From cradle to cradle.
Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart (Leuphana Universtity Lüneburg) presents the vision of a society without garbage with the "Cradle to Cradle^®" concept. The founder of EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung  (Hamburg/Germany) argues for developing products in such a way that they continue to be useful after use in the biosphere and/or technosphere instead of being "disposed of".

Chemical recycling of PLA
Is composting always the best option for bioplastics? Dr. Antje Lieske and her team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP (Potsdam, Germany) have investigated how PLA waste can be returned to the PLA synthesis process. In her lecture, she explains whether and when chemical recycling is worthwhile from an ecological and economic point of view.

Regulation of viscosity and melt strength of PLA compounds.
Dr. Inno Rapthel from BYK Chemie GmbH (Schkopau/Germany) presents research results on the modification of PLA using long chain branching. The concepts developed can be implemented with conventional twin-screw extruders.

Biocolen^®: Bio from polymer to pigment. 
A masterbatch that is 100% biobased: GRAFE Color Batch GmbH (Blankenheim/Germany) took up this challenge. Project leader Dr. Bert Käbisch presents the most important results of investigations on biobased pigments for the plastics industry.

Biodegradability and compostability tests of bioplastics
Biological degradation processes take place in different environments such as water, soil, compost or anaerobic digesters and also very differently depending on the material. Dr. Thomas Günther from Eurofins Umwelt Ost GmbH (Jena/Germany) explains how they can nevertheless be tested in a standardised way.

"Flat Die Unit" for gentle processing
A new hot runner nozzle from FDU-Hotrunner GmbH (Nußbach, Austria) opens up new processing possibilities for biopolymers: it operates with lower injection pressure, reduces shear by up to 50 percent, minimizes not only heat and cooling time but also energy consumption and cycle time. Ing. Daniel Schönleitner presents the innovation.

Bio-Drying: Material-specific drying processes for bioplastics.
A new drying process presented by Marco Siekmann of digicolor GmbH (Herford, Germany) promises particularly material-friendly processing combined with energy savings of up to 40%.

Advantages of the Farrel Continous Mixer in PLA processing
The special properties of the continuous mixer from the Farrel Pomini Group (Ansonia, USA) offer significant advantages in PLA processing, such as molecular weight retention, melt temperature regulation and energy consumption. Peter Gohl knows the details and presents them.

From the beginnings to multi-cavity moulds with In-Mold Label (IML).
Jörg Kohl reports how the production of compostable packaging at BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany) has developed since the beginning of 2011, how customer wishes and technical possibilities have changed and why critical voices in particular have a large share in the success.

From grain to blister. 
How are 100% bio-based, compostable flat films for the packaging industry made from PLA? Which parameters have to be considered, which material requirements have to be fulfilled, which difficulties have to be overcome? Dr.-Ing. Kristin Riedel presents the practical experience of Folienwerk Wolfen GmbH (Bitterfeld-Wolfen/ Germany) with biodegradable products.

Bio-based and cork-filled TPEs
Florian Dresel from Hexpol TPE GmbH (Lichtenfels/Germany) presents thermoplastic elastomers for sustainable products of a special kind. Biobased TPE offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional TPE and thus reduces the CO2 footprint. Furthermore, the Franconian company combines TPE with natural materials such as cork, allowing applications such as handles and functional parts to be realised with a visible natural, soft touch.

Factors for the market success of biodegradable products
In the 1990s Novamont S.p.A. (Novara/ Italy) helped the biodegradable shopping bag to break through in its home country. Today, for example, it also offers alternatives to conventional microplastics in cosmetics. Sales Manager Friedrich von Hesler analyses the market success of products made of biodegradable materials at a glance, not only with regard to the company's own product range.

Production capacities and production technologies for bioplastics
How have production capacities for bioplastics developed so far and how will the expansion continue on a global scale? Udo Mühlbauer from Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH (UIF, Berlin/Germany) answers this question and gives an overview of the most important production technologies in this future sector, including those of his company.

Three further lectures are reserved for the winners of the BIOPOLYMER INOVATION Award, which will be announced and awarded at the congress on 21 May.

Applications are still possible until 31 March!