Following the success of last year's event, the Bioplastics Council, a special interest group of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association launched in 2008 to provide a forum for the bioplastics value chain, is organizing its Innovation in Bioplastics Award this year for the second time. The awards program was established in 2013 to "recognize outstanding innovation in unique and creative application of bioplastics materials, products or processes by a company."
The second annual contest is designed to promote creative thought and to spotlight forward-thinking organizations. Entries will be judged by a panel of industry representatives on innovation, sustainability benefits and impact on the marketplace.
The winner of the first award last year was Avantium, the company that is pioneering the development of polyethylene furanoate, or PEF, for beverage packaging instead of the ubiquitous PET bottle. PEF offers superior barrier properties to oxygen, CO2 and water, and thus a simplified simplification production process due to the elimination of coating layers or oxygen scavengers.
The quality of last year's competitors sets the bar high for this year's entrants.
"We look forward to the interesting projects that will be submitted this year," said Carol Van Zoeren, technology manager of packaging and industrial products at DuPont and current chair of the SPI Bioplastics Council.
Companies interested in submitting an application may access the application form and additional information about the nomination process on the SPI Bioplastics Council website. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2014, and the award winner will be recognized at the May 2014 Biopolymers Symposium organized by Smithers Rapra in Philadelphia, PA.
The winner will be offered a featured speaking opportunity and free exhibit space at the 2014 Biopolymers Symposium, extensive press coverage opportunities, a complementary award promotion banner ad on the Bioplastics Council website for one year, and recognition at future council events.
