Large-scale events provide a practical proving ground for sustainable foodservice innovation. At THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, CJ Biomaterials and WinCup announced the introduction of PHA-based paper cups, cutlery and straws through WinCup’s phade® brand. The rollout places PHA compostable serviceware in a high-visibility hospitality environment while supporting the tournament’s journey toward zero waste. For industrial buyers, venue operators and sustainability managers, the initiative illustrates how PHA-based products can be considered for high-volume, customer-facing foodservice applications.
PHA-Based Cups, Straws and Cutlery for a Major Sporting Event
Compostable Foodservice Products Introduced Across the Tournament
THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson announced the first tournament rollout of PHA-based paper cups, cutlery and straws supplied through a partnership between CJ Biomaterials and WinCup, producer of the phade® range of compostable foodservice products. Made with PHACT™ PHA-based materials, the co-branded serviceware was planned for use across the course, in hospitality suites and at the House of CJ, an 8,000-square-foot visitor experience dedicated to Korean beauty products, food and cinematic technology.
With more than 200,000 visitors expected during the event, the initiative gives PHA-based formats significant visibility in a demanding service environment. Disposable beverage and catering products used at sporting events must be easy for operators to deploy and convenient for guests to use. The planned introduction of compostable single-use cups, PHA straws and PHA food ware demonstrates the relevance of these formats for public venues, corporate hospitality and event catering operations.
For procurement teams, the rollout also provides a concrete example of material substitution in applications traditionally associated with conventional single-use plastics. Cups, straws and utensils are highly visible items for visitors and can support sustainability commitments when their material properties and end-of-life pathways are aligned with operational requirements.
An All-PHA Coating Solution Applied to Paper Cups
A key feature of the announcement concerns the phade® paper cups introduced at the tournament. According to CJ Biomaterials, these cups use a recently launched home-compostable coating grade described as an all-PHA solution. The coating combines amorphous PHA, a soft and flexible form of the material, with semi-crystalline PHA, a more rigid version of the biopolymer.
PHA, or polyhydroxyalkanoate, is a biopolymer produced when microorganisms consume biogenic carbon sources such as sugars or plant oils and accumulate the polymer inside their cells. The source announcement states that PHACT™ PHA is third-party certified to biodegrade in soil and marine environments and to compost in home and commercial composting facilities.
For industrial buyers, the cup coating application is particularly relevant. Beverage cups require a functional barrier layer, making coated paper formats an important area of innovation for buyers seeking alternatives to conventional plastic-coated products. The tournament rollout shows how a PHA-based coating can be associated with practical foodservice formats intended for large visitor volumes.
A Practical Reference for Sustainable Event Procurement
Compostable Products Within a Wider Environmental Programme
The introduction of PHA compostable serviceware was announced as part of a wider set of environmental measures at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson in 2026. The tournament reported the replacement of six diesel fuel-burning generators with six high-capacity battery-powered units. It also reported avoiding the use of more than 8,000 gallons of fuel by investing in house power for two operational locations.
The event also introduced pre-tournament recycling for turf and wood to divert construction and demolition materials from landfill. In addition, caterers integrated more than 40,000 units of biodegradable products from CJ Biomaterials across paper cups, cocktail straws and cutlery.
This approach is relevant for companies and event organisers seeking to integrate material choices into a broader environmental strategy. Product sourcing, energy use, fuel reduction and waste diversion can be considered together when defining sustainability objectives for temporary venues and large-scale hospitality operations.
Certification and End-of-Life Planning for Professional Buyers
The tournament announcement highlights the role of certified compostable products in foodservice procurement. For B2B purchasers, certification information can help assess whether a material format is suitable for defined sustainability requirements. Buyers evaluating similar products can explore further information on PHA certifications when comparing potential solutions for their applications.
However, the source announcement does not specify the collection or post-use processing arrangements implemented for the serviceware during the tournament. This remains an important consideration for professional buyers. Introducing compostable products should be accompanied by an assessment of local collection systems, sorting instructions and available composting infrastructure. Guidance on composting methods can therefore support procurement teams planning suitable end-of-life pathways.
THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson provides a visible example of how PHA-based cups, straws and cutlery can be introduced in a high-attendance event setting. Organisations sourcing compostable foodservice formats for hospitality, catering or venue operations can contact PHA Sourcing to discuss PHA product options adapted to professional requirements.
