biflex^® treebags

SMARTER, SAFER BANANA PROTECTION

With an annual production over 60 million metric tons, bananas rank fourth among the world's most important food crops, and are the most important tropical fruit in value with a worldwide market of more than $10 billion.

Chemplast International, in conjunction with FMC Corporation, focuses on protecting that valuable and vulnerable crop from various insects with Biflex masterbatch, developed specifically for Biflex Treebags. (Please note that while we describe Biflex Treebags on this site, Chemplast does not produce or sell Biflex Treebags; we supply the masterbatches only. Banana growers interested in using Biflex Treebags should instruct their bag supplier to contact Chemplast.)

Introduced in October 2002, Biflex Treebags combine the industry's two most effective banana-protection techniques:

• Banana Treebags (originally developed by Chemplast's parent company), which have measurably improved the quality and quantity of the marketable banana harvest for more than 40 years; and
• Biflex, a well-established, highly effective and broadly accepted brand of bifenthrin insecticide, which is safer and less toxic to use than the current industry standard, chlorpyrifos. Biflex is a product of FMC.

This powerful combination gives banana growers significant economic, environmental and practical advantages for increased harvests and profits — all in a familiar delivery system and a safer work environment.

FIELD EFFICACY

Biflex Treebags have been tested in all major banana-producing regions of the world, and under the widest possible range of climactic and growing conditions.

Without exception, Biflex Treebags have demonstrated performance superior to the local standard protocol.

For example, the chart below shows results from a 2003 commercial trial conducted in Costa Rica.

Numerous other field test results are available in our Resource Center.

PEST SPECTRUM

Following is a list of pests Biflex actively protects against:

THE BIFLEX ADVANTAGE

Biflex Treebags offer significant long- and short-term advantages for growers and treebag manufacturers, with expert product support for all:

PRODUCTION & COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Chemplast works closely with bag producers to facilitate a seamless transition to the manufacture of Biflex Treebags. Consider the flexibility of the raw material:

• Availability: 2% Masterbatch MUP
• Composition: 2% Biflex, 98% low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
• Dilution Letdown Ratio: 5% — equivalent to chlorpyrifos-containing masterbatches
• Required Manufacturing Protocols Changes: none
• Required Extruder Temperature Profiles Changes: none
• Heat Resistance: Excellent, minimizing extrusion losses and allowing bag producers to use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as well as LDPE.

Further, Chemplast works with growers and bag producers to facilitate Integrated Pest Management. This is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information along with available pest control method– including cultural, biological, genetic and chemical methods– to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.

In addition, Chemplast provides technical support to bag producers — so that production and worker safety protocols are kept in accordance with our strict standards and that banana producers receive Biflex Treebags of the highest quality.

Again, please note: Chemplast does not produce or sell Biflex Treebags; we supply the masterbatches only. Banana growers interested in using Biflex Treebags should instruct their bag supplier to contact Chemplast.

RESOURCE CENTER

Below you will find numerous downloadable resources and links that demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of Biflex Treebags. (Downloads are available in PDF format and require Adobe® Reader™ to view. Download your free copy of this easy-to-use program right now.)

Field Efficacy Data

• Degradation Curve

Field Trial Results

• Insect Punctures
• Damage at Harvest
• Scale Infestation

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

• Biflex Masterbatch
• Biflex Tree Bags

Tolerances

• United States
• Europe
• Japan

National Registrations

Following is a list of the growing number of countries in which Biflex is appropriately registered for agricultural use.

CERTIFIED & APPROVED TREEBAG MANUFACTURERS

Certified Manufacturers

To ensure the highest quality production, Chemplast has developed a proprietary Certification Program for manufacturers of Biflex Treebags. Certification is awarded to treebag manufacturers that meet our rigorous standards in such categories as equipment, production protocols and quality control, which are determined by interviews, on-site plant visits and post-production testing.

Approved Manufacturers

In order to maintain a position as a fair and impartial masterbatch supplier — and to provide customers with the greatest choice of treebag manufacturers — Chemplast also tests Biflex Treebags made by those who have not opened their doors to our inspectors.

Following is a list of Certified/Approved Manufacturers whose bags meet our quality control standards, based on post-production testing.

• Brazil:
  • Videplast
• Central America:
  • Olefinas S.A.
  • Polymer, S.A.
  • Yanber S.A.
• Colombia:
  • Polyban
  • Productos Quimicos Andino PQA
  • Banacol
• Ecuador:
  • Trilex S.A.
  • Conaplast
  • Expoplast
  • Palmaplast
  • Pikuel
  • Plastiquir
• Philippines
  • Dapacor Plastics
  • Lapanday Plastics
  • MacPlas (Macondray Plastics)
  • Southern Davao Plastics, Davao, Philippines
  • Tri Star, Davao, Philippines

Biflex is a registered trademark of FMC Corporation, Agricultural Products Group, a diversified international chemical manufacturing company with a distinguished history of providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to agricultural and related industries.