NatureWorks LLC Introduces Smart Care

In the past three years, NatureWorks LLC has seen a dramatic increase in the number of commercial successes of NatureWorks® PLA in packaging, serviceware and consumer goods products. Many companies working with NatureWorks, through best practices of processing, shipping and storage of their NatureWorks PLA-based products, have successfully, and profitably, managed their NatureWorks product lines, through the supply chain, to secure brand owners globally. To continue to promote such successes, NatureWorks has documented and compiled the best practices of partners such as these who have profited from managing their brands and product made from NatureWorks PLA through proper care and handling, from the converting lines to the store shelves.

As with the introduction of any new material, manufacturers and converters often request information on the technical care and handling of biopolymers and finished goods as they are incorporated and managed in an established supply chain. To assist customers, brandowners, and retailers to handle our nature-based plastics, NatureWorks LLC is introducing Smart Care - communications tools and materials to educate and inform the supply chain on the care and handling of packaging and other materials made from NatureWorks PLA.

The “Relax and Take Care of NatureWorks PLA” information kit, part of the overall Smart Care Program, was created for the responsible day-to-day handling of NatureWorks PLA based goods. This kit, being mailed to key members of the NatureWorks supply chain, will include:

• A copy of the NatureWorks PLA Smart Care and Handling checklist

• A poster illustrating shipping and handling icons that can be used in warehouses and manufacturing plants

• Iconic box graphics, for printing on corrugated shipping boxes to note NatureWorks PLA-based product in the supply chain

The checklist and icons will also be available on the NatureWorks website the first week of May at www.natureworkspla.com/care. Materials will be available on the website in a variety of languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, Italian and French by June 1, 2006.

“The introduction of a new polymer, such as NatureWorks PLA, requires different thinking when managing through the supply chain,” said Jim Hobbs, Product Director for NatureWorks LLC. “It is our goal to assist all our customers, brandowners and retailers in successfully using our nature-based plastic in their daily operations.”

NatureWorks will be conducting an educational webinar on Wednesday, May 17 at 9 a.m. CDT, and again at 9 p.m. CDT, to highlight the available tools, discuss how they can be used, and answer any questions customers have about Smart Care. In addition, a series of mailings will be sent in the coming months as part of the continuing program.

Reader enquiries

NatureWorks
Gooimeer 6-10
1411 DD Naarden
Netherlands

+31 35 699 1344

www.natureworkspla.com