EarthShell, manufacturers of environmentally-friendly food service packaging, has announced that it has signed a Co-operative Research and Development Agreement with the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.
Under the research agreement, the ARS and EarthShell Corporation will work together in developing new ways to use crop-plant materials in accelerating the commercialisation of agricultural-based products made with the EarthShell technology for even further improved performance, environmental characteristics and cost advantages.
"Expanding the use of agricultural products in packaging is an important step in reducing the amount of petroleum currently employed in the production of food service disposables," said Richard J. Brenner, deputy assistant administrator of the Agricultural Research Service's Office of Technology Transfer.
"The ARS is committed to the research, development and application of cutting-edge technologies," said Simon Hodson, chief executive officer of EarthShell Corporation. "The agency brings invaluable expertise and talent to this joint effort. We are always interested in alliances that can help accelerate our progress and include additional kinds of starch-based products, such as those made with wheat, corn or other plant starches. We believe this research agreement with the ARS will allow for the development of new ideas that will expand upon EarthShell Corporation's strong technology, increase the use and effectiveness of agricultural products and open up dynamic new markets for US farmers and the entire farming community."
Congress created CRADAs in 1986 to improve and facilitate the opportunities for government agencies and commercial firms to work together, with the goal of translating research results into functional products, applications and services. ARS enters into a CRADA only when the research objective aligns with the agency's mission, and when the partnership will enhance the transfer of technology for the ultimate benefit of the public. The EarthShell CRADA fits this template.
EarthShell Corporation will contribute to the CRADA through work conducted by its scientists in Santa Barbara. The ARS work will be conducted by scientists in the Bioproduct Chemistry and Engineering Research Unit at the agency's Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California.
EarthShell sandwich containers, plates, bowls and wraps are designed with the environment in mind. Developed over many years using a "life cycle inventory" and in consultation with environmental experts, EarthShell products 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. The new packaging poses substantially fewer risks to wildlife than polystyrene foam packaging because it biodegrades when exposed to moisture in nature, physically disintegrates in water when crushed or broken, and can be composted in a commercial facility.
In addition, the company has recently introduced flexible packaging in the form of sandwich wraps that also have been developed using a "life cycle inventory." Like EarthShell's rigid packaging, the wraps also biodegrade when exposed to moisture and bacteria in nature and can be composted in a commercial facility.