bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1406

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