Bioplastics Questionaire

Have you used or evaluated bioplastics and/or biodegradable plastics?
Yes - in past 1-2 years

	Yes - in past 1-2 years
	Yes - but a few years ago
	No, have not used or evaluated bioplastics or biodegradable plastics
	No, but have used oxo-degradable plastics (use of prodegradant additives in conventional plastics)

If yes, please select types you have used or evaluated:

	Poylactic acid (PLA, PLLA, Natureworks, Lacty, etc)
	Polyhydoxyalkanoates, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHA, PHB, Biopol, Biomer,Nodax, etc)
	Starch based (Mater-Bi, Solanyl, Plastarch, Earthshell, Plantic, etc)
	Cellulose acetate or other celluloses
	Protein based (zein, soy, etc)
	Polycaprolactone, polylactones
	Polysuccinates or polyadipate esters (Bionolle, etc)
	Other polyesters or polyester blends ( Biomax, Ecoflex, PTT, etc)
	Polyamide (Nylon 11)
	Poly vinyl alcohol based (Povax/Povol, Moviol, etc)
	Not sure what types
	Others - please specify if you know
	Other comments/information (optional)

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What volumes of bioplastics and/or biodegradable plastics will you use in the 2006/2007 financial year?

	None
	<1 tonne
	1-2 tonnes
	2-5 tonnes
	5-10 tonnes
	>10 tonnes
	None, but have used oxo-degradable plastics (use of prodegadant additives in conventional plastics) Please specify volume

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What volumes of bioplastics or biodegradable plastics do you expect to use next financial year?

	None
	<1 tonne
	1-2 tonnes
	2-5 tonnes
	5-10 tonnes
	>10 tonnes
	None, but have used oxo-degradable plastics (use of prodegadant additives in conventional plastics) Please specify volume

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What processes do you use in processing bioplastics or biodegradable plastics?

Please tick all that apply.

	Profile extrusion
	Film extrusion
	Fibre/filament based product extrusions
	Blown film
	Compounding
	Thermoforming / press moulding
	Injection moulding
	Rotational moulding
	Foam mouldings
	None, but have used oxo-degradable plastics (use of prodegadant additives in conventional plastics) Because:
	Other - please specify:

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What are the reasons for your use or anticipated use of bioplastics or biodegradables?

Please tick all that apply.

	Compostability
	Biodegradation in water or soil environments
	Renewable sustainable resource
	Environmental image/marketing
	Cost reduction
	Customer request
	Legislation responses
	Other functionality - please specify:

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Do you think bioplastics will be significant in the future for NZ manufacturing?

	No
	Yes, in the next 1-3 years
	Yes, in the next 3- 6 years
	Yes, but in the longer term (> 6 years)

What are the major issues inhibiting use of bioplastics in New Zealand manufacturing? (Rate according to importance 1-6 1= most significant/important; 6 = least important)

	Cost
	Perceived lack of stability/durability (sensitivity to water or biodegradation etc)
	Other areas where they appear to lack performance
	Unfamiliarity/lack of knowledge of their processing and/or performance parameters
	Effects on recycling streams
	Effects on landfill
	More difficult manufacturing (slower processing cycles; drying)
	Disposability
	Other - please specify:

Would you choose to use bioplastics or biodegradable plastics if costs / performance were within ~10-20% of established synthetics?

	Yes in some applications
	Yes in most or all applications
	Yes but only if equivalent or lower cost
	No

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Have your customers requested bioplastics or biodegradable options for any of your products?

	Yes - and we have responded with a bio-option but it was not successful
	Yes - and we have responded with a bio-option and it was/is being adopted
	Yes - but we have not yet responded or have not developed/identified such an option
	No

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10.

Do you use or specify any natural/ biobased additives in any of your plastics applications?

	Yes
	No
	None, but use prodegadant additives for conventional plastics
If Yes - Please tick all that apply:
	Antioxidants/stabilisers
	Anti-microbials
	Plasticisers / process aids
	Flame retardants
	Compatibilisers
	Reinforcements/fillers
	Impact modifiers
	Pigments/colorants
	Other - please specify:

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11.

Do you desire or expect to use biobased or natural additives in any of your plastics or bioplastics applications in the future (next 1-2 years)?

	Yes
	No

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12.

Do you have any other comments about bioplastics or biodegradable plastics or biobased additives for all types of bioplastics and/or future development needs in this area?

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13.

Would you be interested in finding out more about the Bioplastics Research Group (BPRG), which also encompasses the use of natural or biobased additives in all plastics and biodegradables in general? (non-committing- just expressions of interest).

	Yes - please email me updates to:
	No

If yes, what aspects of joining the Bioplastics Research Group would be of most interest to you?

Please tick that apply:

	Regular updates via news, email seminars of global trends, industry news
	Regular research updates for preferential or early information on Scion and partners' research progres
	Preferential access to experts and/or equipment.
	Sharing of information experiences with industry members
	Input to influence research direction/projects
	Opportunity to fund or co-fund research and secure IP access options.
	Other -please specify:

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Our core business is

	Plastics processing and conversion
	Plastics materials distributor / supplier
	End-user of plastics / parts
	Other - please specify

I agree to allow the data or responses included above to be included in an anonymously presented summary document, to be presented to all those responding and, subsequently, to Plastics New Zealand and, at their discretion to its members.

	Yes - I agree
	No - I do not agree
	Comments

I am generally supportive of this initiative and am happy for our company to be named as a contributor to the data summary, though not linked to any particular comments or data entries.

	Yes
	No
My company name is (Optional: will be kept anonymous and confidential if provided)

Your Contact Details

These are solely to be used for the purposes of any follow-up on this survey and will not be passed to other organisations, without prior permission.

Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email: