Multilayer films can be used in packaging both fresh products and dry foods. (Credit: Britishplastics.co.uk)
The materials offer competitive performance, while tackling the negative environmental impact of traditional oil-based, non-recyclable multilayer packaging, Tom Walker says in his article on Britishplastics.co.uk. Sustainable alternatives to challenging packaging formats such as multilayer pouches will be key to meeting the UK Plastics Pact target that 70 per cent of plastic packaging is effectively recycled or composted by 2025. Multilayer films can be used in packaging both fresh products and dry foods to extend their shelf lives in a cost-effective manner, but their multilayer construction means that this type of packaging cannot be recycled and lacks a viable disposal route. The compostable multilayer films are manufactured by combining Biome’s range of biodegradable sealant resins with Futamura’s compostable NatureFlex cellulose films to generate a range of laminated flexible structures. The films are compliant to the European industrial composting standard EN13432, meaning that they disintegrate by 90 per cent within 12 weeks, and biodegrade by 90 per cent to water, CO2 and biomass within 180 days. The materials have also been tested and proved to be non-toxic to both soil and plant life.
The companies have demonstrated how a viable compostable solution can be achieved by creating a dry food pouch, which offers excellent oxygen barrier and good moisture barrier properties, as well as efficient sealability. The pouches can also be easily printed using both conventional and digital print process, allowing manufacturers to create highly decorated branding to ensure their sustainable pack stands out on shelves.
Myriam Moeyersons, Sales Manager at Biome Bioplastics, said: “This range of multilayer films allows brand owners to move away from non-recyclable packaging and show that they are at the forefront of the drive to create a circular economy for plastics.”
