Samsill, one of the world's largest independently owned manufacturers of innovative solutions which protect, organize, present and transport information and digital accessories is converting its line of Earth's Choice ring binders to bio-based materials. The company combined 100% post-consumer recycled chipboard - with plastic containing 25% of Green Polyethylene, a bioplastic made from sugarcane ethanol, a 100% renewable source which promotes the reduction of greenhouse gasses. The finished product is at least 69% bio-based and is a USDA Certified Biobased Product. 

"At Samsill, we strive to reduce the environmental footprint of our products, allowing consumers to have access to more sustainable choices. We knew that creating a binder using 69% of USDA certified bio-based material would be the next step towards an even more diverse, greener product line," explained Drew Bowers, VP of Marketing at Samsill.

The Green Polyethylene used in these binders is provided by Braskem, the leading producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas and the world leader in the production of biopolymers. The resin combines technology, innovation, and sustainability to preserve the same characteristics as traditional polyethylene, both in application and recycling, while generating a negative carbon footprint from cradle to gate.  Its manufacturing process uses approximately 46% of its energy from renewable sources and makes 0.428 kWh/lb of surplus energy. The surplus renewable energy is then utilized in the Brazilian energy matrix. The net life cycle of the resin production captures of over 2.15 lbs of carbon dioxide for each pound of Green Polyethylene produced.

For Alexandre Elias, former director of Renewable Chemicals at Braskem and currently responsible for the Braskem America's Polypropylene business, the partnership meets the company's concern with providing solutions that will bring value to its client's products and brands. "We are always innovating at Braskem, pursuing more sustainable operations and resources, investing in development to offer our Clients products with sustainable attributes, and giving the end consumer solutions for a more sustainable life," explains Elias.
Samsill's move fits right into the government's effort to promote the use of bio-based solutions. "We applaud Samsill for earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product label," said Kate Lewis, USDA BioPreferred Program Analyst. "Products from Samsill are contributing to an ever-expanding marketplace that adds value to renewable agriculture commodities and decreases our reliance on petroleum."

According to a report USDA released in 2015, bio-based products contribute $369 billion to the U.S. economy each year and support, directly and indirectly, 4 million jobs. The same report found that bio-based products also displace approximately 300 million gallons of petroleum per year in the U.S., which is the equivalent of taking 200,000 cars off the road. The increased production of renewable chemicals and bio-based products contributes to the development and expansion of the U.S. bio-economy - where society looks to agriculture for sustainable sources of fuel, energy, chemicals, and materials.

About Samsill
Samsill Corporation is one of the world's largest independently owned manufacturers of ring binders, business accessories, sheet protectors and decorative storage boxes. With corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, TX, Samsill has grown from a small family business to an international corporation serving the office products, storage and organization, advertising specialty, consumer electronics, and education markets.

About Braskem 
Braskem is one of the world's leading plastics and chemical companies with 40 industrial plants in Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Mexico - the company's newest industrial complex is a joint venture with Idesa, which represents a $5.2 billion investment. Braskem is the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas and the leading producer of biopolymers in the world, creating more environmental-friendly, intelligent and sustainable solutions through chemicals and plastics. Known for innovative solutions such as I'm green PolyethyleneT made from renewable sugarcane and UTEC®, the company's own trademarked Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for high-performance applications, Braskem's products and technologies enable the automotive, packaging, healthcare, and construction industries to produce goods that enhance quality of life for people around the world. Braskem America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with five production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit www.braskem.com.

About USDA BioPreferred and Certified Biobased Product label

The BioPreferred Program is a USDA-led initiative that assists the development and expansion of markets for bio-based products. BioPreferred is transforming the marketplace for bio-based products through two initiatives: mandatory purchasing requirements for Federal Agencies and Federal contractors and voluntary product certification and labeling. Bio-based products span a diverse range of applications, such as lubricants, cleaning products, chemicals, and bioplastics. They are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well or better than their conventional counterparts. Approximately 2,500 products have earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product label as of April 2016. To learn more about the USDA Certified Biobased Product label, please visit www.biopreferred.gov, and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BioPreferred.