nova-Institut: 4th Biomaterials Congress will showcase leading companies from France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany

The fourth Biomaterials Congress will take place on the 15th and 16th of March at the Maternushaus in Cologne (10 min walk from the central railway station), Germany. It comes at a time of dynamic development of the industry: the double-digit growth is being fueled as the rising oil prices continue. Global substantial investments are currently taking place regarding new production; furthermore there are increasingly clear policies leading to a bio-based economy.

Bio-based economy is understood by including bio-based plastics and composites and bio-based additives along with green chemistry. Discussions took place in Brussels about current targets after Japan has already introduced mandatory quotas for bio-based plastics. In addition, biomaterials have gained public procurement priority in the United States.

Since the first of January of this year, Italy (after France launched a similar initiative last year with commitments and targets from the industry and municipalities) banned conventional plastic bags. The US bioplastics producer Cereplast recently opened his European Headquarters in Germany due to the increasing demand, which is to supply the entire EU market. Furthermore, the German engineering company Uhde Inventa-Fischer will start the first PLA production in Germany (Brandenburg) in the January 2011.

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The program
This year (beside Germany), emphasis will be on France, Belgium and the Netherlands. These four countries currently hold the most important investments in the bio-based economy. Leading companies from these countries will present their latest products and developments. In the program you can find (among others) the biotechnology network IAR and Arkema from France, the company Galactic from Belgium, DSM from the Netherlands, Purac and Avantium as well as BASF, Evonik and Bayer Material Science from Germany. There are also lectures from USA / Finland (Ashland) and Asia (National Innovation Agency, Thailand).

The innovation award
For the fourth year running, an Innovation Prize will be awarded for industrial bio-materials - bio-based plastics and composites. The goal is further build awareness about such materials for engineers and decision makers. The competition aims to develop new, material-specific applications and markets for biomaterials. Especially needed are new materials in a specific product application that were introduced on the market in 2010/2011. With this innovation award, the nova-Institute aims to gather innovative application ideas for the industrial bio-material sector, but also for interested companies outside this particular industry.

In previous years, well-known companies such as Henkel, Staedtler, PROGANIC, Alesco and FKuR have each won prizes for innovation. The award is sponsored by Coperion, the leading manufacturer of twin screw extruders. Companies can still register their new bio-matrials and applications until the end of January to the nova-Institut.

Biomaterials Exhibition
There is also the possibility to book a stand at the exhibition. The exhibition is located in the foyer of the convention hall where meeting-pauses are held.

More Information: www.biowerkstoff-kongress.de

4th Biomaterials Congress 2011, 15.-16. March 2011, Cologne

nova-Institut für politische und ökologische Innovation GmbH, Hürth, Germany

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