AIMPLAS: High profile speakers at VII International Seminar

AIMPLAS opened the seventh International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites to address the challenges and opportunities of bioplastics and biocomposites in key legislative developments in Valencia, Spain, last week.

Mireia Mollà i Herrera, Valencian Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, focused on the challenges and opportunities facing bioplastics and biocomposites in light of the fight against climate change. Mollà highlighted the role of AIMPLAS as a point of reference in terms of plastics innovation and knowledge transfer, and highlighted how its experience in the circular economy will help reintroduce materials into the production process.

Oliver Buchholz from European Bioplastics explained that global bioplastic production is set to increase by 15 per cent by 2024 and that, although packaging continues to lead the way, applications in the automotive and construction industries, for example, have increased their market share in terms of materials from renewable sources. In relation to the European Green Deal and legislation on single-use plastics, Buchholz warned about food safety issues that could arise if polymers were replaced by materials that are not so strictly regulated.

Angelo Innamorati from the European Commission emphasised the usefulness of biodegradable plastics in agriculture, where there remains considerable room for improvement. Jordi Simón, the Technical Director of Asobiocom, focused on certification, while AIMPLAS researcher Elena Domínguez highlighted the importance of EU directives that help promote new business models involving waste recovery.

The Waste Agency of Catalonia, OWS and TÜV Austria Iberia were involved in standardisation, certification and environmental impact discussions, and Fkur, Neste, Kuraray, Ecoplas, Total Corbion, Covestro and Quimóvil presented their innovations. These included bio-based toys, household goods, recyclable bio PET bottles, and food packaging nets, to name a few.

The second day, dedicated to biotechnology, saw speakers prove how enzymes are key to biodegradation processes, and how microorganisms in biorefineries could address sustainable biopolymers production.

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