New Bio-Flex Blends for home compostable films and packaging

Bildschirmfoto 2017-02-27 um 13.01.27 — Bag made from the more tear resistant Bio-Flex FX 1824. Photo © FKuR

The bioplastics specialist has developed new Bio-Flex blends for the production of low gauge films which will biodegrade completely in garden compost at low, variable temperatures. Vinçotte, based in Belgium, has already issued OK Compost HOME certificates for these grades. In addition, most of the new compounds meet the requirements of Article 75 of the French Energy Transition Law (“Loi sur la transition énergétique”). Since January 2017, in the French retail sector, the use of plastic bags for fruit and vegetables, as well as at the cheese, meat and also fish counter was banned. However, bags made from home compostable bioplastic which contain a minimum amount of 30% renewable raw materials (and from 2025, 60% renewable raw materials) are excluded from this ban.

All home compostable Bio-Flex compounds are regarded as having outstanding moisture resistance. This is a great advantage when compared with many other commercially available starch-based plastics of this type. These biodegrade rapidly but should only be filled with dry contents. The range of possible applications for these new compounds of FKuR is wide and includes multi-purpose bags, as well as bags for fruit and vegetable packing, mulching films and other packaging.

Bildschirmfoto 2017-02-27 um 13.01.12 — Bag made from the translucent Bio-Flex FX 1803 Photo © FKuR

The product range currently comprises of translucent and opaque grades. Bio-Flex FX 1803 (30% biobased) as well as F 1804 and F 1814 (both 40% biobased) grades are translucent, additionally Bio-Flex F 1814 offers increased tear resistance. They are suitable for packaging goods with printed IR codes as well as for visually attractive packaging for all types of printed materials.

Bio-Flex FX 1821 (10% biobased), FX 1823 (30% biobased) and FX 1824 (40% biobased) grades are all opaque. These opaque grades show very good tear resistance and toughness.

As pilot tests with customers have shown, bag thickness can easily be down gauged to 8 μm with these new grades. The good processing properties using existing production facilities are similar for all Bio-Flex grades and are a characteristic of FKuR compounds.

For more information about the OK Compost HOME Certificate, visit Vinçotte http://www.okcompost.be/en/recognising-ok-environment-logos/ok-compost-amp-ok-compost-home/

About Bioplastics

Bioplastics are a unique class of materials which are based on renewable resources and/or enable the biodegradation of products made from these polymers.

About FKuR

FKuR is one of the leading producers of Bioplastic-Compounds for flexible packaging solutions and technical applications. FKuR’s range of products includes the product lines Bio-Flex^®, Biograde^®, Fibrolon^®, Terralene^® as well as the distribution of a variety of bio-based products.

About Vinçotte

With more than 2,500 employees, Vinçotte, Vilvoorde, Belgium, develops solutions for companies and private customers on an international level that maintain and enhance their safety, quality and sustainability. The services include testing and measurements, monitoring and audits, certifications, training and consulting. In 2015, the company achieved sales of € 250 million.