Renewable & Compostable Films for Packaging

Consumers are becoming more environmentally aware as climate change is being viewed as a real phenomenon. In general, packaging only contributes to a small proportion of the environmental impact of most products, but it is perceived by the consumer to have a significant effect on the environment. Questions such as ‘where does our packaging come from’ and ‘where does it go after use’ are becoming more common. Modern legislation is increasingly encouraging recycling through a variety of methods including direct material recycling, energy recovery through incineration and more recently through organic recycling, more commonly known as ‘composting.’

Driving Compostable Packaging

Another key factor driving the interest in biodegradable packaging is the fact that most ‘biopolymers’ are based mainly on renewable resources. Whilst there are a number of synthetic biopolymers which are certified as compostable, they are often used to add greater functionality to renewable materials to improve their properties in a range of different applications.

To be certified as compostable, the packaging material needs to undergo stringent testing by an accredited laboratory, and then be independently certified by the relevant official bodies.

NatureFlex™ films are fully certified to the European (EN13432) and American (ASTM D6400) norms for compostable packaging by Vinçotte, Din Certco and the BPI. They are certified as home compostable and will also biodegrade in a waste water environment and are suitable for anaerobic digestion.

Please see our ‘Composting Testing’ flyer for more details.

Composting of NatureFlex™

Composting CertificationCustomers who use these materials can arrange for their own ‘product certification’ to enable their products to carry the relevant composting logo. Depending on the degree of conversion, further testing may be required to ensure that the material still meets the required criteria.

Further advice can be obtained from Innovia Films and/or Din Certco, Vinçotte or the Association for Organics Recycling (formerly the UK Composting Association). Use of the logo confirms that the material is truly compostable and also allows the consumer and/or local authorities to recognise it as compostable packaging and to dispose of it accordingly.

NatureFlex films are eligible to carry the following logos:

‘Windrow’ Industrial Composting

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compostable

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted during the life cycle of a product or service. The carbon footprint of any product can accurately be determined by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

The environmental impact of NatureFlex™ was quantified during 2007 by a Life Cycle Assessment. Significant improvements in energy efficiency and waste reduction have been made and will continue in the future. However, any manufacturing process will inevitably have an environmental impact and involvement in carbon reduction schemes allows Innovia Films to offset the overall effect of NatureFlex™ production to ensure that coated NatureFlex™ films are Carbon Zero at the point of despatch.

In collaboration with a leading carbon services company, co2balance, Innovia Films has invested in two carbon reduction schemes:

Sand Martin Wood, Cumbria, UKInnovia Films has financed the planting of 3000 trees at a forestry plantation within 30km of the NatureFlex™ plant.

Solar Ovens, East AfricaThis relates to distribution of solar ovens in East Africa and other communities that are currently using charcoal or wood burning stoves.

See our ‘Reducing our Carbon Footprint’ Flyer for more details.

Reducing our Carbon Footprint

Most biopolymers are based on renewable raw materials such as corn, potatoes or wheat. NatureFlex™ films are based on cellulose which is the most abundant of all naturally occurring organic materials. NatureFlex™ films are produced from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations.

The biobased content of a range of NatureFlex™ films has been determined according toASTM D6866, which is based on radiocarbon methodology. The half life of 14C is circa 5730 years and so fossil or ‘old’ carbon no longer contains 14C. Any 14C present therefore must have been derived from ‘new’ or biobased carbon. The amount of radiocarbon (14C) is determined by comparison with a modern reference standard and is reported as a percentage.

Depending on the grade of NatureFlex™, the biobased content can vary from 90% to 99%.A typical result is shown here.

Renewability

Fossil based carbon6%

Renewable carbon94%

NatureFlex 30NVS

NatureFlex™ Application Checklist

Application Example Film Type Key Performance BenefitsApplication Example Film Type Key Performance Benefits

NVS

NP

NE30 NK NM

NE30

NK NVSNVRNE30

NK NVRNM

NE30 NK NM

D-NENK NMNVSNVR

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

Wide heat-seal range for high speed packing line performanceNaturally free from staticEnhanced gloss & transparency Controlled moisture permeability provides natural anti-mist properties and reduces condensation

Bagmaking

High moisture absorption to facilitate fast drying of water-based glues employed in bagmakingDesigned for bagging pre-wrapped or non-moisture sensitive productsAlso suitable for sheet making

Confectionery

Formulated to provide the required moisture barrier for sugar and chocolate confectionery Controlled slip and naturally anti-static for problem free machinabilityExcellent deadfold for twistwrap usage

Hygiene

Formulated to provide the necessary barriers to moisture and external contaminationStatic-free, easy seal and deadfold properties for optimum machinabilityProven biodegradability in waste-water environments

Bakery

Choice of moisture barrier to fit a range of requirementsEnhanced gloss and transparencySuitable for window applicationsWide heat-seal range

Dried Foods

Formulated to provide the moisture barrier necessary for dried foodsEnhanced print and conversion receptivityWide heat-seal range for high speed packing line performance

Home & Personal Care

Excellent chemical resistance Tear properties allow ease of opening Good barrier to moisture and external contaminationExcellent aroma barrier

Lamination

The inherent thermal stability aids lamination processEnhanced moisture and gas barrier aids product protectionCompatible with other bio-materials

NatureFlex™ Application Checklist - Emerging Markets

Application Example Film Type Key Performance Benefits

Board Lamination

NK NMNVSD-NE

Lidding Refer to Innovia Films

Reamwrap Refer to Innovia Films

Application Example Film Type Key Performance Benefits

Compatible with other bio-materialsEnhances protective and optical properties of traditional materialsGrease and oil resistance

Designed for uses requiring sealability to PLA, aPET, cPET, rPET & starch traysSpecially formulated for use in chill cabinet conditionsChoice of moisture barrier to fit product requirements

Good fit with environmental consciousness of paper production and recycled papers Provides product integrity and prevention of moisture ingressMaximum visual impact on the retailers’ shelves

NatureFlex™ Film Grade Summary

Gra

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Prin

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Coat

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Peel

able

Anti

stat

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Anti

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Whi

te v

ersi

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Colo

ured

ver

sion

* Under Development

NP

NE30

D-NE

NVS

NM

NVR

NK

21, 23, 25, 28, 35, 42

19, 23, 30

22

23, 30, 45*

23, 30*, 45*

23, 30, 45

Barr

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Barr

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Mic

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Twis

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*

Met

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20, 23, 30, 45 *

NatureFlex™ at a Glance

NatureFlex™ flexible films are based on renewable

wood pulp sourced only from managed plantations.

Independently tested to both EU (EN13432) and

American (ASTM D6400) composting norms

Certified by Din Certco, Vinçotte and the BPI

Suitable for both Industrial and home composting and

anaerobic digestion

Proven to biodegrade in a waste water environment

Transparent, white and metallised films available

Suitable for lamination to other biomaterials

Compatible with other biodegradable packaging

materials in a variety of applications

Suitable for bagmaking, VFFS, HFFS, twistwrap,

bunchwrap and overwrap

Good gloss and transparency

Naturally high gas barrier

Range of moisture permeabilities available to suit

requirements of different products

Wide heat-seal range of coated films for enhanced

packaging speed and flexibility

Inherently good deadfold for twist or fold-end uses

High heat resistance

Static free for high machine performance

Excellent chemical resistance

Resistant to greases, oils and fats

Print and conversion friendly

Properties

Bioplastics: include materials which are manufactured primarily from plant based sources rather than petroleum sources and materials which are biodegradable. Many bioplastics are based on renewable raw materials and are compostable but some only satisfy one of these criteria. Biodegradable Materials: are organic in nature and can be degraded due to microbial, enzymatic or other biological action into simple compounds, water and carbon dioxide. There is no requirement for the biodegradation to occur within a certain time-frame and the final biodegradation products are not taken into account.

Compostable Materials: will biodegrade in the presence of micro-organisms, heat and moisture and will disintegrate in an industrial composting environment under standard test conditions to afford a compost which will support plant life. Some biodegradable materials will only degrade in the more tightly controlled conditions of commercial composting units but others will biodegrade in the relatively cooler conditions of a home compost heap.

Degradable Materials: can break down as a result of physical and chemical impact. Degradable plastics are oil based products with special additives that assist their ‘fragmentation’. Often referred to as ‘oxo-degradable’, these degradable materials do not meet the requirements of the EN13432 commercial composting standard.

Life Cycle Assessment: Also known as life cycle analysis, this is a means of assessing the environmental impact of a given product or service throughout its lifespan.

Renewable: Refers to materials that can be renewed or replaced. Materials made from organic plant derivatives such as NatureFlex™ are renewable in that new crops or trees are planted to replace those harvested.

Sustainable: Refers to a system or practice that meets present needs without depleting future resources. Sustainable materials are those that are manufactured through the conservative use of resources whilst generating the smallest proportion of emissions in their life cycle.

Composting Terms

Anaerobic Digestion: Deliberate creation of anaerobic conditions to generate methane which is captured and burnt for energy. The nutrient-rich solids left after digestion can be used as compost.

Biogasification: See anaerobic digestion.

Home Composting: Using a home composting unit, this is the aerobic decomposition of kitchen and garden waste to produce a soil conditioner and to achieve a reduction in waste.

Industrial Composting (in vessel): The composting mixture is placed inside a container through which air is forced. By controlling moisture, temperature and aeration this method maintains a rapid decomposition process whatever the external climatic conditions.

Industrial Composting (Windrow): Compostables are placed in elongated piles, called windrows, normally outdoors. The windrows can be aerated through a chimney effect or turned mechanically to aerate the composting waste.

Glossary

www.innoviafilms.comemail: natureflex@innoviafilms.com™Trademark of Innovia Films Group

Disclaimer: Innovia Films or any of its affiliated companies (hereinafter ‘Innovia Films’) declines any liability with respect to the use made by any third party of the information contained herein. The information contained herein represents Innovia Films’ best knowledge thereon without constituting any express or implied guarantee or warranty of any kind (including, but not limited to, the accuracy, the completeness or relevance of the data set out herein). Innovia Films is the sole owner or authorised user of the intellectual property rights relating to the information communicated.The information relating to the use of the products is given for information purposes only. No guarantee or warranty is provided that the product is adapted to the client’s specific use. The client should perform his own tests to determine the suitability for a particular purpose. The final choice of use of a product remains the sole responsibility of the client.

Innovia Films is a major producer of speciality Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) and Cellulose films with production sites in the UK, USA, Belgium and Australia.

About Us

We hold a leading global position in the markets for labels and security films, high performance coated packaging, tobacco overwrap and biodegradable and compostable films.

Our technical expertise and market-driven development process is the key to our position at the leading edge of advances in these markets.

Research and Development is at the heart of our business and we work closely with customers, suppliers, academics and commercial partners to ensure speed of delivery of new ideas and products.

We prioritise quality of service and support alongside product quality and have teams in place across the world to maintain the highest possible level of responsiveness to the needs of our customers.

Innovia Films Inc290 Interstate North Cir SESuite 100, AtlantaGEORGIA 30339-2401USA Tel +1 877 822 3456 Fax +1 770 818 3001

Innovia Films Ltd Wigton CUMBRIA CA7 9BG UNITED KINGDOM Tel +44 16973 42281 Fax +44 16973 41452

Innovia Films (Asia Pacific) Pty Ltd PO Box 341, 19 Potter Street Craigieburn, Melbourne VICTORIA 3064 AUSTRALIA Tel +61 3 9303 0600 Fax +61 3 9303 0670

NatureFlex™ NE laminated on the inside of a kitchen waste bag.

Pub. Nr. 320147E Version B - UK

The paper for this publication is produced with 80% recovered fibre comprising 10% packaging waste, 10% best white waste, 60% de-inked waste fibre and 20% virgin TCF fibre sourced from sustainable forests.