Cereplast Inc. (El Segundo, CA) has entered into a distribution agreement with Ashland Distribution to supply its bioplastic resins throughout Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. A company representative told PlasticsToday that in the past sales in those geographies were handled directly by three regional directors. The company estimates that the North American region accounts for about 60% of its sales.
Last March, Ashland announced a North American distribution deal with NatureWorks LLC (Minnetonka, MN) for that company's Ingeo brand polylactic acid (PLA) resin. Cereplast, which markets Cereplast Compostables and Hybrids Resins, utilizes Ingeo in some of its offerings, compounding it with various starches for a biobased biodegradable material. Already in 2010, Cereplast has announced distribution deals that cover Malaysia, China, Chile, Peru, and Europe.
In a release, Frederic Scheer, founder, chairman, and CEO of Cereplast said his company "continues to identify key distribution partners and are pleased to have partnered with Ashland Distribution...to help provide their customers with new and innovative ways to satisfy growing consumer demand for cleaner, environmentally sustainable materials."
The company representative said 2009 was a year of restructuring, cost cutting, and positioning for Cereplast, with a focus on sales in the current year. As part of that, it has reorganized its sales and marketing initiatives and appointed Bob Findlen to lead the sales force. The company is also actively signing distributors, calling them an extension of its sales force.
