Eagle Beverage, a manufacturer of sustainable straws, has inaugurated its first polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) injection-moulding manufacturing facility.
This plant is a major advancement in the company's efforts to offer sustainable alternatives to traditional cutlery.
The plant uses proprietary resins made from Nodax PHA, developed by Danimer Scientific, to produce single-use forks, knives, and spoons.
Eagle Beverage has commenced shipping these products, showcasing the market readiness of its PHA-based cutlery lines.
Eagle Beverage executive vice-president Aisha Kabani said: "We're thrilled to bring Nodax PHA-based cutlery to the market at scale.
"Our new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant allows us to meet the growing demand for sustainable PHA-based single-use utensils while maintaining the quality and performance our customers expect."
Based in Washington, US, Eagle Beverage says it is one of the first manufacturers to convert PHA-based straws globally, including the commercialisation of Starbucks PHA-based straws in North America.
PHA, a material compostable in home, industrial, and marine environments, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional single-use plastics.
Danimer Scientific CEO Stephen Croskrey said: "We are very proud to be a part of the sustainable commitment Eagle Beverage has made to bring PHA-based home-compostable cutlery to the market.”
The company has secured a portion of the PHA-based cutlery business from one of the world's largest quick-service restaurants and is ready to scale up its operations.
Eagle Beverage's use of Danimer Scientific's formulated resins containing Nodax marks a move towards diminishing plastic waste and fostering a more circular economy.