Green plastics now at hand

BHUBANESWAR: As the anti-polythene consciousness has begun to take root with cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar prohibiting use of such hazardous items, an environment friendly bio-polymer alternative is now at hand.  The HaritaNTI Ltd, an international bio-plastics producer, has joined hands with cty-based Zillion Resources Pvt Ltd to launch 100 percent compostable plastics and polymer solutions in Orissa.  The products launched under the Natur-tec brand name include carry bags, shopping bags, food packaging, personal care product packaging along with food service ware like plates, cups and cutlery.  The bioplastic products are made under state-of-the-art biopolymer technology platforms using polylactic acids and starch based polymer. Made of 100 percent corn, Natur-Tec products are touted to biodegrade within 90 days and convert into compost. The development of compostable alternatives has assumed importance in the face of growing opposition to the use of conventional plastics such as polythene and polypropylene in flexible packaging due to environmental and waste disposal concerns. “We are thus committed to provide and unique portfolio of sustainable environment friendly alternatives to conventional plastics”, president HaritaNTI N Sriram said.  According to Head of Natur-tec operations in India Sundar Balakrishnan, in the wake of recent regulatory mechanisms banning use of non-biodegradable plastics in packaging, the people now have access to much-needed cost-effective packaging alternatives at their disposal.  Nature-tec products meet all the international standards of biodegradability and compostablity. They have been certified by the Central Food Technological research Institute (CFTRI) Mysore and meet the IS/ISO:17088(2008) norms set by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests”, managing director of Zillion resources Pvt Ltd Bikash Kumar Digal stated. The pricing, though, appears higher than conventional plastics is actually cost-effective in comparison to other available alternatives as jute, paper or clothe bags. Besides, these products offer varied use like carrying liquid and food products, Digal added.