Keynote Executive Session

Receive a high level strategic overview from the key player in the bioplastics industry: How it has evolved and where it's moving forward, the accomplishments, the issues that remain and the key success stories, alliances, partnerships and the state of the industry.

Chair: Mikell Schultheis, Team Lead Sustainable Packaging Design, The Coca-Cola Company

Speakers:
Bioplastics: The State of The Industry & The Market
Marc Verbruggen, CEO, NatureWorks

Bioplastics: An Idealized Look Forward
Dr. Kelvin Okamoto, Chief Technology Officer, Cereplast

Title TBD
Mikell Schultheis, Team Lead Sustainable Packaging Design, The Coca-Cola Company

The Business of Biopolymers in the U.S by the SPI Bioplastics Council

The U.S. market for biopolymers continues to grow at a rapid pace. Hear the latest information about the U.S. market, recent trends, challenges, the political and regulatory framework as well as the future outlook.

Chair: Melissa Hockstad, Vice President, Science, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association

U.S. Industry Overview
Edwin Tam, Manager, New Strategic Initiatives, Teknor Apex

Making Sense of Regulation and Legislation
Keith Edwards, Biodegradable Polymers Manager North America, BASF

Biobased Materials: Beyond the Basics
Carol Casarino, Global Technology Manager - Packaging and Consumer, DuPont

End-of-Life Issues and Considerations
Ben Locke, Director of Business Development, Metabolix

Moving Toward Sustainable Biopolymers
Biobased content alone is not an adequate indication of sustainability. This session will provide a framework for developing polymers that are sustainable from field and forest through production and end of life. Hear how leading green businesses have embraced market-based tools to increase the sustainability profile of the biobased products they purchase.

Chair: Brenda Platt, Co-Director, Institute of Local Self-Reliance

Building Market Support for Sustainable Feedstocks for Bioplastics
Jim Kleinschmit, Rural Communities Program Director, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Regenerative Agriculture's Key to Sustainable Biopolymers' Future
Tom Wright, Advisor, Whole Foods Market

Sustainability Factors in Stonyfield's Decision to use PLA for its Multipack Yogurt Cups
Nancy Hirshberg, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Stonyfield Farm, Inc

Innovations in Technology: Part 1

Chair: Steve Mojo, Executive Director, Biodegradable Products Institute

Thermal and mechanical processing advances alongside incorporation of bio-based materials into thermoplastic polyurethanes extend the range of applications that can be fulfilled by the use of biopolymers.

Advancements in Biobased TPU Development
Dennis P. Lauzon, Vice President & General Manager, Merquinsa North America, Inc

Process Innovation with Compostable Polymers
Keith Edwards, Biodegradable Polymers Manager North America, BASF

Modification of PLA for Technical Applications
Dr. Sicco de Vos, Principal Scientist, Purac

Mater Bi, Polymers, Processing and Converting
Stefano Facco, New Business Development Director, Novamont

Developments in Sustainable Feedstocks

Chair: Dr. Paul Fowler, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Technology, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

Technology advances in the production of glucose from cellulosic feedstocks as well as the use of gene technology to transform the production of PHAs from bacteria and into plants offer up new opportunities for diversification of feedstock sourcing.

Sugarcane: A Biofactory for the Production of Bioplastics
Dr. Stevens M. Brumbley, Associate Professor, University of North Texas

Agricultural Feedstocks for Biomaterials
Rodney Williamson, Director of Research and Development, Iowa Corn Growers Association

Labels for Biopolymers and What They Mean for the Industry

Chair: Dr. Paul Fowler, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Technology, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

On-pack messaging to consumers regarding renewable content, end-of-life disposal options and origin of the packaging material competes with information about the packaged goods. Learn how the USDA's Biopreferred Program is successfully addressing these challenges and hear about new certification opportunities to differentiate more or less sustainable plastics.

USDA's New Voluntary Label: Creating Markets
Ron Buckhalt, Program Manager
BioPreferred Program, USDA

New Frontiers for the Certification of Sustainable Plastics
Joseph Mecca, Business Development Manager, UL Environment Inc

Innovations in Technology Part 2

Hear how bio-based chemicals are utilized in long-lived durable thermoset polymer applications. Additionally, moisture control of both PLA and nanocrystalline cellulose extends the applications of these biopolymers.

Chair: Steve Mojo, Executive Director, Biodegradable Products Institute

Versatile Biobased High Performance Polyamides
Basker Lalgudi, NA Market & Sales Manager, Medical & Industrial, Arkema Inc

Nano-Crystalline Cellulose and Biopolymers
Wadood Hamad , Principal Scientist, FPInnovations and Adjunct Professor, UBC

Moisture Management in PLA Systems
Toby Reid, CEO, Solegear

Business Guide: Advancements in Bioplastics
Dan Gilliland, Director of Business Development, Mirel

Latest Research in Thermoplastics and Biobased Polyesters

Hear how new processing & compounding techniques, coupled with the use of novel bio-based additives are extending the performance and applications of bio-based plastics.

Chair: Dr. Paul Fowler, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Technology, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

100% Biobased Polyesters for a Next Generation of Durable, Sustainable Products
Dirk den Ouden, Director New Business Development, Avantium

Semi-finished Thermoplastics - Based on Renewable Resources
Thomas Stintzing, Product Management, Gehr Plastics

Poly (Lactic Acid) Compounds with High Upper Use Temperature and Good Impact Properties for Injection Molding and Extrusion Applications
Edwin Tam, Manager, New Strategic Initiatives, Teknor Apex Company

Bio-Based Additives for Flexibility, Impact, and Melt Flow Improvement
Kimberly Stefanisin, Senior Scientist, The Hallstar Company

Changes in the European Landscape for Bioplastics: Trends, Initiatives on Carrier Plastic Bags, Regulations in Effect, Market Response
Legislators in Europe are opening opportunities for the widespread use of bio-based plastics in key single-use, disposable applications. In particular bio-based shopping bags that serve a dual role of trash bag and biobags for biowaste management will be discussed in this session.
Chair: Marco Versari, Strategic Marketing Manager, Novamont

Speakers:

The Italian Ban on Non Biodegradable Shoppers
Senatore Francesco Ferrante, XIII Commissione Ambiente, Territorio, Beni ambientali, Responsabile politiche cambiamenti climatici ed energia Pd, Esecutivo nazionale Associazione Ecologisti Democratici, Italia

Experiences, Trends and Challenges on Bioplastics in Catalonia
Francesc Giró i Fontanals, Technical Director, Agència de Residus de Catalunya

Topic TBD
Andy Sweetman, European Bioplastics

Update on Sugarcane Industry and Technology Developments
Hear the latest information about Brazil's success story in the development of sugarcane as a sustainable feedstock for large scale renewable chemical production. Attention is focused on the manufacture of renewably sourced polyethylene and advances in the development of renewably sourced polypropylene will be described.

From Sugars to Hydrocarbons: Amyris' Experience Adding Value to Brazilian Sugarcane Industry
Joel Velasco, Senior Vice President, Amyris, Inc

Sugarcane Derived Green-PE; a Sustainable Biopolymer and a "Drop-In" Replacement for Petrochemical Based Polyethylene
Mark Mendelson, Marketing & Product Portfolio Manager, Braskem America, Inc

End-of-Life Recovery Options for Biopolymers

To be truly green, biopolymers and biobased plastics must be reused, recycled, or composted at the end of life. Hear current developments on the ground to recovery biopolymers.

Chair: Brenda Platt, Institute of Local Self-Reliance

End of Life Challenges and Opportunities for Compostable Plastics, Lessons from San Francisco
Jack Macy, Commercial Zero Waste Coordinator, Department of the Environment, City and County of San Francisco

Recycling BioPlastics/PLA
Mike Centers, President, BioCor, LLC

Biopolymers in the MRF: Problems Ahead
Eric Lombardi, Executive Director, Eco-Cycle Inc

Recent and Upcoming Changes in Standards and Certifications
Bruno de Wilde, Lab Manager, Organic Waste Systems, Inc (OWS)

Composting of Bio-based Products: Marketing Meets Reality
Dan Matsch, Compost and Organic Farming Expert, Eco-Cycle, Inc

Advancing Sustainable Innovations Through the Use of Renewable Materials
Hear case studies that describe how bio-based polymers are being used to improve package and product sustainability by incorporation of renewable carbon content.

Chair: Ron Buckhalt, Program Manager BioPreferred Program, USDA

Supporting Brand Sustainability through Material Science
Harry Epstein, VP Innovation, Havi Global Solutions

How PepsiCo is Driving Sustainability in Packaging
Dr. Ed Socci, R&D Director, Advanced Research Division, PepsiCo