bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0703

Special
foam trays for fresh food
“Bioplastics Award 2006” for the best biodegradable
food packaging.
To obtain a PLA foam, extensive tooling modifications
were necessary in comparison to the standard extruding
technology for XPS (Extruded Polystyrene Foam). Coopbox
invested two years in development, together with a
new screw profile, new die and accessory equipment -
everything was specifically projected to obtain the first
commercially available PLA foam tray.
The main characteristics of the product are: density of
300 g/l and good mechanical performance. Naturalbox
trays are certified in line with the European food contact
standards and comply with the European standard
EN13432 for compostable packaging.
Naturalbox ideally is used to pack fresh food: fresh
meat, processed meat, fish and vegetables. Closing can
be performed with two different packaging technologies:
top sealing or stretch-wrapping. With the top sealing
solution using a top film in PLA (this film has excellent
sealing resistance, natural antifog properties and
enhanced transparency) a 100% biodegradable pack
is obtained. Naturalbox can be closed on standard top
sealing machines and has a gas barrier lower than PET
but definitely higher than PP. Another possibility is to
use a standard stretch-wrapping machine with a standard
stretch film. In this case high packaging speeds
can be reached and for this application the mechanical
properties are very important and the foam tray solution
is very appropriate. Currently both PE and PVC film are
used, as any biodegradable stretch film able to work on
automatic wrapping machine is available today.
Commercial introduction is entering a very crucial
phase. Several trials have been, and are currently being,
conducted all over Europe and, given the novelty of
the product, Coopbox has encountered a lot of interest.
The number of awards provided visibility, but only an
entrepreneurial pioneering vision, the growth of people‘s
consciousness about the environment and some
legislative “effort” (as a result also of the activities of
European Bioplastics) is now supporting the company‘s
development. Today Naturalbox is present in Dubai (organic
food), in Denmark (potatoes), in Italy (poultry, fish
and cheese at the Finiper retail chain), and in France (at
Bodin industries for organic poultry). Moreover, at the
moment Coopbox is testing a new application for frozen
fish for an important retailer in the UK and is approaching
the German organic meat/poultry market developing
a system with VC999 machines.
Looking ahead the company foresees a 2008 full of
opportunities, with growing interest from several promising
prospects.
www.coopbox.it
bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/07] Vol. 2 23