Foreword
Frequently, we laud biobased plastics for being
sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, and in the process acting
as carbon sinks, helping industries to indirectly deal with emissions. It is
well-known, however, that this is not the only advantage biobased plastics
offer: they can also offer novel properties that petroleum-based plastics do
not. One particular example would be chitosan, produced from chitinous shells
found in seafood waste, which is not only biocompatible, making it useful for
medical procedures, but also exhibits antibacterial and antimicrobial
properties, the advantages of which are obvious. However, developing a new
polymer can take many years of R&D, as a cost-effective production method
needs to be developed, even if the chemical knowledge of the intended
properties is already there. This may be about to change thanks to........
Other News this Month Includes:
Policy
- An end to the term "biodegradable"?
Markets
- Italy-Russia agreement a boost for Bio-On
- BioAmber assets bought by LCY Chemical
Research & Development
- Kraig begins scale-up of Dragon Silk
- Review of transition from petrochemicals to biobased chemicals
Polymers
- "Tuneable" biobased plastics
- Covestro develops adhesive with biobased polyols
- Teijin Aramid to produce biobased fibres in Netherlands
Chemicals
- Partnership to produce human milk compounds
- Emissions-to-methanol plant constructed in Germany
- Croda releases new biobased surfactants
- Braskem joins European Biobased Industries Consortium
Consumer Products
- Co-op announces nationwide release of compostable food bags
- Covestro to make sport flooring from CO2
- Bio-On to work with Unilever on personal care products
- Kellogg to pursue sustainable packaging
Patents
Events
Price Information