Innovia Films’ next generation of its flexible, compostable film, NatureFlex™ was officially launched at the European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin.
The new film, NatureFlex NK, offers not only biodegradability and compostability, but also a moisture barrier approaching that of co-extruded OPP. This means it has the best moisture barrier of any biopolymer film currently available, which has been achieved through Innovia Films’ unique coating technology.
NatureFlex NK is a transparent, general purpose packaging grade suitable for various applications eg dried foods (biscuits, cereals, crisps, snack bars etc). The new product is also ideal for lamination to other biofilms. It is available in 20, 23, 30, 45 micron thicknesses and can be used for a variety of pack formats – VFFS, flow wrap, twistwrap and overwrap.
Key Features of NatureFlex NK:
- Meets EN13432 & ASTM D6400 composting norms
- Based on renewable raw materials
- Excellent moisture and oxygen barrier
- Heat sealable on both sides
- Superb transparency and gloss
- Print receptive surface
“Until now compostable packaging materials have only been used in applications where their inherent permeability was an advantage. This excluded them technically from significant areas of the industry requiring excellent barrier. Now however, with NatureFlex NK, we can open up mainstream markets such as dried foods and snacks. In addition, converters can use NatureFlex NK as a basis for delivering further flexible bio-solutions, by associating it with compatible biofilms such as thermoplastic starches and copolyesters,” said Andy Sweetman, Innovia Films’ Global Marketing Manager, Sustainable Technologies.
The first NatureFlex films (NP and NE families) were launched in January 2003 and were heralded as the most fundamental development in cellulose films for 40 years. In 2006 the launch of two new grades NVS (semi-permeable flow-wrap film for chilled food applications) and NM (metallised film aimed primarily at twistwrapping applications) took place. In 2007 NVL and NVLW (clear and white films for label applications) were launched.
At Interpack 2008, Innovia Films launched a new grade of NatureFlex film, NVR. NatureFlex NVR has been specifically formulated to offer enhanced print and conversion receptivity and has an intermediate moisture barrier with heat-sealability on both sides. Target applications for NVR include bakery, confectionery, pasta, pulses and rice.
NatureFlex films are produced from sustainable wood pulp harvested from managed plantations and are certified to both EU (EN13432) and US (ASTM D6400) composting standards.
Source
Innovia Films, press release, 2008-11-06
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