Natural plastics

The Plastice project: how to implement the technology transfer in the field of bioplastics. The Aster contribution.

Research on new materials, particularly bioplastics, is the new frontier of packaging applications. In this scenario, projects such as "Plastice" are exemplary cases for the spread and industrialization of the technologies that are best both for the industrial concerns and for the environment.
We spoke with Daniela Sani of Aster, the consortium for innovation set up by Regione Emilia-Romagna, the regional Universities, the CNR and ENEA, partners of the Plastice project.
 
How did Plastice come into being, how is it comprised and how is it funded?
The project started in 2011 and will be completed in 2014. The lead company and creator of the project is the National Institute of Chemistry of Slovenia, while the other partners include the University of Bologna, the Polish Centre of Research and Development on Packaging, the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, SLOPAK, Slovenian company for managing plastic waste and Novamont, the Italian colossus in the chemical sector and more recently in the so-called green chemical sector. All told there are thirteen partners including companies, universities and research centers from four different European countries.
 
What are the aims of Plastice and what kind of undertakings are planned?
The intent is to promote the development and use of sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in the industry that produces and uses plastics, in particular promoting the use of bioplastics. For this reason, Plastice’s aim is to identify and remove obstacles impeding the broad and rapid spread of the use of sustainable plastics, with particular reference to biodegradable plastics and those derived from renewable resources; in practice, to constitute a sustainable bioplastics supply chain. Among other things this entails devising an information and consultancy package comprising complementary research capabilities provided by different organizations for the benefit of the companies. Through this tool producers of traditional plastics will be able to approach new technologies and new methods of production based on renewable resources. Aster in particular is responsible for developing the best communication strategies to ensure that the project and its aims are disclosed to all stakeholders in the supply chain.
 
What are the greatest impediments?
The ability to disseminate innovative and sustainable (renewable and/or biodegradable) solutions amongst producers of packaging and other plastic products depends on expectations of the user industries (food, retail, medical, etc.) combined with  pressure from the correctly informed end consumer. Up until these subjects have not been convinced as to the economic and environmental benefits associated with the introduction of sustainable packaging materials and semi-finished goods, the critical mass necessary to make largescale adoption of these plastics will not be attained. As a result, the prices of bioplastic products will remain uncompetitive compared to those made with traditional plastics, not only hindering the use but also the possible marketing of new products based on new research findings.
 
What kind of contribution can packaging companies make to encourage the spread of the use of bioplastics?
The packaging industry is the sector with the greatest potential for immediate use of bioplastics, one only need consider all areas that use the traditional petroleum-derived PET: from containers to food product packaging of various kinds up to nets and foams. A more careful and responsible attitude, both on the part of  producer companies as well as on the part of those who build and market packaging machinery is the key to the success of a wider industrial use. Packaging is not the only area involved: bioplastics can be adopted for many other general type (plates, glasses, cups, cutlery) or special type (sports agricultural and medical accessories) disposable applications.
 
With regard to the specific packaging industry, what are the companies’ main demands?
Bioplastic polymers - meaning polymers obtainable using renewable resources - need to have the same characteristics as the one derived from petroleum in terms of strength, structure and elastic properties, so as to allow the chain to use the same systems, reducing any costs for the conversion or implementation of new lines. This means that if for example research has come up with a food packaging material that is compostable at end of life, so as to be zero impact to the environment, it must however also offer excellent durability and insulation, to allow a correct shelf life of the packaged food products. The most positive aspect is that the said materials and technologies to produce bioplastics already exist: it is only a question of broaching their use on an industrial scale. Here the presence within Plastice of companies such as Novamont, for many years engaged in the research and development of advanced materials, is essential.
 
Apart from the advantages for the packaging industry, what opportunities can bioplastics offer in Italy?
Bioplastics can find application in numerous fields, because it is now proven that many widely used plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters, polyurethanes etc, currently derived from petroleum, can be (totally or in part) derived from renewable sources. Hence they can be used in fields ranging from agriculture to the automobile industry.
Agriculture industry waste can be used in making bioplastics, such as for example PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Here Italy constitutes a potentially interesting catchment area  in which to the retrieve raw materials for the production of the required material.
Indeed Italy, as compared to other European countries and in particular those in Central and Eastern Europe, shows a heightened sensitivity on this front. Besides, the establishment of projects such as Plastice, the creation of associations and consortia for the use, promotion and certification of bioplastics, such as the Italian Composting Association (www.compost.it) or the Association of Italian Bioplastics (www.assobioplastiche.org) provide concrete evidence of a commitment to this goal. 
From the legislative point of view as well, recent years have seen a growing public interest regarding the subject, which has led to the drawing up and passing of more stringent regulations. Not to mention the recent creation of the National Technological Green Chemistry Cluster sponsored by Novamont, ENI-Versalis, Mossi and Ghisolfi and Federchimica. Indeed it can be said that Italy also plays a central role in Europe with a major presence in strategic working committees.