Natural Plastics

Cereplast, Inc. (, today announced that Cereplast Hybrid 651D has won the MATERIALICA Design + Technology 2012 silver award for outstanding innovation in the "Material" category. The awards ceremony took place in Munich, Germany at the 15^th annual trade fair, MATERIALICA—Lightweight Design for New Mobility, on the evening of October 23, 2012.

A distinguished panel of judges scrutinized approximately 100 submissions in consideration for the 10^th MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award. The jury included the following material and design experts: Christian Labonte (Audi), Nina Saller (designaffairs), Prof. Peter Naumann (University Munich), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Reiling (University Landshut), and Dr. Ing. Christoph Konetschny (Materialsgate—Office for Material and Technology Consulting). Cereplast Hybrid 651D was the sole bioplastic material to be nominated for and to win the prestigious MATERIALICA award.

The first EA and starch hybrid resin, Cereplast Hybrid 651D is an innovative solution for applications that require durability, flexibility and toughness. Hybrid 651D is a tough, soft touch, pliable material that is ideal for extrusions and soft injection moldable applications, providing the desirable properties of conventional EA while offering a lower carbon footprint and expanding the range of properties available for durable bioplastic materials. It can be used for the manufacture of consumer goods and packaging, footwear, handbags and other fashion accessories, as well as wire and cable insulation, soft plastic goods such as tubes and hoses and adhesion layers for multi-layer films. Hybrid 651D can be processed on existing, conventional processing equipment.

MATERIALICA is Europe's top event for material-driven and supplier-oriented product innovations. The future-oriented innovative field of "lightweight design" continues to set the course for a new age in electric mobility, aerospace, new energy and automotive industries as well as groundbreaking product developments in the sports and leisure arena. As such, the focus of this year's MATERIALICA Awards was "Lightweight Design Competency for the Next Product Generation."

Source: www.cereplast.com

In August, Cereplast opened a corporate office in Hyderabad, capital of the Indian state Andhra Pradesh, to service its partners in South Asia and appointed a Technical Services Engineer to provide on-site services. The presence in India along with a full time support team has enabled Cereplast to evaluate new opportunities including working closely with several corporations specialized in plastic durable applications. The first application to be commercialized in India will be safety helmets made of Sustainable Biopropylene H-101.

The resins will be delivered by A.R.M.Y India, Cereplast's partner in Hyderabad who has begun importing resins from Cereplast following the press conference held in early September.

Frederic Scheer, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, commented "We are excited by the growth opportunities in South Asia, and are committed to supporting our expansion in the region, particularly in India. We are pleased by this first successful order from our partner A.R.M.Y. and we are optimistic that additional orders will follow."

Mr. Scheer continued, "India is a market with a rapidly growing demand for bioplastic alternatives to conventional plastics, and we are poised to take advantage of this opportunity in the second most populous country in the world. We anticipate that this will become a major market for Cereplast."

Source: www.cereplast.com

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, sustainable plastics, today announced the addition of two plastics industry veterans to key roles in North America and Europe. William G. Mashy has been appointed as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of North America, and will lead the Company's strategy to maximize sales and profitability in the region. Emilio Sitta has been appointed as Regional Sales Director in Italy, and will identify new markets and drive sales for the Cereplast Hybrid Resins® product line in the country.

William G. Mashy has a 24-year track record of success in sales, management and marketing working for privately held international plastic packaging manufacturer, Rehrig Pacific Company. Most recently he was General Manager for the Material Handling Business Group, a division generating $175 million in annual sales. Prior to spending nearly a decade as General Manager, Mr. Mashy was Vice President of Marketing and had also worked in various senior sales roles. At Cereplast, he will lead the sales and marketing team in North America, and will be responsible for negotiating strategic partnerships to drive revenue growth and increase margins.

"Cereplast's North American manufacturing presence combined with its strong product development capability uniquely positions Cereplast to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable products," said Mr. Mashy. "I am excited to be a part of Cereplast and look forward to working with Mr. Scheer and the rest of the sales and marketing team to drive results quickly."

Emilio Sitta has nearly forty years of experience working in the plastics industry, including senior marketing and business development roles at American and European multinational corporations including GE Plastics Italia, Borealis Italia, and Witfield S.r.L. as Regional Sales Director, he will be responsible for developing new markets for Cereplast bioplastic resins in Italy, with a specific emphasis on the Cereplast Hybrid Resins® product line.

"The industry for bioplastic substitutes of traditional plastics has experienced rapid growth in recent years and we expect that growth to continue in the foreseeable future. We are ideally positioned with proprietary technology and industry expertise. To sustain our growth and continue establishing ourselves as a leader in the industry we must surround ourselves with top executives. We are pleased to welcome Mr. Mashy and Mr. Sitta with their wealth of experience, and are excited for them to be a part of the Cereplast team. We are confident that the steps we are taking to strengthen our sales force in North America and Europe will help drive the sales growth that we expect to achieve in 2012 and beyond," concluded Cereplast Chairman and CEO, Frederic Scheer.

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, has introduced the next generation of Cereplast Hybrid Resins^®, an expansion of the Biopropylene® PP-based resin product offering through two new bioplastic resin grades, Hybrid 102D and 105D. Cereplast anticipates going to market with the new resin grades during the first half of 2012 in the United States and Europe.

Cereplast Hybrid Resins replace up to 50% of the petroleum content in traditional plastic products with biobased materials such as starches from annually renewable plants. Cereplast Hybrid Resins are suitable for durable goods, including consumer products, interior automotive parts, and furniture, and have a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastics. The new grades Hybrid 102D and Hybrid 105D are both injection molding grades, a heating and cooling manufacturing process in which the material is molded in different shapes.

Cereplast's Biopropylene PP-based resin consists of polypropylene encapsulating starch particles, and includes Hybrid 101, Hybrid 102D and Hybrid 105D. In addition to providing a lower carbon footprint than traditional PP, many of the desirable PP properties are maintained including chemical resistance, mold shrinkage, mold flow, surface appearance, heat deflection temperature, and hinge performance. Hybrid 102D is a formulation that offers a higher starch content than Hybrid 101, while maintaining similar performance. The primary application is injection molding requiring some ductility. Hybrid 105D is a high flow injection molding grade for thinner wall applications than Hybrid 101 and replaces Hybrid 103, providing more consistent properties and processing. All Hybrid grades are FDA compliant for direct food contact.

"As demand for bioplastic resins grows, so does the demand for high-performance durable grades that are cost effective," said Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Frederic Scheer. "As the price of oil continues to rise, Cereplast Hybrid Resins get closer to parity with traditional plastics, providing an affordable, eco-friendly solution for companies that wish to reduce their environmental impact. Our research and development team have answered the demands of our clients for better-performing hybrid resins with higher levels of starch content. We are proud to introduce the next generation of bioplastic hybrid resins."

 

Source:  www.cereplast.com

All Received Certification of Compostability From DIN CERTCO

 

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, today announced that their three new resin grades, Compostable 3002, Compostable 3010, and Compostable 3020, have received DIN CERTCO certifications of compostability. These new resin grades provide superior properties and are for use on blown film extruder lines for the manufacture of compostable bags.

Compostable 3002, Compostable 3010, and Compostable 3020 can substitute polyethylene for carry bag and trash bag applications, and provide a range of thickness, tear resistance and stretch. These materials, which consist of Ingeo^® PLA and other compostable components, provide excellent processability, good tear resistance and reduced stretch under load when compared to the competition. All three resins are DIN CERTCO certified to be compostable up to 1.0 mil (0.0254 mm) thick. DIN CERTCO is the most prominent institute for standardization in Germany, and is highly regarded world-wide. DIN CERTCO is one of two certifying bodies recognized by EU Bioplastics for the certification of bioplastics, a requirement for selling compostable resin in Europe.

"The market has been demanding improved properties for compostable films, and we are excited to introduce a new range of bioplastic resins that provide superior processability, better tear resistance, and less stretch," said Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Frederic Scheer. "Consumers will particularly be pleased, as bags that stretch too much are a common complaint amongst shoppers, and our new compostable resins provide a solution."

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional plastics. On the cutting edge of bioplastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables^® resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the foodservice industry. Cereplast Sustainables^® resins combine high biobased content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast, Youtube.com/Cereplastinc and Stocktwits.com/symbol/CERP.

Source: www.cereplast.com

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, today announced a three year distribution agreement with GAMA Plastik AS to supply bioplastic resin in Turkey. GAMA Plastik is projecting to purchase 200 metric tons per month in 2012 leading to significant increases in purchased resin in 2013. Cereplast anticipates generating revenue from the agreement approximately within the next 90 days.

GAMA Plastik is a leading plastic trader located in Istanbul, Turkey. They are one of the fastest growing plastics markets in the world and third in terms of market share in Europe behind Germany and Italy. GAMA Plastik has been in the plastic industry for 15 years and recently began producing compounds and specialty plastics for appliances and the automotive industry. Today, GAMA Plastik has capacity to produce 30,000 metric tons per year. For more information please visit www.gamaplastik.com.

"Over the last 15 years we have developed industry expertise and a knowledgeable customer base regarding sustainable plastic raw materials.  We are very excited to start this partnership with Cereplast and all our customers are ready to use our products containing Cereplast's raw material. Turkey has a young and dynamic population and market strength in Europe. Cereplast's name and quality in compostable and sustainable bioplastics will help both companies increase their market share," stated Aydemir Esencan, CEO of Gama Plastics Group.

"We are pleased to reach another agreement in Turkey with an established and well respected corporation such as GAMA Plastik," stated Frederic Scheer, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Turkey represents a large and growing market opportunity for our biobased, sustainable plastics with 9% GDP growth and one of the fastest growing plastics markets in the world. Our agreement with GAMA Plastik is for three years with an initial target of 200 metric tons per month in 2012, with significant plans for tonnage growth in 2013 and beyond. We foresee this growth trend to continue over the next five years as demand for the product continues to increase and we look forward to working alongside with our new business partner GAMA Plastik over that period."

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional plastics. On the cutting-edge of bioplastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostable®resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainable®resins combine high biobased content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast, Youtube.com/Cereplastinc and Stocktwits.com/symbol/CERP.

The Cereplast, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9567

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, has extended its agreement with Italy-based ColorTec S.r.l to supply bioplastic resin to the Italian and Slovenian markets effective November 4, 2011 through December 31, 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, ColorTec is projecting to purchase $20 million of materials in 2012.

 

"With the signing of this significant agreement, ColorTec intends to purchase $20 million of product in 2012 and becomes Cereplast's main distribution partner in Italy," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "The expansion of this agreement reflects the increasing demand for our bioplastic products in Italy, where we have recently completed the purchase of a manufacturing plant, expected to start production in 2012. We look forward to continuing our already strong relationship with ColorTec to expand our footprint in Italy."

 

"We have been serving Southern Italy and will be broadening our reach to capture increasing demand in Northern Italy," stated Gaetano Paolillo, chief operating officer of ColorTec. "We find that Cereplast bioplastics provide superior properties compared to other bioplastic resins, providing better performance and improved strength. As such, we expanded our relationship with Cereplast."

 

Based in Italy, ColorTec is a leader in designing and developing masterbatches for adding colorant to bulk, uncolored resins. Its color and additive masterbatches are used in all major plastic processing methods, including blown and cast films, blownware, injection molding, extrusion coating, wire and cable, pipe and conduit, fiber spinning, among others.

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional plastics. On the cutting-edge of biobased plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables® resins combine high biobased content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. This initiative enables Cereplast to further expand its capabilities to produce and deliver bioplastic products to the European marketplace.

"This purchase reflects Cereplast's strong commitment to serving Europe's burgeoning bioplastics market and we're proud to be the first bioplastics manufacturer to have production facilities on two different continents," said Frederic Scheer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cereplast. "This new plant strengthens our ability to meet soaring demand for bioplastics in the region, which is expected to reach one million tons by 2014 according to European Plastics, representing an approximate 33% increase per year. Upon completion of the first phase of development of the plant, we will have dramatically expanded our manufacturing capacity from 36,000 tons to 86,000 tons which will enable us to satisfy the accelerating number of supply and distribution agreements we continue to secure."

Monte De Paschi di Sienna (MPS), a leading Italian bank, is providing funding that will cover the majority of the costs associated with the purchase and refurbishment of the facility. IntesaSanPaolo Bank participated as well in opening credit facilities totaling over one million euros to Cereplast Italia SpA with the support of Eurofidi. The remainder of the project will be subsidized with loans and grants from local government agencies.

Scheer continued, "We were pleased to work with top-tier Italian institutions like MPS and IntesaSanPaolo to finance this facility and accomplish this significant milestone for our company in an overall challenging economic landscape in Europe. The support of local institutions coupled with the commitments of local government agencies underscores Italy's dedication to job creation, clean technology, the environment and the potential benefits that Cereplast can bring to the region."

Vinicio Bottachiari, Executive Director of Sviluppumbria SpA, a regional organization that promotes economic development in Umbria, Italy said, "Sviluppumbria is committed to helping further develop the economy in Umbria while also improving the overall social and environmental quality in the region. We are pleased to welcome Cereplast's new bioplastics facility in Assisi, as not only will it create new jobs, but the material that it manufactures is earth friendly and offers a lower carbon footprint.  With the ban on plastic bags that was passed this year in Italy, demand for bioplastics is expected to increase exponentially as manufacturers seek out alternatives to traditional plastic."

Management estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately 12 million euros. The company intends to build a 125,000 square foot plant with capacity of approximately 100,000 tons or about 220 million pounds, which will be completed in two phases. The first phase will allow for a 50,000 ton capacity with manufacturing expected to begin by the fourth quarter of 2012, with the second phase expected to be completed based on market demand. Being developed on the site of a former industrial plant, the company expects to benefit from existing infrastructure, including its chemical site permit.

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional plastics. On the cutting-edge of biobased plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables® resins combine high biobased content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.

Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, has appointed Dr. Michael Thielen as ombudsman for the new bioplastics symbol, effective October 1, 2011.

 

 

As ombudsman, Thielen will strive to gain widespread industry support of a single logo to represent bioplastics and will oversee all matters related to the usage and licensing requirements surrounding the symbol. In addition, Thielen will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the symbol and will serve as liaison to industry participants, and to consumers, and will handle all public input regarding how the symbol is used. He will also promote public understanding of the symbol and of bioplastics in general. Thielen's role is independent of Cereplast's staff and management and he'll serve in this role as a third party, independent consultant.

 

 

"Providing consumers with a single identifying mark that is stamped on a product is a critical next step in helping consumers distinguish which products are made from bioplastics, as opposed to traditional plastics," said Michael Thielen, President of Polymediaconsult. "Having one centralized logo that is supported by the industry will streamline and simplify the message that product manufacturers want to convey to the public—that the product is made from environmentally conscious, bioplastic materials."

 

 

"The bioplastic symbol ombudsman will play an important role in bringing the industry together to support a single logo in an effort to simplify the way in which consumer products are identified as made from bioplastics," said Frederic Scheer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cereplast, Inc. "Thielen will act as liaison to the public to ensure that this symbol is used properly and in a way that provides maximum benefits to both industry participants and consumers. His respected and seasoned background working in the packaging technology sector, and his knowledge of plastics processing, makes him an ideal fit for the role of watching over and safeguarding how the symbol is used."

 

 

Thielen is the founder and president of Polymediaconsult, a communications consultancy specializing in technical writing and positioning for the plastics industry. He began his career in various management and public relations roles at plastics and packaging technology companies including Krupp, Thyssen-Krupp and SIG, and has served as editor and publisher of bioplastics MAGAZINE since 2006. Thielen earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering (plastics processing IKV) from the RWTH Aachen University in Germany. He also wrote several books and was a guest lecturer on the topic of plastics processing and packaging technologies at various universities of applied sciences in Germany, the United Kingdom and at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

 

 

The bioplastics symbol was born on April 21, 2011 as a result of a nationwide design competition hosted by Cereplast. Thielen and six other renowned judges selected the winning symbol. The prestigious panel of judges also included Rebecca Minkoff, fashion designer; Karim Rashid, world-class industrial designer; and Dr. Gary Anderson, designer of the globally recognized "recycling symbol."

Bioplastics are environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics—and are partially or fully biobased, (i.e. made from renewable resources including potatoes, corn, tapioca, sugar and algae)—and/or are biodegradable or compostable, providing consumers and manufacturers with a revolutionary option to help safeguard the environment and support a sustainable future.

 

 

The Cereplast, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9567

 

Source:  www.cereplast.com

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, today announced that the "Make Your Mark" design competition received 2.8 million votes between January 3, 2011 and March 4, 2011, the respective open and close dates for public voting on the contest website. The goal of the "Make Your Mark" contest is to introduce a new symbol that will help consumers to identify products and packaging made from bioplastics.

"We are thrilled about the enthusiasm and creativity the participants have exhibited on behalf of our "Make Your Mark" contest in search of a new bioplastics symbol. With 2.8 million votes from the public, the interest and interaction surrounding the contest has exceeded our expectations," said Frederic Scheer, Cereplast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The bioplastics symbol will enable consumers to easily identify products made from bioplastics, similar to the globally recognized recycling symbol we see on thousands of plastic products."

The contest received over 1500 design submissions and the top 200 semi-finalists were determined based on a public voting system. The top 200 candidates can be viewed at www.iizuu.com/cereplast. The panel of judges, which include notable names including Karim Rashid, Gary Anderson (creator of the recycling symbol) and Rebecca Minkoff, is currently conducting a multi-tiered process of selecting the top three designs.

"Make Your Mark" judge, John Newland, Herman Miller Vice President of A+D said, "As companies and consumers move toward "greening" their products and business practices, it is important to educate the public in the ways they can identify what the products they purchase are made from. Herman Miller is proud to support Cereplast in their quest to bring a symbol to the marketplace that has the potential to help better inform consumers across the globe about the products they buy."

The winning symbol will be announced on Earth Day Eve, April 21, 2011, at a gala event to be held at the Herman Miller Showroom in Los Angeles, California. Located at 3641 Holdrege Avenue, Herman Miller's 18,000 square-foot showroom is the first LEED CI (Commercial Interiors) Platinum building in Los Angeles, as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The designer of the winning bioplastics symbol will receive $25,000.

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® Resins are ideally suited for single use applications where high bio-based content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables™ Resins combine high bio-based content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit our social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.

Source: Cereplast

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, announced today that it has opened a European headquarters in Bönen, Germany to support the rapid expansion of its European operations.

Cereplast's new European headquarters will provide a complete suite of services to clients in the pan-European region and handle logistics between its U.S. and Germany-based offices. The office is located at Siemensstrasse 42, D-59199 in Bönen, Germany. Bönen is 10 miles east of Dortmund, the seventh largest city in Germany.

"In 2010, Cereplast entered into a number of multi-million dollar agreements with European manufacturers and distributors, including Sezersan Ambalaj and RI.ME. Masterbatch S.r.l., and the pipeline for new contracts for Cereplast resin across Europe continues to grow rapidly," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Our new European headquarters will help provide European-based clients with regional support and provide Cereplast with an effective platform and capacity to grow our European operations. This marks the first step toward achieving our plan to open a manufacturing plant in Europe during 2012 that will handle at least 200MM pounds, a production capacity double the size of our U.S. factory."

In addition to increased consumer awareness concerning the environment, demand in Europe for Cereplast bioplastic resin continues to grow as a result of legislation banning the sale of plastic bags in countries across Europe, including the ban on plastic bags approved by the Italian Parliament on December 23, 2010.

European manufacturers are increasingly seeking out plastic alternatives to comply with legislation that go in to effect in 2011.

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® Resins are ideally suited for single use applications where high bio-based content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables™ Resins combine high bio-based content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.

Source: www.cereplast.com

Winner to Receive $25,000. Creator of the Recycling Symbol, Gary Anderson to Judge Contest.

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, announced today that it will launch a nationwide design competition for a symbol that represents "bioplastics" on January 3, 2011. The symbol will indicate that a product is made from "green," bio-based material, not petroleum-based material.

"Cereplast's competition represents our commitment to educating and helping consumers make smarter purchasing decisions that help preserve and protect our environment," said Frederic Scheer, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast. "Companies are increasingly looking at bio-based plastics made from renewable resources like corn, wheat, and algae as an alternative to petroleum-sourced plastics in order to meet soaring consumer demand for economically and ecologically sound, 'green' products. The bioplastics symbol will enable consumers to easily identify products made from bioplastics, similar to the globally recognized recycling symbol we see on thousands of plastic products."

The contest is open to legal residents of the United States. Entrants are required to submit a symbol design that, when stamped on a product, will clearly serve as an indication that the product is made from bioplastics. This new symbol will serve in a similar fashion to how the recycling symbol is used to identify products that are made from recycled materials and/or are recyclable.

It is mandatory for the design to have the ability to be "single-color" or colorless and it must be easily identifiable. Design submissions need to include three variations to identify the end of life options for the product—whether to compost or recycle it. The three variations include: a general bioplastics symbol; a version identifying compostability; and a version indicating recyclability. Official rules will be posted at www.iizuu.com/cereplast on the day of the contest launch.

The deadline for design entries is March 4, 2011. The top 50 entries will be determined based on a public voting system available at www.iizuu.com/cereplast. The judges will select the top three designs and the winner will be announced on Earth Day Eve, April 21, 2011, at a gala event in Los Angeles, California, in honor of the internationally celebrated Earth Day. The designer of the winning bioplastics symbol will receive $25,000.

Forty-one years ago, Gary Anderson won the competition that produced the globally recognized recycling symbol we see on recyclable products today. Mr. Anderson and industrial designer Karim Rashid are among the panel of renowned judges.

Cereplast produces bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastic substitutes that serve as an environmentally safer alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Cereplast creates a wide range of bioplastic resins to meet surging consumer and industrial demand for economically and ecologically sound, "green" products. Made from renewable resources, — corn, wheat, tapioca, potatoes and algae — Cereplast bioplastics replace traditional petroleum-based plastics in the manufacturing of products and packaging.

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® Resins are ideally suited for single use applications where high bio-based content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables™ Resins combine high bio-based content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit our social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.

 

Source: www.cereplast.com

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics, announced today that it has partnered with Sezersan Ambalaj (Sezersan), a subsidiary of Asc Group in Turkey, to produce bio twist films made from Cereplast Compostables(R) resins. The first-of-its-kind, patented product will serve as wrap packaging for a variety of food products distributed throughout Europe.

The Sezersan bio twist film will be manufactured using Cereplast Compostables(R) 7003 bio resin, designed to provide high strength, toughness and process ability for products. Under the terms of the multi-million dollar agreement, Cereplast will begin monthly shipments of 100 to 150 metric tons of bio resin in December 2010. The new bio twist film has substantial form memory capability (dead-fold behavior) and is heat sealable. The film is also thinner than other twistable product and may be made into opaque or semi-transparent, film-like material. The bio twist film will be used as packaging for a variety of brands in the food industry in Europe.

"We are honored to partner with Sezersan and be the first to market with bio twist films which offer an environmentally sound alternative for their clients' packaging needs," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Companies are increasingly looking at bio-plastics as an alternative to petroleum-sourced plastics in order to meet growing consumer and industrial demand for economically and ecologically sound, 'green' products."

"Cereplast bio resins will help us cater to consumer demand for an environmentally sound substitute for petroleum-based plastic packaging," said Mehmet Asc , President and CEO of Asc Group. "As one of the largest twist film producing companies in Europe, we are committed to listening to the concerns of our clients and to finding ways to improve our product offerings. Cereplast resin allows us to provide an environmentally intelligent alternative to traditional plastic products, helping to make the world a healthier place. We are excited to be the very first to offer this solution in our robust industry."

Cereplast, Inc. is actively producing bioplastic resins for use in products including tableware, cutlery, toys, healthcare and hygiene products, bottles and containers, bags, packaging, gift cards, printed displays, straws, pipes, conduits, and many other applications. This year, Cereplast is on track to ship 16 million pounds of bio-plastic resins to customers around the world, an increase of 400% from last year, in response to surging consumer and industrial demand for economically and ecologically sound, "green" products.

About Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables(R) Resins are ideally suited for single use applications where high bio-based content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Hybrid Resins(R) combine high bio-based content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com.

Source:  www.cereplast.com

Cereplast, Inc. , a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics, today cited that the bioplastics industry in Europe could experience even stronger growth rates when economic and policy measures are put in place.
According to a report from the "European Bioplastics Association," the European branch association representing industrial manufacturers, processors and users of bioplastics and biodegradable polymers (BDP) and their derivative products, that is titled "Meeting Report of 15 July 2010, Brussels," the European Council, in consultation with the European Commission and the European Parliament, passed a new holistic strategic approach to guide EU politics in the coming decade: "Europe 2020 - A European Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth." Under the roof of this initiative, the "bio-economy" concept is seen as a key element to reach the diverse political goals of EU policy makers: jobs, growth, climate protection, innovation, solution for finiteness of industrial raw materials and a sustainable agriculture policy.
On July 15, 2010, industry experts met in Brussels to discuss possible market developments for bio-based products with or without the implementation of political measures. The goal was to devise a common position towards the European Commission in setting ambitious but realistic indicative targets for the different bio-based product categories such as biolubricants and biopolymers. European Bioplastics contributed actively to the discussion with a letter to the Commission and developed a market forecast based on available market research and the expertise of its member companies for input into the "Europe 2020" strategy. European Bioplastics estimates the 2020 market potential for bioplastics will be a factor of 3 times greater if effective policy support measures are put in place. Specifically, European Bioplastics estimates 770,000 metric tons of bioplastics production without political support and 2,550,000 tons with supporting political measures. The latter would represent an increase in bioplastics market share from its current 0.5% to 5% within ten years.
"Countries in Europe are working to find a solution to sustainable development that makes sense not only on an economic level, but on a political and environmental level as well," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Currently, about 40% of our exports are to Europe, and there are numerous possibilities there as the European market is growing at a pace that is outpacing supply. This is due to stricter regulations, such as those that ban the use of traditional plastic bags, and increasing environmental concerns over the impact of oil-based plastics. Due to the limited amount of crude oil reserves in Europe, we believe the region is poised to become one of the most important markets as companies in many industries increase investment in bioplastics."

Learn more at www.cereplast.com

Cereplast, Inc.  commented today that increased growth rates for plastic giants such as DuPont and Alcoa combined with higher costs for crude oil bode well for the bioplastics industry as science-based initiatives and green technologies begin to lead the way and the economic recovery takes hold.
On July 27, DuPont reported better-than-expected EPS for the second quarter of 2010 as profits nearly tripled, driven by strong emerging market demand and sales of specialty chemicals. The recovery in demand and cost reduction helped the company beat Wall Street estimates of $0.94 per share for the second quarter as the company reported profit of $1.2 billion, or $1.26 per share, versus $0.41 for the same period a year ago, and raised estimates for 2010. Sales to the automotive and industrial markets, which consume such materials as plastic components, rubber tires and hoses, increased during the quarter. Earlier this month on July 12, aluminum maker Alcoa, which also manufactures a wide selection of extruded plastics, reported better-than-expected earnings that topped analysts' estimates. Second quarter earnings came in at $136 million, or $0.13 per share compared to loss of $454 million, $0.47 per share, for the same period last year. Analysts had expected $0.12 a share for the quarter. Both DuPont and Alcoa are Dow components whose earnings are closely watched.
"The traditional plastics industry is very large and rebounding from a slump in global demand as reflected by better-than-expected earnings from DuPont and Alcoa, and this bodes well for our industry," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Plastics are everywhere, on the clothes we wear, in the cars we drive as well as in countless industrial applications, consumer goods and electronics. The necessity of having alternatives, such as our bio-resins, is making sense to a lot of plastics manufacturers, driven both by consumer demand and awareness of sustainable alternatives and cleaner, environmentally-friendly solutions to petroleum-based plastics."
Industry production and sales for plastics in 2009 rose less than 1% for all major resins types, following a 12% decline in 2008, which was the lowest annual amount since 2001, according to data from Standard & Poor's. Monthly production and sales comparisons for the last four months of 2009 were positive against the same period in 2008, which experienced the downturn in consumer demand during late 2008. Year-over-year production and sales trends for the major resins in the first four months of 2010 have continued to recover, the data provider said, with total production up 7.4% and sales growing 5.8% from their reduced levels in the 2009 quarter.
"We have a solid outlook for 2010 and expect to ship approximately 16 million pounds of bio-resins to our customers this year, representing a 400% increased compared to 2009," added Mr. Scheer. "Bioplastics have the benefit of being fully compostable and are a compelling choice as the cost structure quickly becomes competitive with petrochemical plastics and consumers demand sustainable solutions that protect the environment. We believe the rebound in growth of the plastics industry at large will be a tremendous benefit to our bio-based resins as demand for our products grows."

Source:  Cereplast

New Grades Will Replace Petroleum in Many Existing Applications in $2.5 Trillion a Year Plastics Industry.
Cereplast, Inc has introduced 11 new grades of Cereplast Compostables(R) resins to meet the increasing demand for improved productivity across all conventional plastic processing techniques while also improving physical property performance.
"Now with the oil spill resulting in substantial environmental damage down in the Gulf of Mexico, the need for reduced dependency on petroleum is more evident than ever - Cereplast Compostables(R) resins are a simple solution that companies can apply to their existing manufacturing processes while creating new brand opportunities and more eco-friendly options for consumers," says Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc., Frederic Scheer.
Mr. Scheer continued, "The plastics industry is one of the most successful industries in history, and has grown to $2.5 trillion a year in roughly 50 years. Now, with price of oil rising and concerns about petroleum-based products, we can expect to see consumers and business alike drive the growth of bioplastics in a faster time frame. This can be accelerated even further through legislation, such as we are seeing in California, which can restrict the use of traditional plastics and force business to adapt to new standards."
Aside from the need to reduce landfill disposal and reduce carbon emissions, which is one of the main causes of global warming, the massive oil spill in the Gulf has sparked renewed interest in greener alternatives to fossil fuels. Businesses and consumers are now seeking products that are environmentally friendly, opening the door for bioplastics - the greener alternative to traditional, petroleum-based plastics.
Cereplast, Inc. is actively producing bioplastic resins for use in products ranging from tableware and cutlery to toys and healthcare/hygiene products, bottles/containers, bags, packaging, gift cards, printed displays, straws, even pipes, conduits, and many other applications. The 11 new Cereplast Compostables(R) resin grades include:

• Compostable 1001 - Designed to have an excellent balance of toughness, rigidity and processability. Can be processed on existing conventional electric and hydraulic reciprocating screw injection molding machines.
• Compostable 1006 - Designed to have an excellent balance of high stiffness, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing conventional electric and hydraulic reciprocating screw injection molding machines.
• Compostable 1013 - Designed to have an excellent balance of low stiffness, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing conventional electric and hydraulic reciprocating screw injection molding machines.
• Compostable 2001 - Designed to have an excellent balance of toughness, rigidity and processability. Can be processed on existing blow molding machines. Specially designed for bottles, containers, and similar type applications.
• Compostable 3000 - Designed to have an excellent balance of puncture strength, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing blown film extrusion machines. Recommended for extrusion of blown film for applications such as, liners, bags, packaging, overwrap, etc.
• Compostable 4001 - Designed to have an excellent balance of strength, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing extrusion machines. Recommended for extrusion coating applications, such as, cups, plates, containers, boxes, cardboard, etc.
• Compostable 5001 - Designed to have an excellent balance of strength, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing extrusion machines. Recommended for foam extrusion of sheets that can be thermoformed in meat trays, plates, egg cartons, clamshells, etc.
• Compostable 6000 - Designed to have an excellent balance of strength, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing sheet extrusion and thermoforming machines. Recommended for extrusion and thermoforming applications such as, cups, plates, bowls, trays, clamshells, containers, packaging, sheets, displays, etc.
• Compostable 6001 - Designed to have an excellent balance of strength increased toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing sheet extrusion and thermoforming machines. Recommended for extrusion and thermoforming applications, such as, cups, plates, bowls, trays, clamshells, containers, packaging, sheets, displays, etc.
• Compostable 6015 - Designed to have an excellent balance of strength, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing sheet extrusion machines. Recommended for extrusion applications, such as, gift cards, sheet, printed displays, and other sheet applications.
• Compostable 7003 - Designed to have an excellent balance of strength, toughness, and processability. Can be processed on existing sheet extrusion machines. Recommended for extrusion applications, such as, straws, profiles, boards, sheets, pipes, conduits, etc.

SOURCE: Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. expects to produce and ship approximately 16 million pounds of their proprietary bio-plastic resins to customers in 2010, representing a 400% increase in shipments compared to 2009.

Cereplast recently entered into new global distribution agreements with a number of companies, including multi-billion dollar corporations Ashland Distribution, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) and Bunge Alimentaris, a Brazilian subsidiary of Bunge Limited, a contributing factor to the rise in shipment estimates. To support growing sales volume, the Company recently opened a new state-of-the-art production facility in Seymour, Indiana. The move to the new plant, which was relocated from Southern California, also has significantly reduced real estate and utility costs for the company.

"Distributors are increasingly utilizing bio-plastics as an alternative to petroleum-sourced materials in order to meet growing consumer and industrial demand for economically and ecologically sound, 'green' products," said Frederic Scheer, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Our new advanced facility provides us with the capacity and scalability to handle climbing volume. We estimate that this facility, running at full capacity, will be able to produce approximately 80 million pounds of bioplastic resin per year."

Mr. Scheer added, "We estimate that the expected rise in volume will result in our 2010 revenues increasing by a minimum of 190 percent. The bulk of the shipments are expected to be delivered in the third and fourth quarter."





SOURCE: Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ:CERP) ("Cereplast"), a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics, today announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Ashland Distribution, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH), to supply bioplastic resins to their global distribution business. This partnership reflects Cereplast's overall growth strategy and continued commitment to expanding the company's distribution reach in North America.

Ashland Distribution is a leading plastics and chemicals distributor in North America, and part of Ashland Inc., which posted more than $8 billion in annual revenue last year. Under the agreement, Ashland Distribution will distribute Cereplast Compostables(R) and Hybrids Resins(R) to converters and manufacturers throughout North America, to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Cereplast's bioplastic resins enable Ashland Distribution to supply its customers with bio-based materials, an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic.
"We continue to identify key distribution partners and we are pleased to have partnered with Ashland Distribution, a major chemical company, to help provide their customers with new and innovative ways to satisfy growing consumer demand for cleaner, environmentally sustainable materials," said Mr. Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "Ashland operates in more than 100 countries around the world, and this agreement reflects Cereplast's continued commitment to expanding its global footprint as a leading manufacturer of sustainable plastics."

"Our agreement with Cereplast enables us to address growing consumer and industrial demand for environmentally friendly plastic products," commented Michael Gilbert, vice president of plastics, Ashland Distribution. "This collaborative agreement expands our product offering and strengthens our positioning as a leading distributor of thermoplastics."



SOURCE: Cereplast, Inc.

Cereplast, Inc., a leading manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics, announced today that its plan to develop a new family of algae-based resins is progressing well and that the Company expects to offer the first grade of Cereplast Algae Plastics(R) for commercial use by the end of the year.

Cereplast algae-based resins represent a breakthrough in industry technology and have the potential to replace 50% or more of the petroleum content used in traditional plastic resins. Currently, Cereplast is using renewable material such as starches from corn, tapioca, wheat and potatoes in the manufacture of bio-based resins. Algae-based resins, which are revolutionary in the industry, will complement the Company's existing line of Compostables(R) and Hybrid(R) resins.

"Algae-based resins represent the latest advancement in bioplastics technology and our product development efforts over the last several months has yielded very encouraging results," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "The properties of hybrid materials that we have developed with algae are now very close to meeting our expectations, and are on target to introduce a new family algae-based plastics by the end of the year. In the not so distant future, we believe that algae will become one of the most important 'green' feedstocks in bioplastics as well as biofuels." Added Mr. Scheer, "Our view is that developing alternative feedstock unrelated to fossil fuels and to the food chain is the next 'frontier' for bioplastics and Cereplast is moving ahead very aggressively on this front."

Cereplast is currently in contact with several companies that plan to use algae to minimize the carbon dioxide and nitrous gases from polluting smoke-stack environments. Algae from a typical photo-bioreactor is harvested daily and may be treated as biomass, which can be used as biofuel or as a raw material source for biopolymer feed stock. The Company is also in direct communication with potential chemical conversion companies that could convert the algae biomass into viable monomers for further conversion into potential biopolymers.

"Commercial algae resins represent a significant breakthrough in the greening of the plastics industry, a transformation that we believe is critical to helping ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet," commented William Kelly who is leading Cereplast's algae to plastics development efforts. "There are already a number of big players entering the commercial-scale algae production business, and the use of algae as a feedstock for plastics allows us to go full circle: the very substance that can absorb and minimize CO2 and polluting gases from the industrial process can also be turned into sustainable, renewable plastic products and biofuels while reducing our use of fossil fuels."


SOURCE: Cereplast, Inc.