Novatein scientist wins innovators award for bioplastics research
Friday 8 August 2008, 10:50AM
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Dr. Johan Verbeek has won a Bayer Innovators Award for his research on turning sustainable or waste products into new materials – with a reduced impact on the environment.
Dr. Verbeek, a senior lecturer at the University of Waikato’s School of Science and Engineering, and the lead scientist for Novatein, was the winner of the Agriculture and Environment category.
The awards acknowledge New Zealand’s leading innovators – those who use their knowledge and commitment to improve the lives of New Zealanders and the wider world.
The judges were impressed that Dr. Verbeek’s research on turning low value or waste animal protein into biologically-derived plastics or bioplastics and biocomposites is being commercialised.
The judges said, “New Zealand produces a large amount raw animal blood and turning it into goods made from plastic polymers is the basis of a viable industry.”
A new company, Novatein Limited, has been established by WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of the University of Waikato, to patent and commercialise Dr. Verbeek’s innovative process. The company is expected to have the new biodegradable product on the market within five years.
WaikatoLink CEO Mark Stuart said,"Novatein has the kind of high-growth global market potential that we look for in new technologies. The key to commercialisation is to attract investors for ideas that have just come out of the lab.”
"Novatein is one of seven investments Endeavour Capital has made in WaikatoLink companies. It's testament to the good relationship we've built with them. They know that we have a good, robust process for screening research ideas for commercial potential."
Novatein’s technologies are patent protected and offer compelling competitive advantages compared to traditional processes using traditional petrochemical-derived feedstock’s or diverted primary production, such as corn.
Around 1.5kg of bioplastic can be produced from 1kg of blood meal, a waste product from the meat industry. The end products range from packaging through to consumer products.
There is a growing global demand for sustainable, biodegradable and recyclable plastic products due to an increased environmental awareness.
Dr David Saul the principal scientist at ZyGEM, another WaikatoLink spinoff company, was a finalist in the Research and Development category of the awards.
The six category award winners in the Bayer Innovators Awards are:
· Agriculture and Environment: Johan Verbeek, University of Waikato
· Science and Health: Olaf Diegel, AUT University
· Design and Engineering: Chris Mardon and Tom Mackenzie, Energy Mad
· Information Technology and Communications: Mike Carden and Mark Hellier, Sonar 6
· Manufacturing: David Percy, Pertronic
· Research and Development: Ray Avery, Medicine Mondiale
- ENDS -
About Novatein
Novatein specialises in the development of bio plastic technologies. The company was formed by WaikatoLink, the technology transfer office of the University of Waikato, and has venture funding from Endeavour Capital. Novatein’s technologies are the result of leading research conducted at the University of Waikato under the guidance of Dr Johan Verbeek, which has lead to the creation of high value bio degradable plastic products from low value waste streams. There is a growing global demand for sustainable, biodegradable and/or recyclable plastic products. Novatein’s technologies are patent protected and offer compelling competitive advantages compared to traditional processes using traditional petrochemical-derived feedstock’s or diverted primary production, such as corn.
About WaikatoLink
WaikatoLink Limited is a world class technology development and investment company, with a strong track record in translating research outcomes into commercial technologies. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Waikato, it achieves this by identifying, managing and commercialising the University’s intellectual property. WaikatoLink works closely with industry, investors and researchers to identify and develop market opportunities for new technologies, and plays a key role in University knowledge transfer for economic transformation. Since its establishment in 2002, WaikatoLink has completed numerous licensing deals and established more than 12 start-up companies and joint ventures, which have collectively created more than 138 full-time equivalent jobs and achieved market capitalisation nearing NZ$200 million. Three of its start-ups have already been successfully exited. WaikatoLink’s impressive performance is reflected in its Top 3% rating when benchmarked against US university technology transfer offices (AUTM survey data).
About Bayer Innovators Awards
Comment from Bayer:
“As a global company with a proud history of research and development, Bayer has always recognised the link between innovation and business success.
Last year Bayer spent 2.6 billion euro (more than 5 billion New Zealand dollars) on research and development. At Bayer we consider it especially important to develop new products and strengthen our core businesses while at the same time making our manufacturing processes more efficient.
At any one time Bayer is involved in up to 100 research trials in New Zealand, whether it’s a new cancer treatment, a new crop protection product or a new cattle drench.
Innovation is the key to future business success, which is why we support the Bayer Innovators Awards in association with the National Business Review.”
Hans-Dieter Hausner, Senior Country Representative Bayer Australia and New Zealand
http://www.bayerinnovators.co.nz/