The Hindu Business Line : SPC Bio to set up biodegradable plastic unit

SPC Biotech Ltd plans to set up a manufacturing unit to make high-end, biodegradable polymers, which are increasingly finding use in the medical industry as absorbable medical implants, from agro-based renewable sources with an investment of Rs 21 crore.

The company has tied up with VBM Bio-Materials in Vichy, France, to source the technology. The unit is expected to go into commercial production from April 2005, according to Mr M.S. Shankara Prasad, Managing Director.

SPC Biotech is tying up with venture funds, banks and a group of non-resident Indians who are backing the company for raising the funds.

Medical implants, disposable syringes and stents made from these biodegradable polymers are to be made at the plant, Mr Prasad told Business Line. The company proposes to use broken rice, corn, sweet potato and other starch-based, agro-products to produce polylactic acid (PLA), the biodegradable plastic. It will set up a pilot plant to manufacture PLA-based plastic and commercialise the technology, he said.

According to the Technical Director of the company, Dr P.L. Nayak, corn-based plastics are already available in the US. Dow Cargill (US), Novamont (Italy), Mitsubishi (Japan) are some of the leading players in this growing segment, whose products are more environmentally friendly compared to petroleum-based plastics.

Dr Nayak and the SPC Biotech executives met the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minster, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and made a presentation on the project.

More Stories on : New Projects | Bio-tech & Genetics | Plastics

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