13 Sept 2005

NATUREWORKS® PLA HELPS DELHAIZE EXTEND ENVIRONMENTALLY – FRIENDLY PACKAGING TO BELGIAN CUSTOMERS

Environmentally-aware consumers in Belgium can shop with good conscience at Delhaize supermarkets thanks to the introduction of fully compostable packaging for selected fresh produce.

The supermarket chain is testing NatureWorks® PLA, 100 per cent nature-based packaging, as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics for a range of food containers and bags in its Aalst store.

In-store prepared salads, and organic and traditional breads are among the foods being sold in NatureWorks PLA packaging. Currently, transparent delicatessen salad trays and the window on bread bags used by its bakeries are made from the natural material. Stickers and posters are ensuring that shoppers are aware that the packaging can be commercially composted.

NatureWorks PLA (polylactide) is completely derived from annually renewable resources. The technology used to produce the material harvests the starch stored in these annually renewable resources (eg corn) into natural plant sugars. The sugar is then fermented into lactic acid which is used to create a clear plastic known as polylactide. NatureWorks PLA containers decompose in industrial compost according to standard EN13432.

Philippe Henri Heymans, Delhaize, comments: “The Delhaize company wants to insure that its activities have a minimum impact on the environment, and NatureWorks PLA packaging is one of a range of on-going initiatives being introduced to shoppers in Belgium.

“NatureWorks PLA is a great step forward in helping us to replace traditional plastic materials with an environmentally-friendly alternative without having to raise prices”, continues Philippe Henri Heymans. “To the naked eye, there is no difference between the NatureWorks PLA containers and those used previously; and they offer the same high quality in terms of hygiene and food safety. We are looking forward to assessing the response of our shoppers between now and the end of this year.”

Dennis McGrew NatureWorks PLA adds: “NatureWorks PLA is 100 per cent natural, derived from constantly renewable raw materials. As an extra bonus for environmentally-conscience consumers, the production of NatureWorks PLA uses 20 to 50 per cent less fossil fuel than traditional plastic. We are delighted to see the benefits of NatureWorks PLA packaging reaching more and more people in Europe.”

Reader enquiries

NatureWorks
Gooimeer 6-10
1411 DD Naarden
Netherlands

+31 35 699 1344

www.natureworkspla.com

Notes for editors

About NatureWorks LLC

NatureWorks LLC is a stand-alone company wholly owned by Cargill, Inc. Dedicated to meeting the world’s needs today without compromising the earth’s ability to meet the needs of tomorrow, NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available polymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with cost and performance that compete with petroleum-based packaging materials and fibers. The company applies its unique technology to the processing of natural plant sugars to create a proprietary polylactide polymer, which is marketed under the NatureWorks® PLA and Ingeo® fibers brand names. For more information about NatureWorks and its brands, please visit www.natureworksllc.com

About Sidaplax

Sidaplax, a subsidiary of Plastic Suppliers, is a leading manufacturer and converter of EarthFirst™ PLA film. EarthFirst™ PLA film is produced form NatureWorks® PLA resin. EarthFirst™ PLA film is produced at one of their ISO 9001:2000 certified plants in Columbus, OH using their patented process. Common applications for Earth first film are envelopes windows, folding carton windows and label applications. For additional information on EarthFirst™ PLA film, please refer to the website www.sidaplax.com or call Sidaplax at +32 9 210 80 10.

About VITEMBAL

Since the company began specializing in trays for fruit and vegetable packaging in 1963, VITEMBAL has become an essential link in the food chain. In this rapidly changing market, the company is proud to offer increasingly hight performance services.

New consumers trends and future market tendancies are already provided for with top quality products such as EPS trays, PET containers and NatureWorks PLA containers.VITEMBAL is a dynamic company that believes in the tried and true values of proximity, quality and innovation.

For more information, please visit the website www.vitembal.com.

About Huhtamaki

With operations in 36 countries, over 15,000 employees and net sales exceeding EUR 2.1 billion, Huhtamaki is a leading supplier of rigid and flexible plastic, paperboard and molded fiber packaging for processed and fresh foods, other consumer products, food service operators and households.

Huhtamaki has organized its operations under two business segments: Consumer Goods, serving mainly the industrial food processors and packers and Foodservice, offering single-use solutions to quick service restaurants, contract caterers, vending operators and retail trade. The parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, is incorporated in Finland, with a listing on the Helsinki Exchanges since 1960.

For more information, please visit the website www.huhtamaki.com.

NatureWorks and the EcoPLA design are trademarks of NatureWorks LLC.