FIC and DLPC are the leading providers of customized dry colorants, color masterbatches, additives and engineered polymers to the local plastics industry for a wide range of applications.

“The Philippines economy and population are growing rapidly,” said Daisuke Takabatake, industry segment leader for NatureWorks. “There is a need for low carbon footprint plastics that offer a variety of performance features and also end of life options including industrial composting. Of the potential distribution partners we explored, First in Colours and D&L Polymers and Colours received the highest evaluations in terms of technical support, compounding capability, the ability to carry inventories that shorten delivery times for customers and having a diverse, growing, loyal customer base. We are proud that First in Colours and D&L Polymers and Colours are the NatureWorks distributor and compounder in the Philippines.”

First in Colours will distribute the full comprehensive suite of Ingeo resins developed for the plastics markets.

“Bioplastics are an exciting new category of materials,” said Lester Lao, managing director for FIC and DLPC. “To be associated with the world’s leading producer certainly will give our customers quality, quantity, the broadest range of resins available and access to world class technical support capabilities.”

The manufacture of Ingeo emits 60 percent less greenhouse gas and requires 48 percent less energy to manufacture into resin as compared to such plastics as PET. Ingeo offers converters and brand owners stable pricing as compared to the volatility of the plastics made from petroleum.

Ingeo food service items, such as flatware, cups and utensils, are typically biodegradable in industrial composting facilities – enabling the diversion of organics from landfills, where the composting infrastructure exists. Rigid and film-based Ingeo packaging delivers performance advantages. For example, clamshell packaging made with Ingeo requires 20 to 30 percent less material than a comparable package made from PET.

NatureWorks