Plantic Technologies - Advanced Bio-Based Materials

Plantic Technologies Limited develops and produces advanced bio-based materials. Plantic® is an innovative product made from corn-starch (maize) that is Australian grown and non-genetically modified.

BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

This technology has a number of unique properties; it disperses on contact with water; is inherently anti-static; is an excellent gas, taint and odour barrier; adheres to conventional plastics; is sealable, printable and laser etchable; and, importantly is completely biodegradable and compostable.

Plantic is approved for contact with food and is non-toxic to humans. Our recommendation for disposal is to compost. It is seen as a technological solution to the environmental problems associated with traditional plastic packaging that can take years to decompose.

Plantic products are certified compostable and biodegradable to European Standard EN13432:2000. The base resin is manufactured in Australia and can be converted for many different applications including rigid packaging, flexible packaging, gas and odour barrier and injection moulding.

Current conversion methods include thermoforming, casting, injection and co-injection, blow and stretch moulding.

CURRENT APPLICATIONS OF PLANTIC

Plantic is currently used for confectionary and baked product trays by many Australian and international food and confectionary manufacturers, and is also used for trays in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry as secondary packaging. Plantic^® packaging trays have been in the market in Australia for three years.

Brand owners such as Nestlé, Byron Bay Cookie Company, Cadbury Schweppes, Kellogg, Darrell Lea, Florex, Freedom Foods, Lindt & Sprüngli, Masterfoods, Pink Lady Chocolates and praline chocolates have adopted these high-quality environmentally responsible trays for their market leading brands.

Plantic is also being used for new innovative products that utilise the unique water dispersing properties. Florex of Holland is using Plantic in a bulb packaging tray, allowing consumers to plant the whole tray with evenly spaced flowers. And in Germany, Growie is marketing a small flower seed packet made from Plantic into the corporate gift market.

Plantic has been recognised as one of the most innovative communication ideas in the world by being named a finalist in the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas in January 2006. Plantic allows brand owners to communicate their real commitment to environmental sustainability.

PLANTIC TECHNOLOGIES LTD

Plantic Technologies owns, manufactures and markets Plantic. It is a public unlisted Australian company which is administered by a board of directors. The Company has raised over AUD$30m from a range of private equity investors to commercialise its technology and expand its development.

Plantic Technologies began operation in mid 2002 to commercialise the biodegradable materials developed by the government funded research group, the Cooperative Research Centre for International Food Manufacture and Packaging Science. Since then Plantic has established a full scale manufacturing facility; launched its first products for dry goods packaging and generated global sales with multinational food packaging companies. Plantic Technologies has a direct presence in Europe with offices and staff now located in Germany and the UK.

THIN FILM PRODUCTS AND ENHANCED WATER RESISTANCE

The technology behind Plantic is being adapted and enhanced for a series of new applications through a concerted research and development programme. Amongst the aims of the research and development programme is the commercialisation of injection moulding products such as biodegradable pales, thin film products such as confectionery wrappers, as well as trays with enhanced water resistance for packaging fruit and vegetables. The unique properties of Plantic are also being developed into innovative new products through a range of global partnerships.

Plantic Technologies owns the intellectual property behind Plantic materials through a range of patents and patent applications. Plantic is a registered trademark of Plantic Technologies Limited.

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