The shortlist of finalists has been announced today for the 2010 Bioplastics Award, an international competition organised jointly by PRW’s sister publication European Plastics News and Bioplastics Magazine.

The five finalists have been selected from more than 20 high quality proposals entered from around the world. The shortlisted companies and products are (without any ranking):

FKuR/Fujitsu: Eco Keyboard Fujitsu KBPC PX ECO

Fujitsu Technology Solutions is the leading IT infrastructure provider in Europe. Its Eco keyboard (KBPC PX ECO) was developed using materials from German company FKuR Kunststoff, enabling 45% of the plastics components to be replaced by materials made from renewable resources. Biograde C 7500 CL was chosen for the keyboard base.

ICO: ‘Green Planet’ Writing Instruments and Office Supplies

Hungarian company ICO Stationery Manufacturing produces a full range of office products made from PLA, including pens, paperclip holders, letter openers, staplers, punches and pen stands. Aside from their renewable corn source, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the products are fully compostable.

Proganic: Injection Mouldable PHA Compound

Germany-based Proganic has developed a new bio-polymer compound based on PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) blended with renewable vegetable oils, waxes and natural minerals. It can be used as a replacement for a variety of thermoplastics including PP and ABS. The Proganic compound is home compostable in both open and closed composters at 20°C. It is currently being used by Propper of Germany to produce watering cans, flower pots, self adhesive hooks, egg cups and spoons, and strainers.

Toyota – Bioplastics Applications on the SAI Hybrid Car

The Toyota Passenger Vehicle Development Center 2 at Toyota Motors Corporation has been active in the area of bioplastics since 2003. The successful implementation of bioplastics in its new luxury Hybrid Car, the ‘SAI‘, is an outstanding example of the application of a bioplastics materials in a wide variety of application areas.

EconCore – PLA Honeycomb Sandwich Structure

EconCore of Belgium has developed a continuous production technology to manufacture a PLA-based lightweight hexagonal honeycomb structural sheet. The process sandwiches the core between two skins – made of either 100% PLA or a PLA flax composite – in a single production step. The lightweight structure is 100% renewable, fully compostable and reduces overall material use, keeping cost down.

The Bioplastics Award is intended to recognise innovation, success and achievement by manufacturers, processors and users of bio-based plastic materials.

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