MeadWestvaco is completing development of a fully renewable and biodegradable (or compostable) extrusion coated paperboard product made with Cereplast resins that can be manufactured into cups.
The Cereplast coating, with a heat resistance of 220degF, will be used to replace petroleum based coatings in MeadWestvaco’s laminated paper products manufactured for the Solo Cup Co, who will be able to produce cups and other paper goods made from renewable resources suitable for composting in an industrial facility. Initial targets include the growing number of cafeterias and foodservice operations that divert their organic wastes to composting facilities.
The Biodegradable Products Institute has granted MeadWestvaco and Cereplast the first-ever use of its logo for coated paperboard (including corrugated board) with thicknesses of 4.6-32 pt. Products bearing the BPI logo meet ASTM D6868 and are designed to biodegrade quickly, completely and safely, without leaving any plastics residue in commercial and municipal composting facilities.
Cereplast resins are formulated from a patented and proprietary manufacturing process that incorporates starch and other degradable components, including poly lactic acid (PLA) from NatureWorks. They can be substituted for petroleum based resins in a wide variety of processes, including injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming.
Kevin Fortney, MeadWestvaco’s business manager – foodservice, comments: “Cereplast’s resins offer a flexible, practical solution to demand for renewable and degradable paper coatings. Working together, we are creating a product that will have a wide range of applications”
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