PRESS RELEASE
Bio-on S.p.A.
"Biobased product" certification and label for Bio-On bioplastic
renewed by the United States Department of Agriculture
Bologna 24th June 2015 - The bioplastic developed by Bio-On S.p.a. is set to continue contributing towards the growth of the U.S. biobased products industry, which according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached 369 billion dollars and 4 million jobs in 20131.
Bio-on PHA bioplastic, completely naturally biodegradable, has obtained from USDA the renewal of the biobased certification issued in 2014. The USDA Certified Biobased Product Label certifies that the quantity of ingredients from biological sources used to make the products being certified meets the levels set by the Department. Biobased products are the finished or intermediate materials made up entirely or to a significant extent of agricultural, forest or marine ingredients. All requests for certification are verified by integrated and independent laboratories and monitored by the USDA. Consumers can thus have full confidence and be able to make better-informed buying decisions.
"We are proud that Bio-on has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label," says Ron Buckhalt, USDA BioPreferred Program Manager, "Products from biological sources add value to renewable agricultural raw materials, create jobs in rural communities and help our society reduce its dependence on non-renewable raw materials such as oil".
According to a study recently published by the USDA, in the United States alone the use of biobased products saves 300 million gallons of oil every year. This is equivalent to 200 thousand fewer cars on the roads. The contribution to employment is also noteworthy: each job in the biobased industry is responsible for generating 1.64 jobs in other sectors of the economy.
"We are extremely pleased to have obtained the renewal of this important recognition," says Marco Astorri, Chairman and co-founder of Bio-on, "Our mission is to develop and produce eco-friendly, natural biopolymers. This certification makes us very proud and confirms our commitment to the growth of the bio-economy".
- Golden, J.S., Handfield, R.B., Daystar, J. and, T.E. McConnell (2015). An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry: A Report to the Congress of the United States of America. A Joint Publication of the Duke Center for Sustainability & Commerce and the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative at North Carolina State University. USDA, June 2015
WEB LINK: http://www.biopreferred.gov/BPResources/files/EconomicReport_6_12_2015.pdf
USDA BioPreferred
The USDA BioPreferred programme was created out of the Farm Security and Rural Investment law of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), and extended by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The aim is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The programme is managed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Products that meet the requirements of the USDA BioPreferred programme bear a distinctive trademark for easier identification by consumers. To find out more about the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label, visit www.biopreferred.gov, or follow @BioPreferred on Twitter.
BIO-ON S.p.A.
Bio-On S.p.A., an Italian Intellectual Property Company (IPC), operates in the bioplastic sector conducting applied research and development of modern bio-fermentation technologies in the field of eco-sustainable and completely naturally biodegradable materials. In particular, Bio-On develops industrial applications through the creation of product characterisations, components and plastic items. Since February 2015, Bio-On S.p.A. has also been operating in the development of natural and sustainable chemicals for the future.
Bio-On has developed an exclusive process for the production of a family of polymers called PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) from agricultural waste (including molasses and sugar cane and sugar beet syrups). The bioplastic produced in this way is able to replace the main families of traditional plastics in terms of performance, thermo-mechanical properties and versatility.
Bio-On PHA is a bioplastic that can be classified as 100% natural and completely biodegradable: this has been certified by Vincotte and by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). The Issuer's strategy envisages the marketing of licenses for PHAs production and related ancillary services, the development of R&D (also through new collaborations with universities, research centres and industrial partners), as well as the realisation of industrial plants designed by Bio-On.
For further information:
Bio-On S.p.A.
via Dante 7/b
40016 San Giorgio di Piano (BO)
Marco Astorri
Tel: +39 051 893001
mailto: info@bio-on.it
USDA BioPreferred®
Kate Lewis
202.720.0811
kate.lewis@dm.usda.gov
