The partnership will initially focus on fresh food packaging but no date has been set for market launch.
Imminent launch
Dr Frank Glatz, managing director of Cardia Bioplastics, said the timing of the launch is not confirmed as yet but it will be ‘as soon as possible’.
He told FoodProductionDaily.com said: “We have formed a strategic, long-term partnership with Alto Packaging and are working towards a market launch.
“This strategic relationship is another example of global packaging leaders’ choosing Cardia Bioplastics and our Cardia Biohybrid resins as partners in sustainable packaging.”
Dr Glatz said the Australian and New Zealand market development was just a reflection of global growth.
“Compared to a couple of years ago, 'green' packaging has gained significant momentum.
“We offer both Biohybrid packaging (high performance, less oil, fully recyclable, lower carbon foot print, cost competitive) and certified compostable packaging.”
Alto manufactures packaging for the food, beverage, dairy and bakery industries.
Production partnership
Dr Glatz said that due to confidentiality reasons he was unable to comment on the volume of packages that will be produced by Alto using the resin.
He said Cardia Bioplastics was working with Nestlé, Sealed Air, Jokey Plastik (Germany), Wipak (Germany) and Polyden (Germany).
Cardia’s Biohybrid resins combine renewable thermoplastics with oil-based polymer material to reduce dependence on oil resources and carbon footprint.
Ron Starnes, technical manager of Alto Food Packaging, said: “Alto Packaging is proud to be working in partnership with Cardia Bioplastics to produce high performance packaging solutions with improved environmental attributes.
“We are serious about creating a more sustainable future through the use of more renewable materials, and we are looking forward to working with Cardia Bioplastics to bring more environmentally-friendly packaging solutions to the market, in Australia and in New Zealand through Alto and associated group companies.”
Australian-based Alto food packaging will manufacture packaging with Cardia’s thermoplastic starch resins to produce meat and fresh food trays.
