A Latin America company offering bio-based, biodegradable and compostable packaging is moving into the United States by establishing U.S. headquarters in Houston.
Bioelements Group, based in Santiago, Chile, said the new location also will include a what the company calls a BIOLab research facility in the future.
"We have been very successful in Latin America and have developed applied technologies to create biodegradable packaging products for many U.S.-based companies," CEO Ignacio Parada said in a statement. "We've always developed this packaging within the constraints of local regulations and the custom needs of brands. We want to do the same thing in the United States."
Bioelements said the company's customer roster includes Adidas, Australis Seafoods, Justo, Privalia and Walmart.
"The goal of the expansion is to get closer to the packaging needs of brands in the United States in the retail, e-commerce, food, home and personal care, and specialties markets by focusing on developing U.S.-based capabilities as demand continues to grow for sustainable packaging in the world's largest economic market," the company said in a statement.
Bioelements said the company's offerings, with more than 30 formulations for biodegradable packaging, breaks down in a maximum of 20 months.
"While we are helping brands address one of the biggest issues facing society today, we are doing it thoughtfully and with scientific discovery that not only creates solutions to solve the packaging waste challenge but in a fashion that gives back to the Earth and works to keep it clean," the CEO said in his statement.
Bioelements serves the food, retail and industrial markets. The company said it works with "a network of more than 23 affiliated plants located in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Our bioproducts can be manufactured at a traditional plastic factories by adjusting the parameters of existing machinery."