Cereplast bolsters bioresin manufacturing capacity

Anticipating an increase in customer demand, the Hawthorne, Calif.-based Cereplast, Inc., a manufacturer of bio-based resins, has added another 10,000 square feet (sq. ft.) of manufacturing capacity.
Additionally, the company has almost completed its new production line for its line of bio-based resins, which when finished will bring the company’s total production capacity to 40 million pounds of resin per year.
This capacity will make Cereplast the second largest producer of bio-based reins in the U.S., the company said in a statement.
Cereplast uses bio-based raw materials to manufacture its resins, which fully biodegrade when composted. These raw materials are derived from starch from corn, potatoes or other renewable plants.
Cereplast’s proprietary manufacturing process involves blending biopolymers made from renewable, cost-stable resources, such as polylactic acid (PLA) from NatureWorks LLC, soy proteins, PHA, PHBs, or starch from corn, wheat or potatoes, with other biodegradable components to reinforce its molecular structure.
After the blend is polymerized, it is treated with nanocomposites for surface optimization and further reinforcement, according to the firm.
Cereplast’s resins can be processed using traditional injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusion equipment.