Stanelco announces food contact approval of Starpol 2000

Grants a short exclusive period to ASDA stores Limited (ASDA) to evaluate its applications.

17/10/05 Stanelco, the RF (radio frequency) applications group is pleased to announce food contact approval for its biodegradable packaging material known as Starpol 2000 and the granting of a short exclusive period to ASDA stores Limited (ASDA) to evaluate its applications.

Starpol 2000 has been fully approved for use in food contact applications for all food categories throughout the European Union following analysis and testing carried out by PIRA International (Packaging International Research Association).

Food contact approval has also been granted for Starpol 2000 for all fruit and vegetable categories in the USA, with tests continuing for contact with all other food types to US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) standards.

Stanelco and ASDA have agreed a 30 day exclusivity period for ASDA to approve the Starpol 2000 material for use with Stanelco's GREENSEAL technology (including modified atmosphere packaging) as well as other more general packaging applications. Under the agreement Starpol 2000 material has been released to certain ASDA suppliers for trial use in ASDA products. The exclusivity period is effective in the UK and Ireland.

Starpol 2000 is a totally biodegradable packaging material based on sustainable crop production. It is available in both flexible and rigid forms and is easily thermoformed into food trays and other packaging. Unlike conventional plastics the price of Starpol 2000 has little dependence upon oil price. It is substantially less expensive than most other biodegradable packaging materials and not significantly greater than conventional plastics.

The Stanelco Group of companies (the Group) has brought together expertise in radio frequency (RF) technology, RF applications and biodegradable material sciences to create a revolutionary range of packaging technologies.