Plantic ties up corn supply deal

Australian biopolymer supplier Plantic Technologies has followed up last week’s distribution agreement with DuPont by linking with National Starch and Chemical Company in a supply deal for high amylase corn starch.

The companies have also agreed to cooperate on developing new starch technology with the goal of creating new and enhanced functional properties for Plantic resins and sheet which will broaden the performance spectrum enabling them to replace some non biodegradable polymers and deliver new applications.

Plantic’s material, whose properties include biodegradability and excellent gas barrier, is based on high amylase corn starch.

“The agreement with National Starch provides security of supply for Plantic as well as alliance with one of the leading global natural polymer and agricultural research companies,” said Plantic chief executive Grant Dow.

At National Starch, a subsidiary of ICI, James Zallie, vice president for natural polymers, added: “We see real potential for starch based polymers to secure a foothold in competition with traditional plastics.”