“Collaboration is key”: CJ Biomaterials and Riman Korea partner on bio-based skin care packaging

25 Aug 2023 --- CJ Biomaterials has joined forces with Riman Korea to develop eco-friendly packaging for Riman’s Incellderm premium skin care product range. This collaboration will harness CJ Biomaterials’ patented polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) technology, combining it with polylactic acid (PLA) to produce packaging with reduced fossil fuel-based materials.

The PLA-PHA composite will be employed as packaging for Incellderm’s Active Cream EX, Dermatology First Package Booster EX and Vieton Oil Mist. These three products contribute to an annual sales volume exceeding 5.4 million units.

The company envisions a gradual extension of the utilization of CJ Biomaterials’ PHA technology across a broader spectrum of its product offerings. Furthermore, CJ Biomaterials and Riman have plans to expand their partnership to develop 100% PHA-based solutions tailored explicitly for injection molding applications.

“CJ Biomaterials and Riman are bringing together our respective expertise to these projects, and this has proven successful not only in accelerating the speed of development but working through the entire value chain,” Heidi Lebel, vice president of strategic marketing at CJ Biomaterials, tells Packaging Insights.

“We hope that our partnership with Riman and other brands will demonstrate the possibilities of using PHA and other sustainable biopolymers to offer planet-positive packing solutions that do not compromise safety and premium aesthetics. We believe that each success spurs an opportunity for other collaborations in the future.”Through the partnership, Incellderm will replace 5.4 million units of packaging with CJ Biomaterials PLA-PHA blend.

Accelerating biodegradation
CJ Biomaterials is reportedly the sole producer of amorphous PHA in the world. The company details that PHAs work well as modifiers to other polymers or biopolymers and can increase bio-based content, accelerate biodegradation and improve the functional properties of resins and finished products.

“This collaboration with Riman showcases the versatility of our PHA biopolymers while reinforcing our commitment to reducing plastic waste and the world’s reliance on petroleum-based technology,” says Max Senechal, chief commercial officer at CJ Biomaterials.

Betty Perez, General Manager, Riman North America, adds that to do its part in alleviating the negative impact companies have had on the planet for years, Riman has adopted a “first-of-its-kind” biodegradable material.

“By no means an easy feat, we accept this as an obligation and will actively seek ways to continue contributing to environmental protection,” Perez says.

Starting points for sustainable chemistry
CJ Biomaterials produces its PHA under the brand name PHACT, which stands for “PHA + Action.”

The company says it is naturally derived and made sustainably to be used as building blocks to replace and improve the functional characteristics of a broad range of polymers in producing finished goods or as starting points for sustainable chemistry.

“Our amorphous PHA is unique because it provides a solution in combination or synergy with other biopolymers to enhance physical performance and speed the biodegradation rate. We want to see the entire biopolymer platform succeed in providing alternative end-of-use options to consumers, and this can only happen with collaboration,” elaborates Lebel.Riman and CJ Biomaterials are addressing climate action by decoupling from fossil fuels.

She tells us that the deliverables for the partnership with Riman are to address climate action by decoupling from fossil fuels, address the pollution crisis by offering different end-of-use options, such as compostable alternatives and protect human health by offering products that do not result in microplastics.

“The regulatory and policy environment is evolving, and those brands that stand behind their values and step up as early adopters before regulations are implemented are the leaders. While infrastructure is still being built, changing behaviors to protect our planet is a challenge. Collaboration is key to innovation.”

Operating capacity
The Riman partnership adds to the ongoing collaborations initiated by CJ Biomaterials to develop products harnessing its PHA technology. Over the past year, the company has announced agreements with NatureWorks Dongil Platech, Banila Co. and CJ Olive Young.

“Our recent collaboration with Riman, as well as other cosmetic brands, has demonstrated great initial success,” reiterates Lebel.

“We currently have our commercial manufacturing facility in Pasuruan, Indonesia, with 5,000 metric tons of capacity. Opened in 2022, this was our first manufacturing facility, and we are currently expanding in the same location, adding 10,000 metric tons of production capacity. We also have plans to expand our footprint with a mega-plant, which will likely be built in the US.”

By Radhika Sikaria

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