Sappi and Innovia show compostable packaging concept

Submitted by: The Two Sides Team April 8, 2013

Sappi Fine Paper Europe and Innovia Films have completed a joint project to produce compostable flexible packaging manufactured from renewable resources.

The aim of the project is to show brands and converters what is possible to help them prepare for forthcoming packaging regulations that limit the amount of materials that can be landfilled.

"The results are not only compostable they are also renewable as they are both derived from trees," said Innovia Films product manager Paul Barker. "There isn't much recycling of plastic laminates, and this (composting) is a nice simple solution. Polyolefins are non-compostable and this really will divert waste away from landfill.

In the pilot study a range of different flexible packaging products including drink sachets, food wrapping and roast coffee packets were produced from a combination of Sappi's Algro Nature paper and Innovia's NatureFlex cellulose films.

Products were produced using a range of processes including extruded lamination and with solvent, water-based and solvent-less adhesives to show the range of applications and production methods possible.

Barker added that Innovia could tailor the water and gas permeability of its films to suit a range of applications from breathable bakery bags to water tight pouches.

"We can control the permeability of biopolymers depending on the application," he said. "We can achieve results as good as OPP for liquids."

Both products are independently certified as compostable to OK Compost Home by Vincotte and DIN E13432 by DIN Certco. Compostable inks and adhesives are also available.

However, both firms emphasised that it was impossible to extrapolate too much from one test due to other variables aside from the paper and cellophane including the adhesives and inks used as well as the production processes.

"All the individual components have been tested," said Barker. "Now it is over to brand owners and converters to experiment."

This article, written by Barney Cox, originally appeared on the PrintWeek.com website.

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