For the seventh time in a row, the “Biocomposite of the Year” innovation award was bestowed to producers and developers of innovative and new applications for biocomposites. Coperion has for many years sponsored this very important prize in terms of sustainability, which is awarded at the Biocomposites Conference Cologne.
Golden Compound from Germany won the first place with its certified home compostable coffee capsules. HOMEcap is the world's first and only home compostable coffee capsule certified with “OK Kompost HOME”. It was successfully launched on the market at the beginning of the year. Biodegradation in home compost avoids considerable waste streams. The HOMEcap is made from a unique compound comprising PTTMCC Biochems bio-based polymers PBS and PBSA mixed with sunflower seed shells and inorganic fillers. It comes with a paper and cellulose based lid, sealable to the capsule without additional glue, home compostable as well.
KNN Cellulose from the Netherlands took second place with their biocomposite granulates. Recell® biocomposite is a granulate with competitive prices and a low environmental impact. The biocomposite material is made from recycled toilet paper, which is separated at a sewage treatment plant, and can be mixed with a variety of polymers such as bio-based polymers, PLA or PHA. The product fits ideally into the recycling economy as it adds value to previously unused cellulose waste streams.
The Swiss company Bcomp has developed proprietary light-weighting solutions for high performance applications by applying latest knowledge on composites to natural fibres and have taken third place. Thanks to powerRibs™ technology, a reinforcing grid inspired by the thin veins in leaves that provides maximum stiffness at minimum weight, natural fibres can achieve the performance of carbon fibres in a motorsport body and thus replace them. The result is a 75% reduced CO2 footprint, 30% lower costs and improved safety without toxic dust and sharp shattering, as well as viable end-of-life options.
Coperion would like to thank all participating companies and the winners for their innovative research work. We appreciate the developments as very important and valuable contributions on the way to more sustainability.
