NatureWorks hosts advanced biomaterials forum

NatureWorks has announced the full program for the 6th Innovation Takes Root: A NatureWorks Advanced Biomaterials Forum scheduled to take place from September 10-12, 2018 in San Diego, California, USA. Innovation Takes Root (ITR) draws brand owners, global thought leaders, sustainability professionals, marketers, and business leaders together with scientists and engineers from the biomaterials value chain. The forum offers a full-scale immersion into rethinking and remaking products that will address the need for performance materials while embracing the growing consumer preference for sustainability and the tenants of the circular economy. 

 

ITR's program features over 60 speakers across six breakout sessions, four workshops, and two plenary sessions. The program will illustrate the latest developments in the market based on new product introductions and innovations in applications, processing, and converting amidst a broader context on changes around the world from a policy, legislative, and societal perspective.

 

 

Parallel breakout sessions over two days will each explore a market integrating presentations on key market drivers with new Ingeo product and application technologies. Sessions will highlight applications such as coffee capsules, tea bags, nonwovens for personal care, compostable food serviceware, 3D printing, foundry, flexible food packaging, and horticulture. Topics include: Advancements in Single-Serve Beverage Delivery; Inventing the Future of Performance Fibers and Nonwovens; Tools for Ingeo Users: Optimizing for Industry Success; Breaking it Down: Engineering for Degradability in New Applications; Food Serviceware: Product Developments to Zero Waste Models; and Forging Ahead: 3D Printing for Industrial Applications. 

 

Focused workshops designed to provide an in-depth exploration of industry critical topics and technical performance opportunities are available in addition to the regular program: Tailoring Ingeo’s Physical Properties for Applications Development; Understanding Ingeo in a Low-Carbon and Circular Economy Context; Extrusion Equipment Engineering for Ingeo PLA: Theory and Practice; and Marketing Claims & Regulatory Compliance Overview for 3D Printing 

 

 

Open plenary will highlight how incoming generations and evolving consumer preference is driving innovation up the materials supply chain. The opening plenary session on September 10 will kick off with father/son team, David and Jonah Stillman. As experts in emerging generational characteristics and workplace trends, the duo will describe expectations of future “Gen Z” consumers and workplace colleagues and how this will affect the biomaterials industry. Representing the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Mats Linder speak about how the products and materials we consume fit into the construct of the circular economy, a restorative and regenerative model embraced by brands globally. Just as important as the re-use of materials or end-of-life considerations for products, the way in which materials are sourced is a concern at the forefront. Dr. Norbert Schmitz, from ISCC, will present on certified sustainable agricultural practices and how essential they are to creating biomaterials that live up to their sustainable ideals. Omar Hoek from Ahlstrom, Marco Garilli from Electrolux, and Marc DeSchutter from Danone will then share examples of how brands and the supply chain can and must partner together to create real, sustainable solutions for materials and manufacturing that align with brand commitments to delivering superior consumer products alongside pledges for sustainability.

 

Innovation Takes Root will be held September 10-12, 2018, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California. Organizers are expecting attendees from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and more. Register now on the Innovation Takes Root website, and follow NatureWorks on Twitter (@natureworks, #ITR2018) for the latest updates. For more information about NatureWorks and Ingeo, visit natureworksllc.com.