Green packaging firm halts production

August 27, 2008 in Uncategorized
Tags: Add new tag, firm, green, halts, packaging, production

HCM CITY — The manufacturing of a new environmentally friendly packaging product designed by a HCM City man and enthusiastically received by foreign and local buyers has been suspended for lack of sponsorship.

The designer, Tran Quoc Toan of HCM City, created the bio-degradable product for use in flower pots and for packaging goods such as electronic components and fruit.

Toan says two years ago he moved his factory from HCM City to Mo Cay District of Ben Tre Province nearer his raw material sources to reduce costs, but he still lacks adequate facilities and funds.

Product orders from both foreign and domestic partners have rolled in but he has had to suspend production and make other products for agricultural uses.

The factory needs about VND1 billion (US$60,000) to buy machines, assembly lines, and power supplies to continue producing, but Toan cannot get a loan from banks or credit organisations.

Toan says he looks forward to receiving support from authorities and private organisations to continue his work.

The environmentally friendly pack’s composition includes a sugarcane bagasse, coconut fiber, and additives such as plaster and pine resin.

The waterproof product can bear a temperature of minus 10 to 110 degrees Celsius and can be re-used many times.

According to material technology specialists, the material could be used as a replacement for plastic, which is non-biodegradable. —