Materials

Plantic Technologies, the Australian specialist in sustainable packaging materials, has signed its second development and supply deal in a week, adding National Starch as a partner following its contract with DuPont.

US-based National Starch will provide Plantic with high-amylose corn starch for the manufacture of the company's eco-friendly materials.

Plantic and National Starch, a member of the ICI Group, will also jointly develop new starch and starch modification technology to find alternatives to non-biodegradable polymers.

Plantic's materials for industrial and food packaging are already used by UK customers including Marks & Spencer and Cadbury Schweppes.

Plantic chief executive Grant Dow said the deal with National Starch would provide "security of supply" and "broaden the application" of high-amylose corn starch

James Zallie, group vice-president of natural polymers at National Starch, said: "We see real potential for starch-based polymers to secure a foothold in competition with traditional plastics."

Last week, Plantic and DuPont announced that they would jointly develop new resins and sheet materials, based on high-amylose corn starch, for cosmetics, personal care and food products.

In addition, Plantic's existing products for industrial and food packaging will be sold by US-based DuPont under its Biomax brand in North America, extending Plantic's market beyond Australia and Europe for the first time.