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News Release from: Smithers Rapra | Subject: Compostable plastics
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 April 2005
Compostable and degradable plastics
summit
Rapra Technology is hosting a one day seminar on compostable and degradable polymers and packaging at its Shawbury Headquarters on Thursday May 5
Rapra Technology is hosting a one day seminar on compostable and degradable polymers and packaging at its Shawbury Headquarters on Thursday May 5 Speakers will include Professor Gerald Scott, Innovia Films, Symphony Plastics, the Compost Association and Rapra Technology
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 12 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The morning will feature two parallel sessions - one on degradables, the other on compostables - before delegates convene together at lunch and afterwards.
Rapra Technology, Europe's leading independent plastics and rubber research organisation, reports a significant growth in demand for its expertise associated with compostable materials.
The work in biodegradable and compostable materials technology was catalysed this year by financial support from the Telford-based Polymer Cluster; channelling funding provided from Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
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This funding was used to develop a number of pioneering case studies, based in the Wolverhampton and Telford area and thus to progress the UK's compostable and biodegradable polymer materials know-how and testing work in general.
Based on these pilot studies and in response to the increased profile of "biodegradable" and "compostable" materials in the UK, Rapra has now fashioned a number of programmes to match.
These include.
* Provision of testing to the defined European standard - EN 13432.
* Related leading-edge research and development projects.
* Participation in supply chain initiatives such as the UK Compostable Packaging Group.
* Inception and hosting of technology-specific events.
* Development of targeted research programmes.
David Ingles of Rapra is leading the project and says that "Previously, the only approved facilities to conduct such materials testing and analysis programmes were on mainland Europe." Accordingly Rapra now has set up dedicated laboratories and pilot-scale facilities to deliver this service to the rapidly expanding UK market.
"Demand has been strong," says Ingles "and alongside our capital investment, we have been fortunate to receive considerable support from the Polymer Cluster in relation to staff training, accreditation fees and promotional activities.
It is hoped that this test facility will prove a valuable resource for all UK-based companies active in this market." Places are available for the May 5 meeting at Rapra Technology on a first come, first served basis.
[The meeting had originally been scheduled for Thursday March 3 but in order to accommodate news of various standards having been set for the sector the seminar was rescheduled to Thursday May 5].
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