The latest news from the world of Bioplastics

CURITIBA, Brazil, 3^rd May 2024 – Celebrated international designer Patricia Urquiola unveiled her latest collection, Naturalia, at the Milan Design Week, featuring tables crafted from compostable Luminy® PLA bioplastics compounds produced by Earth Renewable Technologies (ERT). This innovative collection underscores the significant role designers can play in addressing global plastic waste and carbon footprint reduction issues.

The collection, which includes coffee and side tables, was developed using an ERT® (Earth Renewable Technologies) compound that includes Luminy® PLA bioplastics, a sustainable material produced by TotalEnergies Corbion, the joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corbion.

This bioplastic was transformed into modernist-inspired furniture pieces by Urquiola for ETEL, the São Paulo-based furniture brand with galleries in Milan and Houston, and representatives in more than 10 countries around the world. The unique coloration of the tables, resembling stone or granite from a distance, is achieved through a combination of various clays and herbs. The incorporation of herbs not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides a holistic experience.

Unlike traditional plastic materials, when degrading, the PLA based compound will not leave persistent microplastics in the environment. At their end of life, PLA bioplastics decompose 100% in industrial compost facilities, contributing to a circular economy. This sustainable alternative to traditional plastics is also used for various other applications, including supermarket and trash bags, straws, and disposable tableware.

Kim Fabri, CEO of Earth Renewable Technologies (ERT), the company behind the compounds made with Luminy® PLA bioplastics, highlighted: “Producing biobased and compostable materials that can utilize the benefits of bioplastics in sectors beyond single use is a key step to answer current sustainability concerns, and the design industry is the perfect example to show we can combine functionality and aesthetics for a more sustainable future.”

For more information on Earth Renewable Technologies, please visit www.ertbio.com.

 

Photo credits ETEL and Potyra Tamoyos

 

For more information please contact:

Rui Veras, TotalEnergies Corbion Marketing Communications Manager
M +31 629 055 522 E rui.veras@totalenergies-corbion.com

 

Gabriela S. Gugelmin, Earth Renewable Technologies Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer

M +55 41 99912 3333 E ggugelmin@ertbio.com

 

 

 

About TotalEnergies Corbion

TotalEnergies Corbion is a global leader in driving sustainable innovation with Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), reducing carbon footprint while fostering circularity. The biobased nature and composability of our PLA mean that it has a lower carbon footprint while also contributing to the circular economy through mechanical and chemical recycling. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the 50/50 joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corbion operates a cutting-edge PLA facility in Rayong, Thailand. Through the application of PLA across various sectors and collaboration throughout the value chain, TotalEnergies Corbion drives widespread adoption of bioplastics, envisioning a future where it revolutionizes industries and nurtures a healthier planet.​

Website: https://www.totalenergies-corbion.com/ 

 

About ERT
Earth Renewable Technologies (ERT) was founded in 2009 with the mission of replacing plastic packaging with compostable materials. The production of sugarcane-based biocompounds began in August 2021 in Curitiba, Brazil. Since then, the company has been introducing new technologies to the market, revolutionizing the bioplastics industry and enabling companies to truly move towards a circular economy and sustainability.