Films | Flexibles | Bags
Films | Flexibles | Bags Latest Innovations in Flexible Packaging Films Fig. 3: Single Biscuit Packaging Article contributed by Andy Sweetman, Global Marketing Manager, Sustainable Technologies, Innovia Films www.innoviafilms.com Increasing the range of applications that can be served by biopackaging requires constant innovation e.g. the development of moisture barrier properties. It also requires expansion beyond the organic fresh produce sector into more conventional product markets. Packaging constructions are becoming increasingly technical and are moving into the areas of greater print coverage. Laminations, bio-inks and bioadhesives are hitting the market now. These are all steps that help to take Bio from the ‘plain and simple’ to a technical level that starts to offer alternatives for conventional plastics more effectively. Innovia Films’ next generation of its flexible, compostable film, NatureFlex was officially launched at the recent European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin, Germany (Nov. 05-06). The new film, NatureFlex NK, offers not only biodegradability and compostability, but also a moisture barrier approaching that of co-extruded OPP (oriented Polypropylene). This means it has the best moisture barrier of any biopolymer film currently available, which has been achieved through Innovia Films’ unique coating technology. Figures 1 and 2 compare the moisture and oxygen barrier of NatureFlex NK against other NatureFlex and OPP films. NatureFlex NK is a transparent, general purpose packaging grade suitable for various applications such as dried foods (biscuits, cereals, crisps, snack bars etc). Figure 3 shows an example for a single biscuit packaging. The new product is also ideal for lamination to other biofilms. NatureFlex NK is available in 20, 23, 30, 45 micron thicknesses and can be used for a variety of pack formats – VFFS, flow wrap, twistwrap and overwrap. Fig. 1: Moisture Barrier 14 bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/08] Vol. 3
Films | Flexibles | Bags Key Features of NatureFlex NK: • Meets EN13432 and ASTM D6400 composting norms • Based on renewable raw materials • Excellent moisture and oxygen barrier • Heat sealable on both sides • Superb transparency and gloss • Print receptive surface Until now compostable packaging materials have only been used in applications where their inherent permeability was an advantage. This excluded them technically from significant areas of the industry. Now however, with NatureFlex NK, we can open up mainstream markets such as dried foods and snacks. In addition, converters can use NatureFlex NK as a basis for delivering further flexible ‘biosolutions’, by associating it with compatible biofilms such as Thermoplastic starches and Copolyesters. Innovia Films has also been working closely with a leading confectionery manufacturer to meet their demands for compostable packaging. Due to increased consumer and media focus on packaging waste and recovery, the customer wanted to review their products in order to maximise the ‘revalorisation’ and recovery potential of their packaging. They approached Innovia Films to develop a range of certified compostable films to match, as closely as possible, the existing range of coloured Cellophane films. This has led to the development of coloured NatureFlex films. Fig. 2: Oxygen Barrier NatureFlex was an obvious solution for the packaging as the film begins life as a natural product – wood - and breaks down in a home compost bin (or industrial compost environment) within a matter of weeks – yet also offers advantages for packing and converting such as inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases and aromas and a wide heat-seal range. Developing a range of coloured films which so closely match the requirements of such a recognised brand and that meet the strict requirements of the composting legislation was a real challenge, which we are delighted to have been able to deliver. bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/08] Vol. 3 15
