Cardia Bioplastics’ new range of Cardia Biohybrid films, based on a blend of thermoplastic starch with standard thermoplastics, meet the European Commission standard 2002/72 EC for food contact, increasing the likelihood these materials may see use in packaging requiring longer shelf life than "straight" bioplastics may offer.

The supplier (Melbourne, Australia) says it has lodged provisional patents on its materials’ use in multilayer film extrusion. In a statement, Cardia Bioplastics Managing Director Frank Glatz said the multilayer films offer excellent clarity, and mechanical and processing properties. “This development enables customers to move confidently into more sustainable packaging solutions and opens significant new market opportunities for Cardia Bioplastics, which extend from commodity packaging into the food-packaging industry,” he added.
 
In related news, the company plans to move to a new site and effectively double the nameplate capacity of its plant in Nanjing, China; the company does not reveal its current capacity. In Nanjing, the company says it will expand beyond resin development and manufacture into processing of finished goods. “We can help customers trial Cardia Compostable or Cardia Biohybrid materials through our product design, development and delivery service for finished film and bag goods,” Glatz said.
 
In addition, the supplier has opened an application-development center at its Melbourne headquarters. The company recently also appointed H. Mühlstein & Co. as its distributor for the Americas, with three firms also tasked for regional distribution in Europe, and Unic Technologies handling it in Southeast Asia. —[email protected]