Biorefineries, biomass & bioplastics that aid circular economy | Ep. #59

<p>Today, being able to live well within the limits of nature is the great challenge of our century, a challenge which requires immediate action and which can only be faced with individual commitment and widespread, well-informed policies.</p> <p>That’s where this solution by <a href="https://www.novamont.com/eng/mater-bi">Novamont</a>, an Italian company, captured my attention. <a href="https://www.novamont.com/eng/mater-bi">Novamont</a> is known around the world as a pioneer of the bioeconomy, particularly in the bioplastics sector.</p> <p>To brag a bit, they say that their industrial company’s roots lie in the Montedison School of Materials Science where, over thirty years ago, some researchers started to develop an ambitious project to integrate chemistry, the environment and agriculture..which they like to call : the "Living chemistry for quality of life".</p> <p>They have 3 revolutionary products :</p> <p><a href="https://www.novamont.com/eng/mater-bi">Mater Bi </a>(which is a family of completely biodegradable and compostable bioplastics ,</p> <p><a href="https://www.novamont.com/eng/matrol-bi">Matrol Bi</a> (is a line of biolubricants and greases that are derived from renewable sources &amp; are rapidly biodegradable) ;</p> <p><a href="https://www.novamont.com/eng/celus-bi">Celus Bi</a> (line of innovative and bio-based ingredients for the cosmetics sector)</p> <p>Now, many of you may have come across extensive debates online around green washing and bio-plastics and one of the major reasons for that level of criticism is due to its derivation from agricultural produce.</p> <p>Why, bcoz just under 33% of earth’s surface is land. 71% of that land is habitable. We already use 50% of that 71% for agriculture. And over 75% of that is used for livestock production. Yet that land only produces 33% of our global protein supply.</p> <p>So imagine if bio-plastics become popular in use, more land for agriculture would be required.</p> <p>That’s where <a href="https://www.novamont.com/eng/mater-bi">Novamont</a> is m