Application News
Application News Compostable pack aging assists expansion NatureFlex certified renewable and compostable cellulose based films from Innovia Films are helping a Dorset based organic coffee company expand their distribution. Bird & Wild produce certified Bird Friendly coffees, which mean they have been grown in a way that protects important migratory bird habitats in equatorial coffee growing regions. To enhance their environmental credentials they chose Econic ® packaging developed by New Zealand converter, Convex Plastics. The pack is a triplex laminate of reverse printed clear NatureFlex / High-Barrier Metallised NatureFlex and a Starch based biopolymer. This structure ensures that the delicate flavor and freshness of Bird & Wild’s unique coffees are locked in. Emma Broomhead and Ben Roberts who run the company claim “Econic packaging is an ideal fit with our brand and the packaging is helping us expand our UK distribution into health food stores, delicatessens and farm stores whose owners and customers are increasingly demanding more ecofriendly options. Planet Organic is one such supermarket who has chosen to stock our coffee. Using compostable packaging is important for us as it fits the ethos of our brand.” NatureFlex films are certified to meet the American ASTM D6400, European EN13432 and Australian AS4736 standards for compostable packaging. They begin life as a natural product, wood which is sourced from managed plantations operating on good forestry principals. They also offer a host of advantages for packing and converting such as high seal strength and integrity, excellent gas, aroma & UV light barrier, grease and chemical resistance, dead fold and anti-static properties, enhanced printing and conversion. Convex Plastics Managing Director Owen Embling said, “The NatureFlex films have allowed us to develop high barrier compostable packaging that provides the same level of functionality as traditional fossil fuel-based films. Econic packaging is ideal for a wide range of dry foods, including coffee, cereals and snack bars.” Neil Banerjee, Innovia Films’ Market Manager, Coffee said, “Our NatureFlex films are increasingly being used in bio-laminate packaging constructions such as these to provide the necessary barrier.” www.birdandwild.co.uk www.natureflex.com PLA film for candies and chocolates The new Convergreen Ingeo PLA based film from Argentinian Packaging manufacturer Converflex S.A. continues to interest candies and chocolates manufacturers in Argentina as an outer twist wrap. The printability of the film is excellent and the film can be metalized. The film used for this kind of application has a thickness of 25 µm. Tests indicate that Convergreen runs well on more than a half dozen of the most popular twist wrap machines. The Ingeo-based film can be used as naturally advanced alternatives to PVC, BOPP, and other films. The manufacture of the Ingeo-based film releases 74 % less greenhouse gas emissions than the typical PVC wrapper foil it replaces. Most recently, Cabsha Alpine, Alka and Saquito confections became the latest to feature the Convergreen film wrap, which vibrantly catches the eyes of consumers. www.converflex.net www.natureworksllc.com 38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/14] Vol. 9
You make great things. We make great things happen. In March 2015, more than 60,000 professionals from every aspect of the plastics industry and its vertical and end-user markets will assemble in Orlando, Florida for the largest, most influential plastics event of the year. Expect great things. Register for free today at www.npeguestpass.org/Bio1 NPE2015: THE INTERNATIONAL PLASTICS SHOWCASE March 23-27, 2015 Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida USA Face-To-Face, NPE2012
