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The third annual European Bioplastics Conference was held in Berlin in November.

The event featured 22 exhibitors and approximately 300 delegates from 26 countries. Event organizer European Bioplastics, an association representing manufacturers, processors, and users of bioplastics and biodegradable polymers, reported that they expect significant growth in both the demand for bioplastics and investments in production facilities.

In a statement following the event, European Bioplastics said that the international production of bioplastics is expected to rise from 2006 levels of 150,000 tons to 2 million tons in 2011. The first of two keynote speakers at the event, Dr. Michael Stumpp, group vice president of BASF, said, "The bioplastics market has already become a considerable market, both on the retail and on the resin level. I am convinced that the market will grow quickly within the next few years." Armand Klein, Europe business director for Applied Bio-Sciences at DuPont, said in his keynote address, "We [industry] have to reduce our environmental footprint drastically. Renewably sourced materials, which are already available today, can provide for a step in the right direction."

Participants in a panel discussion on the question, "Is there enough land for bioplastics production?" said they believe that there is indeed enough land for all biomass applications. Bioplastics, panelists said, do not compete with the production of food products.

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