In January 2015, TechnoCompound (Bad Sobernheim / Germany; www.technocompound.com) took over its affiliate Polyblend’s (www.polyblend.de) activities to manufacture biodegradable plastic compounds. Both companies are linked to Polymer-Chemie (Bad Sobernheim; www.polymer-chemie.de). Polyblend’s "Bioblend" range includes several certified biocompounds, including those based on PLA. Following the acquisition of the product line, TechnoCompound plans to continue developing the portfolio under the new "BioBatch" brand name. The company has identified flexible film for agricultural and packaging applications as well a bin bags as potential end uses.

TechnoCompound has appointed Resinex Germany (Zwingenberg; www.resinex.de) as the exclusive distribution partner of the biodegradable materials in Germany. Resinex said the BioBatch materials complement its range of thermoplastic feedstocks for the film industry.

The takeover of the product line is part of oil and petrochemical producer Total’s (Paris / France; www.total.com/en) acquisition of a majority stake in Polyblend. Announced in November 2014 (see Plasteurope.com of 01.12.2014), the deal was completed as planned in February, a company spokeswoman told Plasteurope.com.