(Akron, OH) to include all of continental Europe, and Schulman, which previously concentrated its Cereplast distribution on France and Germany, will be expanding its product offerings based on the Cereplast materials.
The agreement covers distribution of Cereplast’s Compostables and Hybrids brands of materials to converters and manufacturers. Frederic Scheer, chairman and CEO of Cereplast, noted that, with this extended agreement, “...our resins will remain stable and cost competitive in the European market, one that is already committed to and producing renewable resource based materials commercially.”
The agreement is not exclusive, but Scheer said that A. Schulman is Cereplast's main distributor for Europe.
The Cereplast bioplastic resins will enable A. Schulman to launch a new offering composed of bio-based materials for customers interested in more environmentally friendly solutions. Thomas Koerlin, director engineered plastics Europe for Schulman GmbH, said, "A. Schulman and Cereplast are now able to supply bioplastic resins to a wider range of plastics processors with this distribution partnership.”
Bioplastics currently account for less than 1% of the European plastics market. Cereplast resins replace a significant percentage of petroleum-based additives with starches made out of corn, wheat, tapioca, and potatoes, enabling the bioplastics to revert back to nature within 180 days. Resin formulations are available for all major converting processes. —[email protected]
