Scion hosts 2nd annual bioplastics workshop

24 August 2011

Registrations are now open for Scion’s bioplastics workshop to be held on Thursday 20 October in Rotorua.

Titled ‘Global trends and local innovation’, the one-day workshop builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event. The programme includes the basics of, and the most recent advances in, bio-based plastics. In addition, Scion researchers will be presenting case studies and progress on recent research and commercial projects, along with speakers from the Australasian Bioplastics Association, the University of Queensland, and a number of New Zealand plastics and packaging companies.

Dr Alan Fernyhough, Scion’s Team Leader, Biopolymer and Green Chemical Technologies, says as bioplastics are becoming increasingly popular globally, the need for New Zealand companies to increase their knowledge of the sector and to drive innovation is paramount.

“We are seeing a growing trend with companies looking for eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum derived plastics, and bioplastics, whether based on renewable resources and/or compostable options, fit that criteria perfectly. This high demand signals tremendous opportunity for New Zealand companies to lead the way in terms of research and manufacturing.

“The bioplastics workshop provides a forum for companies to share their case studies and discuss new research and opportunities.”

Scion researchers have over 10 years’ experience in the bioplastics field and have earned both national and international acclaim for the technologies they have designed, as well as for their science capabilities and ever-increasing range of industry interactions.

To find out more about this exciting workshop, and to register, visit http://www.scionresearch.com/bioplastics-workshop


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