News

Grupo Bimbo, the Mexican producer of bakery products, is to use Symphony Technologies' d2w additive in its packaging following trials.

Grupo Bimbo packaging containing the additive will be in all main supermarkets and retail outlets in Mexico City from this week.

Plastic materials treated with the oxo-biodegradable additives undergo a two-step degradation, initially by an oxidative process that is promoted by the inclusion of the additives and subsequently by biodegradation.

The technology is recognised by the d2w droplet logo.

Grupo Bimbo's new packaging is being made by plastic producers throughout Mexico and Latin America, working to strict guidelines.

Symphony's distributor, Plasticos Degradables, has been working with the Grupo Bimbo team for more than a year.

Grupo Bimbo operations director Ramón Rivera said the additive will initially be used for white bread packaging, followed by pastries. Eventually all of the firm's products sold in Mexico and the rest of Latin America will be in biodegradable packaging.

Symphony chief executive Michael Laurier said: "We are excited to be involved with creating some important environmental changes in Mexico and Latin America and playing a part in Bimbo's efforts to continually improve their corporate and social responsibility standards."

Founded in Mexico City in 1945, Grupo Bimbo produces more than 5,000 bakery products, from loaves and pastries to cookies, chocolates and sweet and salted snacks. Brands include Bimbo, Marinela, Milpa Real and Mrs Baird's.

The firm has 83 plants across Latin America, the Czech Republic and China. Net sales were $6.7m (£3.7m) in 2007.

In May, Symphony signed a 15-year agreement with plastic bag producer Fujairah Plastics Group in the United Arab Emirates and with Albany Bakeries in South Africa for its d2w technology.

It has also been working with Inditex, the owner of Zara clothes stores, and has increased its distribution network fivefold to 37 since the beginning of 2007.