The official inauguration of Mater-Biopolymer, the Novamont’s newly refurbished site for the production of its biodegradable biopolyester Origo-Bi, took place on 19 October, in Patrica (FR), according to an announcement released by the company today.

The ceremony was preceded by "The Regeneration continues" conference, one of a series of events which are being organised to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Club of Rome. Moderated by journalist Elena Comelli, the event featured a line-up of speakers that included Gian Paolo Manzella, Councilor for Economic Development, Trade and Crafts, Start-Up of the Lazio Region, Lucio Fiordaliso, Mayor of Patrica, Catia Bastioli, Novamont CEO, Mauro Magatti, Teacher Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Massimiliano Tellini, Global Head - Circular Economy Intesa San Paolo Innovation Center, Christophe Debien, Director General of the Institut National de l'Economie Circulaire, Gianni Pietro Girotto, President of the Industry Commission Senate of the Republic, Davide Crippa, Undersecretary of State Ministry of Economic Development and Gunter Pauli economist, entrepreneur, Belgian writer and father of the "Blue Economy".

At the end of the conference, the guests, including representatives of institutions, local administrations, universities and research and industrial partners of the Group, were given a tour of the plant to have an opportunity to take a closer look at the production process.

In line with Novamont’s strategy of revitalizing sites that have become old and obsolete, the new Mater-Biopolymer has been converted from a former PET production plant into a modern facility for the production of biopolyesters based on renewable raw materials, using a more sustainable and low-emission process.

The highly efficient plant is equipped with a complex system of utilities to minimize costs and waste through the recovery and enhancement of waste. In 2016, the site started the construction of a waste water distillation section from the process that made it possible to recover the tetrahydrofuran (THF) that is generated during the polymerization reaction, which, once distilled, is destined for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, among other things.

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