Polyolefin cling film made in Cape Town will now be manufactured in the United States as interest from the USA and Canada grows. "In the USA we wrap mostly red meat but we are breaking into fresh produce applications such as corn, baby cucumber, and mushrooms," says Roy Keytel of Cape Town-based Superthene which holds the IP for their cling wrap which is a non-toxic, recyclable alternative to PVC wrap film. The Superthene wrap is 100% compatible with common polyethylene recycle waste streams.
The Sigma Plastics Group has received the license to manufacture Superthene's flagship product in the United States for sole distribution within North America by LK Ind. Packaging Solutions.
© Superthene
Tariffs on Chinese imports should help them in the US market, Keytel remarks. "Manufacturing in the US will make us fairly competitive to other forms of wrap, PVC, or other variants, produced there or imported from outside of the USA. Shipping costs from South Africa have become prohibitive for our product."
Postponement of European PVC ban
In South Africa, Superthene cling film is widely used by retailers for the full basket of fresh produce, as well as red meat and poultry, while in Germany the film is used to wrap mushrooms at present. Superthene is for sale in Europe through NNZ.
"Although we have received approvals on various produce groups, the European interest has fallen substantially as governments have extended the cut-off date for single-use plastics. Also," he adds, "our landed price is quite a lot higher than PVC currently."
The European Commission has long been lobbied by health and environmental organizations to ban PVC film in the European Union, but a definitive date has yet to be agreed upon by member states.
"With our new venture in the USA we will be able to ship to the EU very competitively as well, so we look forward to getting momentum back into other produce groups in this market."
© Superthene Superthene is a non-toxic, recyclable alternative to PVC wrap film
For more information:
Superthene
Tel: +27 21 205 0788
Email: info@superthene.com
https://superthenefilms.com/