Combet opens expanded bioplastics plant in Melbourne

Plantic Technologies opened its upgraded bioplastics packaging factory at Altona late last week. The company, which produces plastics derived from corn, says it has increased its output by 400% as a result of the plant expansion.

The Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, officially opened the plant and congratulated the company on the upgrades, which are aimed at improving efficiency and productivity.

“Plantic ticks many of the boxes for the future of clever manufacturing in Australia and demonstrates how collaboration between research and industry can pay off,” Combet said.

The company’s method of producing bioplastics uses up to half the energy required for normal plastic production.

“They have taken Australian research from the Cooperative Research Centre for International Food Manufacture and Packaging Science and used it to develop commercially attractive packaging products, create local jobs and export internationally.”

The company received financial assistance for the expansion as part of the government’s Clean Energy Future package.