16. Oct 2017
Fakuma 2017 starts….tomorrow!
The world’s second-ranking plastics trade show – the Fakuma in Friedrichshafen – will open its doors to the public tomorrow. Although the focus is traditionally on processing technologies, bioplastics has also managed to carve out a niche of its own here.
This year, the show is celebrating its silver anniversary, and is completely sold out, including the space in the two foyers at the east and west entrances. With roughly 1700 exhibitors from 35 countries, including Germany, this 25th Fakuma is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors
One of the bioplastics companies exhibiting in this year in Friedrichshafen are BIO-FED, a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH (B2, 2209), which produces and markets biodegradable and/or biobased plastics under the brand name M∙VERA®. The company will be showcasing its broad portfolio of film extrusion and injection moulding grades, which, depending on the requirements profile, may be either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use. The company is also showing its new AF-Eco biopolymer-based colour and additive masterbatches.
Mitsubishi – MCPP – will be present (A4 -4214) with, among others, its DURABIO biosourced transparent engineering polymer, that combines the best of PC and PMMA properties: UV and impact resistance along with elevated surface hardness. Offering high transparency, excellent colour rendering and scratch resistance, using DURABIO make painting unnecessary for applications such as automotive interior.
Italy’s FI Past, is showing its Estabio family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics, certified according to the international standard UNI EN 13432 (VINCOTTE S297) with excellent physical and mechanical properties and easy processability, and good organoleptic properties. FI Plast can be found at the Cossa Polimeri stand (B4 -4314).
Total Corbion PLA (B4 – 4207) will be showcasing a number of partner applications based on Luminy PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) resins from Total Corbion PLA. The Luminy PLA portfolio includes both high heat and standard image005.jpgPLA grades and is used in a wide range of markets from packaging to durable consumer goods. Among the applications on show are a biodegradable wood composite soap case from Sulapac, a bioplastic thermoformed black platter the presentation of foods such as cheese, sushi and hors d'oeuvres from Pack&Proper, thermoformed domes from Alphaform, PLA-lined paper cups from Totempak, single-use aprons from Gaia, coffee cup lids from WinGram, tea bags from Nonwoven Network, coffee capsules from ATI, thermoformed packaging from Bio4Pack and foamed ice cream packaging from Synbra.
Other stands to visit include the Mepol Group (A5 – 5115), who will be displaying its 
MEPLA compound of biopolymers and fillers, which can be tailored to customer needs; Golden Compound (B4-4114) with its S2PC sunflower-based compound; Beologic (B4-4318) with its range of biocomposites and custom compounds; Hexpol TPE (B1 –1217), with its biobased TPE DryFlex Green; Nurel (B4-4311) is introducing new grades of its INZEA bioplastics for sheet and film applications; and, as always, the French Natureplast Group (A7 -7316), with the latest developments in biobased injection mouldable compounds, biodegradable materials and biocomposites.
Obviously, this is by no means an exhaustive list of the companies presenting biobased materials at the show – there are many more to visit, and more than enough products and applications to see. For those who decide to visit the show, some details are provided below.
Fakuma is being held from October 17 -21 2017 at Messe Friedrichshafen, Neue Messe 1, 88046 Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Opening hours are from Tuesday-Friday 09:00 am – 05:00 pm; Saturday 09:00 am – 03:00 pm.
Tickets: A one-day ticket is €28.00; an eOne-day ticket for students and otherwise eligible persons with a document of identification is € 20.00; a two-day is € 47.00
Accompanying the exhibition is a programme of forums, workshops and special shows to which visitors have free admission.