Vancouver-based Solegear Bioplastic Technologies Inc. and r-pac International (New York, New York), a leading global supplier of retail packaging, have collaborated with a major US-based consumer electronics retailer to produce smartphone case packaging in support of the most recent phone release from a market share leader. The name of the retailer was not revealed.

Solegear and r-pac have been collaborating since May 2014 on the sale and marketing of packaging based on the plant-based plastics produced by Solegear. As Michael Teitelbaum, CEO of r-pac, pointed out: "Our customers rely on us to bring them packaging innovations that deliver on their sustainability objectives without sacrificing performance or aesthetics.” The collaboration with Solegear has made this possible, and, with this newest order commitment, is bearing fruit.

 "Our partnership with Solegear has allowed us to work collaboratively with their development team to ensure this plant-based packaging not only met those requirements, but could be manufactured and shipped just like traditional materials," Teitelbaum said.

Solegear has developed two proprietary bioplastic formulations, Polysole and Traverse. Designed for high performance applications Traverse, a100% recyclable biocomposite material, has been selected to produce the packaging.

"Solegear's product development team has worked diligently with r-pac to develop and refine our TF4000 bioplastic to ensure it would meet retailers' quality expectations to withstand the impact of demanding transportation and in-store environments," said Paul Antoniadis, CEO of Solegear. "This smartphone case packaging order commitment is a great illustration of how our team works alongside our partners to develop breakthrough bioplastics that meet the real-world needs of top Fortune 500 brands."

This commitment represents a forecast of 750,000 units with delivery commencing in the next quarter.

Both of Solegear's bioplastic materials are approved for products and packaging from the USDA BioPreferred program. Traverse TF4000 was granted a USDA Certified Biobased Packaging Label earlier this month, providing independent verification of its plant-based content and enhanced thermal properties. Designed as a drop-in replacement for petroleum-based plastic packaging, TF4000 can be readily processed in standard thermoforming equipment and contains no BPAs, phthalates or other hazardous chemicals. The company’s Polysole LV1250 injection molding bioplastic earned a USDA Certified Biobased Product and Packaging Label at the same time.
 
As announced in September this year, Solegear’s Polysole LV1250 will be available in Starmark Clip-Mate, Memo-Mate, File-Mate, Pencil-Mate, Self-Stackers and Desk Trays to be distributed by TOPS Products Canada through commercial office products catalogues as early as December 2015.
 
Solegear’s Traverse TF4000 thermoformed packaging, which has been designed specifically to meet heat testing requirements for international container shipping, is currently in production trials with key consumer brands, like Dr. Scholl’s, and is expected to be on retail shelves by 2016.