Biome Bioplastics Releases New Brochure for 2012 Friday, 13th January 2012

Biome Bioplastics has a new brochure that outlines the rationale for bioplastics, the development of the compnay and the incredible range of product applications that our products cover.

The brochure can be viewed by clicking here

Biome Bioplastics to Present at the European Biotechnology Network - Warwick University Monday, 12th December 2011

Biome Bioplastics Achieves Quality and Environmental Accreditation Wednesday, 7th September 2011

The development activities of Biome Bioplastics, carried out at its UK R&D centre, have been accredited to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Underlining the care taken in new product development, a recent audit by BM Trada saw Biome Bioplastics Quality Management System accredited to ISO 9001:2008 and its Environmental Management System to ISO 14001:2004.

The business already has these certifications at its Biotec manufacturing unit in Germany.  Certificates are available to customers on request.

Want to Understand the Bioplastics Market? Thursday, 1st September 2011

The bioplastics market is a rapidly evolving and interesting dynamic space. We are often asked to explain what is going on and why bioplastics are an important part of building a more sustainable economy.

Chris Goodhall has now written a fascinating paper on this subject. Chris is one of the UK’s leading writers on energy and the environment, specialising in quantitative analysis of complex issues. After a long career in business, he has published three books on green issues since 2007, including the award winning How to Live a Low-carbon Life and Ten Technologies to Fix Energy and Climate, which was one of the FT’s Books of the Year.

If you would like to read his paper Bioplastics: an important component in global sustainability click here.

Thinking about investing in the bioplastics revolution? Thursday, 1st September 2011

If you have been wondering about the investment opportunity in bioplastics and you can make it to London on 7th September, why not come to the Proactive Investors One2One Investor Forum where the Directors of Biome Bioplastics will be presenting.

More details can be found here.

Biome Bioplastics Growth Accelerates Wednesday, 31st August 2011

The business has announced its results for the first half of 2011 as part of Biome Technologies plc. And that an incredible 131% sales revenue growth in Biome Bioplastics helped the Group’s sales to £10.4.m. The Group also announced that its Bioplastics Division was profitable for the first time as sales accelerated. The business achieved this growth on the back of growth in both existing and new products and a widening variety of end-use markets using these highly capable bioplastics. Further details on the ongoing development of the business can be found in the Interim Results Presentation.

Biome Bioplastics – now powered by renewable resources Tuesday, 19th July 2011

Biome Bioplastics and the UK Government’s Zero Waste Strategy Monday, 13th June 2011

Today the Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman announced the results of the Government’s review of waste policy in which it has been recognised that the UK lags the field in terms of waste management.  Biome Bioplastics welcomes the direction set out in this review and believes it is well positioned to deliver the materials that can assist the Government in its pledge to make the UK “a first-class zero-waste economy.”

Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Waste Management conference, Caroline Spelman said “for too long, we’ve lagged behind the rest of Europe, although we are catching up fast. Communities and businesses can help us become a first-class zero-waste economy and unlock the real value in the goods that people no longer want.”

Of particular interest for Biome Bioplastics, the strategy announced includes the encouragement of waste disposal by both composting and anaerobic digestion (“AD”).  These two material/energy recovery routes can both be facilitated by materials made by Biome Bioplastics and provide a natural end-of-life solution to bioplastic products.

Regarding  AD a strategy and action plan has also been published today, of which it is said by DEFRA “will enable a thriving industry to grow in England over the next few years, delivering new green jobs as well as new green energy.”

On composting, at a micro level the review notes that “home composting for just one year can save the equivalent to all the CO2 one kettle produces annually, or a washing machine produces in three months”.  At a national level the review recognises that the composting industry has grown rapidly in recent years and resolves that the government will support sustainable growth in this area.

Biome Bioplastics supplies an extensive range of highly functional bioplastics that replace existing oil based materials in a wide variety of applications.  Naturally sourced these bioplastic polymers have a high sustainable content and are biodegradable and compostable.  The products meet the national and international standards for composting such as DIN CERTCO and OK Compost.

Speaking about the Zero Waste strategy Paul Law, MD Biome Bioplastics said:  "It is good to see that the government has recognized that a coordinated strategy is required in this area.   Demand for Biome Bioplastics has been accelerating in continental Europe for some time, now we look forward to taking an active part in driving sustainable growth in the UK”.

Biome Bioplastic - Agent Network Grows Thursday, 5th May 2011

Biome Bioplastics has widened its distribution footprint by appointing a number of new agents. These include Yavuz Rodop (Plastpak) for Turkey, Neochimiki for Greece and MITSA in Taiwan for South East Asia.

With interest in bioplastics growing on a world-wide basis this move ensures that the business is represented on the ground in a number of important markets. These appointments build on the company’s dedicated sales structure in Europe and North America.

Biome Bioplastics - Revenue Growth Accelerates Thursday, 5th May 2011

Biome Bioplastics saw a 61% increase in sales in Q1 2011 over Q4 2010 as its product range continued to develop and sales were boosted in Europe and further afield

Full details of the ongoing development of the business can be found in the “Trading Update” RNS here.

Biome Bioplastics continues growth path Thursday, 24th March 2011

The business has announced its results for 2010 as part of Biome Technologies plc.  44% sales revenue growth in Biome Bioplastics helped the Group’s sales to £13.4m – ahead of market forecasts.

The business achieved this growth on the back of 12 product launches in the year and a widening variety of end-use markets using these highly capable bioplastics.

The Group's Board also announced that trading in the first two month of 2011 was ahead of its expectations.

Full details of the ongoing development of the business can be found in the “Preliminary Results” here.

Biome Bioplastics addresses North American Bioplastics Conference as lead sponsor Monday, 7th February 2011

Speaking at the “Bioplastics: Reshaping an Industry” conference, Paul Mines (CEO of Biome Technologies plc) argued that the key industry players present at the event were in a position to create a new exciting industry for the 21^st century, and take significant steps to improve the planet at the same time.   He explained that the bioplastics industry has reached a point of inflection with functional capability and capacity improvements colliding with the compelling demand-side forces of legislation and consumer demand to position the industry for rapid growth.

 A few extracts from his address to the conference are given below.

Likening the competitive environment to a race, in which the assembled group is bringing new products to market, Paul said:

“Petrochemical plastics have had a 6o-year head start in this race so for now we are playing a form of catch-up – but I believe that, as bioplastics emerge into the mainstream, there is vast potential to both match and exceed their contribution.

I contend that there is no use for plastics in our everyday life that cannot be substituted by bioplastics;.  in industry, in agriculture, in our homes, in our offices.  Indeed were Andre Agassi -- one of Las Vegas’ famous sons -- to be born today, I’d like to think he might win the US Open at Flushing Meadows in 20 years’ time with the aid of a bioplastic tennis racquet, playing on a bioplastics sports surface and watched by spectators sitting on seats all made from bioplastics.

We could be living in houses, not just with appliances made from bioplastics but using building materials that are grown to provide the right structural function.  New products will combine our knowledge of life sciences, chemistry and materials into properties we see in living matter.

A flight of fancy, you might think?  Well…..at the recent Los Angeles Design Challenge, Mercedes presented a concept car which would be made completely from cultivated material.  The material would be lighter than metal or plastic, yet stronger than steel. The entire car would be biodegradable.  Mercedes had the good judgment to call this concept car the Biome -- an excellent choice of name and one which we adopted over a year ago! We look on such imitation as flattery.

The point is, with imagination and vision, we will be growing plants specifically for bioplastics production that could revolutionise the materials used in our everyday life. 

Think of the transformation that has taken place in the telecommunications’ sector.  Twenty years ago, who would have believed that we would all be communicating with one another from minute to minute, arranging our lives and finding all the information we want, by mobile phone, email, Facebook, Google, Wikipedia and the rest? 

We need to bring that same blue sky thinking, allied to technological advances, to the world of bioplastics and that’s what this conference here is about.”

Discussing the broader importance of the burgeoning bioplastics market, Paul went on to assert:

“Developing bioplastics is not just in our self-interest, as a pioneering industry pushing at the frontiers of science.  There is another compelling reason to develop bioplastics. The real value of bioplastics is that they are part of the process of helping us all to live on a finite planet within nature’s means.  We can grow what we need to use, after which the materials can be recycled and grown again, in a virtuous circle. 

Addressing the petro-based competition he went on to explain:

“The oil industry is not going to roll over easily.  Even though plastics are less than 8 per cent of total oil production, that is still equivalent to a global industry of around US$30 billion.   Also, we cannot deny that petrochemical plastics are great products. 

The challenge for those of us in the industry is to match -- and improve on -- all the reasons why plastics made from oil have been so successful in the past six decades.  Namely, availability, low cost, mass production capability, functionality, and adaptability.

We have the technology at our fingertips to grow and use many bioplastics right now.  But I believe we should be looking beyond our existing knowledge of how we convert existing biomass materials to create truly functional bioplastics.

Most important of all, we then have to convince people that there is a path to sustainable living that does not deny us the mobile phone (and its bioplastic case), or the electric car (and its bioplastics bumper), or the food packaging that is used as nutrient to next year’s crop, or the huge range of other applications of bioplastics.

This is not just a dream – widespread use of bioplastics is on its way.  My strong belief is that the bioplastics industry has reached a point of inflection.  Enormous functional capability and capacity improvements are colliding with a series of compelling demand-side forces of legislation and consumer demand to position the industry to really take off.

Talking about Biome Bioplastics, Paul explained:

“We are a focused bioplastics business listed on the London stock-market.  We are an innovative company in our selection of feed-stocks, developing products based on a range of biomass materials. We have a substantial patent inventory, which we are turning into new products and growing all the time.  We invest considerable funds in R&D, constantly seeking out advances in the technology that underpins our products.

We are commercially driven.  This is very important for us.  We do not indulge in R&D for the sake of it.  Our focus is always on the end products that are attractive to the market.  This is what I like to call “market intimacy” -- where the best R&D comes from those individuals and teams that are exposed to the twin demands of market pressure and new product innovation.

Our first state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Germany is one of the limited number dedicated bioplastics facilities in the world. Allied to our extensive research capability and our drive to launch innovative products, we have gained significant competitive advantage in our industry.

That is why we are one of the market leaders in Europe. Our bioplastics business grew by 42 per cent in the first nine months of last year and we expect this rate of growth to increase into 2011.

Why we are here? …..The US market is an exciting opportunity for us.  The US has always been quick to take advantage of new markets, products and opportunities throughout its history.  Participants in the US market also have the scale and capability to influence direction and build competitive advantage.  We are looking for new partners, new growth opportunities and how to scale up our participation in the US market, and have the flexibility, we believe, to take full advantage.

Paul concluded with the following thoughts:

I feel passionate about our industry.  I believe that together we can make a real difference to our world, as well as creating good businesses for ourselves.

And which is why Biome Bioplastics is delighted and proud to be platinum sponsors of Bioplastics: Reshaping an Industry 2011.”

Biome Bioplastics is lead “Platinum” conference sponsor for ‘Bioplastics: Reshaping an Industry 2011’ Monday, 8th November 2010

Biome Bioplastics is delighted to announce that it is the lead “Platinum” sponsor of the Bioplastics: Reshaping an Industry conference to be held in Las Vegas in February 2011.

Biome Bioplastics is playing its own part in reshaping the plastics industry with its innovative naturally sourced bioplastics and this exciting event reflects both the continuing aspiration and growing capability of the fast growing Biome Bioplastics business.

The conference will address the changing functional requirements and sources of bioplastics as they gain traction in the market for durable goods, an area where Biome Bioplastics has a developed product base and growing position.

“Bioplastics: Reshaping an Industry” is to be held in Las Vegas from the 1^st – 3^rd February 2011 and is already attracting speakers and attendees including leading CEOs, opinion formers and technical experts.

Paul Law, MD of Biome Bioplastics said:

“We are pleased to be supporting this interesting conference.  The potential for bioplastics lies far beyond their most obvious use in disposable products; this event speaks to that opportunity.”

Jim Lunt, the Conference Chairman said:

“This conference comes at a time of significant growth and broadening opportunity for bioplastics. Bioplastics are truly reshaping the conventional Plastics industry.  We are delighted to welcome Biome Bioplastics as our lead Platinum sponsor.”

For more information on “Bioplastics: Reshaping an Industry” visit www.reshapinganindustry.com

Stunning Graphics Fast with BiomeEP Wednesday, 3rd November 2010

BiomeEP is Biome Bioplastics new range of bioplastic polymers for the flexible film market.

Providing the usual high performance and biocredentials expected from Biome Bioplastics; these materials have enhanced wet-out and print adhesion that enables fabulous print quality at high production speeds.

Biome Bioplastics drives Biome Technologies into Deloitte Technology Fast50 Tuesday, 26th October 2010

Biome Bioplastics, subsidiary of Biome Technologies, the AIM listed company, is pleased to announce that this week it was recognised as one of the UK’s fastest growing technology companies in the Deloitte Technology Fast50 listing.

Biome Technologies, with its fast developing bioplastics business, has been ranked 2^nd in the “GreenTech” listings and 23^rd in the overall Fast50 with a growth rate of 1132%.

Deloitte, the business advisory firm, announced its independent ranking of the UK’s fastest growing technology companies on 25 October. The UK Deloitte Technology Fast 50 initiative ranks UK high growth technology companies based on percentage growth in stated revenue over five years.

Paul Mines, CEO of Biome Technologies said:

“We are delighted our track record has been recognised.  Biome Technologies is a growth oriented, commercially driven green technology group and it has been the hard work and progress achieved by our team in the UK, USA and Germany that has secured this performance.  The bioplastic market is experiencing great growth around the world and we are pleased to be the leading UK company driving this sector forward.”

To find out more about Biome Technologies please visit www.biometechnologiesplc.com           

To find out more about the Deloitte Technology Fast50 visit www.fast50.co.uk

Biome Bioplastics increases its sales-power in the German speaking region in a link-up with Bioversity Tuesday, 7th September 2010

Biome Bioplastics is pleased to announce the appointment of Bioversity GmbH as its marketing agent in the German speaking region of Europe.

Complementing the existing team, from September 2010 Bioversity will bring an additional sales presence to the rapidly growing bioplastics markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Lead by Uwe Beythien and with offices in Hamburg and Sursee, Switzerland, the team at Bioversity will promote the growing portfolio of Biome Bioplastic resins, technical support and marketing services.

Bioversity can be reached at info@bioversity.ch or on +491755816880.

Biome in the press "Components in Electronics" Tuesday, 20th July 2010

As BiomeHT (the new temperature resistant grade of bioplastic) opens up new markets; a feature in "Components in Electronics" makes the message clear.  Click here to read more

Biome Technologies is the new name for Stanelco Monday, 12th July 2010

Our parent company has renamed to Biome Technologies as it moved to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. This name reflects the growing portion of its activities that are now in the bioplastics market.

To view their new website please go to the following address www.biometechnologiesplc.com

German website Wednesday, 26th May 2010

We have now launched German version of our website. To have a look, click on the flag at the top of the page.

New brochure Thursday, 29th April 2010

To view the digital copy please click here or to download the brochure click on the image below.

Biome in the press - Packaging News Wednesday, 7th April 2010

MAP film: a fresh direction

Given the sophisticated performance and cost-effectiveness of traditional oil-derived polymers for MAP shrink films, can biopolymers really compete in this market?

Stanelco group company Biome Bioplastics believes so. Having focused its R&D efforts on heat resistance, it is now busy tailoring versions of its biopolymers, principally starch-based, with improved moisture barrier properties.

Thermoplastic starches tend to provide a good gas barrier. The challenge hinges on the tendency of natural starches to absorb water, says Biome. This is one reason why flexible biopolymers have been associated with fresh produce, where the natural transpiration of the material is a benefit.

But while this means that the resin needs to be supplemented to curb these moisture-absorbing tendencies, any adaptation needs to maintain their compostable (or at least biodegradable) character.

As Biome managing director Paul Law says: "You could, cynically, simply fill out the structure with hydrophobic material and still say it was ‘starch-based', but it would no longer be biodegradable."

In fact, a combination of additives and a thin layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) need not break the 5% barrier stipulated in the PAS 2050 compostability standard, he claims.

Of EVOH, Law says: "Although it will keep moisture out, it absorbs moisture, allowing the film to eventually break down." Whether that process is sufficiently fast to allow designation as ‘compostable' remains to be seen, he adds.

R&D work has already yielded a list of potential candidates for barrier combinations, he says. The most promising will undergo independent testing, and a range of solutions should be available by the autumn.

Meat, poultry and other MAP markets have not been associated particularly with bioplastics in the past. But Law points out that demand for biodegradable absorbent pads for this type of pack has increased, making sealing films the next logical step.

Read the full article here.

Don Taylor, Sales Manager North America Friday, 26th March 2010

Don Taylor joined Biome Bioplastics as North American Sales Manager in October 2008 with a vast amount of experience in developing sales into this core area. Don has particular experience in introducing bio materials into a market dominated by oil-based polymers, having worked in the industry for many years.

Don gained ten years experience in both the fibers and textile industry, in business development, sales and product development, having worked for several multinational companies, including Courtaulds, Akzo Nobel, Acordis and Celanese. From this he went on to gain a further 12 years experience in the bio-film industry, where he developed a multimillion dollar sales portfolio in a wide range of application areas.

Don brings an entrepreneurial flair with large company expertise, developing new business, with particular experience in biomaterials. He has successfully brought his passion into developing sales of Biome Bioplastics into the North American market.

He says: “I am excited about the opportunity to raise the profile of Biome Bioplastics and our unique offering of superior products to the North American market, where we strive to make bioplastics a mainstream part of the plastics industry.”

Sales within weeks of launching BiomeClear Friday, 19th March 2010

Biome Bioplastics is pleased to have delivered its first sales of BiomeClear resin following the product launch of this grade in January.  BiomeClear is a translucent, low-noise film which is strong, flexible and biodegradable. 

BiomeClear provides a combination of clarity and feel not normally associated with biodegradable films with high renewable content.  With its ease of use during all production processes, the resin has already successfully been converted into materials for stationery use; and is being trialled for a number of other applications such as fresh produce packaging, window films for bread and bakery packaging.

The first sales have gone to a large plastics conversion company in Northern Europe. 

Paul Law, Managing Director of Biome Bioplastics, reported:

“We are delighted with the response we have received from customers in such a short period of time.  Although we were confident about the need for such a product, initial sales within the first months have further justified the investment we made in its development.”

For further information, samples or general enquiries regarding BiomeClear or any other Biome products, please contact Vicky Ashton.vicky.ashton@biomebioplastics.co.uk

Spanish website Wednesday, 24th February 2010

To better communicate with our Spanish customers and a wider Spanish speaking audience, Biome Bioplastics has launched a Spanish version of the new website. To view, click on the language flag at the top of the page. Other market specific translations coming soon.

A new standard in high temperature bioplastics Wednesday, 17th February 2010

Biome Bioplastics Limited is proud to announce the launch of an exciting development in the field of bioplastics.

BiomeHT 90 is the first of a new range of high temperature bioplastics that will provide significant benefits over existing alternatives within the market. This new bioplastic is in a class of its own and offers, for the first time, the ability for bioplastics to be used in higher temperature applications due to its superior temperature performance and greater rigidity.

This breakthrough in the bioplastics sector opens the market to a multitude of new possibilities and applications that have not been able to benefit from the environmental properties of bioplastics in the past.

With a softening point of greater than 90^OC, in both dry and wet conditions, BiomeHT 90 exceeds the performance of alternative bioplastic products by 20-30^OC; a breakthrough for high temperature applications.

BiomeHT 90 has been tested in injection mouldings and sheet/thermoforming applications with superb results, offering wide and varied opportunities for use in many sectors and products, whilst also retaining the environmental credentials associated with Biome Bioplastics. BiomeHT 90 is made from predominantly renewable resources and is fully recyclable, providing for lower lifecycle costings and excellent end-of-life credentials. 

In addition, the mechanical properties have also been improved to provide stiffer and stronger mouldings, which are now similar, if not better, than the Biome product Bioplast GS 2189 which, in its own right, out performs other bioplastics.

This pioneering innovation changes the face of the bioplastics sector, providing opportunities for the use of environmentally friendly plastic products in a wide range of new applications. BiomeHT 90 is ideal for use in cutlery and plates for hot food applications, thermoformed cups and lids, hot and warm fill packaging, medical instruments that require sterilisation, cooking accessories, baby bottles, casings for consumer electronics and automotive components, to mention just a few.

Paul Law, Managing Director, Biome Bioplastics Limited, commented, ‘This is a major breakthrough in the development of bioplastics and I thank my dedicated research team for their work in developing this outstanding product that will change the face of bioplastics.’

‘This has considerably expanded the possible applications for bioplastics and opens new markets and products to the opportunity of using a product with exceptional environmental credentials.’

Announcing the creation of a brand new force in Bioplastics Monday, 25th January 2010

We are pleased to announce that the bioplastics division of Stanelco plc has been rebranded Biome Bioplastics Limited.

This market leading manufacturer is known for its expertise and innovation in bioplastics and for providing excellent technical service and customer support.

As the bioplastics division has seen continued high levels of growth through the development of new technologies we have decided to create a new brand and company that reflects our expertise within this field and provides a platform for growth within this cutting edge industry.

“Stanelco’s bioplastics business has continued to achieve high levels of growth over the last two years, making us one of the leaders in Bioplastics. It is fitting that it becomes described by a name that reflects its activities so well.  

The new name, Biome (pronounced bahy-ohm), is derived from the scientific word used to describe ecologically similar climatic conditions such as communities of plants, animals and soil organisms, which are often referred to as an ecosystem.  The re-branding to the new name, Biome Bioplastics, is therefore well suited for a business that manufactures materials from renewable resources and is biodegradable at the end of its useful life.” comments Paul Law, Managing Director of Biome Bioplastics Ltd.

From all of the Biome Bioplastics team, we look forward to working with you in this exciting new venture.

A new addition to the Technical Team Friday, 22nd January 2010

Biome Bioplastics is pleased to announce the addition of Daniel Arnillas to our Technical Team.

Daniel is originally from Spain and holds a BSc in Chemistry from the University of the Basque Country. He has gained significant experience since university, working in plastic and rubber transformation and rotational moulding, where he developed an interest in bioplastics.

As a native Spanish speaker, Daniel will be helping support our European customers as well as working on the development and processing of our new bioplastic products.

Daniel commented; "I am thrilled to have joined Biome Bioplastics as it is exciting to be able to use my various skills to help develop new and innovative bioplastic materials."