Braskem, the leading producer of biopolymers in the world, is partnering with Peel Plastics, a leader in innovative flexible packaging solutions, and Petcurean, a family-owned Canadian company that creates premium-quality food recipes for dogs and cats, to launch GATHER, a new line of pet food. Crafted from certified, organic, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) and sustainably sourced ingredients, the GATHER pet food line of products are packed with Braskem's I'm greenTM bio-plastic polyethylene (PE) made from sugarcane ethanol, a 100% renewable source which promotes the reduction of greenhouse gasses.

GATHER dog and cat foods are perfectly blended and balanced to provide pets with premium quality, natural nutrition and are free from rendered or genetically engineered ingredients as well as feature a single source, fresh and dehydrated primary protein. The GATHER recipes include a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified cod recipe for dogs, an organic chicken recipe for dogs and cats as well as a certified Vegan option for dogs featuring organic peas.

"As a company, we've always been committed to providing nutritious, quality recipes for pets using whole food ingredients, and with GATHER, we're taking our commitment one step further by meeting the growing consumer demand for complete responsibility and accountability," said Rick van Schagen, President at Petcurean. "We took the time to seek and find partners whose integrity, transparency and sustainability practices mean we can deliver functional, whole foods from the earth and oceans to keep pets healthy, happy and loving life, as naturally as possible."

Petcurean went the extra mile with GATHER and took the sustainability approach to its packaging as well. The company decided to use Braskem's I'm GreenTM Polyethylene to create USDA certified bio-based bags. "By using bags that are one-third plant-based, Petcurean has reduced its use of petroleum-based resources by 30 percent; for every 16 lb. bag the company makes, it saves close to a 4 lb. bag worth of petroleum-based plastic material," explained Rick van Schagen. 

Braskem's green plastic is made from sugarcane ethanol - a renewable and sustainable resource produced from Brazilian sugarcane - and a drop-in biopolymer substitute to conventional polyethylene. Cultivation of sugarcane utilizes carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, which gives the material a negative carbon footprint. 

"By using I'm greenTM Polyethylene, Braskem's partners can offer unique products that help lower greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain. As the world's leading producer of biopolymers, Braskem is committed to improving people's lives by creating more environmental-friendly solutions forchemicals and plastics," said Gustavo Sergi, responsible for Renewable Chemicals at Braskem S.A..  

The GATHER line of pet food is available for order by pet specialty retailers and is on shelves for consumer purchase as of today. 

For additional information on Braskem's I'm greenTM bio-plastic polyethylene, product benefits and applications and please visit www.braskem.com/site.aspx/Im-green.