EarthShell, the US provider of eco packaging for the food industry, has said that Detroit Tool & Engineering, a subsidiary of DT Industries is to produce equipment for the manufacture of EarthShell products.
The fully integrated and automated lines will be guaranteed by DTE to operate at standard levels of commercial performance agreed upon between DTE and EarthShell's manufacturing partners.
DT Industries stated that the new equipment orders total $7.5 million (euro 7.3m)and it is estimated that the new equipment will produce more than $15 million in annual sales.
According to EarthShell, the additional equipment orders should enable it to achieve its royalty revenue targets for 2003. The company added that delivery and installation of the lines are expected during the second quarter of 2003.
This year EarthShell expects several of its manufacturing partners to continue ordering additional lines from DTE to serve a growing market demand.
DTE is the first equipment vendor to be officially licensed by EarthShell Corporation as a full line, turn-key equipment supplier for the production of EarthShell's foam analog technology. EarthShell licenses its patented technology for the production of environmentally preferable disposable food service packaging. DTE is the lead manufacturer of all the equipment currently on order from EarthShell's North American and Asian operating partners.
EarthShell's current manufacturing partners include Sweetheart Cup Company, Green Earth Packaging, Green Packaging and Huhtamaki for EarthShell's foam analog products, and DuPont for its food service wrap products.
EarthShell sandwich containers, plates, bowls and wraps are designed with the environment in mind. Developed using a "life cycle inventory" and in consultation with environmental experts, EarthShell products are claimed to reduce the environmental burdens of rigid food service packaging through the careful selection of raw materials, processes and suppliers. The products are made primarily from natural limestone and potato starch.