The Future Belongs to Bioplastics

 
Copyright Messe Düsseldorf 2008

A special show with many exhibitors at one location has a special power. It is much easier to recognize the branch growth, as well as the increase in product and application variety.

There is no more efficient way to gain a market overview than in this perfect setting for initiating cooperative agreements. As Harald Käb emphasizes: "The message is: the future belongs to bioplastics, so jump on board. The plastics industry is adding product group to its spectrum that is perfectly in line with the times, and will show strong growth." Many companies have announced production startups or expansions in the last 12 months. Investments are seen in all areas: in "traditional" bioplastics such as starch blends or PLA, and also in new polyesters such as PHA, which should be commercially available at the end of 2008. Completely new, and the expression of unbelievable change are the announcements made by two companies who in the future will be manufacturing polyethylene from bioethanol, making it "biobased".

If all announcements are realized, global production capacity can be quadrupled by 2011 to a good million tons. But the situation in bioplastics is typical of innovations: High R&D costs and smaller production facilities or niche markets mean a markup over mass-produced products. Users must and can accept this, as shown by the increasing utilization of bioplastic packaging in Europe. But the price is only one part of the story: the potential technical advantages are also important such as longer product shelf lives, image-building potential and lower recycling fees. Given the necessity to conserve finite fossil resources and combat climate change, such product innovations are enormously significant. Acting responsibly means looking for opportunities for confronting these global challenges.

The spectrum of applications ready for the market has meanwhile already become sufficiently large for a broad market launch and visibility, particularly in short-lived (fresh) products. A number of innovations in this area are being presented at interpack in Hall 7a.