Disappearing golf tees
Leominster firm sees future in biodegradable plastics
While plastics manufacturers using recycled material in their products are cashing in on dramatically reduced costs, at least one local company is investing in the future of "green."
Leominster-based Innovative Mold Solutions Inc. has put nearly $750,000 into research and development of biodegradable plastics in the last five years, according to President Paul Boudreau. To show for it so far, the company has developed dissolving utensils for in-the-field military food, high-performance golf tees that disappear into the ground in two months - and, IMS hopes, profits in coming years.
"We’re positioning ourselves for the future," Boudreau said. "... Any products that are used for a short period of time in the outdoors are a great opportunity. It’s a great application for biodegradable materials, since they’re literally gone - biocomposted - in approximately 60 days."
The raw materials for IMS products - typically a biodegradable polyester resin base partially filled with corn starch or other renewable resources - cost three to four times the amount of comparable traditional plastics. And, Boudreau said, the up-front expense of producing the products is significant, due to the materials’ unique properties.
In the meantime, Boudreau and IMS are counting on being at the forefront of an emerging market where technical expertise - rather than simple price competition - is key.
"There’s still a premium associated with making these products out of biodegradable material," he said. "The government is doing its part to promote using biodegradable where they can to start creating a market. Once there’s a market created, then there’s competition, and once there’s competition, prices come down."
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