The move represents a shift toward localised production as the company aims to eliminate cost barriers preventing the adoption of its biodegradable stretch wrap
BioNatur Plastics has opened a new European manufacturing base that it claims will allow it to produce its biodegradable shrink wrap at the same price as non-biodegradable films.
The US-based company said it had decided to open the European site as part of efforts to help reduce the cost of its products.
Chris Paladino, president and chief executive, BioNatur Plastics, explained how the cost of the product had reduced: "The savings have been achieved through efficiencies in the manufacturing process of BioNatur’s Stretch Wrap and the customer-focused structure of our agreement with our new European manufacturing partner.
“These efficiencies have enabled us to pass the savings directly to customers. Providing biodegradable and 100% recyclable stretch wrap at a competitive price is central to BioNatur’s mission and vision.”
He added: “Sustainable operations should not mean higher costs, and that was the driving force behind our decision to establish European production.
“By offering biodegradable and 100% recyclable stretch wrap at a competitive price, operators can make the straightforward decision to switch suppliers, confident they are improving their sustainability, limiting costs, and complying with European Union initiatives such as Scope 2 and 3 emissions reporting.”
Paladino said that while the European Union (EU) has tightened legislation on plastics in landfill, other regions are lagging behind.
“European manufacturers exporting to the US and Asia can be assured that, at no additional cost, the stretch wrap element of their logistics chain, which will inevitably end up in landfill, will not remain there for centuries.”
The company has in the past announced partnerships with several firms in the air cargo sector.
Earlier this year, American Airlines Cargo announced it had expanded its use of BioNatur Plastics' products.
Last year, Avianca Cargo also announced it would use the product, while Menzies, Alliance Ground International and WFS have also in the past announced they would use the company's products.
The product is manufactured with a 1% load of a proprietary, food-safe organic polymer that enables anaerobic bacteria to digest the plastic without leaving harmful microplastics.
Conventional stretch wrap can persist in a landfill for up to 1,000 years. In contrast, BioNatur biodegradable stretch wrap fully biodegrades under standard landfill conditions within eight to 12 years.
