Cereplast, Inc. announced hat that it has extended its distribution agreement with A. Schulman, Inc. to include all of Europe. A. Schulman, Inc. is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins used as raw materials in a variety of markets.

Cereplast’s variety of bioplastic resins will enable A. Schulman to launch a new offering composed of bio-based materials to customers interested in more environmentally-friendly solutions. Under the agreement, A. Schulman will distribute Cereplast Compostables® and Hybrids Resins® to converters and manufacturers throughout Europe.

According to a 2007 the European Bioplastic Market report by Frost & Sullivan, the bioplastics market in Europe has experienced an exponential growth and demand for bioplastics that has outstripped supply, as converters and end-users are rushing to take advantage of this resurgent technology. With demand still higher than supply, there is sufficient room for new participants as well as existing companies to grow.

Currently bioplastics account for less than 1% of the European plastics market. All Cereplast resins replace a significant percentage of petroleum-based additives with starches made out of corn, wheat, tapioca and potatoes, allowing bioplastics to return back to nature within 180 days.