D&L Industries Inc., through its unit D&L Polymer and Colours Inc. (DLPC), has tied up with a Japan-based firm for the local distribution and worldwide supply of Bionolle StarclaTM, a recyclable compound that can produce biodegradable plastic bags.

DLPC and Showa Denko K.K., Japan’s leading chemical engineering company, have signed an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) agreement covering the compounding, manufacturing, and distribution in the Philippines, as well as distribution worldwide, of Bionolle StarclaTM.

Under the agreement, DLPC will provide a full scope of services, including export supply and local sales. The contract is valid until November 19, 2013 with automatic yearly renewal. Exports has commenced in December 2012 with DLPC’s first shipment to Japan.

Bionolle StarclaTM, a starch-based material that is fully biodegradable and compostable, is designed to run on conventional plastic blown film lines. It can easily be decomposed.

DLPC is the only company in the Philippines engaged in the production of biodegradable compounds and Bionolle StarclaTM is the latest addition to its products.

“Bionolle StarclaTM will breathe new life into the plastics industry, which has lost almost 40 percent of its business to the bans [by local government units],” said Lester Lao, managing director of DLPC.

“At the same time, we are also complementing the paper industry as we help them enhance their products and still be environment-friendly. It’s like having the best of both worlds,” he added.

Showa Denko K.K. is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industries, to the electronic and computer industries.

The company has overseas operations and a joint venture with Netherlands-based Montell and Nippon Petrochemicals to manufacture and market polypropylenes.

D&L Industries is a Filipino company engaged in product customization and specialization for the food, plastics, and chemical industries.