Natural Plastics

DaniMer Scientific recently introduced a new film resin which has received certification as “Biodegradable in Marine Environments” from SSCCP, an internationally recognized research institute located in Milan, Italy. This unique characteristic offers diverse end of life options to the consumer while providing confirmation of environmental safety for converted film articles if it finds itself in a stream or our oceans.

This recent certification follows previous recognition for DaniMer's film resins, including Vincotte OK Compost, OK Home, OK Water and OK Soil certifications along with SSCCP certification for Anaerobic Digestion. These certifications confirm degradation attributes of the DaniMer 112291 while providing the film converting industry with a biodegradable resin unlike any other in the world. In addition to the environmental aspects of the film grade resin, the DaniMer product enables a soft, highly flexible, puncture resistant film that offers an excellent surface for printing.

“The Biodegradability in Marine Environment certification is an important breakthrough for the bioplastics industry,” says Scott Tuten, Senior Vice President of DaniMer Scientific. “Most importantly, this certification confirms that certain biodegradable plastics can offer multiple end of life options which is a unique value and broadens the markets we serve.”

For more information about DaniMer Scientific’s products or to view DaniMer’s OK Compost certificates, please visit www.DaniMer.com.

MGP has announced the development of Terratek® BD, a new line of biodegradable composite resins. This newest entry in the company’s portfolio of eco-friendly bioplastic products will be introduced at the Sustainable Packaging Forum slated for Sept. 11-13 in Pittsburg, Penn.

“The launching of Terratek® BD represents another major step in MGP’s ongoing commitment to deliver commercially-viable product offerings that help reduce reliance on conventional petroleum-based plastics,” commented Mike Parker, bioplastics product development and sales manager. “It provides an ideal alternative for multiple applications wherein the manufacture of fully compostable products is highly desirable.”

Parker emphasized that “among the most unique aspects and advantages” of Terratek® BD is the product’s “unique ability to serve as a cost effective solution for creating heat-tolerant, bio-based compostable products” compared to similar type resins. “We view this as a significant breakthrough in that it can open new doors for the development of end-user products that maintain their physical integrity under moderate to high heat conditions.”

Applications for Terratek® BD include a variety of injection-molded industrial and consumer products such as disposable packaging materials and containers. “This material can be used in many other injection-molded applications including durable products that can benefit from being compostable at the end of their lifespan,” Parker said.

Terratek® BD is produced at MGP’s facility in Onaga, Kan., from a proprietary blend of wheat- and corn-based products, as well as other compostable materials. Natural components derived from renewable grain sources make up the majority of the resins’ content by weight. The smooth, white, pellet-size resins can be easily processed, shaped and colored by finished goods manufacturers to meet their specific product designs and needs.

“All of the materials used in the production of Terratek® BD meet industry standards for fully compostable products,” said Mark Kocour, bioplastics general manager at MGP. “In addition to the excellent heat tolerance displayed by these new resins, they possess outstanding mechanical qualities, including strength and a rare combination of rigidity and pliability. This bolsters our confidence in their ability to be effectively applied toward the manufacture of a growing range of biodegradable consumer packaged goods that are both highly practical and environmentally-friendly.”

In addition to MGP’s new Terratek® BD line, the company produces and markets Terratek® SC, a starch-based bioplastic, and Terratek® WC, made from a combination of fine wood particles and recycled plastic materials.

Made from up to 65 percent renewable material, Terratek® SC is similar to thermoplastics, and can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes for the production of both pliable and hard plastic products. This line of resins is also capable of withstanding temperatures beyond boiling point and can be processed into finished products using conventional and existing technologies.

Wood particles used in the production of Terratek® WC are obtained from waste materials generated by the woodworking industry. Processed to produce a consistent filler/reinforcing product, the use of these particles promotes the reclamation of wood waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills, and ensures that no new trees are cut down to make the product. Available in an injection molding grade, as well as an extrusion grade, Terratek® WC can be used in such applications as decking, furniture parts, structural components, toys and indoor and outdoor decorative items.

“All of the products under our Terratek® brand respond to growing interest in renewable sources to address environmental concerns and curtail dependence on non-renewable synthetic materials,” Parker said. “In this way, MGP is helping the industry and consumers make strides toward lowering their carbon footprint.”

Source: http://www.mgpingredients.com

DaniMer Scientific’s 12291 film resins have been officially certified as biodegradable in soil by Vinçotte International, a renowned inspection facility headquartered in Vilvoorde, Belgium. The OK biodegradable soil label guarantees that products will completely biodegrade in soil without adversely affecting the environment. According to Vinçotte, biodegradability in the soil offers huge benefits for agricultural and horticultural products as following their intended use this film material can be left to break down on site.

“The OK Biodegradable Soil Certification is a very exciting development for DaniMer because it verifies that our film resins will naturally degrade in soil,” says Scott Tuten, Senior Vice President of DaniMer Scientific. “We have worked diligently to create a revolutionary product that serves our customers’ performance needs that is also environmentally friendly. DaniMer’s film resins are degradable and compostable in a variety of environments, including water and garden compost. The DanIMer 12291 film offers multiple end of life options enabling consumers or customers to benefit from our product in an assortment of applications.”

DaniMer’s film resins are specifically designed for the efficient conversion and production of: disposable shopping bags, compostable bags, odor barrier packaging products and agricultural mulch film, among others.

 

Source: http://www.danimer.com/

Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on developing clean, sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, Ball Horticultural Company and Floral Plant Growers LLC (FPG), today announced that the Mirel^®-based biodegradable SoilWrap^® plant containers are now available at Home Depot and Shopko stores located across the Midwest and Northwest.

 

SoilWrap biodegradable plantable flower pot. Floral Plant Growers and Ball Horticulture make SoilWrap using Mirel biopolymer from Metabolix. (Photo: Business Wire)

Made from 100-percent renewable Mirel biopolymers, Ball SoilWrap is a bottomless plant container that biodegrades naturally in soil. Its innovative design promotes fast plant growth and eliminates transplant shock by immediately bringing roots in direct contact with soil. Once planted in the garden, SoilWrap degrades by becoming food for beneficial soil microbes.¹

"As a leader in the horticultural industry, we are dedicated to providing gardeners and landscape professionals with new, more sustainable solutions that promote healthy plant grow

th, enable consumers to reduce waste and empower retailers to differentiate product offerings," said Bill Doeckel, general manager of Ball Innovations, a business unit of Ball Horticultural Company. "Metabolix invested significantly in research and development to create its Mirel biopolymers, which we have tested extensively for our SoilWrap product. We are excited to be launching SoilWrap, with FPG, and do our part to reduce the amount of horticultural plastic going to landfills."

As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics, SoilWrap enables home gardeners to eliminate waste and reduce planting and clean-up time by 30 percent. For growers and retailers, the biodegradability properties enabled by the Mirel biopolymers provide a differentiated and sustainable bioplastic option for customers.

"With last year's successful marketing and consumer trial of Ball Horticultural's SoilWrap plantable pots, we are excited to see the commercial availability of the new product at leading retail locations such as Home Depot and Shopko," said Richard P. Eno, president and CEO of Metabolix. "As one of our earliest customers, Ball's SoilWrap perfectly showcases the key benefits of our Mirel biopolymer. With multiple disposal options, Mirel is one of the most versatile biopolymers on the market and customers like Ball continue to rely on these unique properties to develop more sustainable product offerings."

SoilWrap is currently available on multiple plant types at Home Depot stores in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska and Shopko stores in Illinois, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

Mirel is completely biodegradable in natural soil and marine environments, but delivers the same performance characteristics as many petroleum-based plastics, including printability and heat resistance. Mirel and SoilWrap are both listed on the USDA Biopreferred program, which designates biobased products that are preferred for purchase by federal agencies and their contractors.

About Floral Plant Growers

Floral Plant Growers LLC (FPG), headquartered in Denmark, Wisconsin has greenhouse facilities in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. FPG has been successful in the wholesale bedding plant industry for the past 40 years being designated as primary supplier for the vast majority of its customers, primarily as a result of FPG's continued emphasis on providing sustainable high quality products followed up with strong customer service and exceptional merchandising services. "SoilWrap" fits well with FPG's ongoing commitment as a certified Veriflora Grower since 2008.

About Ball Horticultural Company

Ball Horticultural Company is an internationally renowned breeder, producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plants. A family-owned business since it was founded in 1905, Ball has introduced many innovative, award-winning varieties to the world of horticulture, including the Wave(R) petunia family and Super Elfin(R) impatiens. Ball is committed to sustainable practices and has highlighted its green accomplishments in its "Sustainability Report." The company has worldwide production, sales and marketing through its many subsidiaries on six continents. For further information, log on to ballhort.com.

About Metabolix

Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world's needs for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is developing biosourced industrial chemicals and plastics, as well as a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops.

Source:  www.metabolix.com

Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on developing clean, sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, Ball Horticultural Company and Costa Farms, today announced that the Mirel^®-based biodegradable SoilWrap^® plant containers are now available at Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

SoilWrap biodegradable plantable flower pot. Costa Farms and Ball Horticulture make SoilWrap using Mirel biopolymer from Metabolix. (Photo: Business Wire)

Made from 100-percent renewable Mirel biopolymers, Ball SoilWrap is a bottomless plant container that biodegrades naturally in soil. Its innovative design promotes fast plant growth and eliminates transplant shock by immediately bringing roots in direct contact with soil. Once planted in the garden, SoilWrap degrades by becoming food for beneficial soil microbes.¹

"As a leader in the horticultural industry, we are dedicated to providing gardeners and landscape professionals with new, more sustainable solutions that promote healthy plant growth, enable consumers to reduce waste and empower retailers to differentiate product offerings," said Bill Doeckel, general manager of Ball Innovations, a business unit of Ball Horticultural Company. "Metabolix invested significantly in research and development to create its Mirel biopolymers, which we have tested extensively for our SoilWrap product. We are excited to be launching SoilWrap, with grower Costa Farms, and do our part to reduce the amount of horticultural plastic going to landfills."

As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics, SoilWrap enables home gardeners to eliminate waste and reduce planting and clean-up time by 30 percent. For growers and retailers, the biodegradability properties enabled by the Mirel biopolymers provide a differentiated and sustainable bioplastic option for customers.

"With last year's successful marketing and consumer trial of Ball Horticultural's SoilWrap plantable pots, we are excited to see the commercial availability of the new product at leading retail locations such as Lowe's Home Improvement Stores," said Richard P. Eno, president and CEO of Metabolix. "As one of our earliest customers, Ball's SoilWrap perfectly showcases the key benefits of our Mirel biopolymer. With multiple disposal options, Mirel is one of the most versatile biopolymers on the market and customers like Ball continue to rely on these unique properties to develop more sustainable product offerings."

SoilWrap is currently available on Wave® petunias and Sunpatiens® impatiens at Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Mirel is completely biodegradable in natural soil and marine environments, but delivers the same performance characteristics as many petroleum-based plastics, including printability and heat resistance. Mirel and SoilWrap are both listed on the USDA Biopreferred program, which designates biobased products that are preferred for purchase by federal agencies and their contractors.

About Costa Farms

Costa Farms is the largest producer of indoor houseplants in the world. Founded in 1961 by Jose Costa, Costa Farms is a third generation, family owned business that globally stretches over 3,800 acres and employs 2,800 people. Along with thriving indoor and bedding plant divisions, Costa Farms operations are located in Florida and North Carolina, and abroad in the Dominican Republic, and Far East.

About Ball Horticultural Company

Ball Horticultural Company is an internationally renowned breeder, producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plants. A family-owned business since it was founded in 1905, Ball has introduced many innovative, award-winning varieties to the world of horticulture, including the Wave(R) petunia family and Super Elfin(R) impatiens. Ball is committed to sustainable practices and has highlighted its green accomplishments in its "Sustainability Report." The company has worldwide production, sales and marketing through its many subsidiaries on six continents. For further information, log on to ballhort.com.

About Metabolix

Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world's needs for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is developing biosourced industrial chemicals and plastics, as well as a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops.

Source: www.metabolix.com

DaniMer Scientific’s ReNew Flexible Film Resins have received a Fresh Water Biodegradability certification from SSCCP, the Italian Pulp and Paper Research Institute located in Milano.

DaniMer’s ReNew Flexible Film Resins will biodegrade in an aqueous environment, meaning the film resins will compost in water. DaniMer’s ReNew Film Resins can be efficiently converted into disposable shopping bags, compostable bags, odor barrier packaging products and agricultural mulch film, among others.

“The certification for fresh water degradation is exciting and we are pleased to report this unique property enabled by our ReNew Film Resins. Providing environmentally friendly solutions for our customers and the world is a very rewarding accomplishment for our team,” says Scott Tuten, Senior Vice President of DaniMer Scientific.

In addition to DaniMer’s Fresh Water Biodegradability certification, DaniMer has also recently obtained an Anaerobic Digestion certification from SSCCP. DaniMer received an OK Compost certification from Vinçotte, and is finalizing a backyard composting certification from Vinçotte, known as OK Compost HOME. To view DaniMer’s OK Compost certificates, please visit: www.danimer.com/news.

About SSCCP:
The Institute was founded by the Italian pulp and paper industries in 1896, as a laboratory for raw materials and products quality control. On 12 September 1909 it was instituted as a government organism and on 16 September 1937 it took the denomination: Stazione Sperimentale Cellulosa, Carta e Fibre Tessili, Vegetali ed Artificiali with the task of performing: studies, applied research, analyses and training, with the target to improve the product quality and to develop innovative production systems in the paper, board and textile fibre industrial sectors.

The Institute has been recently re-organized as a Public Commercial Organisation (legislation decree n.° 540, 29 October 1999 and n° 71, 23 February 2001), with the new denomination “Stazione Sperimentale Carta, Cartoni e Paste per Carta” in Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 16. The SSCCP is now entirely focused in the pulp, paper and board field.

About DaniMer Scientific:
DaniMer Scientific, an international corporation, believes people’s lives can be improved and the environment can be better protected by utilizing renewable resources to manufacture articles that are intended for short-term use. One of the company’s goals is to reduce dependence on petroleum, enabling people and communities to benefit from environmentally-friendly products. For more information about DaniMer Scientific, please visit: www.danimer.com.

DaniMer 92427 is an Eco-friendly, biodegradable hot melt adhesive made from renewable materials: this new revolutionary Hot melt has been designed and formulated for use in carton and case seal applications requiring freezer conditions down to - 40°C. This revolutionary formulation adheres to carton stock or corrugated substrates while retaining stability at lower temperatures. It is designed for a wide range of packaging and remains stable in extreme environments -88°C to 90°C.

Source: http://www.ccrsas.com

With the addition of Ecovio® F Mulch, BASF is expanding its line of biodegradable plastic compounds in the form of a grade for use in the manufacture of agricultural films. In contrast to agricultural film made from conventional polyethylene (PE), film made from Ecovio F Mulch biodegrades. It is no longer necessary for farmers to retrieve the film from the field for disposal or recycling after the harvest. They can simply plow it under along with what remains from the plants. This saves time and reduces costs. Production of the film is also economical, since it can be manufactured at a lighter gauge than conventional PE film without any loss in performance. Moreover, Ecovio F Mulch represents a drop-in solution for the film producer: Since this resin can be processed on conventional PE extrusion machines without extensive modification, the processor can convert his equipment quickly and without great effort. The material is now available in commercial quantities around the world.

 

A blend for direct production of film

BASF has been offering Ecoflex^® F Mulch for years, a grade of biodegradable polyester that compounders have mixed with other components to produce individual formulations of mulch films for their customers in agriculture. "With Ecovio F Mulch, the company is now going one step farther to better address the requirements of farmers and film producers", explained Jürgen Keck, head of BASF’s global business in bioplastics. The new material is a blend of Ecoflex and polylactic acid that is already optimized for agricultural applications – compounding is no longer necessary. In addition, film made from Ecovio F Mulch can already be used at a thickness of 10 micrometers (µm) without experiencing tears and perforations when placed on the field by machine. Conventional PE film is usually at least twice as thick.

The new plastic grade is suitable for the production of classical black and transparent but also for colored films. Moreover it is available in custom formulations for different vegetation times and climates.

Mulch film under test

To test the performance of its resin, BASF conducted comparative investigations with recognized agricultural institutes in Spain and France. These involved growing vegetables in different locations without mulch film, with conventional PE film as well as with Ecovio F Mulch film. The institutes investigated growth and yield in addition to the tear strength of the film. While for this purpose melons and lettuce were planted in France, the institutes in Spain grew tomatoes and peppers. All tests demonstrated that growth and yield do not depend on the type of plastic film. Compared to growing without film, use of film always increased yields by 10 to 20 percent. In addition, the Ecovio F Mulch film biodegrades in the soil after having been plowed under.

Mulch film is used worldwide for crop forcing (early harvesting) and weed prevention, since it accelerates growth and retains water in the soil. In Europe, the focus is on black mulch film: Thanks to its ability to absorb visible radiation, it helps to prevent growth of weeds.

Biodegradable plastics Ecoflex and Ecovio

Under the brand names Ecoflex® and Ecovio® BASF offers biodegradable and compostable plastics that comply with European standard EN 13432 with regard to biodegradability, compostability, compost quality and plant compatibility.

Source:  www.basf.com

Automated Packaging Systems has developed a new protective packaging material that is thinner and stronger than similar materials used for void-fill packing applications. The new XD Blend is engineered using the most advanced polymer technologies to provide a thin, 0.95 mil material with superior physical properties and eco-friendly biodegradation.

 

 

 

 

The new XD Blend film is designed for use with the AirPouch® Express 3™ void-fill packaging system, which uses on-demand inflation to create strong air pillows that resist puncturing for reliable product protection during shipping. This pillow material comes pre-formed and fan-folded in a box, providing substantially more yield than rolled materials. Each box contains nearly a mile (5000 ft.) of uninflated pillows, significantly reducing changeover times, shipping costs, and storage space requirements.

 

 

XD Blend Bio is part of the EarthAware™ family of films and contains a proprietary additive that causes biodegradation of the poly in 9 months to 5 years, depending on exposure conditions. It is fully recyclable, and contains up to 20% pre-consumer recycled material. XD Blend Bio comes standard in green tint with the EarthAware logo for end-user awareness.

 

 

AirPouch EZ-Tear™ pillows include the company’s patented perforation between each pillow, allowing faster, easier separation for better packing productivity. This unique perforation allows more air into each pillow, providing better yield, a lower cost per cubic foot, and less weight per package.

 

 

“Our new XD Blend film has exceptional performance properties,” explains Chris Rempe, Senior Product Manager. “It has allowed us to create an environmentally responsible film that is stronger and more puncture resistant than standard films, while also being affordable to our customers,” he adds.

 

 

About Automated Packaging Systems
Automated Packaging Systems has been designing and manufacturing original Autobag®, AirPouch® and SidePouch® systems and products for nearly 50 years. With more than 30,000 bag packaging systems in operation and a worldwide service organization, Automated Packaging Systems has the experience and support to deliver the ultimate in customer satisfaction.

The AirPouch® Division of Automated Packaging Systems designs and manufactures a complete line of void-fill and protective packing systems and specialty packing materials. Complete information is available at the company’s web sites: www.airpouch.com, www.autobag.com

Unitika Fiber, a Japanese fibre and textile manufacturer, has developed a special fibre using our high-performance Rilsan® PA11 polyamide, which is made from renewable materials. This fibre, called Castlon, is designed to meet the textile industry’s growing demand for plant-based materials—without compromising on performance.

Rilsan® was used by the textile industry on a large scale 50 years ago, but has since shifted into other applications. Today it looks set to make a comeback. Three years ago, Unitika Fiber, a Japanese fibre and textile manufacturer, began developing synthetic fibres for woven fabrics using Arkema’s Rilsan® Polyamide 11. Thanks to joint R&D efforts between Unitika Fiber and Arkema’s Kyoto Technical Center, scientists were able to develop a new, high-tech thread called Castlon.
Castlon found its first industrial application in March 2009 when it was used in car floor mats. Other applications should soon follow. “Manufacturers of high-performance clothing and sports equipment should be very interested in this fibre” remarks Shigetsugu Kuriiwa, polyamide pellet bio-product applications market manager at Arkema Japan. In October 2009, Unitika Fiber stepped up the development and manufacture of Castlon by opening a new unit at its Okazaki plant, where the group consolidates its production.

“Naturally” competitive

Castlon has been successful because it is lightweight, long-lasting, and resistant to stains and shocks. The fibre has all the characteristics that made Rilsan® Polyamide 11 such a hit in other industries. Moreover, Castlon is a plant-based material, making it “naturally” competitive in a market that is concerned about sustainable development.
Rilsan® Polyamide 11 is made from castor oil, and castor crops—unlike cotton—can be grown without irrigation and in semi-arid climates. In addition, the castor plant does not require intensive use of pesticides, nor does it compete with food crops. Indeed, Unitika Fiber chose the name Castlon as a reference to the fibre’s plant origins. “Unitika Fiber wanted to develop a high-performance fibre made from bioplastics and our Rilsan® PA11 met this need perfectly", explains Shigetsugu Kuriiwa. "Many thanks to the skills of our technical polymer R&D staff, Yoshiyuki Shimonishi, development manager and Sophie Chunn, development engineer for successfully coordinating this effort".
Source: www.arkema.com

The clingfilm which can also be used for foodstuffs with a high fatty acid content and with acidic foods, is easy to tear off and contains renewable resources of agricultural origin.

Novamont continues the development with its Second Generation Mater-Bi® products: at the K fair (the international trade fair for plastics and rubber), taking place in Düsseldorf from 27 October to 3 November 2010, Novamont will be unveiling its first industrial clingfilm that is biodegradable and compostable and contains renewable resources.
The stretchy clingfilm can be used for any kind of foodstuffs, even food that has a high fat content (oils, sauces, butter, etc.) or that is acidic. After use it can be disposed of as organic waste as the material has been certified as compostable in accordance with standard EN13432 and is compatible with various kinds of composting plant technology.
The product was developed by Novamont together with its partners and has the same technical characteristics of strength and stretch as traditional products developed for domestic use without using any plasticisers or additives that could transfer into food. The development took quite a long time, as the technical profile of such products is complex, taking into consideration various benchmarks which had to be achieved. First of all, of course, the optical appearance and transparency, which has to be similar to the one offered by the conventionally used materials.
Novamont’s cling film is specially formulated to be easy to tear off without needing a serrated cutting edge, making it safer and more convenient. An intrinsic characteristic of the material is its high permeability to water vapour, helping to evaporate the condensation that forms particularly with warm food or in the fridge. This makes it ideal for preserving and protecting foodstuffs.
Another important aspect of this product is the balanced mechanical properties at very low gauge, as such films are mainly used in the gauge of 10 to 12 µ, with extremely high puncture resistance and excellent elongation values.
Moreover the product has a perfectly tuned water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) which is offering many products to be longer kept fresh in the fridge.
Mater-Bi® is the main product developed by Novamont. While providing the same strength and performance as traditional plastics, it is made of renewable resources of agricultural origin. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of energy and non-renewable resources, thus completing a virtuous circle: the raw materials of agricultural origin return to the earth through processes of biodegradation and composting, without releasing pollutants.

Source: www.novamont.com

BASF will focus on its products Ecoflex® and Ecovio® as biodegradable and compostable plastics for agricultural use. As a consequence, business with the additive Envirocare® for oxo-biodegradable plastics was terminated effective July 1, 2010. Envirocare was part of the Ciba AG range and is used to manufacture polyethylene mulch films for agricultural use.

BASF has supplied biodegradable plastics for the manufacture of mulch films and other applications for many years in the form of Ecoflex and Ecovio. A 60,000 metric ton capacity expansion of the Ecoflex plant in Ludwigshafen is planned for the end of 2010 to meet rising market demand. “BASF has opted for biodegradable plastics that are fully biodegradable and compostable in accordance with standards such as European norm EN 13432,” said Jürgen Keck, head of global business for biodegradable plastics at BASF in Ludwigshafen. “These standards are important from our point of view. They demand certain environmental features that our products can offer.”

Under defined conditions, biodegradable plastics decompose fully to water, carbon dioxide and biomass. In the debate about bioplastic, biodegradability and compostability offer very specific benefits not only for agricultural use but also for food packaging and organic waste bags.

Source: www.basf.com

The first non-GMO eco-tray for IV range salads is the fruit of a collaboration between the two companies with Filogea. An innovative solution that further enhances the range of Mater-Bi® products for food packaging.
Quality and environmental sustainability: these are the key elements of the non-GMO biodegradable and compostable Mater-Bi® packaging for salads, the result of the collaboration between Novamont and Ecor. The experimental project is an absolute first in Italy and the first in Europe to be used for ready-to-serve salad produce of the IV range with Demeter certification, attesting to its biodynamic farming origins.
The idea behind the experimental project was to find packaging for the IV range of products which, besides being suitable to preserve fresh produce and give it a longer shelf-life, is also sustainable, i.e. it limits the environmental impact of the materials used. Added value which becomes a matter of consistency in the case of biological and biodynamic products, which are products obtained by farming that respects the natural rhythms, increases the humus in the soil and gives man a product with high organoleptic and nutritional properties.
Thus the convergence between Ecor, Novamont and biodynamic agricultural company Filogea means that a market sector in constant growth such as that of pre-washed packaged salads can now offer consumers a 100% compostable pack, the non-GMO components of which (coated cardboard and film) are fully compostable. Consumers who choose the biodynamic ready-to-serve salads produced by Filogea in stores specialising in biological products (a list of which is available from www.ecor.it) do not need to be concerned about how to dispose of the pack. Besides using renewable resources and ensuring the optimal conservation of the product, the innovative packaging consisting of cartonboard “spread” with Mater-Bi and packaged with Mater-Bi film can be thrown away along with the kitchen waste.
“Filogea salads will be the first to be distributed with the eco-packaging developed by Novamont” explained Roberto Zanoni, general manager of Ecor NaturaSì, “and this is one of the many projects that the company has undertaken in order to reduce and improve the quality of our packaging. We also plan to extend the scope of this experimental project to provide a sustainable packaging solution for IV range bio products.”
“The use of biodegradable and compostable packaging can be a tool to maximise the recovery of material through composting and recycling, with enormous benefits in terms of environmental sustainability, especially when, as in this case, the product has such a short shelf life. The aim of this project in collaboration with Ecor is to help people choose more conscientious and enlightened lifestyles without forgoing quality”, declared Catia Bastioli, CEO of Novamont.
Mater-Bi®, the bioplastic developed by Novamont, is naturally biodegradable and compostable in accordance with Italian standard UNI EN 13432 and can guarantee the same strength and performance as traditional plastics, but is made of renewable resources of agricultural origin. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of energy and non-renewable resources, thus completing a virtuous circle: the raw materials of agricultural origin return to the earth through processes of biodegradation and composting, without releasing pollutants.
The new application developed by Novamont and Ecor will be unveiled at SANA in Bologna on 9 September 2010, at 11 a.m., at the Ecor stand (Pav. 21, stand B33-C34, Bologna Fiere).

Source: www.novamont.com

Stora Enso is meeting the growing demand for biodegradable packaging solutions by expanding its selection of biopolymer-coated packaging boards. Biodegradable coating options are available for a number of the company's board grades for use in cups, plates, trays and folding cartons. The paper cups used at the Finnish Pavillion at the current World Expo in Shanghai are made from biodegradable Cupforma board.
"The World Expo in China is a great place to present bio cups to the world as the result of our pioneering work in developing fully biodegradable packaging materials," says Juha Kiviranta, Sales and Marketing Director at Stora Enso Liquid and Food Service Board. The Stora Enso Cupforma board family offers biodegradable material options for drinking cups for all major end uses, such as cold and hot drinks, ice cream and yoghurt. Cupforma Classic Bio meets the compostability requirements of the EN 13432 and ASTM 6400 standards.


Biodegradable food trays made from Trayforma Performance Bio
Paperboard trays made from Trayforma Performance Bio can be used for packaging fresh and chilled foods that are not heated in their packages. Vegetables, salads and sandwiches are typical examples. All boards in Stora Enso's biodegradable board offering are approved for direct food contact.
"When it comes to brand owners, the use of biodegradable packaging is typically based on the company's core values and brand strategy. The use of natural ingredients, sustainability, purity and high quality are brand values that can be enhanced by biodegradable packaging," says Kiviranta. "Our customers in the converting industry are building biodegradable product families. Our wide selection of material options provides a good basis for that."
Patented biopolymer coating technology
Stora Enso has developed biopolymer coatings for years. "Our patented biopolymer coating technology has enabled us to develop the barrier and other material properties so that the requirements of various end use applications can be met," says Kiviranta. "Based on our experience from our long-time cooperation with cup producers, converting biopolymer-coated boards is more demanding than usual but doesn't require investments in new machinery."
Polymer coating gives the desired barrier properties for the package, protecting against oxygen, humidity, odour, taste and light and resulting in prolonged shelflife. The choice of coating depends on what kind of barrier is required. Biopolymer coatings provide an oxygen, moisture and grease barrier.
Biopolymer-coated paperboard breaks down to humus and CO2 in industrial composting. In recycling schemes, biodegradable products are primarily intended for the collection of materials for industrial composting. Collection schemes depend on local collection conditions. Stora Enso's boards can also be safely collected and recycled separately or together with other paper and board products.

Source: http://www.storaenso.com/