Biodegradable and compostable packaging films

Biodegradable and compostable packaging film

	LT bio is a biodegradable and compostable plastic film similar to polythen. Bioplastic packaging film based on potato's starch, it is home compostable. LTBio is a biodegradable and compostable plastic film very close to polythen or polyethylene. Its mechanical performances are similar to a LLDPE, with a good breaking strength and a good resistance to tear. LTBio is food contact approved Has good barrier properties Is inherintly anti-static Has a low melting point Is plasticizer free This film is available in thicknesses from 18 microns to 70 microns . They are available in tubular width from 300 to 1400 mm. It is a biodegradable and home compostable packaging film. LTBio is a bioplastic. Based on potato's starch, it is home compostable : when put in a home compost, it will degraded by action of micro organisms, be converted in CO2 and will have no negative effect on the natural compost. Unlikely usual polyolefin films as polythene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), this film is fully biodegraded at least in 6 months. LTBio is fully in conformity with the European Directive 94/62 on packaging waste and the European Standard EN 13432. Applications are numerous : among others supermarket bags, shopping bags, bundling film for magazines and newspapers, lining, enveloppes. LTBIO is a good alternative to PE film. For more information regarding biodegradability and compostability, read hereafter.

Degradable, fragmentable, biodegradable, compostable Polyethylene (PE) like other polymers are all degradable. But even in a favourable environment to degradation, they can last several hundreds years and still be harmful to the environment. Polymers as PE or PP (polypropylene), among the most commonly used, are low degradable due to their structure built around a carbon chain. Bonds between carbon are very stable and very resistant. To increase the degradation of these polymers, components have been introduced between the carbon to facilitate the oxidative-degradation. The new products resulting of this modification have been called oxo-degradable and said fragmentable. However, it has never been proved the particules issued from the degradation could be absorb by micro-organisms to be transformed in H2O, CO2 and energy. Therefore, oxo degradable are not consider as biodegradable. In the meantime, the European Commission adopted a new standard : EN 13432 "Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Testing scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging", according to the Directive 94/62 on packaging. This norm determines the characteristics of packaging materials which are recoverable through composting and biodegradation. According to the Directive, biodegradation is the conversion of the material into CO2 under the action of micro organisms. A packaging material is biodegradable when at least 90% of this material is converted into C02 by micro organisms within the period of 6 months. (Because of difficulties or errors which can be met to measure the biodegradation, the rate of 90% have been preferred to 100%). Disintegration is the fragmentation of the product which have to loose all visibility in the final compost resulting from the biodegradation. The compost ( or residue) resulting from the degradation must be neutral regarding the environment. This means the compost must not reduce the agronomic value and must have no eco toxicological effect on the plant growth. Composting is a natural process of recovering organic waste. Organic and biodegradable wastes are piled up in a natural environment where micro organisms will convert biodegradable waste in CO2, H2O and new biomass. This biomass must be at least neutral and not affect the plant growth and the quality of the water. Industrial composting: when the compost must be heated at 58°C to biodegrade. Industrial facilities are needed. Home composting : when the compost can biodegrade at ambient temperature (20°C). Can be done at home. All the methods of measurements needed to check the biodegradability, disintegrability and the neutrality of the residue are specified by the norm EN 13432 (BS EN 13432). A biodegradable and compostable film must met all these requirements to be accepted as recoverable though composting and degradation. There is no exception. Few materials can met all these requirements and be use to produce packaging films. They can be divided in categories which are : Petrochemical polymers These are synthetic petroleum-based polymers which are biodegradable and compostable. The main critic is they are issue of oil. Materials issue from renewable ressources without be transformed : mainly are the starches from corn, potatoes, beetroots, rice. Materials issue from renewable ressources and transformed in polymer : the polymer are made from boi materials issue from renewable ressources but are transformed in new polymer. LTBio is based on potato's starch but also on other bio polymers and biodegradable polymers. This original composition gives this biodegradable and compostable packaging film the main technical specifications of a polythen film.