Köln, Germany
1st PHA Platform World Congress
PHA
(Poly-Hydroxy-Alkanoates or polyhydroxy fatty acids) is a family of biobased
polyesters. As in many mammals, including humans, that hold energy reserves in
the form of body fat there are also bacteria that hold intracellular reserves
of polyhydroxy alkanoates. Here the micro-organisms store a particularly high
level of energy reserves (up to 80% of their own body weight) for when their
sources of nutrition become scarce. Examples for such Polyhydroxyalkanoates are
PHB, PHV, PHBV, PHBH and many more. That’s why we speak about the PHA platform.
This PHA-platform is made up of a large variety of bioplastics raw materials
made from many different renewable resources. Depending on the type of PHA,
they can be used for applications in films and rigid packaging, biomedical
applications, automotive, consumer electronics, appliances, toys, glues,
adhesives, paints, coatings, fibers for woven and non-woven and inks. So PHAs
cover a broad range of properties and applications.
That’s why bioplastics MAGAZINE and Jan Ravenstijn are now organizing the 1st
PHA-platform World Congress on 4-5 September 2018 in Cologne, Germany.
This congress will address the progress, challenges and market opportunities
for the formation of this new polymer platform in the world. Every step in the
value chain will be addressed. Raw materials, polymer manufacturing,
compounding, polymer processing, applications, opportunities and after-use or
end-of-life options will be discussed by parties active in each of these areas.
Progress in underlying technology challenges will also be addressed.
When there is sufficient interest there will be a workshop on the basics of the
PHA-platform in the afternoon of September 3rd, preceding the conference.