San Miguel Corp is set to become the first company to use fully-certified biodegradable plastic packaging in the Philippines. It will be initially used for both food and non-food products, such as cement and feed sacks, grocery bags and other single-use plastic packaging.

"Initially, we will use it for cement packaging," said Ramon Ang. "What we will use is a biodegradable plastic woven packaging, or sack. This is proudly developed by Filipino inventors, using local materials, and made by local workers."

San Miguel Corp is to work with Philippine Bioresins Corp to produce the packaging. The product will be 64.6 per cent degraded in 24 months, a significant improvement compared to non-biodegradable packaging (4.5 per cent degraded in 24 months).