WinCup, a leading manufacturer of disposable foodservice to-go ware, is launching Phade, a new line of straws and stirrers made from Danimer Scientific’s Nodax PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate). Nodax PHA is derived from canola oil and is a marine-biodegradable, soil-biodegradable, and home-compostable material. WinCup is the first manufacturer in the U.S. to successfully produce commercially sellable straws from this unique material. Plans for a national rollout of this innovative new straw are underway, and the product will be available later this year.
Increased consumer demand for more soil and ocean-friendly disposable products spurred the company’s exploration into a viable solution.
“We’re proud to be at the forefront of this important initiative,” says Michael Winters, president of WinCup Foodservice. “We understand the need for disposable products to have a better end-of-life story, and these straws are a realistic and promising step forward.”
As the demand for off-premise disposable products surges, so does the desire for more environmentally friendly to-go ware that meets consumer performance expectations.
PHAs are naturally occurring and they biodegrade in marine and soil environments. The PHA resin used to manufacture the Phade straws and stirrers will be certified by TUV/Vincotte for biodegradability in marine, and soil environments; as well as home and industrial compostable environments. Additionally, compared to alternative substrates, PHA straws performance will be very similar to that of traditional polypropylene straws—a welcome development to customers who are frustrated with the poor performance and customer experience of alternative paper straws that tend to get soggy and collapse.
With this new product, WinCup also hopes to start a dialogue with state and local legislators as they consider straw legislation. Single-use plastics laws and programs should be designed to encourage and reward this type of product innovation, the company believes.
Wincup’s Phade straws and stirrers are just the beginning, Winters said. “We’re looking at the ways bioplastics and PHAs can really change the conversation around disposables. At WinCup, we intend to continue to lead the industry in innovative products that satisfy every aspect of the consumer experience.”
