SPI Bioplastics Division highlights biodegradable, biobased plastic materials at NPE2015

As bioplastics continue to play an ever-growing role in the plastics industry’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability, their contributions to both the ecological—as well as economical—vigor of the sector are increasingly gaining well-deserved recognition. At NPE2015, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association and the SPI Bioplastics Division have invited plastics professionals, environmental advocates, industry innovators and other interested parties to the BPD’s booth, SL78 in the South Hall to talk to members and staff about all that SPI does to advance this sector that operates on the cutting edge of the plastics industry. Visitors will also hear about this year’s winner of the Innovation in Bioplastics Award, which will be announced on-site at NPE on March 25.

SPI believes the bioplastics sector will play an important role in the future of the plastics industry as a whole, which is why this industry segment will receive a place of prominence at NPE2015, the world’s most important plastics trade show that SPI produces triennially, and that brings together every sector of the plastics industry in one location.

“Bioplastics is just one of several innovative industry segments that offer the entire plastics industry the opportunity to position itself as the material of choice for the next several decades,” said SPI President and CEO William R. Carteaux. “Between the thousands of green jobs that bioplastics supports and continues to create and the day-to-day ingenuity displayed by bioplastics companies and their employees, this is an industry sector with its finger on the pulse of the plastics supply chain, and it makes sense to acknowledge its contributions at NPE.”

The BPD has worked since 2013 to educate the plastics industry, government and value chain about bioplastics and about the options they present to manufacturers when making materials decisions for their products. “One of the ways we help support this segment of the industry is by recognizing its most forward-thinking innovators with the annual Innovation in Bioplastics Award,” said BPD Chairman Keith Edwards of BASF. “NPE is a perfect venue to recognize this year’s winner and presents a great opportunity for the entire plastics supply chain to learn about this segment of their industry.”

Submissions for the Innovation in Bioplastics Award were collected from across the globe starting late last year and concluding earlier in 2015. Since then, a panel of judges has been independently evaluating entries on innovation, sustainability value and marketplace impact. The Bioplastics Division will announce the winner on-site at NPE in its booth (#SL78) on March 25 at 2:30 PM EST. The winner will also be announced on SPI’s website and through its social channels, as well (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn).