NatureWorks, Metabolix, Virent Headline Smithers Rapra’s Biopolymers Symposium 2013

Smithers Rapra is pleased to announce that NatureWorks, Metabolix, Virent, First Green Partners, the National Restaurant Association and Green Dot Holdings headline the agenda for the 8^th annual Biopolymers Symposium. Biopolymers 2013, scheduled for June 11-12 at the Field Museum in Chicago, IL, will cover the use of biopolymers in compostable food service ware; rigid and flexible biopolymer packaging and single use applications; sustainable feedstocks; innovations in materials; strategic partnerships to commercialize new products and much more. Early bird pricing for the conference expires Friday, March 15^th.

"It is an exciting time in the biopolymers industry, as both consumers and business owners continue to recognize the importance of sustainable materials. In addition, the technology which enables this industry is advancing rapidly, thus opening up even more opportunities,” Richard P. Eno, President and CEO, Metabolix and presenter at this year’s Symposium. “At the symposium, I look forward to discussing our progress in commercializing PHA biopolymers and how they will be an important contributor to the overall growth of the industry."

Biopolymers 2013 will take place over one and a half days and will open each day with a plenary session before moving into tracked sessions which will allow attendees to create an agenda best suited to their business development needs. “This year’s Symposium agenda will feature more than 50 of the industry’s key players – those who are truly impacting the growth and development of the bioplastics sector for 2013 and beyond,” said Barbara Fowler, conference director for Smithers Rapra. “Plus, with our exciting new location at Chicago’s world-renowned Field Museum and the many opportunities for collaboration and debate with your industry colleagues, this year’s Biopolymers Symposium has set itself apart from any other bioplastics event this year.”

The Biopolymers Symposium 2013 will kick off with a panel discussion between Eno, Marc Verbruggen, President & CEO, NatureWorks and Lee Edwards, CEO, Virent on the future of biopolymers. Lewis Perkins, Senior VP, Development and Textiles & Apparel, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute will also present examples of how textile, apparel and footwear brands are working on cradle to cradle solutions, including a case study on Puma.

There will be three keynotes over the course of the event: Mark Remmert, CEO, Green Dot Holdings LLC will provide insights on redefining the role of bioplastics in durable goods; Scott DeFife, Executive Vice-President, Policy and Government Affairs, National Restaurant Association will discuss the restaurant industry’s perspective on biopolymers and Doug Cameron, Co-President and Director, First Green Partners will bring an investors perspective to the challenges and opportunities in the biopolymers industry.

The 250+ anticipated attendees will also hear from a diverse group of bioplastics developers, manufacturers and end-users including Algix; BIOFASE, Cascade Engineering; Cereplast; EcoLogic; European Bioplastics; IBM; Kimberly-Clark; Micromidas; Procter & Gamble; Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field; Volvo Group Trucks Technology and 30+ additional speakers. The conference will close with a presentation by the winner of the first annual Innovation in Bioplastics Award to be awarded by The SPI Bioplastics Council (BC), a special interest group of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association.

For more information on Biopolymers 2013, visit http://www.biopolymersummit.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/biopolymers.

About Smithers Rapra
Smithers Rapra is the global leader in rubber, plastics, polymer and composites testing, consulting and information products and events, with key focuses including the tire, industrial, transportation, consumer and medical industries. For more information, visit www.smithersrapra.com.