Impressive line-up of finalists for 12th “Bio-based Material of the Year” award

The winners will be selected at the “12th International Conference on Bio-based Materials”, 15-16 May 2019, in Cologne, Germany (www.bio-based-conference.com). Out of a total of 21 applications, six new materials and products have been nominated for the innovation award by the members of the conference advisory board.
All six finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their innovation to the conference attendees. Three winners will be selected by popular vote and presented with the innovation award, sponsored by InfraServ GmbH Knapsack, at the festive dinner buffet.

The shortlist:

Aakar Innovations Pvt. Ltd. (IN): Anandi Eco+ – 100% Compostable Sanitary PadsAnandi Eco+ is the first and only Govt. of India Lab certified 100% compostable sanitary pad. The pad will biodegrade by minimally 90% within 180 days under composting conditions. It will take somewhat longer in the natural environment. The pads can easily be disposed of in the backyard mud pit of any rural household to avoid polluting the environment and to create bio-manure for agriculture. Aakar also uses local resources like jute, bagasse, banana fibre and water hyacinth to produce their sanitary pads to reduce cost and utilizes agricultural plant waste materials. No harmful chemicals are used to produce the Anandi Eco+ pads; hence they are suitable to be converted into manure post disposal, for further utilisation. This way, the pads contribute to environmental protection and increased resource reuse. It also follows the Compostable American Standard ASTM D6400 & European Standard EN 13432. Aakar contributes to 12 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN through their work. More information: http://www.aakarinnovations.com

CARBIOLICE SAS (FR): EVANESTO^® – Zero Impact PLAstic CARBIOLICE has developed a disruptive solution based on innovative technology using enzymes to enhance the compostability and biodegradability of PLA plastics. Developed as an additive, EVANESTO can be used in conventional plastic converting processes with no adjustments required. This innovative additive is best suited for applications such as single-use plastics in which compostability and biodegradability are a meaningful end-of-life solution. It can be used to make products that are 100% compostable and biodegradable. EVANESTO’s performance has been successfully demonstrated on thin films and sheets, by tests performed by Organic Waste Systems N.V. under domestic composting conditions according to NF T51-800. Ready to reach the market in early 2020, EVANESTO is intended for various uses such as bags, packaging, disposable tableware etc. More information: http://www.carbiolice.com

Golden Compound GmbH (DE): HOMEcap – Home Compostable CapsuleHOMEcap is the world's first and only home compostable capsule successfully introduced in the market which is “OK compost HOME” certified and made with natural fibres derived from sunflower seed hulls. It is produced from a unique compound comprising PTTMCCs PBS and PBSA mixed with sunflower seed shells and inorganic fillers. It comes with a paper and cellulose-based lid, which is sealable to the capsule without any additional glue, and of course, the lid is home compostable as well. The material composition results in low oxygen transmission rates, allowing for additional barrier packaging and therefore saving even more waste. A VDI 4605 sustainability assessment showed that this capsule outperforms current state of the art capsules like deep-drawn PP EVOH multilayer capsules. More information: http://www.golden-compound.com

Scion – New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd (NZ): Ligate Adhesive TechnologyScion's LIGATE^™ is a bio-adhesive technology from 100% bio-based and sustainably grown products, including lignin, tannin and protein. It can be used to manufacture engineered wood products that do not emit volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and that have reduced life cycle impacts compared to products made using traditional petrochemical adhesives. Water-based, non-toxic ligate adhesives are compatible with existing adhesive and panel board manufacturing equipment. Unlike other bio-based adhesives, Scion’s resin does not just replace petrochemical-based components but incorporates bioinspired chemistry approaches in a scalable and very simple way to deliver a product that performs and is environmentally friendly. More information: http://www.scionresearch.com

Spinnova Oy (FI): Spinnova – Sustainable Textile Fibre Spinnova is a sustainable fibre company from Finland that has developed ecological breakthrough technology for manufacturing cellulose-based textile fibre. Spinnova’s patented technology involves zero harmful chemicals and creates no waste or side streams, making the fibre and the production method probably the most sustainable in the world. The biggest difference to other man-made cellulosic fibres is that no solvents are used throughout the whole process. Spinnova’s raw material commitment is to only use FSC certified wood or waste stream-based cellulose. Spinnova’s objective is to globally commercialize the fibre products in collaboration with major textile brands. More information: http://www.spinnova.com

Stora Enso (FI/SE): Lineo – Lignin Alternative for Petroleum Based ProductsMaking up 20-30% of wood’s composition, lignin is often discarded or burned during the pulp production process. However, when extracted and converted, lignin could transform the way we use natural resources to make products. In 2018, Stora Enso launched Lineo, a renewable, wood-based, non-toxic alternative to fossil-based materials. Lineo, Stora Enso’s lignin, can be used to replace oil-based phenolic materials in a range of applications, such as in resins for plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), paper lamination and insulation material. Stora Enso continues to research new Lineo applications and is currently focused on researching its use in formaldehyde-free binders, carbon fibre and energy storage. More information: http://www.storaenso.com

The drivers of the bio-based industry meet in Cologne

The final programme of one of the biggest conferences in the European bioeconomy is now available online. The “12th International Conference on Bio-based Materials” features key innovation issues in the field of bio-based building blocks & polymers, bio-based fine chemicals, industrial biotechnology and biodegradable solutions. In addition, future visions and the latest policy regulations will be discussed. More than 200 participants are expected to attend the “12th International Conference on Bio-based Materials”, and over 16 exhibitors have already booked their stand.
UPM (DE) is supporting the conference as Gold Sponsor, Neste (CH/FI) as Silver Sponsor and FKUR (DE) as Bronze Sponsor. The Premium Partner this year is CLIB (DE).

EU project-related workshops are also being organised at the same venue on the day before and the day after the conference, where renowned biobased international experts will cover the latest technology trends, market data and strategies. Additionally, on the second day of the conference, there will be a workshop on In-Depth B2C Market Research and GreenPremium. For more information about the range of workshops, go to: http://bio-based-conference.com/workshops

All information, registration and the conference programme are available at http://www.bio-based-conference.com