Plantic Technologies Limited Annouces Manufacturing Collaboration with National Starch
Plantic's novel polymer manufacturing technology is based on the use of high-amylose corn starch, a material derived from annual harvesting of specialized (hybrid) corn.
4 Jan 2010 --- Plantic Technologies Limited and National Starch LLC have announced a collaboration to establish a site for the manufacture of Plantic products in the USA.
Key points:
- Relocation of one of Plantic's existing proprietary manufacturing lines from Australia to USA
- A new manufacturing facility to be established in the USA in collaboration with National Starch
- Shortening of supply chain through integration of National Starch raw material supply with the Plantic manufacturing process
- Reduction in cost of Plantic materials
- Closer collaboration between Research & Development and Manufacturing
In October 2007, Plantic and National Starch signed a joint collaboration agreement to develop new starch technology and starch modification technology. This is facilitating the creation of new and enhanced functional properties for Plantic resins and sheet which will broaden the performance spectrum of Plantic's products, thereby expanding potential markets by replacing certain non-biodegradable polymers and delivering new applications.
The relocation of one of Plantic's existing proprietary manufacturing lines from Australia to the US, in collaboration with National Starch, will improve economies of scale and substantially shorten the supply chain, by integrating the supply of the key raw material, which it receives from its alliance partner, National Starch, with the Plantic manufacturing process. The overall effect will be to reduce the current cost of Plantic materials. The facility will also bring R&D and manufacturing into closer collaboration.
This project represents the next phase of Plantic's long-term manufacturing strategy. It will enable Plantic's partners that produce rigid sheet, injection moulding, blow moulding resins and flexible packaging resin to distribute them more effectively and at a lower cost.
The project also enhances the close alliance that Plantic already has with National Starch, Plantic's main supplier of specialty modified starches. National Starch's natural polymer expertise and extensive experience in manufacturing, together with Plantic's expertise in bioplastics technology, provides a strong partnership that is expected to enhance further the product offering by reducing the costs of Plantic resins.
According to Plantic's CEO, Brendan Morris, "The manufacturing facility in collaboration with National Starch is expected to significantly reduce the current cost of Plantic materials by integrating the two processes of manufacturing and key raw material supply. This significant progression of Plantic's manufacturing strategy allows us to deliver greater value to our customers, distributors and conversion partners."
Mr Morris added, "The Company is also in discussions with partners and customers with a view to expanding market penetration, and anticipates making further announcements on these discussions early in the New Year."
Neil Grimwood, Vice President of Strategy for National Starch , commenting on the establishment of Plantic's manufacturing facility in conjunction with National Starch commented, "We believe Plantic's expansion in the U.S. opens the doors to the North American biopolymers marketplace and will enhance the use of starches to create sustainable plastic alternatives."
Plantic Technologies is based in Australia, where its head office, principal manufacturing and research and development facilities are located. The company also has sales offices in Germany and the United Kingdom, and employs approximately 50 people internationally. Plantic's novel polymer manufacturing technology is based on the use of high-amylose corn starch, a material derived from annual harvesting of specialized (hybrid) corn.
The unique chemical and film-forming properties of this type of cornstarch allow for development of a range of applications across conventional plastics markets. In addition to being renewably sourced, users can take advantage of excellent end-of-life properties such as biodegradability and compostability. Plantic has several families' patents covering its technologies, formulations and applications. The Company's objective is to commercialise its plastic technologies across a broad range of applications, with a particular focus on the packaging industry. Plantic has offices in Melbourne Australia, Jena Germany and Boston USA.
