Joint Approach Towards An Innovative Sustainable Packaging Solution

Innovia Films and Sappi Fine Paper Europe have joined forces to demonstrate potential laminate structures, using their respective products, suitable for end users in the food, confectionery and pharmaceutical industries. These laminates provide technical functionality in addition to being made from renewable resources and offering compostability – a focus which many packaging end users are keen to pursue.

Both companies recognise that the best end-of-life options for flexible paper/film laminates are either industrial, home composting or ultimately anaerobic digestion which turns waste into a useful energy source, compared to current landfill or incineration solutions.

Innovia Films with its NatureFlex™ product range, brings its unique expertise in manufacturing renewable and compostable cellulose-based films with tailored moisture and barrier properties.

Sappi brings its expertise in manufacturing flexible packaging papers and now offers coated and uncoated compostable paper options; Algro® Nature is a unique compostable one side coated paper; Leine® Nature is an uncoated equivalent, which is also compostable.

The Sappi and Innovia products have been independently tested and have received the “OK Compost Home” certification by Vinçotte, and also the compostability DIN E13432 certification by DIN CERTCO.

Innovia Films and Sappi have now started trials with converters to demonstrate the capabilities of such laminates in terms of sustainability and technical packaging solutions. Trials have been made on both extrusion and adhesive laminate systems, targeting end users who are seeking alternatives to existing non-compostable structures.

John Fell, Global Marketing Director for Innovia Films commented “Both companies are committed to evolving this joint partnership and will announce future developments of sustainable packaging solution, based on renewable and recyclable forest products, as and when they become available.”