ompany Expects
to Commercialize its Algae-Based Resin Technology by
Year End
Company Website:
http://WWW.CEREPLAST.COM
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- (Business Wire)
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP), a leading
manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, sustainable
plastics, announced today that its plan to develop a new
family of algae-based resins is progressing well and
that the Company expects to offer the first grade of
Cereplast Algae Plastics® for commercial use by the end
of the year.
Cereplast algae-based resins represent a breakthrough
in industry technology and have the potential to replace
50% or more of the petroleum content used in traditional
plastic resins. Currently, Cereplast is using renewable
material such as starches from corn, tapioca, wheat and
potatoes in the manufacture of bio-based resins.
Algae-based resins, which are revolutionary in the
industry, will complement the Company’s existing line of
Compostables® and Hybrid® resins.
“Algae-based resins represent the latest advancement
in bioplastics technology and our product development
efforts over the last several months has yielded very
encouraging results,” said Frederic Scheer, Founder,
Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. “The properties of
hybrid materials that we have developed with algae are
now very close to meeting our expectations, and are on
target to introduce a new family algae-based plastics by
the end of the year. In the not so distant future, we
believe that algae will become one of the most important
'green' feedstocks in bioplastics as well as biofuels.”
Added Mr. Scheer, “Our view is that developing
alternative feedstock unrelated to fossil fuels and to
the food chain is the next 'frontier' for bioplastics
and Cereplast is moving ahead very aggressively on this
front.”
Cereplast is currently in contact with several
companies that plan to use algae to minimize the carbon
dioxide and nitrous gases from polluting smoke-stack
environments. Algae from a typical photo-bioreactor is
harvested daily and may be treated as biomass, which can
be used as biofuel or as a raw material source for
biopolymer feed stock. The Company is also in direct
communication with potential chemical conversion
companies that could convert the algae biomass into
viable monomers for further conversion into potential
biopolymers.
“Commercial algae resins represent a significant
breakthrough in the greening of the plastics industry, a
transformation that we believe is critical to helping
ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet,”
commented William Kelly who is leading Cereplast’s algae
to plastics development efforts. “There are already a
number of big players entering the commercial-scale
algae production business, and the use of algae as a
feedstock for plastics allows us to go full circle: the
very substance that can absorb and minimize CO2 and
polluting gases from the industrial process can also be
turned into sustainable, renewable plastic products and
biofuels while reducing our use of fossil fuels.”
About Cereplast, Inc.
Cereplast, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERP) designs and
manufactures proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics
which are used as substitutes for petroleum-based
plastics in all major converting processes - such as
injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and
extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive
with petroleum-based plastics. On the cutting-edge of
bio-based plastic material development, Cereplast now
offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands.
Cereplast Compostables® Resins are ideally suited for
single use applications where high bio-based content and
compostability are advantageous, especially in the food
service industry. Cereplast Hybrid Resins® combine high
bio-based content with the durability and endurance of
traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications
in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics
and packaging. Learn more at
www.cereplast.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When
used in this press release, the words "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and
similar expressions identify such forward-looking
statements. Actual results, performance or achievements
could differ materially from those contemplated,
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements
contained herein. These forward-looking statements are
based largely on the expectations of the Company and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These
include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties
associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and
other factors affecting the Company and its operations,
markets, product, and distributor performance, the
impact on the national and local economies resulting
from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently;
and other factors detailed in reports filed by the
Company.
Contacts:
Cereplast Investor Relations Contact:
IRTH Communications, LLC
Andrew W. Haag
Tel:
+1-866-976-IRTH
(4784)
cerp@irthcommunications.com
Website:
www.irthcommunications.com
or
Cereplast Media Contact:
Beckerman Public Relations
Laura Finlayson
201-465-8007
lfinlayson@beckermanpr.com
.
