In September, Cardia Bioplastics (Melbourne / Australia; www.cardiabioplastics.com) will start producing biodegradable films and bags at its own, new facility in São Paulo / Brazil. The EUR 519,000 purpose-built plant will be capable of producing 500m carry bags each year, the company said, making it four times larger than its bioplastics plant in Nanjing / China, which it recently upgraded to achieve an output of 100m bags annually (see Plasteurope.com of 07.07.2014).

The decision to set up base in the country comes in response to high demand for its bags as well as annual supply contracts with leading Brazilian retailers like Ricoy Supermercados and Drogaria Araujo (see Plasteurope.com of 21.02.2014).

Calling the facility a key milestone in group strategy to set up finished products divisions in important markets, Cardia chairman Richard Tegoni said, “The vertical integration from Cardia BiohybridT resins to Cardia BiohybridT films and bags ensures product quality, control of supply, improved margins and enhanced cost structures that underpin Cardia's global growth strategy.”