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August 21, 2008

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Taxes, bans on plastic packaging looming in California
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (August 12, 2008) -- A series of recommendations from the Ocean Protection Council in California could lead to more bans and taxes on plastics packaging in the state. The report, published late last month, calls for producer responsibility for the take-back of packaging waste, and bans or fees on commonly littered items such as plastic bags and polystyrene containers.

U.S. Congress passes phthalates ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 12, 2008) -- A joint U.S. Senate-House conference committee July 28 approved the ban of six types of phthalates -- three of which are banned permanently and three temporarily. The bill’s approval comes on the heels of phthalate bans passed in the states of California, Washington and Vermont in the past nine months.

Japan keen on bioplastics, but implementation slow

Inomata

TOKYO (August 12, 2008) -- In 2002, Japan set an ambitious goal that, by 2020, 20 percent of its plastics should come from renewable feedstocks, rather than traditional petrochemicals. Plastics News sat down with bioplastics industry officials in Japan to take a look at developments. The picture that emerged is of an industry very interested in testing new applications, but one that, in spite of the government’s bold goals, does not seem to be any closer than other countries to seeing bioplastics grow. Bioplastics remain, at most, about 1 percent of the country’s plastics market, said Inomata Isao, adviser to the Japan BioPlastics Association, a figure in line with other estimates of bioplastics use worldwide.

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Thailand aims to be a bioplastics leader in S.E. Asia

Temprom

BANGKOK, THAILAND (August 12, 2008) -- Thailand’s cabinet approved funding for a bioplastics “road map” last month that aims to develop local production of polylactic acid (PLA) resin made from cassava and other materials. The Thai government plans to take advantage of its position as Southeast Asia’s largest plastic product exporter and its sizable agricultural industry to turn the country into a regional leader in bioplastics. The decision was welcomed by local industry, which said the funding culminates long discussions with the government. “We think this is a good opportunity,” said Benjaporn Temprom with Thai processor N.R. Rama Co. Ltd.

Recycler MBA may expand in U.K. or China

Biddle

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA (August 12, 2008) -- The United Kingdom and China were mentioned as possible locations for a plant that will recover plastic resin from end-of-life durable goods. MBA Polymers Inc. and European Metal Recycling Ltd. (EMR) are looking for a site for their joint venture and could reach a decision by the end of August or September.

Australian bag distributor ‘embarrassed’ by findings
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (August 5, 2008) -- Australia’s biggest municipal council is wondering why the plastic bags it has been distributing aren’t what they’re supposed to be. The bags, which are made available to park patrons for collecting dog droppings, were supposed to be made of 2 percent polyethylene and the rest of biodegradable starch materials. Laboratory tests show only a 10 percent starch content. The bags’ distributor, Melbourne-based Dog Tidy Co. Pty. Ltd., said it is trying to find out why the bags supplied by its Chinese manufacturer are not what the city asked for in a contract that started in January.

Foamex reduces debt, lays out growth plans

Foamex´s “green” foam chair

LINWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA (July 29, 2008) -- After Foamex International Inc.’s stockholders meetings this month, the company’s top executive released the company’s growth plans and outlined key product launches for the electronics, medical, and industrial markets, including the launch of several sustainable specialty foam products for home furnishings. In addition, the foamer will further expand its footprint in Asia.

Design competition goes international for NPE 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 15, 2008) -- In a break with tradition, the Washington-based Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI) will make its next design competition an international event and will add new design categories. The competition will be held in conjunction with NPE 2009, scheduled for June 22 to 26 in Chicago, Illinois. In the past, the National Plastics Design Competition was mostly restricted to U.S. entries and limited to load-bearing parts, enclosures and structural parts. The upcoming competition will be open to virtually any type of design, including packaging products, bioplastics, nanocomposites, and products that address energy efficiency and sustainability.

Australian trade group offers sustainability guidelines
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (July 8, 2008) -- Australia’s Plastics & Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) says greater consumer awareness of environmental issues prompted it to launch a sustainability framework for use by member firms. The new document, called Sustainability Leadership Framework for Industry, covers areas like water and energy use, transport efficiency and other elements of the supply chain.

Castle Mark creates chair line for ‘green’ market

Castle Mark’s Edge1 line of office chairs are 90 percent recyclable.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 8, 2008) -- Chinese custom molder Castle Mark Enterprises Ltd. already makes chairs and office furniture parts for some of the leading names in the business. Now, with its first branded product, the company wants to make a name for itself in North American and Europe. The company teamed up with U.S.-based designers to make sure the line met standards for fit and use, and also design the line to meet growing environmental concerns. It is a big step forward for the company, and one that President Tony Chi felt was important to give the company long-term potential beyond making chairs and furniture for other manufacturers.

Thai firm enters bio-based packaging market

Temprom

BANGKOK, THAILAND (June 24, 2008) -- Thai processor N.R. Rama Co. Ltd. and some backers formed Bio Green World Co. Ltd. hoping to take advantage of increasing exports of environmentally friendly food packaging and more domestic demand in the country. Samutprakarn, Thailand-based N.R. Rama has invested in new equipment and land for a new factory in Chon Buri, Thailand. With plans to build in a year, the plant will focus on polylactic acid-based biopolymers, said Benjaporn Temprom, executive coordinator for the company.

Australian firm to supply ‘green’ bags for Olympics

Biograde’s compostable bags

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (June 17, 2008) -- An Australian bioplastic manufacturer has won a contract to provide biodegradable packaging to the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Biograde Ltd., headquartered in Melbourne, will supply seven types of bag to Olympic organizers for use as bin liners, branded show bags and waste management bags. Factors that played a key role in the committee’s choice of Biograde were that its bags meet the European compostability standard, a requirement of the committee, and the fact that the packaging can be produced at the company’s plant in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

Ford looking toward future with PLA
DETROIT, MICHIGAN (June 10, 2008) -- Ford Motor Co. is taking a serious look at bio-based and biodegradable plastics, and asking if it is possible to one day make an auto interior part that can not only be made from natural products, but also will break down and disappear back into the earth after it’s life is over.

Do-It touts eco-line of display strips

McClendon

SHANGHAI (June 10, 2008) -- American family business Do-It Corp. made its debut in China at the 2008 Chinaplas show in Shanghai, where it showed off a line eco-friendly products, plastic display strips for hanging merchandise. Managing Director Mark McClendon said the eco-friendly line uses less resin than most display strips on the market.

China’s molders prepare for VOC regulations
SHANGHAI (May 27, 2008) -- As China’s car industry continues to grow, the country’s concerns about air quality are growing alongside the number of drivers. And it’s not just the air outside the car that is gaining attention. At the end of this year, China’s regulators are expected to come out with standards for the amount of volatile organic chemicals (VOC) in the air inside of new vehicles.

Canadian biocomposites maker opening U.S. plant
DELTA, BRITISH COLUMBIA (May 27, 2008) – Canadian wood-plastic composites maker JER Envirotech International Corp. plans to set up a production operation in the States by the end of the year. JER’s U.S. sales of biocomposites are growing and the firm needs to make them in the United States to cut down on freight charges, said JER Chief Executive Officer Edward Trueman. The plant will be Delta-based JER’s third. It also runs a joint venture near Manilla, the Philippines, that uses rice hulls as the fiber source.

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