Equipment

Materials manufacturer National Flexible has launched a biodegradable material, Supereco, which it claims looks, feels and performs the same as standard OPP film.

Although the technology has been used previously to create biodegradable carrier bags, the Bradford-based company said this was the first time it had been used to make PP film. The company said the film had a high level of clarity and was suitable for printing and lamination.

Supereco is being trialled by companies in the bakery, sandwich and snack sectors. The names of these companies are currently confidential, but National Flexible marketing manager Andy Smith predicted that Supereco would become commercially available in the very near future.

Unlike some other biodegradable films, Supereco does not require industrial composting conditions and will break down in normal landfill. The firm’s tests have shown that it breaks down to carbon dioxide, water and biomass, leaving no toxins.

National Flexible has recently set up a separate division – Natural Flexible – dedicated solely to sourcing packaging films that are environmentally friendly, biodegradable or sustainable.

“There has recently been a sea change in what people are looking for,” said Smith.