Technological watch
Introducing the NextFilm Line of new compostable packaging films - Bio-based News -
Pogliano Milanese – Novara, 4 June 2020 – Ticinoplast has launched the nextFilm™ product range, a new generation of packaging films, a reflection of the company’s commitment to the circular economy and the environment.
The first family of these new packaging solutions consists of MATER-BI biodegradable and compostable films complying with international standard UNI EN 13432 for lamination or use alone in the packaging of food and products suitable for compostable packaging. The result of collaboration with Novamont, these new films have been developed over a period of almost 3 years through joint research, development, industrialisation and testing on printing machines, laminating machines and packaging lines.
In all there are 5 already OK Compost-certified films, 2 print media and 3 sealing films. Laminated together, their mechanical and sealing properties ensure that they are suitable for production on any packaging machine. The print media can be processed on both rotogravure and flexographic lines. The sealing films can be used either laminated or as individual films, depending on the application, and can be printed.
MATER-BI, the result of Novamont research, is the family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics meeting European standard EN13432 for those applications where biodegradability in different environments (industrial composting plants, soil, marine environment) offers added value. Compostable products in fact have great potential in all those sectors where recycling operations are complex or impractical because of the simultaneous use of different materials and contamination by food waste. In these cases, using compostable bioplastics means that these materials and their contents can be included in the differentiated collection of organic waste, thus helping to produce quality compost for soil fertility and improve the recyclability of other waste.
Among the users of the nextFilm™ products line is SAES Coated Films. Through its proprietary COATHINK® coating and metallisation technology it can produce compostable films having barrier characteristics comparable to those of conventional packaging systems.
COATHINK™ is a water-based lacquer coating technology able to impart barrier properties to different types of polymer substrates. Thanks to its work on the sustainable design of barrier structures, SAES Coated Films has developed a family of products for high barrier and compostable flexible packaging complying with EN13432. The coating technology makes it possible to use thin coatings and formulations compatible with industrial composting processes. Oxygen and moisture barrier levels comparable to those of conventional packaging containing non-recyclable plastic multilayers can be achieved because of the functionalities of the lacquers used. The result is a packaging solution that effectively protects food products and can be disposed of in the wet fraction at the end of its life.
Finally, the nextFilm™ line will soon be supplemented with polyethylene film obtained from both biobased and chemical recycling resins, which will therefore be suitable for contact with food. This development has led Ticinoplast to commence the ISCC+ certification process.
Ticinoplast, which has been in business for more than 50 years, extrudes polyethylene blown film for food packaging and other applications. With its ten 1-to-5-layer extrusion lines, it ranks among the leading technological companies in the converting sector and is recognised throughout the world as one of the most innovative companies in the market for flexible materials.
The Novamont group is a leader in the production of bioplastics and the development of biochemicals and bioproducts through the integration of chemistry, environment and agriculture. With more than 600 people, it registered a turnover of about €238 million in 2018 and made constant investments in research and development (5% of its turnover, more than 20% of its staff); it holds about 1,800 patents and patent applications. It is based in Novara, production plant in Terni and research laboratories in Novara and Piana di Monte Verna (CE). It operates through its subsidiaries in Bottrighe (RO), Patrica (FR) and Porto Torres (SS). It is active internationally with offices in Germany, France and the United States and a representative office in Brussels (Belgium). It is present through its own distributors in over 40 countries on all continents.
SAES Coated Films is a SAES® Group company that designs, manufactures and deposits high barrier or active coatings on plastic or bio-material films for food, personal care and industrial packaging. Its chosen market positioning role is that of partner of reference for the eco-design of high barrier packaging meeting recyclability or compostability requirements through its innovative water-based coating formulations. With its wealth of scientific expertise built up over the SAES Group’s almost 80 years of activity, the company’s mission today is to provide innovation and sustainable solutions for the packaging industry.
Source: Ticinoplast, press release, 2020-06-04.
The first family of these new packaging solutions consists of MATER-BI biodegradable and compostable films complying with international standard UNI EN 13432 for lamination or use alone in the packaging of food and products suitable for compostable packaging. The result of collaboration with Novamont, these new films have been developed over a period of almost 3 years through joint research, development, industrialisation and testing on printing machines, laminating machines and packaging lines.
In all there are 5 already OK Compost-certified films, 2 print media and 3 sealing films. Laminated together, their mechanical and sealing properties ensure that they are suitable for production on any packaging machine. The print media can be processed on both rotogravure and flexographic lines. The sealing films can be used either laminated or as individual films, depending on the application, and can be printed.
MATER-BI, the result of Novamont research, is the family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics meeting European standard EN13432 for those applications where biodegradability in different environments (industrial composting plants, soil, marine environment) offers added value. Compostable products in fact have great potential in all those sectors where recycling operations are complex or impractical because of the simultaneous use of different materials and contamination by food waste. In these cases, using compostable bioplastics means that these materials and their contents can be included in the differentiated collection of organic waste, thus helping to produce quality compost for soil fertility and improve the recyclability of other waste.
Among the users of the nextFilm™ products line is SAES Coated Films. Through its proprietary COATHINK® coating and metallisation technology it can produce compostable films having barrier characteristics comparable to those of conventional packaging systems.
COATHINK™ is a water-based lacquer coating technology able to impart barrier properties to different types of polymer substrates. Thanks to its work on the sustainable design of barrier structures, SAES Coated Films has developed a family of products for high barrier and compostable flexible packaging complying with EN13432. The coating technology makes it possible to use thin coatings and formulations compatible with industrial composting processes. Oxygen and moisture barrier levels comparable to those of conventional packaging containing non-recyclable plastic multilayers can be achieved because of the functionalities of the lacquers used. The result is a packaging solution that effectively protects food products and can be disposed of in the wet fraction at the end of its life.
Finally, the nextFilm™ line will soon be supplemented with polyethylene film obtained from both biobased and chemical recycling resins, which will therefore be suitable for contact with food. This development has led Ticinoplast to commence the ISCC+ certification process.
Ticinoplast, which has been in business for more than 50 years, extrudes polyethylene blown film for food packaging and other applications. With its ten 1-to-5-layer extrusion lines, it ranks among the leading technological companies in the converting sector and is recognised throughout the world as one of the most innovative companies in the market for flexible materials.
The Novamont group is a leader in the production of bioplastics and the development of biochemicals and bioproducts through the integration of chemistry, environment and agriculture. With more than 600 people, it registered a turnover of about €238 million in 2018 and made constant investments in research and development (5% of its turnover, more than 20% of its staff); it holds about 1,800 patents and patent applications. It is based in Novara, production plant in Terni and research laboratories in Novara and Piana di Monte Verna (CE). It operates through its subsidiaries in Bottrighe (RO), Patrica (FR) and Porto Torres (SS). It is active internationally with offices in Germany, France and the United States and a representative office in Brussels (Belgium). It is present through its own distributors in over 40 countries on all continents.
SAES Coated Films is a SAES® Group company that designs, manufactures and deposits high barrier or active coatings on plastic or bio-material films for food, personal care and industrial packaging. Its chosen market positioning role is that of partner of reference for the eco-design of high barrier packaging meeting recyclability or compostability requirements through its innovative water-based coating formulations. With its wealth of scientific expertise built up over the SAES Group’s almost 80 years of activity, the company’s mission today is to provide innovation and sustainable solutions for the packaging industry.
Source: Ticinoplast, press release, 2020-06-04.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870292.
