KTM Industries announces the successful design and development of the Green Cell Foam™ shipping cooler - the first biodegradable thermal insulated shipping container for perishable products packaging.

August 7, 2008

LANSING, MICHIGAN – KTM Industries announces the launch of the world’s first biodegradable insulated shipping container for perishable products, the Green Cell Foam^TM shipping cooler.  The Green Cell Foam shipping cooler is the choice for discerning companies to protect perishable products during shipping and demonstrate environmental stewardship. This cornstarch-based shipping cooler provides a true ecological alternative to synthetic foams such as polystyrene without sacrificing performance.

            “We are very excited about the market potential of this new product line”, says Tim Colonnese, President and CEO of KTM. “Millions of non-degradable foam insulated shippers are used one time to protect perishable products - especially for food and drug shipments - and discarded every year.  We believe this is a terrible waste and unnecessary expense that can be avoided by using the Green Cell Foam shipping cooler.” Colonnese adds, “Traditional foams have been developed to last for hundreds - if not thousands - of years.  They’re not biodegradable or sustainable.  And there’s the mismatch: the material is used for a brief time – sometimes for only days – and then thrown away, where it will last for centuries.  It doesn’t make any sense.”

            KTM decided to do something about it and asked a local engineering firm, HBInnovations International, LLC (Okemos, Michigan) to help them design and develop a competitive and cost effective insulated shipping container to be used for single use shipping applications. “This is an amazing material” states Scott Boboltz, President of HBInnovations. “The physical properties of Green Cell are similar to that of expanded polystyrene, but with the important environmental benefits. The insulation values, cushioning properties, and ease of manufacturing make this material very competitive.  It offers exceptional insulation for dry ice, gel ice, and wet ice perishable shipping.  Upon disposal, rather than sending synthetic foam coolers to the landfill, Green Cell Foam coolers can be composted, where it fully biodegrades in less than 60 days. I would place Green Cell Foam at the top of the list when designing for sustainability.”

            Colonnese believes the new product line will attract a wide industry segment, from gourmet foods to biotechnology. “That’s why we encourage companies to use, and consumers to ask for, Green Cell Foam, especially in single-use packaging applications.  Green Cell Foam provides the necessary protection during shipping, and can be easily and safely discarded in a wide range of modes: composted, recycled with corrugate, dissolved and even burned. Short-term use and short-term life – that’s a match we can all live with.” 

ABOUT KTM INDUSTRIES – KTM Industries is the exclusive producer of Green Cell Foam products in North America. Green Cell Foam is environmentally-friendly packaging foam, manufactured from US-grown, non-genetically modified cornstarch. It is 98% biobased and 100% recyclable as per ASTM D-6400 - a distinctly "green" alternative to more traditional packaging foams.

To learn more about KTM and Green Cell Foam, please contact:

Tim Colonnese

President and CEO
5597 West Grand River Ave.
Lansing, MI 48906
Toll Free: 1-877-938-6738
Phone: 1-517-703-9140
Fax: 1-517-703-9150

Website: www.greencellfoam.com