The annual International Conference on Bio-based Materials, organized in Cologne, Germany, this year for the eighth time by German consultancy nova-Institut (Hürth), not only successfully brings together major players from the global bioplastics industry for three days of learning and networking, it is also the backdrop for the presentation of the "Bio-based Material of the Year" Innovation Award.

Conference participants select the winner of the award each year from a shortlist previously drawn up by an advisory board at the end of the first conference day. The shortlisted candidate—usually six, although this year only five companies made it—each receive a 10-minute slot to pitch their innovation to conference attendees, who are subsequently asked to cast their vote by ballot. The awards were presented to the winners during the dinner buffet.

This year, as always, the award was sponsored by Coperion (Stuttgart, Germany).

To see the winner and runners up, start the slideshow by clicking on the arrow under the image.