Charleston firm developing plastic-free packaging gets $50,000 grant

SC Launch has awarded a $50,000 grant to a Charleston-based company to accelerate its development of technologies that could replace the use of plastic in bottles, bags and other products.

The funding gives a boost to Earth Renewable Technologies Inc., which is working toward final development and production of new generations of a 100% natural and petroleum-free biopolymer.

Earth Renewable Technologies is an early stage company with pending government and large retail contracts for its line of biopolymer-based compounds.

Dave McNamara, senior vice president of the S.C. Research Authority and director of SC Launch, said in a statement, “We like to invest in companies like ERT that are on the cutting edge of the green movement while producing meaningful, knowledge-based jobs for the state.”

Using licensed, patent-pending technology from Clemson University, Earth Renewable Technologies is formulating biopolymers that can be used in production of rigid containers such as bottles, flexible packaging such as plastic bags, and molded products such as auto parts.

Already, the company’s bio-resin products are used by Gaia Herbs for packaging of its line of nutritional supplements.

“This funding will accelerate our efforts to bring an entirely new class of environmentally friendly plastic replacements to the marketplace,” said Craig Cameron, chairman and CEO of Earth Renewable Technologies.

SC Launch works to generate knowledge economy jobs in South Carolina. The organization, part of SCRA, helps startup companies with upfront counseling, seed funding and access to its resource network.