Last year's event drew more almost 400 attendees and, with interesting the materials continuing to gather pace, don't be surprised if the 5th European Bioplastics Conference, scheduled for Dec. 1-2 in Düsseldorf, Germany, brings in a crowd as large or larger.

As yet, say the oprganziers, more than 25 experts from all over the world have confirmed they will present at the event, while the adjacent exhibition also is filling its ranks.

The conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Düsseldorf.

The presentations will include talks on technological innovation, new applications of bioplastics, evaluations of bioplastic consumer goods and the status on the discussion on recovery and recycling systems. Offering a processor's perspective will be Oliver Schmid of Propper, one of the companies pioneering the manufacture of long-life consumer goods injection molded of bioplastics.

So far, the following exhibitors are confirmed: PolyOne, Mirel Bioplastics by Telles, Purac, Novamont, Sukano, DIN Certco, Kaneka, FKuR, Huhtamaki, Fachagentur Nachwachsender Rohstoffe, A.P.I. SpA, Taghleef Industries, BASF, Kingfa, NatureWorks, Vincotte and BKG.

The event is organized by European Bioplastics (Berlin, Germany), the European association representing the interests of the industry along the complete bioplastics' value chain. More information about the conference, including the cost of attendance, is available at http://www.conference.european-bioplastics.org.