BUFFALO N.Y. - The acquisition of Novon International Inc. of Buffalo by Churchill Technologies Inc. of Isle of Man, England, will result in the consolidation of three degradable plastic product lines under one banner. Churchill said the acquisition was completed in late February, and that the manufacturing, research and development, and administrative functions of the resulting entity will be located in the Novon manufacturing facility in Buffalo. The plant, which is now 22,000 square feet, will be expanded into an adjacent building, to 42,000 square feet.
Novon International had changed its name from Ecostar International earlier this year, after acquiring the Novon Specialty Polymer division of Warner-Lambert Co. of Morris Plains, N.J. Warner-Lambert had developed and marketed its Novon-brand degradable resin until the acquisition.
Lisa Padovani, a spokeswoman for Novon International, said the Novon resin will now lead the consolidated three-product line, which will also include Ecostar's Ecostar Plus-brand additive technology, and Churchill's Vertix-brand degradable resin. All three products are starch-based, water-soluble, and touted as being environmentally safe. All are also adaptable to traditional polymer processes, Padovani said.
``We feel that the Novon line, being the premium material of the three, is most applicable in medical applications, while Eco-star Plus is best for film applications, and the Vertix has been used in disposable diapers. ... One of the things we will be able to do now is to develop a wide range of uses and applications,'' Padovani said.
She said research and development efforts would also focus on making the Novon product less expensive in comparison to traditional polymers. Novon was selling for about $2 per pound, compared to 45-50 cents per pound for traditional polymers with similar applications. Eco-star sells for about 10 percent more than the polymers used in similar applications.
``We think that these compostable, or soluble, products are an answer for the need to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics,'' Padovani said.
