Bioplastics supplier strikes European distro deal

RI.ME. Masterbatch Srl (Mozzate, Italy) will use the Cereplast material to make colorant masterbatches. Cereplast (El Segundo, CA) has distribution deals for its materials and compounds in Europe, South America, Malaysia, Thailand, and Southern China. In North America, Ashland handles distribution; in Europe, A. Schulman is the main distributor of its materials and compounds.

Under the terms of the contract, Cereplast will supply its Compostable 3000 film grade for use in RI.ME.'s masterbatches, with RI.ME then marketing those masterbatches to processors of bags and compostable trash bags. Compostable 3000 is a proprietary grade that includes Ingeo-brand polylactic acid (PLA) from NatureWorks, and a biodegradable copolyester from BASF. Cereplast is in discussions to extend the contract on other RI.ME. product lines. The initial contract runs through December 2011.

"Our contract with Cereplast enables us to address growing consumer and industrial demand for environmentally-friendly plastic products," commented Alberto Cattaneo, CEO of RI.ME. "We currently supply biodegradable colors to more than 150 of our customers. This collaborative agreement expands our product offering and strengthens our position as a leading designer and developer of masterbatches throughout Europe." —[email protected]