French milk-based bioplastic maker nabs government grant

In France, milk protein-based bioplastic company Lactips has received a €1.5-million (USD1.8-million) grant from the European Union’s H2020 SME funding vehicle to help the company expand into new, non-food markets.

The plan includes expanding its biobased 3D printing filaments research with Jean Monnet University of Saint Etieene

—Engineering and Laboratory of Polymer Materials. Lactips says it will also expand its staff from 20 to 30 in the near future.

Lactips was founded in 2014 after a seven-year collaboration with the University of Saint-Etienne to develop film and pellets from the non-edible milk protein casein. Powder tablets for dishwasher detergents—the company’s first product launch—is expected shortly. The company also aims to build a production site in France by the end of 2018 and is forecasting sales to grow to €20 million by 2030.