COLES has struck a deal to sell meat in packaging made from corn at supermarkets across Australia in a major coup for a Melbourne manufacturer.
Plantic's biodegradable Eco Plastic, made largely from corn starch, will be used by the supermarket giant for its pre-packaged meat products.
Coles has trialled the plastic in its Victorian and NSW stores over the past year and will now roll it out nationwide.
The companies said it was a rolling contract.
While the value of the deal has not been disclosed, Plantic chief executive Brendan Morris said it would be "significant" to his business.
"Our relationship with Coles is absolutely critical to us," Mr Morris said.
"It is validation for the product and means we can expand and invest with confidence."
To meet the increased demand, Plantic - a private company - has spent $6 million expanding its Altona factory and added 25 jobs in the past year.
The company also has manufacturing operations in Germany and supplies Eco Plastic in the US and Britain to major retailers including Marks & Spencer.
Plantic chairman Gordon Merchant, who bought the company in 2010, said Eco Plastic would be both socially responsible and profitable.He hoped the company, which was founded about a decade ago and posted a $10.2 million loss last year, would break even this year.
