A spokeswoman for the company told FoodProductionDaily.com at the Fachpack 2012 trade show in Nuremberg that FKuR was showcasing green polyethylene for the first time at the event.
The move was made possible following a distribution agreement signed with biopolymer manufacturer Braskem, she said.
Sugar cane
“Braskem produces conventional plastics, but is now offering the first in the world Green Plastic PE made from sugar cane. There are many applications for this including food and drink packaging.”
Crucially, the material had exactly the same properties as standard PE and was as easy to recycle, while generating lower greenhouse gas emissions throughout its lifecycle, she added.
FKuR could supply a rigid yet flexible form of low density PE (LDPE) bioplastic with high transparency that could be used for fruit trays or cups, she said.
Tough, transparent
And through Braskem it could supply tough, transparent bioplastics providing barriers that could protect food from exposure to oxygen and moisture and maintained integrity at very low temperatures for frozen food.
FKuR, which is based in Willich, Dusseldorf, was set up in 2003 and produces biodegradable and compostable compounds for packaging for applications ranging from blow moulding to thermoforming.
The company currently has one production site, but is looking to expand further outside of Europe. “North and South America and Thailand are very good potential markets,” said the spokeswoman.
“We are growing every year. We have recently installed a new production line and are planning to install another in 2013, doubling capacity.”