European biocomposite production reached 410,000 tonnes in 2017. Yearly growth rate is 3% – highest growth rate of 30% in new application fields

There is considerable interest in biocomposites from various parts of the industry. Special appearance and haptic, green image, weight savings, shorter cycle times, scratch resistance and, above all, a lower CO₂ footprint are important factors for this development.

The biocomposite production in Europe is estimated by nova experts to amount to 410,000 tonnes in 2017. Over 30 compound companies produce and trade 80,000 tonnes of granulate with wood and natural fibres in Europe. In addition to the common petrochemical plastics PE, PP, TPE and PVC, biopolymers such as Bio-PE, PLA, PBS, PBAT or PHA are utilized. Depending on the target application, wood flour, wood fibres, cellulose fibres, bast fibres such as hemp, flax, jute or kenaf, but also bamboo, cork or the fibres of the sunflower seed shells are used.

The overall annual growth rate of the European biocomposite production is about 3% which is roughly in line with the average growth of the plastics market. But much higher growth rates of up to 30% have been identified in various innovative application fields of biocomposites. These application fields range from technical applications over furniture to consumer goods that are produced mainly with injection moulding, 3D and other production methods like rotomoulding. Furthermore, in the area of traded granulates the overall growth rate has also been substantially higher as the average (15%).

The full market report will be first presented at the industry’s biggest global meeting place for biocomposites: The “Biocomposites Conference Cologne (BCC)” (www.biocompositescc.com) in Cologne (Germany), 6 and 7 December. It is the world’s largest conference and exhibition on this topic. Among the expected 300 participants from 30 countries, including more than 30 exhibitors, the following international companies will be present at the conference:

++ Avantium ++ BASF ++ Cordenka ++ Coperion ++ Covestro ++ DONG ++ Ford ++ nobilia ++ Renolit ++ Shell ++ Södra ++ Solvay ++ Sonae Arauco ++ Stora Enso ++ Tesa ++ TransFuran ++ Velux ++ VW ++ Wacker Chemie ++ Werzalit ++

Contact: Dr. Asta Partanen, asta.partanen@nova-institut.de, Tel.: +49 (0)2233-481459

Download the press release: 17-11-16 PR Biocomposite production

Responsible under press legislation (V.i.S.d.P.):
Dipl.-Phys. Michael Carus (Managing Director)
nova-Institut GmbH, Chemiepark Knapsack, Industriestraße 300, DE-50354 Hürth (Germany)

Internet: www.nova-institute.eu – all services and studies at www.bio-based.eu
Email: contact@nova-institut.de
Phone: +49 (0) 22 33-48 14 40

nova-Institute is a private and independent institute, founded in 1994; nova offers research and consultancy with a focus on bio-based and CO₂-based economy in the fields of feedstock, techno-economic evaluation, markets, sustainability, dissemination, B2B communication and policy. Today, nova-Institute has 25 employees and an annual turnover of more than 2.5 million €.

Source

nova-Institute, press release, 2017-11-16.

Supplier

Avantium Technologies B.V.
BASF SE
Coperion
Cordenka GmbH & Co. KG
Covestro AG
DONG Energy
Ford Motor Company
nobilia
nova-Institut GmbH
RENOLIT SE
Shell Group
Södra
Solvay
Sonae Arauco Deutschland AG
Stora Enso
tesa SE
TransFurans Chemicals
Velux
Volkswagen AG
Wacker Chemie AG
WERZALIT GmbH + Co. KG

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