The search for renewable raw materials that serve to gradually dispense the current dependence on oil is one of the objectives.

Although expectations for the future predict a palpable growth of bioplastics, the researcher calls for further promotion of bioplastic materials from businesses. "Our goal is that companies know the work we are doing," he explains.

What role Gaiker-IK4 in these days of plastics from renewable sources?

The conference is organized within the framework of the European project REMAR, in which we participate Euskadi, Aquitaine and La Rioja. In this project there are different institutions that work to show progress in environmental and renewable energy. Each of these centers has divided the issues and leading-IK4 Gaiker part of bioplastics.

For what purpose are born these days?

Our main concern is that companies are aware of the work being done with bioplastics, which are the technologies that exist, how is the market and what may have applications in the future. The most interesting of the conference is to see that businesses contact with these issues, especially the Basque companies.

What are the main characteristics of this material?

Bioplastics are a family of materials that currently relegated to plastics derived from renewable sources and, at the end of its useful life, can be biodegradable.

What future for the sector of bioplastics?

Bioplastics are not only interesting because it is biodegradable but also offer the opportunity to work in search of other alternatives to oil raw materials. The expectations of growth that drove in 10 or 20 years are above 20%. In any case, everything will depend on the technical limitations with these materials are solved.

What are the major difficulties that are the working hours?

The problem is that there are a number of materials that have hit the market with technical limitations and temperature resistance that we are trying to investigate and fix. Moreover, they are developing these new formulations of materials to cover more markets. Thus, decrease costs and increase production.

Do companies should show more commitment to this type of material?

The problem is that the Spanish government there are no companies that manufacture these materials despite the interest that exists for use. This is already an important starting point. They want to see is if these materials will provide similar services at a cost similar because we move in a market where costs are tight. http://thechemistrysideoftheforce.blogspot.com/

What is the role that institutions have to play?

Both universities and we must work to solve these technical limitations. We are going to help encourage companies to use and expand the market. It is also very important to obtain the level of regulatory support from the institutions. The consumer must be able to distinguish this type of product because they buy in the hope that this material is biodegradable and thus the market is strengthening.