AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, opened the seventh edition of its International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites.
The two-day meeting in Valencia brings together bioplastic experts from around the world. Around 20 speakers addressed the challenges and opportunities of bioplastics and biocomposites in a context characterized by key legislative developments affecting such materials and consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.
During the event’s inauguration, Mireia Mollà i Herrera, the Valencian Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, focused on the challenges and opportunities facing bioplastics and biocomposites in light of the fight against climate change.
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Mollà highlighted the role of AIMPLAS as a point of reference in terms of plastics innovation and knowledge transfer, and highlighted how its experience in the circular economy will help reintroduce materials into the production process.
Oliver Buchholz from European Bioplastics explained that global bioplastic production is set to increase by 15 per cent by 2024 and that, although packaging continues to lead the way, applications in other sectors (including the textile, agriculture, automotive and construction industries) have increased their market share in terms of materials from renewable sources.
In relation to the European Green Deal and legislation on single-use plastics, he issued a warning about food safety issues that could arise if polymers were replaced by materials that are not so strictly regulated and stressed that further research is essential.
Angelo Innamorati from the European Commission emphasized the usefulness of biodegradable plastics in agriculture.
While Jordi Simón, the Technical Director of Asobiocom, focused on certification and Elena Domínguez, a researcher at AIMPLAS and seminar coordinator, sought to highlight the importance of EU directives, since these will help promote new business models involving waste recovery to obtain polymers from renewable sources, thereby bringing biorefineries and the economy together.
The second day was dedicated to biotechnology. The various speakers revealed how enzymes may be the key to biodegradation processes and also addressed the sustainable production of biopolymers through microorganisms in biorefineries.