Technological watch

body.single-projects .post-content :not(p) img, body.single-post .post-content :not(p) img { display: none; } The new packaging reduces food waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Credit: BASF SE. German chemical company BASF and packaging manufacturer Fabbri Group have partnered to develop a new cling film for fresh food packaging.As part of the partnership, Fabbri Group has developed the stretch film Nature Fresh using certified compostable and biobased bioplastic BASF’s ecovio.Offering high transparency and optimal mechanical properties for automatic packaging, the new packaging extends fresh food shelf life. The packaging is compliant with US and European food contact standards and can be composted with any home food waste.BASF Biopolymers production process manager Carsten Sinkel said: “We observe a changing market environment. The market is looking for alternatives to PVC that is today’s performance standard for most cling film packaging of fresh produce.
“Our certified compostable ecovio enables the production of a cling film that prolongs shelf life of fresh food and at the same time can be composted after use together with organic waste according to national legislation.”Ecovio-based Nature Fresh film is the first certified compostable alternative to cling films made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethene (PE). The film’s tensile strength, breathability, transparency, elastic recovery and anti-fogging features are equivalent to those made of PVC, while ecovio offers better water vapour transmission compared with PE.Nature Fresh is suitable for wrapping meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables manually or using automatic packaging equipment.In May 2019, BASF secured a contract from French biodegradable plastic producer Lactips to sell the latter’s water-soluble, bio-based and fully biodegradable material. What you should read next

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