2007 PLACE
Conference
September 16-20
St Louis, MO
Biodegradable Flexible
Packaging
What it is and how it can be used
Presented by:
Stewart Richards
Technical Service & Development Manager Americas
Innovia Films Inc.
“It took almost 5 billion
years to
create the earth as we
know it –
with all its natural beauty.
But is has taken only 200
years to
bring the earth to the
brink of
destruction.
It’s time to act now.” Mikhail S. Gorbachev
President of the WORLD AWARDS
"The future depends on what we
do in the present."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
Biodegradable
&/or
Sustainable
Packaging
Key Drivers
Drivers for Biodegradable &
Sustainable Packaging
• Increasing governmental and industry awareness of the
need to develop the use of sustainable resources. We
need to preserve our resources & environment today, ... for
future generations.
• One of the most pressing problems today is what to do with
various waste products. Certain wastes can no longer be
deposited in landfills, and landfill fees are on the rise.
• Very high proportion of flexible packaging is sourced from
oil based derivatives.
• General public perception that ‘biodegradable is good’.
• Retailers and marketers are aware of and want to take
advantage of these issues thereby creating a
significant market opportunity.
Some Interesting Facts About
Oil and Packaging
8% of Oil is Converted into Plastics
Over 50% of Packaging is Plastic
Oil has increased in price 500% since 1990’s
Only Discovering 1 Barrel of Oil for every 4 used
2005…
Middle East uncertainty, Oil supply, Gas prices,
Katrina, Rita
Some Interesting Facts About
Oil and Packaging
Average $ per Barrel
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Biodegradability & Compostability
What is the difference?
BIODEGRADABILITY - Capacity of a substance to be
broken down by micro-organisms. [No set time scale]
COMPOSTABILITY - A managed biodegradation
process, through production of a useful compost in a
maximum period of 180 days. This requires conformity
to an agreed norm.
COMPOSTABILITY NORMS – EN, ASTM, DIN,
GreenPla
Europe has adopted EN 13432 & U.S. has adopted
ASTM D 6400.
Composting Norm for
‘BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS’
A BRIEF GUIDE TO ASTM 6400
In simple terms, the biodegradability of the material is
compared to a control (pure cellulose) and must biodegrade
to a minimum of 90% of the control level.
Constituents of the packaging material >1% by weight must
be measured individually, and also biodegrade to a minimum
of 90% of the control level.
Constituents <1% by weight are exempted, but the sum of
such constituents must not compromise biodegradation.
Pilot composting & plant-growing tests are also carried out
on the material.
Heavy metal content tests are also required.
Methods of Composting
Home composting:
Industrial composting: Only suitable for unmodified
Suitable for all plant-based materials &
certified compostable materials tested specifically
materials
Not suitable for materials
that require higher temps
to achieve
Windrow Composting biodegradation
(not suitable for Oxo-degradables)
In-vessel Composting
Product Certification
Packaging films having been fully tested & certified to the
European composting norm EN13432 as well as the American
standard ASTM 6400. They can therefore carry the following
logos:
Compostable
Kompostierbar
7P0085
Dincertco, Germany
Also UK, Netherlands & Poland BPI logo, USA
They are also certified as
fully ‘home’ compostable…
OK Compost, Belgium
Sustainable Films
What does the Term Sustainable Mean ?
A sustainable film is one that is sourced
with high levels of renewable raw materials.
All sustainable films currently available are
sourced from Bio-Based materials.
This results in renewable cycles of less
than 10 years
NE2
The degree of sustainability is determined
by the Carbon14 ratio
Main Biopolymers
Most biopolymers exhibit either ‘Cling Film’ or
‘LDPE type’ properties. (Tear resistant, stretchy,
weld seals, low melting points). They also tend to
lack transparency and gloss.
Only Cellulose or PLA based films exhibit
‘orientated’ type properties (stiffness, dimensional
stability, transparency and gloss)
Most biopolymers (with the exception of Cellulose
and PLA films) are based on synthetic rather than
renewable resources, but all are truly biodegradable
these days...
Current Issues with
Biodegradable Films
Achievement of Moisture Barrier
Cost
Infra-structure to cope with
composting of biodegradable used or
waste films
Current Issues with
Biodegradable Films
Currently best moisture barrier achieved
with Cellulose based films
Transparent Films 2g/100in2/day
Metallised Films 0.32g/100in2/day
Transparent BOPP < 0.4g/100in2/day
Metallised BOPP < 0.04g/100in2/day
Ceramis coated PLA which is transparent
is achieving < 0.70g/100in2/day
Cellulose Films and Making
them truly Biodegradable
Heat-sealable Cellophane Films have always
been in excess of 90% biodegradable
Coatings to make them heat-sealable such
as PVdC did not allow them meet the
composting norms
Biodegradable heat-sealable coatings now
being used that allow the films to meet the
norms.
The “Holy Grails” of moisture and oxygen
barrier are still being pursued
The Cellulose Film Cycle
Elements Required for
Biodegradation of Cellulose Films
High Enough Water Activity
Aerobic Environment
Nutrient
Elevated Temperature will increase rate
of degradation but not essential
Biodegradation of Cellulose Films
120
100
% degradation (C02)
80
Control (pure cellulose)
60 Uncoated
Natureflex NP
Coated NE
NatureFlex
40
20
0 Evolution of the Disintegration of Cellulose Film
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Days
Full film sheet present
Total visible disintegration confirmed
Cellulose Films Used
Extensively for Fresh Produce
Extends shelf life by controlling
moisture environment (prevents
mold growth)
Perforation controls gas
environment (controls ripening)
Maintains produce aroma
Reduces Waste Produce and all
packaging is compostable
Pristine Tomatoes
Preserving the quality of the fruit from
vine to consumer is essential to
successful marketing.
Consumers buy tomatoes based on:
¾ Color
¾ Appearance
¾ Flavor
¾ Aroma
The Results-Extension of
Produce Shelf Life
Vine Tomatoes
Film Weight loss Mold Ripening / Aroma Skin Color
Softening Appearance
Cellulose Low OK @ 36 Moderate Good No Change No Change
mid barrier days
Cellulose High OK @ 36 Moderate Good No Change No change
low barrier days
BOPP Medium 25 days Moderate Lost tomato Mold No change
Perforated aroma
BOPP Lowest 25 days Moderate Lost tomato Mold No change
Breathable aroma
PLA Highest OK @ 36 Moderate Lost tomato Wrinkled @ No change
days aroma 26 days
Control Medium OK @ 36 Overripe and Lost tomato Wrinkled @ No change
unwrapped days soft @ 26 aroma 26 days
days
Future structures from Bio-based
Films
Typical structure using Oil-based Films
Reverse Printed Polypropylene
Adhesive
Polyethylene
Polypropylene Film provides durability
and good surface for print graphics
Polyethylene Film provides enhanced
sealability
Future structures from Bio-based
Films
Proposed structure using Bio-based Films
Reverse Printed Cellulose Film
Adhesive
Bio-based Sealant Film
Cellulose film provides durability and
good surface for print graphics
Bio-based Sealant Film provides
enhanced sealability
Persistence Pays
Thank You
PRESENTED BY
Stewart Richards
Technical Service & Development Manager Americas
Innovia Films Inc.
Stewart.Richards@innoviafilms.com
Please remember to turn
in your evaluation sheet...
