The Innovation Takes Root International Conference and Ingeo Users’ Forum, which will be taking place from 17-19 February in Orlando, Florida, has assembled a roster of speakers and developed an in-depth programme covering the latest innovations involving the world’s leading biopolymer – Ingeo.

“Innovation Takes Root is like no other conference because all the attendees and the sessions focus on a single, broadly applied performance bio material,” said NatureWorks President and CEO Marc Verbruggen. “This shared interest generates excitement and lively discussions all throughout the conference hall.”

Speakers represent more than 50 companies, including thought leaders from such organisations as 3M, Unilever, Danone, Lego, Kimberly-Clark, Kodak, the US Green Building Council, the Green Sports Alliance, Green Blue, and European Bioplastics.

Creativity and innovation

Innovation consultant and futurist, Jim Carroll, will open the conference. Carroll has a track record of providing unique guidance on cutting edge trends and identifying opportunities for innovation to some of the most prestigious organisations in the world, organisers of the show report.

He was named by Business Week as one of four leading sources for insight into creativity and innovation.

Ingeo

Ingeo performance resins, made from plants not oil, are used in thousands of consumer and industrial products – everything from compostable cold-drink and coffee cups to computers and printers.

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing with Ingeo PLA, one of the fastest growing markets for this biopolymer, will be highlighted at the conference by Stratasys, one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of 3D printers and 3D production systems for rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing.

Six tailored breakout sessions will share the latest in biobased innovations, from raw material to retailer, across a breadth of markets:

• New frontiers in fibres and nonwovens
• New markets – 3D printing and beyond
• Expanding durable applications with Ingeo compounds
• Performance advances in flexible packaging
• Venue cost savings with Ingeo food serviceware
• Expanding the focus in rigid packaging

Expectations

Following Carroll’s presentation, the plenary session continues with an exploration of the evolution of bioplastics from niche to mainstream material. Next day the plenary session will cover the European perspective on bioplastics. A series of workshops will be offered Feb. 17th.

The last year’s edition of the conference attracted 330 attendees, representing 177 companies and 25 countries. A similarly full spectrum of the plastics industry is expected at the 2014 forum, including brand owners, manufacturers, converters, and equipment, additives and blends suppliers.

NatureWorks

NatureWorks LLC offers a family of commercially available, low-carbon-footprint Ingeo lactides and biopolymers derived from 100% annually renewable resources with performance and economics that are said to compete with oil-based intermediates, plastics, and fibres, and provide brand owners new cradle-to-cradle options after the use of their products.

NatureWorks is jointly owned by Thailand’s largest chemical producer, PTT Global Chemical, and Cargill, which provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services.

www.natureworksllc.com