Compostable film for packaging

In a strategic move away from traditional polyethylene (PE) films, Intellipack, in conjunction with German manufacturer Storopack, have created an environmentally sustainable film that has the strength and composition properties of PE-based films, while being made from base material corn. It is said to be 100% renewable.

Peter Blakeley, Managing Director of Intellipack, believes AIRplus Bio film can support its environmental claims, having already met stringent US, European and Japanese standards.

“There are many PE-based film manufacturers and suppliers that claim their films are degradable and even compostable,” said Blakeley. “The reality is that many of these films are not made from renewable materials and contain heavy metals that cause the PE to ‘fragmentise’ under the influence of oxygen and ultraviolet light.”

In a growing and increasingly competitive ‘green’ market, companies must now meet demanding global standards if they are to claim a true environmental packaging solution. The bio film is reported to have met global standards including: DIN Certco, EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and GreenPla.

The base material for the film is corn and, in addition to its environmental benefits, the corn also consumes CO₂ while growing. From a performance perspective, nothing seems to be lost due to the bio-nature of the film.

“Three-way co-extrusion manufacturing makes the film thinner while maintaining its ability to hold air in bag form and still allowing for excellent elasticity, compared to mono-extruded bio films,” says Blakeley.