Materials

The environmental credentials of biopolymers for packaging need to be based on the whole lifecycle of the products, not solely on how they are disposed of, according to manufacturer Novamont.

Mater-Bi producer Novamont said assessments of biopolymers needed to look at how the materials were used and disposed of, "not just renewability, or compostability".

New business development director Stefano Facco said: "It's not a race to replace petroleum-based products. We need a reasonable approach to and consideration of the products and waste management."

Last year, Innocent Drinks decided to move its products from polylactic acid (PLA) bottles to recycled PET, because the UK did not have the necessary waste infrastructure to deal with the material.

Italian firm Novamont will exhibit at this year's Interpack, which starts next Thursday (24 April) in Düsseldorf and runs to 30 April, as part of the Bioplastics in Packaging event organised by European Bioplastics.

Novamont will be on stand E5, in Hall 7a.