Japanese company, Kuraray, has just signed a contract with Australia’s Plantic Technologies to distribute the full range of Plantic products exclusively in Japan and South Korea. Kuraray will begin promoting bio-based barrier material, Plantic film in Japan immediately. And it will exhibit Plantic products at its booth at Tokyo Pack.
The Kuraray Group includes about eighty companies in Japan. Kuraray Co., Ltd. was established in Kurashiki City, Japan, in 1926, where it began the industrial production of viscose rayon. The company used research and development to build expertise and technological strength in the fields of polymer chemistry, synthetic chemistry and chemical engineering. It develops highly innovative products ranging from synthetic resins, fine chemicals, non-woven fabrics and synthetic leather to laser discs and medical products.
Plantic film is a barrier film primarily composed of a renewable source starch and is ideal for use as fresh food packaging material. It reduces food waste by keeping foods fresher longer, which benefits food producers and the environment.
These are its primary characteristics:
1. High oxygen impermeability, perfect for fresh foods in modified atmosphere packaging and vacuum
packaging.
2. Excellent formability and heat sealability enables processing with existing facilities
3. High transparency enables visual confirmation of food freshness
4. Being derived from biomass resources, it helps cut CO2 emissions and is certified as a biobased
product by the European authority Vinçotte.
“The ability to be able to offer a sustainable ultra-high barrier material complements our existing range of resins and films and we are pleased to be working with Plantic. Plantic materials will be showcased at our booth at the international packaging expo TOKYO PACK 2014,” stated Kenzo Okamoto, manager global marketing group, EVAL Division, Kuraray Ltd.
“We are pleased to be working with Kuraray. Kuraray are the global leader in the supply of EVOH barrier resins and they will be able to provide customers in Japan and South Korea with access to our proprietary sustainable ultra-high barrier materials. Kuraray has unmatched capability in these markets and will provide customers outstanding sales and technical support,” added Brendan Morris, managing director and chief executive officer, Plantic Technologies Limited.
