In the United Kingdom, Futamura has partnered with Biome Bioplastics to evaluate biobased, compostable multilayer films for dry food packaging.
The films combine Biome’s biodegradable sealants with Futamura’s NatureFlex cellulose films and boast 50–70% renewable content. They reach 90% disintegration within 12 weeks in water, are innocuous to soil and plants, and have competitive performance characteristics compared to incumbent products in food packaging designed to extend shelf life. The companies’ films can also be printed without retooling.
There is a push to replace conventional multilayer films because they cannot be recycled or composted.
“This range of multilayer films allows brand owners to move away from non-recyclable packaging and show that they are at the forefront of the drive to create a circular economy for plastics,” Myriam Moeyersons, sales manager at Biome Bioplastics tells Labels and Labeling. “There is no time to lose if we are to bear down on packaging waste and achieve the aims of the UK Plastics Pact,” which aims to recycle or compost 70% of plastic packaging by 2025.