KFC chooses Cardia Bioplastics Compostable Bags

KFC chooses compostable bags manufactured by Cardia Bioplastics to replace plastic bags, which were banned by the South Australian Government in May 2009.

4 Feb 2010 --- KFC selected Cardia's compostable bags following comprehensive in store trials that were completed in 2009 with first commercial orders received. The new bags meet Australian compostable plastics standard AS 4736 and are manufactured into finished compostable bags by Cardia using the company's own patented Compostable resin.

The South Australian Government introduced a ban on non-compostable plastic bags in May 2009 with other Australian State Governments now looking to follow. Australian State Governments follow the lead of other countries and regions such as California and Dubai that have already implemented bans of non-compostable bags.

"The world is looking at ways to reduce its carbon foot print and place less reliance on the use of oil where it can. Also Governments around the world are becoming more conscious along with consumers and the public in respect to the environmental impact plastic bags have had," the company's Managing Director Dr Frank Glatz said.

"Cardia has developed high performing Compostable and Biohybrid plastic products, and KFC's decision to use our compostable bags is an endorsement of Cardia's quality products that comply with Australian composting standards", Dr Glatz said.  "The product development process with KFC was collaborative. The KFC team had well researched specific requirements. The bags were hot food tested extensively at the Cardia Bioplastics Global Applications Development Center in Melbourne and in KFC stores. Working closely with the KFC team, we completed product development and trial stages quickly and smoothly," he said.

Meeting compostability standards

Dr Frank Glatz said Cardia Bioplastics can save a lot of development time for customers seeking sustainable packaging solutions. "Our compostable materials already meet international standards for compostability, including Europe's EN 13432, the USA's ASTM D 6400, Japan's GreenPla, and Australia's AS 4736-2006," he said.

"When new technologies are introduced to the market, there is a risk that non-conforming products can be introduced by non-reputable suppliers. Our compostability accreditations were secured through internationally recognised independent laboratories, such as Organic Waste Systems in Belgium and by Swinburne University in Australia.

"As a global supplier, we are also members of industry associations, such as the European and Australasian Bioplastics Associations. We are aware that regional requirements vary. Our staff members in Australia, China, Europe and the Americas have an extensive understanding of the compostability standards for most jurisdictions," he said.

Dr Frank Glatz said that KFC is the first one of the company's growing list of customer projects with global brands to select Cardia Bioplastics. "We are progressing product development and market validation projects with leading international brand owners and retailers.

"To win major global contracts, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, we usually work directly with the customer to develop products specific to their needs, while our distributors focus on resin sales for standard applications," he said.