Vinmar Polymers America has partnered with Verde Bioresins Inc. to expand its sustainable materials lineup.
VPA of Houston recently began distributing Verde's PolyEarthylene-brand bioplastics in North America. Los Angeles-based Verde has made its materials at a plant in Fullerton, Calif., since 2019.
Verde uses a combination of bio-based feedstocks and combines those materials with polyethylene, polypropylene or other resins, President and Chief Operating Officer Brian Gordon said in a recent interview with Plastics News. To date, the materials have been used in multiple applications, he added, including film and thermoforming for food packaging.
Verde's materials are drop-in compatible, Gordon said. "Being drop-in is the most critical function," he added. "That allows processors to adopt our materials without affecting cycle times."
On Verde's website, officials describe the firm's materials as "a better alternative to conventional plastics." They added that the materials are food contact-compliant and can be tailored to meet needs of individual customers.
Gordon also said that Verde's materials are shelf-stable and will biodegrade in landfills. He added that they are separate from existing polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics. Verde has three extrusion lines in Fullerton. Gordon said that because of increasing demand, all three will be running by the end of the year.
Verde's management team includes Gary Metzger, a longtime resin distribution executive who previously led Amco Polymers. Metzger is Verde's chief sustainability officer.
VPA President Kirt Dmytruk said that his firm has seen an increase in request for sustainable materials from its customers. "Sustainability is one of our core values," he added. "This is an opportunity for us to partner with a unique product in a growing market."
The Verde partnership continues a busy period for VPA and its parent firm, global materials distributor Vinmar International Ltd. of Houston. In January, Vinmar acquired controlling interest in Syncot Plastics LLC, a recycler based in Belmont, N.C. Syncot's material mix includes post-industrial and post-consumer nylon, polypropylene and polyethylene.
In 2022, Vinmar bought recycler Green World Compounding of Spain. The firm also has invested in Banyan Nation, a recycler in Hyderabad, India.
Vinmar has more than 50 offices in more than 35 countries, with sales in more than 110 countries.