SPI opens third-annual innovation in Bioplastics Award Competition

WASHINGTON – SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association and the SPI Bioplastics Council announced Tuesday the opening of the third-annual Innovation in Bioplastics Award competition. As in the previous two contests, the competition is open to any corporation, partnership or other business entity worldwide and seeks to acknowledge one creative, state-of-the-art innovation that represents the height of innovation in the bioplastics industry.

“Bioplastics represent an increasingly larger part of today’s market, but the sector’s continued growth and development is pivotal to the entire plastics industry’s future, as consumers and policymakers alike work to reduce waste while creating thousands of green jobs,” said SPI President and CEO William R. Carteaux. “This is a segment of the industry that already has a track record for innovation, and we look forward to honoring another groundbreaking contribution with the 2015 Innovation in Bioplastics Award.”

Past winners include Avantium, which won the first Innovation in Bioplastics Award in 2013 for its development of polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a packaging material with superior barrier qualities that offered new opportunities to beverage makers. Teknor Apex won the 2014 Award for the development of Terraloy® PLA compounds that exhibit both high-impact and heat-resistant properties.

“Former winners of the Innovation in Bioplastics Award have continued to grow and make an impact on today’s plastics market with innovations that creatively simplify production processes and reduce greenhouse gases,” said Terry Peters, senior director of technical and industry affairs at SPI. “This contest honors the companies that keep plastics on the cutting edge by building the materials, products and processes of tomorrow.”

Entries will be judged on innovation, sustainability measures and marketplace impact. Companies can submit multiple entries for different bioplastics materials, products or processes, provided that they complete and submit a separate entry form for each innovation they submit. The award application can be found on the SPI Bioplastics Council website and entries will be accepted until Nov. 14, 2014.

Contact
Jacob Barron
Phone: 202-974-5249
E-Mail: JBarron@plasticsindustry.org

About Bioplastics Council

Launched in 2008, the Bioplastics Council was created to provide a forum for the full bioplastics value chain to promote the development and growth of the bioplastics industry. Membership has grown steadily to comprise 16 of the nation’s largest bioplastics firms. Award program inquiries should be directed to Tania Farries, manager, regulatory and technical affairs at SPI, at tfarries@plasticsindustry.org.

About The Plastics Industry Trade Association

Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $373 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly 900,000 American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, industry promotion and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services.

“From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry,” said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors.”