Technological watch
Biobased plastics fit within a circular economy and sustainable future, says FKuR
FKuR argues that both biobased and biodegradable plastics match seamlessly with the ambitions set out in the "EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy“.
As part of the current discussions regarding the ecological sense and consequences of the use of plastics, biobased as well as biodegradable plastics are taking on an as yet unidentified special status. As a responsible manufacturer and marketer, FKuR confirms both product groups have a great potential to meet the demands of the current EU directives in addressing this issue. The company emphasizes the excellent suitability of biobased thermoplastics for conventional material recycling, while it sees biodegradable plastics as an efficient and proven solution for those applications where this property generates added value for the end product.
"For decades, plastics have made a significant contribution to better living conditions, more sustainable products and waste prevention with their unique combination of light weight, versatility, performance, durability and cost-effectiveness,” said Carmen Michels, managing director of FKuR.
She continued: “However, in the face of their omnipresence, industry, commerce and consumers alike are challenged to use, reuse, dispose of, recycle them and ultimately properly utilize them in a responsible way. Biobased and biodegradable plastics offer attractive opportunities to meet all aspects of this requirement.“
Closing loops with bioplastics
A key element of the European Commission's Circular Economy Package published in December 2015 is the shift from a linear economic model to a circular economy. As a result, at the beginning of 2018 the Commission developed a „EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy“. According to these plans, from 2030 all plastic packaging on the EU market will be recyclable and the consumption of disposable plastics will be reduced.
For Patrick Zimmermann, Director of Sales & Marketing at FKuR, bioplastics play a key role in the implementation of the EU directives: "Especially with drop-in bioplastics it is possible to implement sustainable concepts in two ways, firstly the bioplastic product itself is made from renewable raw materials and secondly, it can be recycled after use via existing recycling systems.”
In other words, this not only conserves fossil resources: packaging, for example, can also become a valuable material for the manufacture of other products.
“We therefore warmly welcome the EU's request to the Member States to support the use of biobased materials in the manufacture of packaging and to improve the market conditions for such products,“ Zimmerman said.
Organic and material recycling are feasible end of life solutions:
Two proven ways to reduce environmental impact: Biobased plastics, which are generally drop-in products for their petroleum-based counterparts, are adequate for material recycling, whereas biodegradable plastics are intended for organic recycling.
Picture © FKuR
• The resource-saving material recycling established for conventional (petroleum-based) plastics can also be used, without any restrictions, for the biobased alternatives which are often used as direct drop-in products (such as Bio-PE or Bio-PET). Recyclates can be returned to the recycling cycle as often as possible products can be used and, in the end, will have to be ultimately used for energy recovery. Thus, biobased plastics can be used to generate renewable energy that does not produce any additional harmful CO2 , a closed CO2 cycle, which is in-line with nature’s model.
• Biodegradable plastics that comply with the standard for industrial compostability (e.g. EN 13432) can be organically recycled. This is particularly useful when plastic products are contaminated with food where material recycling would be unreasonably expensive. Simple and hygienic handling of biowaste using compostable bags, for example, ensures that less valuable waste is disposed of via the residual waste bin. This gives the potential to increase the amount of biowaste collected separately, and at the same time, increases the yield of valuable compost. This can be used later as fertilizer for those crops that are at the beginning of this cycle.
The role of FKuR
As a full-range supplier with a broad product portfolio, FKuR also advises on the selection of the most suitable biobased or biodegradable plastic for specific requirements. In addition, the company offers extensive technical support in the implementation phase of projects and can advise on marketing taking into account special consideration of the bioplastic aspects. FKuR works together with its customers on solutions to make plastic products suitable for recycling. In addition, by continuously improving the material properties, it is also possible to reduce the required thickness of film products.
https://www.fkur.com
As part of the current discussions regarding the ecological sense and consequences of the use of plastics, biobased as well as biodegradable plastics are taking on an as yet unidentified special status. As a responsible manufacturer and marketer, FKuR confirms both product groups have a great potential to meet the demands of the current EU directives in addressing this issue. The company emphasizes the excellent suitability of biobased thermoplastics for conventional material recycling, while it sees biodegradable plastics as an efficient and proven solution for those applications where this property generates added value for the end product.
"For decades, plastics have made a significant contribution to better living conditions, more sustainable products and waste prevention with their unique combination of light weight, versatility, performance, durability and cost-effectiveness,” said Carmen Michels, managing director of FKuR.
She continued: “However, in the face of their omnipresence, industry, commerce and consumers alike are challenged to use, reuse, dispose of, recycle them and ultimately properly utilize them in a responsible way. Biobased and biodegradable plastics offer attractive opportunities to meet all aspects of this requirement.“
Closing loops with bioplastics
A key element of the European Commission's Circular Economy Package published in December 2015 is the shift from a linear economic model to a circular economy. As a result, at the beginning of 2018 the Commission developed a „EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy“. According to these plans, from 2030 all plastic packaging on the EU market will be recyclable and the consumption of disposable plastics will be reduced.
For Patrick Zimmermann, Director of Sales & Marketing at FKuR, bioplastics play a key role in the implementation of the EU directives: "Especially with drop-in bioplastics it is possible to implement sustainable concepts in two ways, firstly the bioplastic product itself is made from renewable raw materials and secondly, it can be recycled after use via existing recycling systems.”
In other words, this not only conserves fossil resources: packaging, for example, can also become a valuable material for the manufacture of other products.
“We therefore warmly welcome the EU's request to the Member States to support the use of biobased materials in the manufacture of packaging and to improve the market conditions for such products,“ Zimmerman said.
Organic and material recycling are feasible end of life solutions:
Two proven ways to reduce environmental impact: Biobased plastics, which are generally drop-in products for their petroleum-based counterparts, are adequate for material recycling, whereas biodegradable plastics are intended for organic recycling.
Picture © FKuR
• The resource-saving material recycling established for conventional (petroleum-based) plastics can also be used, without any restrictions, for the biobased alternatives which are often used as direct drop-in products (such as Bio-PE or Bio-PET). Recyclates can be returned to the recycling cycle as often as possible products can be used and, in the end, will have to be ultimately used for energy recovery. Thus, biobased plastics can be used to generate renewable energy that does not produce any additional harmful CO2 , a closed CO2 cycle, which is in-line with nature’s model.
• Biodegradable plastics that comply with the standard for industrial compostability (e.g. EN 13432) can be organically recycled. This is particularly useful when plastic products are contaminated with food where material recycling would be unreasonably expensive. Simple and hygienic handling of biowaste using compostable bags, for example, ensures that less valuable waste is disposed of via the residual waste bin. This gives the potential to increase the amount of biowaste collected separately, and at the same time, increases the yield of valuable compost. This can be used later as fertilizer for those crops that are at the beginning of this cycle.
The role of FKuR
As a full-range supplier with a broad product portfolio, FKuR also advises on the selection of the most suitable biobased or biodegradable plastic for specific requirements. In addition, the company offers extensive technical support in the implementation phase of projects and can advise on marketing taking into account special consideration of the bioplastic aspects. FKuR works together with its customers on solutions to make plastic products suitable for recycling. In addition, by continuously improving the material properties, it is also possible to reduce the required thickness of film products.
https://www.fkur.com
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
The website reflects only the author's view. The Commission is not responsible for any use thay may be made of the information it contains.Last update: 2022-01-31
