Following BASF's announced plan to construct a new biodegradable material production facility in Ludwigshafen, two more companies are investing in the German bioplastics industry.
Australian manufacturer Plantic Technologies has spent more than €8.3 mn to construct a new plant in Jena for thermoforming and extruding starch based materials. It will allow the company to expand its presence on the European bioplastics market significantly.
Pyramid Bioplastics, a partnership of Pyramid Technologies, Switzerland, and German Bioplastics, is establishing a facility in Guben for the production of PLA (polylactic acid) with a capacity of 60,000 t/year. Production is due to commence in the second half of 2009.
Germany currently holds a strong position in the worldwide bioplastics industry. Technology and market developments are promoted with research projects, investment grants and legal measures such as the temporary exemption from the take-back obligations of compostable plastics packaging materials, which is in effect in the country until the end of 2012.
