Jun 16 2009
Cereplast, Inc. (OTCBB:CERP), developer of proprietary bio-based sustainable plastics, today announced the launch of a breakthrough bio-based foamable resin to compete with Styrofoam® and other foamable petroleum-based resins. Cereplast Compostable 5001® will complement Cereplast’s existing line of Compostables®, expanding market applications for Cereplast resins. Cereplast Compostables 5001® is designed to meet the needs of all converters, manufactures and brand owners interested in substituting polystyrene foam with an environmentally sustainable plastic.
Cereplast Compostable 5001® is a compostable foam using Ingeo™ PLA and various biodegradable and compostable components. This breakthrough resin is ideally suited for thermo-forming application, such as egg cartons, meat trays and mushroom and berries boxes. Plastics converters need not to make new capital expenditure and can use Cereplast Compostables 5001® on conventional extrusion equipment, without process or screw changes. A foam density of 5 lb/cubic foot can be achieved using conventional equipment. Cereplast Compostables 5001® has higher thermal properties than traditional Compostables and is an ideal way for plastics manufactures to reduce their dependence on petroleum-based plastics.
Frederic Scheer, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, stated, “Cereplast Compostable 5001® is the result of a successful research and development project which demonstrates Cereplast’s technical strengths and commitment to meet the growing demand for greater sustainability from the plastic industry. The Launch of Cereplast Compostables 5001® represents an outstanding opportunity for companies across the plastic supply chain, currently using petroleum-based foam plastic resins, to reduce the industry’s reliance on oil and contribute to environmental sustainability.”
“A significant breakthrough for Compostable 5001® is the fact we are able to reach a density of about 5 pounds per cubic foot on a traditional screw while keeping acceptable heat deflection, modulus and impact strength,” said Philippe Ravera, Cereplast’s Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing. “Compostable 5001® is our first grade of bio-based foamable resins and we intend to introduce additional grades later this year.”