The US$1.2M biodegradable packaging contract was awarded by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and involved the supply of seven different bag formats.
Selection of biodegradable packaging was in line with the “Green Materials, Green Olympics” strategy declared by BOCOG, which committed to use environmentally friendly packaging materials at the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
BOCOG appointed the Beijing Advanced Material Development Centre to select the Olympic supplier from among the top global producers of biodegradable packaging derived from renewable sources.
Cardia won the contract won due to the superior performance of the company’s resin, which meets stringent European compostability standard EN13432, and its effective supply capability through Cardia’s local manufacturing plant in Nanjing, China. The Cardia range of renewable hybrid resins and certified biodegradable resins also meet new Chinese packaging regulations enacted 1 June 2008 and the Nanjing manufacturing business is one of the few Chinese companies awarded with the prestigious China Environmental Label.
The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean said Cardia’s success was potentially the largest deal of its kind in the world this year and demonstrated that an increasing commitment to sustainability by China could deliver real export opportunities for Australian business.
The challenge China faces in terms of environmental management practices as a result of economic development and rapid urbanisation represents an opportunity for innovative Australian companies to not only help China achieve its goals, but in turn expand trade and create jobs for Australians. Australia has the opportunity to become a world leader in the sustainable manufacturing, packaging and biodegradable plastics sector. We need innovative new export products like this if we are going to diversify our economic base and provide for Australia’s economic security beyond the resources and mining boom.
