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Biopolymers made from renewable resources have reached a consumption
level of 25Kt, but development efforts have enhanced significantly
in the last 1-2 years.
CARGIL DOW has recently commissioned a 140kt/year
Polylactic acid (PLA) plant in the US. Intially only one train of
80kt/year will be operated until the sales volumes reach a sizeable
level. PLA is derived from Lactic Acid derived from Sugar of corn.
These polymers known as 'Nature Works' has already seen some interesting
packaging applications like twist wrapping for candies as well as
thermoformed containers for processed food products. Fibers have
also been developed.
Another biopolymer Polyester copolymer based on
starch developed by Novamont, Italy is finding applications in shopping
and trash bags using conventional PE film equipments.
RODENBURG BIOPOLYMERS located in the Netherlands
has developed Solanyl Polymers Starch derived from Potato Peels.
Due to lower feedstock cost of potato peel, which are essentially
by-products, Solanyl Polymer has the potential to crack the cost
barrier. However Solanyl has a strong smell.
From the family of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PH4),
the first grade with chain length of C4/C20
will be commercialized in the next 2-3 years by KANEKA CORP in Japan,
using technology developed bt Proctor and Gamble.
Another player of PHA Biopolymer, METABOLIX in
USA plans to grow aliphatic polyester directly in plants instead
of fermentation process to reduce the cost of feedstocks.
DUPONT, USA is considering of developing renewable
resources for its Sorona Polyester that have been recently launched
for fiber applications.
ECM Biofilms from USA has developed a Masterbatch
additive technology that will help in degrading the conventional
Polyolefin products to Carbon Dioxide and water at loadings of less
than 1%.
A recent conference on Biopolymers in Germany indeed showed that
biopolymer developments are now increasing around the globe. Europe,
the largest consumer of biopolymers (almost 40% of the total consumption)
is expected to take the lead in developing the markets particularly
in food packaging.
While it is true that the high prices of biopolymers have been a
great deterrent for their growth, all test developments could lead
to lower prices in the next 2-3 years and thereby higher consumption.
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