Food Packaging & Bioplastic

Food Productiondaily.com has a short article regarding bioplastic food packaging applications. Essentially the article states that:

• Bioplastic applications are increasing through improved processing, faster market entry, and reliability
• Primarily used in food applications
• Drink Groups are increasingly looking at applications (see Coca-Cola water bottle business Disani)
• Downturn in global economic conditions may help drive the bioplastic industry as companies look for alternatives for marketing applications

Cereplast Announces New Game Plan, Production to halt?

News coming from Earthtimes is that Cereplast has a new strategic plan in place to go after the bioplastic market. They look to working with NatureWorks™ to develop greater market applications. Cereplast has been all over the news recently. Doral's, Safety 1st® (for those who have kids) will start marketing hybrid bioplastic items for babies and children. Georgia Pacific recently announced they will be partnering with Cereplast and NatureWorks to put PLA into Dixie® Cups.

What does this all mean?

Working in the supply chain with bioplastic producers for greater market application, and those manufacturers who are supplying the products for the brand-owners?

Cereplast is shutting down the yet to be built/finished facility in Seymour, Indiana. It also looks as though the California plant will be shutting down by Cereplast CEO Frederic Scheerer statement... "“This is the painful part of growth,” said Scheer. “Unfortunately, we will not be able to include many of our manufacturing employees as we move forward. However, we plan to focus on our strengths and anticipate hiring additional product development and marketing personnel in the future.”

Coke is pulling bio and recycled together

Unless you are living und a rock somewhere and haven't heard, Coke will be using a mixture of bioplastic (up to 30%) and traditional PET that can BE recycled. Why is this cool?

The plastic recycling industry does not like bioplastic mixed in the recycling stream. Does this mean they are coming to the alter for a full fledge wedding? Don't know yet, but the engagement is starting.

Check out the article here on plastics today.