UK-based polythene bag manufacturer Duo UK will produce bags using a thermoplastic resin which is made entirely from sugarcane ethanol for international polymer distribution company Resin Trade.
The mailing bags called Green PE have been developed by US-based petrochemical producer Braskem which has become Resin Trade's partner for the distribution of its goods in the UK and Ireland.
The move is a part of the company's efforts towards increasing its green investment. The bags will be created from materials that are 100% renewable and recyclable.
Speaking about the investment, Duo commercial director Anthony Brimelow said, "What is particularly impressive about Green PE is its environmental credentials extend all the way down the production chain.
"Meanwhile, from a manufacturing point of view, we can use the same processes and machinery we use to create standard polythene products. It's also a very versatile product, so while we see the online retail sector as a major buyer in the short term, there's nothing to stop us exploring other applications in the future. "
The mailing bags are made from sugarcane ethanol produced in southern Brazil. Sugarcane, being a water efficient crop, captures carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and is planted through strict guidelines.
The carbon dioxide is further sequestered by the ethanol used to make Green PE, which helps to save up to 2.15kgs of CO2 with the production of each kilogram of green plastic when compared to conventional oil-based polythene.
