bioplasticsMAGAZINE_0902

Application News
Air-Cushioning Made
of Bio-Film
The air-cushioning system Airplus from Storopack, Metzingen,
Germany, is being extended to include a bio-plastic material quality. The
compostable film is designed to run on all the machines in the series,
giving great variation on the types of applications it is suitable for. The filling
and padding material can be used throughout all service departments,
from small dispatch rooms to the automated distribution centre. The
compostability of Airplus Bio Film is certified according to the European
standard EN 13432. For this reason, the air cushions are marked with the
seedling and the BPI compostable logo ensuring the recipient is aware of
the shipping company’s ethos of sustainability.
At present, this air-cushioning is available in the following sizes, 200 x
200 mm and 200 x 100 mm. It is planned to include further variants from
the portfolio of PE films. The raw material is a biologically degradable
plastic compound based on PLA with a co-polyester. It was developed
by FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Willich, in co-operation with the Fraunhofer
Institute, Oberhausen, both Germany.
As with polyethylene based films, Storopack co-extrudes the polymer during processing to produce a three-layered structure.
Compared with mono-extruded films, this reduces material consumption, the elasticity is increased and the low permeability
ensures that the air fill does not shrink. Introduction to the market will take place in Europe and North America. Airplus Bio
Film is to be manufactured at the production sites in Wildau (Germany) and Cincinnati (USA).
Storopack emphasises that it wishes to distinguish itself from suppliers marketing so-called ‘oxo-degradable’ films labeled
as ‘bio’-products. These products are usually made of 100% petroleum based polyethylene. This PE is mixed with additives
based on metal compounds to accelerate its degradation. According to European Bioplastics data, some of these additives are
to be classified as hazardous materials according to EU law. For example, the presence of cobalt has been detected.
www.storopack.com
World’s First Fully Compostable Net Bag
www.giropack.com
www.fkur.com
Giró net bag made with FKuR´s Bio-Flex
Giró from Badalona, Spain, launches worldwide first certified complete
compostable net bag. The new net packaging system developed by Giró
comprises 100 % compostable materials certified according to EN 13432 for
net and label.
For the knitted net itself Bio-Flex ® F 1130 and for the label Bio-Flex ® F 2110
of FKuR were selected. “The excellent mechanical properties of Bio-Flex and
the easy processing were convincing factors that made us decide to use these
materials from FKuR”, says Carles Llorens, responsible for Engineering at
Giró. “We are sure that other innovations with these materials will follow.”
Net bags are often used for fresh food & vegetable packaging. Quality
factors are high elongation at break, high stretch elasticity as well as good
printing and welding properties.
Giró is a group of companies that provides state-of-art technology and
systems for the fruit and vegetable packaging industry. Giró is currently
present in more than 50 countries on the 5 continents.
28 bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/09] Vol. 4