A Canadian firm claims its film based on polylactic acid is cost-competitive with petroleum-based products.

Bi-Ax International Inc. says its Evlon film has single-digit percentage price parity with conventional films, much less costly than the 30 to 40 percent price premium PLA films have been commanding. Bi-Ax of Wingham, Ontario, claims Evlon is 100 percent biodegradable. It also provides a crisp, crackling sound when packaging made from the resin is opened, a property some consumers find appealing because it implies freshness for the food.

Bi-Ax decided to get into PLA film when it realized it was in the middle of a corn farming area and that corn is the starting point for PLA, supplied to Bi-Ax by NatureWorks LLC.

Tel. 647-219-5338, email bharrow@biaxinc.com.