Cereplast launches new algae bioplastic subsidiary

Bioplastics supplier Cereplast Inc. has incorporated a new subsidiary to develop and manufacture algae-based bioplastics.

According to El Segundo, Calif.-based Cereplast, the goal of its Algaeplast Inc. subsidiary is to bring to market new polymers made from 100 per cent algae content. Recently, the company commercialized small quantities of Biopropylene 109D, a compound with 20 percent post-industrial algae biomatter; and the research and development team is currently developing a grade with a higher percentage of algae bio-content.

“We began developing algae-based bioplastics in 2008, have made several breakthroughs since, and are very close to reaching our original goal of 50 per cent algae bio-content,” said Frederic Scheer, Cereplast’s chairman and CEO. “The next frontier for Algaeplast is to generate new polymers that are made with 100 per cent algae bio-content, and based on our current level of knowledge, we anticipate reaching that goal within the next five years. We felt that it was important to segregate this activity from the development of our starch-based bioplastic grades, and create Algaeplast.”