The Bioplastics in Packaging event at this year's Interpack occupied three times as much space as in 2005, underlin-ing the increased interest in non oil-based polymers as packaging materials. However, concerns about source, sufficient supply and subsequent disposal (see box) have restricted commercial growth. Last year, for example, Treofan stopped producing its Biophan poly-lactic acid (PLA) due to insufficient predicted sales growth to justify necessary investment in a new production line. Stanelco said shortage of supply of material was hindering product development and Innocent Drinks moved its bottles from PLA to recycled PET, citing the UK's inadequate recycling infrastructure. PLA, as produced by Natureworks, for example, and cellulose films from wood'pulp, such as Innovia Films' Natureflex, are the most widely known biopolymers and have made the biggest inroads into packaging. But there are others that are gaining ground, produced from a variety of materials and processes. Last October, Meredian, a sister company to US PLA producer Danimer Scientific, acquired technology from Procter & Gamble to produce polyhy-droxyalkanoate (PHA), using plant-based fatty acids as its source material. "The beauty of our product is we can use waste materials not destined for food," says president S. Blake Lindsey.
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