Brand owners go for bioplastics

The European Bioplastics stand at the recent Interpack expo proved a focal point of interest for the industry, with the association exhibiting a cup made of PLA which leading brand owner, Danone, has used for its premium brand ‘Activia’ on the German market since the beginning of April 2011.

Andy Sweetman, chairman of the board of European Bioplastics, was enthusiastic: ‘If one compares the range of packaging solutions that can be offered today using bioplastics with the exhibits presented three years ago, there has been a quantum leap forward.’  He added that the industry was now in a position to supply customized, bioplastic solutions for an increasingly wide range of fresh and dry food products.

The switch to bioplastic packaging by a number of well-known companies is an important step for the sector and will enable the industry complete the break-through.  This was supported by announcements from other reputed brand owners that they intend to supply the European market with products in bioplastic packaging.

According to Sweetman:  ‘Not only has there been an increase in interest, but the quality of questions being asked has improved.  Visitors to the 2008 Interpack were still asking what bioplastics were - in 2011, questions were focused on specific materials and properties.’