Belgian plastics distributor and compounder Ravago (Arendonk; www.ravago.com) has entered into an agreement with US biotech company Heartland (Detroit, Michigan; www.heartland.io) to jointly develop plastics with hemp additives. The US supplier said the move will reduce the cost, weight, and carbon footprint of the feedstock, something which corresponds to stronger, lighter, cheaper, and more sustainable composite products from Ravago.

Besides having beneficial thermal and acoustic properties, Heartland says its additives can also help prolong the life of Ravago’s materials that use recycled content and reduce the carbon footprint of virgin plastics by 44%. Both companies aim to develop products for the automotive, packaging, and building materials markets.

Ravago serves around 50,000 customers through 325 locations in 55 countries. With over 45 manufacturing facilities, the Belgian company employs 8,000. Ravago’s US subsidiary Trinity Specialty Compounding was recently purchased by Benvic (see Plasteurope.com of 18.01.2022).