Earthfirst® Biopolymer Films, a division of Aluf Plastics, is a manufacturer of compostable sealant and barrier sealant films within food, beverage, medical, personal care, office, industrial and other CPG segments. Locations in Columbus, Ohio, Orangeburg, NY and Sulphur Springs, Texas serve customers throughout the United States.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to create sustainable solutions through open collaboration, as nature intended.
Our Vision
We will grow through innovative sustainable food & beverage packaging.
We will do this through collaboration across the value chain, aggregating the needs of the ecosystem.
We will foster agility, accountability, and transparency.
Our Values
Integrity
External collaboration
One team, one mission
Passion & responsibility for a greener future
Learn & grow
Together, we are Earthfirst. Together, we’re not just imagining a sustainable future—we’re building it.
Discover our Manifesto Video
Global Reach
With locations in Columbus, Ohio, Orangeburg, NY and Sulphur Springs, TX, our solid footprint is a testament to our commitment to providing environmentally responsible products and innovative solutions.
Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Passionate about sustainability, we collaborate with our value chain to commercialize innovative solutions and support the movement towards a more sustainable future. Our journey in sustainability began over 20 years ago with the development and patenting of thin gauge films made from PLA, a versatile biopolymer that remains a cornerstone of our product portfolio.
Leading the Way in Biopolymer Film Extrusion
As historical pioneers in biopolymer film extrusion, we hold several patents on compostable sealant films. Beyond PLA, we offer a variety of industrial and home compostable solutions, including Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and other biobased polymer films.
Earthfirst® Biopolymer Films Timeline
1949
Plastic Suppliers is founded at Blackwood, New Jersey as a privately held corporation by Joe Tatem.
1950
Plastic Suppliers opens its first distribution center in Blackwood, New Jersey.
1959
Plastic Suppliers opens it's second converting and distribution center in Dallas, Texas
1964
Plastic Suppliers opens its third distribution center and converting facility in Chicago, Illinois
1965
Plastic Suppliers opens its fourth converting and distribution center on the west coast with a facility in Los Angeles, California
1967
Plastic Suppliers opens a 5th distribution and converting center in Atlanta, Georgia
1971
Plastic Supplier begins it's first international distribution in Europe through independent reps there.
1974
PSI opens the Columbus distribution center in what is today our plant. The plant has been expanded three time since 1974.
1976
PSI buys two cast and tentered lines from Monsanto and begins its first film manufacturing of Polyflex polystyrene in Columbus Ohio.
1985
Plastic Suppliers acquires 50% of Sidaplax V.O.F. in Gent, Belgium and begins its first international manufacturing and distribution.
1986
An early morning tornado hits the PSi Marietta (Georgia) Industrial Park distribution center and destroys 20 businesses. PSI was one of those businesses severely damaged but no one was hurt. Operations resume within two weeks.
1988
Plastic Suppliers, Inc. corporate office moves to Columbus, Ohio
1990
Sidaplax VOF and Plastic Suppliers operations in Northampton, England .
1994
Plastic Suppliers expands Columbus Ohio with the commissioning of its fourth and largest cast and tentered extrusion lines.
1996
Plastic Suppliers relocates and expands its southwestern operations to Dallas, Texas.
1997
Plastic Suppliers relocates the Blackwood, New Jersey facility to Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
2000
Plastic Suppliers opens a second plant in Columbus Ohio including the start up of two blown film lines and a converting center.
2003
Plastic Suppliers is certified ISO 9001:2008.
2004
On May 5th Plastic Suppliers, Inc. is the only plastic manufacturing facility producing EarthFirst PLA Film, via a blown film process.
2006
Psi is awarded Innovative Technology awards from the Flexographic Technical Association and Tag and Label Manufacturers Inc.
2009
Plastic Suppliers, Inc. celebrates its 60th Anniversary in business.
2013
Sidapalx VOF moves to a new site in Gent Belgium after 58 years in a Gent inner-city facility.
2014
PSi invests $1.2 Mn in the US and Belgium in three new high-speed slitters.
2016
PSi announces a $1.7Mn capital improvement plan including updates on both Columbus manufacturing sites and adding capacity to meet growing bio-plastics demand.
2019
PSI earned a Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification after ten months of work and a significant investment. An SQF certification contributes to current customer objectives, increases market reach and is preparation for FSMA compliance. It also expands the company's ability to enter additional food-grade packaging markets.
2022
The company decides to go to market globally with its flagship biopolymer range: Earthfirst® to better reflect its commitment to sustainability
2025
API Acquisition of Earthfirst Films.