Engineering lecturer Dr Johan Verbeek will discuss his work in creating bio-derived products in Tauranga this week.

Dr Verbeek's research group at the University of Waikato focuses on using waste materials or by-products from other processes to produce value-added products.Engineering lecturer Dr Johan Verbeek will speak in Tauranga this week.

He will speak about the team's developments at the next Cafe Scientifique tomorrow.

The group has produced a plastic material, or bio-polymer from bloodmeal - a by-product of the red meat industry.

The bio-polymer can be used to manufacture injection-moulded plastic products for use in the agriculture and horticulture industries and other markets where renewable bioplastics are needed.

Another example is turning chicken feathers in fibres that when added with plastic could be strong enough for use in the building, construction and marine industries.

The bio-polymer discovery is now the property of Novatein, a spin-off company created by WaikatoLink, the University's commercialisation office. Novatein has raised venture capital and is now working with Australian and New Zealand partners to develop several products. Johan will share the challenges he has faced in aligning research with market needs.

He is a senior lecturer and convenor of the chemical and biological engineering programme. He has won and been nominated for various awards, including being a finalist in the 2011 Kudos Awards for his work turning low-value animal protein into high-value biodegradable plastics.

Café Scientifique is a forum for debating science issues, where for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. The Café Scientifique series is organised by Julia and Warren Banks and supported by the University of Waikato. It aims to promote public engagement and make science accessible.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 29 from 6.45pm for a 7.15pm start at Alimento, 72 First Avenue, Tauranga. For more information please visit: www.waikato.ac.nz/go/cafescientifique or email [email protected]