FLOS, bio-on test water-biodegradable bioplastic, produce Miss Sissi lamp with PHAs biopolymer made from sugar beet, cane production waste

Wendy Lisney

MILAN and BOLOGNA, Italy , April 18, 2012 (press release) – bio-on and FLOS present the world's first product made with PHAs, the 100% naturally water-biodegradable bioplastic. The first design object to be made in this initial test of the revolutionary material is Miss Sissi, the FLOS lamp designed in 1991 by Philippe Starck and now an icon in lighting design. The creativity, experience and global presence of FLOS are thus teamed with the innovation of bio-on, the sole owner of the technology to produce PHAs bioplastic.

Made so far of polycarbonate, one of the most widely used plastics in industry, Miss Sissi passed the test with the new bioplastic developed over the last 5 years in Italy by bio-on (using Co.Pro.B by-products). The PHAs biopolymer is revolutionary because it is made from the waste materials of sugar beet and cane production (so it has zero impact on the food cycle), it requires no organic solvents, it is completely biodegradable in soil and water and it provides exceptional performance.

“We are proud to be presenting the world’s very first design product made with our biopolymer PHAs together with such a prestigious and well-known brand as FLOS. Thanks to this collaboration," explains bio-on managing director Marco Astorri, “we can really launch a new era. The technology is available at a global level and, with the range of biopolymers developed by bio-on, it is now possible to create a vast range of objects in all of the sectors currently using plastic”.

“We are pleased to be entering this new challenge for the future,” says Piero Gandini, Chairman and managing director of FLOS S.p.A., “which represents the non-stop Italian innovative spirit, splendidly exemplified by bio-on. We cannot wait to continue the tests on other products and materials, so that there can soon be a turning point in environmentally-friendly production, already encapsulated by our ‘Cradle to Cradle’ Soft Architecture material. These bio-on polymers - although we cannot really call them polymers and a new name should be coined - are a total revolution in the relationship between mass production and environment. We are pleased and honoured to work with such a gifted and enthusiastic team as bio-on.”

About bio-on www.bio-on.it / FLOSS www.flos.com

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