Six materials, including a bioplastic composite paper, a wetsuit made from natural rubber, and packaging and disposable tableware made from up-cycled agricultural residuals have been announced as the finalists for the nova-Institute’s ‘Bio-Based Material of the Year 2017’ award.

The competition rewards innovation and development in the bio-based material industry, focusing on applications and their corresponding markets that have had, or will have, a market launch in 2016 or 2017.

18 products were submitted this year, with the six finalists hailing from Belgium, Finland, Germany and the United States.

Innovative materials announced for 2017 bio-based award

Each company will have 10 minutes to give a presentation introducing their innovation at the International Conference on Bio-Based Materials in Cologne on 10-11 May, while the three winners will then be elected by the 250 participants of the conference and will receive an award sponsored by InfraServ GmbH Knapsack.

Last year’s winner was Orineo BVBA: Touch of NatureTM, who developed a range of biomaterials made from coffee grounds to be used in making floors, tabletops and furniture.