Kaneka Belgium nominated for the essenscia Innovation Award 2019 with a revolutionary bio-based and biodegradable foam packaging material.

Westerlo, Belgium – April 02, 2019 - The Japanese technology-driven specialty chemicals firm Kaneka Belgium in Westerlo has been selected as one of the six finalists in the essenscia Innovation Award competition 2019. The biannual essenscia Innovation Award is the most prestigious prize for industrial innovation for chemistry and life sciences in Belgium.

Inspired by the circular economy model of plastic packaging, Kaneka Belgium developed a revolutionary sustainable packaging material, which is not only recyclable through composting, but as well biodegradable in natural environments, including marine waters.

The innovation project includes the development of a bio-based and biodegradable foam particle starting from a natural polymer PHBH™ and is the result of a successful merging between Kaneka's fermentation and macromolecular core technologies.