polypropylene (PP), two very common plastic films derived from
non-renewable resources.
Biopolymers are new to the packaging industry, having become
commercially available within the last five years, and therefore they
do not have the history of data or the efficiencies of manufacturing
compared to conventional plastics. Innovia’s NatureFlex films are de-
Supporting Sustainable Innovation
Here are some packaging suppliers that are providing innovative sustainable solutions.
Find out more at the Biodegradable Products Institute website
( www.bpiworld.org/BPI-Public/Approved/4.html).
Evlon Compostable Plastic Film ( www.evlon.ca)
Bi-Ax International
Material: made from Nature Works biopolymer polylactide resins (PLA)
Sustainable Claim: industrial compostable
Sourced: corn feedstock
Application: can be used in place of Oriented Poly Propollene (OPP)
Clarifoil ( www.clarifoil.com)
Material: cellulose diacetate
Sustainable Claim: listed as biodegradable
Sourced: trees and cotton
Application: labels, carton windows
Earthcycle Packaging ( www.earthcycle.com)
Material: palm cellulose
Sustainable Claim: biodegradable and compostable
Sourced: waste product of palm oil production
Application: trays
NatureFlex
Innovia Films ( www.innoviafilms.com)
Material: wood cellulose
Sustainable Claim: biodegradable and compostable
Sourced: wood pulp
Application: heat seal films for bags
Plantic Films ( www.plantic.com.au)
Plantic Technologies Limited
Material: chemically modified high amylose corn starch
Sustainable Claim: biodegradable, compostable, non-GMO
Sourced: non-GMO corn feedstocks
Application: sheet films and injection molded trays
EarthFirst ( www.earthfirstpla.com)
Material: Nature Works biopolymer polylactide resins (PLA) neutral polymer Ingeo
Sustainable Claim: industrial compostable
Sourced: corn feedstock
Application: shrink sleeve, carton window, flexible packaging
EarthBoard ( www.earthboard.net)
Material: limestone and 100 percent PCW paperboard
Sustainable Claim: low footprint (no bleach, no formaldehyde, less water, recyclable)
Sourced: 100 percent PCW paperboard and limestone
Application: paperboard cartons
Otherresources:
• Sustainable Packaging Coalition • http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/
• Sustainable Green Print Partnership • https://www.sgppartnership.org/
rived from the wood pulp of managed
plantations that are following sustainable forestry principles and are certified biodegradable and compostable
in accordance with EN 13432 and
ASTM D6400 norms. This gives them
an added advantage in a carbon footprint assessment, a metric associated
with LCA.
But efficiency of processing proves
to be a major delineator, as conventional PE and PP producers benefit
from economy of scale that tips the
offset measurements in their favor. As
Sweetman described, conventional
plastic production webs can be up to
10 meters wide, whereas most
biofilms are produced in narrower
form (i.e., NatureFlex machines are
currently 1.5 meters wide). This results in significant differences in the
energy-intensive portion of materials
processing.
That said, carbon footprint assessment of the biopolymers has been
steadily declining as volumes increase,
said Sweetman, as opposed to conventional polymers whose footprint is
flat.
A further challenge stemming directly from major retailers is the demand for a publicly available LCA.
Both Sweetman and Hanger explain
that because their products are based
on proprietary intellectual property,
publishing a LCA would compromise
their competitive position.
Public Perception and
Participation—Keys to Change
Another challenge eco-packaging
faces is public understanding and participation. BioBag is a manufacturer
of biodegradable plastic packaging
using the Mater-Bi polymers produced by Novamont, an Italian research company dedicated to
environmental alternatives.
As per Mark Williams, president of
BioBag, the growing segment of his
company’s business is film plastics
used for frozen foods with such
