Environmentally friendly packaging alternatives based on bioplastics

Tectubes launches the world's first fully biodegradable toothpaste tube made of bioplastic materials. Source: FKuR Kunststoff GmbH

For years, a wide variety of plastic materials serve as ideal packaging materials in almost all industrial branches. This class of material offers tailor-made properties for this kind of application. Plastics are light and dense, sufficiently stable, they provide good resistance to chemicals and they can be processed cheaply and versatile into a multitude of end products. However, new factors such as the demand for enhanced sustainability and increased resource conservation have gained more and more importance in the past years. Recyclability, energy efficiency, renewable resources and carbon footprint are key words, which can be found in the media almost daily. The increased use of so-called bioplastics can help to place more environmentally friendly packaging materials onto the market. First developments have already proven their marketability in the range of different cosmetics and body care products. Bioplastics are, by the way, a class of materials that are either produced from renewable resources, or that generates products with high biodegradability without releasing harmful components.

Bioplastics: The biodegradable toothpaste tube is on the market

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH from Willich, a manufacturer of bioplastic materials, has presented a completely compostable packaging for soaps in 2010. Together with the Swedish packaging specialist Tectubes, they have now developed and placed the world´s first biodegradable toothpaste tube on the market, which is completely manufactured from natural products. As a full-service provider, Tectubes performs all production steps from injection molding and extrusion up to printing. “Using bio resins for such an application was a challenge for us. We needed to have compatibility between the different parts, and match them together with good conversion properties”, says Johan Barkentin, project leader at Tectubes, Sweden. The tube distinguishes itself through optimal characteristics regarding packaging and performance and it has managed to convince the toothpaste manufacturer Allveggi in every possible aspect. Stefan Lundbladh, manager at Allveggi pays particular attention to the significance of this development. ”It is important for us to emphasize our ecological awareness and send a signal. By using bioplastics we can fulfill our wish to have an overall environmentally friendly solution.“

Sustainability: The first compostable adhesive is certified

With its new product development Epotal® Eco, the chemical company BASF offers the first TÜV-certified compostable water-based adhesive. The adhesive is especially suitable for the production of composite films for various flexible packaging solutions on the basis of biodegradable plastics. According to the European standard EN 13432, materials are considered to be completely biodegradable, if at least 90 percent of the contained organic carbon is degraded within a test period of 180 days. Rotting tests in earth have confirmed that already after 70 days 90 percent of the novel adhesive were decomposed. Microorganisms are able to convert the molecules of the material into carbon dioxide, water and biomass with the help of enzymes. After the decomposition process, the adhesive leaves no toxic residuals and it has no negative effects on the environment. Besides the compostability Epotal® Eco offers all benefits of water-based adhesives and it is an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative to solvent-based and solvent-free products. Water-based adhesives are free from toxic components and perfectly suitable for food packaging. Composite films, which are manufactured of water-based adhesives, can be processed immediately and they therefore offer interesting possibilities to the packaging industry regarding time and cost savings.

Optimal barrier properties: Biofilm NatureFlex

With its product NatureFlex N913, Innovia Film Ltd. has launched a new generation of film within the established NatureFlex line late last year. Like all members of this product family, NatureFlex N913 bases on an environmentally friendly film made of cellulose. Due to a proprietary sealant layer, the new foil offers significantly improved barrier properties to the user. This realizes an enhanced sealability, which protects content from moisture and conserves flavors over a long period. According to the company, the biofilm is in no way inferior compared to conventional packaging films, in regard of barrier and sealing properties. Like all NatureFlex films, the new development is produced from renewable resources and it is certified to meet the European EN 13432 and American ASTM D6400 composting norms. The film is suitable as packaging material for personal care products as well as for meat, cheese, cereals, confectionery and various household products.

Link: Database of bioplastics

The company M-Base Engineering and Software GmbH from Aachen has developed a novel biopolymer database in co-operation with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hannover. The database allows extensive data query and a direct comparison of the property profiles of different bioplastic materials. The project, which is promoted by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, documents almost all commercially available biopolymers and it can be reached free of charge via the domain www.materialdatacenter.com.