Following two years of research and development work, the Finnish based firm said its transparent packaging film was made from combination of corn starch based materials which results in a film which forms a breathable membrane that is biodegradable and “gmo-free with good strength properties”.
“Our new bio-film is an ecological alternative to conventional plastic films with the same physical properties. There is a demand for packaging materials with good green credentials as long as they perform as well as or better than conventional films,” said Jani Avellan, product development manager at Plastiroll.
He added: “For our customers this is a solution that offers significant cost savings through longer shelf life, less waste and lower disposal costs.”
The firm said that its new film can be easily disposed of along with the food waste.
According to Plastiroll, the packaging film is sealable and can be used on its own or as part of a carton box or tray.
Depending on customer requirements it can be supplied in different thickness and roll width for use in most types of packaging machinery.
‘Rigorously tested’
In a statement, the firm said: “The performance has been rigorously tested with customers in Europe who have reported significantly increased self-life extensions of fresh produce.
“This is because the packaging film helps create an optimum balance between humidity control and oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability which, in turn, contributes to slowing product degradation. Also, due to the fact that sealing temperature of bio-films is lower than of conventional plastic films, less energy and lower temperatures are needed during the bio-film packaging process.”
According to Plastiroll, the company’s development of multilayer materials based on sandwiches of biomaterials with different properties that can be tailored to customer requirements are key to the new clear packaging product.
Plastiroll has produced a range of biodegradable packaging materials since 1997. It has two production plants in Finland, employs around 75 people, and has a turnover of around €28m.
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Local authorities generally don’t accept packaging in with food waste. Not even if it is biodegradable. It would be very difficult and very unpleasant to determine whether someone had put some of this film in the food waste, or if the film was “conventional” plastic. Other than for caddy liners, home-compostable is the only acceptable biodegradability claim in the UK.
Nice if it can extend shelf life though.
I’m interested in the use of the Bio-Film for an application in the Cleaning industry?
Hello Ian and Mike.
To Ian.
It can extended self life, that’s tested. We also have home compost quality that works really well under +25c temperature and in 10 days…. I like to come and represent these to you?
To Mike.
Yes you can use these like bags and sacks too.
Best regards Jukka
Jukka, you seriously have a product which is proven to be home compostable in 10 days? Plastiroll are not listed on the Vincotte register for OK Compost Home