NatureWorks, the sustainable biopolymer manufacturing subsidiary of Cargill, and CJ Biomaterials, a subsidiary of food company CJ CheilJedang and a leading manufacturer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), have unveiled two new PHA-based compounds intended to be used in flexible packaging applications.

These compounds are a blend of NatureWorks' Ingeo PLA and CJ’s Phact PHA. Named Phact CA1270P (clear) and Phact CA1240PF (opaque), these compounds can be used for film-related uses like food packaging, shopping bags, and labels. The companies claim the new compounds have carbon footprints that are 50% lower than those of low-density polyethylene and linear-low-density polyethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate (LDPE/PE/PP/PET) solutions traditionally used in packaging.

Analyst QuickTake: The compounds were unveiled as part of the collaboration between the companies launched in May 2022 . The partners aim to develop high-performance biopolymers for compostable food packaging, food service ware, and personal care, capitalizing on rising consumer demand for alternatives to petroleum-based packaging solutions.