Choosing BioPanel is an environmentally conscious choice

Environmental friendliness and sustainability are starting points in the development of BioPanel. That is why BioPanel board material is entirely plant-based. Our journey began with the question of how to reduce the environmental impact of outdoor signage and information boards. Products for which aluminium and oil-based plastics are now the standard choices, but those are certainly not environmentally friendly.

The challenge of moving away from plastics and metals

To be fair, it is a huge challenge to leave plastics and metals aside. We find it hard to do without them and we experience the benefits almost continuously. Just look at the device you are reading this text on, the office or perhaps your own home you are working in, or the means of transport you use to get around. Not to mention the revolutionary impact of these materials on our food and health

Downsides of using plastics and metals

The use of plastics and metals is not without downsides. With our changing climate, we are increasingly faced the impact of excessive and unnecessary use of metals and oil-based plastics. Just think of:

  • Exhaustibility of fossil resources and minerals;

  • Significant CO2 impact; For example: the aluminum industry is worldwide responsible for 2% of the greenhouse gases.

  • Possible presence of harmful substances;

  • Non-biodegradable waste.

Alternatives and substitutes are not there for the taking

However easy, tempting and ingrained the use of metals and plastics now is. We can no longer avoid limiting our use and looking for and developing alternatives. So when, in our search, we found that there are virtually no truly eco-friendly alternative board materials besides wood, we started developing our own board material based on the following criteria:

  • Free of fossil materials and minerals;

  • Made from rapidly renewable resources;

  • CO2 neutral;

  • Recyclable AND biodegradable.

Natural fibres and biopolymers

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) put us on the track of natural fibres and biopolymers. And eventually we ended up with hemp and PLA. Hemp as a fast-growing crop, which is grown locally in the Netherlands and is also a soil improver that absorbs CO2 and nitrogen. And PLA as a biodegradable polymer that is a by-product of sugar production.

Environmentally-friendly sheet material for signing and more

Based on hemp and PLA, we have managed to develop BioPanel in recent years. A strong, bio-based and biodegradable sheet material that is almost CO2 neutral. It feels like hard plastic and can replace various sheet materials in different markets, including for signing purposes. So unlike aluminium and HPL, no fossil materials are used in the production of BioPanel, only rapidly renewable plant-based materials that  absorb large amounts of greenhouse gases from the air as they grow. The entire hemp plant is used during production. BioPanel production takes place at lower temperatures, requiring less energy. All in all, this ensures that the CO2 impact of BioPanel sheet material is minimal and much lower than aluminium and HPL.

More than 75,000 BioPanel-based route markings and information boards already in place

Working closely with various sign makers, we have already produced more than 75,000 signs of various sizes and for a variety of purposes. BioPanel-based signs reduce CO2 emissions by up to 99% compared to aluminium signs. A also compared to hard plastics such as HPL, BioPanel provides a very significant reduction in CO2 emissions! Moreover, at the end of its life or useful life, we are happy to take back BioPanel board material free of charge for recycling or biodegradation through industrial composting. A choice for BioPanel is therefore a sustainable choice that contributes to fewer CO2 emissions and less waste! Customers who have embraced BioPanel from the very beginning include local authorities, tourism agencies and companies willing to go the extra mile for our environment.

Many other applications for BioPanel

Beyond signing, BioPanel can be used for numerous other purposes. For example:

  • Furniture and interiors

  • Building material

  • Substitute for oil-based plastics products

More is needed than recycling or adding biobased material to conventional plastics

The path being taken with plant-based, biodegradable materials such as BioPanel is not without its challenges.. Therefore, the market still seems somewhat reluctant to invest in these types of materials and focus on recycling conventional materials or increasing percentages of bio-based ingredients. But is that the way to go? We believe it isn’t.

Above all, let’s recycle what we already have available. But adding plant-based materials to plastics that are not biodegradable may reduce the CO2 impact of the final product when it reaches the market, but it does not make these materials biodegradable. After all, burning  at end-of-life releases the CO2 again.

Join us for truly sustainable!

With every step we take, we make an impact. So let’s go for it together:

– Reduced use of mineral raw materials and oil-based plastics;

– Embracing new, environmentally friendly alternative materials, such as BioPanel;

– Using the right materials for the right purpose.

Will you join us?

The advantages of BioPanel

  • BioPanel consists entirely of rapidly renewable plant-based materials.
  • BioPanel emits up to 99% less CO2 than its alternatives.
  • BioPanel is strong, relatively light and does not lose properties in outdoor applications.
  • BioPanel has a durability of at least 10 years.
  • BioPanel is recyclable and biodegradable. This prevents residual waste.
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Receive a free BioPanel sample?

We can imagine that you would like to get your hands on BioPanel to determine whether the material could be something for you. Therefore, request a free BioPanel sample without any obligation!

Sample request