Foreword

2017 has made anything but a slow start for those in the biobased product sector, with policies, patents, and positive forecasts lurking in all corners. The early 2017 headlines were dominated by French capital city Paris, which has banned all non-compostable plastic bags. The ban follows similar legislation being introduced around the EU applying charges on plastic bags in order to discourage their use. France is not the first country to ban the bags, however......

Other News this Month Includes:

Policy

•  Analysis of Design for Recycling of bioplastics Roadmap to a low carbon bioeconomy"
• Malaysia pledges funding for Biotech companies
• Non-Compostable Plastic Bags banned in Paris
• EUBP praises EU Committee vote
• Recirculation Concept aims to make bio-based product design more sustainability-conscious

Markets

• Biobased lubricant market set to continue growth
• Biodegradable Polymers market set to more than double by 2021
• Bioplastic Market to approach $6bn by 2022
• Natural oil polyol market growth set to continue
• Biodegradable Mulch Market forecast to almost double by 2024
• Biodegradable Plastic Packaging market set to grow

Research & Development

• Microbial adhesive binds chitosan to biological tissue
• Biobased alternatives to Bisphenol A as polyepoxide monomers
• UK Centre for Process Innovation receives funding for biorefinery equipment
• High yield bio-isoprene process developed
• Chitin-based plastic bags under development
• Polymer-producing enzyme structure determined
• ε-caprolactone from bio-based terpene
• Computer memory successfully created from eggshells
• Glue from mussel proteins and PLA
• Dupont to begin research into Protein Medication production

Polymers

• Solegear purchases LINDAR's bioplastic division
• Automotive industry set to boost bio-polyamide market
• Nanocellulose from oil palm's empty fruit branches

Chemicals

• Avantium acquires Liquid Light
• Bio-butadiene market set to grow thanks to tyres

Consumer Products

• BanBao produces 100% biobased toy blocks
• Unibio develops high protein animal feed from biogas

Patents

• Improved copper-containing multimetallic catalysts, and method for using the same to make biobased 1,2-propanediol
• Methods for production of terephthalic acid and styrene from ethylene oxide
• Bio-based binders for insulation and non-woven mats

Events

• ORG Conference 2017, 23rd March 2017, Rocester, United Kingdom
• Bio-Based Live, 31st May - 1st June 2017, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 13th International Conference on Renewable Resources and Biorefineries, 7-9th June 2017, Wrocław, Poland
• EFIB, 9th – 11th October 2017, Brussels, Belgium