Breakthrough, Compostable Plastic Premiers as Dunlop Golf Ball Packaging Film

ARCHIVED 2002–2016: Originally distributed via the eWire press wire service. Preserved as historical record.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE |

Conservation & Wildlife

Corporate Responsibility

Science & Technology

Syndication Partners

**************************************************************************

E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE

**************************************************************************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Breakthrough, Compostable Plastic Premiers as Dunlop Golf Ball Packaging Film

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, Apr. 2 -/E-Wire/-- NatureWorks(TM) PLA, the revolutionary polymer made entirely from annually renewable resources such as corn and wheat, is now being used in its first full-scale, mass market packaging film application. Launched in the Japanese market by Mitsubishi Plastics, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Dunlop Japan Ltd. and Cargill Dow LLC, the polymer is being unveiled as new, environmentally responsible packaging option for Dunlop golf balls.

Cargill Dow's new polymer is being used as the exterior packaging film on Dunlop's golf ball sleeves. Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd has developed and is marketing golf ball packages laminated with an environmentally friendly biodegradable film manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics. The significance of the packaging application is that it marks the first time that the cost- and performance-competitive polymer is being used in a non-pilot project. The introduction of the packaging application also complements NatureWorks PLA's current use in the Japanese market as the basis for clothing and textiles.

"This is a significant milestone for the packaging industry as it is the first time that a cost-competitive, 100-percent annually renewable resource-based polymer is being used in a wide-scale consumer application,' said Jim Hobbs, business unit leader-packaging for Cargill Dow. "NatureWorks PLA has been very successful in test market applications to date, but our work with these two leading companies truly marks our first commercial packaging film application.'

NatureWorks PLA is being used as the packaging film due to the high performance properties of the polymer, which are equivalent, or better than, competitive hydrocarbon-based products. Some of these key characteristics that led Sumitomo to select the new polymer for the Dunlop golf ball packaging include high clarity, high gloss, UV stability and dead-fold properties.

In addition, NatureWorks PLA has the added benefit of being fully degradable in municipal compost situations. This is an issue of particular interest in Japan, where there is limited landfill space and stringent government regulations pertaining to incineration.

"This application holds worldwide potential due to the performance and environmental benefits of the packaging film,' said Hobbs. "It proves that our product not only competes on a performance and cost basis, but also gives converters and brand owners an environmentally responsible packaging film option that they can be proud of.'

Developed by Cargill Dow, NatureWorks PLA technology produces the renewable resource-based resin by "harvesting' the carbon plants, like corn, remove from the air during photosynthesis. This is achieved by tapping into the carbon stored in plant starches, which can be broken down into natural plant sugars. The carbon and other elements in these natural sugars are then used to make plastic, called polylactide (PLA) through a process of simple fermentation and separation. By using corn rather than petroleum as the feed stock, NatureWorks PLA uses 20 to 50 percent less petroleum than comparable plastics.

Founded in 1997, Cargill Dow LLC company is based in Minnetonka, Minn. It is the first company to offer its customers a family of polymers derived entirely from annually renewable resources with the cost and performance necessary to compete with packaging materials and traditional fibers. The company has achieved this breakthrough by applying its unique technology to the processing of natural plant sugars to create a proprietary polylactide polymer (PLA). Future applications of the technology could include use in injection blow molded bottles, foams, emulsions and chemical intermediaries. For more company information, please visit the Cargill Dow Web site at http://www.cargilldow.com.

Note: A Photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.040201/bb9

Cargill Dow LLC, Michael O''Brien, 952/742-0523, michael_o''[REDACTED-EMAIL] or Gibbs & Soell Public Relations, Jennifer Gray or Steve Halsey, 847/519-9150, [REDACTED-EMAIL], [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.cargilldow.com

http://http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.040201/bb9

**************************************************************************

To Transmit Your News Over E-Wire, visit http://www.ewire.com or

call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE]. E-Wire Is Broadcast To Millions Of Readers Worldwide

**************************************************************************