Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications will be held in Milan, Italy, from April 28-29, 2027.
This summit aims to bring together leading experts and researchers in the field of biopolymers to discuss innovative applications and sustainable practices.
Participants will have the opportunity to network, share insights, and explore the latest research in biopolymer technology.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: The 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications takes place from April 28-29, 2027, in Milan, Italy.
- 2Scale and Focus: This summit focuses on sustainable biopolymers and their applications, attracting experts and researchers from around the globe.
- 3Organiser: The event is organized by Research Connects, with registration and program details available on their official website.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include industry leaders, researchers, and professionals interested in sustainable materials and biopolymer applications.
- 5Entry / Access: Registration is required, with early bird rates available until October 24, 2026.
Why visit
Attending the summit provides valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations in sustainable biopolymers. Network with industry leaders and researchers, participate in discussions on cutting-edge applications, and gain knowledge that can enhance your understanding of biopolymer technologies. Explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with experts in the field, and discover how sustainable practices can be integrated into your.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at the summit offers a unique platform to showcase your products and services to a targeted audience interested in sustainable biopolymers. Gain visibility among key decision-makers and industry leaders, and engage in meaningful conversations that can lead to potential collaborations. Take advantage of the opportunity to present your innovations and connect with professionals who are passionate about advancing the field of biopolymer applications.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Polymer chemists and materials scientists working on biobased and biodegradable polymer synthesis
PhD students and postdocs presenting poster or oral work on PHA, PLA, starch blends or biopolymer composites
R&D and packaging engineers from converters and brand owners screening compostable and recyclable material options
Pilot-plant and scale-up engineers moving fermentation or reactive extrusion routes from lab to tonne-scale
Analytical and testing specialists (rheology, SEC/GPC, DSC/TGA, biodegradation and compostability testing)
Sustainability, LCA and regulatory affairs managers tracking EN 13432, bio-based carbon content and EU packaging rules
Biomedical and pharmaceutical materials researchers assessing resorbable polyesters and hydrogels
Academics, research institutes and funding bodies scouting collaborative biopolymer projects
Investors and technology transfer officers reviewing early-stage biomaterials and fermentation ventures
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Biopolymer resin and compound suppliers (PLA, PHA, PBS, starch blends, bio-based polyesters)
Twin-screw compounding and reactive extrusion equipment makers serving biopolymer processors
Pilot and industrial fermentation plus downstream recovery equipment vendors
Analytical instrument suppliers for rheology, SEC/GPC molar mass, DSC/TGA thermal analysis and spectroscopy
Testing, certification and compostability laboratories working to EN 13432 and related standards
Contract manufacturers and converters offering film, sheet, injection-moulded and fibre processing trials
Biotech startups and spin-outs with fermentation-derived monomer or polymer platforms
Scientific publishers, learned societies and open-access journals in polymer and materials science
Grant agencies, innovation clusters and technology transfer offices supporting biopolymer scale-up
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Biobased and biodegradable polyesters (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT blends)
Thermoplastic starch and starch-based compounds
Biopolymer composites reinforced with natural fibres, nanocellulose or minerals
Compostable films, rigid packaging and food-service items
Bio-based coatings, adhesives and barrier layers
Biopolymers for biomedical use (resorbable sutures, scaffolds, drug-delivery carriers)
Bio-based monomers, building blocks and fermentation-derived intermediates
Additives for biopolymers: chain extenders, plasticisers, nucleating agents and masterbatches
Processing equipment and compounding lines for heat-sensitive biopolymers
Analytical, biodegradation and compostability testing services
Recycling, organic recovery and end-of-life routes for biopolymer waste
Life cycle assessment, certification and bio-based carbon content verification
Location & Facilities
Venue
Halls & areas
1Fiera Milano (Rho) Exhibition Complex
Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy
Facilities
Parking
Milan, Italy in Milan typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Milan, Italy in Milan typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Milan, Italy for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Speaker Registration
749Delegate/Listener
899Poster Registration
449Student Registration
299
Who runs the show
Organisers
a chair along with his team emphasizing the theme of the session
Organiser
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Milan, Italy
Why it matters
On 2027-04-28 to 2027-04-29, 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications in Milan covering Biodegradable plastics and materials, Sustainable packaging solutions, Biopolymer composites and blends, Advanced materi gives packaging buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · EUR
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Milan's intercontinental gateway and the arrival point for most long-haul delegates. Terminal 1 links directly to the Malpensa Express rail platforms; confirm the 2027 conference venue address on the organiser site before choosing a hotel district
About 45-50 km north-west by road to Milan city centre and the Fiera Milano / Rho exhibition district
to venue
40-55 min by road off-peak; about 50 min on the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna, then Metro M1 for Rho Fiera
by car
Mainly European short-haul traffic, convenient for delegates flying from other EU countries. ATM urban tickets are valid on the 73 bus and the metro
About 7-8 km east of the city centre, the closest airport to central Milan
to venue
25-40 min by road to central Milan off-peak; bus 73 to San Babila then Metro M1 toward Rho Fiera
by car
Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport
Low-cost carrier base used for value fares from across Europe. Allow extra time on arrival day because coach departures are less frequent in the evening
About 50 km north-east of Milan in eastern Lombardy
to venue
50-70 min by road to Milan; 45-60 min by shuttle coach to Milano Centrale
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
voco Milan - Fiere by IHG
4-star
Fiera Milano / Rho4.1
USD 145–195 / night
Closest-style option to the Rho exhibition district with spa and hot-tub amenities; about 10-15 min by Metro M1 from Rho Fiera. Night-rate band is an approximate late-April estimate for 28-29 April 2027, confirm live EUR rates.
Hotel NH Milano Fiera
4-star
Fiera Milano / Rho0.0
USD 130–180 / night
Named for the fairground district and listed as pet-friendly with parking, so it suits delegates driving in. Usually the lower band of the Rho cluster outside major trade weeks; estimate only, confirm EUR rates.
Hotel NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova
4-star
Porta Nuova4.5
USD 175–230 / night
Business-district hotel within walking distance of Milano Centrale and the Porta Nuova metro and rail interchange; priced above the fairground cluster in most weeks. Approximate band, confirm for the conference dates.
Hotel NH Milano Corso Buenos Aires
4-star
Corso Buenos Aires4.5
USD 150–200 / night
On the Corso Buenos Aires shopping artery with fitness centre and pet-friendly policy; Metro M1 stations at Lima and Porta Venezia run direct toward Rho Fiera. Estimate, confirm live EUR rates.
Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center
4-star
Central Milan4.0
USD 140–185 / night
Central location near Milano Centrale, practical if you arrive on the Malpensa Express and want a short walk with luggage; pet-friendly with parking. Approximate band, confirm for 28-29 April 2027.
Radisson Blu Hotel Milan
4-star
Milan4.5
USD 160–210 / night
North Milan property with a pool and free-cancellation options surfaced in the hotel capture; trams and metro connect to the centre in roughly 20-30 min. Estimate only, confirm live EUR rates.
Crowne Plaza Milan City, an IHG Hotel
4-star
Milan city4.4
USD 150–195 / night
Near Milano Centrale with a pool and pet-friendly policy, which makes early train or metro departures to the exhibition districts easier. Approximate late-April band, confirm EUR rates for the show nights.
Tivoli President Milano Hotel
5-star
Milan4.5
USD 230–290 / night
Premium comparison point among the captured options, pet-friendly with parking; the highest nightly band in the set and best booked early if the conference overlaps other Milan events. Estimate only.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
metro
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMetro M1 (red line) from central Milan (Duomo, Cadorna, Loreto) toward Rho Fiera / exhibition district
Frequent service through the day; the same ticket covers metro, tram and urban bus within the city zone for 90 minutes
metro
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forATM 24-hour urban pass for metro, tram and bus
Better value than single tickets if you make more than three journeys on a conference day
rail
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMalpensa Express: Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) Terminals 1 and 2 to Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna
About 50 min to Milano Centrale; from there Metro M1 continues toward Rho Fiera
bus
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forCoach shuttle from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Milano Centrale
Cheaper than the rail link but subject to road traffic on the A8/A9 approach into Milan
bus
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forATM bus 73 from Milan Linate Airport (LIN) to San Babila, then Metro M1
The cheapest way in from Linate; allow 40-50 min door to door with the metro change
bus
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMilan Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) to Milan, Italy
Runs roughly every 20-30 min during the day; the last evening departures fill up on peak travel days
taxi
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMilan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Milan, Italy
40-55 min off-peak; use the official taxi rank outside arrivals rather than unlicensed drivers in the terminal
taxi
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMilan Linate Airport (LIN) to Milan, Italy
25-40 min off-peak; the shortest airport transfer if you are staying near the centre
Weather
Milan in late April is spring-warm but unsettled: climatological averages put daytime highs near 18-21 C with nights around 10-12 C, and April typically brings roughly 8-10 rain days, so showers are plausible across 28-29 April. Rain tends to arrive as showers or thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle. Air quality from the Open-Meteo forecast capture for central Milan showed US AQI around 31 with PM2.5 about 3.3 ug/m3 and PM10 about 6.1 ug/m3; that is a public API forecast, not an on-site measurement, so sensitive travellers should check local advisories closer to travel. Humidity in the Po Valley can make cool mornings feel damper than the temperature suggests.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Italy uses 230 V at 50 Hz with Type F (Schuko) and Type L sockets, so UK and US delegates need an adapter; dual-voltage laptop chargers only need the plug converter. EU-issued SIM cards roam at domestic rates under EU rules, while visitors from outside the EU usually find an eSIM or a prepaid TIM, Vodafone or WindTre data plan cheaper than hotel wifi. 4G and 5G coverage is good across central Milan and the exhibition districts, but mobile data inside large steel-and-concrete exhibition halls can drop, so download the schedule and any registration QR codes before entering. Conference venues and most four-star hotels provide wifi; confirm whether the venue wifi is included in your registration tier.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Milan business etiquette
Meetings usually open with a handshake and move to first names quickly; business cards are exchanged without ceremony. Sessions start on time at scientific conferences, while coffee breaks routinely overrun, so plan the next slot with that in mind.
Language
Conference talks and posters will be in English, but Italian is the everyday language of Milan. Hotel, restaurant and taxi staff generally switch to English once you ask, and a simple buongiorno or grazie is appreciated.
Meals and coffee
Lunch is later than in northern Europe, typically 13:00 onward, and dinner often starts at 20:00. Espresso is drunk standing at the bar and costs more if you sit at a table; aperitivo between about 18:30 and 19:30 in Brera or the Navigli is a common way to continue conversations after a session.
Tipping and payments
Service is normally included in restaurant bills, so rounding up or leaving a few euros is enough; taxis rarely expect a tip beyond rounding. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keep some coins for bars, newsstands and luggage storage.
Public holidays and transport disruptions
25 April (Liberation Day) and 1 May (Labour Day) fall close to the 2027 conference dates, so check opening hours and travel plans around them. Local transport strikes are called periodically in Italy and are announced in advance - confirm metro and airport rail services a day or two before you travel.
Dress and daily practicalities
Business casual is standard for a polymer science conference, with a jacket for evening events. Pharmacies are marked by a green cross and rotate night duty; tap water in Milan is drinkable, and the city's drinking fountains make a refillable bottle practical between sessions.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: MXP
For the 28 April 2027 start, target arrival on 27 April. The flight captures show London LHR to Milan Malpensa (MXP) on British Airways as a nonstop of roughly 1 hr 55 min to 2 hr 10 min; New York JFK to MXP on Delta, Emirates or American routings around 8 hours; Singapore SIN to MXP on Singapore Airlines as a nonstop of about 13 hours; Dubai DXB connections showing on Emirates and partner carriers. Tokyo NRT and Sydney SYD routings in the capture are one-stop, roughly 17 to 26 hours. Live fares were not returned in EUR in the captures, so compare prices on the airline or metasearch sites before booking rather than budgeting from a placeholder. Malpensa is the sensible arrival airport for long-haul delegates because the Malpensa Express connects to Milano Centrale and Cadorna without a road transfer; Linate suits short-haul European flights into the city, and Bergamo is the value option if the coach transfer time is acceptable. Book refundable or changeable fares where possible, since a two-day conference leaves little slack for a missed connection.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP): 40-55 min by road off-peak; about 50 min on the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna, then Metro M1 for Rho Fiera; Milan Linate Airport (LIN): 25-40 min by road to central Milan off-peak; bus 73 to San Babila then Metro M1 toward Rho Fiera; Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY): 50-70 min by road to Milan; 45-60 min by shuttle coach to Milano Centrale. Allow road or rail time to Milan, Italy; on-site parking is usually av
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Milan, Italy: Fiera Milano / Rho: voco Milan - Fiere by IHG; Fiera Milano / Rho: Hotel NH Milano Fiera; Porta Nuova: Hotel NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova.
Ride-hail: Milan is served by app-based ride options, but the local market differs from northern Europe: Uber operates mainly with professional black-car and van services rather than the full range of private-car tiers, and the widely used Italian apps include FreeNow and itTaxi for licensed white taxis. Check app availability and price estimates on the day, expect surge-free but metered fares on taxi apps, and use the official taxi rank at airports and Milano Centrale rather than drivers offering rides inside the terminal. For the 28-29 April conference days, pre-book the return to the airport if you have an early departure, because app availability tightens during morning rush hour.
Public transit: Milan's integrated ATM network covers metro, trams and urban buses on one ticket: a single urban ticket valid for 90 minutes, a 24-hour pass, and multi-day passes are the usual choices. Four metro lines matter for delegates: M1 (red) runs from the centre out toward Rho Fiera and is the line to use if the conference sits in the exhibition district; M2 (green) connects Milano Centrale and Cadorna, the arrival points for the Malpensa Express; M3 (yellow) links Milano Centrale with the Duomo; M5 (lilac) serves the northern districts including Isola and Bicocca. Suburban S lines and regional trains call at Milano Centrale, Cadorna and Porta Garibaldi, and the Rho Fiera station is served by both metro and suburban rail on event days. Tickets can be bought at machines, at tobacconists or by contactless bank card at the gates on supported lines - validate paper tickets before boarding, as inspections carry on-the-spot fines.
Parking: Milan is a dense city with limited kerbside space, so driving to a two-day conference is rarely the easiest option. The Fiera Milano complex and large conference venues operate paid car parks, typically charged per day and paid on exit; central garages charge more and fill early. Central Milan applies the Area C weekday congestion charge to the ZTL inside the Cerchia dei Bastioni, with cameras enforcing entry, so confirm whether your route or hotel lies inside the zone before driving. Hotels advertising parking usually mean a paid garage or a limited number of spaces, so reserve a space when booking; blue-line kerbside bays are paid parking and white bays are generally free but scarce.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April 2027 (conference dates 28-29 April)
Temperature: Late April in Milan is mild spring weather: daytime highs typically around 18-21 C and nights around 10-12 C, based on climatological averages rather than a forecast. Expect mild afternoons in the conference halls and noticeably cooler evenings, and check a 7-day forecast in the week before travel for the actual 28-29 April figures.
Seasonality: April is one of Milan's wetter months, with roughly 8-10 rain days on average and showers or short thunderstorms more likely than steady all-day rain. Carry a compact umbrella and a light rain layer for the walk between hotels, metro stations and the venue, and allow a few extra minutes for transfers on wet mornings.
Packing: Pack layers: a light waterproof shell or packable umbrella, a jumper or light jacket for cool evenings, and comfortable walking shoes for metro stairs and long days on the exhibition or poster floor. Business casual is the norm for a scientific conference, with one smarter outfit for a conference dinner. Bring a Type F or L plug adapter for 230 V sockets, a refillable water bottle, and a soft folder for posters or printed materials. If you are sensitive to air quality or spring pollen, add any medication you rely on, since the Po Valley spring brings both pollen and occasional poor-air days.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Day 1
Download the Milan Metro map and pre-load a contactless payment method for turnstiles.
Day 2
Review the conference programme and shortlist sessions on biopolymer chemistry, processing and end-of-life.; Arrange business cards and a one-page company or research summary for meetings.
Day 3
Check the weather forecast for Milan 27-30 April and pack a light rain layer.; Book airport transfer or Malpensa Express tickets for the arrival day.
Day 4
Confirm dinner reservations or networking invitations for 27 and 28 April.; Prepare a short list of exhibitors and research groups you want to meet on the floor.
Day 5
Re-confirm hotel and flight details; download boarding passes.; Book flights to MXP, LIN or BGY using 27 April arrival and 30 April departure as your working dates.
Day 6
Reserve a hotel in the Fiera Milano / Rho district or along the Metro M1 corridor; confirm free cancellation terms.; Check passport validity (six months recommended) and Schengen visa status if applicable; book a consulate appointment if needed.
Day 7
Buy travel insurance covering medical care and trip disruption.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Milan, Italy
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
22nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications registration concourse
Milan, Italy
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Milan, Italy
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights€190.00
- Per diem × 2€150.00
Estimated total€340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · Speaker Registration
EUR 749 / per person
organiser_published
visitor_ticket
visitor · Delegate/Listener
EUR 899 / per person
organiser_published
visitor_ticket
visitor · Poster Registration
EUR 449 / per person
organiser_published
visitor_ticket
visitor · Student Registration
EUR 299 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Speaker Registration | EUR 749 / per person | organiser_published | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Delegate/Listener | EUR 899 / per person | organiser_published | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Poster Registration | EUR 449 / per person | organiser_published | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Student Registration | EUR 299 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Biodegradable plastics and materials and Sustainable packaging solutions solutions and benchmarking suppliers at 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications in Milan.
Min. budget
$1,576.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Biodegradable plastics and materials and Sustainable packaging solutions products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$7,092.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Milan show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Where and when is the 2027 biopolymers conference in Milan?
The 2027 edition runs 28-29 April 2027 in Milan, Italy. Check the organiser site (biopolymers2027.researchconnects.org) for the confirmed venue, hall and registration times before you book travel.
How do I get from Milan airports to the venue?
MXP is the main intercontinental gateway; take the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale or Cadorna and connect to Metro M1 toward Rho Fiera if the event runs at Fiera Milano. LIN is closest to central Milan by bus 73 plus Metro M1; BGY relies on shuttle buses to Milano Centrale.
Which hotels are near the Fiera Milano fairgrounds?
Captured options on the western side include voco Milan - Fiere by IHG and Hotel NH Milano Fiera (both 4-star). Central alternatives include NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova and NH Milano Corso Buenos Aires, which connect to Rho Fiera via Metro M1.
Do I need a visa for Italy?
Italy is in the Schengen Area. Many non-EU nationals need a Schengen short-stay visa, applied for at the Italian consulate in their country of residence. Confirm the current rules with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
What is Milan's weather like in late April?
Mild spring conditions, with daytime highs in the high teens to low twenties Celsius, cool evenings, and possible April showers. Bring a light waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for the fairground halls.
Glossary
- Biopolymer
- A polymer that is either produced by living organisms (starch, cellulose, PHA) or synthesised from biological feedstock (bio-based PE, bio-PET). Biobased origin and biodegradability are separate properties and do not automatically coincide.
- PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate)
- A family of polyesters accumulated by bacteria as carbon storage granules during fermentation; melt-processable and marine-degradable grades are used in packaging and biomedical devices. Commercial discussion usually centres on fermentation titre, recovery cost and comonomer ratio.
- PLA (polylactic acid)
- A polyester made from lactic acid obtained by fermenting plant sugars. It is transparent, composts industrially and dominates compostable packaging, fibres and 3D printing filament; heat resistance is the usual formulation challenge.
- PBS (polybutylene succinate)
- A biodegradable aliphatic polyester used in mulch film, bags and blends. Succinic acid can be made by fermentation, so the same polymer may be fossil-based or partly bio-based depending on the feedstock route.
- Thermoplastic starch (TPS)
- Starch plasticised with water and polyols such as glycerol so it can be extruded like a conventional thermoplastic; common in loose-fill, films and as a cost-lowering blend component.
- Masterbatch
- A concentrate of additive, filler or colourant dispersed in a carrier polymer, dosed at a few percent into the base resin during extrusion so the active ingredient is evenly distributed.
- Compostability (EN 13432)
- The harmonised European standard for industrially compostable packaging: it requires disintegration, biodegradation and ecotoxicity limits under controlled composting conditions, plus proof that the input materials are characterisable.
- Biodegradation
- Microbially driven breakdown of a polymer into CO2, water, methane and biomass. The rate depends on environment (industrial compost, soil, fresh water, marine), temperature and polymer chemistry, so a lab result does not transfer automatically between media.
- Bio-based carbon content
- The share of a material's carbon that comes from biomass rather than fossil feedstock, measured by radiocarbon methods such as EN 16640 or ASTM D6866 and often reported alongside total recycled content.
- Life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Cradle-to-grave accounting of impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use per functional unit of material or packaging; the functional unit and end-of-life scenario chosen decide whether a biopolymer actually scores better than the incumbent.
- Reactive extrusion
- A twin-screw extrusion process where chemical reactions, such as chain extension, grafting or compatibilisation, take place in the molten polymer, used to build molar mass or blend immiscible biopolyesters in one pass.
- Glass transition temperature (Tg)
- The temperature at which an amorphous polymer switches from a glassy to a rubbery state. For biopolymers, Tg and melting behaviour set the usable service temperature and the window for drying and processing.
- Molar mass distribution (SEC/GPC)
- Size-exclusion chromatography separates polymer chains by hydrodynamic volume to give number- and weight-average molar mass and dispersity. Since biopolyesters are heat- and moisture-sensitive, molar mass data are a standard proxy for processing damage.
- Drop-in biopolymer
- A bio-based polymer that is chemically identical to the petrochemical incumbent (bio-PE, bio-PET, bio-based PA), so existing conversion lines and recycling streams can absorb it without requalification.
- Circular economy
- A production and consumption model that keeps materials in use through reuse, mechanical recycling, organic recovery and composting rather than landfill; for biopolymers the debate turns on which of these routes a given grade can realistically enter.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- biopolymers conference 2027
- sustainable polymers summit
- Milan biopolymers event
- 2nd Global Summit on Sustainable Biopolymers and Polymer Applications
- Global Summit 2027
- Global Summit Milan 2027
- Sustainable Biopolymers 2027
- Sustainable Biopolymers Milan 2027
- Polymer Applications 2027
- Polymer Applications Milan 2027
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
Sources
1
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
1
Research Connects
- event_website
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.