Wisconsin Bioplastic Briefing

McDonalds Working With 10 “Green” Restaurant Models

2009-08-18T14:27:00.001-07:00

Two article's posted at Environmental Leader and Daily Finance McDonalds discusses their efforts to become more “green.” For many of us the definition of “green” means many different things, but we should give McDonalds props for taking this effort on. They indicate many great initiatives such as composting and reducing waste. We do have one small issue though. In the article McDonalds indicated that biodegradable packaging applications proved fruitless. True bioplastic does not have applications that could suit the volume of food that comes out of a McDonalds on any given day, but why not look at other applications for this wonderful product (O.K. we are a little bias towards bioplastic).

But why slam a product like bioplastic without speaking to other non-packaging applications? How many plastic forks, knifes or spoons do you think they utilize? We don’t know either, and cannot begin to imagine, but it would be cool to know what the opportunity is.

Georgia Pacific recently indicated they will start utilizing Cereplast’s bio-wax on its Dixie-cup® brands.

McDonalds could be the driver for greater use of a bio-wax for the millions of soda and cold drinks they sell in paper cups? Or how about the straws we put in there? Then add little nuggets of information on the straw regarding the economic and environmental benefits of utilizing a sustainable feedstock produced in the United States.

It would be pretty cool if the kids eating their happy meals had the opportunity to use a bioplastic straw, or drink their milk out of a bioplastic container then could separate that trash so McD’s can compost the waste.

Look we are not trying to make life difficult for McDonalds, but we are trying to say that they can be a driver like Wal-Mart for greater innovation utilizing a feedstock that supports the full supply chain in the United States.

Cereplast has biodegradable foam

2009-06-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, Cereplast, the one who will be going to contract manufacturing is rolling out a new bio-foam application. Pretty cool as it will compete against Sytrofoam. We wonder what the heat deflection temp is? Can coffee be poured into these new bio-foam cups? We doubt it, but applications will be tremendous.

In the article posted at Cleantech.com, Cereplast CEO Frederic Scheer said that the cost for the product is 20-25% more expensive than traditional polystyrene. Furthermore the starch bases biofoam is produced at tempuratures of 185 degrees Fahrenheit vs. 400-500 degrees for polystyrene.

Other advantages noted in the article; less dense than other biofoams, reduced energy costs, and is only half a pound heavier per cubic foot vs. polystyrene.

THE GREAT DEBATE FOR DEGRADABLE PLASTICS

2009-06-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

And so it begins. Environmental Leader reports today that greenwashing lawsuits are up, and so is climate change deception by companies to position themselves in front of policy decision makers. Then there is news from The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) calling for restraint in the use of degradable additives in PET products.

Specifically, NAPCOR states in their press release from May 28^th that no data has been made publicly available to substantiate or document: 1) the claims of degradability of PET resin products containing degradable additives; 2) the effect of degradable additives on the quality of the PET recycling stream; 3) the impacts of degradable additives on the products made from recycled PET; and 4) the true impact on the service life of these products.

Points 1 & 4 are the major concerns when looking at the market as a whole. With the increase in “green” product claims, and an increase in deception by companies marketing “green,” it serves the plastic PET industry right by getting out in front to ensure customers and brand owners are getting/providing what is being marketed.

Degradable plastic and Bio-degradable plastic are two different products, and the inputs are different at their core. Degradable = Petrochemical. Biodegradable =Agri-chemical. Both are organic, but one is renewable feedstock. I’m not saying one is better than the other. We’re saying we need truth in labeling when consumers are making a purchasing choice. A very wise and respected plastics professional/professor summed it up, “You don’t know what the impact is if there happens to be a lead colorant in the product. Where does that lead end up?”

Point being, we just don’t know what are in these products when marketed as degradable or biodegradable. Yes there are standards both here in the U.S. and the European market, but how do I really know that a credit card marketed as biodegradable is truly degradable? Especially when they have not gone after USDA or BPI certified?

Cap & Trade, Chemcials, Green Amendment

2009-06-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Usually Friday is a slow news day, but for those interested in Cap & Trade, chemicals, and green products you may want to read the full articles over at Washington Post.com and the Wall Street Journal.

Washington Post, High Stakes Quest for Permission to Pollute, by Steven Mufson

Green Amendment drafted into Waxman Markey Bill and introduced by Rep. Gene Green (how awesome is it to have a Rep. named Green in Congress. All “green” legislation should go through his office. Or, would that be more green-washing?) The amendment inserted “emission points” and deleted “sources” and is directed at the petroleum refining industry.

As explained in Mufson’s article, the green amendment has the potential to allow oil refineries the ability to cut carbon emissions at one processing unit rather than the entire facility. Refiners would have to cut Co2 emissions at the single unit by 50%. Of course the bill is still working its way through Congress, many changes will be made, but it is better to have it in now than having to try an insert later.

Here is why I think this is important

Wall Street Journal, Chemical Makers Poised to Gain in Cap-and-Trade System, by Ana Campoy

Over at the Wall Street Journal, Ana Compoy, has an excellent article on how chemical companies stand to gain from the Cap & Trade legislation. She references Dupont Co. expectations that 50% of sales by 2015 will come from renewable materials.

When producing renewable materials, ie green chemicals, large chemical companies will be emitting less Co2 right of the bat. I’m guessing here, but my presumption is that there will be very little re-tooling when taking that “one single unit” and converting it to a green chemical production unit. It is a wide assumption, but I’m betting chemical companies and refiners see this as really good legislation. Especially when they are getting allowances, or otherwise known as free, carbon credits.

I am sure that I’m completely off my rocker, but this is my initial read on what this provision does for the oil refining and chemical industry. Just a few weeks ago there were stories about large refiners and chemical companies being very interested in ethanol and other renewable fuels. See where I’m going with this?

Ms. Compoy leaves us with an excellent quote from Dow Chemical’s Rich Wells, VP of Energy, “Whether your inspiration is cap-and-trade or the prospect of $140-a-barrel oil, you need to be strategically involved in this space.”

Food Packaging & Bioplastic

2009-05-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Food Productiondaily.com has a short article regarding bioplastic food packaging applications. Essentially the article states that:

Bioplastic applications are increasing through improved processing, faster market entry, and reliability
Primarily used in food applications
Drink Groups are increasingly looking at applications (see Coca-Cola water bottle business Disani)
Downturn in global economic conditions may help drive the bioplastic industry as companies look for alternatives for marketing applications

Cereplast Announces New Game Plan, Production to halt?

2009-05-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

News coming from Earthtimes is that Cereplast has a new strategic plan in place to go after the bioplastic market. They look to working with NatureWorks™ to develop greater market applications. Cereplast has been all over the news recently. Doral's, Safety 1st® (for those who have kids) will start marketing hybrid bioplastic items for babies and children. Georgia Pacific recently announced they will be partnering with Cereplast and NatureWorks to put PLA into Dixie® Cups.

What does this all mean?

Working in the supply chain with bioplastic producers for greater market application, and those manufacturers who are supplying the products for the brand-owners?

Cereplast is shutting down the yet to be built/finished facility in Seymour, Indiana. It also looks as though the California plant will be shutting down by Cereplast CEO Frederic Scheerer statement... "“This is the painful part of growth,” said Scheer. “Unfortunately, we will not be able to include many of our manufacturing employees as we move forward. However, we plan to focus on our strengths and anticipate hiring additional product development and marketing personnel in the future.”

Coke is pulling bio and recycled together

2009-05-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Unless you are living und a rock somewhere and haven't heard, Coke will be using a mixture of bioplastic (up to 30%) and traditional PET that can BE recycled. Why is this cool?

The plastic recycling industry does not like bioplastic mixed in the recycling stream. Does this mean they are coming to the alter for a full fledge wedding? Don't know yet, but the engagement is starting.

Check out the article here on plastics today.

Why Choose Compostables? Qustions being asked.

2009-04-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

The first article regarding why someone should choose biodegradable plastic over recycled or traditional plastic is starting to be asked. Treehugger has the article here. COOL 2012 has been doing some work, and you can visit the their site here.

Some reason's why you should choose bio:

A. Feedstock for bioproducts are supporting local supply chains
B. Renewable, and as the market grows so will recycling for bioproduct's
C. It is just cooler to use something that can degrade over something that never will in our life time.
D. $$$ spent on bioproducts stay in the U.S. Dollars spent on traditional plastic, well you get the gist...

Homemade Bioplastic

2009-04-20T20:34:00.001-07:00

This is awesome. I've seen some of these instructions before, but never followed through. I'll give it a shot, and report back.

I can feel the pain in the first sentence...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-BioPlastics-Environmentally-Friendly-Plast/

Mirel by Telles bioplastic

2009-04-20T05:49:00.000-07:00

Mirel, Bioplastics by Telles (Metabolix/ADM), is in a new story (which can be read here) that has been floating around out there (love how some take material from others and post without edits, and don't enter fresh info).

We have read and saw this a few times, is not a press release from Mirel, and does provide a good read for those who are not familiar with the product.

(ok. we used the picture without authority, but no reference was given prior. does that make it right?)

Sun Chips to be packaged in Corn Bags

2009-04-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Environmental Leader has an interesting article/video on Sun Chip™ and the move to biodegradable packaging. Sun Chips, Frito Lay, are using 33% renewable material in every 10 ½ oz size of chips. They plan to go 100% renewable packaging by 2010. They state it will be the first fully compostable chip bag on its kind. Link to Sun Chips pdf here. I think they are using PLA from NatureWorks, but cannot be certain.

Sun Chips can actually say they are dried by the sun too. They use solar power at a plant where they are produced. I can’t say if they are 100% solar power, but still pretty cool.

I’m running down to the nearest Walgreens, and getting’ me some Garden Salsa’s.

Bioplastics Coming Out Party

2009-04-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

Bioplastics will be front and center at NPE. They have announced that at least 16 booths and no less than 39 presentations will feature bioplastic. You can read the story here at Plastics Today. Cannot remember if you need a password. You can probably catch the news here at NPE as well.

$17500 Awarded for Bioplastic Cheese Wrap

2009-04-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Governer Doyle announced yesterday that Fair Play Marketing will get $17,500 to utilize bioplastic as a packaging wrap for single use cheese sticks. Unsupported plastic, which is hard to do with bioplastic, is the application.

From Governor Doyle's press release...

The grants are part of the Value Added Dairy Initiative (VADI) Year 5 program funding, which Senator Herb Kohl and Representative Dave Obey helped secure to support Wisconsin’s dairy industry.

"Fairplay Packaging LLC, Monroe - $17,500
This project includes researching and testing biodegradable packaging materials for cheese products. Fairplay Packaging is a new company that buys primarily Wisconsin cheese. It is diversifying its offerings for cutting and packaging and is planning to trial and test market new cheese types and varieties such as probiotic cheese. "

Bioplastic24.co has the new market report

2009-04-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

Bioplastic24.com has issued a press release regarding a comprehensive market report aimed at manufactures, processors and users of bioplastic. They have 100 different polymers produced 40 different manufacturers. The cost is somewhere around 800 euro's. To be fair, they are giving customers a EUR 50 credit. Still to steep for us. Maybe someone would be willing to share their copy?

They do pose the question, and devote a chapter to: "Bioplastics - Economic opportunity or temporary phenomenon." My guess, bioplastics are here to stay.

Bioplastic Weekly Briefing

2009-04-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

So recent news has popping up around biofoam. A group in Florida is raffling off a biofoam surf board, the Supernal Biofoam . While searching the company we ran into D&H Energy Management, a biofoam insulation company at foammadison.com.

Then there is this biofoam news… CryoLife, Inc was awarded $1.7 million from Federal DOD. This is a biofoam to decrease blood flow for internal and external injuries. Pretty cool stuff in many different applications.

3.21.09 WBDB

2009-03-21T08:41:00.000-07:00

Friday was the bombshell of the week. ConAgra is utilizing 50% recycled "post consumer waste" with NatureWorks PLA. They refer to the product as recycled PLA, and note the reduced use of PVC and PETG by weight. This is cool stuff. The first marriage, as for as I can tell, of recycled plastic and biodegradable plastic. They do not reference it being biodegradable.

Why is this so cool? Bioplastic and Recycled plastic as one. The two didn't like each other to much either. And the news in Feb. was that NatureWorks got PLA out of the recycled plastic waste stream with help from Unisensor. Important news for this market segment.

Wisconsin Bioplastic Daily Briefing

2009-03-18T08:11:00.001-07:00

Editors note...this entry scratches the surface of the discussion last night, and please come back for future updates...

We took the WBDB to the Milwaukee SPE section meeting last night, and once again they did not disappoint. The Milwaukee SPE is dedicated to education, and last nights discussion could have been applied to any industry in Wisconsin. You did not have to be involved in the plastic industry to have positive and strong take-a-way message.

The conversation focused on keeping your business competitive in today’s economic environment, and how government, academia, and business can partner to create a stronger manufacturing industry in Wisconsin. Speakers included; Bob Dealey, Dealey’s Mold Engineering, Michael Lovell, Dean of Engineering at UW-Milwaukee, Glenn Kennedy, VP Operations, InPro Corporation, and State Representative Rich Zipperer.

The most important aspect to note is the wide range of experts that spoke, and the depth of knowledge they have to create the strong workforce. We highly suggest you follow the links provided to learn more about these highly intuitive speakers.

Speaker Bob Dealey provided one very exciting moment for us here at WBDB when he noted that five of the most innovative and dynamic tool & die companies reside right here in Wisconsin. Why was this exciting you ask? WBDB sat next to the representative from DYNAMIC , and sure enough they were mentioned in the top five. Prior to being announced as one of the most innovative in the nation we talked cap’s and closures.

Why so exciting? Because DYNAMIC, along with others such as Triangle Tool Corp. and the rest of the tool and die companies will play a critical role in the expansion of bioplastic. You can’t produce a plastic part without a mold to either push or pull the material through. As we’ve learned, no one mold works with all plastic, especially when it comes to bioplastic.

Wisconsin Bioplastic Daily Briefing

2009-03-17T07:45:00.001-07:00

Interesting press release this morning from Frost & Sullivan (F&S) regarding the emerging bio-renewable chemicals (We guess they really don’t want to say biochemical) industry and the relationship with the food industry. F&S provide analysis that the bio-renewable chemical market earned $1.63 billion in 2008, and estimated that revenues could exceed $5 billion by 2015. And the best part is that F&S analysts took a look at the lactic acid, succinic acid, glycerol and 1.3 propanediol in the markets of chemicals, bioplastic and composites.

First they reference reliability and predictability of feedstock prices for bio-renewable chemicals. Second, lower emission levels by as much as 50%. Natureworks and others are also claiming lower carbon emissions through the manufacturing process as well.

F&S then lays out issues that are preventing the market from moving forward. Lack of a smooth business-to-business integration is slowing market acceptance. Two different supply chains, and lack of knowledge

Reading between the lines, there are some engineers who have been in their jobs a while and don’t want to change. It happens in every industry and business.

F&S states that over the long term awareness of benefits and the integration of the supply chains will develop strong partnerships for the market.

Here is Wisconsin we are working to bring the knowledge to the market, and build the green supply chain for our manufacturers to have a large slice of $5 billion market by 2015.

Read the press release here….

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-17-2009/0004989659&EDATE=

BPA Legislation Introduced

2009-03-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

If you are in the plastics industry you by now have heard the news about BPA, bishpenol A, and possible negative effects it may have on humans. Legislation was introduced at the federal level to ban BPA in all food and beverage containers.

Recent news from Sunoco (yes the same company that supplies fuel for NASCAR) will not help the industry any. Sunoco will no longer sell BPA to producers who manufacture food and water containers for children under 3. Six major baby bottle manufactures announced they will stop using BPA in bottles.

What does this mean? The industry says the stuff is safe for children, but that arguement is being thrown out the window with this announcement.

It is unclear how this will effect the bioplastic industry. There is a group in Iowa who is marketing technology that replaces BPA. We are uncertain about the availability of the product and the feedstock to produce it.

Wisconsin Bioplastic Daily Briefing

2009-03-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

According to a recent press release from NatureWorks , a j/v of Cargill and Teijin (Japanese chemical company), the Blair, Nebraska plant has not even reached its full capacity of 140,000 tons, but they are exploring the possibility of adding a second manufacturing plant.

Demand for their bioplastic has been expanding, and new competition is coming online in 2009. Two new manufacturing plants are being constructed right now. Metabolix reported last week that the Clinton, Iowa plant is on schedule to start producing in the second half of 2009, and Cereplast is reporting a similar time frame for their manufacturing plant.

During 2008’s run-up in oil prices a number of companies began exploring the use of bioplastic because of sharp price increases for traditional petro-chemical feedstock and higher quality bioplastic that competed with oil based plastics.

NatureWorks news is great for the industry. Demand is strong, supply is short. Oil prices have stabilized, chemical companies have cut back on production, and bioplastic’s are still competitive. This is really great news for the industry as it moves forward into new markets. Brand-owners are finding value with the use of sustainable feedstock while keeping costs in line.

Yes, we are making broad assumption here, but take this one to the bank:
“We anticipate continued advancements in the resin's performance, as well as an increase in the number of products and applications using Ingeo™. We're starting our assessment now, recognizing that typical timeframes for design and construction of such facilities can be three years after a decision is made," said Marc Verbruggen, president and CEO.

Reading the tea leaves, Bioplastic is here to stay. Future oil prices will go higher, and the smart companies are positioning themselves now to enter the market with competitive products that consumers want.

Memo to NatureWorks….Wisconsin has a lot of corn. And wood. Lots of it. Think second generation bioplastic made from wood.

Wisconsin Bioplastic Daily Briefing

2009-03-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

This week saw news from DuPont™ regarding the product Cerenol™, a renewably sourced polyol. Not very familiar with the product, but the chatter out there says it is corn based. DuPont was recognized by SPE with a 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award for the product development. A second product from DuPont has been racing around as well. Salomon announced they will be using Hytrel® RS in the ski boots. Hytrel® RS is a hybrid type resin that according to DuPont can have 20-60% renewable sourced feedstock in the plastic. Salomon’s Ghost ski boot will be available next year for the general public, and has been in use by sponsorship riders this past year. Check out the boot here.

Scrapa’s boot is no slouch either. The Tornado Eco, T2 Eco, and includes a women’s model as well. For those backcountry souls the boot puts nature at your foot (I know bad pun, but we had to come up with something). Scrapa claims the boot requires 29% less fossil fuel and puts out 32% fewer Co2 emissions. The boot uses PEBAX-Renew, a thermoplastic elastomer manufactured from the African miracle tree, Ricinus communis (castor oil plant). Can’t find a webpage for the product, and it appears to be big in Europe with several other applications in the sporting industry.

Bioplastic Daily Briefing

2009-03-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

Wisconsin Bioplastic Daily Briefing

Metabolix recently announced that Bioverse, a developer of natural products, contracted to purchase Mirel™ bioplastic resin for a ball that you put into small ponds to help clean up the water. The product, AquaSphere PRO, is a bioremediation system, and will undergo an upgrade to a bioplastic shell. The previous shell is recycled plastic, and is still being offered. The biosphere is submerged underwater, and you forget about it. As I understand it, the shell biodegrades in tempo with the life cycle of the water treatment system.

According to the press release Bioverse is the first customer announcement for the marine and fresh water market, and is one of six targeted markets for the bioplastic resin marketed by Telles, the jv formed by Metabolix and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) to commercialize the bioplastic resin.

What are some of the other possible markets that a marine grade biodegradable plastic could be utilized in? If you haven’t noticed Wisconsin has a lot of lakes.

I have to challenge myself, you know, because I’m the president of the PPBA (Professional Pontoon Boaters Association) to see where a bioplastic product could be used on the pontoon? Got it, we need new cup holders. The old ones fell apart, and were mounted poorly. No, they did not fall in the water. They went in the trash though. Maybe the next ones could compost? Will try to find some, and fill you in as the search progresses.