Applications for biodegradable polymers

Biodegradable polymers from renewable sources have gained increasing interest from industry and research groups in recent years. Now, the International Centre for Biopolymer Technology (ICBT) is organising an international conference focusing on biopolymer technology, taking place in Coimbra, Portugal from 28 to 30 September 1999.

Biodegradable polymer science draws on techniques from a broad range of fields, varying from microbiologists to process engineers. The conference organisers therefore wish to focus on a range of biopolymer applications including plastics, glue and coatings.

The ICBT's objective is to build and maintain an active communication network of leading European scientists. The conference will therefore bring together researchers involved in biopolymer technology, to increase cooperation, communication and research.

The conference will cover the following four topics:

- Technology and engineering;
- Water and secondary structures;
- (Bio) synthesis and modifications;
- Testing protocols.

The day after the conference there will be a workshop addressing all four topics.

The event is supported by the European Commission's FAIR research programme (agriculture and fisheries including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development) which was part of the Fourth RTD Framework Programme.
For further information, please contact:

International Centre for Biopolymer Technology (ICBT)
Ms Annelies Hut and Ms Esther van Tienen
ATO DLO
Bornsesteeg 59
PO Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
Tel. +31-317-475063; Fax +31-317-475347
E-mail: ato.icth@ato.dlo.nl
URL: http://www.ato.dto.nl/ICBT(opens in new window)