Company's potato plates are going down a treat

Plates made out of potato are the way of the future, says a Christchurch firm convinced it's onto a winner.

Potatopak is exporting trays, plates and bowls to Australia and Britain, says company spokesman Rob Finlayson.

"People love the product and the message that these plates are not plastic," he says.

Two Englishmen created the concept. One emigrated and set up shop in New Zealand. Now the New Zealand arm is fully Kiwi-owned and has a major contract with a British-based catering company.

At home, Potatopak is targeting the barbecue/picnic market, catering and cafeteria companies.

Mr Finlayson believes the new tax some Europeans pay on polystyrene products will give the cause a boost.

Although potato plates are more costly and time-consuming to produce than the polystyrene alternatives, "we're finding people are prepared to pay", says Mr Finlayson.

They're also stronger, leak less, are microwave-safe and completely biodegradable over two to five weeks.

Potato plates are made of 100 per cent potato starch, reclaimed from the waste starch of spuds turned into chips and other processed foods.

After use, a potato plate can be composted, fed to pigs, even eaten by humans, although the company doesn't recommend it.