Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland; www.clariant.com) and bioplastics specialist FKuR (Willich, Germany; www.fkur.com) announce their distribution agreement for North America. With immediate effect, Clariant Masterbatches will market, sell and distribute FKuR’s full line of biodegradable and bio-based products in North America. FKuR’s product portfolio includes Bio-Flex (PLA blends for extrusion, thermoforming and injection molding), Biograde (cellulose blends for injection molding), Fibrolon (wood-fiber reinforced compounds (WPC)), Terralene (compounds based on green polyethylene) and Terramid (compounds based on Vestamid Terra polyamides.)
For Carmen Michels, President of FKuR Plastics Corp., the new distribution agreement is a logical step for FKuR’s growth in North America. “As ‘The Bioplastic Specialist’ we offer innovative product solutions for all processing methods and applications our customers wish to realize using bioplastics. With Clariant Masterbatches, we have expanded our ability to service customers’ needs within USA and Canada.” stated Michels.
The growth of the bioplastics industry over the last years has been substantial due to the demand for products used for packaging goods with a short shelf-life, such as shopping bags, food packaging and mulch films. For these applications, the biodegradability and the associated alternative disposal route are of benefit for the consumer. The major selling point for both durable and non-durable products is the content of renewable resource materials and the resulting saving of fossil-based resources and the associated CO2 emissions. FKuR’s focus is to serve both application areas. Depending on the grade, FKuR products guarantee a long service life or are biodegradable and break down into naturally occurring, harmless base materials.