Bio-Fuels Bio-Plastics
Starch Italics Starch Industry Overview
EPA Announces Renewable Fuels Standard 2011 Requirements (Contd) ―The RFS was designed in part to ensure the evolution of America‘s biofuels industry is successful. By reducing the standard for cellulosic biofuels, EPA is accurately reflecting the difficulties cellulosic biofuel technologies have encountered in obtaining the capital needed to fully commercialize. However, being aware of this fact, EPA should have been and must be careful to keep cellulosic biofuel targets ambitious so as to stimulate the kind of investment these technologies need to finish commercialization.‖
Potatoes To Plastic A Carberry-based company continues to research new applications for potato-based bioplastic. Solanyl Biopolymers holds the license to technology that uses potato starch from the food processing industry to create a starch-based bioplastic that can be turned into semi-durable and disposable products. "If you look around and see how much plastic is around, there's lots of opportunity and lots of ways to use our material," says marketing manager Mavis McCrae.
In its comments on EPA‘s proposed rule, the RFA urged EPA to keep the overall RFS target at 13.95 bio gallons and allow other renewable fuels as defined by the RFS to make up the cellulosic biofuel shortfall in 2011. (cornandsoybeandigest.com 29 November 2010)
Mater-Bi distribution agreement with Thailand's Thantawan Italian bioplastics manufacturer Novamont (Novara) signed an agreement with Thai bag and flexible straw manufacturer Thantawan Industry (Bangkok) for the distribution of Mater-Bi in Thailand. Pointing to the advantages of producing bioplastics in Thailand, Novamont‘s new Business Development Director Stefano Facco did not dismiss the option that pending good sales of Mater-Bi, the Italian company could in future establish a plant in Thailand to produce Mater-Bi from cassava starch. (plasteurope.com 28 September 2010)
Oct/Nov 2010
So far, the company has used its bioplastic to make products such as office supplies and biodegradable greenhouse pots. "Anything that is semi-durable or disposable is a great application for the bioplastic," says McCrae. The starch is reclaimed from the waste water at potato processing facilities. It is then converted into a resin that can be heated and shaped through traditional injection molding. Solanyl was recognized earlier this month as the Emerging Agribusiness Life Science Company of the Year by the Life Science Association of Manitoba. (portageonline.com 22 November 2010)
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