This year, the Hürth-based nova-Institute once again presented its „Bio-based Material of the Year“ innovation award - this time online due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The prize is awarded every year at the „International Conference on Bio-based Materials“ of the research institute for the most innovative materials and products on the market. Six companies from 17 applications were nominated by an expert jury this year. They brought their ideas home to the conference participants via the screen. After the presentations, the winners were honoured in a Online survey chosen by the public.
First place went to a certified wood fibre packaging for ready meals from Huhtamaki Lurgan (UK/Finland). „Fresh“ is completely bio-based and biodegradable: the ready-made meal tray based on wood fibre can be as an alternative to black plastic can be used. The material is easier to recycle and certified for home composting. The packaging is made from natural wood fibres sourced from FSC-certified and renewable Nordic forests. The Bowl is food-safe, heat-resistant and microwave-safe, The bowls are easy to handle and retain their shape when heated. The bowls are produced in Northern Ireland by Huhtamaki Lurgan using specially developed machines.
Second place went to an adhesive tape made from 90 per cent renewable raw materials from monta adhesive tape factory (Germany). Its carrier is a bio-based PLA film, which are equipped with a Natural rubber adhesive is coated. Under industrial composting conditions, this packaging tape biodegrades within a few months. It has been certified by TÜV Austria and awarded the OK Compost Industrial„ mark of conformity“ labelled. Monta biopack is an environmentally friendly alternative for sealing cardboard packaging, biodegradable bags and for binding flowers and garden waste.
Third place went to a functional, paper-based and compostable barrier coating from the Fraunhofer ISC (Germany). It is for Packaging for food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and was developed for mono-material, paper and compostable packaging. bioORMOCER is bio-based, compostable and has bio-organic structures made from green waste or chitosan.
Source: nova-Institute
