Bioplastic

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    LEGO Group to invest 1 Billion DKK for sustainable materials

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    The LEGO Group recently announced plans to invest DKK 1 billion ($152.2 million) dedicated to research, development and implementation of new, sustainable, raw materials to manufacture LEGO® elements as well as packaging materials.  Last year, the company stepped up its effort in the search for more sustainable materials by entering into collaborations with businesses and universities…

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    Avantium partners with Tereos

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    For years, major agribusinesses have been partnering (although more muted now in the US) with renewable chemical companies e.g. Bunge with Solazyme; ADM with its previous partnerships with Metabolix and recent investments in Rennovia; Cargill with its NatureWorks subsidiary and investments in Rivertop Renewables;  palm plantation owner, Wilmar, with Elevance; and in Europe, Global Bioenergies has partnered…

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    Verdezyne partners for European bio-DDDA sales

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    Off-take supply agreements seem to be the trend these days in the renewable chemical markets, first with BioAmber and Vinmar, and now with this recent news from industrial biotech company, Verdezyne. Verdezyne announced that it has signed an agreement with Will & Co, a sales and marketing firm for raw materials, semi-finished products, additives, and…

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    Coca-Cola produces 100% bio-based PET bottle

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    The Coca-Cola Company launched last week the world’s first PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant materials at the World Expo – Milan. I guess the question is if anybody is ready to invest in commercial production of bio-PX/PTA (the other component of PET bottle aside from bio-based monoethylene glycol) or even in FDCA, another bio-based…

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    Special Report: Bioplastics and additives becoming mainstream

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    I have begun to write special reports on Tecnon OrbiChem’s monthly Bio-Materials newsletter this year, and this is a sample that was written for the April issue. I’m thinking of doing a bio-based lubricants special for June as this space is seeing so many new bio-based alternatives to synthetics. Unfortunately, I cannot promise that I…

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    Sustainable plastics in designer brands

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    Yes, I admit I’m a die-hard fan of designer brands (I blame my sisters for this) and I am always on the look-out for designer brands that at least use sustainable materials. Here are recent ones that I spotted: Gucci Bio-plastic Iphone 5 Case (also in grey). Made in Italy. Now on sale for $59!…

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    Corbion signals green for PLA project

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    After its announcement late last year of a plan to build a 75 ktpa PLA polymerization plant in Thailand, Corbion recently stated that it has now signed letters of intent for one-third of the volume of planned facility, which is the green signal for the company to go ahead with its plan. Corbion previously noted…