Paper Coating |
Paper Coating | Laminating A Better Option for Specialized Performance Coatings with Ingeo Article contributed by Mark Vergauwen, Commercial Manager, NatureWorks BV, Naarden, The Netherlands www.natureworksllc.com www.klm.com/csr Performance coatings are now a new and significant application for Ingeo biopolymer – an application that today allows for the expansion of extrusion coated paper products in the food packaging and foodservice ware markets. It represents just another step in the right and responsible direction for NatureWorks LLC who manufacture Ingeo, and whose plan and vision is to sustainably manufacture eco-sensible materials. The performance characteristics of this new innovative category means that it is an easy choice for more responsible thinkers working in the supply of hot and cold beverage cups, coated paper food packaging solutions, as well as carton packed dairy and juice products – all simple paper-based products that can now use a coating that’s made from plants instead of oil. Because of its nature-based origin, Ingeo-based extrusion coatings allow for products that have many more disposal options, including industrial composting. Cups, bowls and coated food packaging provide an excellent solution for food waste diversion because where appropriate conditions allow, Ingeo coated products can be composted. Through ingenuity and perseverance of NatureWorks manufacturing partners such as Danimer and the paper-coating partners of organizations like International Paper and Hanchang Paper, recent marketplace innovations grant more and varied 20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/08] Vol. 3
Paper Coating | Laminating applications to be developed with grease resistance, superior optics and printability - confirming Ingeo as the natural choice for manufacturers today, as evidenced by the growing list of commercial products now available. In the USA, ecotainer is a line of foodservice ware developed by International Paper to provide alternatives to traditional foodservice packaging. The product line is made from renewable resources, has a smaller environmental footprint and is compostable in industrial composting facilities. The hot cups, cold cups, and food containers are formed from cup stock that was extrusion coated with modified Ingeo polymer to create a water-resistant barrier. These products perform in a manner consistent with those made from polyethylene coated cup stock. International Paper has worked with brand leaders in all segments of the foodservice industry to bring these products to market in the USA and Europe. Packaging plays a critical role for foodservice operators when developing their sustainability platform and this product offers many attributes consistent with their strategy. Since launch, more than half a billion ecotainer cups and containers have been used in the market displacing half a million pounds of petroleum-based plastics. And in Europe KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), a major airline headquartered in Amsterdam, has announced the launch of a new sustainable coffee and tea biocup for use on European and intercontinental routes as well as the short haul Cityhopper flights. These cups were introduced on November 1st and because they are made using the unique coating made from Ingeo, they are from 100% renewable resources and are compostable making them a better cup choice today. KLM uses over 19 million cups each year which represents more than 100,000 kg of material now being made from renewable resources instead of from polystyrene. The body of the cup is made from FSI-certified carton paper and the ink used is water based. Being lighter, the new biocup is easier and more compact to store and stack. It represents a further measure of the airlines commitment to help reduce the impact of waste material on the environment. Furthermore, these new cups fit within the Corporate Social Responsibility strategy of KLM, combining environmental advantages with the saving of costs. Supplier of these cups is the Dutch company Moonen Packaging. Moonen Packaging has a development, marketing and distribution program able to supply their Ingeo innovation coated paper cups to a wide range of customers including airlines, media companies, coffee retailers and local authorities. Also in Asia there are several converters currently producing Ingeo coated cups. Kuan Chun, a company in Taiwan, is selling currently Ingeo coated cups to a wide customer base. The company was established in 1991 in Changhua, Taiwan, as an extrusion coating paper company and was ISO 9002 certified in 1995 and ISO 14001 certified in 2008. Their products are also selling throughout Europe and USA with current sales of Ingeo coated hot cups, soup cups, and other food containers topping 100 million worldwide. Hanchang Paper in Korea developed Hanchang Eco (Eco-Peace) paper cups and they have been adopted at the 5th Green Film Festival in Seoul. This is an eco-friendly film festival aims for reduction of carbon dioxide in its events, where global warming issues, solutions and schemes for saving the earth will be addressed. Ingeo based paper cups will be used by celebrities and fans at the festival through Cafe des Verts, a coffee chain which uses eco-friendly organic coffee. BP Consulting, Inc, in Japan, also manufactures out of Taiwan through their group company, MT Trading Co. BP is already commercialized in the USA with Planet+ branded cups for cafeterias at hospitals, schools, business offices, as well as coffee shop chains. These products will soon be available in Europe. The range of cup is from, 6 to 20 ounces and food containers from 8 to 32 ounces, both using a unique 99.4% Ingeo content in their 18 micron coating. NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available low carbon footprint Ingeo biopolymers (PLA) for coating paper cups and food containers. Production uses less fossil fuel and emits fewer green-house gases than conventional polymers. The company applies its proprietary technology to process natural plant sugars to make Ingeo biopolymer, which is then used uniquely to make and market finished products under the Ingeo brand name. NatureWorks LLC is a joint venture between Cargill and Teijin Limited of Japan. bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/08] Vol. 3 21
