Two bioplastics manufacturers - South Korea-based Be Good Friends (BGF) and TotalEnergies Corbion, in Gorinchem, Netherlands - have announced they have entered a long-term collaborative arrangement, formalising what had already been a good working relationship The two companies, both focused on the development and production of biodegradable materials and products, will work together on the application development . They will also cooperate on the supply of Luminy PLA, the biobased material produced by TotalEnergies Corbion.
BGF recently launched a 100% bio-based and compostable single-use noodle cup on the South Korean market. The lightweight, foamed noodle cup minimises the use of materials and is produced using high heat Luminy PLA as a base resin.
The development of the cup is the result of joint development efforts between the two companies, and more developments are set to follow in the future.
“The collaboration with TotalEnergies Corbion is supporting our long-term growth strategy,” said Mr. Hong, Chief Executive Officer of BGF.
Moreover, as Thomas Philipon, Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies Corbion, pointed out, the biopolymers market is experiencing strong growth and customers are requesting ‘innovative solutions tailor-made to their market needs’.
PLA is an ingredient in several of the compounds that formulated by BGF to meet specific customers’ functionality needs for different applications.
"We are delighted to have signed this long-term collaboration agreement with BGF. Collaboration through the value chain is the only efficient way to bring circular solutions to the customers,” said Philipon.