NatureWorks and Natur-Tec to market Ingeo in India

BIOPLASTICS companies NatureWorks and Northern Technologies International Corporation (Nasdaq: NTIC) will market and sell Ingeo? in India and the nearby countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. 

A naturally advanced bioplastic, Ingeo has several commercial benefits. It is suitable for rigid and flexible packaging, foodservice ware, personal care products, textiles, in-home durable products, appliances and electronics, and the latest innovations in 3D printing.

The collaboration between NatureWorks and Natur-Tec India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of NTIC, represents the first major sales initiative on the Indian subcontinent for Ingeo. Natur-Tec will lead the marketing and sales efforts, while NatureWorks will supply resin in bulk for distribution. It will participate in joint sales meetings with multinational corporations, and provide marketing support and technical expertise.

The initial sales and market development initiatives highlight flexible films for packaging food and branded consumer goods. In addition to paper-based packaging that includes a thin film of Ingeo for creating barrier properties, rigid containers for yogurt and foodservice ware will be included in the sales and marketing plan. 

Natur-Tec and NatureWorks will also collaborate with regulatory agencies on waste reduction demonstration projects. 

According to NatureWorks Asia-Pacific commercial director Rich Weber, “Success in a market as diverse and complex as India requires finding the right commercial partner – a partner that knows the market and our Ingeo products, has the respect of local customers, and shares similar values to your own. NatureWorks has worked with Northern Technologies International for years in North America. We know and respect the management team, and see this new multifaceted collaboration with Natur-Tec India as an extremely positive commercial development.”

NTIC has been producing and marketing a line of biobased and compostable flexible films, rigid injection molded materials, and engineered plastics in India since 2006. This was initially done through a joint-venture and then with the help of a subsidiary beginning 2013. 

According to Vineet Dalal, NTIC vice president and director of Global Market Development, “Natur-Tec India’s product and market knowledge in close collaboration with NatureWorks’ technical and commercial support sends a very positive message to customers that they will receive innovative products and an exemplary support infrastructure.”