Nuremberg, Germany/ -- Biodegradable Polymers (BDP) are an innovation developed by the chemicals and plastics industries. Since BDPs are similar in structure to conventional plastic polymers, standard polymer processing methods can be used to transform them into an enormous variety of products. The main difference between BDPs and conventional polymers is that, due to their physical and chemical structure, BDPs can be broken down by microorganisms, i.e. fungi and bacteria. In addition, a major role in their manufacture is played by renewable resources, which are already the predominant source of raw materials for them.

In the medium-to-long term, the proportion of renewable resources that go into the production of BDPs will continue to grow. A number of reasons can be given to support this view. Examples are the ever-louder calls for sustainable development, and foreseeable changes in the prices of raw materials based on fossil resources. In the long term, renewable resources will take over the dominant role now played by fossil resources. They are expected to receive extensive help in this regard from biotechnology. Already, trials to generate polyhydroxyalkanoates in plants are at an advanced stage in the USA, and it has been announced that the first commercial samples will be available within a few years. When it becomes possible to generate high-quality materials directly within plants, a whole new era will dawn for the plastics industry. This topic is currently being investigated by a large number of research teams around the world. BDP development has only just begun.

Supermarkets in Great Britain, France and Italy are now using bioplastics for organic food packaging and as shopping bags.

To date, most of the plastic innovations have been obtained largely from renewable raw materials such as corn, potatoes or cellulose and can be composted without harmful residues.

A two-day symposium on Advanced Bioplastics was held in Nuremberg, Germany.

Over 100 participants from many European countries attended the symposium on the premises of NürnbergMesse. It was organised by the International Biodegradable Polymers Association & Working Groups (IBAW), which is also planning a similar conference for coming years.