Bioplastic industry defies economic crisis

MARKET development in bioplastics is expected to rise continuously. "Coca-Cola does it, Frito-lay does it and so too do Samsung and Hyundai." This is how Andy Sweetman, chairman of the European Bioplastics' Board summarises that an increasing number of renowned brand owners are turning to bioplastics to enhance their products' image. Correspondingly, despite the economic crisis, European Bioplastics' members are investing in new plants. For example, Nature Works just doubled its production capacity of PLA and Braskem made big investments for this year's start-up of bio-based PE. BASF introduced new biodegradable plastics for coating paper and shrink-film whilst Novamont launched the 2nd generation of Mater-Bi, and Purac, Sulzer and Synbra kicked off a co-operation in the field of foamed PLA products. European Bioplastics (www.european-bioplastics.org) represents the interests of the industry along the complete bioplastics' value chain in Europe. Its members produce, refine and distribute bioplastics, plastics that are either bio-based, compostable, or bothNike Womens Shoes