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M·VERA® GP1012 and GP1045 successfully tested

Processing bioplastics in hot runners

In the 9/2022 issue of the magazine Kunststoffe international you can find out how we, together with Günther Heißkanaltechnik GmbH, have managed to reliably process supposedly sensitive bioplastics in the hot runner moulds through various trials. Our M·VERA® biocompounds GP1012 and GP1045 were successfully tested here.

Find the article here.

Sustainable products in focus

BIO-FED at K 2022

BIO-FED is an expert in the development and production of biodegradable and/or biobased plastics as well as biomass-balanced PP compounds – all under the brand name M·VERA®. At K 2022 in Düsseldorf, the company will present its product range together with AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, AF-COLOR and K.D. Feddersen Ueberseegesellschaft mbH on a joint booth at the new location in Hall 6, C52.

Aim of the Cologne-based company is to provide solutions for reducing the carbon footprint as well as for waste reduction with biodegradable and biobased products. This also includes bioplastics with sustainable organic fillers, such as cellulose, lignin or starch. Biomass-balanced M·VERA® PP compounds, which are certified according to REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS, as well as the matching masterbatches AF-CirColor®, AF-CirCarbon® and AF-CirComplex® also make an important contribution to this.

Most M·VERA® bioplastics are biodegradable compounds, a lot of them are also partially to fully biobased. They are suitable for various different processing technologies such as blown film, injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming. The range also includes a mulch film type that is certified as soil degradable according to EN 17033. Sustainable AF-Eco® color, carbon black and additive masterbatches suitable for all biodegradable compounds are also offered.

Injection Moulding

The BIO-FED injection moulding portfolio includes products that cover a wide range of mechanical properties and can therefore be used for a broad spectrum of applications.

  • Products with various stiffnesses up to 8,300 MPa
  • Tough compounds with an impact strength up to 65kj/m2
  • Elastic compounds with elongation values of 30-300 %
  • Tensile strength up to 70 MPa
  • HDT (B) up to almost 100 °C

"In addition, BIO-FED offers products with short processing times that are certified according to OK compost HOME or OK biodegradable SOIL. These compounds for injection moulding have similar cycle times to commercial polyolefins such as PP or PE, without the need for special machines or moulds. They can also be processed in moulds with conventional technologies such as hot and cold runners with the same performance and efficiency as standard plastics," explains Dr Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. "Our High HDT materials can also be used in applications with high heat resistance, e.g. for coffee capsules, reusable cutlery, dishwasher-safe tableware, etc., without the need to temper the end product," Haftka adds.

Biodegradable and biobased tableware: a possible application for M·VERA® Biocompounds
​​​​​​​©WENPHOTO/stock.adobe.com

Extrusion and Thermoforming

For extrusion and thermoforming, OK compost INDUSTRIAL certified products with different proportions of renewable content are offered. They have different mechanical properties that are individually tailor-made for the specific application. In addition, they can be processed with standard equipment. The products can be processed into sheets, films, profiles or similar.

Awakening and change

Feddersen Group launches new corporate design for K show

The companies of the Feddersen Group have introduced a new corporate design as of 1 October 2022, just in time for the industry event K 2022.

Why a new corporate design? "The world is in a state of transition. On the one hand, climate change concerns politicians and individuals more than ever, because it is becoming more and more noticeable and affects us all. Thus, society is developing a new awareness of how to deal with environmentally harmful gases and substances to protect the planet and continue to preserve it for future generations. Structural changes are becoming more and more visible, and digitalisation offers new opportunities in many different areas of work and life. In 1949, the year the group was founded, Karl Detlef Feddersen faced the challenges of his time. In 2022, the company group faces new questions. We are introducing this new departure with the new corporate design," explains Sandra Dierks, Head of Communications & Public Relations at K.D. Feddersen Holding GmbH.

Our new logo

"Already in the first logo of K.D. Feddersen you can find the rhombus, which has been used again and again in different representations in the decades since the company was founded. Now these elements can be found in a dynamic form in the new logo. This symbol has accompanied our group of companies for decades and a part of it is now placed in front of the respective company name. We are well prepared for the change and want to move forward together with customers and principles on a future-oriented, digital path," adds Sandra Dierks.

The owner of the companies in the Feddersen Group is K.D. Feddersen Holding GmbH. The sole shareholder of K.D. Feddersen Holding GmbH is the non-profit K.D. Feddersen Foundation, which operates a residential and nursing home in Hamburg. The companies of the Feddersen Group cover a wide range of competencies in various sectors. K.D. Feddersen GmbH & Co. KG and its European subsidiaries as well as the sister companies in China and Southeast Asia specialise in the worldwide trade and distribution of engineering plastics. K.D. Feddersen Ueberseegesellschaft mbH and its subsidiaries in Latin America and South East Asia distribute technical products, chemicals as well as raw materials in various industries. AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH has been part of the Feddersen Group for over 30 years and is a specialist for innovative and application-oriented plastic compounds. AF-COLOR, operating under its own name since 2003, specialises in the production of black, color and additive masterbatches. BIO-FED develops and markets biodegradable and bio-based plastic compounds.

The toll compounding experts at PolyComp GmbH have been part of the Feddersen Group since 2013. Based in Norderstedt near Hamburg, they specialise in contract manufacturing and the production under license of engineering plastics. Since 2018, M.TEC ENGINEERING GmbH, an engineering service provider for the design of products and processes, has been part of the Feddersen Group. The focus of FEDDEM GmbH & Co. KG is on mechanical engineering and the manufacture of twin-screw extruders, compounding lines and turnkey systems. The Feddersen Group is completed by Voß Edelstahlhandel GmbH & Co. KG. The stainless steel trading company, founded in 1979, specialises in the supply of stainless steel, aluminium and yellow metals. However, this company operates independently on the market and is therefore not affected by the change in corporate design.

 

Find further info at New Logo (bio-fed.com)

Distribution of Bioplastics

BIO-FED and Piramidal sign distribution agreement for Brazil

The Cologne-based company BIO-FED and the Brazilian distributor Piramidal signed a distribution agreement for the Brazilian market in April 2022.

Bioplastics on their way to the Brazilian market

BIO-FED is a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, member of the Feddersen Group and an expert in developing and producing biodegradable and/or biobased compounds under the brand name M·VERA®. This grade range consists of biodegradable compounds, most of them are also partially to fully biobased. Matching sustainable color, black and additive masterbatches with the brand name AF-Eco® can also be provided.

The portfolio was expanded with ISCC PLUS and REDcert² sustainable-certified compounds made from biomass-balanced PP. For these product lines M·VERA® PPH and M·VERA® PPC, there are specific AF-CirColor®, AF-CirCarbon® and AF-CirComplex® masterbatches based on biomass-balanced carrier material.

"We see Brazil as an emerging market for sustainable plastic products and want to gain a presence in this market with the help of our new distribution partner”, says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. "With Piramidal, we have a competent and experienced partner at our side in this region who has a strong network in various industries in Brazil", Haftka continues.

Piramidal is one of the Brazilian leaders in the thermoplastics distribution market. Offering a complete portfolio of resins with focus on excellence and innovation, Piramidal is a solution provider for the Brazilian plastic value chain. The Circular Solutions business unit launched in 2021, has a wide range of sustainable products and services that combine the preservation of the environment and economic growth.

“The partnership with BIO-FED is an important step in our strategy to bring complete sustainable solutions to the market. Bioplastics have huge growth potential in the coming years, and together we will be able to support our customers on this path.” says Fábio Koutchin, Circular Solutions Manager at Piramidal.

Piramidal will distribute the complete M·VERA® product range for blown film extrusion, injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming applications in Brazil, as well as the matching masterbatches.

Distribution of bioplastics

BIO-FED and KBK sign distribution agreement for Japan

The Cologne-based company BIO-FED and the Japanese Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha, Ltd. (KBK), Tokyo, signed a distribution agreement for the Japanese market at the beginning of 2022.

BIO-FED, based in Cologne, is a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and a member of the Feddersen Group. BIO-FED produces and distributes biodegradable and/or biobased plastic compounds under the brand name M·VERA® and had expanded its portfolio with ISCC PLUS and REDcert² sustainable certified M·VERA® compounds made from biomass-balanced polypropylene (PP).

"The bioplastics market in Japan has received a strong boost from the government's “Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics” roadmap," says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. "With KBK, we have a competent and experienced partner at our side in this region who has a strong network in various industries in Japan," Haftka continues.

"By working with BIO-FED, KBK will be able to better meet the needs of the growing market every day, with an even stronger focus on sustainable products," says Tatsuya Okawa, General Manager, of Diversified & Innovative Materials Dept at KBK.

KBK will distribute the complete M·VERA® product range for blown film extrusion, injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming applications in Japan, as well as the matching biodegradable or biobased masterbatches.

KBK is going to exhibit BIO-FED products at the Resource Circulation Expo, to be held in Tokyo from March 16th to 18th, booth E18-5.

KBK’s head office on the 7th floor of the Shin-Otemachi building in Tokyo

Bioplastics for France

BIO-FED exhibits for the first time at FIP 2022 in Lyon

The Cologne-based company BIO-FED, a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and a company of the Feddersen Group, will be exhibiting from 5 to 8 April 2022 at the French plastics trade fair in Hall 6/5.1, Stand D 49. The booth will be a joint booth together with the companies K.D. Feddersen GmbH & Co. KG, Succursale France and FEDDEM GmbH & Co. KG which also belong to the Feddersen Group.

An application example for M·VERA® GP1045
©robertobinetti70/stock.adobe.com

BIO-FED is an expert in the developing and producing biodegradable and/or biobased compounds under the brand name M·VERA®. This grade range consists of biodegradable compounds, most of them are also partially to fully biobased. The French market is therefore particularly promising for the compounder. M·VERA® GP1025 which is predominantly biobased was developed based on biopolyester and for the injection moulding process. In addition to being approved for food contact (EU 10/2011), the grade is also OK compost INDUSTRIAL according to EN 13432. The special surface texture has a mineral appearance.

But BIO-FED also has the right material on offer for applications that only require medium stiffness: M∙VERA® GP1045. It was specially designed for injection moulding applications, consists of renewable raw materials and is home compostable. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring medium stiffness (tensile modulus 2,000 MPa) and can therefore be used for a wide range of household articles, toys, packaging, coffee capsules, etc. This compound consists of almost 100 % renewable raw materials and, according to the company, is ideally suited for the production of rigid objects.

"We see France as a very interesting and emerging market for bioplastics and we are sure that with our products we have the right answer to the current as well as to future bioplastics legislations," explains Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. The M·VERA® portfolio was also recently expanded with ISCC PLUS and REDcert² sustainable-certified compounds made of biomass-balanced PP.

M·VERA® grades are suitable for many different processing technologies such as blown film, injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming. Matching sustainable color, black and additive masterbatches can also be provided.

M·VERA® PPH and M·VERA® PPC

BIO-FED expands portfolio with biomass-balanced polypropylene compounds

The Cologne-based company BIO-FED, a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, has expanded its portfolio with ISCC PLUS and REDcert² sustainable certified M·VERA® compounds made from biomass-balanced polypropylene (PP). The sources of raw materials for the PP are vegetable oil and fat waste, which is produced in various processes, e.g. in the food industry.

ISCC PLUS and REDcert² are leading sustainability certification systems for biobased and recycled materials in the chemical industry. Certification ensures traceability of the sustainable material flow along the entire value chain.

As the value-adding process of products in the chemical industry is often very complex, the mass balance approach is used here. Certified products are manufactured using sustainable raw material sources (biomass or fossil-based recyclate) to replace an equivalent amount of fossil resources in the production process.

The new products are marketed by BIO-FED under the names M·VERA® PPH and M·VERA® PPC. Changing from conventional polypropylene to the sustainable version is easy for processors, as the material can be used as a drop-in solution without adjusting the process parameters in production. The material alternative with reduced carbon footprint offers consistent properties and is suitable for a wide range of applications. They range from injection-moulded thin-wall packaging and transparent containers to biaxially oriented films (BOPP films) and sophisticated fibre applications (melt-blown processes). The high strength of the biomass-balanced polypropylene enables the production of non-woven inserts with extremely thin, tear-resistant filaments. For example, FFP2 masks with non-woven inserts made of PP can now be produced using this material on a sustainable raw material basis.

In addition to the M·VERA® PPH and M·VERA® PPC compounds, BIO-FED offers a new range of masterbatches in cooperation with its sister company AF-COLOR. Suitable for the field of application in the circular economy, these new color masterbatches are named AF-CirColor® and AF-CirCarbon®. The portfolio is supplemented by the matching AF-CirComplex® additive masterbatches.

“We are pleased to be able to offer our customers an ever broader portfolio, with products they can easily integrate into their existing production processes. This makes it possible to switch to more environment-friendly materials,” says Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED.

ISCC PLUS and REDcert²

German Feddersen Group companies successfully certified

The Feddersen Group companies AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and its branches AF-COLOR and BIO-FED as well as PolyComp GmbH have been certified for ISCC PLUS and REDcert². As part of the certification of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and its branches, the REDcert² certification was also extended to K.D. Feddersen GmbH & Co. KG. Corresponding certifications are in preparation for other companies in the group.

ISCC PLUS and REDcert² are sustainability certification systems for bio-based and recycled materials in the chemical industry (e.g. based on sugar cane, vegetable oil and fat waste or recycled material). "By using sustainable material flows, we are thus making a contribution to saving fossil resources or promoting the bio- and circular economy. At the same time, through the ISCC PLUS and REDcert² certifications, we are aligning ourselves further towards sustainability and offering our customers an even wider range of more environmentally friendly products," says Sandra Brück, specialist for life cycle assessment and sustainability at AKRO-PLASTIC, who accompanied this certification process.

The certification ensures the traceability of the sustainable material flow along the entire value chain. Since the value creation process of products in the chemical industry is often very complex, the mass balance approach is used for this purpose. Here, certified products are manufactured using sustainable resources to replace an equivalent amount of fossil resources in the production process.

BIO-FED at Fakuma 2021

Biocompounds for Flexible and Rigid Applications

The Cologne-based BIO-FED will also be exhibiting on the Feddersen group's joint Fakuma stand B2-2209 and focuses on its biocompound product range, which is suitable for flexible and rigid applications as well as for a wide range of manufacturing processes. Fakuma will take place this year from October 12 - 16.

Several injection moulding grades from the M·VERA® GP series are already certified according to OK compost HOME. These are almost 100 % biobased and are also suitable for food contact applications. In addition, there are numerous injection moulding materials that are certified according to OK compost INDUSTRIAL (according to EN 13432).

BIO-FED offers transparent and filled biocompounds for thermoforming and profile extrusion. Certification according to OK compost INDUSTRIAL is currently in preparation. Materials are also available for blow moulding applications and for monofilaments (e.g. 3D printing).

For film extrusion, the company offers biocompounds with OK compost HOME certification, for example for fruit and vegetable bags. Special soil-degradable grades for mulch films are also available. The corresponding SOIL certification according to EN 17033 by DIN CERTCO is also currently in preparation. A steady expansion of the portfolio with further biobased and biodegradable products in the sense of the circular economy and the Green Deal is in the works.

Together with AF-COLOR, also a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, the company works on color and additive concentrates for numerous problem solutions in the field of circular economy. The products resulting from the cooperation make a significant contribution here.

Biobased and biodegradable M·VERA® grades for cosmetics, food and non-food packaging

New Biocompounds for Extrusion and Thermoforming

Thermoformed strawberry trays: A possible application for M·VERA® GP grades

The packaging is the first impression a potential customer gets of a product. Its appearance often determines the purchase decision. In addition to purely visual aspects, the packaging also fulfils important functions such as protecting the goods from damage or contamination. However, many packages have only a short life cycle and are no longer needed after purchase. As a result, the demand for sustainable materials in this sector is constantly increasing.

With its M·VERA® grades GP4001, GP4003 and GP4005, the Cologne-based company BIO-FED has developed materials for rigid packaging solutions that are easy to extrude. The extruded sheets can be easily processed by thermoforming due to their homogeneous wall thickness profile and they show mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional plastics. If required, the biocompounds from the M·VERA® product range can be processed in a multilayer structure in order to improve their mechanical, optical or barrier properties.

Initial tests show that the M·VERA® GP4001 is suitable for thermoformed coffee capsules, for example. As the material is certified by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium up to a wall thickness of 1.1 mm according to OK compost INDUSTRIAL (EN 13432) and is also made of approx. 70% renewable raw materials, it can thus contribute towards reducing the CO2 footprint.

Bioplastic grade M∙VERA® GP1045

Suitable for medium stiffness applications

As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. The product portfolio of biodegradable and/or biobased compounds under the trade name M·VERA® is constantly being expanded with new products. Depending on the requirements profile, these compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use – and completely or partially made from renewable raw materials.

BIO-FED supplies a wide range of M∙VERA® compounds for injection moulding. This broadly diversified portfolio contains high shares of renewable content range from 50 to almost 100 %. These materials are PLA-, PBAT- or PHA-based and certified according to standards provided by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium.

Caps – one possible application for M·VERA® GP1045

The new M·VERA® GP1045 has been specially designed for injection moulding applications. It consists primarily of renewable resources and is home compostable. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring medium stiffness (tensile modulus 2,000 MPa) and can therefore be used for a wide range of household articles, toys, packaging, coffee capsules, etc. “This compound consists of almost 100 % high-quality, renewable raw materials and is excellently suited for the production of rigid objects,” says Dr Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. A food safety approval for the EU has also been granted. “Our customers are increasingly demanding products that meet all the above-mentioned mechanical properties as well as the raw material origin and a corresponding end-of-life scenario,” Haftka adds. In his opinion, a bioplastic with a comparably comprehensive properties profile is currently difficult to find on the market.

All compounds can be processed easily on common plastics machineries. BIO-FED is happy to support its customers from the first trials on, and also offers its services as a cooperation partner for the development of new products. Moreover, the R&D department of BIO-FED is constantly working on new biocompounds to fulfil further regulatory requirements and customer needs.

All M·VERA® materials can be colored individually – for example with the AF-Eco® biopolymer-based masterbatches which are certified in accordance with EN 13432. The AF-Eco® range consists of color and carbon black masterbatches as well as additive masterbatches.

Article about Biodegradable Plastics

Legislation and Climate Neutrality Increase Interest

The bioplastic industry is constantly striving to offer solutions for climate neutrality. New ideas, both in the field of biobased and biodegradable compounds, are constantly being developed. Read this German article about the efforts of the bioplastics sector – also our Sales Director Stan Haftka gives an insight here.

More interessting articels can be found on www.euwid-verpackung.de.

If you want to find out more about bioplastics, visit https://bio-fed.com/about-bioplastics/

 

Protection With a Clear Environmental Conscience

Disposable Gloves Made of Bioplastics

Safety and hygiene generally have a high priority in modern society and are increasingly demanded in these times. When we go shopping, for example, we wear mouth and nose protectors, but many also want to protect their hands from contact with viruses. Disposable gloves would be a solution – but where to put all the waste? The company Plast-Farb Sp. Z.o.o. Sp. K. from Toruń, Poland, has given this matter some thought.

The company produces packaging materials such as security and courier envelopes, bags and security tapes, both in conventional quality and in environment-friendly, compostable versions. Disposable gloves were previously not part of the manufacturer’s portfolio, but the global demand for protective equipment for personal use gave the company the idea of also making a contribution here. The machine fleet was expanded at short notice with a new machine that can produce disposable gloves. But instead of the polyethylene commonly selected, the company wanted to use a material that is industrially compostable, because more and more consumers want alternatives to conventional plastic products, as the processor has come to know.

That is why the Cologne-based company BIO-FED was contacted. As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. Depending on the requirements profile, its compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use – and completely or partially made from renewable raw materials. Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Head of Sales at BIO-FED, was able to recommend a film grade from the M∙VERA® portfolio which is not only industrially compostable but also has the necessary flexibility and strength for use as disposable gloves.

“Even after the situation returns to normal, we see numerous application possibilities for these gloves in a wide range of segments of the retail trade or in the home and garden sector,” says Agnieszka Kończal, a specialist for the distribution of the compostable packaging segment at Plast-Farb. “In this way, we can combine the requirements of hygiene and protection with environmental protection and thus considerably reduce the emission of greenhouse gases as well as the consumption of energy and resources.”

Distribution of Bioplastics

BIO-FED and Febo S.p.A. intensify cooperation

The cooperation between the Cologne-based company BIO-FED and Febo S.p.A., which was already started in 2016, will be further intensified in 2021. In addition to the exclusively for Italy and extension for Febo´s subsidiary Febo 3R, the distributor will now also receive exclusive distribution rights for the Greek market for Febo Hellas.

BIO-FED is a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and a member of the Feddersen Group based in Hamburg, Germany. BIO-FED produces and sells biodegradable and/or biobased plastic compounds. Furthermore, BIO-FED has a state-of-the-art R&D department that is focused on innovation.

"The market for bioplastics has grown significantly in recent years, especially in southern European countries, due to the relevant legislation," says Dr Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. "With Febo, we have a competent and experienced partner at our side in these regions who can take over our extensive customer base and provide individual on-site support," Haftka continues.

"By working with BIO-FED, Febo can better meet the needs of the growing market every day, focusing even more on sustainable products," says Febo S.p.A.'s Sales and Marketing Manager Cristiano Micheletti.

Febo will distribute the complete M·VERA® product range for blown film extrusion, injection moulding and extrusion applications in Italy and Greece, as well as the matching biodegradable AF-Eco® masterbatches. M·VERA® compounds for other processing technologies are currently under development. BIO-FED and Febo are optimistic that this cooperation will create new synergies and more opportunities in a market that is constantly evolving and growing.

M·VERA® PLA compounds

BIO-FED’s contribution to the EU Green Deal 2030

As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. The product portfolio under the trade name M·VERA® is constantly being expanded with new products. The company is developing and supplying now a wide range of sustainable PLA-based compounds.

The European Green Deal is a concept presented by the European Commission in December 2019 with the aim of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero in the EU by 2050 and thus becoming the first continent to be climate neutral. A 55% reduction in CO2 is to be implemented already in 2030. With its predominantly fossil-free and sustainable PLA-based products, BIO-FED can offer an alternative material for a large part of packaging applications, for example. The relevant M·VERA® grades can be processed both in the injection moulding process and in the extrusion process, e.g. thermoforming.

As a 100% biobased and industrially compostable polymer, PLA is versatile. Possible applications include packaging for food and cosmetics as well as consumer items, such as office supplies or household goods. PLA compounds are characterised by variable stiffness and typically low shrinkage. The material properties can be individually adjusted by adding different fillers or reinforcing agents and additives.

Application example of environment-friendly cosmetics packaging

“If there is no suitable compound in our portfolio, we have the ability to respond to the wishes and requirements of the customers with our experienced research team and jointly develop tailor-made PLA-based compounds,” says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED.

According to the manufacturer, transparent compounds are also possible. Moreover, biodegradability according to “OK compost INDUSTRIAL” is being sought. The compounds can also be colored with the biobased AF-Eco® masterbatches from the sister company AF-COLOR. These are developed and manufactured in close cooperation by the two companies.

Injection Moulding Portfolio

Wide range of biodegradable injection moulding compounds

As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. The product portfolio under the trade name M·VERA® is constantly being expanded with new products. Depending on the requirements profile, these compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use – and completely or partially made from renewable raw materials.

Disposable cutlery – one of many applications for M·VERA® grades

The portfolio of injection moulding compounds at BIO-FED is broadly diversified. The shares of renewable content range from 50 to almost 100%. As a result, petroleum-based raw materials are largely dispensed with. Grades with natural fillers are also available. Depending on the product, area of application (disposable items/packaging and also permanent applications such as household articles) or customer requirements, compounds with compostability under industrial conditions, on home compost or in soil can be supplied. Corresponding certificates from TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium are available. “These attributes will play an increasingly important role, not only as a result of the corresponding legislation, but also due to the increasing environmental awareness of consumers,” says Business Development Manager Ulf Malcharczik. “In addition, the market demands processability on standard equipment as well as properties comparable to those of a standard material, a variety of colors and suitability for food contact, all of which our products guarantee.”

The new M·VERA® GP1037 (with a tensile modulus of approx. 280 MPa and an elongation at break of over 300%) has been specially developed for flexible and ductile injection moulded products. The compound consists of more than 50% renewable raw materials; certification as OK biodegradable SOIL by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium is in preparation.

For rigid applications, various materials are available depending on the specifications and customer requirements. M·VERA® GP1015 and M·VERA® GP1018 are certified to OK compost INDUSTRIAL and cover a wide range of mechanical properties.

If biodegradability in soil or home compost is required, M·VERA® GP1012 and M·VERA® GP1014 are the right choice. In fact, these compounds consist of almost 100% renewable materials. The possible applications range from packaging to disposable cutlery and household items.

All compounds in the injection moulding portfolio can be processed without problems on all commonly used machines. BIO-FED is happy to support its customers from the first trials on, and also offers its services as a cooperation partner for the development of new products.

Bioplastics with variable end-of-life options

The right film for every market

As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. The product portfolio under the trade name M·VERA® is constantly being expanded with new products. Depending on the requirements profile, these compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use – and completely or partially made from renewable raw materials.

The legislation in various European countries for film packaging is currently becoming increasingly stringent. For example, a biobased carbon content of 60% or more and the “OK compost INDUSTRIAL” certificate will be mandatory for the fruit and vegetable bags in Italy from January 2021. In France, this carbon content does not have to be reached until the end of 2024. In this case, however, the specifications according to “OK compost HOME” must also be fulfilled for the fruit and vegetable bags, as has been the case up to now.

BIO-FED’s comprehensive M·VERA® film range offers products with a high biocontent of 40 to over 50% and can serve various end-of-life scenarios – be it for industrial composting or domestic compost. The company is also researching a product that will have a bio-based carbon content of more than 60%.

Fruit and vegetable bags – a good application for M·VERA® B5033

“In addition to the composition and easy processing of the granulate, the films must also meet the mechanical requirements of the application,” says Roland Andernach, Product Manager at BIO-FED. M·VERA® B5033, for example, has significantly improved the tensile strength and tear resistance for use in fruit and vegetable bags. With its experienced research and development team, the Cologne-based company can develop customer-specific solutions in addition to a standard range of products.

Moisture Absorption pads

Compostable Packaging Materials in the Fresh Food Counter

Fresh food on self-service shelves, such as meat, poultry, or fish, must be well packaged so that it reaches the consumer's table clean and germ-free. With its organic and compostable PADECO® moisture absorption pads, Pomona Company Ltd. Sp. z o.o. from the Polish Żyrardów ensures that liquids are trapped in the packaging and do not get into fresh food.

Pomona supplies the food processing industry with a range of absorption pads for fresh foods such as fruit, fish, and meat. At the same time the company researched for an ecological alternative to traditional pads and packaging that would eliminate harmful chemicals and plastics from fresh food packaging – a completely organic and compostable solution.

The company was looking for a material that was compostable, valuable ecologically and which would be easier to process in the production. The absorber consists of cellulose nonwoven fabric, which is combined with the compostable film. A film is produced in a film blowing process, which is then applied to the surface of the absorber.

The Cologne based company BIO-FED knew a solution and solved the problem. As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. Depending on the requirement profile, their compounds are biodegradable in different environments or suitable for permanent application – completely or partly made of renewable raw materials. A compostable film grade from the M∙VERA® range, which is particularly suitable for this food contact application and certified according to EN 13432 with OK compost INDUSTRIAL from TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium was recommended for the compostable film applied on the PADECO® absorbers.

Figure 1: The biodegradable PADECO® moisture absorption pads absorb fluids secreted by fresh foods. It has the advantage that their recycling process produces compost – unlike traditional pads, which are destroyed in the combustion process. In accordance with the zero-waste philosophy, the raw materials used to produce PADECO® are returned to nature.

M·VERA® GP1012

Home Compostable and Soil Degradable Compound for Injection Moulding Applications

As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovative and application-oriented biocompounds. The product portfolio under the trade name M·VERA® is constantly being expanded with new products. Depending on the requirements profile, these compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use – and completely or partially made from renewable raw materials.

Besides numerous grades for film extrusion, BIO-FED also offers compounds for injection moulding. The new M·VERA® GP1012 has been specially designed for this processing technique. It consists primarily of renewable resources and is certified as OK biodegradable SOIL and OK compost HOME by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium for wall thicknesses up to 1 mm. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring high stiffness (tensile modulus 2,000 MPa) and can therefore be used for a wide range of household articles, toys, packaging, coffee capsules, etc. “This compound consists of almost 100% high-quality, renewable raw materials and is excellently suited for the production of rigid objects,” says Ulf Malcharczik, Business Development Manager at BIO-FED. According to the compounder, a food safety approval has also been granted.

“Our customers are increasingly demanding products that meet all the above-mentioned mechanical properties as well as the raw material origin and a corresponding end-of-life scenario,” Malcharczik adds. In his opinion, a bioplastic with a comparably comprehensive properties profile is currently difficult to find on the market.

The Feddersen Group at K 2019

Plastic Solutions – Concentrated Competence from a Single Source

The number of exhibitors at K 2019 has risen to 3,333 in relation to 2016. The Feddersen Group also played a role in this development. At the joint stand in Hall 6/B42, no less than six companies and business units of this internationally active group of companies presented their products and services.

Despite slightly lower visitor numbers at the trade fair, the companies of the Feddersen Group were able to record an increase in visitors to their stand of 10 % compared to the 2016 event. “We were able to conduct around 40 % of the talks with potential new customers,” said Sandra Dierks, Head of Communications & Public Relations at K.D. Feddersen Holding GmbH. “With almost 50 %, the proportion of foreign visitors was also at a very high level.”

At the Group’s stand, everything revolved around the various process steps within the plastics value chain, as underlined by the motto “Plastic Solutions”. The companies showed that, under the umbrella of the Feddersen Group, a solution can be found for every problem.

 

Read more about the K review from BIO-FED below. For more infos about the other companies from the Feddersen Group, refer to this page on the K.D. Feddersen Website.

Sought After: Biodegradable Bioplastics

The branches of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH were represented at the joint stand. “We are pleased that there is an increasing demand, also more internationally, for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions in the plastics sector, which was also confirmed by the overwhelming response of the trade fair visitors to our stand and the corresponding focus of topics at the trade fair,” said Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Head of Sales at the BIO-FED branch.

Many countries, such as India and some South American countries, are working on legislation to ban conventional plastics, for example for carrier bags. “The trend towards the application of biodegradable bioplastics in packaging is becoming evident. We already offer suitable materials here,” Dr. Haftka added. BIO-FED expects that bioplastics will also play a major role in the EU ban on disposable plastic articles and is working on the corresponding biocompounds.

BIO-FED at K 2019

Biodegradable and Biobased Compounds in Düsseldorf

BIO-FED produces and markets biodegradable and/or biobased plastic under the brand name M∙VERA®. The product portfolio comprises biocompounds with a share of renewable resources ranging from 30 to 100%.

In order to meet the legal requirements of the bioplastics sector in France and Italy, among other countries, BIO-FED offers compounds with a correspondingly high proportion of renewable raw materials (biobased carbon content over 50%) and variable end-of-life scenarios such as OK compost INDUSTRIAL, OK compost HOME and OK biodegradable SOIL. Possible application segments are:

- Biodegradable compounds for injection moulding applications (e.g. coffee capsules, drinking straws and disposable cutlery)

- Compounds for the production of home-compostable films for starch-based bag applications (e.g. fruit and vegetable bags)

- Compounds for the production of biodegradable films for agricultural applications (e.g. mulch films)

All M·VERA® compounds can be colored individually – for example with the AF-Eco® biopolymer based masterbatches which are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium in accordance with EN 13432. The AF-Eco® range consists of color and carbon black masterbatches as well as additive masterbatches.

“With our extensive, constantly expanding portfolio of innovative bioplastics compounds, we are making a contribution to waste avoidance by supplying alternatives to conventional plastics and thus also helping to reduce the carbon footprint,” says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Head of Sales at BIO-FED.

Come and visit us at our trade fair stand in Hall 6/B42.

Here you can find the whole news from AKRO-PLASTIC: https://akro-plastic.com/news/latest-news/k-2019/

Plastpol 2019

More bioplastics for the Polish market

Poland is one of the strongly growing and most dynamic economies in Europe and will play an increasingly important role in processing biobased and biodegradable plastics. BIO-FED meets these market needs and provides customised solutions for high biocontent materials. The company is exhibiting for the second time at Plastpol. The trade fair booth which they share with their sister company K.D. Feddersen CEE GmbH, has grown significantly due to last year’s great feedback.

BIO-FED produces and markets biodegradable and/or biobased compounds under the M∙VERA® brand. As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, a specialist for innovative customer-oriented plastic compounds, BIO-FED is part of the international Feddersen Group which has its head office in Hamburg.

The BIO-FED product portfolio consists a broad range of bioplastics compounds with different properties, such as biodegradability and/or high biobased content. The M·VERA® products are already well-established in a number of applications and can be used with various processing methods. In addition, all M·VERA® compounds can be colored individually – for example with the AF-Eco® biopolymer-based masterbatches which are certified in accordance with EN 13432. The AF-Eco® range consists of color and carbon black masterbatches as well as additive masterbatches.

The portfolio includes film extrusion materials with good transparency as well as a variable biocontent. All film materials are approved for food contact and most of them are certified according to EN 13432. Beyond applications for food packaging M·VERA® products can also be used for mulch films, etc.

As well, BIO-FED supplies a range of M∙VERA® injection moulding materials for applications such as coffee capsules, disposable cutlery and dishes, straws, food and cosmetics packaging, lids and plugs, agricultural applications such as flower pots and plant ties. Engineering applications can be served by M∙VERA® ECS. The M∙VERA® portfolio is broaden by products for thermoforming applications.

Furthermore, the R&D department of BIO-FED is working on new materials to fulfil regulatory requirements and customer needs.

For further information, please get in contact with our expert team of highly experienced plastics specialists – or meet us at the Plastpol fair in Kielce from May 28-31 at booth E-52.

Ecomondo 2018

BIO-FED expands again its offer on the Italian market

The Cologne-based company BIO-FED is exhibiting at Ecomondo 2018 in Rimini for the fourth time. The branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH is specifically targeting its offer to the legislative framework on the European markets.

Italy is Europe’s leading country in the Green Economy Sector. They state an example regarding waste recycling, energy efficiency and productivity of resources. After the Italian government banned the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in 2011, producers have been quite active in R&D.

In general, BIO-FED offers a wide range of biodegradable materials for film applications and can so provide solutions to the market. Since 2014 BIO-FED produces and markets biodegradable and/or biobased compounds under the M∙VERA® brand.

The BIO-FED product portfolio consists of a broad range of bioplastics compounds with different properties, such as biodegradability and/or high biobased content. The M·VERA® products are already well-established in a number of applications and can be used with various processing methods. In addition, all M·VERA® compounds can be colored individually – for example with the AF-Eco® biopolymer based masterbatches which are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium in accordance with EN 13432. The AF-Eco® range consists of color and carbon black masterbatches as well as additive masterbatches.

At Ecomondo 2018 BIO-FED will present its extended product portfolio that includes film extrusion materials with a variable biocontent. A large proportion of these compounds contain raw materials from renewable sources (biobased carbon content over 40 %) and meet the requirements for the relevant 'end-of-life' scenarios such as "OK compost INDUSTRIAL" and "OK compost HOME". All film materials are approved for food contact according to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.The M∙VERA® portfolio offers biocompounds for traditional applications (shopping bags, garbage bags, etc.) as well as specialty products e. g. mulch film.

Furthermore, BIO-FED supplies a range of M∙VERA® injection moulding materials for applications such as coffee capsules. M·VERA® GP1012 has been awarded the "OK biodegradable SOIL" certificate as per ISO 17556 and EN 13432 by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. Engineering applications can be served by M∙VERA® ECS. Products for thermoforming applications are currently under development.

With its updated portfolio, BIO-FED can offer solutions for sustainable packaging that meet the requirements of the Italian regulations. BIO-FED is also presenting its products compliant with the French regulation (Décret no. 2016-379 of March 30th, 2016) which are about to be commercialised.

The Ecomondo fair takes place in Rimini on Nov 6-9, 2018. The BIO-FED stand no 72 can be found in Hall D3.

M·VERA® GP1012

BIO-FED Compound Certified as Biodegradable in Soil

The injection moulding material M·VERA® GP1012 by BIO-FED, a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, has been tested by TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium and has been awarded the "OK biodegradable SOIL" certificate as per ISO 17556 and EN 13432.

This biocompound is suitable for processing in injection moulding and can be easily processed by all commercial machines. It consists of 100 % renewable materials, is heat resistant to over 100 °C and has an excellent balance of stiffness and toughness. This compound is suitable for use in agriculture and horticulture and can also be used for coffee capsules. Due to its light color, M·VERA® GP1012 can be colored with the AF-Eco® masterbatch from BIO-FED's sister branch AF-COLOR.

To qualify for the "OK biodegradable SOIL" TÜV certificate, at least 90 % of the material must degrade into carbon dioxide and water. The degradation is tested by accredited laboratories under controlled and standardised conditions over a period of no longer than two years.

All elements of the compounds meet the FDA requirements for use in products that come into contact with foodstuffs. The requirements for other certificates such as "OK compost HOME", as well as approval for products intended to come into contact with food as per EU 10/2011, are expected to be met in the first half of 2019.

Since 2014 BIO-FED produces and markets biodegradable and/or biobased compounds under the M∙VERA® brand. As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, a specialist for innovative customer-oriented plastic compounds, BIO-FED is part of the international Feddersen Group which has its head office in Hamburg.

The BIO-FED product portfolio consists a broad range of bioplastics compounds with different properties, such as biodegradability and/or high biobased content. The M·VERA® products are already well-established in a number of applications and can be used with various processing methods. In addition, all M·VERA® compounds can be colored individually – for example with the AF-Eco® biopolymerbased masterbatches which are certified in accordance with EN 13432. The AF-Eco® range consists of color and carbon black masterbatches as well as additive masterbatches.

In addition to materials for processing in the field of injection moulding, BIO-FED also manufactures biocompounds for use in extrusion, e.g. blown film that meets the strict legal requirements in France and Italy. A large proportion of these compounds are renewable materials (biobased carbon content over 40 %) and meet the requirements for the relevant 'end-of-life' scenarios such as "OK compost INDUSTRIAL" and "OK compost HOME".
 

BIO-FED will be at Fakuma 2018, at a shared stand with AKRO-PLASTIC and K.D. Feddersen in Hall B2, booth 2209, to present its biocompounds.

BIO-FED will also be at Ecomondo in Rimini from 6-9 November, 2018. At Plastex/MSV 2018 in Brno (Czech Rep.), BIO-FED will have representatives at the K.D. Feddersen CEE GmbH booth.

Meet us in Rimini

BIO-FED at Ecomondo 2017

This year BIO-FED will exhibit at Ecomondo fair for the third year. Here we will present our enlarged M·VERA® product portfolio which was specifically developed to meet the new upcoming laws in Italy, for example products with a high biobased content. In addition, products with a good transparency are included in our portfolio.

Ecomondo will take place in Rimini from November 7 – 10. BIO-FED and our distribution partner Febo S.p.A. team will be happy to meet you at our booth 72 in hall D3 in Rimini.

Come to Friedrichshafen and visit us from 17. – 21. October

BIO-FED at the 2017 Fakuma

BIO-FED, a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, produces and markets biodegradable and/or biobased plastics under the brand name M∙VERA®. The company will be showcasing its broad portfolio of film extrusion and injection moulding grades at the 2017 Fakuma. Depending on the requirements profile, these compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-term use and are either completely or partially made from renewable raw materials. AF-Eco has been added to the product portfolio to include biopolymer-based color and additive masterbatches.

AKRO-PLASTIC and its branches AF-COLOR and BIO-FED can be visited at the 2017 Fakuma trade fair on their stand together with K.D. Feddersen GmbH & Co. KG in Hall B2, 2209. We are looking forward to your visit.

BIO-FED adds engineering plastics to portfolio

Biobased PA 6.10 compounds

BIO-FED specialises in marketing biodegradable and biobased plastics. Until now the Cologne-based company’s activities were centred primarily on products for film applications and individual products in the injection moulding sector, with a strong focus on the biodegradablity of the products. With the M∙VERA® ECS product line, this branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH is now adding renewable resource‑based polyamide compounds to its portfolio.

Sustainability, biobased polymers and renewable resources – these are all important issues in the plastics industry today. In part driven by ongoing fluctuations in the price of oil, but also in an effort to reduce energy consumption and improve their carbon footprint, many polymer manufacturers are looking for solutions, along with the entire plastics-processing industry.

“PA 6.10 fulfils the standard definition of a bioplastic since it is made up of approximately 60 percent renewable resources”, says Roland Andernach, Product Manager at BIO-FED. Castor oil from the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinuns communis) forms the basis of sebacic acid, which in turn serves as the basis for the product’s renewable raw material content.

Unlike the previous products in the M∙VERA® line, the ECS products are partially biobased, but not biodegradable. Because a long service life of the end product is desirable in technical applications, and high material resistance is required, these products are ideal to round out the BIO-FED range.

Not to mention that the material’s carbon footprint is more favourable overall than that of polymers entirely of fossil origin. This is due to the fact that the plant-based raw materials have already removed CO from the environment during their growth phase. And since neither the seeds of the castor oil plant nor the castor oil extracted from them are used as food, there is no conflict with the food industry.

“M∙VERA® ECS claims its place in the market as a technical polymer, since it is characterised by greater resistance to highly aggressive media and hot water compared with PA 6/PA 6.6. PA 6.10, for example, absorbs approximately 50% less moisture than PA 6, exhibits greater dimensional stability, and has better cold impact resistance and an excellent surface finish”, explains Andernach.

From a technical standpoint, this material closes the gap between PA 6/PA 6.6 and PA 12. Yet the product’s working properties still correspond to those of a PA 6.

Masterbatch Portfolio Complemented

When it comes to biodegradable plastics, aesthetics matter as much as function. To meet market demand, AF-COLOR, a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH, has added new biodegradable masterbatch carriers to its AF-Eco product portfolio.

In bioplastics, pigmentation is an increasingly important aspect. Bioplastics today are pigmented almost exclusively using color masterbatches formulated with polymer carrier materials and the appropriate pigments. AF-Eco color masterbatches are based on biodegradable carrier polymers. The product line has been expanded to include abroad range of biodegradable masterbatch carriers. Now there‘s a carrier material that‘s just right for every application.

“We aim to rise to the challenge of growing complexity in biobased plastics applications, and this is how we plan to succeed. It will allow us to minimise interactions with other polymer components in a compound”, says Dirk Schöning, Sales Director at AF-COLOR.

“Now there are virtually no limits to our customers’ color requirements for biodegradable masterbatches”, notes Dr Inno Gaul, R & D Director at AF‑COLOR. According to the manufacturer, just about every color objective can be realised ‒ event pearlescent effect colors.

The biodegradable masterbatches are marketed exclusively by BIO-FED under the brand name AF-Eco. Like AF-COLOR, BIO-FED is a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH. BIO-FED specialises in marketing biobased and biodegradable plastics under the brand name M∙VERA®.

Interpack 2017 / BIO-FED Targeting the French Market

BIO-FED is exhibiting at Interpack in Düsseldorf for the first time in 2017. The Cologne-based branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH is specifically targeting its offer to the new statutory legislative framework on the French market.

One consequence of the new energy turnaround law in France on 1.1.2017 was a ban on conventional plastic bags for fruit and vegetables as well as foil packaging for postal items. In future these have to be biobased and biodegradable in domestic compost. “We have expanded our portfolio for the French market to include several new and highly innovative products in line with current statutory provisions and specifically designed for the French film industry, and we will be presenting them at Interpack,” says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, BIO-FED Sales Director. These new products include the extrusion M·VERA® B5024 and B5025 which have a high proportion of biobased raw material. Both products can be composted at home and are highly transparent, making them ideal for fruit and vegetable bags. The Cologne-based company will also be presenting its new biodegradable injection moulding products at Interpack. The BIO-FED stand can be found in Hall 9/G05.

BIO-FED and Plastic Agents, S.L. Sign Distribution Contract for the Iberian Peninsula

BIO-FED based at BioCampus Cologne is a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and a member of the Hamburg-based Feddersen Group. A producer and seller of compostable and biodegradable plastic compounds, BIO-FED runs a state-of-the-art R&D department geared towards innovation.

This market has seen significant growth in the southern European countries in particular due to changes in legislation, so after successfully concluding a contract in Italy the Cologne-based company decide to look for a distribution partner in Spain and Portugal, too. “We’ve now intensified our existing collaboration with Mr. Barraca by signing the distribution contract,” says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Head of Sales with BIO-FED. This collaboration secures local warehousing in Spain so as to allow short-term customer supply within the Iberian Peninsula. BIO-FED hopes to be able to serve particularly the growing market of mulch films for agriculture with environmentally friendly products.

 

Key Account Manager for Bioplastics BIO-FED Begins Active Market Development in France

One consequence of the new energy turnaround law in France on 1.1.2017 was a ban on conventional plastic bags for fruit and vegetables as well as film packaging for mailing items. In future these have to be biobased and biodegradable in domestic compost. In order to be able to handle the growing demand for bioplastics in the French market and provide expert, on-site customer support, BIO-FED has decided to recruit a key account manager for this market.

The biodegradable and/or biobased plastic compounds specialist based at BioCampus Cologne/Germany has been able to gain the services of an experienced plastics expert to take over this role as of February 1, 2017. The new staff member has years of experience in the plastics industry, having worked for well-known polymer and compound manufacturers. He is also resident at the centre of the French film industry and has excellent contacts among processing companies. Working from his location he will establish and support the French market for the Cologne-based company. “We have expanded our portfolio for the French market to include several new and highly innovative products in line with current statutory provisions and specifically designed for the French film industry,” says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, BIO-FED Sales Director. “We regard France as a very interesting and up-and-coming market for bioplastics, and we’re confident our products offer the right answer to the new bioplastics legislation in France.”

 

BIO-FED at Ecomondo

BIO-FED has already exhibited at the Italian trade fair Ecomondo for the second time. The trade fair, which takes place annually in November in Rimini, is the most important of its kind in Italy in the organic industry and combines various industrial segments on the exhibition grounds. The BIO-FED team met a number of existing customers, but also many new customers, and several supply contracts were concluded for the following year. Participation in the next Ecomondo in 2017 is also planned.

 

BIO-FED and Febo Sign an Exclusivity Distribution Contract for Italy

BIO-FED is a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and part of the Feddersen Group located in Hamburg, Germany. BIO-FED produces and sells compostable and biodegradable compounds and has a state of the art R&D center oriented to innovation.

Since this market has grown significantly especially in the southern European countries because of legislative changes, the Cologne-based company decided to sign an exclusivity contract with the company Febo S.p.A. “With Febo we acquired a strategic partner with a long history and knowledge of the plastics market in Italy” says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. “Thanks to BIO-FED, Febo can better support the needs of a growing market every day more focused on finding sustainable products”, says the CEO of Febo S.p.A., Carlo Monti. BIO-FED and Febo are positive that with this agreement new synergies will be created and more opportunities will be taken from a market that keeps evolving and growing.

 

BIO-FED Expanded Market Development Activities in Italy

Mr. Alessandro Armiraglio supports BIO-FED since the end of 2015 as a technical service consultant in Italy and Southern Europe. Since 1st of February 2016 he has also been a consultant for the market development in the region. He advises customers both in the selection of products as well as the optimal processing on the machine. Mr. Armiraglio has many years of experience in this segment. Moreover, our Italian colleague Mr. Andrea Colombo serves the Italian market as a Key Account Manager for BIO-FED. He is assisted by Ms Grazia Aruta from the headquarters in Cologne.

 

BIO-FED Consultant for Spain and Portugal

Mr. Marcos Barraca Gutiérrez of PLASTIC AGENTS, S.L. Valencia, Spain, has been working as a BIO-FED consultant in Spain and Portugal since the end of 2015. He distributes the M·VERA®product range and the biodegradable masterbatch range AF-Eco and the masterbatch portfolio of AF-COLOR in this area.