPontsoftheworld"saidBenJohnson,leadchemistryindustryanalystforMorningstar,theequityresearchcompany.
RobertvonGoebenexemplifiesthatmarketpull.Earlynextyear,vonGoeben,whowentfromtheworldofventurecapitalismtobecomeatoymakerinSanFrancisco,isscheduledtolaunchGreenToys,alineofplastictoysincludinga17-pieceteasetthatwouldsellforupwardsof$20,madefrombio-basedrenewableplastics.
Thoughheadmitsthatbioplasticsarea"challengingtechnology"inthattheirqualityisnotalwaysconsistent,vonGoebenseesapullintheconsumermarketforplasticgoods,toysincluded,thatdonotwreakhavocontheenvironment.Hesaidhisriskswerereducedbecausehewasabletostepintoanestablishedproductcategory.
"Wedon'thavetoconvincepeopletobuyateaset"hesaid."Whenyoucanapplynewtechnologytoexistingdemand-orinourbusiness,anexistingplaypattern-that'swhereyouhaveawin."
Todate,JohnsonatMorningstarsaidhehadfoundnoconclusiveevidenceinthefinancialdataofthecompanieshetrackedtosuggestthatbioplasticswasmakingorlosingthemmoney."Intermsofscale,thisisnotaverylargecommercialactivityforthechemicalcompanies"hesaid.
FornewlypublicbioplasticcompanieslikeCereplastoftheUnitedStates,whichwillsupplyvonGoeben,thestakesaremuchhigher.CereplastandPlantic,bothofwhichwentpublicinthepast12monthsandsellbiodegradablestarch-basedresins,havenochoicebuttorunheadlongintothemarket.
Itisatallorder.AsJohnsonnoted,therearecurrentlyalotof"littleniches"withinthebioplasticsarenafilledwithcompaniespushingintermediarypolymerproductsthat"arethesameinspiritandmayevenbederivedfromthesamesource."
Potentialinvestorswillwanttofamiliarizethemselveswiththecompetingtechnologiesaswellastheirenvironmentalimpact.Despitewhatthemarketersimply,bioplasticsarenotanenvironmentalpanacea.
Whilebioplasticsaffordtheopportunityforlessdependenceonfossilfuelsandsometimesloweremissionsofcarbondioxide,theytypicallyneedexposuretosomeformofindustrialcompostingtodegrade.
SteveMojo,founderofBiodegradableProductsInstitute,aNewYork-basedcompanythatpromotestheuseandrecyclingofbiodegradablepolymericmaterialsthroughcomposting,pointedoutthatacupmadefromcornstarchactsnodifferentlythanonemadefrompetroleumwhenburiedbeneaththesurfaceofalandfill:Withoutairandheat,itstaysintact.
Totheinvestoreagertoownstakesincompaniesmakingplasticsthatarecompostableaswellaspetroleum-free,Mojosuggesteddiggingintocompanyinformation.TheAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterialsSpecificationshasbeenapprovingbioplasticproductsforcompostingintheU.S.marketsince1999.
Whenoilpriceshit$40abarrel,NatureWorksfoundthatitspricingcouldbecompetitivewithpolyethyleneterephthalateplastics.Itspolymersremain10percentto15percentmoreexpensivethanpolystyreneorpolyvinylchlorideplastics,accordingtoacompanyspokeswoman,MaryRosenthal.NatureWorkscontendsthatitspolymerstake68percentlessfueltoproducethanconventionalplastics.
NatureWorks,whichhasexpandeditsproductioncapacity35timessince1999,isontracktogeneratemorethan150,000tonsofitspolymersbytheendofthisyear,thebulkofwhichwouldbespreadacrosssome45,000retailshelvesworldwide,fromMarks&SpencerinEnglandtoE-MartinSouthKorea.
SonyisusingpolymersbyNatureWorksforWalkmancasings;Wal-Martusesthemtoproducepackagingworldwide.TheFrenchretailerCarrefoursellsnonwovencommercialproductsusingitscorn-basedpolymerfibers.
TheJapanesechemicalcompanyTeijinboughta50percentstakelastmonthinNatureWorks,McGrewsaid,withtheexpressintentofexpandingitsglobalproductioncapacities.
Basedondevelopmentsliketheseanddatacollectedfromits75members,the14-year-oldtradegroupEuropeanBioplasticsrecentlyprojectedthatannualbioplasticproductioncapacity-biodegradableaswellasnon-biodegradable-wouldmorethantripleto1.5milliontonsin2011.Bycomparison,in2006theU.S.plasticsindustryproducedanestimated57milliontonsofconventionalplasticresinslikepolystyreneandpolyethylene,accordingtotheAmericanChemistryCouncil.
SabineArras,spokeswomanforEuropeanBioplastics,whichisbasedinBerlin,saidtheindustrywascurrently,"asellers'marketwithonlyahandfulofproducers"ofplasticsmadefromrenewablerawmaterials.
Thetechnologyforbioplasticshasbeenaroundlabouratoriesforwellovertwodecades,thoughitcontinuestodevelopthroughtheeffortsofcompanieslikeMetabolix,apubliclytradedcompanythatisbuildingaplantwithitspartner,ArcherDanielsMidland,toopennextyear.Itsplasticscanbemadefromdedicatedcropplantslikeswitchgrass,asopposedtohigh-demandfeedstockcropslikecorn.Thereareevenhybrids.BASFrecentlybegansellingarenewableplasticwhosecontentsare45percentfromNatureWorksandtherestitsownpetrochemical-basedpolymer.
Forallthechallengesthatthebioplasticsindustryfaces,attractingcustomersdoesnotseemtobeone.Forexample,twobrothers,JoelandDuncanGott,ownTaylor'sRefresher,athree-restaurantchainintheSanFranciscoareathatattractsthousandsoftouristsonasingleweekendday.Afterwatchingtherestaurant'sgarbagecansoverflowwithplasticcupsandutensils,thebrothersdecidedtoexperimentwithbioplastics-fromcupsandstrawstotheclearplasticbagsthatlinetheirgarbagecans.
Ithasbeenacostlyproposition.Thegarbagebagsalonecostabouta$1each-almost10timesthepriceofthepetroleum-basedonestherestaurantusedbefore.Moreover,thequalityofthebioplasticproductsisinconsistent-cupssometimesarrivewarped,sothelidswillnotfitproperly.Nevertheless,JoelGottsaidheandhisbrotherfeltliketheywereontherightpath.
"Ifullyexpectthattheproducerswe'redealingwithtodaymaybedifferentfromtheoneswebuyfromtomorrow"hesaid."Still,we'renotbuyingpetroleum,andourplasticcupscanbesenttothegarbagedumpandcompostedinsteadofsitinthelandfill."
ToyotaAutoBodyCo.Ltd.hasannounceditwillpresentfourconceptcarsatthe40thTokyoMotorShow.Theconceptcarsarethe"VOXYBi-TREK""MobileTrimmer""Trans-Pit"and"COMSBP."
TheCOMSBPisasmallelectricvehiclethatusesbioplasticsderivedfromplantsforsomeofitsbodyparts,includingthehood,pillarsandroof.ThiswillbetheCOMSBP'sworldpremiere.
TheVOXYBi-TREKisbasedonthe"TRANS-X"5-seatermodelofToyota"VOXY"vanandcombinesamotor-drivensecondrowseatandaninteriorcargocoverwithit.Thisvancanbearrangedintofourmodes,includingonewiththerearrowseatsturnedaroundtousetherearspaceasalivingroom,forexample,saidthecompany.
TheMobileTrimmerisamobilepettrimmershopmodelbasedonToyota"HIACESuperLong."Targetingpetssuchascatsanddogs,thevanisequippedwithfacilitiesfortrimmingandshampooing.
TheTrans-PitisToyota"HIACEWideSuperGL"equippedwithapowerliftforloadingandunloadingofamotorcycleandafunctionallydesignedinstrumentpanel.
Targetoffersshoppersanunusualmessageaboutitsgiftcardsatsomestores,advisingthattheyarebiodegradable."Justmakesureyouspendthemfirst"thedisplaysconclude.
Thisisn'tjustamarketinggimmick.Plasticsmadefromcornandotherplantsarecarvingatinynichefromthemarketforconventionalpetroleum-basedplasticsandbeingtoutedasgreenalternativesforeverythingfrombulkfoodcontainerstolipsticktubesandclothingfiber-aswellasgiftcards.
So-called"bioplastics"offertheworldawaytoweanitselfoffoil,andmostbiodegradetovaryingdegrees.Buttheirmakers'greenargumentiscomplex,andenvironmentalistsarecautiousintheirsupport.
Manufacturingbioplasticsproducescarbondioxide,whichcontributestoglobalwarming.Thematerialsaremadefromcrops-corn,switchgrass,sugarcane,evensweetpotatoes-thatrequirelandandwatertogrow.Somesoundalarmsbecausegeneticallymodifiedorganismsareusedtospurthefermentationthatcreatesthem.Andrecyclingthempresentsstillotherpitfalls.
Theyalsocancostthreetimesmorethanconventionalplastics,whichgivesbusinessespauseaboutadoptingthem.Untilbioplasticsexpandbeyondtheircurrenttinyfractionoftheoverallplasticsmarket,theroadtopopularityisexpectedtoberough.
"It'salmostachicken-and-eggscenario"saidDavidCornelloftheAssociationofPostconsumerPlasticRecyclers."Itmightsomedayreachthatcriticalmass,butithastohappenveryquickly,becauseinthemeantimeitcanbeanuisanceforus."
Bioplastics'mainbenefitwouldbetoreducefrom10percenttheshareofU.S.petroleumconsumptionthatgoesintoplastic.Thetypesthatarebiodegradablealsocouldhelpcompensateforthecountry'sslowprogressinrecycling-onlyabout6percentofplasticmadeintheU.S.wasrecycledin2005,accordingtotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
BioplasticsalsolacktoxinslikepolyvinylchloridethathaveraisedhealthconcernsandledCaliforniaGov.ArnoldSchwarzeneggerthismonthtosignlegislationbanningchemicalscalledphthalatesfromtoysandbabyproducts.
"Thisisapromisingnewtechnologythatfacessomechallenges"saidMikeSchadeoftheCenterforHealth,Environment&Justice,aFallsChurch,Va.-basednonprofit."Butwedon'tviewthemasinsurmountable,iftheindustryiswillingtofacethemhead-on."
Themarket'snewestentrantisMirel,fromCambridge-basedMetabolixInc.Itmoreeasilybiodegradesthanrivalmaterialsand,unlikeothers,canbreakdowninabackyardcompostbin.ItsfirstconsumerapplicationcameinJulywhenTargetCorp.beganusingitingiftcardsat129stores.MetabolixistalkingwithpotentialclientsaboutdozensmoreapplicationsforMirel,fromrazorbladehandlestoacoatingfordisposablecoffeecups.
AgriculturalprocessorArcherDanielsMidlandCo.providescornfeedstockformakingMirel,whichrequiresgeneticallyengineeredbacteriatoaidinfermentation.
Themostwidelyusedbioplastic,NatureWorks-aproductofasubsidiaryofMinnesota-basedCargillInc.-alsoiscorn-basedandbiodegradable.Itismadewithoutgeneticallymodifiedbacteria.Someofthecornthatgoesintoitismodified,raisingenvironmentalconcernsonthesourcingend,butthecompanynotesthatproteinfromthecornisdestroyedinprocessing.NatureWorksalreadyisusedindozensofproducts,includingwaterbottles-anapplicationunsuitedtoMirel,whichisn'ttransparent.
OtherbioplasticsthatbiodegradetosomedegreeincludeEcoflex,fromGermanchemicalcompanyBASFAG;Mater-Bi,fromItaly'sNovamontSPA;andCereplast,fromaHawthorne,Calif.-basedcompanybythesamename.Andtwomajorconventionalplasticsmakers-DuPontCo.andBrazilianchemicalcompanyBraskemSA-makerecyclablebioplasticthatisn'tbiodegradable,thefirstfromcornandthesecondfromsugarcane.
Nofiguresareavailableonoverallbioplasticsproduction,butbioplasticsmakersacknowledgetheproductsoccupyatinynicheintheglobalplasticsmarket,whichtotals$250billionandproduces360billionpoundsayear.Bycomparison,the300millionpoundcapacityofNatureWorks'Nebraskaproductionplantislessthanone-tenthof1percentofthemarkettotal.
Formostbiodegradablebioplastics,includingNatureWorks,anindustrialcompostplantisrecommended-facilitiesthatarefewandfarbetween.Theproductsarestableinplaceswheremicrobesandmoistureareminimal,asonakitchenshelf.MetabolixsaysMirelwilldecomposeinabackyardcompostwithintwomonthsandabouttwiceasslowlyinsoil,rivers,lakesortheocean.ButveryfewAmericanscompost,andmostwhodotrynottoincludeevenpaperproducts,letaloneunfamiliarbioplastics.
"There'salotmoretoitthansayingit'sscientificallyandtechnologicallypossibletocompostthesematerials"saidBettyMcLaughlinoftheContainerRecyclingInstitute,anonprofitencouraginggreatermaterialsrecoveryandrecycling.
And,justasdifferenttypesofpetroleum-baseplasticcan'tbemixedinrecycling,bioplasticsshouldnotbemixedwithanyconventionalplasticbecauseeventinyquantitiescanirreparablycontaminatesomemeltedpetroleum-basedplasticsthathavehighermeltingpoints,Cornellsaid.
"Thesustainabilityconceptistakingholdbroadly,includinginthecorporatesector"saidMcLaughlin."Butthesematerialsfacealongroadgainingacceptance."
Amajorbumponthatroadwillbetheircost.But,inanotherchicken-and-eggparadox,growingthemarketforbioplasticsiskeytobringingdowntheirprice,industryleaderssaid.NatureWorkssaysitsproductioncostsarejust10percentto20percentabovethoseofconventionalplastics.CompaniesbuyingMirelpayabout$2.50apound,comparedwith70centsto90centsforpetroleum-basedresin,althoughthepricedifferenceisexpectedtoshrinkasquantitiesgrowandoilpricesrise.
TamaraNameroff,actingdirectoroftheAmericanChemicalSociety'sGreenChemistryInstitute,saidbeingasgoodastheproductitreplacesisnotgoodenoughforanygreenproduct,"evenifyou'veprovedyoucanmakeitenvironmentallyfriendly."
"Youhavetoshowacostadvantagetowhatit'sreplacing"shesaid."Theideathatpeoplejustwanttopurchaseenvironmentallyfriendlyproductshasbeendemonstratedinsomemarkets,butnotuniversally."
Thoughmostconsumerslackthepatiencetosortoutallthearguments,environmentalfriendlinesscansell.RalphDiMatteo,48,ofPainesvilleTownship,Ohio,saidafterlearningSam'sClubgiftcardsaremadeofNatureWorksplasticthathewouldbuythemasholidaygifts.
"Idon'tspendalotoftimeresearchingthesekindsofthings,butifsomethingispresentedtomeproperlytoshowhowmyeffortcanmakeadifferencefortheenvironment,I'mwillingtopayacoupleextracents"DiMatteosaid.
Fornow,Metabolixisbankingonthatkindofattitude,saidco-founderandchiefscientificofficerOliverPeoples.
"Webelievethatthereisasegmentofthepopulationthatiswillingtopaytobasicallyfeelbetteraboutusingplastics"Peoplessaid."Andifacompanydecideditwantedtogointhatdirectionofcharging$2.03foracupofcoffeeratherthan$2,ourviewisthatwe'readdingsomethingtotheirbrand."
Theadvertisingdepartmentslovethem.Plasticsmadefromcorn,orsugar,orjustaboutanythingelsethatsounds"natural."Usetheminyourpackaging,theytelltheircustomers,andtheconsumerswillseeyouasaWhiteKnight,savingthemfromtheplanetarydestructionwroughtbytheOtherCompanies(competition)whoaremotivated,ofcourse,bypowerandgreed(buzz-wordsthesedays)ratherthantheconservationofthePlanet.
Itsoundslikehype,anditis,butitworks.Ittradesontheanxietiesofapublicconstantlybombardedwithpressonglobalwarming,foodrecalls,andthemoreordinarycorporateexcesses.TheIraqwarispsychologicallyconnectedwiththehighergasandoilprices,whichareconnectedtohigherpricesforeverythingelse,andplasticsareconnectedtooilastheirrawmaterial,soanythingwecandotomakeplasticsfromanythingelse,especiallyifitsoundsnon-toxic,ispreferred.
It'stechnicalandeconomicbaloney,butpeopleeatalotofbaloneyifittastesgood.Therawmaterialforplasticsisoil(andnaturalgas),tobesure,butintheformofenergythosearetherawmaterialsforpaper,glass,metals,fertilizers,andjustaboutanythingelse,too.Asfortoxicity,wehavelotsofgoodnon-toxicplasticswithyearsandyearsofsafetyrecord,evenleftalonebytheantiplasticsfolk,butnowthereisthefeelingthatifitcomesfromaplantit'ssafer.Crudeoilcomesfromplants,too,butthatdoesn'tmatter.
Thebio-basedplastics,degradable,compostableorjustplainpermanent,aswellastheconventionalplasticswithdegradation-promotingadditives,willfindtheirniches,especiallyinfoodpackagingandotherconsumergoods,wheretheirimagecanbeusedtosellthem.Theywillnotgetfarinlarge-volumemarketslikegrocerybags(despiteCalifornia'sblatantlyunscientificandinconvenientanti-baglaws),becauseofthesheerweightoftheeconomicdifferential.
Weareseeingalotofbio-plasticpressalready,inadvanceofthegiganticK-07PlasticsExhibition,andwe'llseemoreasthebio-resinmakersgettheirpricesdowntocompetitivelevels.(Ithelpedthatthepricesofallotherplasticshaverisensomuch;allthebiopeoplehadtodowasstandstill.)Weevenseeadditivesofferedthatstrengthenthesematerials(notablyimpactmodifiersforPLA)andthusovercomeacompetitivedisadvantagevsPET.
ButPETisn'tstandingstilleither,andisfightingback.Wejustsawanadforaproductina"greenPETpackage"whichmeantthat(a)itwasmadewithatleast50%recycle,and(b)itwasprocessedwithrenewableenergy!Thisisn'texplainedfurther,butIdoubtthattheextrudersandmoldersarebeingrunbysolarorwindpower.Morelikely,theyarenearahydro-electricsource.Nomatter,what'simportantisthatitsoundsgreenintermstheconsumercandigest(recycle,renewable).
Keeptuned.Andrememberthatthebestwaytosaveenergyisnottobuytheproductatall
Focusonbiodegradableanddegradablepackaging.
20September2007'TheenvironmentalimpactofbiodegradableanddegradablepackagingisseenasakeyissuefortheUK'sDepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(Defra)anditsimplementationoftheGovernment'swastestrategy.
ThenewsfollowsawarningfromtheWasteandResourcesActionProgramme(Wrap)thatbioplasticsneedtobeintroducedwithcarebyretailersandbrandowners.(SeePRW.com12September2007).
Defrahaspublishedplansforawasteandresourcesevidenceprogramme,whichitsayswillhelpimplementtheGovernment'sWasteStrategyforEngland2007,publishedinMayofthisyear.
Theprogramme,thesecondofitskind,hasbeencompiledbystakeholderstoensurethepoliciesare'evidence-based,notevidence-backed,'saysDefra.Thefirstprogramme,setupin2004,generatedover80projectsandhadabudgetofupto'5mayear.
TheresearchtopicslistedbyDefrain'TheWasteandResourcesEvidenceStrategy2007-2011'include:whataretheenvironmentalimpactsofbiodegradableanddegradablepackaging;whatcollectionmethodsleadtohighqualityrecyclates,andwhetherhighcollectioncostsareoffsetbyenvironmentalbenefits;andhowtobestmeasurethecarbonimpactsofwastepreventionandmanagement.
Defrasaysitsresearchandevidenceprojectsarecommissionedthroughopencompetitionsonthedepartment'swebsite.
Thenatureoftheprojectswillremainflexible,accordingtotheneedsofitswastepolicymakers,saysDefra.
TheWasteandResourcesEvidenceStrategy2007-2011canbefoundat:www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/wip/research/index.htm
AnItalianbiotechstart-upcalledBio-Onisenteringthebioplasticsmarketwithaprocessthatproducespolylacticacid(PLA)basedplasticsfromsugarbeetandsugarcaneresidueswithaclaimedefficiencyof95%:wastestreamsbecomevaluableresourcesthatcanbeconvertedalmostintheirentiretyinausefulproduct.Sugarbeetpulp,oneoftheprimefeedstocks,isusuallyusedaslowvalueanimalfeedordisposedofatadditionalcost.Likewise,bagasseandmollasesfromsugarcanehavearelativelylowvalueandareabundantlyavailable.
PLAbasedbioplasticsarecurrentlyproducedalmostexclusivelyfromcornandgrainstarch.Butgiventhatpricesforthesefeedstockkeeprisingbecauseoftheiruseintheproductionofethanol,theutilizationofnewrawmaterialsbecomesanattractiveproposal.Theproductionofsugarcrops,onthecontrary,isoutstrippingdemand.BothBrazilandIndiadeliveredrecordcrops,andsugarpriceshavedeclinedintheEU.
Theproductionprocesswouldreduceenergycostsandasitisbasedonamulti-feedstockstrategy,costsforrawmaterialswouldbesubstantiallylowerthanthosefortraditionalPLAproduction.AfirstrangeofproductstobedevelopedbyBio-Onarearangeofbiodegradableplasticswithnaturalflameretardantstobeusedforautomotiveapplications:
Theplannedlocationoftheproductionplantisquitesignificant:'PlasticValley'inBologna,withoutputof10,000tons.
BioplasticsfaceabrightfutureinItaly.Thisyearaseriesoflawsandpoliciescameintoeffectthataimtophaseouttheuseofpetroleumbasedplasticbagsandotherproductsentirelyby2010.
TheWasteandResourcesActionProgramme(Wrap)wantstodevelopstandardstoaidtheprocessingof"green"plasticspackaginginthewastestream.
Wrapsaidthatconsistent"branding"ofproductsusingthesematerialswouldhelpconsumersseparatethem,afteritfoundthatpeoplewereconfusedaboutthewiderangeofgreenmaterialsonoffer.
Italsowantstodevelopguidelinesforcomposting,bothinthehomeandforcollectedwaste,andtoidentifytechnologiesforseparatingpolymersofdifferentoriginsandcarryoutlife-cycleanalyseswhereappropriate.
Wraphopestopublishresearchintotheenvironmentalbenefitsofbiopolymerscomparedwithconventionalplasticsandrecycledcontentplasticpackaginglaterthisyear.
ExecutivedirectorPhillipWardsaidcompostablepackagingandbiopolymershad"greatpotential",butitwas"vital"tointroducethemwiththecorrectinfrastructuresotheycouldbeproperlydisposedof.
Lastyear,Wrapsurveyedmorethan400peopleacrosstheUKandfoundthat52%hadheardofbiodegradablepackaging,comparedwith15%forcompostable.
Aquarterofthosesurveyedsaidtheywouldrecycle"compostable"packaging,comparedwith44%whowouldputinthenormalwastebin.Lessthanafifthwouldcompostitathome.
Wraphasalsopublishedapositionstatementonbiopolymerstoclarifydefinitionsofsomeofthetermsusedtodescribepackagingmaterialsandfactorstoconsiderregardingdisposalandenvironmentalimpact.
PlanticTechnologies,theAustraliandeveloperofplasticsmadefromrenewableresources,hassaidsalesvolumesroseby90%inthefirsthalfof2006asitmadeinroadsinthepackagingmarket.
Thefirm,whichhasdevelopedtechnologytomakepolymersbasedonhigh-amylosecornstarch,saidtoday(4September)thatitspackagingmaterialshadattractedanumberofactivecustomers,includingMarks&Spencer.
Brandownerevaluationofitsfirstflexiblepackagingfilmsalsostartedinthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear,andPlantichasappointedaEuropeanmanagerbasedinFrankfurttodrivefurthergrowth.
Thefirm,whichraised'20mwhenitfloatedontheAlternativeInvestmentMarketinMay,saida"significantreduction"initsgovernmentfundinghadcausedrevenuetofall11%from'486,000(AUS$1.19m)to'434,000forthesixmonthsto30June.
Itslossbeforetaxandfinancecostsincreasedbyalmostathird,to'1.62m,duetohigherresearchanddevelopmentspending.
However,productrevenuegrewbyalmostathirdto'317,000asitchangeditsstrategyinAustraliafromsellingfinishedpackagingtosellingmaterialstothird-partypackagingconverters.
Planticstillhas'18.8mincashreserves.Itssharepricerosebymorethan4%thismorningto68pfollowingtheresults.However,ithasbeeningradualdeclinesinceitpeakedat82pinlateMay.
AMSTERDAM(ThomsonFinancial)-CSMNVsaiditsunitPURACwillbegintoproducelactides,anessentialingredientfortheproductionofbiodegradableplastics.
Theannouncementrepresentsoneofthefirsttimesthatbiodegradableplasticswillbeabletobeproducedonaneconomical,industrialscale,accordingtothecompany,meaninga'significant'boostforthedevelopmentoftheindustry.
Therawmaterialforbiodegradableplastics,Poly-LacticAcid(PLA),ismadefromagriculturalproductssuchascorn,sugarbeet,tapiocaandsugarcane.
Companieswillbeabletoproducebiodegradableplasticsthatcanwithstandtemperaturesofatleast175degreesCelsiususingthenewproductsbeingproducedbyCSM,accordingtothecompany.
Bioplasticsareusedin,forexample,hot-fillbottles,microwavetrays,temperature-resistantfibres,electronicsandautomotiveparts.
ArnovandeVen,vice-presidentchemicalsandpharmaatPURAC,says:'Marketgrowthhasbeenhamperedbytheavailabilityofeconomicallyachievableproductiontechnology.ByusinglactidesasamonomerforPLAproduction,PURACbridgesthetechnologygapthatcurrentlyrestrictstheplasticsindustrytoacceleratethePLAmarketgrowth.
'TheLactidetechnologywillreducecostsandinvestmentsforthebio-plasticsindustryandsignificantlycontributetothegrowthofthePLAmarket.'
Piraisintroducinganewservicefortestingoxygenandmoisturevapourpermeabilityequipmentforpacks.
Theschemewillinitiallybeaimedattestingpermeabilitythroughplasticdrinksbottlestoallowcomparisonbetweendifferenttestingapparatusandmeasuringtechniquesusedbybottlemanufacturers.
Polyestersamplebottles,manufacturedwithinminutesofeachotherfromthesamemachine,willbesentoutbyPiratobottlemanufacturerstorunthroughtheirowntestingmachinery.
TheseresultswillthenbereturnedtoPiraduringthefollowingfourmonthsintimeforthepublicationofastatisticalanalysisreportonthePirawebsite.
Subscriberswillreceiveafulldatareportandpersonalisedtrendcharts.Theywillalsobeallottedapersonalisedlabouratorynumbersotheycancomparetheperformanceoftheirmachineryagainstothersubscribers.
Participantscanchoosetotestforoxygenand/ormoisturevapourpermeability.
Pirahasofferedpermeabilitytestingandproficiencyservicesfor30yearsandalreadyrunsasimilarschemefortestingflatfilm.
ThenewservicewillbelaunchedinSeptemberandwillruntwiceayearthereafter.
BiodegradablefoodpackagingisaviableoptionfortheUKfoodindustry,butonlyifproperrecyclingfacilitiesaredeveloped,accordingtoanewhandbook.
"Sustainablefoodpackaging:biodegradableandcompostableoptions",byCatherineCreaney,isdesignedtohelpplantmanagersunderstandsustainablefoodpackaging,andhowitmayaffecttheirbusinessesinfuture.
Thefoodindustryisincreasinglyusingpackagingmadewithstarch,celluloseandpolylacticacid(PLA),asopposedtothetraditionalpetroleumpolymer,becauseofconsumerconcernoverpackagingwastecausingenvironmentaldamage.
Thiskindofbiodegradableandcompostablepackagingwasdesignedtoberecycledand"cyclebackintonature",Creaneysaid,helpingtoreducelandfillwaste.
However,thiskindofpackagingisonlyenvironmentallyfriendlywhenindustriallycomposted,Creaneyadded,andtherearenotmanysystemstodothisavailableintheUK.
Itthenendsupinlandfill,whereitproducesmethane-agreenhousegasthatcontributestoglobalwarming.
Creaneyalsopointsoutthatthecurrentuseofsustainablepackagingislimited,asitsmoisturebarrierpropertiesareinferiortoitspetroleumpolymercounterparts.
"Todate,therearealimitednumberofviablebiodegradableandcompostablefoodpackagingmaterialoptionsthatarecommerciallyavailable"shesaid.
Overthepastfiveyearspackagingsuppliershavebeenintroducingvariousformsofbiodegradablematerialsinresponsetoprojectionsthatconsumersandrecyclingregulationswilldrivedemandforenvironmentally-friendlypackaging.
Mandatesfromgiantsupermarketsforcingsupplierstomaketheswitcharealsocomingintoeffect.
However,somecompanieshaveindicatedthatswitchingto"green"resourcesisnotalwayssimpleorprofitable.
InMay,UK-basedStanlicoannounceditwouldoffloaditsbiodegradablepackagingarmandthatitisabandoningitsproprietaryGreensealtechnologyforrecyclablefoodtrays.
TheJapanesehaveoftenbeenleapsandboundsaheadoftherestofusinfindinginnovativewaystoreducetheirenergyconsumptionwhileboostingtheiruseofrenewableenergyforeverydaylife.Havingalreadyhelpedpopularizethe"furoshiki"asanelegantandsustainablealternativetoplastic,itcomesasnosurprisethatthey'reatitagain,thistimedevelopingagroundbreakingnewprocessforrecyclingplastics.
Agroupofscientistshavedevelopedaprocessbywhichcertaintypesofplasticscanbebrokendownintotheiroriginalchemicalelementsandthenreusedtomakeanewbrandofhighqualityplastic.Whilemostrecyclingmethodsrelyonanapproachthatconsistsofmeltingandreformingplasticintoanew,lesspuretypeofplastic,thetechniquedevelopedbyAkioKamimuraandShigehiroYamamotocompletelydepolymerizes,orbreaksdown,theindividualchainsofmoleculesthatmakeuppolyamideplastics.
Thescientistsusedanionicliquidtochangenylon-6intocaptrolactam,itsbasecomponent,thatcouldthenbereusedoverandovertosynthesizenewplastics.
"Thisisthefirstexampleoftheuseofionicliquidsforeffectivedepolymerizationofpolymericmaterialsandwillopenanewfieldinionicliquidchemistryaswellasplasticrecycling"saidKamimuraandYamamoto.
Inadditiontoprovidingamoreeffectivewaytorecycleplastics,theirmethodisalsomuchsimplertoimplementonalargescalesinceiteschewscostlypressurechambersandwastefulenergyinputsinfavoroftypicallabouratoryglassware.Whilethiswon'thelpusmovetowardsaplastic-freefuture,itwillatleasteliminatealotofthewasteandenergyconsumptionincurredthroughourcurrentpractices,which,inourminds,isawelcomedevelopmentinitself.
Alineofbiopolymeringredientsunderdevelopmentwillallowprobioticstobeusedinmorefoodsthanispresentlypossible.
AustralianventurecapitalistsBioPacificVenturesyesterdayannounceditwasinvestinginEnCoate,abiopolymercompanyjointlyownedbyNewZealandfirmsAgResearchandBalanceAgri-Nutrients.
EnCoateisdevelopingafamilyofbiopolymerstostabiliseprobioticmicrobessothattheycansurviveforlongperiodswithoutrefrigeration.Theaimistodevelopbiopolymersthatcanextendtheshelflifeoffoodstouptotwoyearsatroomtemperatureandhumidity.
EnCoateclaimstohavedevelopedatechnologythatcanstabilisethemicrobessothattheycanbeusedtoenhancefoodssuchasbreakfastcereals,infantmilk-powdersanddog-biscuits.
Theediblebiopolymerscanbeaddedtothefoodscontainingtheprobioticingredients.
Priobioticsaremicrobesthatprovidehealthbenefitstoconsumers,butcurrenttechnologylimitstheusetodairyproductsasrefrigerationisrequired.
BioPacificVenturesisfundedbylocalandinternationalinvestorswithNestl',theworld'sbiggestfoodcompany,thelargestinvestor.
BridgitHawkins,actingchiefexecutiveofficerofEnCoate,saidthepurchaseopensapotentiallyhugeglobalmarketforprobioticingredients.
"ThemarketforEnCoate'sprobioticingredientswillbeglobalmanufacturersandmarketersofnon-chilledfoodsthatareseekingtodifferentiatetheirproductsintheperceptionsofhealth-consciousconsumers"shesaid.
Theprobioticingredientmarketisworthover$600mannually,andisgrowingatarateofbetween10and20perannum,Hawkinssaid.
IanBoddy,generalmanagerofcommercialservicesatAgResearchsaidthetechnology,whenappliedtoprobioticingredients,coulddoublethemarketbyenablingmanufacturerstoextendtheprobioticscategoryfromrefrigeratedfoodstonon-refrigeratedproducts.
"What'smore,EnCoatehaspotentialbeyondextendingtheshelflifeofprobiotics,withthecoretechnologybehindEnCoatebeingthebiopolymer,whichhasapplicationsinagriculturalbiology,food,seedcoatings,andvaccines"hesaid.
AndrewKelly,executivedirectorofBioPacificVentures,saidthe$6.3minvestmentandexperiencewoulddrivethetechnologyintonumerousglobalmarkets.
"Probiotics,the'healthy'bacteria,isonesuchmarket"hesaid."Offeringmuchmorethancapital,webelieveourmultinationalfoodindustryexperiencewillbeverybeneficialtothecompany."
BioPacificVenturesisoneofAustralasia'slargestlifescienceventurecapitalfunds.
Circuitboardsfromchickenfeathers,plasticfromsoybean'scientistsareturningover...
Carbondioxide.Orangepeels.Chickenfeathers.Oliveoil.Potatopeels.E.colibacteria.ItisasifchemistshavegoneDumpsterdivingintheirhunttomakebiodegradable,sustainableandrenewableplastics.Mostbioplasticsaremadefromplantslikecorn,soy,sugarcaneandswitchgrass,butscientistshaverecentlyturnedtotrashinanefforttomakeso-calledgreenpolymers,essentiallyplasticsfromgarbage.
GeoffCoates,achemistatCornell,oneoftheleadersinthecreationofgreenpolymers,pointedtoagoldenbrownsquareofplasticinadryingchamber.'Itkindoflookslikefocacciabaking,doesn'tit'Coatessaid.'That'salmost50percentcarbondioxidebyweight.'
Coates'labouratoriesoccupyalmosttheentirefifthflooroftheSpencerT.OlinLaboratoryatCornell,andhaveaviewnotonlyofCayugaLakeandthehillssurroundingCornell,butofacoalpowerplantthathasservedasakindofinspiration.ItwasherethatCoatesdiscoveredthecatalystneededtoturnCO2intoapolymer.
WithScottAllen,aformergraduatestudent,CoateshasstartedacompanycalledNovomer,whichhaspartneredwithseveralcompanies,includingKodak,onjointprojects.NovomerhasreceivedmoneyfromtheDepartmentofEnergy,NewYorkstateandtheNationalScienceFoundation.CoatesimaginesCO2beingdivertedfromfactoryemissionsintoanadjacentfacilityandturnedintoplastic.
Thesearchforbiocompositematerialsdatesfrom1913,whenaFrenchandaBritishscientistfiledforpatentsonsoy-basedplastic.'Therewasintensecompetitionbetweenagriculturalandpetrochemicalindustriestowinthemarketonpolymers,'saidBernardTao,professorofagriculturalandbiologicalengineeringatPurdue.
MuchoftheearlyresearchonbioplasticswassupportedbyHenryFord,whobelievedstronglyinthepotentialofthesoybean.Onefamous1941photoshowsFordswinginganaxheadintotherearofacartodemonstratethestrengthofthesoy-basedbiocompositeusedtomaketheautobody.Butsoyquicklylostouttopetrochemicalplastics.'Inthosedaysyouhadalotmoreoilaround,andyoucoulddigitupallyearround,'Taosaid.'Youdidn'thavetowaituntilthegrowingseason.'
Andtherewasanotherproblem:permeability.Thesoyplasticwasnotwaterproof.'Petroleumisbiologicallyandrelativelychemicallyinert,'Taoexplained.'Mostlivingsystemsrequirewater.'Fossilfuels'inexpensive,abundantandwaterresistant'quicklydominatedtheplasticsmarket.Now,agriculture-basedplasticsarebackintherunning,andwiththetypeofcatalystsdevelopedbyCoatesandothers,awholenewarrayofpolymershasbecomecommerciallyviable.
Choosingcarbondioxideasafeedstockforapolymerwasnotanobviouschoice.ItwaswhatCoatescalled'adeadmolecule'.'CO2hasalmostnoreactivity,'hesaid,'andthat'swhyit'susedinfireextinguishers.'Sowhatmadehimchoosecarbondioxide'It'sabundantandcheap.Wepickeditforenvironmentalandeconomicreasons,notforitsreactivity.'
RichardWool,aUniversityofDelawarechemist,workswithamaterialevenlessglamorousthanorangepeels:chickenfeathers.Woolandhisgraduatestudentsdesignedacompositemadefromsoybeansandthedownofchickenfeathers.Afterseeingthecomposite,aTysonFoodsengineerapproachedWool,offeredhimtwobillionpoundsofchickenfeathers,andanunlikelypartnershipwasborn.Despitethemadcappremise,ProfessorWoolusedthematerialtodesignacircuitboardhesaidisalighter,stronger,cheaperproductwithhigh-speedelectronicproperties.Inshort,thefeathersallowextraairflowanddonotexpandlikeplasticwhenheated,sothehottertemperaturesthatcomewithhigherspeedsarelessproblematic.
Woolisalsoworkingwitholiveoilandotherhigh-oleicoilstocreaterubber,paintandwhathecallsbiocompatibleadhesives;heenvisionsmakingbandagesthatwouldworkmorelikeskin.NONNYDELAPENA(NewYorkTimes)
Bagscanbemanufacturedinanysizesolongastheyareatleast450mmwide.Theirusehasbeenparticularlysuccesfulinthetransportoficecubeswhereconsiderablecostsavingshavebeenenjoyedbyusers.Nevertheless,therehasbeenasurprisingreluctanceonthepartofsomeuserstotrythenewfilmdespitetheextracostperkiloofthematerialbeingcompletelyoutweighedbytheabilitytodowngauge.Presumablyontheprinciplethatifissomethingistoogoodtobetrueitprobablyis.However,oncepersuadedtotrythenewmaterialusersareenthusiastic.Sofartherehasbeenonlyonedisadvantage.Becauseitisstiffer,itismoredifficulttoclosethebagsbytieingthematerialinaknot.
SocietyROSAS,specializedinrenovationofpackagingmachines,hasdevelopedaprocesstoobtainpackageswith100%oxygenfreeonthermoformermachinery.Thisprocesswasbuiltontwocomplementarypatents.
ThefirstpatentallowthemtoinjectfluidsdirectlyinsidethemiddleofthesealingenclosureInsteadofperforatingtheusualholesonbothsidesoftheplasticfilm.Asaresult,thisprocessreducesthewidthoftheplasticfilm,bothontheupperandthelowerrolls,andsaveupto15%offilm!(MoretechnicaldetailsonWIPOwebsite.)SeeourschematicPatent1.
Thesuppressionoftheperforatingtoolshasanotherhygieniceffect.Onregularthermoformermachines,thesetoolscannotbetotallycleansed,andsincetheyusuallymadeofsteeltheycontributeto"pollute"theatmosphereinsidethesealingenclosure.
Thisdeviceisalreadyinuseandcanbeadaptedonanykindofthermoformermachinery!Amongtheircustomersusingtheirmachinesandsaving15%ofplasticfilmwecanmention:
Asaextensionofthefirstpatent,thesecondonegoesfurtherallowingthistimetointroducedirectlytheproduct,solidorliquid,insidethetraysealingenclosure,underaperfectcontrolledatmosphere.
Withadoublechambersystem,itisnowpossibletovacuumthe'traysealingenclosure'inordertoobtain100%ofOxygenfreebeforeintroducingtheproduct.Dependingontheproduct,thisresultcanevenbeguarantygoingthrough3stages(mostofthetimethefirstonebeingenough):
Atthesametime,onaseparate'controlledatmosphere'chamber,theproductisalsovacuumedtoremovetheoxygen,butalsoexudates,andthenintroducedintheplastictraycompletelyfreeofoxygen.
Itiswellknownthatremoving100%ofoxygenfromthefoodcanextendshelflifeoffreshfoods.(CanadianlabouratoryAlimentech)Thedifficultybeingusuallytosucceedinobtainingaperfectvacuumwhiletheproductisalreadyinsidethetray,andthenholdingoxygen.(Animation)SeeourschematicPatent2.
Withthesespatents,thelengthoftheshelfdatedependsnowonthequalityontheplasticfilmoncethermoformed.Withagoodplasticfilm,itcouldbeextendedfrom21daystomorethan21weeks.SomeplasticsmakersinUSarealreadyworkingonthisissue.
Let'simaginethattheactualplasticfilmcanlastonly8or10weeks,keepingfreshproductsbetween-1and+3degreesCelsius.Nomorefreezerrequiredfortransportation(ship,lorry),justcoldroomskeepingtheproductinmuchbetterqualityforalongerperiodoftime.Thisisalsocompletelychangingthecostoflongdistancetransportationandwithoutallthetroublesofdefrostedfood.
Forindustrialsthisprocesshasalsootherbigadvantageslikethesuppressionofcleanroomsincetheproductisdirectlycarriedinsidetheplastictray.Forthesameraisonthisprocessisalsoremovingthelaminarfloweffectincaseofliquidproducts.
Thispatentisareal'revolution'changingcompletelyourwayofPackaging,StoringandTransportingFoodandProductsintheworld.Rosashasdevelopedaprototypeprovingtheefficiencyofthissecondpatent,andisstilllookingforpartnerstousethosetwoinnovations.
PackagingKnowledge-Theofficialmagazinefromthewww.thepackaginginstitute.com