NOVARA, ITALY: Novamont has launched the second phase of the project to redevelop the Mater-Biopolymer plant in Patrica (FR), doubling the production capacity of the ORIGO-BI family of biopolyesters. These are used to improve the technical, economic and environmental properties of MATER-Bi biodegradable and compostable bioplastics.
Together with the development of new chemicals and production processes, this has given a strong new impetus to upstream integration of the Novamont production line.
In 2009, the Mater-Biopolymer plant in Patrica (Italy) belonged to Mossi & Ghisolfi (M&G), had two PET production lines and had stopped production on one line. From 2009, a partnership enabled Novamont to start working on gradually converting this line to its technology. In 2011, the first continuous plant for production of ORIGO-BI – biodegradable polyesters obtained from monomers from vegetable oils was inaugurated.
It has since become a flagship plant and a link to the Novamont biorefinery. By the end of the first quarter of 2018, when the process to convert the second line will be completed, and taking full advantage of the technological advances made possible by the experience gained from the first line, Novamont will double production capacity of the ORIGO-BI biopolyester range, from 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes per year and achieving a higher content of renewable raw materials.
“Doubling the production capacity of the Patrica plant is a further step towards building an Italian bioplastic and biochemical supply chain integrating research, agriculture and industry and developing products that can deliver solutions to major environmental problems,” said Catia Bastioli, managing director, Novamont.
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